Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

After my audience with the Demon King, I was on my way out when Vice-Command Baltze called out to me.

“Good work, Sir Veit. It’s about lunchtime, would you care to join me?”

The dragonkin have lizard-like faces, which can make them seem intimidating, but in truth, they’re a wise and rational race. Baltze, in particular, seems to have a gentle disposition.

Even among Vice-Commands, he’s of higher rank than me, so I gladly accepted his invitation. Come to think of it, there is a high-ranking officers’ dining hall here.

“Thank you. I’m a ravenous wolf right now. I’d be happy to join you.”

And so the werewolf and dragonkin Vice-Command duo made their way to the officers’ salon inside the castle. A dragonkin guard saluted us at the entrance. We returned the gesture and entered with ease.
In my previous life, I never had the chance to set foot in a fancy place like this, so it’s not a bad feeling.
That said, the level of technology here is so different, a family restaurant from my past life might have actually been more comfortable.

I ordered venison steak and potato stew from the dogfolk server. Since it’s lunch, I only got three portions of the venison. No need to overdo it.
Baltze looked at me with his mouth agape—was that weird?
He ordered stir-fried grasshoppers with herbs. The dragonkins do like insects.

While we waited for the food, we passed the time like proper military officers—with small talk about logistics and operations.

“Is the northern front really that bad?”
“Yes. It’s not something we can tell the regular troops, but the situation looks grim.”

Since no common soldiers come here, we can speak freely. Baltze sighed quietly as he sipped his lemon water.

“The Second Division neglects tactics entirely. They don’t bother with sieges when attacking walled cities. They just smash through the gates and charge in.”

As a result, the humans often escape through the rear gates and flee to nearby cities. In other words, refugees.

“These refugees then organize themselves into volunteer militias and, together with nearby allied forces, launch counterattacks. Their morale is high and they fight with desperation, which leads to far more casualties on our side than expected.”
“But they’re just poorly trained militia, right? I doubt they can stand against the giants and ogres of the Second Division.”

Those guys are dumb, sure, but they’re undeniably strong.

Baltze shook his head.

“You’re aware that the northern regions have many followers of the Sonnenlicht Faith, yes? They’re highly disciplined and well-suited to soldiering.”

The harsh northern climate makes the collectivist Sonnenlicht Faithmore practical. A self-centered religion like the Ruhigermond Faith wouldn’t help anyone survive the winter.

“They’re not afraid to sacrifice the individual for the sake of the whole. That’s what makes every battle a bloody war of attrition.”

Just then, our food arrived, and we paused the conversation to dig in. I bit into the juicy venison, savoring it with my wolfish fangs.

But there have to be better strategies than attrition.

“Why not turn the captured cities into defensive positions and avoid further losses?”
“The Second Division smashes even perfectly good gates and walls just to show off their strength, you see…”

Baltze started muttering bitterly between bites of his stir-fried grasshoppers, his anger rising as he explained.

“The Second Division has no discipline or control. Do they even realize they’re flying the Demon King’s banner?”

Sorry. I’m not sure I do either.

As I chewed my venison, someone else entered the dining hall.

“Well, if it isn’t Veit. What a rare sight.”

Pale white skin, black hair, and a revealing dress with heaving cleavage.
A sultry beauty made her entrance.
I gave her a polite nod.

“Long time no see, senior Marlene.”
“Oh come now, just call me Madam Marlene.”
“No thanks.”

Marlene is a Vice-Command in the Third Division—and the top one at that.
She’s also the top disciple of our division commander, Gomoviroa. That makes her my senior apprentice.
Also, she’s a vampire.
Not a succubus.

Baltze greeted her as well and invited her to join us.
Marlene smiled and sat down next to me.

“So, what secret are the Captain of the Azure Scale Knights and the Commanding Officer of Lüenheit whispering about?”
“Not a secret conversation. I was just explaining the situation with the Second Division.”

Baltze, ever serious, responded in his usual calm tone.

Marlene ordered a spiritwine and leaned back with a sigh.

“Sounds like you’re having a hard time, Baltze.”
“Not nearly as hard as someone ruling over humans like you are, Lady Marlene.”

Yes—Marlene’s unit has also taken over a city in Miraldia. The old capital of Bernehainen, northwest of Lüenheit.
But her methods are completely different from mine.

Marlene gave a carefree shrug; “It was easy. I just turned them all into vampires.”

That’s right. There isn’t a single living human left among the nobles and soldiers of Bernehainen.

Marlene’s method to conquer Bernehainen was all nonsensical.
With about a hundred vampire soldiers, she launched a night raid on Bernehainen and turned the governor and guards into vampires overnight. After that, it was their festival.
It was a nightmare for the residents, but there was one silver lining.
The governor and the others who have turned are still living their normal daily lives. Aside from absolute obedience to Marlene, not much else changed.

Bernehainen holds many valuable cultural assets like the Royal Library, so keeping collateral damage to a minimum made sense—but still, wasn’t that a bit extreme?
As I pondered this, I looked at the spiritwine in her glass.
She downed the steaming white drink in one gulp.

“Compared to me, Veit, you’ve got it way harder. You’re ruling living humans without mind control. What kind of magic are you using?”

I’m just taking it slow, based on what I remember from being human, my dear senior.
I cleared my throat and dodged the question.

“We werewolves specialize in blending in with humans, so we have a decent grasp of their psychology.”
“Hmm.”

She chuckled and poked my forehead with a finger.

“Well, our cities are neighbors, so let’s play nice. Hey, how about opening up trade? Things are calming down over here.”
“Sounds great. I’ll leave the trade route security to you.”
“You’re awfully quick to delegate… Well, just leave it all to your senior here.”

She gave her enormous chest a pat and winked at me.

After finishing his meal, Baltze wiped his mouth with a napkin and asked her,

“By the way, Lady Marlene, who will be leading the attack on Tübahn?”
“Oh, not me. My vampire troops are tied up holding Bernehainen. Sorry. I’ll put a promising rookie in charge instead.”

So they’re going after Tübahn next.
I just sent Priest Jucht there to get rid of him, would be a pain if he came back…

After that, we spent a while swapping stories and complaining about our superiors.
Our master is a brilliant magician but completely uninterested in military strategy. All she says is, “Just overwhelm ’em with numbers,” while cranking out skeleton soldiers non-stop.
Which means the rest of us disciples end up with all the headaches.

From Baltze, I learned something interesting too.
Apparently, the Demon King is so absorbed in his thoughts that he often forgets to eat or sleep unless someone makes him. Even during meals, he’s deep in thought with a furrowed brow, which frightens the young dragonkin waitstaff.

“We’re here to serve him with everything we have. If only he could relax a bit.”

Baltze looked genuinely concerned. He must really respect the Demon King.

It’s said the Demon King himself designed the army’s sophisticated system, so he must be pondering some grand design.
If all he had going for him was brute strength, no matter how powerful he is, so many wouldn’t follow him. Clearly, he also has keen intellect and commanding charisma.
That made me feel just a little more proud to be part of the Demon King’s army.