Chapter 9: Atonement and Punishment

After memorizing the spells he needed, the lich did not remain in the room any longer. He stepped outside, and a strong sea breeze immediately enveloped him. Another new day was about to dawn, the daily rotation of the sun, the once vertical brilliance of the magical galaxy had faded, and a vast arched dome revealed a splendid purple-blue hue, while the eastern sea surface had already begun to shimmer like gold coins.

He gently shook that rough and large hand

The lich removed his boots, opened the window to let the starlight illuminate the room, casting light upon the small bed. The spellbook rested on his lap as he chose a position that was as comfortable as possible, his hands forming a tower shape. He began to concentrate, analyzing each spell he required. This tedious and monotonous spellbook consumed an entire day, and by the arrival of the third day, the lich began to memorize the spells within and transcribe them onto scrolls

Very well, the Lich said, he was pleased that he had not revealed any weakness or procrastination, this is the number of days.

It is merely an experiment, said the Lich.

This is the first time he is practicing memory spells, yet he fails to experience joy and satisfaction as he feels the magic flowing within his body

"The Corbett of the Little Sparrow." The captain said, extending his right hand.

The Lich looked down at that hand, the hand of the follower of the Goddess Su Lun, who had been in existence for a month

You may have already noticed, the captain said, as he and his guests stood on the port side, near the bow of the ship. The evening breeze filled the sails, and tiny splashes of water dotted their clothes, while the crew was noisily eating and singing in the captain's quarters. I hope you do not take offense at these distractions.

An intangible yet imposing presence coldly pressed him into the depths of the sea of consciousness, and as he floated past the otherworldly souls, the lich received a fleeting glimpse of compassion

"I cannot," said the Lich. He understood why the captain would say such a thing; they were unaware that this body was occupied by two souls. They only saw a likable fellow suddenly become reclusive and indifferent, and naturally, they would assume he was troubled by something beyond words.

Good morning, sir. The sailors greeted him cheerfully, and their leader, knowing a bit more, smiled and asked, Have you finished your homework, sir

He succeeded. The Lich speculated that perhaps it was because this mage had long stood in opposition to justice, just as the otherworldly soul residing within him had killed those three notorious thieves without facing any condemnation. Ending the life of an evil person would not bring him punishment; this might also be one of the ways to atone. He anticipated it, yet received not even the faintest hint, no light, warmth, or flowers. Although he had anticipated this, he could not help but feel resentment and anger.

The window of the cabin was open, and the sea breeze was blowing the papers on the table. The lich walked over, picked one up, and examined it closely. The magical light flowed and flickered within the black and red lines, revealing a successfully crafted scroll. He placed the scroll back into the dimensional bag, his fingers brushing over the spellbook. According to the position of the stars, he had approximately a quarter of a night left to choose the spells he might need for tomorrow.

He has engaged in extensive reading in his mentor's tower, and he knows that his atonement may last for hundreds, thousands, or even tens of thousands of years. Even if nations are destroyed, races perish, continents fracture, and deities fall, as long as he is not destroyed by those who have neither forgiven nor forgotten him. No one knows when or where it will end. This body will be his most solid shackle and his most vivid evidence of sin. He will be alone, controlled, manipulated, and subjected to endless humiliation, betrayal, and harm.

He possesses several spellbooks "taken" from other mages, which are exceptionally intricate and practical, yet they are all placed in a secure location. For a lich, his former self had meticulously and eagerly set up numerous traps, mechanisms, golems, and teleportation circles closely related to the cold and powerful negative energy, leaving no room for error in isolating his current self far away. He cannot access them, nor can he see or hear them. For this, the lich cursed himself and that detestable otherworldly soul countless times, until he despairingly ceased to consider the matter. His former self had meticulously and eagerly set up numerous traps, mechanisms, golems, and teleportation circles closely related to the cold and powerful negative energy, leaving no room for error in isolating his current self far away. He cannot access them, nor can he see or hear them. For this, the lich cursed himself and that detestable otherworldly soul countless times, until he despairingly ceased to consider the matter.

The Lich believed that the punishment he had received was already severe enough, but contrary to his expectations, on the seventh day, the body was still occupied and used by that despicable thief. The connection between the undead and the outside world gradually became vague and tenuous, and ultimately he was cast into a void. He thought he would scream, weep, and go mad, but how could one do that without a throat, eyes, and a brain? Therefore, when he returned to the surface, the spellcaster instead displayed an unusual indifference and clarity.

Dinner was certainly lavish, but the lich keenly sensed that those people were attempting to entertain him. They told eerie and terrifying jokes, recounted bizarre and scandalous tales. The cook served him the largest portion of butter and the biggest peach, while the frail ship's doctor displayed a set of needle-like instruments from the distant, secluded Seris, made of pure gold and said to have different effects when inserted into the body's acupuncture points, capable of granting life or causing death. The cook served him the largest portion of butter and the biggest peach, while the frail ship's doctor displayed a set of needle-like instruments from the distant, secluded Seris, made of pure gold and said to have different effects when inserted into the body's acupuncture points, capable of granting life or causing death.

The spellbook of the lich is still well-preserved in his dimensional bag, but the problem is that even if he can memorize the spells inside, he cannot use them. He does not know if other repentant liches are the same; he is unable to cast spells that contain negative energy, not even the simplest negative energy ray. After tearing open a scroll of torment, it only burned his hand and did not harm anyone else.

Kreimal

How do you feel, the outsider asked with concern

The captain shook his head without a care, unfastened his deep brown short cloak, turned it inside out, and put it back on. The reverse side of the cloak was made of dark gray silk, featuring a silk emblem the size of a coin, surrounded by seven silver stars encircling a pair of female eyes, positioned just above the lumbar region. When facing inward, it was nearly impossible for anyone to see it, unless that person possessed vision as exceptional as his.

Stop doing that, the soul from another realm yawned, you are not truly happy, it mumbled as it sank down

On the fifth day, when the cook on the ship brought him bread, the Lich calmly directed a burst of damaging sound waves at the plump, cheerful humanoid goblin.

If you need any assistance

The spellcaster was supposed to find a way to politely decline, but he has now learned how to reclaim the humility he had long abandoned, so he simply thanked the captain and confirmed the time with him

On the Golden Lady's mage, he used the last scroll that was unrelated to evil and negative energy. The lich acknowledged that this was a minor adventure; although it was merely a strong acid arrow spell, it was unleashed for the purpose of murder. He did not know whether the unseen eyes in the void would permit him to do so

"Indeed." The captain said, "We have had a smooth yet brief journey. It is a pity, for we all like you very much, sir." He paused for a moment, turned to look at his guest, "Since you have some free time, would you be willing to join us for dinner, to celebrate and bid farewell?"

The spell had failed, and the power was drawn from his body. He withered on the damp floor, confronted by the chef's fat, filthy toes. What terrified the lich the most was the emptiness in his mind; he could no longer remember a single syllable of the spell, nor any gesture. Those soft whispers, brilliant lights, and exquisite touches that had accompanied him since birth had all vanished, leaving him devoid of magic

Yes," said the Lich, "We will arrive at the Bluffs of Cape tomorrow, correct?"

Not for the time being, the Lich said to himself, having taken control of the body.

When their guests showed interest in this, others began to chuckle, as the ship's doctor had yet to find a so-called acupoint, and the greatest use of that set of golden needles on the Little Sparrow was merely for toothpicking

The soul from another realm calmed the panicked cook, expressing gratitude to the captain, the first mate, and the one with yellow eyes who came to visit him. Citing the need for nutritional replenishment, it consumed an entire stewed chicken, transcribed scrolls all day in place of the lich, and wasted half a bottle of precious gemstone dragon's blood ink along with three rolls of merman parchment.

"No," the Lich replied quickly yet gently, surprised that the soul from another realm could gain the trust and affection of these mortals in such a short time. Without his assistance, that fool had not even managed to fully master the common tongue: "I apologize, but..."

The spellbook obtained from the thief can be described as a small unexpected delight. Its cover and pages are unremarkable, neither made of human skin nor demon hide, but rather ordinary waterproof goat parchment. The ink used for transcribing spells is also quite mediocre, containing no high-level spells, all of which are very common. The lich suspects that this wizard may belong to a certain group, as the spells recorded on the most tattered pages are primarily related to wind, floating, teleportation, and ranged attacks. The ink used for transcribing spells is also quite mediocre, containing no high-level spells, all of which are very common. The lich suspects that this wizard may belong to a certain group, as the spells recorded on the most tattered pages are primarily related to wind, floating, teleportation, and ranged attacks.

Only to die peacefully like a kind mortal

Tomorrow we will enter the Bi Cape Fortress, do you now understand what it means to say no as nodie? The soul from another world asked helplessly, dear