Chapter 156: Improved Bodies ; Visiting the Chambers (1/2)
As if the scene from a moment ago was just a dream, I find myself back in the room with a dazzled Gramont stiffly standing nearby.
”Gramont,” I call out to the man but get no response at all.
Letting out a sigh, I use Creation to produce a bed and telekinetically throw him onto it. The rest isn't my responsibility.
Having gotten what I came here for, I place the Grimoire of Truth in my storage ring and leave the room. Then, as I'm about to teleport back to the castle, I sense a keen gaze.
I look over, only to be met with the curious sight of Laura who's hiding her body behind a wall.
”I can see you,” I say in a voice loud enough for her to hear before swiftly appearing behind her.
Then, before she can react, I lift her from the ground, earning me a cute yelp from the little girl.
A few seconds later, Laura seems to enjoy her current state as she hugs me tightly.
Finding her adorable, I hug her back and stroke her back.
”Did you win?” a soft voice resounds within my ears after a short while.
Pulling my head back, I peer into her silver eyes and say pridefully,
”Naturally.”
This seems to make her happy for some reason, however, that doesn't last long as her expression suddenly turns downcast.
”What's wrong?” I ask her.
”Are you going to leave now?” she asks me as the atmosphere suddenly turns heavy.
I take in a deep breath and say bluntly,
”That's correct.”
Right after the words leave my mouth, Laura presses her head against my chest and asks,
”Will you come back?”
I take a moment to think of a response before answering,
”Yes.”
”Really?”
”Of course. I wouldn't lie to you,” I say while patting her head.
Well, all it takes is one teleportation and I can easily get back here, so there is no point in letting her down.
I place Laura down before kneeling and kissing her forehead.
While patting her head, I hold her small hands and say,
”Take care, okay? You will become an amazing magician if you keep on practicing, you know?”
”Magician?” she mutters while looking down before suddenly lifting her head and beaming me a smile.
”I understand!” she says in a more cheerful tone.
Nodding my head, I pat her head once more before getting up on my feet and saying,
”Goodbye, Laura.”
As a response to my words, Laura lifts her arm and slowly waves at me as a gateway appears behind me.
And so, I step into the gateway while waving back at Laura.
---
Now that I'm back in the castle, I should head to the chambers where Matilda is being kept.
With my current objective set, I begin making my way to where the chambers are.
However, on my way there, a loud crashing noise attracts my attention.
Curious, I use Clairvoyance to check out the source of the noise, only to find a dozen or so soldiers lying on the ground around a crater.
At the center of the crater, I find Ddraig who's covered in yellow electric currents while her eyes are glowing in yellow.
Finding this intriguing, I directly phase through the wall and fly over to where they all are.
”What's going on?” I ask the moment I'm close enough for them to hear my voice.
Ddraig is the fastest to react as she turns her head and says in a confident tone,
”What else other than training these weak humans.”
Hearing her words, I raise my brows and say,
”Why?”
”Because I felt like it,” she casually responds.
I highly doubt that's the case. There must be something that's she not willing to tell me at the moment, be it due to the presence of the soldiers or just her sentiments.
”Let's go inside,” I say before gesturing at her to follow me as I walk toward the main gate.
Once Ddraig has caught up to me, I ask her,
”So, what's the real reason that you were 'training' them?”
Nodding her head once, Ddraig adopts a serious expression as she asks me,
”Tell me, 'Victor'. Who are you?”
Surprised by the question, I remain silent for a few seconds before saying,
”That's something I'm trying to find out myself… Anyway, why are you asking me this?”
Taking in a deep breath, Ddraig begins to explain to me her experiences while residing in her current body.
First and foremost, she isn't required to consume any food to function. That's not all, as, even if she eats, the consumed food seems to dissipate, reminding me of my own body.
Then, there is the fact that her powers seem to be enhanced, as she claims that it normally would've taken her way longer to achieve the current state she's in.
And finally, there is the fact that her keenness to serve me seems to be growing by the moment.
The last part worries me a little, so I ask her,
”Are you saying that you're being brainwashed?”
Fortunately, she denies the notion and begins to explain what she meant,
”It's like, my powers seem to grow if I serve you in some way, causing me to have thoughts of what it would be like if my power continued to grow.”
”And thus, the keenness for serving me, huh?” I say.
I shouldn't have screwed around with my Creation before knowing about its exact capabilities, but now that it has been done, I can't do much.