ALL NOVEL
Chapter 36: Ghost Fire
Lumine and Alicia, who were watching Luis' test through the screen, had anxious expressions on their faces.
But when they saw Luis using the torch he collected before to purify the evil spirit, they were both surprised and relieved.
Alicia turned to Lumine and asked, "Aunty, is Ghost Fire a mutated element?"
Lumine shifted her focus to Alicia and replied, "I think so."
"Does it have similar properties to Holy Flames? Ghost Fire can also purify evil spirits?" Alicia asked thoughtfully.
Lumine shook her head and answered Alicia's query.
"No, Holy Flames can purify the evil energy and even eradicate it. But Ghost Fire is different, rather than 'Purify'. A proper term should be 'Refine'. Ghost Fire refines the evil energy and thus gives a similar effect."
It was Lumine's first time seeing this element, but based on some clues and her years of experience, she could easily conclude these details.
Alice nodded her head in understanding. But she had other questions in mind. 'When did Luis discover this element? Was this information in the records of Ghost King?'
She became even more interested in the fable.
***
Only in the later stages of the game, it was discovered that the torches inside the tutorial dungeon were all burning with Ghost Fire. This made Luis wonder if the protagonist had no Holy Magic on him. Would this method have worked?
The answer was it should have because later in the game, other candidates for the legacy were also discovered who had no Holy Magic on them. So Luis thought this method should have been feasible, and it worked.
Luis passed through many rooms and purified some evil spirits on his way. The mansion's condition wasn't good. Instead of blindly moving around the mansion. Luis moved around based on his game knowledge.
Soon he found himself inside a luxurious bedroom, which was not in a very bad state compared to other rooms.
'This is it, the Master's bedroom.'
With that thought, Luis searched through the whole room and found a key and an envelope inside a drawer.
Finding what he was searching for, Luis immediately opened the envelope, wondering if the contents were the same or whether there were some variables.
Inside the envelope was a letter, which he flipped open. The writing was readable, but it seemed to be written in red ink, which Luis was sure was the blood of the writer.
[Date: 10/02/360
Master Jeremy, as per your orders, I've forbidden all the servants from leaving the mansion. But it's been a month since we have been following his order. Are we allowed to leave now? Can you give us further instructions? If possible, please provide us with rations. Only a week's worth of ration is left...]
'It's the same,' thinking of this, a sad smile appeared on Luis' face.
He sighed and burned the letter with the torch he was holding.
With the sizzling sound of paper burning, Luis saw the blood which was used as ink formed a strange pattern and shiny mystical dust-like light appeared passing to another room.
Following the shiny dust, he entered another room. It was a plain room with no luxury sense. The room was suitable to make people feel more comfortable.
He took out the key and put it inside the key holder, opening the similar drawer which he found before.
Inside it was another envelope and a key. Luis took out the letter and read it.
[Date: 20/02/360
Master Jeremy, it's been two days since we are out of ration. All the servants inside the mansion are hungry. We request for the ration to be provided as soon as possible.....]
Luis once again burned the letter and followed the shiny dust that appeared. On his way, he once again came across a few evil spirits whom he solved easily by relying on the Ghost Fire.
This time, he entered a study where the furniture was mostly broken. But ignoring it, he calmly sat on the chair, which was in normal condition. He saw a keyhole on the desk in front of him. He calmly inserted the key and clicked it open. Inside it was another letter and a brown box with a six-digit number lock.
Luis read the contents of the letter.
[Date: 25/02/360
Master, seven servants died of hunger, and the guards outside the mansion killed three servants who tried to leave. When are you going to respond?...]
Luis skimmed through it, and once again burned the letter.
As soon as he did, a black shadowy figure appeared in front of him. It was an evil spirit that took a humanoid shape.
Luis was creeped out, but he kept his thoughts to himself and sat calmly. The evil spirit slowly opened his hideous mouth and said in a bone-chilling voice.
"Master, is that you?"
Luis thought back to the game and there were choices to select in this conversation, but in real life, no information was given. No wonder only a few people in the history could pass this test. 'I wonder how the protagonist would have accomplished it in the real world?'
"Master?" the evil spirit called again.
'But if I follow the game's conversation, I will have to solve the mystery of this case. It's too troublesome.' Thinking of this an idea came to his mind.
Suddenly Luis' whole temperament changed, and he gave off a noble aura. Performer talent is active.
"How dare a lowly servant question me?" Luis said in a deep voice, full of authority. Not giving a direct answer.
The evil spirit trembled and bowed down, apologizing. "Forgive me, my lord, it's just butler Fin is searching for you."
Seeing his performance work, Luis smirked. In the original game based on the answer, you would have to prove whether you are their master Jeremy or not. It's too troublesome. Moreover, completing this story will take some time, but with Luis' acting skills, he might save himself from unnecessary trouble.
"Bring him to see me," Luis said in a voice full of authority.