Wizard Alchemist

Chapter 664 The Devil Appears (4-in-1)

Back at the workshop, Roy summoned Prandtse and Nisa and gave them some instructions.

The two nodded in agreement: "Okay, we'll find out the details later and then spread the word."

Roy added, "While we're at it, let's investigate what Gova is trying to do with all that stuff."

Nisha was somewhat dismissive: "Everyone wants good things. Do we need any reason to just collect more tokens and hoard them?"

Roy said, "Normally, even second-level wizards don't have easy access to the soul realm, but I'm still worried that he happens to have a need for it."

Don't let it affect my plans.

Although, according to Hayred, this place is rich in Soulstone fragments.

I've already decided to take a different approach and prioritize hoarding artifact fragments...

However, each person's quota is limited.

Gova is scouring the market for tokens, even offering double the price. In the end, these tokens will become the real hot commodity.

Roy also wanted to get his hands on some of these tokens, so he needed to figure out what Gova was up to.

However, soon after, Prandtse and Nisa sent back an important message.

"The different tiers of tokens are not interchangeable!"

Roy paused for a moment, but then quickly realized, "This is both to facilitate access authentication and to prevent unauthorized transactions!"

He was quite disappointed with the result, but he had no choice but to accept it.

The higher-ups in the fortress clearly foresaw the scenario of those in power extorting money from those in lower positions.

If everyone can obtain tokens through channels outside the fortress, then this purchase limit measure will not be very effective.

However, this does not seem to completely block transactions at the same level, nor can it prevent further transactions after a successful exchange.

Roy immediately said, "Nisha, try approaching 'Pharmacist' Ms. Tikel and ask if she's willing to sell tokens..."

Prandtie, please spread the word for me too.

Roy's Alchemy Workshop offers a wide variety of high-quality treasures for exchange, including Blood Mercury, Radiant Gold, Jewels, and Elemental Gems...

If all else fails, there are uranium-based reagents and small nuclear bombs!

Both are cheaper than the official price!

However, it can only be exchanged using Soul Stone Fragments.

……

After the two left again, Roy opened a document from the fortress and read it together with the girl's skull.

"Potion... 'Echoes of Arnhem'!"
This is an alchemical product that can directly affect the soul level and significantly enhance mental attributes. It is suitable for spellcasters of all levels, from level one to level three.

The secondary part includes auxiliary materials such as Star Spirit Dust and Sands of Time…

Roy had used the Celestial Dust before and knew it originated from the core of a star during the "Starfall Era," a crystallization of the collision between the material world and void energy.

The Sands of Time are a unique item found only in the astral realm, containing the power of time.

They will all be used as auxiliary materials, added to the refining process along with the main material, "Arnhem Magic Crystal".

According to the records, this potion has a good effect on improving attributes, and can give one a mental boost of about 150 degrees.

By then, it should have reached approximately the 500-degree level of the second-tier peak.

Whether one chooses to condense a third-level source of magic power to seek a breakthrough, or to take advantage of the situation to split the soul and verify the "slicing technique" again, both will have a solid foundation.

This is almost indispensable for my next stage of development.

Without sufficient mental strength, many things are impossible to achieve.

However, to redeem these three items, you'll need to spend a full 800 tokens, equivalent to an amount of 800 million.

Then there are a large number of Soul Stone fragments, worth at least 1500 million.

This is used to extract spiritual power from it and add it in.

Roy did a quick estimate and immediately felt ashamed: "I was thinking of spending 150 million to hoard some artifact fragments."

Now, the gap is getting bigger and bigger, and we simply can't save that much money all at once!
Either open source or cut costs!

He seriously doubted whether the blacksmith Gova had encountered a similar predicament to himself.

……

For more than a month after that, Roy's alchemy workshop prospered.

Many low-level wizards and apprentices, and even knights, rushed over upon hearing the news, using the Soul Stone fragments in their hands to exchange for various items.

Some of them had their own tokens, while others had accumulated some over the years, and they also had a small amount of what Roy needed.

In one go, he accumulated Soul Stone fragments worth over 10.

"Pharmacist" Tikel also found Roy, intending to exchange some albino potions with him.

"I never expected you to be so skilled in 'Albinism,' and the potions you concoct are of such high quality!"

If possible, I would like to order some more from you.

In addition, I am also interested in the radium water and radium salt you provided..."

"I can't ask for it."

Roy readily agreed.

Creations of this caliber can even be crafted into projected avatars, and there are still quite a few left over from the past.

They immediately made a transaction worth over 30, and then agreed to conduct multiple more transactions over the next few months, all settled in Soul Stone Fragments.

Just as Tikel was leaving, a bearded figure suddenly appeared at the street corner.

Tikel paused, taken aback.

"Tikel, you said you had no more stock, so this is what you're using it for!"

"Sorry, Gova, I don't need magic stones right now, I need albino potions instead."

Tikel looked slightly embarrassed.

But it was just awkward.

We are all level two wizards, so there's no question of who's afraid of whom, and no one owes anyone anything.

Gova's face was slightly gloomy as she turned to look at Roy, who was seeing her off at the door.

"Lord Roy, I didn't expect you to be collecting Soul Stone fragments as well."

"Ok?"

Roy raised an eyebrow and glanced at him.

"What do you mean? Did you ask me to buy tokens before because of this?"

"I want to collect enough Soulstone fragments to forge a true Soul Gem."

If you're not in a hurry, you might as well sell me the fragments you have.

Same as before, I'll offer double the price!

If you have any forging needs, feel free to contact me.

"Gova said."

But Roy's answer was destined to disappoint him: "Sorry, I need this fragment too."

Gova gave him a deep look, said nothing more, and turned to leave.

"This person knows how to forge Soul Gems?"

But then I thought about it again, and even now, with so much alchemical talent, I still have no clue what to do.

How could this person possibly master such technology so easily?
It's highly likely that they only have a superficial understanding and plan to try their luck by collecting a large amount of materials.

This may be the reason why he urgently needs a large number of Soul Stone fragments.

But what does he want to do with that soul gem?

Looking at the other person's back, Roy seemed to be deep in thought.

******
In the blink of an eye, half a year has passed.

Roy's alchemy workshop is gradually getting on track, with a full schedule of commissions for manufacturing, repairing, and appraising.

For him, appraisal is a truly "risk-free business," and it may even lead to access to innate talent and significant advancement.

Therefore, this is the intentional focus.

During this period, based among ordinary wizards, and even apprentices, many level one and level zero treasures were identified.

I've seen quite a few strange and unusual gadgets.

It was quite an eye-opening experience.

……

Another day, another day for work and duty.

Roy sat at the counter of a shop facing the street, wearing a simple gold-rimmed monocle over his right eye, reading a book with a calm expression.

It wasn't until a first-level wizard came to visit that it was put down.

"Lord Roy, I am number 1, who made an appointment earlier. I have a treasure left behind by an ancient warrior that I would like you to take a look at."

After saying that, he took out a cloth bag, carefully unfolded it, and revealed something inside that looked like a small cow horn.

Roy squinted slightly, reached out and took it to look at it.

This is a grayish-black horny item, which should be a magical artifact belonging to the category of "ornaments". It is covered with ancient runes the size of a fingernail. The moment your fingertip touches its surface, it seems as if a faint electric current surges out.

He lifted the object up to examine it closely, and saw that it was hollow inside, with what appeared to be dark red veins resembling blood vessels.

"This should be a sacred ornament made from the unicorn horn of the Pegasus clan. Judging from its patterns, it is inscribed with two major rune arrays: 'Aid' and 'Aerial Movement'."

Roy now has a solid foundation, and even using only his own identification knowledge, he can make a rough judgment.

Just to be on the safe side, I activated the Eye of Hermes, and as expected, a sliver of azure light appeared amidst the overall tender green.

"Pegasus Horn Amulet (Level 1)..."

This is an accessory that takes effect upon wearing, possessing the "Aid" effect. It provides a long-lasting boost to courage and morale in the face of fear, and grants 10 points of Willpower Saving...

Provides temporary life force equivalent to 80-180 degrees Celsius...

It provides the wearer with the ability to "walk in the air," allowing them to stand on the air as if walking on flat ground...

Roy nodded secretly, pleased to see that his judgment was basically correct, although the detailed values ​​were not as precise as those of the Eye of Hermes.

He then recounted the results of his assessment in detail.

According to professional ethics regulations, he is not allowed to lie or conceal or omit information while on duty.

However, after stating the result, he added, "If you don't need this item, I can offer a buyback price of 10 magic stones."

The first-level wizard looked troubled: "This is too little. Could you add more?"

Roy said, "To avoid unnecessary back and forth, my initial offer is the final offer. You can choose whether or not to sell."

The first-level wizard considered for a moment and said, "Alright then, but I don't want magic stones, I want a physical transaction."

Please give me 10 taunt dolls that can taunt the enemy.

The mocking doll he was referring to was a cloth monster that Roy had recently created using the reverse charm technique, inspired by a burst of inspiration.

It's only the size of an average child, and when thrown out, it bounces and jumps on the ground, taunting the enemy in various ways.

It is very suitable for dealing with enemies of average intelligence. Even advanced apprentices may be affected by the witchcraft and have their attention diverted.

Demons, being part of the Chaos faction, are even less able to resist such provocations; even a level one demon will be affected.

Roy originally only tried to improve the manufacturing process using Soul Stone fragments, but he didn't expect it to be a great success and it has become a hot-selling item recently.

"Okay, here are 10 for you."

Roy hesitated for a moment, then took out the taunting doll, which he had compressed to the size of a fist using "shrinking magic," and handed it to the other party.

The first-level wizard pulled out one of the teddy bears that looked like it had a cheeky expression, and activated its magical energy.

Bang!
The teddy bear swells up to the size of a child.

After landing on the ground, the first thing it said was a sweet, childlike greeting.

"Hey, Sun Thief!"

Since they hadn't signed in with the "Arcane Mark" exemption, even first-level wizards couldn't help but feel the urge to smash this thing to pieces.

After forcing himself to calm down, he revealed a happy expression and turned to Roy, nodding, "My lord, I shall take my leave now."

After the man packed up his items and left, an elite female apprentice walked in, looking somewhat reserved, holding a number plate.

"Lord Roy, I am number 2. I would like to ask you to appraise this batch of demon blood crystals."

Roy nodded and pulled a plate over from the side: "Put it on top."

They then helped with the identification.

……

A single Demon Blood Crystal isn't very valuable, and it's troublesome for ordinary alchemists to appraise. If it weren't for a powerful tool like the Eye of Hermes, very few people would be willing to do it.

As a second-level wizard, Roy also possesses considerable authority.

Before long, it quickly became the first choice for the people inside the fortress.

Several other customers subsequently chose similar tricky items.

However, Roy easily dealt with them all.

It was soon dusk.

As dusk fell and it was time to close the door.

The wizard Tikel came over from the nearby apothecary.

"Lord Roy, are you busy?"

She answered the question knowingly, and then strolled around the store as if she knew the way inside.

Freya came over from the shop next door after hearing the news and greeted them.

A little while later, Roy finished his last business deal and got up to come over.

"Are you here to pick up the albino serum we agreed on before?"

He immediately took out the goods he had prepared beforehand and then examined the Soul Stone fragments that the other party had brought out.

Tikel was also examining the albino drug Roy had given her, verifying it in person.

The result was, as always, satisfactory.

"The quality is still as good as it used to be."

To be honest, Gova had been trying to contact me before, wanting to exchange these things for them, but I hadn't paid him any attention.

"Speaking of which, do you know about Gova?"

Roy felt that he had gotten closer to the other person and that it was easier to ask him some questions, so he inquired.

Tikel readily admitted, "Actually, it was for his daughter, Inian."

"Daughter?" Roy was slightly surprised.

"By the way, you've been here for almost half a year and you still haven't seen her, have you? Many years ago, Inian was healthy and lively, a young girl in her fifties or sixties, similar to Freya."

Roy: “…”

"Okay, what's wrong with her?"

After regaining his composure, Roy asked.

Tikel said, "She was ambushed during an adventure, her soul was injured, and she became mentally impaired."

Gova pleaded with various parties and obtained the method for forging the Soul Gem from a high-ranking wizard, attempting to use this magical artifact to summon back the soul and regain intelligence and memories.

******
Tikel knew about this because, as a pharmacist, he had sold a few bottles of expensive potions to Gova, which was considered a favor to him.

However, she was only at an ordinary level within the second tier and couldn't refine any high-end universal elixirs.

Things like resurrection potions are completely out of the question. So, we can only do our best in the limited way we can.

"To forge magical artifacts and regain intelligence and memories?"

This is a solution.

As a blacksmith, Gova could only approach the matter from this angle, rather than pursuing things like resurrection potions.

Roy pondered for a moment.

Do you also find this difficult?
Those matters concerning the soul are areas that only adults of the third or fourth rank or higher can access.

"It's truly not easy being a level two wizard."

Tikel clearly misunderstood Roy's meaning.

After Tikel left, Freya approached and asked, "Lord Roy, can the resurrection potion treat the symptoms of the person that Wizard Tikel just mentioned?"

Roy thought for a moment and shook his head slightly: "From her description just now, it wasn't an ordinary death, but rather a soul injury caused by being ambushed, which led to her becoming mentally impaired."

This is probably not within the scope of what the resurrection drug can treat.

"That's it..."

Freya fell into deep thought.

"Oh right, I suddenly remembered that the book I read before, 'The Soul Fire,' mentioned a soul container with a soul gem as its main component."

Roy thought for a moment, then suddenly said.

"If I'm not mistaken, Gova is probably trying to create a vessel for his daughter's soul."

Perhaps it could be named "Irian's Soulstone"!

"Irian's Soulstone?"

Freya was slightly surprised.

"Think about it, what makes a life a life, what is the meaning of its existence..."

I don't ask what it is, I only ask how it's maintained.

Roy said.

"Life should be sustained through the combined action of the body's organs and organs."

The brain, on the other hand, houses the soul and memories.

Freya replied.

Roy nodded: "To be precise, it's memory and free will!"
Long ago, when I was learning how to make centaur golems, my teacher, Lord Frosif, guided me to study "soul studies" and to think about such things.

What is the true nature of a person?

Is it his body parts, his soul, his memories, or something else?
How does the soul reside within the body and form a golem?

All of this, in essence, is deconstructing the meaning of humanity, including the replacement of demonized organs and the various changes in the body.

The ultimate solution is a soul configuration that can be freely inserted, removed, and transferred, or rather, a materialized manifestation of the soul—the Soul Gem!
The "Soul Stone of Inian" I just mentioned is a soul container prefixed with her name, and a crucial link between the material and spiritual realms!

Freya pondered, "It feels somewhat similar to the core of a puppet or golem."

Roy praised, "Your ability to make such a connection so quickly shows that you have grasped its essence."

correct.

This is how puppets, golems, and all sorts of other dolls that are created by infusing clay with magic to make them move freely!
Similar themes can be found in the field of "creation studies" as well as in the myths and legends of various cultures and peoples around the world.

Freya's eyes lit up: "Was it the gods who breathed on us after creating humans, making us alive?"

Roy said, "That's right. In the field of 'Creativity,' that breath that seems like a miracle is the supreme method of 'breathing to life,' also known as 'Creativity' or 'Creating Life'!"
Some religious scholars also believe that humanity originated from this.

Freya said, "So, in essence, a corpse is also a kind of doll..."

However, the wizard Gova's daughter, Inian, seems to be different. What's going on?
Could it be a living dead or a half-dead being?

"I haven't seen it specifically, so I can't say for sure."

However, the soul vessel he created is definitely the kind I knew before, and it is also the ultimate of "Magic Crystal Science", a kind of "Philosopher's Stone"!
The "slicing technique" I sought also required extracting the soul and sealing it in a soul container similar to a lich's casket.

After that, this treasure was able to replace my brain and support the operation of thinking, memory, and intelligence.

That soul vessel will become my physical body, while the brain will become a discardable shell.

Embedding it into a suitable body will allow for a more free and convenient switching between bodies, similar to astral projection or reincarnation!

Roy once again pondered the fundamental questions he had repeatedly touched upon in the past.

That is the mystery of "human beings".

From an arcane perspective, humanity is defined biologically as a unified entity of bodily organs and functions.

From a magical perspective, it is closer to the abstract level and involves philosophical and religious concepts.

Specifically, such as the body's skin and hair, limbs, heart, liver, spleen, lungs, kidneys...

Abstract concepts such as various emotions, feelings, and social attributes...

Even the soul, memory, the meaning of existence...

Following this line of thought, it becomes clear that a person can survive with a severed finger, or even a severed arm...

The reasoning continues until decapitation can lead to survival (provided the medical skills are sufficiently advanced).

This suggests that, at least, the brain is the "core" of a person and the primary source of contradiction.

Other sensory organs and motor organs are "non-ontology," and are secondary contradictions.

Then, mimicking this structure of the brain, create a structure that imitates the brain and embodies the soul.

This is the ultimate secret of "biomimetics" or "biomimicry".

A vessel for the soul, a repository for the soul and memories.

It is also the foundation of all "puppet cores", "puppet hearts", and "artificial brains".

It's not that I look down on Gova...

But I always felt like he couldn't handle this kind of thing.

Even now, I have no clue what to do. I can only wait until I advance to level three before I can try...

Wait a minute, there seems to be a more radical method, which is to use "brain-dissecting techniques" to crystallize the brain!
Using this as the core of the Soul Stone will allow it to function as a primordial soul!

Roy thought about it carefully and realized it was quite possible.

Alternatively, they might use a talent similar to "Daniris," a soul transfer ability, to allow the soul to detach from the brain and reside in a soul container.

Alternatively, one could crystallize the brain and compress the entire brain into the core of the Soul Gem.

It's that straightforward and simple!
This is a crucial juncture.

Once this step is achieved, things like consciousness uploading, brain in a vat, mechanical ascension, head transplant, plug-and-play, and parasitic possession are all minor issues at the application level.

With this kind of soul vessel as the core, all the problems concerning "human beings" will be solved!

******
After that, Roy couldn't help but feel a bit more concerned about Govado.

It wasn't convenient for him to track down a fellow wizard who was also a level two, but since he lived in a shop on the street, he could roughly tell where the other person was by whether Gova's blacksmith shop was open.

I feel quite busy, leaving early and returning late.

"He went out again."

On the new day, Roy looked out of his shop window across the square and saw that in Gova's blacksmith shop, several apprentices were forging iron again.

But Gova was nowhere to be found.

By this time, Roy had learned that he was on duty for three days: the 1st of each ten-day period, which is the 1st, 11th, and 21st of each month.

Both being second-level wizards, Tikel is number 4, while Gova is number 7.

As veteran second-level wizards, they have worked here for many years and have long since selected qualified apprentices and followers.

Often, ordinary tasks can be handed over to apprentices.

Having been here for less than a year, I already have the Eye of Hermes to handle the most troublesome daily appraisal work.

Therefore, no other apprentices were recruited to do the work for them.

"Forget it, ignore him..."

I need to go to the library today to do some research!

Different planes and worlds have their own unique characteristics.

Some wizards will adapt to local conditions and establish libraries related to the area, which are also important institutions under the Alliance.

Roy has been there for the past few months, scouting the area and identifying a few books that interest him.

That was a collection not found in Valentina's library.

……

Shortly after.

High above the city walls.

Approaching the library where the teleportation array is located.

Beneath the towering dome, dozens of ever-burning magic lamps emitted a soft white light, illuminating the entire hall like stars.

From time to time, various "book fairies," "big-eared dwarfs," and other domesticated alien races can be seen flying around with books, busy in the airspace between the pedestrian walkway and the main passageway.

That was a menial job handling "borrowing" business.

Behind several enormous archways lies a vast hall with a folded spatial structure, its interior vaguely visible, as smooth as a crystal palace, and spacious enough for horses to gallop through.

The entire library is structured in a shape resembling the Chinese character "米" (mǐ), and Roy is currently located in the central hall area.

He went to the front desk, asked the staff member standing there for a brief question, and then went to the lower left corner where the "丿" was located.

This is a long space with high walls on both sides housing books, and many people are sitting in the reading area under the giant bookshelves reading.

After walking a few dozen meters further in, a white-robed apprentice came forward and bowed respectfully, saying, "Lord Roy, the books you asked me to copy are all ready."

Because it involves many rune arrays, runes, and spells, copying these Wizarding Books requires at least a high-level apprentice.

Many missions in the world of Fortnite involve conquest, which is both arduous and dangerous.

Some apprentices would often take on similar tasks to earn money and gain more breathing room.

Roy quickly flipped through the document, roughly confirming that there were no errors or omissions, and then readily took out a small bag of magic stones.

"This is your reward."

"Thank you, sir."

The senior apprentice looked delighted.

You can earn hundreds of magic stones by copying a few books.

You can also practice meditation during this process, which is quite a good task.

"Next, copy these books for me..."

Roy pulled out a slip of paper and said it to the apprentice.

"Thank you, sir!"

"I still have many books I want to copy, and I need to purchase other books."

If you'd like, please help me complete this as well.

I'll give you an advance of 5000 magic stones for the event expenses.

Roy then added.

This was truly an unexpected surprise.

The senior apprentice quickly expressed his gratitude.

He was a vassal apprentice from a colonial territory, and rarely had the opportunity to encounter such a kind and generous employer.

……

Roy dismissed the other person and occupied a reading area by himself, sitting down to read.

The girl's skull floated beside him, its eyes gleaming eerily.

"Execute scanning task..."

Book catalog entry.

In fact, given Roy's status, he could have simply requested a complete catalog from the library administration to fill in any gaps in the catalog.

However, the management office's data is only updated every few years, which is not as up-to-date as what you actually see on site.

Roy didn't do that and chose to explore on his own.

Anyway, I'll be staying here for at least 10 years.

There will be plenty of opportunities to complete it.

Time always flies when you're engrossed in something; before you know it, several hours have passed.

Roy suddenly sensed a familiar presence. Looking up, he saw Gova nearby.

He seemed to have just returned from the battlefield below, still bearing traces of blood.

"Ok?"

He was slightly taken aback when he saw Roy there as well.

"Your Excellency Gova, what a coincidence."

Roy nodded in greeting.

Gova nodded in agreement, swept his mental energy across the book, and effortlessly took down the thick, brick-sized volume, then went to read it on the circular seat more than 10 meters away.

The books placed in this area are more or less related to the soul.

Roy's gaze lingered on him for a moment, and he suddenly felt that it might not be a coincidence, but rather some kind of inevitability.

He was also learning as he experimented...

Is this a reserve built to forge a true Soul Gem?

Logically speaking, since their current research areas overlap, they could have a discussion.

But Roy quickly dismissed the idea.

After all, the consumption of Soul Stone fragments is a structural contradiction.

Knowledge can be shared, but materials are difficult to share.

Without resolving this conflict of needs, cooperation will remain just a beautiful fantasy.

Roy couldn't possibly take the initiative to help, since it involved things like the soul, memories, and will—very private matters.

However, to Roy's surprise, shortly after Gova sat down, a figure as thin as smoke and mist appeared from behind him.

"devil!"

Roy frowned as he sensed the familiar hellish aura emanating from the other person.

It was difficult for others to see this scene, because it was like a ghostly presence.

Even if they saw it, most would assume it was some kind of evil spirit kept by Gova, like Melina in their own hands.

But Roy had dealt with the devil before, and even had a direct confrontation with him.

I recognized him immediately.

As if sensing Roy's gaze, the smoky, misty figure suddenly stopped.

"Can you see me?"

The demon revealed its hideous form with a blue face and fangs, like a ghostly figure with its mouth agape, silently conveying a message.

The spiritual intent traveled with that fluctuation.

No one around, including Gova, noticed, and the warning magic array inside the library did not react at all.

(End of this chapter)