The Black Necromancer

Leon soon left the underground fortress after a while. He had chosen to set up a complex and elaborate formation and layer it on top of the one that was there. He would not alter the original at all, but he would use it to supplement and power the new formation he was adding on top.

The essence of the new formation that he would layer on top was quite simple and straight forward. His high control and expertise over mana, especially gravity mana, which he had been using for a long time meant that he was able to simplify some high level spells up to a certain level.

The formation he had layered over the original was meant to cast a field over Fort White and some distance out in order to make that portion of the land float in the air.

One image that Leon had imprinted in his mind ever since he first got Gravity magic was a floating city. He wanted to have achieved that wish by the time the war was over. His very own floating city.

When Leon walked out of the underground space, he was immediately met with a White Millipede.

"My Lord, an Orc requests to see you." The female White Millipede bowed her head with reverence. She had never been this close to her master, and she felt a bit excited at meeting such an exalted figure. Normally, it would have been her superior, Rakon, who came to meet Leon, but he was busy executing Leon's order and had passed on the mantle to her.

"An Orc?" Leon was intrigued. He remembered that the Orc tribe that had joined in on the war had initially asked for him after arriving. "Take me to them." He nodded and the White Millipede quickly did as he said.

Nedra curiously stuck to Leon's side as they eventually entered a meeting room within Leon's mansion. There, a few Orcs with green skin and varying styles of tattoos on their bodies could be seen. As soon as Leon entered, one stood up. The green skinned Orc was covered in a dizzying array of tribal tattoos and wore all sorts of ceremonial things on his body.

"Your Excellency, Leon Cromwell. Our meeting is long overdue. I am Kurvan Mazuri, Chief of the Mazuri tribe of the Orcs." The standing Orc introduced himself immediately.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Kurvan." Leon stepped forward and stood opposite the Orc and his entourage. "Please take a seat." He gestured to the seat that Kurvan had stood up from and the Orc complied. "What brings you here?" He asked.

"I am here concerning the death and enslavement of my son, the heir to the chieftaincy of the Mazuri tribe, Grokus." Kurvan said without a hitch. He spoke in a direct manner that showed that he meant to get down to business.

"I had a feeling you were here with regard to Grokus." Leon nodded his head and looked right into Kurvan's stormy eyes. "What do you want?" He asked.

"I want you to set my son free. He is dead now, and can no longer be the chief of the tribe after me, but I do not wish to see his soul dragged around like that of a slave." Kurvan replied.

"...I see. But I can assure you that Grokus is being treated as nothing like a slave. He is my valuable comrade and close subordinate. I treat him with respect, and he also respects me." Leon said.

"I wish I could believe your words, but I cannot, Your Excellency." Kurvan refused to back down.

"Then I can let you speak to him yourself." Leon sighed and his mana churned. In the next moment, Grokus appeared beside him. Immediately, his eyes went wide.

"Father?!" Grokus was surprised.

"Son!" Kurvan stood up quickly and stepped over the center table with one smooth motion. He stood opposite Grokus and grabbed the latter's arms with wide eyes. "...My son... What has happened to you?"

"Father..." Grokus sighed. "I lived life as you wished, but fought someone greater than myself and lost. I know why you are here, and I do not want you to worry." He smiled and gave Leon a side glance. "By serving under Leon, I have seen things I never would have, done things I never would have; become greater than I probably ever would have. Do not worry about me, father. I am doing well as I am."

For once, Leon saw the tough shell of Grokus melt away for one that was much softer and compassionate.

Ever since Grokus had become Leon's summon, even when Leon fought against him, Grokus had come across as a tough personality. Now, he looked like any son who cared for his parent's well being.

Grokus looked behind his father and nodded at the other three Orcs that were seated with tears in their eyes. It was then that they all got up and approached.

Corrun stood at the front of the three Orcs. As the oldest child of Kurvan after Grokus, he held much responsibility. He was only still Low B rank, and his growth had been fueled by Grokus' demise. He felt so inferior after watching the one he looked up to be beaten and killed by another. It left a great shadow in his heart, which drove him to push harder and grow more in order to beat Leon in turn. However, it seemed that was something he could not achieve yet. Perhaps never even.

"Brother." Corrun sighed as he stepped forward and hugged Grokus. The man held many responsibilities on his shoulder after Grokus' passing. He had undergone hard training in order to grow stronger. Yet, look at Grokus, now even possibly as strong as their father.

Behind Corrun, the two female Orcs, which were Grokus' younger sisters, stood impatiently. They were bulky, like any other Orc, and built with muscles, but right now, they looked like eager puppies as they barely restrained themselves from pouncing on Grokus and overwhelming him with hugs.