Project Necro is an official initiative by Re:Library.

I shook hands with Vice-Commander Baltze and parted ways, walking down the corridor with Senior Marlene.

“What are you going to do now?”
“I already submitted my report earlier, so I’m heading home.”
“How will you get there?”

Just as I asked, our master drifted in through the window, floating softly.

“Oh, there you two are.”

At that moment, Marlene flung herself at master.

“Teacher! I missed you!”

It’s a heartwarming sight—a voluptuous beauty hugging a tiny girl—but in truth, this is a vampire disciple hugging her necromancer master.

The great sage Gomoviroa pushed Marlene’s face away, looking annoyed.

“We just saw each other a short while ago. Stop that, you’ll break my back.”
“But I really missed you!”

Other divisions might be shocked to see this, but for us disciples, it’s a daily occurrence.
Marlene, the eldest disciple, sees our master like a mother.

After finally prying her off, our master gave her head a light smack.

“You’ve been my disciple for fifty years, and yet you’re still as peppy as ever.”

She cleared her throat and looked at us both in turn.

“Listen closely. The cities you two govern are going to become increasingly important. You’re aware of how bad things are on the northern front, are you not?”

We both nodded.
If the northern front collapses, the Demon King’s army will have no choice but to push south. When that happens, the two cities we govern will be the first line of defense.

Our master placed a hand on each of our shoulders and murmured:

“Originally, as your Mentor, my role was to share the depth and joy of magic with you. I regret that things have come to this.”

A researcher to the core, she seemed genuinely remorseful for involving her students in war.

Marlene smiled brightly.

“Oh, Teacher, come on. We’re a school that values real-world experience, right? Veit agrees too, don’t you?”
“Of course. And with us in the south, we can reduce pointless bloodshed.”

To help offset the disasters the Second Division tends to cause, our Third Division needs to exist.
Death is inevitable both for humans and demons, but with us around, we can at least reduce the damage.

Our master gave a deep nod and patted our heads.

“I’m blessed with good disciples. I’m sorry to burden you, but I’ll be counting on you.”
“Yes, Teach.”
“Leave it to us.”

We smiled and bumped fists.

Then, with our master’s help, I returned to Lüenheit once more.
Governor Aylia takes care of the administrative minutiae, and most of the day-to-day operations are handled by the captains of the werewolf squads.
Still, I’m the one with final responsibility.
As expected, a pile of documents awaiting approval sat on my desk.

“What is this…”

It was a joint petition from the merchant guilds of the North, East, and West districts.
They were upset that the dogfolk caravans only used the South Gate, meaning their district main streets weren’t getting any trade spillover.
I can’t take responsibility for everything.
But if it affects livelihoods, I guess I have to act.

“Hmmm… Oh, I know.”

Let’s temporarily allow pop-up stalls and temporary shops in the South District.
And once trade with Bernehainen in the northwest begins, I’ll have people use the North and West Gates more.
As for the East District… maybe I’ll let the dogfolk build workshops there.
That should liven things up a little.

The rest of the documents were trivial: the Garne brothers getting drunk and brawling at a tavern, a report from the dogfolk’s farm, such and such. Nothing important.
I’ll beat the Garnes later.
But there was one document that caught my eye.

“A proposal regarding the treatment of the guard corps.”

Submitted by Aylia, co-signed by the Guard Captain.
The city guards belong to the Senate, so their salaries are paid by them.
But in reality, no money is coming from the Senate.
Aylia has been supporting the guards out of pocket, but this can’t go on forever. She wants a formal decision made.

At first, I misunderstood. I thought the guards were just minor NPCs meant to be defeated. But they’re actually trained professionals and experts in maintaining public order.
There are only around 200 guards in Lüenheit, but in emergencies, several hundred citizen soldiers can be mobilized—common for any city.
These guards are the ones who command them. You could even call them non-commissioned officers.

“Hm…”

My gut tells me this is a good opportunity. This kind of situation can be turned into leverage that benefits the Demon King’s army.
I quickly freshened up and headed alone to the guard barracks.

“This is Veit, Vice Commander of the Demon King’s Third Division. Is the Guard Captain here?”

When I entered unannounced, the guards were in the middle of intense training, drenched in sweat. Even with no official duties, the idea of slacking off clearly doesn’t exist for them.
After exchanging glances, a burly middle-aged man stepped forward from the back. A bearded giant.

“I am Wengen, Captain of the Lüenheit Guard Corps.”

He looked imposing and clearly strong.
I knew I could take him out in seconds if I transformed, but I still felt intimidated. The sweat in the air muddled their emotions—I couldn’t read them.
This was going to be tricky.

As the guards began to gather, I addressed Captain Wengen.

“I’ve received a request from Lady Aylia regarding the treatment of the guards. I’d like to discuss it with her later, but first, I’d like to hear your thoughts.”

Wengen tilted his head slightly, puzzled.

“What do you mean by ‘our thoughts,’ specifically?”
“You pledge your swords to the Miraldia Senate, right? They’re the ones who pay your wages.”

That’s the issue.

“You surrendered to the Demon King’s army, but that doesn’t make you part of it. Which means we can’t pay you either.”

The guards nodded, as if to say, “Of course.”
Impressive loyalty.

“Nor are you the Governor’s personal guard. She’s your superior, but not your employer.”

“Correct,” Wengen said, solemnly nodding.

I looked up at the towering captain.

“You’re tasked with maintaining order in Lüenheit, but right now, that role is being handled by the Demon King’s army and the Chamber of Commerce.”

The guards didn’t respond, but their expressions darkened.

I continued in a light tone.

“I’m not asking you to submit to the Demon King’s army. You can stay as guards of the Senate. But could you cooperate with us in maintaining public order? I’ll return your weapons, and I won’t interfere in your work.”

The guards visibly stirred.

“He’s giving us our weapons back?”
“He’s not demanding allegiance?”
“What’s going on?”

Don’t underestimate me.
These are the same brave guards who faced down a legendary werewolf without flinching.
I’m not dumb enough to think their loyalty would change just like that.

“If you cooperate in keeping order, the Governor will have grounds to pay you. Lüenheit’s laws haven’t changed since the occupation. You can carry on just as before.”

A ripple of murmurs spread among them.

“We can carry on as before…”
“But isn’t that the same as helping the Demon King’s army?”
“Still… keeping order is our duty.”

I waited for their unrest to subside, then spoke again.

“Whether you continue serving the Senate or dedicate yourselves to the people of Lüenheit—that’s your decision. The Demon King’s army will respect your choice.”

Silence fell.

Sensing the mood, Captain Wengen spoke; “Sir Veit, we would like our swords returned.”

“Understood.”

I handed over the keys to the armory. A few guards ran off immediately.
Soon after, they returned with their swords belted on.

In the vast barracks hall, Captain Wengen gave a command.

“Form ranks!”

Their footsteps thundered in unison as they lined up perfectly.
Seeing 200 armed guards together was enough to make even me tense.
If they lost their minds like that priest Jucht and declared war, we’d be looking at another massacre.

Wengen drew his sword with impressive technique and gave another command.

“All soldiers—draw swords!”

Wait, are they serious?

Then Wengen raised his voice:

“We, the Lüenheit Guard Corps, are under the command of the Senate! However, we exist to maintain order in Lüenheit!”

With a solemn expression, he declared:

“As of this moment, we are temporarily withdrawing from Senate command! Under my authority, we are resuming our duty of maintaining order! To our beloved Lüenheit—salute with swords!”

All the guards raised their swords together with both hands.

Scared the hell out of me.
Then I noticed Captain Wengen and all the guards looking straight at me, their expressions serious.

“Sir Veit, there’s something we’ve long wanted to tell you.”
“What is it?”
“You are far stronger than us, yet you’ve never looked down on us or insulted us. You’ve always treated us as fellow warriors. We are grateful for that.”

If the roles were reversed, I’d want the same treatment. That’s all it is.

Captain Wengen grinned mischievously.

“That said, you did thrash us pretty badly the first time. So we just wanted to give you a little scare. Hope you can forgive us for that?”

You little…

I chuckled and gave a small nod.

“Don’t spook a timid guy like me. Do it again and I’ll report you to the guards.”

The guards all burst into cheerful laughter, and I laughed with them.

And so, the Lüenheit Guard Corps, while remaining officially neutral, returned to their duties.
Getting humans to cooperate takes a ridiculous amount of effort.
But at least now, the werewolf squads can get a bit of rest.