Mage Manual
Chapter 311 - Chapter 311 Chapter 267 Deception

Chapter 311: Chapter 267: Deception Chapter 311: Chapter 267: Deception When Igula joined them for breakfast, he winked at Ash, who nodded in understanding. After breakfast, Ash made his way to Igula’s room where the Swindler was already waiting for him.

Ash didn’t bother with courtesy and sat directly on his bed, “What task did you and Hanna execute last night?”

“It’s quite a story,” Igula replied as he sat in an armchair, pouring a slight amount of sky-blue wine from a bottle into his glass.

Only then did Ash notice the liquor cabinet in Igula’s room. Hanna was extremely generous with external pleasures. They simply had to mention something to Banjee, and the housekeeper would order takeout to deliver whatever they wanted.

There was also another possibility–the Kingdom of Gospel had significantly advanced productivity. Essentials like meat, eggs, milk, and wine were almost basic social welfare commodities. Ash and the others indulging wasn’t seen as wasteful at all–it even promoted the internal circulation of the Kingdom of Gospel.

In all developed societies, food is a basic indicator. Even the lowest ogres in the Kingdom of Blood Moon had meat to fill their bellies every day, so there was no reason the Kingdom of Gospel couldn’t do the same. If the lowest commoners here used red wine as mouthwash, steak as a staple, and bathed in sterilized milk with their BMI well over 30, Ash wouldn’t be surprised at all.

“Where’s mine?” Ash asked.

Igula thought for a moment, grabbed another glass, and poured water for Ash from a pitcher.

“Better than nothing.”

Ash rolled his eyes, took the glass, and gulped it down, after which Igula said, “Last night, that man also drank the poison I had prepared like that.”

Pfft!

Ash spat out his water, but Igula, who was prepared, waved his hand lightly, and a gust of wind blew inside the room, sending the water Ash had spit out right back at him.

“Last night, Hanna took me to an airborne mansion in the second-tier city,” Igula remarked while looking at the upside-down city outside. “You might think Hanna’s place is nice, but if you saw that mansion, you would think this is where the poor live.”

“The ceiling is made of heat-resistant glass, Heavenly Curtain, allowing enjoyment of the dazzling sunlight by day and starry sky by night. The courtyard has gardens blooming all year round. The owner of the mansion seems quite interested in alchemical creatures; he even set up a small zoo filled with chimeric alchemy beasts.”

“The mansion’s walls, floors, and any exposed surfaces use the most expensive Miracle building materials. Solar power drives the daily energy needs, maintaining a ‘clean’ Miracle at all times; the interior is free from any dust, every area is sterile. The only two servants are nearly lifelike alchemical maids–one with long, black hair and a tall, sexy figure, the other a petite, pink-haired lolita. If it weren’t for the fact that Spirit Mage techniques don’t work on them, I would never have guessed they were alchemical constructs.”

“But this enormous, luxurious mansion is home to just one person–Count Russell. Although the noble system of the Kingdom of Gospel has declined, there are still remnants of the old era, or rather, the new era’s rich longing to be remnants of the old.”

“He looked very young, with tender skin, dressed in a silk robe. But his gloomy demeanor when speaking, and his undisguisedly disgusted gaze towards Hanna, are enough to prove that he should have been buried long ago. He’s just managed to preserve his quality of life with his power.”

“Interestingly, he seemed even more enthusiastic about me,” Igula shrugged, “which might be why Miss Hanna brought me along–the details in-between, I’ll spare you. You just need to know that we put the manor’s owner to sleep.”

“Asleep?”

“Yes, asleep,” Igula replied, twirling his signet ring, “Given his physical condition and the life-support setup we arranged, he’s likely to sleep for about five months–after which he’ll become Harvey’s favorite type of maggot breeding ground. As an important person, his body will definitely attract Red Hat to visit in five months. But since even Hanna doesn’t care, I naturally don’t either, especially since our Contract will have ended by then.”

“As a reward for assisting in his sleep, Hanna and I chopped off his hands, scooped out his eyes, and passed the manor’s fingerprint and iris verification to enter the secret chamber inside. What followed was basically a free shopping spree, though most of the haul–contract documents, bank credentials–went to Hanna, as I couldn’t monetize them.”

“The only thing I managed to obtain was this.”

Igula walked to his luggage, fetched a black velvet box, and handed it to Ash.

Ash opened the box and found a light-red, gradient face mask inside. It felt almost silky smooth yet was incredibly durable, breathable to wear as if he had nothing on, and the mask seemed to have an automatic adjustment feature–it molded to fit Ash’s nose and mouth shape within three seconds.

He turned to look at himself in the mirror. Paired with the dark-red coat Liss had given him, Ash now looked full of mysterious, ascetic charisma, fitting the role of a character in a film who could deviate people’s moral compass.

Ash was quite pleased with this look–his own assessment was ‘handsome enough to make people wish they didn’t have to shit.’

“It’s said to be the dying work of a Holy Domain Alchemist. Although it appears devoid of Magic Power waves, wearing it can resist most forms of mental probing and significantly increases one’s Charm, hence being called ‘Spirit Mask,'” Igula sipped his blue wine and said, “If you like it, it’s yours.”

“Really?”

“Anyway, as a Spirit Mage, I don’t need a prop to cover my face; my expressions are my weapon,” Igula really seemed indifferent, “Actually, there wasn’t much I cared for in that secret room, I just remembered you needed a mask, so I brought it back.”

Ash blinked and removed his mask, saying, “So, is this a gift you specifically picked out for me?”

“If that’s how you want to think of it, I don’t object,” Igula swirled his wine in a blue glass, saying nonchalantly.

A gift specifically for me?

A gift only I possess?

Igula watched Ash’s expressions shift from puzzled to touched, then slightly embarrassed, but then back to puzzled.

The cult leader pondered for a moment, then suddenly turned to look at the suitcase in the corner of the room.

Igula raised an eyebrow and stood up, “Alright, you should leave now, I have things to do–”

Ash rushed over and opened the suitcase, finding it filled with black velvet boxes, just like the one Igula had just given him.

He turned to look at Igula, pointing at the suitcase,

“(#-~-#) What are these?”

“…If I say they were bought to stuff under the bed, would you believe me?”

“So, that manor was fake, right? Count Russell was also fake, right?” Ash held up the ‘Spirit Mask’ and said, “This mask was just something you bought randomly for me, but to enhance its value, to make me think it was specially bought for me, and that it was a unique gift just for me, you made up this–th–is–long story?”

Igula shook his head, a look of ‘you can’t carve rotten wood’ disappointment on his face, “Gift gift, the gift is just secondary, the gesture is what’s important. If I hadn’t added so much meaning to this gift, would you have been so happy just now?”

“If a gift has no story behind it, it is merely a cold piece of handicraft. A true Spirit Mage is supposed to imbue every mundane thing with thrilling significance.”

“Have you ever seen a magic show? Your behavior now is like a child on stage trying to act smart and loudly exposing the secret of a magic trick. Not only does it make the performer unhappy, but it also deprives you of the joy of watching the show.”

Igula earnestly taught, “Luckily, I don’t mind, but don’t do it again, Ash. Others might think you can’t read the room.”

“How come you make it sound like it’s my fault when I was the one nearly tricked into being a victim?” Ash said irritably, “So how many times do you plan to repeat this story?”

“Do I look that lazy?” Igula said, “Of course, I’d create a unique story for each client. Someone of chaotic good like you, Ash, would definitely enjoy a story about ‘dirty nobles getting outsmarted.’ For Harvey, a chaotic neutral Necromancer, I plan to make up a story about ‘eliminating a gang and discovering a weapon smeared with victims’ blood.’ Liss’ story, of course, would be different…”

“Igula, you’re such a schemer.”

“Don’t rat me out,” Igula warned, “I’m just trying to win them over with gifts. After you leave, don’t say the mask was from me. ‘I only give gifts to you, no one else’ is a very important factor for boosting affinity.”

“I couldn’t care less about getting involved in your affairs,” Ash said indignantly, “And to think I almost believed you…you named names and had details, I almost fell for it.”

“Honestly, the fact that you saw through the scam makes me think I need to reflect,” Igula mused, “After all, if I can’t fool even you, I really need to optimize the pacing of my stories… Go on, I have to wait for the next client.”

Ash huffed, taking the mask and leaving. But before pushing the door open to exit, he paused and said, “That being said, I really like this mask. Thanks.”

“Please! Once you’re home! Record this immediately in your diary!” Igula said, “Remember to repay Mr. Bokin’s great favor by being forever grateful.”

Watching Ash leave the room, Igula went over to pack up the suitcase and stuffed it under the bed. He then went to the bathroom to prepare the water for his morning bath–not only out of habit; he had been busy all night and was sticky all over. Immersing himself in the warm water, he felt like he was ascending to heaven.

After his bath and while brushing his teeth, Igula unconsciously resonated with ‘revelation’,

and white foam left a line of words on the mirror–

“Don’t let people know you’re happy.”

Igula looked at the upturned corners of his mouth in the mirror, paused momentarily, then chuckled and hummed a tune.