"I expect you to keep your word, necromancer!" the female commander said to me.

"Rest assured, I will honor my promise!"

"If you deceive us, you’d best clean your neck and wait for my axe!" The dwarf cast a glance my way before turning to his companions. "Let’s go!"

I watched them depart, then turned back toward my camp. This was my personal war, and there was no need to drag the entire continent’s races into it.

"Sairen, are you prepared?"

"Yes, but I believe now is not the time for a full assault. We should wait a little longer to ensure success... If we attack now, our casualties will be enormous."

"I have no time left!" I answered softly. "And besides, I don’t care about the losses!"

"Please, give me a bit more time to prepare. We still need to stockpile more boulders for the trebuchets..."

"Fine! But don’t make me wait too long!"

…

The undead army's assault had suddenly stilled, yet the defenders remained vigilant. They knew this was the calm before the storm, and when it passed, they would face an onslaught unlike anything they'd ever seen.

I stood at the rear of the camp, quietly awaiting news.

A pale figure appeared beside me—it was the vampire messenger I had sent.

"How did it go?" I asked, though I could already guess the answer.

"They refused," the vampire replied. "They swore an oath to defend their king to the death, to resist until the last one falls."

"Is that so?" I muttered to myself. With that answer, I had no other choice. "Prepare the attack!" I rose. This would be the final day; the nightmare that had haunted me for years would soon come to an end.

The battle began at dawn. By the time I reached the front lines, the first charge was already underway. To my surprise, our forces were even more powerful than I had anticipated. The vampires and lich mages unleashed their magic across the hills.

The already scarred walls of the city crumbled under the combined force of magic and trebuchet fire, creating a massive breach in the center. Waves of skeletal soldiers surged forward, attempting to storm the city through the gap. The human swordsmen, throwing caution to the wind, descended from the walls to meet the charge, but their numbers were too few. Their line faltered beneath the skeletal onslaught, and the overwhelming force of the advancing columns was too much to resist.

Just as the skeletons were about to break through, a volley of fireballs erupted from the walls, exploding amidst both armies. The defenders no longer cared about their comrades; everyone knew what would happen if the skeletons entered the city.

I watched the scene unfold and couldn’t help but let out a cold laugh. How foolish. If you won’t spare your own soldiers, why should I?

In the next moment, the vampire mages unleashed even more fireballs toward the wall and the battlefield. Amid the smoke and flames, both the attacking skeletons and defending humans were obliterated.

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"Keep attacking!"

A second wave of ghouls and zombies rushed toward the breach. I noticed that as the first wave disappeared, Sairen had already gathered more skeletal soldiers at the rear.

The defenders attempted to repel them with arrows, but they were too few in number. The earlier magical assault had wiped out not only the skeletons but nearly all of the forces atop the walls. The undead attacked from every direction, leaving the defenders unable to muster enough troops to reinforce the crumbling breach.

A golden dragon descended from the sky, its massive body blocking the gap. In an instant, its fiery breath swept across the advancing undead.

But this was the last dragon!

Seven or eight undead dragons swooped down from the sky, attacking the wounded golden dragon. Though they had lost their ability to fly in life, I had granted them flight once more, making them faster and more agile than they had ever been. The golden dragon spat a stream of fire, but the undead dragons evaded it with ease. The hideous scars marring the golden dragon’s body were the work of these fearsome, undead creatures. I had unearthed their corpses from the depths of the mountains and reanimated them to battle against the dragons allied with this kingdom. Though they could no longer breathe fire, their agility and fearsome strength, coupled with their overwhelming numbers, brought down the dragons, one by one.

The undead dragons swooped down relentlessly, their massive claws tearing fresh wounds into the golden dragon’s body. Yet, the golden dragon refused to flee. It knew this breach was the key to the city’s downfall. The undead army surged forward, heedless of the dragon’s flames, burning to ash wave after wave of their ranks.

…

"Give it up! You've fought valiantly, but there's nothing more you can do. Leave now while you still can!" I stood before the golden dragon, speaking to him.

"No! I will keep my oath! My kin and I will protect this kingdom with our lives!"

"It’s futile. You know this sacrifice is meaningless. With your wisdom, you must understand that it’s over!"

"Yes, I know... And I know your true identity and purpose. But still, I will honor my oath!" The golden dragon stared at me with his one remaining eye. In it, there was no fear, no anger—only... sympathy. The look made me deeply uncomfortable.

"Keeping one's word is the pride of my race! I will not abandon that honor!"

"Very well, then! I shall honor your devotion." I gave the signal, and in an instant, the undead dragons swooped down as one, their skeletal forms gleaming in the dawn light.

I turned away, sending a mental command to Sairen in the distance. The undead army surged forward once more. Behind me, I heard the golden dragon let out a final, earth-shaking roar.

…

Flames soared as Darak fell—Darak had fallen! The undead horde, trampling friend and foe alike, stormed the city, fire rising in every corner. Cries, screams, and the sounds of despair echoed throughout the streets. Human soldiers made their last, desperate stand, but nothing could alter the tide of battle. The horns of judgment blared, and the shadow of death loomed over the entire city! Some flung themselves into the flames, while others fought to the bitter end, hoping for the reinforcements I had already vanquished. Besides the captive dwarves and elves, the other two armies had already joined my ranks—as the dead.

Even the royal palace was engulfed in flames. The once pristine marble steps were now stained with blood and littered with bodies. I ascended the steps, treading over corpses as I climbed.

The moment I had long awaited had finally arrived. My heart pounded wildly, my body trembling with the joy of vengeance! For years, after learning the truth, I had longed for this day, even if I had to greet it as a necromancer.

I had ordered my troops to kill anyone who resisted but to spare women and children. I knew my command would be executed to the letter, for all the undead I had raised obeyed me without question. I never wanted this war. They forced my hand! Had they agreed to peace from the start, so much blood would never have been spilled!

All obstacles had been swept aside. Now, I could do what I came to do!

I had waited far too long for this moment!

…

The King of Darak waited in the deepest part of the palace, with only a handful of personal guards left at his side. He had accepted his fate, sitting on his throne, awaiting what was to come.

Through the smoke and flames, I appeared before him. All who saw the crimson light in my eyes knew my identity. The guards drew their swords, encircling the king, pointing their blades at me.

The king saw me. He gripped his sword and rose, his eyes blazing with fury. That fire filled me with delight!

"You vile necromancer! Why have you attacked my kingdom—" His shout turned to fear as I cut him off.

I bowed deeply, speaking in the softest, most gentle voice.

"It’s been a long time... Father... It’s me... Your son, Sidora... The fire was so strong... so hot... But I’ve crawled from the flames to find you."