Author Notes:
Phew, this chapter comes out so fast because I injected my veins with so much coffee, hahaha.
But yeah, I think my brain is cooking with gas when it comes to OBOM. This is especially true in the current Early Access chapters being ones about building up a proper force around Umbra/Aurea. Do stay tune for when it all settles down at last, ok?
Although if you want to both help me procure a proper bed for Mom and to read ahead, then by all mean, visit my Patreon page and enjoy a newcomer discount! Many thanks to whoever take the time to check it out!
Without further ado, enjoy the new OBOM chapter!
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"How much did I miss back then?" I ask tiredly, and although the headache I am having is more intangible than physical, I still bring a hand up to nurse my temple anyway.
Reizen, having finished making some tea for our guest and us, brings the refreshment over and replies.
"Not much, really. After Aurea and I returned to the White Pearl, we vacated the premises of that dead island. We then made haste to this new island, one marked as a safe zone by Sapientia. That was three days ago. We've been anchored here ever since, as we thought it was too much of a risk to continue with you incapacitated."
"And I have just arrived this morning to check on you." Sapientia, sitting across the small table on the White Pearl, says. "You got done in by a soul stunner, a nifty little spell with quite an annoying effect. It does exactly what it sounds like: stunning the soul and causing a mild disconnection from the physical body. However, in rare cases, those with weaker will or spiritual bodies will have their souls completely separated from their bodies, leaving the bodies helpless to the hostile Lich's soul possession."
"... Seems like we all dodged a bullet there." I sigh, feeling quite lucky that I managed to keep both Aurea and Reizen away from that spell and still can sit here.
Reizen places the tea tray on the table before serving us the small, steaming cups. "I believe so. And while it was reckless of you, Umbra, I still must offer you my thanks."
[M-Me too! Thanks for looking out for me... But please don't do it again...]
[You know I can't promise that, my dear. But I will try.] I communicate with Aurea mentally before saying aloud.
"You would do the same for me, Reizen."
"That is true." Reizen nods as she takes her seat.
Sapientia, after sipping her tea, interjects.
"Umbra will be fine. Her soul will recover on its own. In fact, her soul should grow stronger and sturdier than before, having experienced tempering from that soul stunner. Such cases have been documented in the past, after all. However, recuperation is still recommended by the doctor. You should take it easy for the next couple of days and don't hastily fire out any spell just yet. Most spells work by having willpower and soul act as controllers of mana flow. And I don't have to say the effect of spell casting with an injured soul, right?"
Before I can reply, Reizen nods seriously. "Duly noted. I will monitor Umbra's status strictly."
Sapientia adds.
"It's mostly her spiritual aspect going all wonky, so Umbra can still do physical stuff and learn magical theories normally. But yeah, the safest bet is not to move out of this island just yet. You all can treat it as a much-needed vacation time after that whole ordeal..."
The Ember Goddess then leveled both Reizen and me a wry look, somehow, given that her emerald eyes are still unfocused as always.
"Still, have you girls not read the warning labels or something? That dead island was something I made sure to note: You should only visit it on a later date, preferably with more firepower or protection than now. Why is it that you still went there anyway?"
"That would be my fault." I raise a hand, smiling wryly. "We sailed the White Pearl near the place, and back then, Reizen, after analyzing the map, figured out a way for us to infiltrate and secure the prize without having to go through the ruins on the island."
Sapientia easily understood what I was getting at. "You mean that cave system that is linked to the main ritual chamber of the Lich? Sure, that is a good angle of approach, sparing you from dealing with constant mobbing if you go through the tribal ruins, but it would no doubt bring you closer to the Lich itself."
I look at Reizen, scratching my cheek abashedly. "Yeah, well, I learned that the hard way. Anyway, seeing that Reizen's angle is feasible, I took Reizen out for a recon. We were there only to verify the potential of the approach, at first. But then, somehow, the Lich got a drop on us, and it launched that soul stunner against Reizen. The rest is pretty much history."
Reizen clenches her fists. "I won't let that happen ever again..." There's steel in her voice that brings me a sense of security.
Sapientia, on her part, nods and explains.
"All Liches have an innate sense that can detect living beings. The soul stunner spell was aimed at Reizen, probably because it sensed Reizen's strength. It either sought to incapacitate her for a quicker fight or to steal Reizen's body if it got lucky. I presume that, after Umbra took that blow for you, Reizen, you kinda went crazy for a bit, right?"
Reizen tilts her head, her fingers stroking her chin.
"I believe the words are: legitimate crashout. I was furious at my own ineptitude. So, once Umbra and Aurea were secured on the White Pearl parked offshore, I double-backed to steal the hidden relic. My hope was to focus the Lich's aggression all on me, which it did, and ignore Umbra and Aurea on the White Pearl. I was able to eliminate many of its minions before it eventually confronted me, only to be purged by Umbra's instinctive buckshot blasts."
Sapientia nods a few times before her eyebrows perked up.
"Wait, Umbra? You mean to tell me she was up and about with a firearm so soon after taking a hit to the soul?"
I am the one who replies to the query. "From what I was told by Aurea and Reizen, I woke up on the Pearl without knowing what's really going on due to jumbled memories."
"Yeah, soul stunner does that to people." Sapientia says aloud.
I continue.
"That said, a nagging feeling in my heart told me to pick up the gun and make my way back onto the part of the island where Reizen was. Upon finding both her and the Lich, I was confused at first about which one to shoot, as I wasn't able to connect my memories to the feeling in my chest. Fortunately, Reizen was able to convince me to shoot the Lich instead of her."
"That was the most adrenaline I have ever gotten, I think." Reizen makes a comment while giving me a wry smile.
Sapientia giggles, imagining the scene, no doubt. "Huh, who would have known that underneath your cool exterior is a smooth talker, Reizen."
Reizen makes a face, as if not willing to ever put her verbal proficiency to the test ever again. "I think I am undeserving of such praise..." She says.
And thanks to Aurea's memory of the events, I understand well just what Reizen is shy about. Really, it wasn't any flowery speech, more like a set of panicked, concise words, but they got the job done well enough. I reach out to pat Reizen on the shoulder, keeping my amusement to myself.
"Regardless, thanks for dropping by on such short notice, Sapientia." I give the Ember Goddess a nod.
"What are our good, wonderful relationship for, am I right? Nonetheless, you shouldn't poke the monsters' nest willy-nilly like that in the future." Sapientia once again advises kindly. "You're way off from civilization. Any mistake will cost you dearly."
"Don't worry, we'll take it to heart." I nod, finally taking a drink from my own teacup.
The tea is now lukewarm.
"Moving on to a new topic, you got anything interesting to talk about on your end? Right now, you're the best among us in terms of garnering some gossip." I ask, with Reizen and Aurea tuning in with some expectations.
Us girls, seriously...
Sapientia hums, her index finger tapping the rim of the teacup in her hand.
"Well, I do have something in the work, you can consider it a housewarming gift of sorts for when you break ground for your Base of Operations. Nothing too concrete, of course."
Reizen and I share a look, with me smiling. "Heh... Thanks, anyway."
"Don't sweat it." Sapientia shrugs casually. "Additionally... This concerns Aurea more than anyone, but the Durandal Kingdom and my Theocracy have basically called off further exploration and expansion down South. The whole thing was basically Morgan Durandal's final attempt at finding Aurea's trace, but after so long with no lead, even Morgan can't justify the expenditure. Morgan was Aurea's sponsor way back then, by the way."
Reizen nods, interjecting. "That we know off. Aurea has been very forthcoming about her past and her traumatic experiences."
"Right, and what I wouldn't give to drive a bullet through the mastermind." I add.
"Morgan is already way ahead of you." Sapientia says. "She basically made her half-sister, who was the one to traumatize Aurea, a disabled princess. Additionally, the Durandal Kingdom had to pay a hefty fine for harming a person of the Nightwatch Order."
Sapientia levels an amused look on my Other Me.
"By the way, Morgan fast-tracked you into becoming a Knight Engineer and Designer of the Nightwatch Order some time back, effectively granting you an official post and a salary in the Order. And since the Nightwatch Order is a Knight Order under the Theocracy, I am technically your Big Boss, Aurea."
[W-Wow... As expected of my sponsor, her gallantry and magnanimity know no bounds.]
I chuckle. "Well, I can safely say that Aurea highly appreciated the info, Sapientia, just don't expect us to kneel and pledge loyalty any time soon. I highly doubt that is appropriate, considering we're off to build a faction and all that Jazz."
"Nor am I asking you to kneel." Sapientia shrugs once more. "We're all friends and then some."
Both Reizen and I react to the latter half of the Ember Goddess' reply. "Seriously, you still haven't given up on that?"
"Hey, I have to plan for the future, ok? If my Theocracy is to really fall beneath you, I need to do something to smooth out the subsequent transition. Better build up emotional ties between us now for a more relaxed and effective political marriage or whatever in the future."
While Reizen starts sighing and massaging the bridge of her nose at the Ember Goddess' audacity, I can only put on a wry expression and say.
"Thanks for being so candid with your desire, I guess. And honestly," I give her a look up and down. "If you lose that robe, I think we can get along quite well."
"You speak my mind, Umbra~! I really need to get a new wardrobe." Sapientia nods repeatedly.
"Perhaps we can help with that after the Base is set up." I suggest casually. "Just need your input then."
"Don't mind if I take you up on that offer, then." Sapientia claps her hands together.
Eventually, Reizen has had enough and interjects. "Let's shut down this topic, please. I don't want to think about how a goddess is gunning romantically for my liege in all but name."
Sapientia winks, smirking. "Don't worry, you and Aurea are also on the list."
I giggle, hearing Aurea sputtering in my head while Reizen facepalms herself. "Not what I meant..."
Overall, it's indeed a good time for a vacation. But before that...
"By the way, what's this relic that can act as a power source all about?"
Sapientia is quick to reply. "Ever wonder why it's in the shape of a stone?"
"Yeah?" We all nod.
Then Sapientia drops the bomb. "That's because it's a Philosopher's Stone... Or at least it's an attempt at making one."
Understanding dawn on our faces. "Let me guess, something went horribly wrong."
"Yup~!" Sapientia pops the p. "That whole fishmen tribe went about making one for eternal life, turned out they went off the script so badly that the stone converted them into the living dead instead. That said, with the relic being a mimicked Philosopher's Stone, it still contains a vast amount of energy that, if you can harness it, can power the Base of Operation I helped you all design for decades to come... Theoretically speaking, of course."
"Huh, and there won't be a repercussion in utilizing it as a power source?" I ask, just to be sure.
"You will be doing the Mother Arcadia and the deceased a favor, in fact." Sapientia replies seriously.
"Neat."