Sorcerer’s Handbook

Everyone looked at the necromancer in astonishment, even the con artist was no exception.

Standing by the windowsill with a catnip cigarette in his mouth, Harvey said, “When I went to the bathroom earlier, I took the opportunity to use this item in the Virtual Realm. The process was quite interesting; I was enveloped and carried away by a river of rainbow-colored light. Before I knew it, I was in the Distant Sky Domain, then I took a look and immediately came back.”

Logging into the Virtual Realm in the bathroom, really impressive.

“Why the rush?” Ashe voiced the question on everyone’s mind. “Clearly, Harvey, becoming a legendary sorcerer is just a matter of time for you!”

If Igor’s becoming a legend is still uncertain, then Harvey is undoubtedly a Legendary Seed— not to mention that the Gospel has already Weaved the future where Harvey becomes legendary and rules a deity in the Family Ranking. Everyone who interacts with Harvey daily has no doubt about his future achievements, just as no one questions his abnormal tendencies.

Harvey has soaked the Necromancy Sect into every cell, every inch of his soul, every bone. Behind his twisted sense of aesthetics lies his fervent dedication to the Necromancy Sect. At the same time, he possesses enough talent and an almost self-destructive desire. Ashe really can’t imagine anything other than death that could stop his progress— and even death might fail.

Ashe even suspects that this move by the Gospel was specifically aimed at Harvey, with Igor being a mere afterthought.

After all, if Igor becomes a legendary sorcerer, he would inevitably be the lawful chaos type; he wouldn’t destroy and might even proactively maintain the order of the Kingdom of Gospel. But with Harvey being the neutral chaos type, it’s hard to say. Suppressing his power to the Sanctuary level is indeed beneficial for both the country and its people.

So, the last person who should have used the Rainbow Tail Feather is Harvey; he’s sabotaging his own future and cutting off his prospects!

“What future or prospects do someone like me have?” The necromancer laughed and said, “I might just die in a few days.”

“But if—”

“If I don’t die? If I can achieve Sanctuary on my own? If the people of Gospel are willing to send their corpses to me for processing?” Harvey shook his head, “Ideal, future, love, career… you all are filled with longing for the future because you believe things will get better. But I am different from you. My life has always been on a downward slope, the future only getting worse than the present, though it’s been an easier walk downhill.”

Lise wanted to say something, but Ashe held her and covered her mouth.

“I actually hate how the Gospel Weaves my future. Ghost King, founder of the necromancer Family… utterly boring,” Harvey shrugged. “It’s like when you’re researching a subject and you develop some minor hobby on the side, then someone tells you how great your hobby is, how much honor it could bring you, and that you should fully commit to developing it… it’s disgusting.”

The necromancer’s voice was calm, but twisted negative emotions roiled within it, dark desires seeping from every pore, drowning himself and about to engulf the surrounding world.

“There are two kinds of necromancers: one clings to life, like that necromancer Angel who always wanted to use his bloodline descendants for resurrection. He’s ugly, pathetic, twisted, hoping for a beautiful future after resurrection but living in his coffin worse than a maggot, tormented by the endless stretch of time every single day.”

“And then there’s the other kind, like me.” Harvey smiled. “Tomorrow will only be worse than today, so there’s no need to consider the future. You just need to live each day well because each day is the best day of the rest of your life.”

“Your attitude towards life— both pessimistic and optimistic— really confuses me,” Igor said.

“You hope for the future because you haven’t seen death,” Harvey laughed. “There’s still time to sign up, join me in crossing the veil of death.”

“Alright,” Annan clapped her hands. “Thank you, Harvey, for that incredibly inspiring speech. Igor, it’s up to you whether to use the Rainbow Tail Feather or not. If you use it, you won’t see any significant improvement in the next few days. If you don’t, it would be a shame if you die without seeing the Distant Sky Domain.”

Ashe suddenly realized that the Gospel wasn’t just calculating Igor and Harvey; it had included Annan in its machinations as well. Logically speaking, to improve their chances of success, Annan would definitely urge them to use the Rainbow Tail Feather to advance to the Sanctuary quickly. Even if they were unwilling, under the Pact’s domination, they would be forced to step into the Gospel’s Weave.

Annan’s entire argument actually had a weak foundation. The Rainbow Tail Feather not only allowed Igor to ascend to the Distant Sky Domain but also helped him immediately consolidate his Golden Wings. Right now, Igor’s Golden Wings were only partially formed. Once fully consolidated, his mana bar would lengthen exponentially, dramatically enhancing his combat capabilities.

Why is Annan being so generous today…? Ashe glanced at the Purple Moth, only to see her wink at him.

“Alright, time to rest,” Annan said. “Since Banjeet and I are both targets of ‘Gospel Ashe’s’ assassination, we’ll split into two rooms to sleep.”

“Banjeet, Igor, Harvey, Lise, you four take one room. Let’s go.”

“Objection!” The white-haired little girl latched onto Ashe. “Why should you sleep with Dad?”

“Because he’s the only one I can choose,” Annan said, matter-of-factly.

“No way…” Lise looked at the others, momentarily stumped.

Banjeet was already one of the targets, bundling him with Annan was like delivering an easy win to their enemies.n/ô/vel/b//jn dot c//om

Harvey was unacceptable on a physical level.

Aunt Bukin was an option, but even Lise had to admit that Ashe smelled better.

“Wait, I can sleep with you!” Lise offered, willing to sacrifice herself.

“You could, but can you protect me?” Annan asked.

Lise rolled her eyes, thinking quickly: “Hold on, why do we need to split rooms? Can’t we all just sleep together?”

“I’m still a woman, and I need a bit of privacy,” Annan replied. She added, looking at Harvey, “and…”

Lise looked at Harvey with frustration. Uncle Harvey, you’re such a nuisance, no one wants to room with you!

Harvey calmly returned their stares. He lit a catnip cigarette and walked out. “I’ll sleep alone. Igor can keep an eye on Banjeet.”

“Then Dad and I will accompany you!” Lise felt she was making a huge concession.

“Banjeet, Igor, take her away!” Annan said decisively, leaving no room for negotiation.

Banjeet restrained the fussing Lise with a smile and looked appreciatively at Annan. “Miss, I wish you a good night.”

Lise cried out, “Dad, Dad, hurry and escape!”

Ashe said, “Banjeet, Lise tends to kick off her blanket at night. Keep an eye on that.”

“No problem.”

As the door closed, the room fell into silence.

Annan suddenly leaned closer to Ashe, a teasing smile playing on her lips, “You’re not expecting anything, are you?”

“Don’t overthink it. You’re sleeping on the sofa tonight; I won’t let you touch me,” Annan said, poking Ashe’s forehead. “The prize is only given out after the mission is over.”

“I wasn’t expecting anything,” Ashe retorted, feeling somewhat annoyed as he stood up to leave. “Now that they’re gone, I might as well step out too.”

“Step out for what?”

“To give you some alone time,” Ashe glanced at her. “The only reason you let me stay is that you don’t want others to see you’re scared, right?”

Annan stiffened slightly, then snorted and pulled on Ashe’s cheek. “Don’t act like you understand me so well. I was ready for this from the moment I found you guys. I’m the initiator of the Blasphemy Gospel. How could I be afraid at the crucial moment?”

“Yes, yes, you are the bravest, most daring, and proudest Purple Moth,” Ashe said, spreading his hands. “I’ll go outside and ask Harvey about the Distant Sky Domain. If you need anything, just call out and I’ll hear you.”

“Tell him I’m sorry for me. I don’t actually dislike him; it’s just hard to breathe the same air in the same room as him.”

“Is that really an apology…?”

Ashe’s lips twitched as he prepared to turn and leave, but then he heard a soft thud and felt something press against his back.

“Don’t turn around.”

“I hate it when people think they understand me or pity me.”

“It’s only you; if it were anyone else, I’d kill them to keep them silent. As for you, you’ll be spared the death penalty but must live the rest of your life paying for it.”

Ashe chuckled helplessly and shifted the topic. “I thought you’d force Igor to use the Rainbow Tail Feather.”

“Yes, I did think about it.”

“Then why didn’t you?”

Ashe felt a poke in his side and heard Annan’s soft voice from behind. “Do you really need me to spell it out?”