Bro, I'm not an Undead!

'Stop overdoing it, you idiot! What are you doing?!'

"WHAT ON AIGAS DO YOU MEAN?!"

'You're not behaving like her at all! Don't you know how to lie?! You're more stupid than I thought!'

"YOU NEVER SAID IT WAS THE WOMAN WHO WAS THE DIVINER! THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING!"

'What part of female did you not understand you sockethole?!'

"WHAT KIND OF AN IDIOT REFERS TO WOMEN AS FEMALES IN CASUAL SPEECH?!"

'I used the word BITCH too, didn't I?!'

Within Skullius' mind, a battle was going on as he tried to salvage the situation.

He thought this would go smoothly as he had planned with Sila who claimed to be the expert but things were turning out to be otherwise.

To begin with, when Skullius had shown Sila his ability to attain cosmetic flesh and wander around in a human form, the Tower General had been surprised despite experiencing it through what he saw as part of Skullius' soul.

At that time, Skullius had told him that before they embarked on this journey to find the place Sila had prescribed, he had finish off a few matters.

He had mentioned in some detail about Damilla and her Divining abilities but refused to show anything to Sila because that would reveal his whole problem with the Doom Factors.

This was a sensitive matter he wasn't sure he should share yet and while he was sure that Sila could tell that his soul was in a terrible condition, the old soul probably didn't know the full extent of it.

Somanda forbid, if that guy potentially used that information to screw him over somehow!

When he had arrived at this point, he had then wondered if Sila could do something about this situation.

As an old guy from old times, the man probably should have ways to deal with things like divining.

It was then that Sila said something interesting to Skullius.

"OH, YOU'RE DEALING WITH A DIVINER?! HAHAHAHA! OF COURSE THOSE BASTARDS CAN BE A PAIN IN THE TWO TOMATOES, TOMATO FLINGER!"

"Lower your voice, dammit!" Skullius had said to which Sila had obliged and gone on to explain.

"Right! I could potentially help you get around that, IF, you allow me some more leeway on our agreement!"

Skullius had been suspicious of this.

"What more leeway do you want?"

"I'll want to visit a certain place on our way to the Sacred Forest I mentioned. If you refuse then I will not help you, tomato flinger."

'...'

Skullius was skeptical about this and had once again reminded the fragment of Sila's soul that if he tried anything funny, they'd both be doomed.

Sila acknowledged and ensured that this wasn't a trap for Skullius but the Penetrator still couldn't be sure.

He agreed nevertheless as he wanted this matter to finally be over.

"Fine. How are you going to help me, bro?"

"Right! Diviners touch the soul, right?! And from what you've told me, this Diviner was particularly rough with yours. Hmm... it even shows over here," Sila had said, referring to Skullius' torn soul. "I've lived long enough to appreciate the intricacies of a soul! Heh! In my time, I could even manipulate it to some extent much like other expects at the Incandescent Stage!"

Quite the juicy detail that Sila had spilled.

Skullius had been shocked by this reveal as when he recalled the path of Stages, he found that the Incandescent Stage was the one above the Master Stage.

Sila had been at this level?!

"You had been at that Stage?"

"Of course, TOMATO FLINGER! I was unrivalled when compared to everyone who was at the same Stage! I was a monster, HAHA! With my expertise, manipulating the soul of a lowly Diviner in a distant small city, especially when she reaches out to touch us will be child's play!"

Child's play, the damn Tower General had said.

Back in the present time, Skullius whose face was scrunched up couldn't help but emit a barely perceivable sigh.

'Get your act together before you flesh us over, you sockethole!'

"IT'S HARD GETTING TO KNOW HOW SHE SPEAKS IN A FEW MINUTES, YOU KNOW?!"

'What have you been doing for the past ten minutes then?! What else could you possibly be looking for in her body and soul?! Aren't you supposed to be looking for her memories?! I've invaded other people too so don't lie to me!'

"..."

"TOMATO FLINGER... ARE YOU PERHAPS A NATURAL EUNUCH? PERHAPS I'VE BEEN INSENSITIVE ALL THIS TIME."

'What the flesh are you talking about?! Finish the job before they get even more suspicious!'

The conversation between Skullius and Sila barely took a few moments as it occurred within their conjoined souls.

The idea behind Sila's manipulation through the soul was to extend a portion of his will which still had remnants of his former power when Damilla touched Skullius' soul.

As he had plenty of experience with this, that one touch was enough for him to invade her and push her into the backseat in a non-hostile manner.

This connection could persist even if they were no longer in contact, but for a few minutes before it was automatically cut off.

The old General didn't have the full strength of his soul anymore after all.

In that time, he had to make sure he solved the issue by impersonating Damilla and make sure that when the Diviner came to, she wouldn't remember much of this except what she needed to.

And thus, the General tried his best to salvage the situation after reading more into Damilla.

To the onlookers, Damilla suddenly wore her signature stern look.

"No need to be suspicious, Terian, City Lord. I was merely recovering from taking in all that information. This man was responsible for breaking down a magic formation that barred Tulnas and his group entry into the hiding space of the cultists. He also helped in killing a few creatures summoned by the Summoner that was alligned with the cultists as well as saving the lives of one of Tulnas' Guild members," she said.

"It pains me to say this, but I'll admit that his contribution is undeniable. As a Mage yourself, Terian, I'm sure you can attest to his value as one as well."

Oh.

Erkus' expression softened while Terian's remained the same.

Both still had their misgivings and concerns, mostly because of Damilla's conduct but with these latest words of hers, both felt like she had snapped out of whatever ungodly trance she had been in.

Erkus took a few moments to mull things over before turning to Tulnas.

"So this man saved a member of your Guild and you did not even bother to mention that in his defence?" he asked.

Tulnas who was absolutely astounded by what Damilla was saying quickly tore himself out of thoughts and replied.

"You wouldn't have believed me, would you? You'd probably think I was just buttering you up with sentiment," Tulnas said.

"That is fair. Terian?" Erkus said as he turned to the old Mage.

Terian took a few moments as he stared at Damilla.

He finally relented and sighed.

"It would seem a verdict has been reached," he said simply to which Silrat wore a hidden smile.

Seriously?!

This young man had actually pulled it off on his own!

He didn't much care for what sought of craft he had used which even Terian couldn't identify for now as what mattered was...

It worked!

His gains were secured!

Hopefully.

Tulnas also couldn't believe this as he shook his head, his heart burning with interest once more as he looked to Silrat, having made his decision.

This Mage was worth more than he had bargained with Silrat for this whole ordeal!

'You were right, after all. We're keeping him!' he thought deep within where a hoarse voice responded.

'Of course I was right! I'm always right!' the fox within him chortled.

Erkus stood up and walked up to Skullius who promptly stood up too as he tried to wear the most natural smile he could come up with.

The City Lord shook hands with the Discount Human.

"As I said the last time we met. You have value, which is one of the reasons you're alive after your crimes. Though I will have to deal with a lot of steps to clear your name, you can consider yourself pardoned of your crimes in light of the many lives you helped save. This is as far as we go however. Your achievements cover for your crimes. In the Capital Service, you'll gain no repute from this."

Harsh it was but WHATEVER!

Finally!

Finally, this matter had been solved.