63
My Villains Chapter 63
17. Popaluk Catalas (3)
What nonsense is this?
"Wait, wait. Ellen isn't dead?"
"Not yet. She's bleeding heavily, so she'll die soon if left like this."
As I turned my head towards Ellen, the undead blocking my view parted like the Red Sea.
Ellen's appearance up close was even more horrific.
A pale face without blood, eyes wide open, a red cloth stuffed in her mouth, a deep wound in her stomach, a puddle of bright red blood.... No matter how much I tried to deny it, she was unmistakably a corpse.
Just as I was about to grit my teeth and curse, Luke, who had somehow approached Ellen's side, muttered something. At that moment, "Kuheck—"
As if struck by lightning, Ellen trembled and gasped for breath.
She's alive. Ellen is alive!
My eyes grew hot and my breathing quickened, but I forced myself to speak.
"Ellen!"
Ellen reacted to my trembling voice. Though limp from losing a lot of blood, she blinked a couple of times and turned her gaze towards me.
"Kaeughk,"
"Ellen, Ellen...."
Her blue eyes trembled, and soon pearly tears rolled down. Ellen made a muffled sound and slightly trembled her fingertips.
Damn it, I was trying to hold back— My nose involuntarily scrunches up.
As I couldn't continue speaking, Luke, who had been fiddling with something, no, a glass bottle he took out from his pocket, opened his mouth.
"Hehe, she's tougher than she looks."
"Well? Will you listen to my persuasion?"
When I silently nodded, Luke narrowed his brows and asked again.
"You need to answer, Mr. Phoenix. Will you listen to my persuasion?"
"Fine. I'll listen, so hurry..."
Luke smiled a wrinkled smile and opened the bottle cap. The contents started to flow out.
The red liquid that fell on Ellen's crown formed small bubbles when it touched her wounds as it flowed down her skin. As expected, it's a wound healing potion.
"Damn it, you're spilling it all! Apply it properly!"
Before I finished speaking, Luke clicked his tongue and straightened the glass bottle.
"Are you not ready to talk yet?"
"I said I would, you bastard!"
"I want a conversation accompanied by consideration. Wasn't Mr. Phoenix originally a polite person?"
I took a deep breath, trying to swallow the curses that were about to burst out.
"Hoo- Alright. I'm ready to talk, so treat Ellen properly."
"Hmm. Still a bit lacking. Try again."
My fists trembled slightly.
"...Please, Mr. Luke. Please treat Ellen properly. I will engage in the conversation seriously."
Luke burst into laughter.
In fact, anyone could see that it wasn't what you'd call 'proper treatment'.
Luke didn't even bother to bandage her or remove her blood-soaked shirt. He just sprinkled the potion from a distance. The potion only reached the wound after soaking through the blood-stained shirt.
It was nothing short of a scam, but I couldn't say anything. As my head cooled a bit, I accepted that I was in an absolutely disadvantageous position.
I had one wound healing potion inside my breastplate, but I didn't bother taking it out. Rather than giving the potion to Luke and asking for additional treatment, it would be better to save Ellen myself when the opportunity arises and treat her directly.
Whew, let's get my head straight. I need to save Ellen and escape.
"Seems like you've calmed down a bit?"
"...Yeah. Seeing you fool around made me calm down."
I answered while gritting my teeth, but Luke didn't seem to mind much. Is this level of response satisfactory to him?
"Don't harbor too much hostility. I'm telling you, I have no intention of harming you."
"Stop talking nonsense and say what you want to say."
"Nonsense? My words are the plain truth. If my goal was your life, our conversation would have already ended."
...I can't refute that.
Luke's level is probably around 18. Of course, that doesn't mean his actual combat power is at level 18.
Among the necromancer's stats, there's one called 'dominance'. It's a concept similar to the population in RTS games, determining the number of undead one can control.
The dominance of an 18th level necromancer is at most about 20. If you only summon skeleton soldiers, that's the limit for about seven of them.
But Luke has 'Kurunugia's Bone Staff' and 'Ancient Ruler's Crown'. The dominance boost from these two items alone is a whopping 30. It's insane.
Moreover, one of the fixed options of the crown is 'Reduce required dominance of corpse-type undead by 1'. This means he can summon more zombies, skeleton soldiers, and Dulahans.
For reference, the required dominance for a zombie is 1. If you reduce that by 1? It means you can summon them infinitely. Come to think of it, what a broken item....
In fact, no matter how many zombies there are, they're not a big threat. But the rest of the undead, honestly, seem difficult to handle. The skeleton soldiers are dangerous, but the Dulahans guarding Luke is....
I might last one round at best. I know that thing specs best.
...To think I'm trembling in front of my own side character. How did it come to this?
As I remained silent, Luke opened his mouth with a smirk.
"Now, are you ready to hear my story?"
"...Wait a moment. I have a few questions."
"Hmm? What is it?"
"Everything that happened today, was it all planned?"
"Everything that happened today?"
I answered, glancing at Ellen.
"Ellen coming down to the sewer, us falling into this place."
"Ah- Haha, of course not! How could I predict and plan all of that? That's nonsense."
Luke waved his hand with an amused face.
"My plan was simply to bring Ellen and you here."
"Here? Why specifically here?"
"As you can see, isn't it a cozy space?"
"Is that all?"
"That's right. What other reason would be needed?"
...This bastard, does he not know what this 'altar' is for?
Right, if he knew, he would have avoided it long ago. He probably chose this place as his base without knowing what it is, since it has a secret stairway leading up and it's good for hiding undead.
As I closed my mouth, Luke shook his head and answered.
"The rest was all unexpected. Meeting the fishmen, Ellen coming down here alone. Especially the followers bringing Ellen... I can only call it a stroke of luck."
"...Then, when you first approached me?"
"Ah, that - hmm."
Luke pondered for a moment, stroking his chin, then nodded and said, "Yes, this is also part of the persuasion process."
"Process?"
"Listen. I'll explain from the beginning."
As I've said before, I'm a seeker of the Philosopher's Stone.
Ah, don't compare me to ordinary seekers. Unlike those pseudo-intellectuals who just spout pretty words, I actively work to save people from their delusions. You could call me an activist.
Hm? Ah, that... It literally means 'salvation'.
Life is a thorny path riddled with suffering. As we live, age, and fall ill, we endure endless pain. We struggle to forget our pain by indulging in momentary pleasures and joys, but... What can we do? We can never escape the wheel of suffering.
Those who can let go of their attachment to life are very few. It's a sad thing. Unless one gains enlightenment through long contemplation like me, it's practically impossible.
So what ordinary humans need most is salvation. To be freed from a life full of suffering and reach a state free from attachments.
Kill them? Well, you could think of it that way. That's the typical reaction. The gap between delusion and enlightenment is this wide.
Enough. Listen to my story first.
As you've just demonstrated, saving those trapped in delusion is... Rarely understood.
That's why we need 'donors'. Those who receive salvation and leave their bodies and souls in our care. I take care of the donors' bodies and souls while saving others. It's good for both me and the donors, as we can accumulate good karma with bodies and souls that would otherwise be left meaningless.
Hah, it's funny that you call them undead.
The body is merely a shell, so how is reusing it going against the natural order?
The same goes for souls. They'll naturally return to their place when their use is over, so how is temporarily holding onto them black magic? It's nonsense.
Anyway. I wandered the Middle World for a long time. I was lucky enough to find the remains of several forgotten heroes during that time.
But I'm still alone and lacking in power. I need more, stronger bodies and souls. That's how I ended up here in South Harbor.
Ah, the story about people from my hometown? Of course, it's not true. Most people from my hometown have long been saved. Ah, there are still a few who follow me. Yes, they're among those.
Hehe, no need to get so angry. My followers are in a state of freedom, without any pain or attachment. As you grow older day by day, you might even envy them. The only reason I continue to live is because of my responsibility and duty as an enlightened one.
Anyway. While quietly saving people in South Harbor, I heard about a merciless prosecutor. Yes, Mr. Phoenix, I'm talking about you.
The purpose was, of course, to receive your donation. Your soul might not be much, but your body seemed useful.
I was going to meet you after disposing of the bodies I had received in advance, but... Haha, my goodness! I met Miss Ellen! It was an unexpected achievement. The moment I saw that soul, I made a decision. To pioneer a new realm I hadn't reached before.
You know what happened after that. It was unexpectedly hard work for gaining trust... But well, it was an interesting experience. I even felt unburdened as I set aside my duties for a while. It's always enjoyable to show off one's innate character and build bonds with people.
On the other hand, inspiration came rushing like a summer storm. Inspiration for a new realm, I mean. The new realm I'm talking about is... Creating a combination of body and soul commonly called a 'ghoul'. A powerful being that can fly like a ghost and roam the earth like a giant.
Of course, I could try combining any ordinary body and soul. But extraordinary individuals always seek something special. I got a good idea from watching Miss Ellen's soul being dyed.
Combining your beast-like body with Miss Ellen's shining soul! Isn't this the true wonder of harmony?
Hehe, it seems you're impressed too.
But here's where the problem arose. I've never actually created a ghoul before. I can imitate it, but I'm not exactly proficient at it.
To be honest, I'm not confident I can succeed unless you both follow me voluntarily. That's why I'm trying to persuade you through conversation like this.
Ah, of course. This should be an attractive proposal for you too.
If it succeeds, you'll become my right hand and a savior who will go down in history. You'll accumulate more good karma than you could in a lifetime, I guarantee it.
That's not all. I'll create another ghoul with your inferior soul and Miss Ellen's smaller body.
Do you understand what this means? You and Miss Ellen will be two complete individuals while also being one perfect being! Forever!
I opened my mouth wide.
Is this really my side character?
"Hehe, I guess it's still a difficult concept to grasp. Miss Ellen, what do you think?"
In response to Luke's question, Ellen expressed sufficient disgust even with her half-closed eyes.
"Hmm. Miss Ellen doesn't understand either? Not very bright for a mage."
"Kaeuk,"
"Isn't this what Miss Ellen has always wanted? To become one with Mr. Phoenix forever?"
Damn it, who likes becoming undead? It's worse than just dying!
And what? A crossover of souls and bodies? Where did such a crazy idea come from?
While thinking this internally, I tried to ask calmly.
"What if we don't accept?"
Luke scratched his white eyebrows and answered.
"Then... I'll have to risk the possibility of failure."
...So you're saying you'll try whether we agree or not?
Seeing my expression crumple, Luke chuckled as if amused.
"I see you've realized now. It's absolutely beneficial for you to accept my offer. Do you understand?"
As if I would, you madman...