Chapter 1: Lord Necromancer

I've joined an underground shady organization just like I've always wanted. I wonder how deep this so called Cult of Diablos is. And I wonder how powerful the demon Diablos that they worshipped is. I'm sure I shall find out sooner or later. For now, I must climb up the ladder from the bottom… well, not really from the bottom because I've already been promoted to a First Child, highest ranking among the Children of Diablos barring unique ones such as Named Children, due to my aptitude in magic which enabled me to subdue my rampaging magic after consuming the Red Pill, a test to determine one's level within the Cult.

No doubt No. 002's condition played a part on my quick promotion too. The Cult must be very interested in my research, even though it was still in VERY early stages. I mean, it's just number two! And my No. 001 is missing too! At least joining this Cult makes it easier for me to obtain fresh materials for future experiments, though the loss of No. 001 is still very regrettable. She was such a good material.

I've been granted subordinates, namely the Knight Captain Gilfried and his men, who are members of Knight Order branch of Everick in public but secretly Cult plants.

But despite that rank, I'm still low ranked in the grand scheme of things. I'm not even informed much of the higher ups and the organization's structure besides what Gilfried knows. All they told me was that if I distinguish myself well enough, I'll be granted a name, becoming a Named Child, which would make me stand out among the Children of Diablos. They also informed me of the leadership of the Cult called the Knights of Rounds. What is this? Knights of the Round Table? Am I working under King Arthur right now? Perhaps Mordred is a member too? You'd be surprised but there is a Mordred here too according to Gilfried.

Either way, my direct boss is a Rounds member called Fenrir, named after the dread wolf and slayer of Odin. Besides the name Gilfried didn't have much to say about the man other than how ruthless and meritocratic he is.

How shall I climb the ladder? I'm certainly eager to go on missions to kill people but I recognize that I'm not strong enough. Not yet. I haven't even seen the peak, let alone reach it. I NEED MORE POWER!

Ahem… That's why I must continue my research. First order of business, the Possessed. The Cult is extremely interested in them. As am I. The Red Pill they made is a nice power boost… although it must be a defective or incomplete product considering one needs good magic control in order to rein the rampaging power that comes with it or risk being reduced to a mindless beast.

But certainly I cannot neglect my character build, which is that of a sorcerer… a Necromancer… hence I must continue researching magic in secret. I won't allow this forbidden knowledge to leak out. I need to keep notes of my magical research so I bought a random tome and wrap its cover with stitches of human skin and called it the Book of the Dead, Necronomicon.

Also, I need to continue my research into Magic Ite- Artifact crafting. Not only will crafting Artifacts allow me to strengthen myself with magic equipments, I can also do business with it, getting more money to fund my research and my evil schemes while rising through the ranks in the Cult. Killing two birds with one stone.

These three points are the most important things for me to develop. Besides these three, I need to act as the son of a Duke, Claude Normann and as Lord Necromancer, the leader of a small group of cultists in Everick. I'll be very busy from now on but that's fine. Better busy than being aimless and have low funds and opportunities to do evil after all.

"My lord. Here are the batches of Possessed you requested." Gilfried says as he delivers 2 Possessed girls to a room designated as my lab. They looked absolutely terrified when they saw my robed and masked appearance, just the way I like it.

"Good. You may leave. Heh heh heh." I reply with a chuckle and he does as he was told.

Now then. Hello to you both, No. 003 and No. 004.

"KYAAAAAAAHHHH!" The screams of a girl echoes throughout the underground base underneath the Knight Order headquarters of Everick after I left them in Lord Necromancer's lab. Said creams disturbs the guards but they said nothing, not wanting anything to do with that scary business. If this underground base isn't soundproof, we would've been found out already. Luckily the Cult placed great importance on secrecy so Lord Necromancer can torment those poor girls as much as he wants.

Oh yes… I said torment, not experiment on them. I know a psychopath when I see one (not that it was hard to guess since he IS a serial killer). I can see how evil he is just from my brief interactions with him. His behavior chills me out to the bone even more than that psychopath Lutheran did. His power is undeniable. And that's without mentioning his intelligence. Oh yes. He is very intelligent and cunning. Within a single night he immediately rose to become a First Child. Even I, with all my years of hard work, can only reach the rank of Second Child. And he even did it after saving my hide from exposure to the public due to my subordinate's blunder in handling Lady Charlotte, which would mean my execution, by taking the blame himself. It felt like I played right into his hands… and unlike most Cult operatives, he isn't afraid to go public and gaining notoriety.

His unique ability to command the dead… and the monster he unleashed upon Everick… Both things interested Lord Fenrir so much that despite Lord Necromancer's dubious background, Lord Fenrir decided to recruit him.

But how will you fare from now on, Lord Necromancer? You have a lot of rivals within the Cult. Especially one who obtained his rank through far more outstanding way than you did, namely Sergey Gorman, a man who achieved the same rank as you by killing his predecessor in a duel, proving his martial prowess against an equal... Though I suspect you would use your cunning to go against him but cunning is not exclusive to you, Lord Necromancer.

There is Zenon Griffey. Although he never accomplished anything as flashy as you or Sergey did, he is still an experienced member of the cult, familiar with its inner workings and politics. He proved himself useful by rising in rank not only within the Cult but also in public, earning the position as the swordsmanship instructor at the Midgar Royal Spellsword Academy.

Then there is Gettan the Sword Demon, another newcomer but an impressive one nonetheless. He lacked cunning but his instinct and high senses allowed him to survive through the inner politics of the Cult even without both eyes. I heard he was scouted personally by one of the Rounds after surviving the chaotic Beastkin tribal wars brought by the death of the Beastkin hero, Shiva.

There is also Petos, another psychopath who currently held high position within the Church, though his loyalty goes to the Cult first, a perfect plant of the Cult within the Church. I heard he's currently scheming something in the Beastkin lands.

Another rising star would be Perv Asshat, Lord Mordred's current favourite pawn who is useful not because of his martial prowess but for his cunning and political capabilities which allowed him to force Duke Asshat of Oriana to not only adopt him into the family but also name him the heir instead of the Duke's own blood related children. His cunning allowed him to achieve something previously thought to be impossible in the world of aristocracy.

I've even recently heard that one of the elven princes has joined the Cult, though I have little information about him as I didn't even know his name.

But all of them pale in comparison to Lutheran Barnett, also known as Sir Gaunt. The man has been there far longer than any of the others did, far longer than even me…and I consider myself old. Lutheran used to be one of the Rounds… although his disease weakens him so much that other Rounds voted him out of the rank, leaving the 12th Seat vacant, leading to many to covet the seat. Despite that, he is still a dangerous man. His influence as a former Rounds member alone is a powerful asset, let alone his own experience and cunning.

No doubt you will be aiming for the seat too, Lord Necromancer. But that will be no easy feat.

Still, as someone who tried, failed and gave up navigating through the treacherous waters of the Cult's politics, I shall be watching how you make your move. How will you utilize your cunning, powers and unique abilities? Will you survive the cutthroat politics of the Cult? Or will you fail? We shall see.

"I don't want to hear it. What I do want to hear is this Necromancer guy. Tell me more, knight." Zenon says to the knight who reported the news that the knights of Everick is now under new management, ignoring his top scientist who's interested in the Necromancer and his research.

"He is… terrifying. I felt like I wasn't talking to a human but a demon… a specter of death. His voice and the… zombies accompanying him certainly reinforced that idea."

"How strong is he?" Zenon continue asking, not liking what he heard already but wanting to hear more nonetheless.

"He took on the Red Pill and immediately controlled it without showing signs of bodily mutation. We expected to deal with a rampaging monster when we gave him that test… but he was calm the entire time." The knight replies, causing Zenon to frown.

"… Becoming a First Child at the time of his joining and… already possessing something that interests Lord Fenrir… Hmph. You may leave now, knight." Zenon says without hiding his contempt for the newcomer.

"L-Lord Fenrir. Can we establish a connection with this man so that we-" The scientist's words are cut by a fist straight in this face before he could finish it. The punch threw him to the floor with a loud thud. "Uwaaaaghhhh! What was that for!?" He wailed while clutching his bleeding nose.

"I know you're planning on betraying me, little scientist. And so I must remind you again who financed your research, who got you into the Cult and gave you everything you have after you were banished from Laugus for your dubious experiments and most importantly…" Zenon leaned closer to the scientist's face while pulling him by his collar and whispers menacingly "who you're working for!"

"Y-Yes… I'm so sorry, Master Zenon…!" The scientist says while trembling in fear as Zenon drops him to the floor.

"That corpse we obtained the other day… make sure to use it to advance the research of Diablos cells. Make sure we can compete with that Necromancer's own research!" Zenon orders the scientist before leaving the man alone.

"Kuhh…! As if I'm content with staying by your side when a wealth of knowledge is elsewhere…" The scientist mutters quietly as he stood back up.

"Necromancer… no… Lord Necromancer. I must serve him! I must be by his side! Only hi-his side shall I obtain the knowledge that I seek! The knowledge that those fools in Laugus are too afraid to seek! I shall… I shall rise above them all and prove to them that I am right! Mwa ha ha ha ha!" the scientist laughs, tough he kept his volume quiet enough so that his departed master didn't catch wind of it, although even if he didn't hear it, Zenon already knew where the man's loyalty lies as if this very moment and he will do his best to keep a leash on the poor scientist while he schemes to bring down the upstart.

Author's Note:

Finally updated after some time, eh? Yes this story starts at the very early stages of the Necromancer joining the Cult, even earlier than the Seven Shades Chronicles' start chronologically. This side story will allow me write events that happen behind the scenes and bring focus on stuff that was only mentioned but not elaborated in the main story, just like how each members of the Seven Wraiths are recruited.

borregodillon9: Nice start though

Answer: Thanks. Hope this side story will be as interesting as the main story to you.

choeyingtenzing8: Cool

Answer: Thanks.