Chapter 241 – The Des Cover (1/2)
Death Mage 241 – The Deators come
An incredible, delicious flavor spread inside Vandalieu's ue, but it wasn't athe sensation
A sti flavor, as if spices have been added That flavor is covering the bland-flavored parts The subtle flavors are also pleasant, stier And yet, it is not overly oily and doesn't have a heavy aftertaste Gods' souls are extraordinary after all, Vandalieu thought to himself
Feeling very satisfied, Vandalieu chewed Hajime Fitun's soul and sed it
If he were to describe the soul of Hihiryushukaka, the flavor and texture had been like seafood… like fresh squid and octopus, served with a rich, unique cream sauce
In contrast, Vandalieu felt like the soul of Fitun, the God of thunderclouds, was close to so like a chicken dish cooked with spices The divine protection and ability bestowed upon Hajime's soul were considerably pleasant as well
It was difficult to say which was better, but Vandalieu did feel like Fitun's was more delicious
I wonder if this is because I've acquired the 'De' Job and acquired a Skill of that na's Body' on top of that, Vandalieu thought
Perhaps he found the soul of Fitun, a God of Lambda, more delicious than that of Hihiryushukaka, one of the re Vandalieu thought that this must be the case, as one's physical constitution and state of health affected one's tastes on Earth as well
“It seems that you are very satisfied, Bocchan,” said Sam, who had returned to the ordinary dimension
“You're in a total trance…” said Isis, who had left Akira's corpse and joined with the other fragments of flesh
As always, Vandalieu's face was like one of an expressionless doll, but every other part of his body was expressing his emotions
“Incidentally, what differences are there between the souls of Gods, heroic spirits, familiar spirits and humans?” asked Kanako
“Mmm… Let's see,” Vandalieu said, his cheeks still stuffed “If I were to use examples to describe it, a God's soul is like a banquet that fills up a whole large table, alike the Manchu Han Iht s or sandwiches One familiar spirit's soul on its own is like a bland piece of bread or steamed bun People's souls are like… tiny specks of food?”
TLN: The Manchu Han I Dynasty
“I see,” Kanako said with a nod
“Specks, huh,” Dougas he looked at the corpses of the three dead enemies “I know I'm the one that finished them off, but I do feel pity for them after all”
“By the way, do you feel more of a desire to eat souls compared to ordinary food?” asked Melissa
“I see, you're worried that I er to feed on souls one day…” Vandalieu said, still continuing to munch on the contents of hissouls because it's necessary The flavor can be replicated with high-quality food… and souls don't contain any calories or vitamins”
Vandalieu had noticed the real reason for Melissa's question Eating souls increased his Attribute Values and caused him to learn Skills But they did not provide him with any physical nourishment
“I see That's a relief to hear,” said Melissa
“More importantly, Your Majesty, it is impolite to speak with yourherself invisible
“I suppose you're right… I'll just spit them out already,” said Vandalieu
He stopped ue out A s on it, and it floated off and began floating around him
“Is that… a spirit?” Princess Levia asked
“Yes, these are the souls of Gordon, the Flame Blades and the rest of the people ere turned into vessels for the heroic spirits,” said Vandalieu
“Ohthose around inside your mouth in order to separate the human souls that had fused with those of the heroic spirits, and only ate the heroic spirits' souls?” said Daroak
“That's unexpected I was sure you'd already chewed them up and eaten them Especially that Gordon person and those Fla in surprise as he stared at the souls “Or did they taste so terrible that you couldn't eat them?”
Perhaps because they had separated froradually faded away and became invisible to the naked eye
But their souls certainly still existed, just like the spirits that were gathered around Vandalieu
“The people ere turned into the heroic spirits' vessels weren't eneh I wasn't able to save theht it would be cruel to crush even their souls insidewith the ones who harmed them,” said Vandalieu “I don't resent Gordon and the Flah to break their souls, and I don't accept that it is necessary to do so”
Vandalieu did not think well of the Flame Blades, ere deeply involved with the loss of Natania's limbs But their crimes had been atoned for in accordance with the Adventurers' Guild's rules, though it was likely the heroic spirits who had done that so that the Guild wouldn'tthem to move freely
Still, their free wills had been robbed and their bodies had been taken over, and in the end, they had been killed by Legion Surely this was enough of a punishment
As for Gordon, Vandalieu had even less ill senti more than a man who happened to cross paths with Vandalieu, duel Miles and suffer a hu defeat Vandalieu felt no resentment or malice for him
He had likely done various evil deeds in the past, but having his body taken over and being killed was enough of a punishment for that
The same applied for the others who had been used as the heroic spirits' vessels They were likely adventurers and et involved in this uiltless victims It was possible that some of them had a history of criminal activity
But now, they were nothing more than mindless souls Vandalieu didn't know their victieance on them by anyone
And even if he released these souls like this, Rodcorte wouldn't use theh heroic spirits could one day return to the mortal world, these souls were different
There was no reason to devour them
“I'll likely turn them into Undead or pseudo-reincarnate them Like the space-attribute Ghosts, there's no hope of theirback, though,” said Vandalieu
Even when the ed or lost due to the fear and shock felt during their deaths or due to the passage of ti a Rank increase
However, Gordon and the others had been rendered disabled while still alive The memories and personality that could be restored would be those that they had just before their deaths – they would never return to the states they were in before the heroic spirits took over them
《Your Mana has increased by 100,000,000!》
《You have acquired 'Divinity: Thunder God,' 'Divinity: God of War,' 'Chronos,' 'Pseudo-Death Scythe,' 'Pseudo-Gungnir,' 'Odin,' 'Sylphid' and 'Marionette!'》
《The 'Divinity: Thunder God' and 'Divinity: God of War' Skills have fused with 'Dehtning!'》
《'Chronos,' 'Pseudo-Death Scythe,' 'Pseudo-Gungnir,' 'Odin' and 'Sylphid' have fused with the 'Dark King Magic' Skill; 'Marionette' has fused with the 'Golem Creation' Skill!》
Vandalieu heard these announce the souls of Fitun and his heroic spirits was likely the cause of this
He considered that the increase to his Mana was just a little bonus His Mana had already reached the territory of Gods… and soared over it Aion, Fitun had been above average in rank, but that was all
Well, I don't reallysouls for the purpose of increasing ht
His objective in devouring souls was to take his resents that had no physical bodies and could not be killed It was not to increase in Attribute Values and Skills
Thus, Vandalieu didn't feel unnecessarily disappointed, nor did he feel happy
He had acquired the 'Divinity: Thunder God' and 'Divinity: God of War' Skills, which were likely related to Fitun's qualities as a God, and these had fused with his 'DemiGod' Skill Their effects were… far from unclear Vandalieu suspected that once his companions learned of this, their worshi+p of him would increase even more
He didn't think he could handle it if gaudy decorations were added to the giant statue of hi built, and a second and third statue were built in addition to that
The 'Spirit For' Skill seemed useful It was likely a Skill that allowed a hu-attribute Ghosts could do – turning their own spirit form into electricity
Vandalieu was already able to use lightning attacks with 'Dead Spirit Magic' as long as Kimberley and the others were there, but it seemed that this Skill would behis spirit form rather than attacks… In combination with 'Mental Encroachment' and 'Golem Creation,' it was possible that he could even replicate the effects of 'Marionette'
More importantly, Vandalieu had acquired 'Chronos' and the other cheat-like abilities
“You look disappointed,” said Orbia “Did you get so?”
“Did you not get the Skill Level increases that you were hoping for?” asked Rita
Before answering, Vandalieu looked around to make sure that they were the only ones around “Yes, I've acquired 'Chronos,' 'Sylphid' and other Skills They fused with h”
“Huh? Those are the abilities that those guys were using, right? Then it's…” Orbia began, looking confused
“I see That's inconvenient,” said Kanako, folding her arms “If Van eats reincarnated individuals, he acquires their abilities If Rodcorte learns about this, he's going to start telling the reincarnated individuals that come in the future that Van intends to devour their souls to acquire their abilities”
“Wait, Kanako-san! His Majesty wouldn't do so like that! If there was an ability that he really wanted no matter what, he wouldn't devour the person's soul! He would spare theery on them!” said Princess Levia
“Levisan, I agree I agree, but the reincarnated individuals being fed this lie won't knohat Van is really like And the reality is that he has already devoured the souls of reincarnated individuals before,” said Kanako “This should be enough to set the reincarnated individuals against us”
“No way…!” Princess Levia murmured, unable to conceal her shock
“Persuading the and surgery, didn't you?” Doug said with a wry smile
“Well, that would apply for people with abilities that you want 'no rueso their souls What do you think?” Melissa asked Vandalieu
“I'lad there are some people who understand me,” said Vandalieu
An ability that Vandalieu wanted noruin upon Vandalieu and those around him if he did not obtain it – If someone with such an ability existed, Vandalieu would consider every option available and atte that ability under his control
Princess Levia and Kanako believed that this was the case
“Well, I've already heard about the abilities of the other reincarnated individuals, and there aren't any abilities that I would want 'no matter what,'” said Vandalieu “At the very least, there aren't any abilities that I would want so badly that I would force them to obey me, brainwash them or devour their soul”
There were some abilities that Vandalieu considered troublesoht would be convenient to have, but there weren't any that he believed that he needed to have at all costs That hat he thought of the reincarnated individuals' abilities
“But it doesn't matter what I think What's important to the reincarnated individuals is what I a,” Vandalieu said
Vandalieu was… the reincarnated individual that none of the others had noticed in Origin He had already killed Muraka cheat-like abilities by devouring the souls of their owners
None of the reincarnated individuals would have a positive i that, even if that alone wasn't enough of a reason for them to try and kill Vandalieu as Rodcorte wanted them to
“So, can you use 'Chronos' and 'Sylphid?'” asked Kanako
“No, they've already fused with h Iclose to their effects,” said Vandalieu
He tried activating the abilities in the same way that he used his Skills, but he was unable to turn a part of his body into vapor or see several seconds into the future
This was likely because the abilities had been fused with other Skills and transformed
“I think they will be useful when I use 'Dark King Magic' and 'Golem Creation,” Vandalieu said
“I see I think that's for the best, actually If you achieved siGole the abilities,” said Kanako
“Yeah,” Doug agreed with a nod “Even in Origin, there were people who tried to invent spells similar to my ability They mostly failed, and the ones that succeeded made spells that required too much Mana or were too difficult to use, so most of them were shelved and never used”
“But various things are different in La the abilities is possible with Vandalieu's Mana,” said Melissa
“I see Well, even without proof, Rodcorte… and sohtlike that, there would be no end to it,” said Vandalieu “Let's treat this matter as a national secret”
“Very well, Bocchan This information will never be leaked,” said Sam in a serious tone
“The only ones who know about it are all of us who are present here, the Ghosts that are staying invisible, and the countless spirits around Bocchan!” said Rita
Vandalieu looked away in exasperation in response to Rita's words
Gordon and the others used as the heroic spirits' vessels had just joined a vast swar Vandalieu However, the majority of them were the spirits of insects and plants, and even the hu people who didn't have the 'Spiritualist' job other than Vandalieu
“Well, it's a national secret anyway Though I'll let Mother and the others know, and I'll probably be telling the people who join me and the reincarnated individuals I accept to e,” said Vandalieu
“That's fine, isn't it? Even if everyone in the country were to know, Rodcorte and the reincarnated individuals would never find out,” said Legion as they stood up
They were currently taking the appearance of Isis, as a way to trick the eyes of the soldiers looking on from the watchtowers
Incidentally, the Mountain Giant's bones that Legion had been using as their skeleton were lying in pieces on the ground
《The Levels of the 'Monstrous Strength,' 'Rapid Regeneration,' 'Dark King Magic,' 'Venoility,' 'Mana Enlargeic,' 'Soul Destruction Fighting Technique,' 'E,' 'Dead Spirit Magic,' 'Ar Technique,' 'Surpass Li' and 'Soul Devour' Skills have increased!》
《You have acquired the 'Staff Technique' Skill!》
《The Levels of the 'Monstrous Strength,' 'Augments,' 'Armor Technique,' 'shi+eld Technique,' 'Whip Technique' and 'Group Control Technique' have additionally increased!》
《The 'Rapid Regeneration' Skill has awakened into the 'Super Rapid Regeneration' Skill!》
As the battle had been divided into two parts, it see up of Vandalieu's Skills had also been divided into two parts
The Levels of various Skills had increased, but… leaving aside 'Staff Technique,' the 'Super Rapid Regeneration' Skill was a big change Vandalieu wondered how many humans had acquired this Skill… No, had anyone else ever done so before?
Probably nobody that was actually a human in the normal sense It seems likely that there would have been soht It's all because Haji of which
“Doug, please bring the equip's bone marrow,” Vandalieu said
“You're going to go ahead and absorb it, huh? Alright,” said Doug
While Doug fetched the quiver from the corpse of the female archer, Vandalieu picked up the curved-sword-shaped equipment that Hajime Fitun had used
“If the people of the city found out about the Deo and seal it away in some Church, after all,” said Kanako
“They won't be able to tell what kind of equipment it is from the watchtowers, so now's your chance,” said Melissa
“It's not really all that interesting,” Vandalieu said, noticing that the two of the him
He poured his death-attribute Mana into the seal on the equiph to cause it to crumble to pieces It was unclear whether this was because the seal was already in tatters, or whether it was because Vandalieu was the 'De'
“I shall not be released froe with the main body, I shall… THE MAIN BODY?!”
“The main body? Oh, main body! OH, MAIN BODY! MERGE! I SHALL MERGE WITH THE MAIN BODY!” screamed another
The curved blades of the weapons in Vandalieu's hands and the bone h his body! But they slipped into hi him any harm, and were absorbed
《You have absorbed the De's bone marrow!》
《The De's bone 's Body!》
“It seems that both of Fitun's curved swords were equip's scales,” said Vandalieu
It ht have been an unusual idea to turn scales into blades rather than defensive equipe, hard scales… or perhaps there had been a problem in the equipment creation process that made it impossible to make armor from the scales
Kanako and Melissa had fallen completely silent
Vandalieu turned to face the, was it?”
“It surprised the heck out of ht into your head! I know you don't need to use your brain, but are you really alright?!”
“It looked like the bone ht into your stoans either?” asked Melissa
“Kanako, Melissa, I' the, and if I' , I'd die It's very troublesome in a lot of ways,” said Vandalieu
“That really makes me appreciate the fact that our brainsto think about it,” Doug reement
With the Dements were left of the equipment
Vandalieu got to work “I'll just fix the external appearance with 'Gole in each As for the other one, I'll use theagain”
“Huh? Why are you fixing the equipment, so isn't it better to just pretend you don't know anything about it?” Rita questioned
“Rita, if he does that, it would be a proble the equips ht become very troublesome,” said Saria
“Saria is correct And it would be best to leave as uys' true identities as possible for the people froate the incident later,” said Vandalieu
The Deiven to Hajime Fitun and his subordinates by other people Vandalieu wanted the investigation to find these loyal servants of the Gods
“After all, it ht becoive information in the form of verbal testimonies,” Isis added
“The Dha that the bandit's true identity is Fitun hi that it's one of his heroes or soe fuss regardless of whether it's true or not,” said Kanako
“There isn't any physical evidence, either Their 'Heroic Spirit Transforlow a bit; there isn't anything visible froht that comes with 'Familiar Spirit Descent,'” said Melissa
There was no irrefutable evidence that Hajime Fitun and his subordinates were the physical incarnations of Fitun, the God of thunderclouds, and his heroic spirits
Haji more than corpses It was possible that there would be traces indicating that they had been used as vessels for a God and his heroic spirits if the corpses were examined in detail, but… unfortunately, nobody, not even Vandalieu, had any idea what kind of characteristic signs would be left in a corpse used as a vessel for a God or his heroic spirits
Even if Vandalieu and his companions were to testify the truth, even if they were trusted by the people of the city, the people outside the city… worshi+ppers of the Gods of Alda's forces and people related to the Church of Fitun, had only ever heard rumors about Vandalieu They would si to break the faith of the believers of Gods related to Alda for some devious plan
“So that's why you're not going to testify, and just leave them a trail of evidence to follow But even if you do that, nobody will realize that this was an actual God? Even the guys who handed the Deht have just believed that Haji apprehensively
“No, that would be enough, you know,” said Kimberley “A hero with the divine protection of a God went as far as to take Deroup to attack an innocent Dha the city That's certainly enough of a scandal already”
The De seals fro to i such powerful weapons were fighting a raging battle near the city while the city was trying to fend off the monster horde
Even in the worst-case scenario, the e would have destroyed just the city of Morksi and the area surrounding it But there was no telling how far the destruction caused by the raments could spread
“Incidentally, aren't you afraid of the out that these pieces of equipment are fake?” asked Orbia
“I don't think there's any chance of that, Orbia,” said Vandalieu “I replaced their contents with the real scales and bone marrow, and I've restored the Orichalcuinally They're just parts that I took froenerate and the bone ed, but… you wouldn't discover that unless you were to try to use them”
De equipment weapons were taboo, so nobody would try to use them… If it really were discovered, Vandalieu would deal with it when the time came
“Now then, Saain, so let e,” said Vandalieu
“Oh, your Level has already reached 100, I see!” said Sam
Even a tenth of the Experience Points Vandalieu had received for defeating three reincarnated individuals and Fitun could be considered a vast ah he had only just acquired the 'Divine Eneain immediately
“I don't et back to the city, but… it would be troublesoister at the Adventurers' Guild while I' to lie if some important person asks me what Job I chose,” said Vandalieu
Laying low and staying inconspicuous… Vandalieu had given up on that long ago, but he did want to avoid any troublesome problems that he could, even if it was only for temporary peace of mind
“Indeed There seeate, so it would be best to change Jobs before Darcisama and the others dispose of them,” Sam added
“… Ah, so there were some over there as well,” said Vandalieu