Aurora Scroll

Since he could walk again without life-support, Viers’ first order of business had been completed. Before moving on to the second, he took care of a few things first.

“You all get some time off. Do whatever you wish with your free time. As long as you don't bring trouble to me. However, don't get too free. If I call you, you need to be ready to answer. Ain't I a wonderful boss? Have fun.”

He wasn't the only one recovering. During the same period, the six Level 5 from the lowest floor of this world’s Impel Down had been chilling next door.

Jordan, Yunis, Guador, Raha'ak, Teslin, and Gosden.

Even with Dia and Clarissa around, Viers didn't feel comfortable having these six so close. He held the leash to their soul and it was strong, but still.

So he decided to let them roam free.

“By the way, I expect a tribute every month. Something suitable for upper Level 4. What? Don't look at me like that. It’s a cheap price to pay for you all being out and about, isn't it? I didn't even ask for Level 5 materials. I could, but I didn't. Tough it up.”

This way, he removed the risks, regained some peace of mind, and had some passive income. Genius.

“This is Dia, my familiar. She will bring you to the closest point of the destination of your choosing. Say hi everyone. Bully her, and you’ll regret it. By the way, from now on, your gang will be called the Seven Warlords of Carnage.”

“Can't you count, humie?” Guador hur-hured. “It’s six.”

“The seventh member is me.”

“Hoooh. You put yourself on par with the likes of us?” Beria Teslin, the Harkelan nobleman sounded amused.

“Hehehe,” Viers smirked. “I’ll catch up before you know it. There’s also the little thing that you’re all here cuz of me. Need reminding? Well, bye then. Enjoy your freedom and stay out of trouble. If you can't, at least don't bring trouble to me. If you still do... God help your soul.”

***

Eat! Eat! Eat!

Viers was eating like a certain straw hat-wearing pirate captain, a vacuum cleaner for food.

It went on for hours, or that was what Viers would like to happen. Unfortunately, his stomach wasn't made of rubber and couldn't eat more than a certain amount. He still ate more than normal though.

From his fat days, Viers had slimmed down a lot. If he ate at this rate, his weight would bounce back but he didn't care at the moment.

I’ll probably regret it later but that’s the future Viers’ problem.

His lifespan had been very low after recovering from such a severe state. He needed more vitality-rich biomass to recover his dwindling tank. Lifespan was important for everyone, but for Viers it also had value as a battle resource. If he didn't have enough vitality, he felt vulnerable.

The enviable thing was happening right now, unknown to a layman’s eyes. Since Viers applied the Arte Power Food on the dishes before eating, he got stronger too.

Reminds me of Toriko. By eating delish food, the guys in that universe got stronger. Oh, what an enviable universe. Well, it’s limited but at least I replicated a bit of that here.

The ones who cooked the food for him were the Pukupukus. These plant beings were the workforce of Viridis.

The cooks are improving their cooking quality. It’s good, but could be better. The higher quality the food, the greater the effect of my Arte. Gwen, Farley’s little sister shows some promise with the dao of cooking. Perhaps she could elevate my kitchen. But until she matures, perhaps I should give the cute mushrooms a boost, hm?

Most of the edible monster loot that Viers plundered was sent to the kitchen. Like most people, Viers liked eating delicious food. Not only because he was a gourmet, but this was also cultivation.

Body cultivation, to be more precise.

The Arte Power Food improved his body very slightly for each meal he put into his stomach but because he was always eating in abundance, the effect added up.

Previously, the Arte didn't have the body-refining facet. It does now because Viers modified it using the knowledge that he forcibly plundered from one of the prisoners. The raid really gave him the boost that he imagined, in more ways than one.

If my clone perished because of Freya, all of this and more would be gone in a puff of smoke. Viva victory by defeat!

While thinking such things, Viers bit into a steak with gusto.

Before becoming Level 6, a certain standard in Body, Mind and Soul cultivation was required. His soul part already achieved this threshold. Viers was working on the other two. He didn't aim for a three-way balance, though.

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He was a Soul Pathseeker after all. Down to his very bones.

Viers burped. His stomach was already round. He closed the eating session with some high-grade water sprinkled with fruit juice. Even the water he drank was rich in vitality that would cost a fortune at any market. He ate as lavishly as a noble in Croix’s homeland.

Right then. Onto the second order of business.

***

The Velvet Sea.

In the depths of the beautifully curated sea, there were projections of people with special invitations that sat at a table. Shimmering light from the sun rained down upon the meeting that happened twice a month.

“Strength, how are you on the road?” Clarissa asked.

“I’m good. Thank you for asking, Miss High Priestess,” Boram answered.

“If you need help, anything at all, feel free to ask. We might be able to help,” Farley of the Magician tarot said.

Some of them already knew each other, but the rules of the place dictated they should use their code names.

“Thank you for the offer, but if I ask for help so soon for something trivial, master will only be disappointed with me.”

“That might be true. I get that you’re in your next period of life and want to prove your worth, but don't let your pride blind you from asking for help, okay? We have your back,” Paina of the Temperance gave her advice.

“As always, your wisdom is very precious, miss Temperance.”

“Good man,” Clarissa looked on an empty seat. “The Hermit is absent again, is she? Well, it’s her choice. Let us begin the meeting.”

Izabella of the Blood Church, the Hermit. Viers said the devil god-possessed Izabella and his clone got into a fight? She hasn't showed up since then or made any sort of contact. Is she cutting ties with us and Viers?

Clarissa wondered as the Arcanum Club meeting went on.

The standard proceedings usually went on like this: First, the trade deals. What the members sought or wanted to sell, even trading in favors worked too. This was the main objective of the meetings such as these.

Second, they talked about the Path of Power. Their recent progress, the bottleneck they encountered, and so on. They were not forced to, and only divulged what they were comfortable with. The collective wisdom of the club might provide a solution or a clue to one.

Third, the lighthearted part. They talked about what was happening in their part of the world, something interesting they wanted to share, or just talk. An exchange of miscellaneous information, not unlike friends chatting in a cafe. Naturally, this was not mandatory.

Carlo the Hanged Man, a merchant at heart, found the third section of the meeting a hidden gold mine. For instance, he could find the price of a certain ore would rise because of a monster tide affecting the mine and made profits.

Sakuya the Lovers and Ciel of the Justice, the newest additions to the club, after several meetings, they already reaped the benefits of the club activities and contributed in their own way.

“I’m stuck with the skill that I bought from the Boss,” Jessica the Star sighed. “It proves much more difficult than I thought to master. I haven't made any progress after a week.”

Of course it’s difficult. The skill in Viers’ Tome of Reverse Knowledge that was ripped straight from a Level 5, along with their cultivation to the roots.

Clarissa kept her thoughts for herself.

“I have the same problem, actually. Didn't he have a bunch of Level 5s guests here? Perhaps we should learn from them before he sends them away,” Paina said.

“He doesn't trust them,” Farley said simply. “Star, if you want, I can search for the topic in the Academy. Perhaps ask a professor or two. They will ask for a price though.”

“Mmm, I’ll think about it.”

“Umm... how is he, Priestess?” Sakuya timidly asked. “Is he well?”

“Worried after not seeing him a while?” Clarissa smiled.

“Uuu, Onee-sama...” Sakuya winched. “It’s been weeks.” Sakuya said with a smaller voice.

“Don't worry. His breakthrough is coming along nicely. His foundation is very robust and made ample preparations. He’ll succeed.”

“Hmm... I think I get it,” Ciel’s words drew eyes to her. “Why you’re called the High Priestess.”

“Pardon?” Clarissa tilted her head slightly.

“I have seen a lot of priests... You deeply trust him, huh? It’s heartwarming,” Ciel smiled kindly.

“...Thank you for your praise?” said Clarissa.

Farley agreed with Ciel’s assessment. Clarissa’s card reflected her quite well. In fact, every member of the club had a fitting card.

However, she didn't think the same of her own card, the Magician.

Why did Lord Viers give me this card instead of Paina? He never gave a straight answer. Perhaps there’s more that this card symbolizes than a battle style? Sometimes he acts like a fool, sometimes he’s like a mysterious sage.

Farley’s curiosity of the card made her the one who utilized the card the most.

The card facilitated a soul cultivation. Every session, she gave a small amount of Victa to strengthen her soul’s foundation. This act also gave her access to the power hidden in the card.

The first stage is a strengthening. Not impressive but not insignificant either. The second stage is armament. Viers called mine Dragoon. The third is an attribute, turning me into a bane of dragon types.

During the Latias-Harkelan war she had a taste of the third stage, and he said there were more secrets to be discovered.

Nothing so far was Magician-like and Farley had no intention of changing her spear to a staff either. Still, putting the name of the card aside, the effect was indeed useful.

He got his own card so he can use this power too... If I remember his explanations right, the pooled power from all who cultivate the cards, including me, is his to use since he had the master key while I’m restricted... Isn't this basically a new Path of Power?

Viers... How high do you aim?

After Viers’ raid, they all started a new round of self-improvement. Farley was no exception to this. The goodies that Viers brought were tantalizing enough.

But who knows how long these peaceful days will last? When the storm comes, if I'm not strong enough to withstand the wind, I’m done for. Gwen and the others... They are dear to me, even him... We might not be the paragon of justice but if anyone tried to destroy this place where I belong, my spear will slay them!

Clarissa seems to have regained her power as a Level 5. Viers’ growth was too monstrous. Somehow, I don't think this breakthrough is just going to make him Level 4 high... Paina and I have fallen behind, but we mustn't remain weak. My own preparations are set. I’ll step into Level 4 tonight!