I Became The Academy Necromancer-Chapter 287: Blessing

The day after Goben’s unexpected arrival, I intentionally invited Illuania and Goben to share a meal with me.

Had this been Graypond or Loberne, we might have visited a high-class restaurant. However, there were no such sophisticated places in Norseweden.

Hence, I asked the family chef to prepare a special meal using carefully procured ingredients instead.

“I-it’s... delicious!”

Goben devoured the food like there was no tomorrow.

I was already aware that he wasn’t well-versed in dining etiquette, and I didn’t expect it from him either.

The word ‘ravenous’ fit his frantic manner of eating perfectly, but I had no intention of scolding him.

However, Illuania, sitting beside him, looked rather guilty.

“Please... eat a bit more slowly.”

Unable to hold back any longer, Illuania finally spoke up. Goben’s fork paused mid-air. He looked at my reaction before bowing his head.

“I... I’m sorry. It’s just that I’ve never tasted anything this good before.”

“It’s fine. Eat as much as you like.”

I had no plans to criticize him for enjoying his food. Yet Illuania’s face remained downcast.

After discreetly bowing her head to me in apology, she continued eating.

After the meal, we moved on to tea time.

It had been a while since I had tea that wasn’t brewed by Findenai, so I savored the aroma carefully before getting to the main point.

“I heard you are yet to make a decision.”

“No...”

“Ahem.”

Goben cleared his throat, as if preparing himself, then thumped his chest boldly as he made his declaration.

“I know I’m not trustworthy.”

“...”

“But... but I swear, I truly value Illuania.”

He was undoubtedly a passionate man.

It might have been due to the steak he’d just eaten, but he seemed to be bursting with vitality.

“I’ll admit it—I used to live as a thug. I didn’t know anything back then and just went along with the flow of life.”

Listening to him felt like hearing a reformed clergyman’s testimony. It wasn’t unpleasant.

I clasped my hands atop the table and listened attentively to his story.

“Yes, it’s true. And in those reckless days of mine, I loved Illuania and got her pregnant.”

“...”

“At the time, I didn’t think much of it. While I was aware of her charm, to her, our relationship was just a passing transaction.”

He added, But then...

“Do you remember Colton?”

“Of course, the gang boss from Norseweden.”

A big shot who dabbled in brothels, bars, and even drugs.

During the time of the original Deus, Darius and Deia couldn’t arrest him recklessly due to his close relationship with Deus through drug dealings.

However, after I took over his body, I personally apprehended him.

The event took place during my first meeting with Illuania.

“After Colton was arrested, it changed everything for me. I was just a small-time crook, so I served a short sentence and came out as a new man.”

His expression genuinely resembled that of someone who had encountered god and genuinely repented.

[He doesn’t seem to be lying.]

Stella, seated beside me, supported his earnest testimony.

“Using the skills I gained while hauling carts as a gang errand boy, I became a coachman. And it seems that all my efforts finally paid off as I was eventually hired by the prestigious Wellington Company!”

Rising from a gang underling to a coachman for a major trade corporation—it was indeed a kind of success story.

Clenching his fists tightly, he trembled with emotion.

“And as I was delivering goods to the Clark Republic, I ended up in Norseweden.”

“So, you happened to hear about Illuania while passing through?”

Goben nodded vigorously, confirming my guess.

“That’s right! Looking at the timing... the Soul Whisperer was away back then, so Illuania spent almost all her time with me.”

Goben spoke cautiously.

As I thought about it, I realized that to Goben, I might have appeared as if I didn’t want to let Illuania go.

Because the original Deius genuinely loved her.

Illuania forced a faint smile, choosing to remain silent. There was no need to explain my current circumstances to Goben.

[...]

I felt a warmth press against my back.

Stella, who was beside me, subtly leaned closer as if she didn’t want to lose her place.

I might have said something if it were just the two of us, but I let it slide for now.

“You do not have to worry about me. I have already cut ties with Illuania. My only wish is that she lives a peaceful life.”

“I... I see!”

Goben’s expression noticeably brightened.

He seemed to have gained confidence, as his words spilled out faster.

“The moment I heard the news, something just... clicked in my heart! Although I’m satisfied living as a coachman, this new feeling brought me even more fulfillment!”

“...”

“I want to take responsibility! For Illuania and her child. I know I wasn’t right in the past, but my love for her was never a lie.”

It was a passionate declaration.

I could now understand why Illuania had wavered.

Darius also mentioned that if he hadn’t intervened, she might have accepted Goben right away.

“I’ll have to head to the Clark Republic with my cart tomorrow. It’s not far, and I’ll be back in a week. I’ll make good money too!”

His tone sounded both confident and a bit audacious. But it was clear that he was sincere.

“I understand.”

“Thank you so much for understanding.”

Goben stood up and bowed deeply. Then, he turned to look at Illuania.

“What do you think?”

“I...”

Illuania lowered her gaze to the table and hesitated for a moment before speaking honestly.

“I wish for Sevia to have a father.”

“I see.”

If she also wished for that, I had no reason to stop her.

“I sincerely hope that the both of you have a bright future ahead.”

“Thank you!”

“...”

Goben smiled brightly while Illuania looked at me apologetically.

I shook my head, signaling that she did not have to make that face.

“If you ever find yourself needing help, come to me. If I can, I will support you both to the best of my abilities.”

“W-would you really do that for us?”

“It’s too much.”

Both of them looked surprised, their eyes open wide. Having the Soul Whisperer, who was directly under the king’s command, as backing had significant weight in this situation.

However, I couldn’t help but smile faintly as I spoke.

“This is something a man who loved you very much asked of me. I also owe him a great deal.”

The wish Deus Verdi had before he passed on his body to me.

And I was willing to do anything to fulfill it.

“Goben.”

I was sincere.

I truly hoped he would be the right man for Illuania, perhaps more than Illuania herself.

“I will protect the both of you.”

I locked eyes with Goben.

His gaze was filled with emotion.

“So, make them both happy.”

This was the only request I could make.

* * *“Nothing?”

As she tinkered with her gun, cleaning it in preparation, Deia glanced up at Findenai, who had come to deliver her report.

Findenai scratched the back of her head in embarrassment as she responded.

“Yeah, there’s nothing. He’s just an ordinary transporter. In fact, his reputation is pretty good.”

“That’s unexpected...”

Deia looked confused. She had expected some hidden agenda to be uncovered, but nothing?

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She began to question whether her sharp instincts had dulled.

“Wellington Company? Maybe they have something. It’s not unusual for big players to have questionable backers.”

“I guess... so.”

“But that bastard, Goben, looks clean. He does have a criminal record, but that’s because Master Bastard cleaned up the Norseweden gang. All he’s done after that is just work hard.”

“This is truly an unexpected variable.”

“Exactly. Even I found it surprising. Most guys like him don’t turn over a new leaf just like that.”

Findenai put a cigarette in her mouth, and though Deia frowned, she ignored her and lit it.

“Ah, damn.”

The situation was already making her feel uneasy, and with Findenai getting on her nerves, she felt like assembling her gun right then and there and shooting her in the head.

“Hey.”

Just then, a strange thought crossed Deia’s mind.

“Huh? What?”

The urge to question the maid’s tone towards her employer’s sister had long disappeared.

Deia put down her maintenance tools and asked.

“Deus didn’t give any special orders, right? Like, conducting a background check or something?”

“Hmm? No, he didn’t ask for anything like that.”

“...”

Why? The question naturally popped in Deia’s mind. Deus was someone who was rather sensitive to anything related to Illuania or Sevia.

Why did he not show any signs of concern?

Is it possible that he knew I would take action?

That made her feel like she was playing right into his hands, and it left a bit of a bad taste.

“Sigh, well, he probably knows something, which is why he acts that way. Honestly, would it kill him to give a little explanation?”

“Master Bastard does have that side to him.”

Having gotten a bit sentimental herself, Findenai exhaled a puff of smoke.

“Do you think Illuania will continue to work here?”

“Who knows? Her husband has a good job, so it might be better for her to quit and only focus on raising the child.”

“I suppose so.”

Findenai agreed with Deia’s opinion and took another drag from the cigarette.

A personal sense of regret mixed with the smoke slipping out of her lips.