Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

“Ready!”

At my command, all fifty-six members of the Werewolf Squad assume firing positions simultaneously.
Half are on one knee, and half are standing.

“Rear row, fire!”

At my command, the twenty-eight members of the rear row fire a volley at the targets.
Of the thirty scrap wood pillars we’d set up as targets, about half snap and fly apart.

The back row fires first to prevent friendly fire.
Since the front row is kneeling close to the enemy, there’s a risk they might stand up suddenly.
If that happens, they’d be hit by friendly fire at point-blank range.

“Front row, fire!”

At my command, the front row fires in unison.
Most of the remaining pillars were blown away. About three were left.

“Front row, charge!”

The front row transformed and began their charge.
The back row had been preparing for their next volley since a moment ago.

Once the front row—now transformed into werewolves—smashed all the remaining pillars, the training was over.

“That’s enough! Alright, that’s looking pretty good.”

When I smiled, everyone else broke into smiles too.

I’d asked my junior disciple, Lucco, to modify the magiarms staves for use as a werewolf.
Since the idea of a werewolf using a “staff” just didn’t fit the image, I’ve renamed it the “Magic Gun.” Above all, it sounds way cooler.

At my feet, Lucco stroked his face like a cat and said proudly:

“You werewolves only have mana flowing inward, but you actually have a decent amount of mana. So I set the weapon up to automatically draw that mana from you.”

I double-checked.

“So, just to be clear, you can fire two shots at first, right?”
“Yeah. I set the capacity so that it’s enough for two shots at that power level. For each shot, you gotta charge up for… let’s see, it’ll probably take from after breakfast until just before lunch?”

A few hours, I guess.
The limit is two shots per battle, so it’ll be tough if we have to fight back-to-back.

“Couldn’t you have made it so that it could fire a few more shots?”
“Only if you don’t mind being completely wiped out when you turn into a werewolf.”

For a werewolf, our human form is like an energy-saving mode. It’s also convenient for blending into groups of humans, so it seems werewolves with superior transformation abilities have prevailed in the struggle for survival.
Werewolves aren’t “super-powerful demons with transformation abilities”; we are “demons who keep a low profile normally so they can fight at full strength when it really counts.”
Since we’re loading that precious reserve of power into the magic guns, overusing them would cause problems when we transform into werewolves.

Anyway, with this, the Werewolf Squad has secured a means of attack at medium range. The fact that we can fight without transforming will also be important for our future plans.
Just as I was breathing a sigh of relief, Lucco tugged on my cloak.

“Hey, aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Ah, your compensation. Don’t worry about it—the Demon Lord’s Army will pay.”

Lucco then let out a blatant sigh and shrugged his shoulders.

“You werewolves are such numbskulls. That’s not what I mean—here, this.”

Stretching up, he held out an out-of-season apple.

“Are you giving this to me?”
“I told you, that’s not what I mean!”

Lucco, now in a bad mood, began stomping his feet repeatedly.

Ah, I remember now.

“Could it be… that?”
“That’s it! Hurry up!”

I pulled out my knife and cut the apple into eight equal pieces. Then I carved the skin to make eight little rabbits.
It all started back during our apprenticeship, when I made them for Lucco, who was having a hard time opening up to me.
Back then, this guy was so excited he was hopping all over the room.

Apparently, apple bunnies didn’t exist in this world.
That means, as the inventor of the apple bunny, I might go down in history. That makes me a little happy.

“Is this okay?”
“Yeah, that’s the one. Hurry up and give it to me.”

Hopping up and down, Lucco begs for the apple.

When I hand him the apple on the plate, Lucco plops down right there.
Then he picks up the Apple Bunny, his eyes sparkling.

“Whew… Beautiful… It’s so beautiful…”
“Hey, Lucco, why do you always beg for this one thing? You can make it yourself, can’t you?”

Then, while munching away on the apple, Lucco gave me a look of exasperation.

“It’s extra special when someone else makes it for me! Don’t werewolves get this sense of exclusivity?”
“Is that how it is?”

As long as it makes him happy, that’s fine by me.

Lucco’s acting a bit too cocky, but considering everything he’s done for us, this much is only fair.
Of all the Magiarms Staves we’d recovered, Lucco modified over sixty, including spares, into “Magic Guns” for werewolves.
One gun would be one thing, but modifying this many is a real chore.
Thanks to some design flexibility, it seems he managed to pull it off, but by the end, he was so exhausted he was dozing off with a carrot in my mouth.

Still feeling grateful to my junior disciple, I’ll train the Werewolf Squad again today.
Mind you, my only experience with guns comes from airsoft, video games, and movies.
We could have asked the captured Magiarms Battalion to handle the training, but they’re cavalry or snipers—their tactics are different from ours.
Above all, this is a top-secret matter for the Demon Lord’s Army.
Even though we’re temporarily joining forces, we can’t possibly reveal the detailed specifications to the 209th Magiarms Battalion.

And that’s how I, an amateur, am leading a group of complete novices.
I’m still a little worried, but I’ve got a secret weapon, so I’m sure we’ll manage.

“Lucco, is that thing ready to use yet?”

Lucco gave the last little rabbit a lingering, wistful look before nodding slightly.

“You can fire it up, if that’s what you’re thinking. I’m just worried about the strength of the axles, so I’ve ordered new ones from Jerich.”

Where my gaze fell, there was something that looked like a cannon. It was a so-called Gatling gun, consisting of six magic guns bundled together.
Since mages can freely manipulate mana, we have no trouble with ammunition capacity.
So, I had Lucco build one capable of rapid fire for fire support.
The six large magic guns are designed to store a considerable amount of mana. Their rate of fire is outstanding, and their power and range are also quite impressive.
However, since I’d prefer to keep this a secret as well, I probably won’t have many opportunities to use it.

Leaning against the magic Gatling gun are Kait and Rasie.

“Kait and I can handle one each, and Parker can handle two. Anything more than that would be a bit of a stretch.”
“So, could you handle the mana supply for the remaining two, Mr. Vait?”
“Yeah, leave it to me.”

Since operating them requires multiple mages, Kait, Rasie, and Parker will be going to Rolmund.
After all, they can each use spells that’ll come in handy.

And standing right next to Kait and the others is Mao, the merchant.

“I don’t see why I have to come along, though.”
“We’re short on diplomats. At this point, even a crook merchant with some free time will do.”

We’ll need someone skilled in negotiations for our future operational plans.
Since there happened to be a crooked merchant whose main business was falling apart and who looked like he had some free time, I decided to invite him along too.

Mao shrugged.

“I guess I am free.”
“Besides, if I didn’t invite you, you’d definitely complain about it later, wouldn’t you?”

He laughed.

“Of course I would. If we go to Rolmund, there’s bound to be at least one money-making opportunity lying around. And if I’m with you, I’m sure I’ll make it back safely.”
“I can’t guarantee that.”

What’s with that strange sense of trust he has in me?

I returned to the office with everyone else and picked up a silver coin lying on the desk. It was a Rolmun silver coin—a size larger than a Miraldia silver coin.

“What’s that?”

Mao asked, so I replied:

“They’re offerings for the memorial, but silver coins are too expensive for that. So I have the dogfolk soldiers in charge of cleaning to collect them every day.”
“So, you’re saying there’s someone who offers those every day? Rolmund silver coins?”

There’s only one person who fits the description, and since I’ve got someone watching her, the reports of it have reached me too.
It’s Princess Eleora.
I let out a small sigh as I placed today’s batch of silver coins into the small box.

“Since she gives them away anyway, I plan to use them for the maintenance of the memorial and next year’s memorial service, but I can’t help but feel a little uneasy about it.”
“I understand. It’s a real drag to feel responsible when you’re holding onto money that’s been entrusted to you.”

Just then, Parker, who looked about as bored as Mao, came over.

“A memorial service, huh? If that’s the case, I’ll help you out. We can recreate the Battle of Lüenheit by doing a joint spirit-summoning exercise for the fallen soldiers of both sides…”
“Mao.”
“What is it?”

Tilting his head in confusion, Mao quickly handed me a mini armrest cushion.

I shoved it into Parker’s mouth.

“Divine retribution will come for you someday, Senior Brother.”
“Hihahaha!”

Since I’ve died once myself, I’ll punish Parker on behalf of the dead.

“Master always says that once a necromancer starts treating the dead like toys, it’s all over, right?”
“Hyokingh! Ay wah yus hyokingh!”
“No. It’s my duty as a junior disciple to admonish my senior brother in place of Master.”

Necromancers often touch upon taboos, so if they aren’t careful, they gradually lose their humanity.
Cases like Parker, where one had lost their physical body, have to be especially careful.
He’s well aware of this himself, but the moment he lets his guard down, this is what happens.
That’s why Master strictly ordered me never to let up on calling him out.
His comment just now felt a little dangerous, so I’d better give him a proper scolding.
I don’t want this annoying senior apprentice to end up ruined.

That said, I’m still worried about Eleora.
I allowed her to go for a walk, hoping it would serve as a distraction for her, but is it really working?
Apparently, the sight of a foreign princess offering prayers at the memorial every day has become the talk of the town among the citizens of Lüenheit.
This situation has me a little uneasy, so I’ll ask Natalia about it next time.