Chapter 353
Chapter 353: How About Living Inside My Body? (3)
A person cannot remember the future. Yet, in Ghislaine’s mind, those memories were distinctly clear.
It was nonsensical, but if Ghislaine were to be called a madman, everything would make sense.
Spirits have indeed entered the minds of genuine crazies before. Those types warp their own memories and believe that things that never happened actually did.
Of course, the memories of the madmen were somewhat different from Ghislaine’s. The memories of true madmen were not as clear and vivid. They were vague, murky, and obviously fake.
Still, the spirit chose to believe that for now. Otherwise, the situation was simply incomprehensible.
‘I need to be obedient for a while. When the opportunity arises, I’ll take over this body.’
It might have seemed a bit crazy, but the raw power was indeed astounding. The spirit had never possessed such a body even once.
It truly wanted to seize this powerful vessel.
Of course, it was impossible. Someone with strong mental fortitude honed through decades of rage would never let their body be taken.
Unless their mind completely shattered and they went utterly insane.
‘Or maybe the fact that he’s already lost his marbles makes it even harder.’
Crazies are a lost cause.
The desire for the body was one thing, but there were many questions about this human named Ghislaine. I planned to ask him about the memories I had seen whenever I had the chance.
While testing the newfound strength a few times, Ghislaine spoke to the spirit.
“We need to decide on a name. What should I call you?”
I know the name the spirit used in its past life, but that was given by the Duke’s faction. Ghislaine wanted to give the spirit a new name that belonged to him.
After pondering for a moment, the spirit spoke in Ghislaine’s mind.
— How about Dark Fire Dragon?
“…….”
It seemed to pick something good from somewhere. Ghislaine shook his head and responded.
“Let’s just call you Dark.”
— I prefer something longer…….
“Don’t whine and just come out.”
— Come out? How?
“If you use my mana, you should be able to take shape.”
— Oh, oh! Really? Shall I give it a try?
Upon Ghislaine’s permission, black smoke began to gather in front of him. That smoke soon transformed into the figure of a person.
Based on Ghislaine’s mana, the spirit had now gained a physical form.
“Creeheehee!”
The only glowing part of the body made of black smoke was around the eyes.
Dark wiggled his body and laughed. He instinctively knew he could do such things.
However, the body he had occupied until now was so pathetic that there wasn’t enough mana to manifest.
“This is good, very good. Master.”
Having decided to become a slave, the word master slipped out without hesitation. He was the type that didn’t particularly care about pride anyway.
After waving his new body around, Dark asked.
“Can I use a bit more mana?”
“Why?”
“I want to see what that guy looks like.”
Dark pointed at Arel, who still wore a clueless expression as he failed to understand what was happening.
“Go ahead.”
Swooooosh.
A tremendous amount of mana poured out from Ghislaine’s body as Dark began to take on a new form.
Eyes, nose, mouth appeared, and even attire was made to look just like Arel. It was akin to a doppelgänger transforming.
Before long, another person identical to Arel emerged. Of course, the impression was remarkably different.
While one radiated a stiff demeanor and deep longing, the duplicated Arel just looked sneaky.
It was astonishing how such different atmospheres could emanate from the same face.
“Ugh!”
Arel was startled and stepped back upon seeing someone who looked exactly like him. Dark, still with a sneaky expression, moved his hands around.
“Hah… This isn’t too bad, huh? It feels like I’ve gained freedom.”
The body Dark created was just a time-limited clone made using Ghislaine’s mana and his own abilities.
The mana constituting the body gradually dispersed into the air. Once all the mana vanished, the body would simply dissolve.
Dark’s actual consciousness remained within Ghislaine. Although it wasn’t about completely transferring his consciousness, it did present a feeling of considerable freedom.
Ghislaine inspected his body and clicked his tongue.
“Efficiency isn’t that high. Now come back in.”
A tremendous amount of mana had been expended to create Dark’s body. Still, the ability to create a body that could function independently was quite useful. There would surely be situations to utilize it in the future.
“Ugh… I want to play with this body a bit longer.”
When Dark said that, Ghislaine shook his head.
“I’ll give you some time later, so play then. For now, come back. If you cause trouble with that independently made body, I won’t let it slide.”
“Hmmm… We are one body, so what will you do? I could cause trouble outside with this body immediately, couldn’t I?”
Dark tentatively probed, and Ghislaine smirked.
At that moment, Dark’s body began to disperse into smoke and was sucked back into Ghislaine.
“Huh? Huh? What’s happening?”
Dark was already a bound entity within Ghislaine’s consciousness. Hence, the body Dark created could also be controlled by Ghislaine’s will. After all, it was made with Ghislaine’s mana.
As the controlling body vanished, Dark licked his lips. But that wasn’t the end.
— Wh-what?!
Suddenly, the space where he found himself darkened. Nothing could be seen or heard. It felt as if he were trapped in an endless abyss.
Ghislaine had blocked the mana flowing to Dark and completely imprisoned him.
— Ugh, uaaah! Save me!
The terror of slowly vanishing while trapped in darkness was immense. As the world brightened once more, Dark panted and exclaimed.
— I won’t misbehave anymore…….
“Good, if you behave, I’ll occasionally let you out to play.”
— Ah, alright.
Ghislaine smiled with satisfaction. Dark’s power was an amalgamation of mana and spirit energy. Although it was called a spirit in the Duke faction, it was essentially something that had the powers of a spirit.
“But what exactly are you?”
— What? You came to capture me without knowing who I am? But how did you know about my power?
“I just read it in a book. You explain yourself.”
After a moment of contemplation, Dark sighed and said.
— I don’t know either.
“You don’t know?”
— Right, one day I just opened my eyes, and it was this world. I lived quietly, moving bodies instinctively to survive. Honestly, I don’t even know how many years I’ve lived like that. I just wandered around because I wanted to live.
Since he couldn’t even remember himself, there was no immediate way for Ghislaine to uncover his origins.
Yet, Ghislaine didn’t feel disappointed and nodded slightly.
‘If I capture the Duke, I might find out.’
The Duke surely had some purpose for searching for Dark. Understanding that reason would clarify many questions.
In any case, thanks to Dark, Ghislaine could now wield powers akin to magic.
He could utilize mental magic and convert mana to cause various phenomena.
Whenever he found the time, he could contemplate how to apply and use it. It seemed like he would mostly use it for breaking things anyway.
As the experiment wrapped up, a group of people rushed up.
“Edwin! Edwin!”
“Your Highness!”
“Save the Prince!”
It was Count Mobray and his soldiers. They rushed over in alarm since the tower’s upper floors had been blown apart.
Edwin, who had been dazed, cried out upon seeing Count Mobray.
“Father! Father! Please save me!”
At that sight, everyone who rushed over froze in shock.
“E-Edwin? Are you… conscious now?”
Count Mobray asked with a trembling voice as Edwin pulled at the chains frantically and shouted.
“Father! I’m Edwin! Please get me out of here! That guy! That guy is a demon!”
Upon Edwin’s words, Count Mobray turned to look at Ghislaine. He couldn’t tell if the demon was lurking among them or if it was truly his son.
Ghislaine smiled gently and said, “The evil spirit has been completely exorcised. The tower collapsed because it resisted until the end. Phew, it truly was a powerful force. But you don’t need to worry anymore. That guy has been banished.”
“Whoa!”
Seeing Count Mobray’s joyful expression, Edwin cried out once more.
“No! The evil spirit was consumed by that guy! That guy is the demon! He destroyed the tower! Father, please get me out of here quickly!”
“W-what do you mean…?”
Count Mobray, unable to regain his senses, looked at Ghislaine again.
Ghislaine maintained a gentle smile.
“It’s likely that he isn’t fully aware because he’s been trapped by the evil spirit for so long. He’ll be fine after a few days of rest.”
As he spoke, Ghislaine clenched his fist a few times, not forgetting to glare at Edwin.
At this, Edwin jumped in shock and shut his mouth.
Thinking about it, that was the one who had smashed the tower’s ceiling in one go. He even consumed the evil spirit. If he caused a scene here, it would be disastrous.
As Edwin regained his wits, Ghislaine spoke gently.
“Edwin, my Prince, have you come to your senses a bit?”
“Yes, yes.”
Edwin nodded repeatedly. He needed to show himself well if he didn’t want to die.
Ghislaine approached Edwin and patted him on the shoulder.
“Now that the evil spirit has been driven out, it’s best to listen to your father and live ‘quietly’ from now on. If you cause trouble again, I will have to come find you.”
As Ghislaine emphasized the word ‘quietly’, Edwin trembled and nodded vigorously.
Once everything was settled, Ghislaine smiled and spoke to Count Mobray.
“The Prince just needs some peace now. Shall we talk about the reward?”
“Reward? Y-yes. Of course, we should. Quickly, move Edwin to a room!”
Although there was no discussion, regardless, he had resolved the Duke’s most troublesome matters. Nobles should duly provide rewards in return.
Count Mobray looked at Edwin, freed from the chains, with tears of joy. He knew how much he had worried and ached during that time.
He couldn’t help but embrace his son.
“I’m sorry; I’ve failed you as a father.”
“F-Father…”
“I won’t be so harsh on you from now on.”
“I-I was wrong, too. I was inadequate…”
“No, not at all. Don’t ever think like that. If you are lacking, just take your time and go at your own pace. I was the one who was short-sighted.”
Edwin cried in Count Mobray’s embrace. How long had he waited for such warm words from his father?
He realized now that he had simply succumbed to the pressure and had gone astray.
His father had only been strict because he wanted to raise him to be a great heir.
After being beaten by that demon for several days, he understood just how comfortable that previous life had been.
“Ugh, I’m sorry… I was weak…”
“No, not at all. You are not weak.”
Count Mobray’s eyes were misty as he repeatedly patted his son’s back. He was just glad that his son had returned to normal.
How many times had he regretted and lamented after his son went insane? He had vowed again and again that if his son returned to normal, he would never let it happen again.
Ghislaine looked warmly at the scene. Families should cherish each other like this.
After the touching father-son reunion, Edwin was helped down from the tower by the soldiers.
“Now, now, Baron Dugley. Let us finish our conversation.”
Count Mobray and Ghislaine also moved to a different spot. Arel was still busy trailing Ghislaine with a blank expression.
Once they sat down, Count Mobray spoke bluntly.
“I am truly, truly thankful. What kind of reward should I give to my Baron? Whatever you desire, just say it. I will grant you whatever I can.”
“What I want is something quite significant. Can you grant that?”
Upon Ghislaine’s words, Count Mobray nodded confidently.
This was the resource-rich South. Additionally, he was a great lord with ample money and troops. That’s why he could maintain neutrality between the Crown Prince faction and Duke faction.
Moreover, Count Mobray was also known for meticulously managing his territory. He hadn’t been strict with his child for no reason.
Consequently, it was quite difficult for the Duke faction to meddle with the retainers under Count Mobray. Knowing his upright character, the Duke faction merely deemed him neutral and left him alone.
Counting his blessings, Count Mobray continued.
“I’ve never heard of your name, Baron Dugley. Are you a noble without a territory? If so, I can provide you with some land.”
Now that was an extraordinary offer. In the absence of considerable power, one couldn’t just hand out such rewards.
However, Ghislaine shook his head and smiled.
“I don’t need money or land. I simply require Count’s power.”
“Eh? What do you mean by that?”
With all humor stripped from his face, Ghislaine looked at Count Mobray with a serious gaze.
“Join the Crown Prince faction. Fight against the Duke faction under the royal banner.”
At those words, Count Mobray’s face stiffened.
