In a world where necromancy was universally despised and outlawed, the Empire had taken extreme measures to eradicate any trace of those who could manipulate souls. Even in regions where the use of mana was permitted, necromancy remained a taboo, and the Empire went further than any other nation, hunting down and executing those with the ability to manipulate souls, branding all mages as necromancers.

While holy magic users freely practiced their arts in the central continent, demonic was under suspicion due to the nature of pacts, necromancy was a different matter. Magic often manifested through bloodlines, making it easier to trace, but random occurrences could still happen. Those with latent mage blood, arising from ancestors who practiced magic centuries ago, could unexpectedly develop magical abilities. However, at the core of all magic was the connection to one's soul. As a result, Sophia's draconic soul regained its power, it began to influence and change Valicar's body, transforming it into a dragonkin.

Despite the ban on necromancy in most civilized societies, there were still those who dabbled in its forbidden arts. One notable figure was the Archmage Wolf Kin Spellweaver, a hypocrite in the eyes of Sophia for condemning necromancy while secretly practicing it himself. His office was the only place in all of HelmHold that held knowledge on Necromancy, even rarer than how to form a demonic pact. Having lived through the horrors of the last war for the world, where the Pillar of the North led the alliance against Sophia and her Death Tooth cult, Spellweaver vehemently opposed any involvement with necromancy, banning the practice in all magic schools. What the twins had learned from Zaltheral was undeniable one-of-a-kind knowledge, combined with the Showdown Orb further increasing their power over souls en masse, few could now challenge their command of Necromancy.

The chances of the Alliance openly accepting the help of Death Tooth were slim to none, given the widespread abhorrence of necromancy. To navigate this delicate situation, Mike and Sophia chose to keep their involvement in necromancy under wraps as much as possible until now. However, that was proving difficult with the songs and rumors spreading across the lands from those who had witnessed the battles, limiting its usage discreetly. Despite their efforts to conceal this controversial aspect of their abilities, they now found themselves in a council room, discussing the use of necromancy with their allies as it could no longer be avoided.

The room was filled with tension as Altheack and Sophia carefully broached the subject with the Alliance. The twins knew that openly admitting their affiliation with Death Tooth could jeopardize the fragile alliance they had built. The very mention of necromancy could shatter the trust they had earned, and they were acutely aware of the potential consequences. Yet, with the impending conflict between the Pillars and the church, the need for every possible advantage became undeniable.

Sophia, her voice measured but resolute, began, "We know that the use of necromancy is a difficult topic, one that challenges the moral fabric we all hold dear. However, in the face of the looming threat posed by the Pillars and the church, we've seen firsthand the incredible power it can give. The recent battles against the Orcs and S-class threats have showcased the undeniable boost it provides. Morality becomes a necessary sacrifice when fighting someone as formidable as the Pillar of the North."

The Archmage interjected sharply, "You dare openly admit to the use of such magic!"

Mike, shedding his usual playfulness for a more serious demeanor, added, "Look you old bastard, we get it. Necromancy is frowned upon, and I’m not proud of resorting to it. But desperate times call for desperate measures." Mike turned to address the crowd of Alliance members. "The Archmage, for all his self-righteous preaching against it, is the biggest hypocrite of them all. He had the damn book I learned all this magic from," Mike pointed out.

Incensed, the Archmage retorted, "After you stole it! You insolent brat! As an Archmage, one must have even the most basic understanding of all magic. It is how I know that foul magic is worse than any other. When playing with elements of artificial divinity, you commit the gravest of sins against the gods. While you have boasted claims that the Pillar of the North will destroy the veil with the use of Holy magic, you use this and demonic magic as well. You dare to call me a hypocrite while using the very powers of the divine for yourself! Even if it would endanger the veil. Yet, you did not stop there; now you choose to use this abomination of magic by destroying and enslaving people's eternal souls. A return to the creation wars would almost be preferable."

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The accusations lingered heavily in the room, prompting uneasy glances among the Alliance members who found themselves entangled in a conflict between moral principles and the desperate need for power in the face of impending doom.

Sophia took over the diplomacy. "A necessity at the moment," she began, "it is a widely known force of magic among clerics and cult members alike; these people even include some of the top adventurers. And yes, such a force punches holes in the veil, yet there may be another way in the dwarven vault."

"While the Pillar seeks to destroy the veil, and Death Tooth seeks to make it more than a temporary shield but to permanently separate the gods and demons from this world," Sophia revealed, "what if there was another way? What if we could make the ethereal wall known as the veil, forever keep them at bay, but it won't require the same sacrifice."

Gorlion called interest in the proposal. Mike took over as Sophia found it hard to explain further, guilt raking her with the thought of even this sacrifice. "A few million would have to be sacrificed, but the attack can be aimed at, say, the entire Templar army." He grinned, revealing Valicar's sharp teeth, further emphasizing the point of his demonic influence from Anna Sha.

The council and crowd erupted in outrage at such a proposal. Whispers rang out at the cost of such a life, yet there was support for such a deadly weapon, as the war had already cost the Alliance much.

Gorlion, a seasoned warrior and mage, raised his hand to silence the room and nodded thoughtfully. "I can't deny the effectiveness of the power you've displayed in those battles. Against the Orcs and the S-class threats, it was a game-changer. Morality aside, if it helps us survive against the Pillars and can take out such large numbers of our enemies and save untold lives, I'm willing to consider it," Gorlion said, earning him an angry look from the Archmage.

Altheack, who had fought valiantly alongside the twins, interjected, "I understand the reservations, but Valicar's plea for you to at least turn a blind eye to it holds weight. We've seen the atrocities committed by the Pillars, and their divine magic is no less gruesome. If necromancy can give us an edge against them, perhaps it's a necessary evil, even if just temporarily."

"This is absurd! We will fight together to defeat the Pillar, but after that, HelmHold will have no part in your atrocities! I warn you now; if you threaten the world, I will kill you myself, Valicar," the man declared, not as a boast but as a promise, and with his powers to match even the mightiest of mortals, he likely could end the twins if they were unprepared.

As the crowd dispersed, having settled the matter of necromancy in the open forum, the council moved into private chambers. The atmosphere within the closed room was charged with tension, and the weight of the decisions made loomed over the assembled leaders like a dark cloud.

In the private council chambers, Gorlion, the S-rank warrior and mage, expressed his reservations, "I'll accept the use of necromancy, given the circumstances, but dealing with Death Tooth is not a good idea. They're unpredictable, and their motives are shrouded in darkness. We should tread carefully even if they could be a powerful ally."

The Archmage, still seething with anger, cast a disdainful glare at Valicar and snarled, "This unholy alliance is an abomination! HelmHold will not tolerate the continued existence of such an evil cult. It threatens the very fabric of our world. If they succeed in separating our domain from the realm of the divine, all mana, derived from the mixture of demonic and holy, would wither away!"

Sophia, intrigued, interjected, "Why would they do that? Won't they lose their power as well?"

The Archmage scoffed, revealing a truth they never knew. "They use the souls of the living as raw mana. They can turn the life force of the world and become rivals to any god. But in the end, there would only be one left in a world full of the dead until the monster that destroyed the world burns through their supply, eventually dying like any other mortal."

Sophia pondered James's true motivation for not wanting to make the veil permanent. Before the situation could escalate further, Altheack intervened, "I understand your reservations, but we have to save the world from the people we know will destroy it first. Desperate times call for desperate measures. Spellweaver, hear me out. We can't afford to lose your strength, yet remember, if the Pillars succeed, there won't be a HelmHold left to defend."

A tense silence hung in the air as the Archmage contemplated Altheack's words. Sophia, taking a diplomatic approach, added, "We don't care for Death Tooth either. They have their own agenda, and we hold our vendetta against them. But for now, we need every advantage against the Pillars. Let us deal with Death Tooth after the final battle."

"I'll even help you kill them all." Mike grinned already planning that very same thing.

The Archmage, still furious, reluctantly nodded in agreement. "Fine, but once the Pillars are dealt with, HelmHold will not tolerate their continued existence. Mark my words."

The pragmatic twins acknowledged the fragile nature of their alliance. In the face of a common enemy, they set aside their differences for the greater good. The discussion had reached a delicate balance – a necessary but uneasy alliance forged in the crucible of impending conflict.