Let's Make A Deal

“So, there is no way to make her stop being a necromancer?”

“If it were possible, I would have done it myself.”

“Naoko, there’s no need to be so rude.”

"Hmf."

Despite the truce, the atmosphere inside the carriage was still somewhat tense. Naoko was trying to get comfortable while some shadowy thorns were still pricking her body.

“The fight is over, isn’t it? Why am I still being held hostage?”

“You’re in no position to make demands here, twin-tails girl.” Magdalena brought her face closer. “Let’s just pretend this is your punishment for what you tried to do in the forest.”

In an attempt to lessen her sentence through good behavior, Naoko tried to explain some truths about necromancers.

“There’s no such thing as ceasing to be a necromancer. Necromancy is something fixed in your soul, just like all magic—it is a manifestation of your soul.”

“Our late professor explained that to us once. Even so, isn’t there any way to try changing a person’s soul in order to alter it?”

“Changing a person’s soul… Do you even understand what that means?” Naoko asked indignantly, but upon realizing they had no idea what they were talking about, she started to explain in detail:
“The soul is the conglomerate of your vital energy, it represents the essence of your being—your memories, the way you act or think, and even your body is a result of your soul. The body is an important part of this equation: while it is affected by the soul, it can also influence changes in it.
People tend to change over time—age, grow, lose or gain weight, become stronger or weaker, and so on. Even if you change your appearance so much that someone from your past wouldn’t recognize you, that doesn’t mean you’ve stopped being yourself.
In the end, what matters is what’s inside you—your soul. Altering your soul isn’t as simple as changing your name or appearance; your essence as a whole would need to become something entirely new.”

“Wait, but doesn’t that mean it’s actually possible?”

“No, Peter.” Edward interrupted his friend’s innocent enthusiasm. “What she’s trying to say…”

“You would have to die. Completely kill your old self and become a new person. Abandon all your memories, everything you believe in—you would have to bury it all.”

Naoko’s words silenced everyone, leaving only the sound of raindrops, the horses’ hooves, and the carriage wheels filling the air.

Finally, Arya spoke the question everyone was waiting for. “So, does the fact that I have no memories of my past mean that I tried to change my soul to stop being a necromancer before meeting them?”

“…That’s just one possibility.”

Arya reflected to herself. Was the only way to escape her fate as a necromancer to once again leave all her memories behind? It was ironic—the reason she wanted so badly to stop being a necromancer was so she could stay by their side. What was the point in following that path, then?

Meanwhile, Edward directed his words toward Jack with some apprehension. “Can we really feel safe now? You’re not going to try anything, are you?”

“Don’t worry, I intend to honor my deal with Magdalena to not attack the necromancer named Arya Belchior.”

“Deal?”

Magdalena placed a finger over her lips. “Shhh… Family secret.”

“However, there are a few conditions you’ll have to follow. First, and this should be obvious, but you must not use your necromancy to commit heresy against Mors.” Jack looked at Arya.

“I only used Cerberus to try to defend us…”

“Using Cerberus isn’t the problem.”

“Huh?”

“Cerberus, Treachery, and Odioso—every summon used by necromancers—aren’t creatures created by Mors. What’s truly considered heresy is the act of trying to resurrect humans. Humans even came up with a term for it…”

“Star Thieves. Maybe I didn’t fully understand it the first few times I heard it, but looking at it now, I see how it’s a derogatory term.”

“Yes, stealing a star is an unforgivable crime. But that’s actually good news—I won’t stop you from using your summons, as long as it’s for a good purpose, which brings me to my second condition.”

“And what would that be?”

“If you have the power to fight, then use it to fight demons. This won’t lift your burden as a necromancer, but if you’re saving humans, then Mors might have a bit of mercy on your fate.”

“But isn’t that common sense? Necromancers are humans too—they fight against demons, don’t they?” Edward asked.

“If only things were that simple… It’s quite the coincidence to find two exceptions to the rule at the same time, but don’t be fooled. The truth is, most necromancers ally themselves with demons. They are enemies of humanity—perhaps even more dangerous then demons.”

“Allying with demons… That’s absurd.”

“But it’s the truth. That’s why I joined the Mercenary Guild—Yoru gives me missions that involve or lead me to necromancers.” Jack pulled out his guild medallion, showing it to the group.

“Yoru? Who’s that?”

“Yoru Kageyama. She’s the leader of the Mercenary Guild. If you really want to join the Guild, she’s the one you’ll have to speak to. But don’t worry, she won’t restrict necromancers from joining—after all, she even admitted Naoko.”

“To be a mercenary, you need to show strength and conviction—she doesn’t admit those she considers weak or unprepared,” Naoko commented.

“Looks like we’re making good progress. I’m starting to get excited about this idea of joining a Guild.” Peter, as always, was the most optimistic. “But we’ll have to go to this Floating Moonlight City to talk to her?”

“It’s the only way to join the Guild, but don’t worry—you’re closer than you think. We’re almost at Corvocitta. In the neighboring city, Krahen Nest, there’s a railway terminal that connects to Floating Moonlight.”

Edward interrupted the explanations. “Before you all get sidetracked, I just want to confirm something. Are those the only conditions? If Arya meets both, can she live as she wishes?”

“As I said, she still carries the burden of being a necromancer, so it’s still a dangerous life. But as far as I’m concerned, I won’t hunt her anymore.”

Edward and Arya sighed in relief. As Jack continued explaining how to reach the Mercenary Guild headquarters, they continued their journey, and before they knew it, they had arrived in Corvocitta. The rain reduced visibility, but they could see several dark-toned buildings illuminated from within, giving the city a faint glow.

Following Jack’s instructions, they entered the Mercenary Guild bases int the city, in a sparsely occupied stable with a covered area to disembark. While Edward helped Arya down from the driver’s seat, the rest of the group exited from the back—Jack was the first, followed by Peter, Reaper, and Magdalena.

When it was Naoko’s turn to get down, still tied up and as clumsy as ever, she tripped and almost fell. Peter, with his sharp reflexes, caught her in his arms.

“.........”

"Are you alright?"

"... Y-You’re my Ettore?"

"Ettore?"

"The warrior prince who will rescue me from the jaws of the evil dragon..."

"Sorry, but I can't be your prince. I already have a princess waiting for me. Lana... I can't wait to see her again."

"Rejected twice in the same day... Does every guy around here already have a girlfriend?" Naoko looked at Edward, and seeing the way he gazed at Arya, she already had her answer. "What a terrible day."

Naoko led the way into the Guild base, walking dejectedly over her romantic failure. The others followed her, surveying their surroundings. Before Edward entered, Jack grabbed his arm and subtly motioned for a private conversation.

“What is it?”

“You asked earlier about the conditions. In truth, there is a third condition, but it’s something that depends only on you.”

“…Go on.”

“Necromancers reject death. Sooner or later, they feel tempted to bring a human back. If you die in front of her, it’s natural to think she will give in—especially since you’re lovers. You must prevent that at all costs.”

“No need to tell me—I’m doing my best every day to become stronger so I can protect her. I won’t let that happen.”

“But if necessary, would you be willing to kill her?”

"What?"

"This is my final condition. If she ever reaches the point of trying to steal a star, you must take on the duty of killing her. What do you say? Do we have a deal?"

Jack followed the true meaning of an deal —shaking his hand was the same as sealing a pact with Mors herself. Just as the oath between Magdalena and Reaper was an unbreakable bond, making a deal with Jack meant that Edward would have to uphold his end of the deal.

Edward pondered for a moment. Just imagining the situation made his stomach turn, but in the end, he had no way out.
"...Alright, I accept your deal."