Cthulhu Gonfalon

Translator: Nyoi-Bo Studio Editor: Nyoi-Bo Studio

Their teacher was one of the famous Legendary Masters in Mifata Federation, Master Mill.

This master was known as the "Sage of Life and Death," and he had carried out profound research on the two types of spells involving life and death. However, he had always taken his stand with the side of "living." Although he dabbled in spells pertaining to dead souls, he had never taken the initiative to turn a living being into a dead soul.

The fact that Tu Ya'an became a necromancer had already made Master Mill quite displeased, to the extent where Tu Ya'an found it embarrassing to continue staying in the Mill City. He found a place that was significantly far outside the city and built his own magic tower.

His senior was the oldest disciple under Master Mill and had been a city lord for Mill City for many years, so he could be known as a contemporary flagship figure of Mill School. If he too revoked Master Mill's teachings to turn into a dead soul for the sake of living longer, then Master Mill would lose all his dignity and never be able to lift his head before all the other Legendary Masters.

"I've been on the receiving end long enough," his senior said. "Of course, it is good to be able to find a way to extend my life, but even if I can't extend it, I'll live with it. There are certain things that can't be achieved after all."

Tu Ya'an did not persuade any further. He merely gave a bitter laugh. With a secret method, he informed his sister to bring some snacks to them so he could resolve the slightly awkward situation they were in at that moment.

Tessa was aware that there were guests as soon as they came, but she did not fancy that somewhat rigid senior of theirs, so she had no intention of meeting him. At this moment, upon receiving her brother's message, she frowned a little, but she still prepared the snacks and personally delivered it to them.

She did not make these snacks, of course. She had bought them from a little stall on the street.

Despite her wealthy background, Tessa did not pay special attention to the pricing of the food she ate. She was only particular about the taste. The snacks from that street stall were tasty enough and suited her palate, so she bought a lot. Then using magic, she preserved them. When she had a craving for them, she would take a little out to eat. It was very convenient.

Speaking of which, her current lifestyle was simply way too lazy. Every day, other than reading books, she would be eating snacks or lying in bed watching entertainment programs screened by a magic projector, which were more commonly known as movies, while snacking. Occasionally, she would go to the theater to catch a performance; then along the way, she would treat herself to a hearty meal, and this outing would be considered as intensive exercise.

This was just like the kind of life one led in raising a pig. If it was administered to someone else's life, a round and lazy little pig would have been raised. But Tessa's body was created with Sui Xiong's Divine Power, so there was no way she could get fat at all. No matter how many high-calorie things she ate, no matter how much she neglected exercising, she could still maintain an ideal body. If word of this got out, she would really be the envy of those aristocratic ladies who were trying their best to lose weight.

However, while physical problems were easily solved, mental problems were otherwise. Long term decadence with a lifestyle of a pig apparently made Tessa lazy all day long. Other than changing into all sorts of new clothes and parading before her brother, usually, she was not motivated to do anything much. She was only short of finding a soft cushion, lying prone on it, then reciting her line, "I'm almost a wasted person already."

When she pushed that little cart and brought a few plates filled with a variety of snacks and a bag of specially concocted herbal tea, Easter was indifferent, but the senior mage's eyes widened in shock.

He had never delved into the Dead Soul Spell, but as the oldest disciple of Master Mill, and in addition to being on friendly terms with Tu Ya'an, naturally, he would have an acute, discerning eye when it came to aspects related to dead souls. Just at first glance, he could tell that Tessa was no longer in a half-dead state like before but had become a real living person.

She had a complete life, and like ordinary living humans, she could die of sickness and old age!

"This… how is this possible?" he asked with surprise.

Tu Ya'an naturally understood what he meant. He smiled and explained Tessa's situation.

When the old mage learned that Tessa's present body was personally created by His Majesty, who was none other than the great Void Mask, a real god, he made peace with the situation. Gods could accomplish such deeds, so indeed, there was nothing strange about it at all.

He could not help sighing at the thought of it.

A trace of a smile seemed to appear in Easter's eyes, who had been watching with indifference as he seized the opportunity.

"Mage Hailaer (his senior's last name), I wonder if you've ever considered switching your allegiance to another master?"

Tello Hailaer froze for a moment and then questioningly looked towards Easter.

This Legendary Master, whose origins were unclear, had kept mum all this while. From Tu Ya'an's attitude towards him, he should be a higher-up from the Republic of Northwest, but he did not seem to be on very close terms with Tu Ya'an. Come to think of it, that was very normal. As a necromancer, Tu Ya'an rarely went out to meet guests, so it was reasonable for him not to have many friends. If he had a party where many distinguished guests and friends turned up, that would be strange.

But why did he suddenly say such a thing?

After a moment of silence, this old mage, who could almost see the Grim Reaper waving to him, hesitated to ask, "What you just said… what exactly does that mean?"

"Our Majesty has always been passionate about his search for talents. For this, he has never been stingy with rewards," Easter said. "I and Tu Ya'an have both received his favor, that's why we are leading such good lives now. If you are willing to change sides and be under his command, I believe you'll be able to get what you want."

The old mage naturally understood the underlying meaning of his words, and suddenly, he hesitated.

He thought for a while, then said hesitantly, "I am a follower of the Master of Mystery…"

"His Majesty, the Master of Mystery, is now in a difficult situation himself. Are you sure he still has the strength to protect his followers?" Easter said bluntly, without any due respect for the prestigious Master of Mystery. "If you were to live for another 200 to 300 years, you might even witness his fall with your own eyes!"

The senior mage laughed bitterly and said, "But Teacher was a follower of His Majesty, the Master of Mystery. So am I. We, from Mill City, have always been hard-core followers of the Master of Mystery. His teachings have long been integrated into our lives and have become an integral part of us. Even if I wanted to change over, there is no way I could convince myself into changing my principles."

This was a huge problem. Beliefs were not just about "I'm willing to believe in who." It was not that simple. More importantly, it was about "I think whose teachings are more reasonable." Like Tu Ya'an's senior, a mage who had lived for hundreds of years, his outlook on life, his worldview, and his values of life had long been fixed. Just as how he himself had said—even if he wanted to change over, it would be impossible to change his views.

Easter was neither disappointed nor angry. On the contrary, he laughed and said, "Yes, you can't change your views just like that, but you can change the political inclination of Mill City, can't you?"

The old mage was taken aback momentarily, but he understood what Easter meant almost immediately.

Easter wanted him, not in his personal capacity as an advanced mage, but in his capacity as city lord of Mill City. Or rather, Easter wanted Mill City.

If the old mage wanted to reap benefits from Sui Xiong, his only choice was to drive Mill City into changing its allegiance. Even if Mill City could not openly cut ties with the Mifata Federation, it had to at least hover within the boundaries of both the Republic of Northwest and the Federation, and yet not violate the rules of either place.

This was no small matter. Given his prestige and status, if he wanted to drive this matter to success, he would require a great deal of time and effort, and he would be spending an exorbitant amount of political capital.

This old man, who had performed the role of city lord of Mill City for so many years, could not help hesitating.

He could afford to pay such a price, but… was it really worth it?