This Necromancer Just Wants to Plant Trees - Chapter 16 (Patreon)

Matthew pushed the door open and peered outside.

Outside the fence gate stood a petite figure.

Tonight, the moon was absent.

Matthew could only vaguely make out the figure, wrapped in a dark red cloak, anxiously looking around.

"Siv?" he called out.

The mage's flame illuminated the way as Matthew approached, and he saw a fair, young face.

It was the girl he had rescued from the sorcerer's camp a few days ago.

Siv's cheeks were rosy, probably from her hurried escape, and her eyes held a subtle mist.

"Shh, Matthew, I sneaked out!" Siv's voice trembled slightly. "Um, could you let me in?"

Matthew opened the door casually. "Of course, but is this a good idea? You know your safety is a big concern for everyone here, and sneaking out like this could cause quite a commotion if someone finds out."

"Don't worry, I'm not some reckless rebel," Siv assured him. "I waited until the maids were asleep, and I left a mirror image in my bedroom as a cover. I won't be gone for long, and I feel terrible for making everyone so worried last time."

Matthew nodded and led the girl inside, seating her in the living room.

"Coffee or milk? Peggy isn't here, so I'll handle it," Matthew offered.

Siv smiled and chose milk. "I can't drink coffee at night; it keeps me up. These past few days, I've been having trouble sleeping as it is."

A few moments later, Siv gently blew on her steaming cup of milk.

Matthew sat silently across from her, and the atmosphere grew slightly awkward.

"Heh, it's hot," Siv commented after taking a sip, sticking her tongue out playfully.

"I came here to thank you, Matthew," she said, her tone more serious. "I mean, not everyone believes Brad's ridiculous ghost stories. At least I know my savior isn't some elusive figure from Whitestone City but you."

"Were you conscious when it happened?" Matthew inquired.

Siv blushed, nodding. "Yes, from start to finish, but that sorcerer made me inhale some kind of powder. My mind was clear, but I had no control over my body."

She took a deep breath, a look of genuine fear on her face. "Honestly, Matthew, if it weren't for you, I don't know what would have happened afterward. You saved my life, and I don't know how to thank you."

"They kept me locked up these past few days, but I couldn't sleep at all. Every time I closed my eyes, I would see that sorcerer's face. The only time I found some peace was when I thought of you."

Matthew listened attentively to Siv's recounting.

Being kidnapped could easily turn into a nightmare for anyone, particularly someone with a fragile psyche. But Siv was different.

After speaking for a while in a hushed voice, she suddenly changed her tone to one filled with youthful exuberance.

"I had no idea you were this amazing! If the other girls at school found out, you'd probably get twice as many love letters at the Spring Festival!"

Matthew calmly reminded her, "But I'm a necromancer."

"So what?" Siv said, her voice filled with passion. "Brienna is such a fool! She clearly likes you a lot, but the moment she heard you used to be a necromancer, she didn't know how to react. Not all necromancers are villains! You can't blame everyone for that."

Matthew looked at her in surprise. "Brienna?"

Siv instinctively covered her mouth with her hand and then hesitantly admitted, "Well, I might have encouraged her to confess her feelings to you. What's wrong with that? She really likes you! She has a diary at home with at least 90% of its content related to you. She even noted the color of the socks you wore to class every day! To me, that's what love looks like!"

Matthew couldn't help but massage his temples.

He wasn't one to judge teenage girls' views on love.

So he changed the subject. "So, do other people know that the necromancer was me?"

Siv's head shook vigorously. "I didn't tell anyone! Everyone believed Brad's nonsense, including my father. He's a big fool."

But before the conversation could continue, the copper bell hanging in a corner of the living room rang again.

"Who could be visiting you at this hour?" Matthew wondered.

Siv followed Matthew as he investigated.

A moment later, her face turned pale. "It's my father!"

"Uh oh, Matthew, where can I hide?" Siv asked anxiously.

...

"Lord Rega, what brings you here in the dead of night?" Matthew asked politely from behind the door.

He didn't open the door because he wasn't particularly familiar with this lord, and having the lord's daughter in his room in the middle of the night could lead to complications.

"Is this how you treat your guests?" Rega Bloodflag grumbled, clearly annoyed.

Matthew noticed that Rega wore a dark red cloak similar to Siv's, though much larger in size.

He was alone; there were no attendants in the shadows behind him.

"Don't bother looking, it's just me," Rega said impatiently. "Let me in."

Matthew had no choice but to open the door and lead him to the living room.

"Coffee or milk?" Matthew inquired.

Rega was unenthusiastic. "You can make a cup of coffee."

They sat in silence for a moment.

"No need, I won't stay here for long," Rega said curtly.

Matthew nodded and took a seat across from him.

"Listen, Matthew! The one thing I despise the most in my life is necromancers, but my upbringing doesn't allow me to ignore my daughter's savior," Rega said through clenched teeth. "So I came here to thank you. Thank you for saving my daughter!"

Matthew shrugged, "So, about Brad..."

Rega chuckled, "Who would believe the nonsense he came up with? A necromancer from Whitestone City passing by and just happening to help? It's a third-rate script even the worst bards wouldn't write!"

Matthew rubbed his temples, feeling exasperated.

Seeing Matthew's constipated expression seemed to lighten Rega's mood a bit. "Don't blame Brad too much. That boy has grown up under my watchful eye since he was a child. He's not a natural liar. You can rest assured, very few people in town know the true story. Even though I don't know why a powerful necromancer like you is keeping a low profile on my land, we'll keep your secret."

Matthew stared at Rega, "I'm curious, even if you suspected Brad's lies, why were you so sure it was me? What if he did happen to know some influential figure?"

Rega scoffed and then said seriously, "I saw your silhouette that day. Our Bloodflag family possesses a certain power related to the Bloodlines of Perdition. So, I could confirm it was you."

Matthew nodded. In truth, he didn't mind people knowing about him, but he preferred to keep a low profile to avoid unnecessary conflicts.

"Alright, Matthew, enough with the chit-chat. You can make one request of me, and if it's within my power, I will fulfill it," Rega said, looking at Matthew with an unkind expression. "I won't owe a necromancer any favors!"

After a moment of thought, Matthew decided to bring up the matter of planting trees on the northwest land, even though Liz had already arranged it for him. However, Matthew was a principled person. The land still belonged to Rega, and he wanted to make sure there were no misunderstandings or disputes.

"Just planting trees?" Rega raised an eyebrow.

Matthew gazed openly at him and replied, "Occasionally, I might bury a few people there."

Rega's eyes filled with deep disgust. "You truly are an insufferable necromancer!"

"But Siv's life is not so worthless. I'm giving you that piece of land, and we're even now," Rega said firmly.

Matthew was taken aback by the gesture. But before he could respond, Rega abruptly stood up. "Remember, necromancer, I owe you nothing from now on. And one more thing, stay away from my daughter!"

With that, Rega glared at Matthew and left, slamming the door forcefully behind him.

Matthew sat in silence for a while after Rega's departure.

A long time passed before Siv's head appeared in the kitchen doorway.

She looked at Matthew with a troubled expression. "Uh-oh, Matthew, you're not actually going to distance yourself from me, are you?"

Matthew chuckled as he looked at her. "He said that for your sake. Don't let it bother you."

Siv looked surprised.

So Matthew led her to the window. The mage's flame illuminated the fence outside. The middle-aged man in the dark red cloak was still standing at the door.

"He's waiting for you. He's probably been silently watching over you ever since you returned from your ordeal. His eyes have a lot of bloodshot veins; he probably hasn't slept for days."

Matthew gently spoke, "He's a good father."

Siv's eyes filled with tears instantly. She bit her lip and said softly, "I know, I've always known. After my mom passed away, he grieved for a long time. I'm sorry, Matthew, he's not against you."

Matthew smiled, indicating that he wasn't offended.

After a moment of silence, Siv swung her tiny fists in front of her chest. "I'll find a way to help him overcome his resentment. I know my father is a good person, but I also don't want to grow apart from you, Matthew. Do you understand what I mean?"

Matthew didn't say anything.

Just then, from the kitchen, a voice rang out, "You can try to find yourself a new lover. They say the best way to get over an old love is with a new one; there's some truth to that."

Siv looked at the skeletal minotaur that appeared out of nowhere in surprise. "Matthew, is this your summon?"

Matthew noticed that she was more curious than frightened.

So he introduced her, "This is Peggy. Um, she's my family."

Upon hearing this, Peggy first seemed pleased, but then her expression darkened. "Thank you, Matthew, but I must remind you that family members should also receive a salary!"

A week later, deep in the oak forest, in a newly built cabin, Matthew sat on the edge of a wooden bed, checking his latest progress.

"Harvest of Hard Work: Cumulative Enhanced Experience 83 points, available for 8 enhancements. Please choose the skeleton you want to enhance!"

Chapter 17 >>

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