That's How We Necromancers Do Things

Chapter 179: Chapter 102: Promotion! Lynch Becomes a Tier Two Mage

Before Lynch could object, Andis said to Raymond, "Raymond, my friend, I still have military duties, so I can’t stay. Do take good care of our family’s Ice Rose and my new son-in-law~"

With that, he tugged his reins, turned his horse, and rode off. The army followed in a great rush.

At this, Raymond let out a soft sigh and gave a hand signal. The cavalry surrounding them immediately parted, watching as Andis and the Tiger Strike Battalion departed.

Only a dazed and bewildered Catherine remained on the scene.

It took Lynch a long moment to snap out of his stupor.

’It seems I’ve been played by Andis again.’

He looked completely exasperated. "Senior, you just let him leave like that?"

"What else was I supposed to do?" Raymond shot him a look, his previous, domineering Necromancer aura completely gone. He snapped, "You think I should have actually fought the Tiger Strike Battalion right here? Or maybe I should learn from your ’brilliant strategy’ last time? You know, the one where you captured a friendly battle group commander and a few hundred of his elites, stripped them naked, and sent them running home?"

*Ahem...* Lynch choked out a dry cough, looking a bit awkward. "I was forced into it. Who was it that was so stingy back then that you made me start from scratch? If I’d had soldiers and equipment, would I have needed to take such a desperate risk?"

"Oh, so you think *you’re* in the right?" Raymond’s small eyes widened in a glare. "The reason I didn’t give you a single soldier, the reason I made you *truly* start from scratch—did you really think it was just because I’m stingy and wanted to feed you empty promises?"

He continued irritably, "You’d better think about it, kid. You, Lynch. You didn’t use a single legion supply. You didn’t take up any of the Thirteenth Battle Group’s troop slots. You relied entirely on your own skills. With just a few followers and your own Undead Corps, you stabilized the nearly abandoned Lakefront Town, retook the mining district, started producing food, and raised your own force."

"What is that? That’s ability! Those are results! That’s a tangible, undeniable accomplishment! This achievement, this territory—you, Lynch, earned it with your own two hands. It wasn’t assigned by the legion, and it wasn’t a handout from me, Raymond. That’s what we call having a ’clean foundation’!"

Raymond snorted and continued his lecture. "This way, even if someone covets that prize—Lakefront Town and the mining district—someone like Andis, he’ll have to think twice before making a move."

"After all, you don’t just represent yourself now. You have Mentor Annabella behind you, and the entire Necromancer faction of our Hurst Academy."

"Take Andis today, for example. Even though he wanted to make a move, he had to fabricate some righteous pretext first. Otherwise... Annabella is not someone to be trifled with. If she gets angry, even the Legion Commander himself would have to think twice."

’So that’s how it was.’

A look of sudden realization dawned on Lynch’s face, followed by one of admiration.

’As expected, no one who makes it to the rank of Battle Group Commander is a simpleton.’

’Andis was the cunning and scheming "Sword of Dawn," and his own senior, who seemed so unreliable on the surface, was just as much of a shrewd old fox.’

"You crafty old dogs... You’re all so devious."

"What was that?"

"Nothing. I said, Senior, you’re so farsighted and your intentions are truly admirable. Your junior is impressed."

"Heh heh. You’ve got a good head on your shoulders, kid. You’re smart and sharp. It won’t be long before you learn the ins and outs of the army," Raymond continued. "On the surface, we all belong to the same legion, but infighting is inevitable. Of course, everything has to be done within the rules... you can’t cross the line. Even when you’re picking a fight, you need a legitimate reason."

"Thank you for the lesson, Senior." Lynch bowed deeply.

’He could tell his senior was genuinely looking out for him as a junior.’

Seeing his sincere attitude, Raymond finally nodded, satisfied.

His gaze flicked over to Catherine, who was still standing there looking lost. Raymond’s serious demeanor vanished, and he gave Lynch a suggestive look. "Well now, your ’one true love, the Ice Rose’ is still over there~ That bastard Andis played his final hand beautifully. She’s yours now. What are you going to do?"

Lynch looked at Catherine, who seemed as if her soul had left her body, and felt a headache coming on.

’Andis had played that move perfectly, turning the situation to his advantage.’

’By forcing Catherine on him, Andis had managed to, first, save the Adela family’s honor. The narrative instantly changed from "a woman being disgraced" to "a tale of true love, once obstructed, now triumphantly approved by a senior after a trial." If that story got out, it would be seen as a fine romance. Aside from a few hardliners, most people would just think Catherine was a woman of strong character and that Andis was magnanimous.’

’Second, with Catherine here, any future success Lynch achieved would be tied to her. He might not have to give the Adela family a cut, but at the very least, Catherine’s own contribution could never be denied.’

’After all, she had broken military regulations and even been stripped of her commission, all to get her "true love" his startup equipment. That was her initial investment.’

"Alright, fine." ƒree𝑤ebnσvel.com

Lynch said with a sigh of resignation, "Andis has already backed me into a corner. In front of everyone, if I disown her now or try to send her away, he’ll immediately brand me as a heartless womanizer and an ungrateful bastard."

"Heh heh, at least you’ve got a brain in your head, kid," Raymond chuckled. "So yes, you have to take her in for now, and you have to take good care of her. On the surface, at least, you have to play along with this charade. As for what comes next... we’ll just have to take it one step at a time."

"This Ice Rose is a proud one. I doubt she’ll be content to stay here with you... Of course, if you actually manage to sleep with her, then you can just ignore what I said. Remember, time washes everything away."

"Thanks for the advice, Senior." Lynch nodded and waved to someone in the distance.