Chapter 145 : Chapter 145

Chapter 145 - The Usefulness of a Clone

The clone Youngest Son took Mirea to the Forest Witch.

The Forest Witch came out at the news of his arrival and then paused.

“I came because they said the President was here, but you're not the real President. You're half a President.”

“I am the original’s clone. Call me what you will. I am here now on the original’s orders.”

“The way you speak is the same. So, is the task related to this one?”

The clone Youngest Son nodded and sent Mirea forward.

“Her memory has been erased by an external force. But remnants remain, and the original believes those remnants can be used to retrieve the original memories.”

“Hmm... That's a plausible story.”

The Forest Witch continued her examination, placing a hand on the crown of her head as expected.

“The memory seems to have been erased cleanly without side effects, which means only the surface that could be done cleanly was erased.”

The flesh beneath the surface. The part the Youngest Son had called the root was still there.

Of course, the root itself was buried deep in the ground and was not easy to pull out.

The Forest Witch lifted the brim of her hat slightly, revealing green eyes that showed a hint of fatigue.

“What are you now?”

“Mirea Rara. I have been appointed as the exclusive Head Maid to the Fifth Son-nim.”

“What did you do before that?”

“I don't remember. Not at all. But I think I was busy with some work.”

The Forest Witch stared at Mirea for a while.

“The only thing I know how to make is a memory-erasing potion. To make something with the opposite effect, I'll need more research.”

“How long will it take?”

“I'm in charge of the processing work using the Blue Flame Spirit right now. To do research on top of that, it will take at least a month.”

“Can't you shorten the period?”

“There is.”

The Forest Witch, who had answered curtly, raised a dry finger and touched Mirea's face.

She spread her eyelids to see the color of her pupils and placed it on her forehead to check for a fever.

“I recommend this method because your body seems quite sturdy.”

“Tell me.”

The Forest Witch, who had pulled her hat back down, continued.

“Among the monsters that launch mental attacks, there's one that creates illusions by delving into the target's memories.”

“Are you talking about the Dream Ghost?”

“You know well. How on earth did you make this clone? Its cognitive ability is too excellent.”

He was at a level that would make even the Forest Witch, who was quite knowledgeable about clones through her wooden dolls, click her tongue.

But this was not the time to be admiring.

At least for the clone Youngest Son, it wasn't.

“Then if I find a Dream Ghost and leave the Head Maid there, the Dream Ghost will find her root memories on its own?”

“Theoretically, yes. While you're at it, bring back the Dream Ghost's Soul Powder. I need it for research.”

“Wait a moment.”

The clone Youngest Son closed his bloodshot eyes.

The Forest Witch simultaneously felt that he was communicating with his original self.

To be able to exchange thoughts even though there must be a considerable distance between them.

“If the President had gone into the clone field instead of sorcery from the beginning, he would have been a great success.”

“He says it's a good method. And he has entrusted that task to me.”

The Forest Witch somehow felt she knew the Youngest Son's thoughts.

‘He’s trying to test the clone’s limits and practical abilities while reviving the Head Maid’s memory. He’s probably causing trouble somewhere else.’

He lived as if two bodies were not enough, and now he had really made two.

And there was no guarantee that it would end with two.

The clone Youngest Son spoke.

“He told me to tell you. That it’s okay to use the Blue Flame Spirit ‘privately’.”

“……”

“However, he added that you should handle it with care as it is precious.”

“…I'll keep that in mind.”

The Forest Witch’s face was mostly hidden by the brim of her hat.

The only thing that was noticeable was the slightly raised corners of her mouth.

The Head Maid said as she left with the clone Youngest Son.

“You’re beautiful, but you look somewhat sinister when you smile.”

“Why else would I be a witch?”

After a short reply, he called the Red-blooded Griffin again.

“We’re going to the Dream Ghost’s habitat. The original said to get help from the Second Daughter and the Third Daughter, so we'll move that way.”

“Even if you tell me, I don't know them well. Who are they?”

“I don't know them well either. I only have the memories.”

Kwoooong—

The clone Youngest Son and the Head Maid flew to the Daughters' territory.

***

The prospective Chairman who climbed to the roof in the middle of the night. Edwin D. Hacid.

He groaned even as he climbed, as if he had only been sitting while he was a councilor.

“Where is the subordinate who ran to save me from the vampire hunter? Only a fat politician remains.”

“That’s not wrong, but it makes me sad.”

Edwin squeezed the belly fat under his clothes.

Not that it would go in by doing so.

“I should hire some Beast Sorcerers and get some liposuction.”

“That’s none of my business. Anyway, prospective Chairman. I have seen what you have achieved in D-District until now.”

“Let's just say it's the reason for my belly fat. I ate at my desk and worked without sleep.”

D-District surpassed all other districts in administration, defense, technology, and commerce.

It was comparable to the Pandemonium Hall where the councilors held their monthly meetings and where all sorts of black money gathered.

If you considered the Magitech technology left by Josephine, it was actually better.

That was also a source of pride for Edwin.

“Thanks to you, Youngest Son-nim, for connecting me with Josephine-yang, my shoulders feel lighter with the Magitech machines she provided.”

“I heard she periodically sends technicians from Belir.”

“Even if there’s a minor breakdown, if I contact them, they send someone right away. I’m very grateful. And they even look at the residents’ machine breakdowns as a bonus.”

Just hearing about it made it seem like Dusk Citadel had really become a comfortable place to live, but that was only up to D-District.

Rather, due to the continuous gentrification of D-District, the original residents had become rich without even realizing it.

Since there were no thieves or robbers, their savings naturally grew.

The Youngest Son pointed that out.

“In D-District, you’re no different from a god, so there’s no worry here. The problem is the other districts.”

“…Yes. To be elected Chairman, public sentiment in the citadel is also important.”

“And there are countless criminal organizations that hold commercial power, and the giant criminal families are still going strong.”

“The amount of dirty money they sponsor the councilors and the Pandemonium Hall with is enormous. The most I could do was to clean them out of D-District.”

They swaggered around, committing all sorts of illegal activities here in Dusk Citadel.

And was it just dirty money?

They even lent their manpower to support the councilors' private soldiers.

They occasionally watched out for Millesdusk, but the rest of the time they accumulated black money and passed on their wealth.

Such times had continued for a long time.

The great family of the east, Millesdusk, had turned Dusk Citadel into a sewer where such trash gathered.

Why did they do that?

The player knew the reason.

“Prospective Chairman.”

“Yes, yes. I’m listening.”

“Within a week, I will wipe out all the criminal families.”

“What...?!”

Only when the Youngest Son brought a finger to his lips did he quiet down.

“It's something that has to be done someday. If you want to own Dusk Citadel completely.”

Complete ownership.

At those words, many thoughts were contained in his blinking eyes, which had widened in surprise.

Edwin nodded slowly.

“Indeed... The Chairman-nim himself said that this position is powerless. That he sees the families up close, but can’t do anything about them.”

“Have you met the Chairman?”

“Once in the Pandemonium Hall after becoming an Associate Councilor. It wasn't long, and he just lamented about his life before going fishing.”

A man with nothing better to do.

“The reason Chairman Chapman said that is because the families are seen as a necessary evil here.”

For them to accumulate wealth, the lower classes could not disappear.

In other words, laborers were always needed, and they were controlled just enough not to die, even if their necks were squeezed.

To escape that laborer class, gangs were formed outside the city walls, and knife fights broke out.

“The Chairman couldn't find a way to replace those guys, but behind you is Millesdusk.”

“The other councilors also have the backing of the Millesdusk kinsmen. I'm not special.”

“Those other kinsmen are not interested in the self-reliance and development of the citadel.”

But the Youngest Son was different.

For the future, the sewer purification work was essential.

The obstacles that had formed in various parts of the sewer would only hinder future business.

“I intend to make Dusk Citadel my second base.”

The first was Eclipse. The second was Dusk Citadel.

The smell coming from the ground was different, but the end would be the same.

“The various defenses you have put in D-District, I intend to do them throughout the entire citadel.”

“…Just thinking about it seems like it will cost a lot of money?”

“Don't worry. My wallet is being filled without a moment's rest.”

“Then I'll trust you, Youngest Son-nim, and announce my candidacy at the next meeting. I wonder if I’ll be assassinated as soon as I leave the Pandemonium Hall.”

He said that, but there was no fear in his eyes.

The fat politician who had groaned all the way up to the roof was a big shot who had been through it all.

He knew how to take care of himself.

“The ones participating in this Chairman election are the First Son, the Fourth Son, and me.”

“Hoo... I expected it, but those are names that make my hands and feet tremble.”

“I don't think you trembled at my name.”

“Ahem. Of course not.”

Suspicious, but I let it slide.

Since the talk on the roof was over, I dusted myself off.

“As I said, those families will be dealt with within a week. Then the difference in private soldiers between the councilors will be solved to some extent.”

“That’s a huge help to me.”

“And Jubel will enter the market that opens up as they leave. He'll start near D-District, so be prepared.”

“Of course. And to be honest.”

As I was about to descend from someone else's roof, Edwin continued.

“I thought you had forgotten me. But I'm truly happy that you've called me again like this, even if Aria isn't.”

He still carried a gold coin in his bosom.

The gold coin that had saved his life in the past. The price he had earned by risking his life.

Seeing that, I snorted softly.

“To be able to command a Branch Manager, a Stationmaster, a councilor, and even a Chairman with a single gold coin, isn't that a very cheap price? If I were going to forget, I wouldn't have given it to you.”

“I will remember those words.”

“Go on. We both seem to be busy.”

“Go safely. I will be waiting.”

“Alright.”

With a final farewell, I flew up into the night sky.

The clone is also busy, so the original can't rest.

I boarded the Ghost Ship Ashen Queen and turned the bow back to Eclipse.

“Now I have to study Elder Shina’s Soul Powder.”

Enad, who had found it difficult to rest since the body he inhabited didn't sleep, said in an irritated voice.

[Why that now? Didn't that woman say it was a useless powder without her?]

“That’s right. Normally, that is.”

But in my hand, there was a blessing.

And with that blessing came an additional reward.

I opened the system window and looked through the past messages.

──「Blessing Snatcher」──

[Description]

: You have subdued the master in the dimension of the Archipelago God. Subjugate the god and snatch even his blessing. Snatch and plunder everything.

[Reward]

: God's Blessing

: 「Dimension: Kitchen of the Gluttonous Ghoul」

─────────────

What I would use now was the dimension below the blessing, the Kitchen of the Gluttonous Ghoul.

“I can now handle the domain of that Archipelago God who captured me in the past.”

[Does that mean you can also eat other people's souls?]

“It’s true that I can treat them as ingredients.”

Souls were originally untouchable.

It was an established theory that souls could only be touched by other souls, but this dimension ignored that law.

“It’s just my thought, but if I take the Soul Powder to this dimension and cook it, I think I’ll be able to use that elder’s sorcery.”

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