Tullas was definitely fit for better Soul Tricks.
Facing Frode’s suggestion, Angel pondered for a moment: "Special undead aren’t easy to find... but, I’ll keep it in mind."
As time ticked by, Tullas’s devouring gradually slowed, reaching the limit of his capacity.
Previously, Frode thought that the death energy in the cave might take decades to deplete, but now it’s visibly thinned significantly. This showcased just how voracious Tullas had been in absorbing death energy this time.
After Tullas stopped absorbing the death energy, he opened his eyes.
Just as Frode had guessed, even when Tullas let the death energy in his body reach its peak, he didn’t show any negative emotions. He remained as naive and sweet as ever, even inspecting his body for any changes before looking at Frode with a puzzled expression and asking, "Why do you have that expression? Is there something wrong with me?"
Frode shook his head: "No problem, it’s just unexpected how you can absorb so much death energy."
Tullas lifted his head, showing a proud expression that was completely mismatched with his muscular physique beneath the Bullhorn Helm: "Naturally, I am the man who killed the legendary pirate Redbeard!"
Angel said quietly: "When you dominated the extreme east sea, Redbeard was only five or six years old, it would have been impossible for you two to battle."
Tullas completely disbelieved him, maintaining his pride: "You can’t fool me. It’s clearly recorded in ’The Sound of The Tide on Magic Night’..."
Angel took a long sigh, not wanting to repeat again that it was a fictional novel written by a later author. He’s said it many times already, and saying it again wouldn’t change Tullas’s mind.
Tullas just believed that since he’s the one who killed the legendary pirate Redbeard in the novel, he’s even more formidable.
Frode also knew Tullas’s character and rubbed his temples helplessly, not arguing with Tullas. He really found it hard to imagine that the historically famous "Tyrant King" would be Tullas, "Feather-brained King" would be more fitting.
Angel and Frode didn’t argue with Tullas, so naturally, Tullas felt even prouder as he descended the altar with a swagger of disdain for others.
"Sir, I can’t absorb any more death energy now, can I practice the soul tricks you mentioned?" Tullas blinked his eyes and looked towards Angel.
Angel: "Get familiar with it for a month or two."
"Another one or two months?" Tullas wasn’t bothered by the time, nodding: "Then I’ll go back to Originheart City first. I’m the sheriff, haven’t been there for days, can’t imagine the chaos there now?"
Frode said silently: "It’s actually more stable when you’re not there."
Tullas snorted, completely disbelieving.
Angel took out the Dead’s Church to lodge Tullas. But before Tullas entered the Dead’s Church, he handed out a task to him.
"Keep me stationed in the library?" Tullas pouted, "Can I not?"
"No." Angel: "Remember, once Nis’s stone slab breaks, return to reality and inform me."
Even though Tullas didn’t want to stay in the library the whole time, it was one of the rare tasks given by Angel, so he sulkily accepted it.
After Tullas returned to the Dead’s Church, Angel informed Frode about his plan to go to the Old Earth Continent.
Frode nodded. He knew earlier that Angel was going to the Old Earth Continent, just didn’t know the purpose. Likely for dealing with family affairs, so Frode didn’t ask further.
After putting the Dead’s Church into the bracelet, Angel took out a revolver from the bracelet — Samsara Overture, and handed it to Frode.
"You hold onto this first, it still has a complete White Light Bullet inside. If one White Light Bullet isn’t enough, I’ll find a way to replenish ammunition from the Sea of Ghosts later."
Frode didn’t refuse because Adar and Shanni would later practice soul tricks. Adar might not need it, but Shanni was very likely to fall in the death energy. With Samsara Overture, there’s at least a chance to redeem her.
After finishing all this, Angel went up to the altar, cut the stone slab inscribed with symbols to carry with him.
Just as Angel lifted the stone slab, a sudden "crackling" sound came to his ears.
Looking down, the once complete altar bore deep cracks.
Frode saw the cracks, thought for a moment, and said: "The altar’s construction materials were ordinary stones. With the protection of these symbols before, they were not eroded by death energy. But now the symbols have been taken away by Sir, naturally, they cracked... However, why are they cracking so fast?"
Frode didn’t think much of it. He thought it might be because Lady Cilla had stayed here for years and her presence had corrupted the altar, which was why signs of cracks appeared so early.
Angel checked the cracked altar to ensure there were no missing items or dangers, didn’t pay further attention, carried the stone slab, and left the cave with Frode.
...
Tullas returned to the location of Originheart City, which was in the library hall. He had met Angel here before, so this was where he entered.
"Sir said the Wizard Nis is in the architecture hall on the second floor, architecture... tsk tsk, there’s even a library dedicated to architecture." Tullas said, but still accepted and walked to the second floor.
When passing the fiction hall, he paused, took a few novels. For the forthcoming period, he’d be with Wizard Nis, so finding some novels helped while away the boredom.
Holding a stack of novels, Tullas arrived at the architecture hall.
As he stepped into the architecture hall, he saw Wizard Nis sitting by the window, and the back of a... lady.
Looked somewhat familiar. Tullas thought quietly, walking forward.
Just as Tullas approached, the lady turned around. When she saw Tullas, her expression froze slightly, some indescribable emotions surfaced in her eyes, but were quickly suppressed.
Tullas cheerfully waved: "Hey, little Haila~ why are you here~"
"My name is Mandhela, without a surname. Don’t just change my name." Mandhela said solemnly.
"Okay, little Haila."
Mandhela rolled her eyes, stayed silent, seemingly accepting Tullas’s way of calling her.
"You haven’t answered me yet. Did you come here for something?"
"Her name is Mandhela, huh?" Nis spoke up: "She came looking for Angel. Asked what she wanted, she wouldn’t say."
"Looking for Lord Pat? The lord isn’t here, should I go back and ask for you?" Tullas kindly offered.
Mandhela remained silent for a moment, then shook her head: "No need. I no longer have anything to ask him."
Saying that, Mandhela walked towards the exit.
Tullas muttered: "How come one moment there’s a matter, the next there’s none. Oh well, I’m not thinking about it anymore."
Tullas sat facing Wizard Nis, hugging the stack of novels.
Mandhela hesitated halfway to the exit, looking at Tullas with confusion. Usually, he’s the one to follow me, but why isn’t he moving today?
"Why aren’t you leaving?" Mandhela asked, as if unintentionally.
Tullas: "I got a task from the lord to stay here."
Mandhela’s lips moved, trying to say something, but eventually said nothing and sighed, quickly leaving the architecture hall.
Tullas was confused, while Nis took up the already cold tea on the table, smiling as he took a sip.