The Villain Professor's Second Chance

Chapter 613: Necromancy’s Hidden Thread (2)

Chapter 613: Necromancy’s Hidden Thread (2)

"And yet you suspect that Lisanor's eyes might pierce the shadows eventually."

His amusement faded. "She has always had a knack for unraveling mysteries she shouldn't. She's tireless in her research and more ruthless than anyone gives her credit for. Ironically, it's that same ruthlessness that's helped her hide how powerful she's become. She doesn't show off. She doesn't flaunt her strength. She simply acquires it, piece by piece, until one day it's too late to stop her."

That steady, methodical climb to power echoed in my mind, resonating uncomfortably with my own approach. We were not so different, Lisanor and I, though our goals were fundamentally opposed. Where she sought to twist necromancy to serve her ambitions of domination, I needed to leverage the knowledge of this world to ensure my own survival, perhaps even shape the future into something less bleak.

"Then let's list out her assets," I said, crossing my arms. It was a calculated gesture—authoritative, but not overtly hostile. "She's had ample time to spread her influence across the Council. She must have a network of mages who either directly support her or unknowingly enable her schemes."

Kyrion nodded, eyes darkening a fraction. "That's part of what made me move when I did. I've seen how she's turned the Council's complacency against them. A well-placed suggestion here, a generous discovery there, and suddenly she has a circle of people who see her as the next shining star of magical advancement."

"A Council Mage specializing in Divination," I murmured, letting my mind race. "They could be feeding her warnings, predictions, glimpses of possible threats."

"There's also an Enchanter—high-ranking, with free rein to restricted archives," Kyrion added. "He's the type who values academic breakthroughs above all else. In the right context, he might have willingly shared knowledge without realizing its full implications."

I allowed a soft scoff to escape. "Ignorance can be as dangerous as malice."

"And then there's a security chief within Aetherion," Kyrion went on, his lips pressing into a tight line. "He's had a habit of making certain 'sensitive' documents disappear before they reach the Council's attention. Anyone investigating Lisanor's true activities runs into dead ends, all thanks to that man's convenient misplacements."

The scope of her reach was impressive, though not unexpected given my own recollection of the original scenario. Still, I felt a flicker of grudging admiration for the intricacy of her work. She'd laid a foundation so quietly that no one truly noticed how powerful she had become.

"If she succeeds," Kyrion said, voice growing hushed, "she will command necromancy in its purest form. Her supposed 'breakthrough' in necromantic stabilization is nothing more than a stepping stone toward true resurrection."