Chapter 353: How About Living in My Body? (3)
It’s impossible for a person to remember the future. Yet, in Ghislain’s mind, such memories undeniably existed.
It was absurd, but if one were to label Ghislain as insane, everything made sense.
The spirit had, in fact, entered the mind of a truly insane person before. Such individuals would distort their own memories, genuinely believing events that never happened.
Of course, Ghislain’s memories were somewhat different from those of the insane. The memories of true lunatics weren’t this vivid and detailed. They were hazy, indistinct, and blatantly fake.
Even so, the spirit chose to believe it, as the alternative was an incomprehensible situation.
“For now, I’ll just cooperate. If I get the chance later, I’ll take over his body.”
Though Ghislain might have been a bit unhinged, his power was undeniably remarkable. The spirit had never possessed such a body before.
This body, brimming with immense strength, was something it deeply desired.
However, it was an impossible dream. Someone with a mind tempered over decades by rage and fortified by sheer willpower wouldn’t easily relinquish control of their body.
Unless Ghislain’s mind completely shattered into madness, taking over his body would be impossible.
“No, maybe it’s even harder because he’s already a lunatic.”
There was no reasoning with a madman.
While it coveted the body, the spirit also had many questions about Ghislain. It wanted to know what the memories it had seen truly meant and planned to ask him when the time was right.
As Ghislain tested his newly acquired powers several times, he suddenly spoke to the spirit.
“I need to give you a name. What should I call you?”
Although the spirit remembered its name from its previous life, it was one bestowed by a ducal family. Ghislain wanted to give the spirit, which now belonged to him, a new name.
After pondering for a moment, the spirit spoke from within Ghislain’s mind.
“How about Dark Fire Dragon?”
“……”
Clearly, it was pulling together all the fanciest names it had ever heard. Shaking his head, Ghislain replied.
“Let’s just go with Dark.”
“I prefer something longer…”
“Don’t argue. Just come out.”
“Come out? How?”
“With my mana, you should be able to take on a physical form.”
“Oh, really? Let’s try it!”
As Ghislain gave permission, black smoke began to coalesce in front of him. The smoke soon transformed into the faint outline of a humanoid figure.
The spirit had materialized a body based on Ghislain’s mana.
“Kehehehe!”
The body, made entirely of black smoke, had no features except for its glowing eyes.
Dark chuckled, moving its body with a sense of exhilaration. It instinctively understood how to do this.
In the past, the bodies it had possessed were too feeble to contain enough mana to manifest physically.
“This is great really great, Master.”
Having resigned itself to servitude, it used the term “Master” without hesitation. Pride was not something it was particularly attached to.
Dark examined its body and spoke.
“Can I use a bit more mana?”
“For what?”
“To transform into that guy.”
Dark pointed at Arel, who was still standing dumbfounded, unable to comprehend what was happening.
“Go ahead.”
Hissss.
A tremendous amount of mana surged out of Ghislain’s body as Dark began to take on a new shape.
Eyes, a nose, and a mouth appeared, along with clothing identical to Arel’s. It resembled the transformation of a doppelgänger.
After a short time, an identical copy of Arel stood before them. However, their expressions were entirely different.
While Arel exuded determination and passion, the replicated Arel appeared downright sly and conniving.
It was fascinating how the same face could convey such different vibes.
“Eek!”
Arel yelped, recoiling in shock at the sight of someone who looked exactly like him. Meanwhile, Dark continued to wear a mischievous grin, flexing its fingers as though testing its new form.
“Haha… Not bad. I feel like I’ve gained some freedom.”
The body Dark had created was merely a temporary avatar, formed using Ghislain’s mana and its own abilities.
The mana forming the body naturally began to dissipate into the air. Once the mana was depleted, the body would vanish as well.
Dark’s consciousness still resided within Ghislain. It wasn’t truly transferring its consciousness to the avatar, only controlling it remotely. Even so, this newfound freedom felt exhilarating.
Ghislain examined his body and clicked his tongue.
“The efficiency isn’t great. Now, get back in.”
The enormous amount of mana drained from his body was concerning. However, the ability to create a separate, controllable body was incredibly practical. It would undoubtedly come in handy in the future.
“Ugh… I wanted to play around in this body a little longer.”
Dark whined, but it complied.
When Dark spoke, Ghislain shook his head.
“I’ll give you time to play later. For now, get back in. If you cause any trouble with that body you’ve created, I won’t let it slide.”
“Hmph… What are you going to do about it? We share the same body, don’t we? What’s stopping me from going outside and causing chaos right now?”
Dark slyly tested Ghislain’s reaction. Ghislain smirked in return.
At the same time, Dark’s body dissolved back into smoke and began to be reabsorbed by Ghislain.
“What? What’s going on?”
Dark was already a being subordinate to Ghislain’s consciousness. Naturally, the body Dark had created could also be controlled by Ghislain, as it was originally formed using his mana.
As the body disappeared, Dark smacked its lips in disappointment. But that wasn’t the end of it.
“W-what’s this!”
Suddenly, the mental space Dark inhabited turned pitch black. There was nothing to see, hear, or sense a feeling like being trapped in a bottomless abyss.
Ghislain had cut off the flow of mana to Dark and completely sealed it away.
“Aaaaah! Let me out!”
The terror of being trapped in darkness, slowly fading into nonexistence, was overwhelming. When the world brightened again, Dark gasped and cried out.
“I won’t resist anymore…”
“Good. Behave, and I’ll let you come out to play from time to time.”
“Fine, fine…”
Ghislain smiled with satisfaction. Dark’s power was a fusion of mana and spiritual energy. While the ducal family had called it a spirit, it was something that wielded both spiritual and magical power.
“But what exactly are you?”
“Huh? You don’t even know who I am, yet you captured me? Then how did you know about my powers?”
“I read about it in a book. Why don’t you explain it yourself?”
Dark hesitated briefly before sighing.
“I don’t know either”.
“You don’t know?”
“Yeah. One day, I just woke up in this world. I’ve been moving between bodies, living quietly, and surviving instinctively ever since. Honestly, I don’t even know how many years I’ve lived like that. I just did whatever I could to keep existing.”
Since Dark itself had no memory, there was no immediate way to uncover its identity.
However, Ghislain wasn’t particularly disappointed and nodded slightly.
“I’ll figure it out once I deal with the ducal family.”
The ducal family must have had a reason for seeking Dark. Understanding their motive would likely unravel many mysteries.
In any case, thanks to Dark, Ghislain could now wield powers akin to magic.
Not only could he use mental magic, but he could also convert mana into various phenomena. There would be plenty of time to explore and refine these abilities, though most would likely be used for destruction.
As Ghislain concluded his experiments, a group of people came rushing up the stairs in a panic.
“Edwin! Edwin!”
“Young Lord!”
“Save the Young Lord!”
It was Count Mowbray and his soldiers. Seeing the top of the tower completely destroyed, they had scrambled to reach it.
Edwin, who had been in a daze, wailed when he saw Count Mowbray.
“Father! Father! Please save me!”
Everyone who had rushed in froze at the sight.
“E-Edwin? Have you come to your senses?”
Count Mowbray asked in a trembling voice. Edwin yanked at the chains binding him and shouted desperately.
“Father! It’s me, Edwin! Please get me out of here! That man he’s a demon!”
At Edwin’s words, Count Mowbray turned to look at Ghislain. It was impossible to tell whether this was truly his son or some malevolent spirit pretending to be him.
Ghislain smiled gently and spoke.
“The spirit has been completely eradicated. It resisted to the very end, which caused the tower to collapse. It was truly a powerful foe, but you needn’t worry anymore. The spirit has been destroyed.”
“O-oh!”
Count Mowbray’s face lit up with relief, but Edwin cried out again.
“No! The spirit didn’t disappear it was devoured by that man! He’s the demon! He’s the one who destroyed the tower! Father, please get me out of here!”
“H-how could that be…”
Count Mowbray, confused, turned back to Ghislain for clarification.
Ghislain, still smiling, maintained his calm demeanor.
“Having been under the spirit’s control for so long, his mind isn’t entirely clear yet. He will recover after a few days of rest.”
Ghislain casually flexed his fists a few times, making sure to shoot a sharp glance at Edwin in the process.
The effect was immediate Edwin shut his mouth, startled.
It dawned on him that this man had smashed the tower’s ceiling with ease and even devoured a spirit. If Edwin dared to act out here, everyone might die.
As Edwin’s awareness returned, Ghislain spoke softly.
“Young Lord Edwin, are you finally in your right mind?”
“Y-Yes, yes.”
Edwin nodded repeatedly. If he wanted to live, he had to stay on Ghislain’s good side.
Ghislain approached Edwin and patted him lightly on the shoulder.
“Good. The spirit is gone, so from now on, listen to your father, live quietly, and behave. If you make trouble again, I’ll have no choice but to come back.”
The emphasis Ghislain placed on “quietly” sent a shiver down Edwin’s spine. Trembling, Edwin nodded fervently.
Satisfied that the matter was resolved, Ghislain turned to Count Mowbray with a smile.
“The Young Lord just needs rest now. Shall we discuss my reward?”
“R-Reward? Ah, yes, of course. Quickly, take Edwin to his room!”
Although no prior agreement had been made, Ghislain had resolved one of the Mowbray household’s most pressing problems. A noble must appropriately reward such services.
Count Mowbray looked at Edwin, now freed from his chains, with eyes full of emotion. He had spent countless nights in anguish, burdened by his son’s condition.
Without thinking, he embraced Edwin tightly.
“I’m sorry. This father of yours has failed you.”
“F-Father…”
“I won’t be so harsh with you from now on.”
“I-I was wrong, too. It’s because I was lacking…”
“No, no. Don’t think that way. If you lack something, you can improve slowly. It was my own shortsightedness.”
In his father’s arms, Edwin began to cry. He had longed for such warm words, waiting and waiting for them.
Now he understood. His rebellion had been nothing more than his inability to bear the overwhelming pressure. His father had only been strict because he wanted to raise Edwin into a capable successor.
After enduring the punishment of that demon, Edwin realized just how comfortable his previous life had been by comparison.
“Sob… I’m sorry. I’m sorry for being so weak…”
“No, no, you’re not weak.”
Count Mowbray, his eyes glistening with tears, patted Edwin’s back repeatedly. For him, it was enough that his son had returned to normal.
How many nights had he regretted and agonized over his son’s condition? How many times had he vowed that if Edwin could recover, he would never let it happen again?
Ghislain observed the heartwarming reunion with a faint smile. Families were meant to cherish and support one another like this.
After their tearful reconciliation, Edwin was escorted down from the tower by soldiers.
“Now, now, Baron Duggly. Let’s continue our conversation.”
Count Mowbray and Ghislain moved to another room, with Arel still trailing behind Ghislain in a daze.
Once seated, Count Mowbray spoke directly.
“Truly, thank you. What kind of reward would you like? Tell me anything you want. If it’s within my power, I’ll grant it.”
“What I want is quite significant. Are you certain you can fulfill it?”
Ghislain’s words prompted Count Mowbray to nod confidently.
The southern region was rich in resources, and he was a powerful lord with wealth and military strength to match. It was why he could maintain neutrality between the Royalist and Ducal factions.
Count Mowbray was also renowned for his meticulous management of his territory. His strictness with his son had been a reflection of his high standards.
Even the ducal family found it difficult to meddle with Count Mowbray’s vassals because of his unyielding nature. Aware of his neutral stance, they had chosen to leave him be for now.
In a bold tone, Count Mowbray continued.
“I’ve never heard of Baron Duggly before. Are you a noble without land? If so, I’ll grant you an estate.”
It was an extraordinary offer. Only someone with considerable power could afford such generosity.
However, Ghislain shook his head with a smile.
“I don’t need money or land. What I need is your strength.”
“Strength? What do you mean?”
Ghislain’s smile vanished, replaced by a solemn expression. He locked eyes with Count Mowbray and spoke in a calm but commanding tone.
“Join the Royalist faction. Fight the ducal family under the banner of the crown.”
At those words, Count Mowbray’s expression hardened like stone.