Chapter 95: A Result Satisfactory to Everyone
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 95: A Result Satisfactory to Everyone
I obtained the Soul Chain. Just from the name alone, it has the vibe of an ability that could kidnap vengeful spirits.
Recalling the information about the ability inscribed in my brain, it was indeed an auxiliary type for the Spiritual Eye.
‘An ability that can directly attack and bind spiritual bodies. If used with the Spiritual Eye... I can kidnap and confine the souls of dead adventurers like they’re Pokémon!’
It seemed to be an ability that allowed direct interference with targets encountered through the Spiritual Eye.
Like my other abilities, this one could produce quite dynamic effects depending on how the user employed it. It wasn't a limited power; depending on how I used the chains, I could pull off some truly absurd stunts.
‘Since I can bind the soul itself with chains, if I use this for kidnapping and training... I can whip up a ghost slave in no time!’
Interfering with a target's movements or binding a spiritual body to force submission—either of these alone made it clear that this was an insanely broken ability.
If I could master the chains, I’d be able to use them in countless ways. If I utilized this well, the "enslavement of vengeful spirits" the Witch mentioned might actually be possible. No, it was definitely possible.
‘In that case.’
What I had to do from now on was gather as many vengeful spirits as possible and bind them with the Soul Chain.
However, there was a clear limit to my "vessel." Therefore, I had to prioritize quality. As the Witch said, I needed to collect as many high-quality spiritual bodies as possible.
It was easy to understand if you thought of it as slots opening up based on my Mana Adaptation.
Currently, I could subordinate a maximum of eight spirits.
‘Unless I find some other means or acquire an auxiliary ability to increase the quantity, it seems I can bind vengeful spirits to my soul equal to the number of times I’ve adapted to mana.’
I had a rough estimate of the Soul Chain's capabilities.
Now, all that remained was to find strong, high-quality spirits and bind them.
As it happened, I had the perfect candidate right now.
‘You’re reading my thoughts right now, aren't you?’
I asked the Witch.
The Witch, who had retreated to the back of my consciousness saying she had used up almost all her strength.
She was likely reading my thoughts at this very moment.
—....
The Witch did not answer.
She probably didn't expect me to obtain the Soul Chain so quickly. But what could she do? I had gained the power to make her mine before she could escape from me.
—Hoooom...
Soon, the Witch appeared before me, cautiously gauging my reaction. Perhaps because my Spiritual Eye had been strengthened upon obtaining the Soul Chain, I could now activate it at will.
Her appearance was clearer than before. A witch with jet-black hair and a bountiful chest.
The difference in her sex appeal compared to when she was blurry was stark. Just by standing there, she boasted a figure that seemed to stimulate the lust within me.
—What are you staring at?
‘It’s nothing.’
I certainly couldn't tell her I was looking at her panty line. Wait, she’s already reading my thoughts, so I’m busted anyway?
—Look here. I am already far too old. I have no strength left to fight.
‘You still look beautiful to me, though? You look about my age.’
—No, it is not a matter of appearance. My spirit has already been worn down too severely by this Labyrinth. I need rest now...
‘Just a little. Just help me a little more. Please? Help me out.’
—.....
“Please help me.”
I pleaded earnestly.
You might ask why I didn't just bind her by force.
That’s only possible if I am overwhelmingly stronger than the opponent.
With my current strength, I couldn't bind her against her will.
Even with the Soul Chain, it was difficult to make the Witch submit with my current amount of magical power. How should I put it? The base level difference was just too great.
That’s why I pleaded with all my heart. If I didn't bind her with the Soul Chain, the moment we went up to the surface, the Witch would pass on regardless of my will.
To prevent that, I had to use my Soul Chain to tether her soul so she couldn't ascend. Please, just let yourself be bound.
—Sigh. You’re driving me mad. "Just a little," you say. Who knows how many years that will take? It will take a long time just to descend to the 7th Floor. To fulfill the request of a brat who hasn't even stepped foot on the 6th Floor... I have to wander this place again?
‘Lady Witch. Please. Think of it as saving a life and give me a hand.’
—Do not even think about ordering me around like a slave.
‘Yes, of course. Naturally, I’ll treat you with respect. Should I perform a memorial service for you or something?’
—A memorial service? Is that an Eastern culture? I have no need for such things. However... I suppose I might want to see Mabel.
‘The Tower Lord?’
—Yes. I am quite curious to see how much she has grown while I was stuck in this Labyrinth. As for that girl Moira, she’s the type who would survive no matter where you throw her, so I’m not particularly curious about her. Lafnel is also a sly thing, so she’s likely doing well.
‘You certainly have a good grasp on them.’
—Yes. We were all well-acquainted. Haaa. Fine, I understand. Bind me with your chain.
I reached out toward the Witch, who was taking a long drag from her pipe.
Chains extended from the center of my palm.
The chains, formed from my soul and defying the laws of physics, coiled around the Witch’s body.
“Cough.”
Blood spilled from my mouth.
—It is because the difference in our Rank is too great. I shall have to diminish my power a bit.
“Urgh...”
The Witch voluntarily lowered her Rank.
—I am closing off several memories. I am also reducing my self-awareness. Even if there are some defects, if I do not fit myself to your specifications, you will die.
Soon, the chains completely enveloped her.
—With this, you and I are connected.
I successfully absorbed the Witch.
If she had merely been hitching a ride on my back before, she was now completely inside me.
In this state, she wouldn't pass on of her own accord even if we went to the surface.
—For your information, my name is Helena. There was a time when everyone knew the name of the Witch of the Dark Moon.
‘Witch of the Dark Moon? Is that a title?’
—Yes. It was the title the Witch Coven bestowed upon the greatest witch of the era.
That meant Helena was the strongest witch of the previous generation.
Well, since she was dead now.
—Just so you know, exercising my magic through your body is an extremely difficult task. Your magical power circuits would all burn out.
‘Is it that bad?’
—You are not a mage. You cannot handle my formulas with such flimsy mana circuits.
‘Then what do I do? Can I only borrow your knowledge?’
—No. We can simply possess the body of someone who can withstand my magic.
‘Uh... a human body?’
—A human body would be fine. Or even a monster’s body. If it is something to be used and discarded, a monster would weigh less on your conscience.
A body to be used and discarded.
To exercise real magic, rather than just small tricks like changing the effect of a bracelet, she ultimately needed the body of a living being.
Therefore, to properly utilize the Witch, I had to either procure a human body or capture a monster.
‘Wait a minute.’
Is there anyone in the Underground City right now who can handle Helena’s magic?
‘Even a High Orc Warlock would only be for one-time use.’
There was no point in having Helena possess a High Orc Warlock.
—One shot of magic and the Warlock’s head would explode.
Just as she said, most beings couldn't accept Helena.
‘Above all, to possess someone, I have to knock them out or weaken them.’
Like a Pokémon, I had to weaken the target for possession. I’d have to knock out a High Orc Warlock while keeping it alive to make possession possible. Naturally, monsters are harder to knock out than humans.
In the end, the best option was to find a human mage.
‘I have a good idea.’
—What is it?
‘Let’s use the Heretics.’
—Hm? What did you say?
Let’s use the Heretics.
I mean, think about it.
I have to give up a body to a ghost. I can't exactly sacrifice an innocent person.
It’s better to take the body of some piece of trash I won't feel guilty about killing.
And among them, if I wanted a body with high magical aptitude, a Heretic was the perfect fit. Since a common Heretic wouldn't be able to handle Helena, it would be best to catch someone of Apostle rank.
Furthermore, among the Apostles, the Blue Apostle who presides over rituals would likely have the highest magical capacity.
‘The Blue Apostle is the most suitable candidate.’
—That may be true. But how do you plan to convince the Saintess?
Ah, I hadn't thought of that.
If I suddenly told the Saintess that we had to keep a Heretic Apostle alive, would she listen to me?
She’s the kind of person who wants to beat every single Heretic to death with her Bible.
“Sigh.”
I needed to have Helena in a usable state to have an advantage in the Giant hunt.
For now, I had to convince the Saintess and the Interrogators.
‘Helena, you... you said you and the Saintess were enemies, right? Why did you become enemies?’
To convince the Saintess, bringing up Helena would be the most effective method.
But since their relationship was so bad, bringing her up without knowing the details might just backfire.
—Hmm. I snatched away some heretics that Freya was trying to kill.
“What?”
I accidentally spoke out loud in my surprise.
She snatched away heretics? Is she crazy?
—Well, I had to conduct human experiments. I didn't have any suitable subjects. If they were just waiting for the day they died anyway, wouldn't it be more beneficial for them to contribute to the progress of humanity?
‘....’
She wasn't wrong. I was planning to use the Heretics too, after all.
‘So, having her prey stolen was the cause of the feud.’
—Well, fundamentally, that is correct.
How on earth was I supposed to convince the Saintess?
If I suggested sparing a Heretic in any form, she’d treat me like a madman and try to hunt me down as a heretic too.
And to use Helena properly, I had to keep an Apostle-rank alive.
As I clutched my head in agony, the Saintess, who had been checking the gate connected to the Garden Section, approached me.
“What are you doing over there, Mr. Porter?”
“Ah, Saintess. Well, you see...”
When I hesitated, the Saintess gave a beaming smile.
Though her eyes still weren't smiling.
“It seems a problem has arisen. What is it?”
“Well, it’s not for any other reason, really.”
“Yes. Go on.”
“You know the Heretic Apostles, right?”
“Yes, yes. I know them. Those rotten bastards. Those apostates who wouldn't be enough even if I chewed them to death. Yes, yes.”
“....”
Holy shit, I can't say it.
The Saintess is already pissed!
“No, well. Ah, this is driving me crazy.”
“Mr. Porter. Stop stalling and make your confession already.”
“Ah, was this a confession?”
“Of course. I am listening to your troubles. If this isn't a confession, what is? Opportunities to confess to me, a Saintess, don't come often in life. You should pay at least one platinum coin to make it worth my while.”
What a money-grubbing Saintess.
Looking at her, it seemed she had nothing in her head other than slaughtering Heretics and collecting money.
“Ahem. Then, Saintess. Please listen without any personal bias, just like a real confession.”
“Yes, yes. Understood.”
I told the Saintess that I thought we should keep one Heretic Apostle alive.
The reason was that I had picked up an incredible vengeful spirit, and I wanted to put this spirit into the Heretic’s body to use it.
“....”
“W-What do you think?”
“Porter.”
“Yes, Saintess.”
“Are you insane?”
“Ah... well...”
In an instant, a murderous aura radiated from the Saintess.
I expected it, but I didn't think she’d be this pissed. This is dangerous...
“No matter how much of a confession this is. There are things you can say, and things you can't! What on earth is this...!”
“Wait, wait! Just a moment!”
“What is it? Do you still have more to say? I want to reform you right this instant. Do you have any excuses left?”
“No, just think about it! If we take the body of a Heretic Apostle and plant one of our allies in it... and then just have them hunt Heretics... isn't that fratricide? Plus, they’re wearing the face of an Apostle, so no one will suspect them!”
“That may be true, but even so...!”
“No, no, Saintess. Is there any better form of torture than making them tear each other apart? The Apostle they trusted starts killing Heretics for some bizarre reason. We disguise it as a sacrifice for the greater cause and slaughter them. Then, I sweep up the corpses into my subspace pocket...”
“Are you saying we should wear the mask of a Heretic to hunt Heretics? To catch wild dogs, we should become wild dogs ourselves?”
“Yes! Why not? It’s for the sake of hunting Heretics!”
“Is that so?”
When I pushed back even harder, the Saintess looked at me as if she were looking at a complete lunatic.
“No, I’ve felt this since you suggested committing arson, but you’re quite the nutcase, aren't you?”
“I’m just trying to take the most efficient path when considering efficiency. A nutcase? Saintess, you go crazy and try to kill every Heretic you see, too. Aren't we two of a kind?”
“Hah. That’s true, but... Haaa.”
“Let’s stop this tedious business of chasing after those who run away. Let’s catch one Apostle, have our side possess them, and harvest Heretics with ease. Okay? Just catch that Blue Apostle guy or whoever, beat him down, and instead of killing him, give him to me. I’ll build you a Heretic execution factory.”
“A Heretic execution factory?”
“Yes. You said that Blue Apostle guy presides over the rituals. Then he must have been the one who did all the human sacrifices for the Heretics.”
“Most likely.”
“The Heretics all wear masks or hoods to hide their faces anyway. After we take down the Blue Apostle and put the spirit I collected into his body... we can also disguise ourselves as Heretics and slaughter them all under the pretext of human sacrifice.”
“...”
“It sounds like a good plan, doesn't it? It’ll make hunting Heretics fast and easy.”
The Saintess pondered for a long time.
Whether to wear the mask of a Heretic for the sake of hunting Heretics.
Or to continue the hunt while wandering through the messy divisions of the lower floors.
“You’re sure this method will work, right? If anything seems off, I’ll split your head open first.”
“Whoa. Don't say such terrifying things. It’ll be 99 percent successful.”
I held out my hand to the Saintess.
She took it.
A dramatic success in negotiations.
By offering the lives of the Heretics as a sacrifice, I was going to obtain the body of an Apostle.
I suppose you could call this a result satisfactory to everyone.