Chapter 178
Chapter 178
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 178
Chapter Title: Primal (4)
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Galen and Lilia crossed the night sky and soon arrived at their destination.
The upscale inn in the heart of Selkeph City, where they had stayed for about ten days.
Since they had rented out an entire annex, no one was around to see them land in the front yard.
"Phew, that was close to crashing. My mana got a bit tight at the end there..."
"You didn't have to push yourself. We could've just walked."
"I wanted to avoid being seen by anyone if possible. You two were unavoidable, though."
"No one's out at this hour anyway."
Lilia mumbled with a slight blush as Galen cut her off firmly.
Her wounds had healed, but her clothes were still bloodstained and barely noticeable under the mess. Scorched by lightning, they were in tatters, exposing patches of skin here and there. She usually wrapped herself head to toe in her priestly robes, so this was especially embarrassing.
"Still, wash up and change quickly. I'll prepare some water."
"N-no need! I can just use Purification. I have to head out again anyway."
"It's not that urgent. After all that hardship, you deserve a little rest."
"You've been through more, Brother."
"I only used mana and didn't get hurt. You used holy power and took injuries."
With simple, clear logic, Galen overruled Lilia and entered the annex, heading straight for the bathroom.
In this world, where plumbing was rudimentary, even a quick wash required tedious steps—like fetching water by hand.
But that wasn't an issue for Galen.
Whoosh!
Empty Flame Burst ignited in the wooden tub, carefully controlled to burn only in midair without touching the sides.
Gurgle, gurgle!
The spirit released the water stored in its body on top. Some turned to steam, while the rest heated up and filled the tub.
In short, he was making hot water on the spot. Like a chef, he calculated the tub's capacity and desired temperature to hit the perfect mark.
'Other mages would freak out if they saw me wasting mana just to heat bathwater.'
What waste? If it made life easier, where was the waste? His levels weren't so low that this tiny mana cost mattered.
He'd just been staying in fancy places lately, so he hadn't needed to bother. But during camps, he'd always used magic liberally, making him quite skilled at it.
Accounting for the summer heat, he made it lukewarm. Soon, the tub was full. Galen stepped out and called,
"You can go in now."
"Thanks, Brother!"
Lilia flashed a smile mixed with guilt and gratitude as she swapped places and entered the bathroom.
In the meantime, Galen changed in his room.
He shed the tight black clothes and robe perfect for a thief, returning to his usual attire.
Not the rich young master look Jenny had styled in Abaka, but the standard mage outfit. No need to hide from the Spiritus Family anymore.
Lilia seemed to think the same; she emerged quickly, already in her priestly robes.
"Let's head back!"
"Sure."
She usually kept herself pristine with Purification miracles anyway, so short or long bath, she'd be clean either way.
The warm water was meant for a bit of rest, but she had no intention of lingering. Ever the diligent Lilia.
He couldn't scold her for not taking her time, so Galen just gave a wry smile.
The two left the inn and walked side by side down the night streets.
There was hardly anyone around. It was late, and aside from a few taverns, all shops were closed.
With the city-ruling family holding fireworks displays—no one dared wander. Sightseeing? Insane. People were hunkered down, watching their step.
"Oh, here."
Lilia extended her right hand. A golden bracelet hidden in her robe sleeve came into view.
"I forgot to give this back."
"Looks like this guy's taken a liking to you, Lilia."
Galen smiled after inspecting the Spirit of Life.
"Doesn't want to leave. It's clinging tight."
"Come on, you put it there."
Lilia laughed in response.
Having spent so much time with Galen, she had a surface-level knowledge of spirits.
Spirits were like puppets obeying only their master's commands. That's why Atma panicked when his didn't listen.
But for some reason, the expression Lilia saw on Galen's face held more curiosity than playfulness.
"No, really. Is it because miracles are mostly about healing and life?"
"...You're not joking?"
"I called this my first 'true' spirit, remember?"
"Right."
"It's a bit... very special."
The Spirit of Life reverted to its fireball form on the bracelet, rolling around Lilia's wrist.
It hopped to her hand, floated like a dandelion seed, and slipped neatly into Galen's palm.
Lilia asked, a touch regretful at the lingering warmth.
"Like what?"
"The Spirit of Life is connected to me... but also independent."
"Independent?"
"I poured all my mana into creating it, but it doesn't need my mana anymore. It has its own ego too."
Galen explained. Lilia blinked, not grasping it at first.
"Did I hear right? A spirit that doesn't consume your mana?"
"Yes."
"Then how did it cast spells?"
"It used its own mana. It recovers over time, like mages do."
"...And it has an ego?"
"We communicate mentally, but it judges and casts magic on its own. Pretty smart too."
"Sm-smart, sure..."
Even Lilia, who usually championed "our Brother's the best," couldn't gloss over this.
As a devout priestess steeped in church doctrine, what Galen described was like—
"So... Brother created a new lifeform?"
"No, no. Nothing that grand."
Galen waved it off hastily.
The status said 'Spirit Creation,' but he knew it wasn't divine creation like genesis.
"More like a demon spawning evil spirits. Unpleasant comparison, but closer."
"R-really?"
"Hmm, how to put it."
Refining his insight into words was no easy task.
After much deliberation, Galen pieced together an explanation.
"You heard Atma earlier, right? His answer to ultimate spirit mastery: one spirit encompassing all attributes."
"Yes."
"And you cheered me on to find an even better answer."
"I did?"
"That's how I became Gem rank."
"Huh? But you were already Gem—"
Lilia stopped mid-sentence and mid-step. Her eyes widened as it clicked.
"Wait, no! Overcoming that wall meant Gem in spirits? Separate from water?"
"Yeah, pretty much."
"Wow, seriously! Too much! Congrats, but who becomes Gem like that?!"
Tell me about it. Galen scratched his head awkwardly.
"Two Gems... What about three, four? Ugh, can't keep up..."
Lilia pouted.
"Magic and miracles are different fields. Nothing to keep up with."
"True, but... I hate holding you back."
"Never happen. If anything, weak me might hold you back."
Galen said earnestly.
"You're irreplaceable, Lilia. Have more confidence. I truly think you're more genius than me."
"Even said so seriously, I doubt it..."
She pursed her lips a bit, but her face soon returned to normal.
Her unconventional path to archbishop insight made Galen's support far more potent than empty praise.
The brief exchange over, they resumed walking.
"Anyway, keep going. So you hit Gem?"
"My answer: possess the absolute best spirit for each attribute. That shaped my new world's direction too."
"Uh... so you'll have fire spirit, frost spirit, wind spirit, earth spirit, lightning spirit, and so on?"
"Ultimately, yeah. But for now, just this one."
Galen glanced at the Spirit of Life pulsing in his hand.
"Like crafting something unique with the finest materials. Can't make a second Life spirit for sure... How many more attributes? Experiment time."
"Ah. But even one Life spirit now is amazing, right? Ego, own mana, power to bind Atma's spirits... Like getting a free Gem mage?"
"It can't access my new world yet. Big difference. Gold-plus fits better."
"Still free. More attributes mean more gains."
"Sure."
"You split Atma's spirits by attribute without losing power. You're the superior spirit master!"
"Doesn't matter if not. After tonight, with him dead, I'm the only Gem spirit master left."
"Huh? Claiming top spot like that?"
Chatting idly, they soon reached the Spiritus Family estate.
The gate guards wore gray priestly robes—church attire on laypeople? No, they were monks filling in.
Anton had swept the estate, including original guards, so monks took over.
Monks were basically civilians without full miracles, but their role was blocking merchants with church authority. Combat irrelevant.
"Good work!"
The monks tensed at the sudden pair, relaxed at Lilia's white robes, then froze at her face.
The new archbishop's portrait from the Holy See had arrived days ago. Too fresh to forget.
Seeing the high figure leap from the painting threw them into collective chaos.
"Do you recognize me? News not reached yet?"
"Y-yes, we do!"
The boldest monk recovered and shouted. Lilia smiled brightly.
"Great. Here for an appointment. Mind guiding me?"
"Y-yes!"
Galen and Lilia strolled past the rigidly frozen monks.
The designated monk tried composure but couldn't hide his trembling voice.
"Y-your Eminence. Wh-where to?"
"Know where Archbishop Anton is?"
"S-sorry. Lowly me doesn't..."
"Hmm."
"B-Bishop Nepheli should know!"
"Guide to her... No, just tell me location."
His tension was pitiable; they'd find their own way.
The estate layout was familiar enough.
As expected, Nepheli led to Anton's message—via Michael beside her.
"Lord Galen, back to the garden. Interrogation there."
"Makes sense. Indoors, he'd wreck the place."
"Archbishop Lilia, excavate the magic beast warehouse with Nepheli's group. Only you know the spot."
"Leave it to me!"
Galen parted from Lilia and headed to the garden alone.
Corpses cleared, but battle scars remained. Anton waited, Atma unconscious at his feet.
"Already? Rest more."
"Lilia's too diligent. Wanted to help quick."
"Heh."
For someone urging leisure, no elaborate setup visible.
Reading his intent, Anton chuckled openly.
"Needed time to finalize the convicted Spiritus Family's disposition. Awkward grilling former and current heads half-done."
"Got it. All set now? Go wild?"
"Yep. Though I won't enjoy watching you torture."
"Not a fun show."
"Magic to weaken spirits—from range?"
"Of course."
"Stay back, handle spirits. I'll take the rest."
Agreement swift. Galen handed the Spirit of Life and backed off.
Even daytime, distance hid details. Night? More so.
"Gaaah?!"
Crushing sounds and Atma's piercing screams reached him, but whatever.
Atma's spirit reemerged amid garbled cries.
Aaaaaah—
The Spirit of Life's song followed, halving its power instantly.
Thoom!
Judgment miracle's unique wave faintly hit distant Galen.
"Uwaaaah! Aaaah!"
Hard to see, no desire to anyway. Roughly: Atma tried acting, hit Demonic Tone instantly, then Judgment, double-suppressed spirit flailing powerless.
Exhausted from Michael, Galen, Lilia sequentially, Atma couldn't match fresh Anton.
While spirit wilted, Anton tenderized and healed Atma in routine loops.
Typical church style, minus simultaneous suppression and torture: crush mercilessly, break mind, extract info, crush to confirm kill.
"Huu, huuu..."
Screams gradually weakened, devolving to beastly sobs.
How much time passed?
A mild headache hit as the status window appeared.
Atma was dead.
Other spells stalled at Lv.69—meaningless.
Water Flow Manipulation, blocking firebirds, scraped Lv.76 by a hair.
Life, crippling Atma's spirit mid-fight, jumped 2 levels to 72.
Total +3 levels modest, but Gem magic added, new spell learned—fruitful night.
Anton approached Galen, inwardly pleased.
"Good work."
"Nah, you did the work."
Anton's casual tone belied his bright face.
Not a torture sadist, so the reason—
"Thanks to you, we caught the demon's tail."