Chapter 385: Eccentric old bones

Chapter 385: Eccentric old bones

The discussion between Sofia and Richard had gone over the story of finding Saria and back to necromancy. Sofia explained that she needed another skeleton for Pareth, and ended up showing him the ritual circle as well as the description for the skill.

So why is it that it only works with genuine and unaltered skeletons? It would be so much simpler if I could just make one myself

Souls, even fake ones, dont take well to objects is the issue. Any skeleton that wasnt slowly built as the host by an actual soul is nothing but that, an object.

What about golems?Updated from novelbIn.(c)om

Not souls, what is hosted in a golems core is a magical construct, like a set of instructions. Its not someone , not even remotely. You can force a soul into an object, though, its just generally not very stable.

Generally Liches like you being the exception?

Yep. This is the one stable way. Basically youre trying to trick your soul into considering something its host. Thatll inevitably lead to permanent changes in both the soul and the object, its a slow and painful process. You can iterate on it but you cannot revert it.

Right So for Pareth to fit into a skeleton I made he would need to become a lich?

You can forget about it. Thats just not a good option. Perhaps later, when you have plenty of time. Centuries of free time. Until then, you would be better served just finding another regular skeleton.

But then I am really stuck with upgrading him. At best I can beg you to sell me another bone mauler

Richard laughed. Ke ke, well, I may just have a better solution for you If you can convince me.

I What do I have that could even interest you?

Same as last time. Or feel free to offer anything else.

Not knowing what it is exactly that I am paying for is not helping But I think I know what could interest you.

And that would be?

I can share what I know about the four Lords.

Oh oh oh, you know me better than you let on, saintess. Give me a second to get the machinery started. Richard said, before his skeleton fell to the ground, bones scattering on the floor.

His skeleton guard named Mountain moved for the first time, catching Richards skull that was rolling away and putting it back in the middle of the pile of bones.

Hes rather nice to speak with. I dont know if its his pajamas and slippers doing that but I feel pretty relaxed here. We might just get a better skeleton for you again. Any special request?

Pareth shrugged as he kept looking at the dark abyss out the window.

Just the usual, then.

Sofia also tried looking outside while she waited for Richard, not seeing anything until his bones reformed into a complete skeleton.

Everything is ready. Lets talk while we walk. I am curious to see what you may be willing to share, miss Aphenoreth.

So you did know about my name, Sofia remarqued as she followed Richard who was walking toward the door.

Only from looking into your presence as a brighthall teacher. It is very intriguing, though.

As it should. Are you not scared of saying it, my name?

No. The inquisitor is peculiar, but fair. If you can use the name, then it is but a logical consequence that we may use it too. The Lords do not cause unnecessary mayhem Not this one, at least.

The group of Sofia and three skeletons walked through the similar-looking corridors of Richards subaquatic facility.

He Looked down at me and poked my cheek with a finger.

HE TOUCHED YOU?!! Richard screamed, his mental sentence somehow shaking the walls, making the entire underwater facility rumble and creak.

Doing her best to stay calm despite the foreign skull almost touching her face, Sofia continued, It was like everything had stopped. I couldnt even feel my heart beat. Couldnt breathe, couldnt move Then he disappeared. The sky suddenly changed from night to day, I could move again, the skill had changed into an actual blessing from the Deep, and the system informed me that my name had been changed.

Seeing that she was done, Richard finally calmed down and took a few steps back.

Hmm. I let excitement get the best of me, that was unsightly, I apologize.

N- no problem

Richard shook his skull and started walking again. After a while of walking silently, he spoke again. Could I see the skill?

The blessing?

Yes. I will get you the best skeleton you could hope to have for your trial, that is all I ask for.

Sure thing. If Im going to be honest, the blessings effect itself probably isnt that incredible; from your perspective, at least. Its just What I wanted back then.

What you wanted?

What I wanted, yes. Freedom. Tools to escape from Scriptures grasp. Have a look for yourself.

[Blessing of the Deep] - (2/4) :

The Saintomancer was granted a name. They may see the inhabitants of the Deep.

The Saintomancer and their summons are immune to the [Mind control], [Hypnosis], [Confusion], [Insanity], [Domination], [Soul Parasite] and [Instant Death] status effects.

(Next function unlocks at 3/4)

That is fascinating.

And that is why [Domination] is included, it has only ever been useful that one time, but it did save my life, so

To have the approval of two of the Lords You truly are something. Sadly it seems our discussion on this topic has reached its end. We have arrived.

This Is just another corridor like we have been going through for the last twenty minutes?

No, this is the entrance to my incubator, I usually do a simple skeleton-warp inside, but there is a regular door. Just hard to see, look, the joints are right here, Richard explained, his skeletal fingers pointing at a very thin and almost invisible line on the wall.

Why hide it like that? Isnt this place safe enough?

I just like it when everything around me is clean, as you might have noticed. Im not like Valy who cant help but keep huge piles of junk around. I find doors ugly.

Thinking back, Sofia could only remember seeing about eight doors on the way to this place despite walking through the unending corridors of Richard's place for a long while.

How many of these hidden doors have we walked by on the way? she asked.

Like fifty or so. The visible doors are usually only for the places I need other people in. Or rooms I just never enter.

Was the point of building so deep in the sea that the scenery outside the windows would be clean?

Do you have a bone to pick with my sense of aesthetics?