Mage Manual-Chapter 1437 - 1048: Compensation

After nightfall, the snowstorm in Jiale City grew stronger, obscuring the Star Cluster as thousands of lights shimmered over the earth, resembling scattered stars. As soon as snowflakes landed, they melted away, with the ground temperature remaining above freezing.

Though mages don’t plan to interfere with the weather, nature is no longer a hindrance to civilization.

"All the items in the villa have been checked, each can be traced back to its manufacturer and time of purchase... We haven’t found anything left by ’Igula’ or ’Harvey’."

In the dining room on the second floor of the villa, as Ash was eating the Lavian Quenching Dustfall, he paused slightly, then continued his meal with a calm expression. He softly remarked, turning to the maid Vishi beside him, "It really is delicious. I didn’t expect that dishes from thousands of years ago could already reach such high standards."

The one cooking tonight was Vishi, who said she wanted everyone to taste traditional Lavian cuisine from thousands of years ago, real ancient craftsmanship. The Lavian Quenching Dustfall looked a bit like a volcano lava flow cake at first glance, seemingly covered in volcanic ash, opened up to reveal a red and bright interior sizzling with oil. One bite was both hot and smooth, melting on the tongue with flavors of cumin and ingredients spreading in the mouth, truly impressing Ash, the gourmet of Lavian flavors.

"This is not even half the standard of what I tasted back in my day," Vishi said casually, taking a sip of red wine. "Mainly because many of the ingredients from my time are no longer available, and although substitutes can be found, they still fall a bit short. Moreover, for this dish, it’s best to choose Lavian from Jingyu Manor; the ones on the Dazzling Star market still aren’t fresh enough in my opinion."

"I didn’t expect you to master culinary skills..."

"How could I not know how to cook?" Vishi rolled her eyes at him. "I want to eat delicious food but am afraid of being poisoned. What other choice do I have but to cook myself?"

Although it sounded far-fetched, it indeed matched Vishi’s situation. Someone like her, encountering nine out of ten people as enemies when going out, would naturally be cautious and never give others a chance. Either she’d have enslaved servants attending to her, or she could only do it herself.

Distrust is almost engraved in the depths of her soul, and she would never entrust her safety to others, even for a moment. However, she is still the type who is deeply desirous and pursues pleasure, thus she must personally attend to all her needs.

Thinking about it carefully, you might feel it’s somewhat sad. Even with the power to destroy worlds, she still feels like the entire world wants to harm her, living alertly every single day. Yet, she never seems to mind at all.

Regardless of favorable or adverse circumstances, she can find little joys from life and never complains about the environment, striving to improve her abilities.

Ash felt an inexplicable sense of absurdity: Vishi was probably the most optimistic and positive one among everyone present...

"Was your itinerary today smooth?" Ash asked, taking a sip of orange juice.

While Ash was dating Sword Maiden today, the others were not idle, heading to various underground markets in Jiale City to purchase Technique Spirits. However, with Vishi accompanying, it might just turn into unrestricted shopping.

"Most of the Technique Spirits in the underground markets are One-winged and Two-winged," Weiser mentioned. "Unless you gradually raise the Technique Spirits, it’s hard for them to serve as your Wonder materials."

"Once we return to Gospel, I’ll open the Inner Treasury for everyone!" Diya gulped down half a glass of milk, creating a white milk mustache on her lips, and said boldly, "I can also use the national treasury to purchase idle Technique Spirits from various families. If they refuse to sell, we’ll send Vishi over! Oh, before we leave, let’s have Vishi raid the Dazzling Star Treasury!"

Ash turned his head and sprayed orange juice over, Vishi instantly raised her spoon but was still sprayed on her face by Ash. She took out a napkin and wiped her face methodically, calmly saying, "You should spray her, why spray me when it wasn’t my suggestion."

"I don’t want to spray them, so I can only turn to you." Ash wiped his mouth and looked at Diya with a complex expression, "Why do you have such thoughts?"

"It’s not our country," Diya looked at him strangely, "Now the Dazzling Star governs five nations, and we are enemies of the Dazzling Star, which means all five nations are our enemies. Since they are enemies, isn’t it common sense to rob them?"

"What I find peculiar is why only send Vishi," Weiser commented. "As you said, we are all wanted criminals; a few more crimes won’t matter, right?"

"It’s different. We are going to defeat the Supreme Star sooner or later, and then we’ll naturally become allies of justice," Diya said. "So we can’t have the stain of robbery."

Felix suddenly spoke up, "So you’re going to let Miss Vishi bear these stains, and later sever ties with her to protect your reputation? After all, she’s already..."

Everyone almost simultaneously looked at Felix. He realized his tone was off, lowered his head, and ate his buttered bread.

Vishi glanced at Felix, then suddenly turned her gaze to Ash. Ash did not respond to Vishi’s gaze, and seriously thought for a moment, saying, "Witch makes sense, clear in logic and reasonable, even letting Vishi take the blame is quite appropriate."

Diya blinked, "But?"

"There’s no ’but,’" Ash smiled bitterly, "We’re in a tough spot right now, and any means you employ are understandable. I can find many reasons, such as exploiting the world causing hostility, such as committing evil drifting towards the End Five, such as not wanting to spray orange juice on your faces... But if being constrained leads to slower growth of our strength, and we find ourselves helpless when facing danger in the future, wouldn’t I be dragging you down? I do have moral boundaries, but..."

He shrugged, "For you, my moral boundaries can be a little flexible."

The most fascinating aspect of the game of life is that there’s no right answer, and every direction offers endless possibilities until you reach the end to know right or wrong. Ash hadn’t become arrogant enough to think he could guide the direction of the entire team, if anything, the Witch and Vishi were more qualified to lead the team forward.

"I can’t decide on this matter, once you discuss and come to a conclusion, I’ll follow your lead," Ash said calmly. "Just if we’re going to rob, let me and Vishi go together."

Everyone was taken aback, Ash chuckled, "My reputation is basically on par with Vishi, both notorious demigods across the five kingdoms. One or two more stains don’t matter to me."

"Do we really need to send out two demigods?"

Vishi rested her chin on her hand, glanced at him sideways, and said casually, "Or are you saying you don’t trust my plundering skills?"

"Vishi, no one trusts your abilities more than I do." Ash stood up and patted Vishi’s bare shoulder, "So whatever you plan to do, I must supervise you. I will never let you out of my sight... You are my prisoner."

Weiser’s face turned ugly, her gaze shifting back and forth between Ash and Vishi, saying: "Then let’s discuss it when we’re about to leave Dazzling Star. Ash, when will we..."

"Wait a moment." Ash carried his plate into the kitchen, saying: "I’m going to check the villa once more. Whether or not I find any traces, I’ll give you a departure date."

Once Ash went upstairs, the atmosphere in the dining room became tense.

The Witch and Silver Lamp glared at Vishi, who calmly wiped her mouth, and leisurely picked up her plate: "I’m finished too, so I’ll go wash my and my master’s dishes."

"Vishi," Weiser said coldly, "you wouldn’t have bewitched Ash’s mind while we weren’t paying attention, would you?"

"Who knows?" Vishi raised her chin. Though she was a maid, the pride in her smile made it seem like she was the master: "Maybe he’s inherently a bad guy, wanting to join me in murder and arson? Or perhaps he feels a bit guilty about splashing orange juice on my face earlier and wants to make it up to me?"

"He’s always had this kind of personality, unable to detach himself, possessing an inexplicable sense of pride," Sonia suddenly said. "If he weren’t like this, would you all still associate with him? Don’t you recognize it unless you’re directly involved?"

Her tone wasn’t sarcastic, just calmly stating an acknowledged fact. But the atmosphere became even more awkward, Dedarose and Felix desperately trying to make themselves invisible.

"I’m full!" 𝙛𝓻𝒆𝒆𝒘𝙚𝓫𝙣𝙤𝒗𝙚𝓵.𝙘𝙤𝙢

Diya suddenly stood up, didn’t bother cleaning her plate, and stomped up to the second floor.

*

Opening the master bedroom door, Diya saw Ash examining Felix’s wardrobe, and quickly shut it in shock, whispering, "Ash, you actually like stealing women’s underwear!? So my panties weren’t blown away by the wind three days ago..."

"These are all men’s clothes..."

"Stealing men’s clothes isn’t allowed either!"

Ash scratched his head, explaining: "Half a year ago, when I was preparing for my first date with the Sword Maiden, I asked Igula to dress me. But we couldn’t go out to buy clothes then, so we could only borrow Felix’s men’s attire. I wanted to recreate that scene to see if there’s a chance to find any traces."

Ash had long anticipated that Felix’s villa wouldn’t have anything left behind. The Gospel Divine Being could hardly find Harvey’s coffin lid, which probably evaporated alongside everything else. Speaking of which, with all the things missing, could they fill two coffins? Perhaps not.

Regardless of how long one lives, the belongings actually of their own are few; many things you only have the right to use, not the right of ownership. The world continues to function regardless of who disappears; no one even notices anyone missing.

Therefore, Ash must bring those two back. The world has tormented them so, if they don’t leave an indelible mark on it, then haven’t their sufferings been in vain?

They aren’t good people; currently, they’re even devils of Hell. But Ash chooses to save devils. If the world refuses to treat you kindly, isn’t singing loudly with devils in Hell also a joy?

"The first date with the Sword Maiden..."

Diya pouted, "Do you get this serious and nervous when you meet me?"

Ash glanced at her and answered honestly, "No, I’m too familiar with you, but back then I hadn’t met the Sword Maiden in reality yet, so... it’s like heading off for a long-distance relationship, there’s always a bit of anxiety."

Diya punched him lightly in the stomach with her tiny fist, then reached out to hug him, pouting, "Aren’t you being a bit too biased?"

"What compensation do you want, then?"

"Back to Gospel!" Diya immediately said, "Let’s leave Dazzling Star and return to Gospel!"