Mage Manual-Chapter 561 - 455 "Assassination List

The underground river flowed peacefully, yet the city was gradually becoming busier. With no distinction between day and night, people from all time zones existed in the city, and some might just be getting out of bed to go to work.

"So, you’re a princess who escaped from the Imperial Palace, wanting to rescue your sister in the Tower, and your wish is to abolish the ’List of the Unfavored’?"

On the bench next to the river, Ash listened to ’Liss’s’ confession and pondered before summarizing.

"Yeah!" ’Liss’ nodded vigorously, "My sister doesn’t want to be the First Gospel either. Just take me to see her, let me touch her, and then leave the Tower together, and she will definitely not become the First Gospel. You don’t need to assassinate her at all!"

"Hmm..." Ash stared at ’Liss’: "You are actually a princess..."

"What, does it not seem like it?"

"It’s nothing, just that thinking about being called dad by a princess gives me an inexplicable sense of achievement... Could you call me that once to hear it?"

The white-haired little girl opened her mouth and turned her head to huff, "Stinky Ash!"

Now it wasn’t Liss inside her, but Diya. How could she possibly say it out loud!

After discussing with her sisters, Diya had decided to reveal most of her secrets, but still concealed the multiple personalities, her physical regression to a younger form, and the fact she was originally the First Gospel. Explaining why her body had shrunk was far too troublesome—the trials of the Bronze Dragon, the identity of the First Gospel, becoming an Armored Saint... Moreover, these details were irrelevant to the assassination mission, even if Diya confessed to being the original First Gospel, Ash and his group would still try to assassinate the princess.

More importantly, Diya was reluctant to be recognized by Ash in this ’body’.

It was like chatting anonymously; Ash had always treated her like a little girl, and now suddenly revealing she was actually a nearly 20-year-old woman felt frighteningly vulnerable.

What if he disliked her for it, what if he thought she intentionally deceived him, what if... The fondness mixed with trepidation withdrew, then surged back repeatedly in an endless cycle of ups and downs.

The Queen brought up a key point: The most terrifying thing wasn’t Ash getting angry, but rather him recognizing their existence. If he acknowledged Liss = Diya = Queen = Black Butler = Red Death Cultist = Daughter, then they were utterly doomed.

The established relationship was like a mirror: either it becomes dusty and discolored, shatters completely, or remains unchanged.

Ash’s daughter was only Liss, and Liss alone.

They did not want to be Ash’s daughter forever.

So, they would wait: wait for the Weaving Festival to end, wait for the Bronze Dragon’s trial to finish, wait until she regained her original form—then she could muster the courage to identify herself to him.

[Hello, I am Lissdia.]

Thinking of that scene filled Diya with hope, each cell quivering with excitement.

And this concealment also diminished their relationship with Nina, without mentioning that Diya’s desire to save Nina originated from a profound sense of guilt, making their rescuing seem not quite as... essential.

Or rather, to make Ash believe Nina wasn’t that important to her, reducing the likelihood of Ash’s agreement.

Because they hadn’t persuaded Liss, on the contrary, they had been persuaded by Liss.

Diya was unwilling to give up the chance to save Nina, but even less willing for Ash to lose his life over it. However, in a tangle of conflict and contradiction, all she could do was submit such a confusing and error-laden response, waiting for Ash’s correction.

Undoubtedly, this was a despicable act, unable to make a decision for herself, she could only pray for someone else to decide for her. In that regard, Diya felt she was no different from Liss, still a child dependent on adults.

If Ash thought this would complicate matters and still insisted on the original assassination plan, to personally ensure Nina’s death to guarantee Hanna’s victory, Diya might feel deeply disappointed and sad, but also joyful for increasing Ash’s chance of survival.

"So," the white-haired little girl asked timidly, "Ash, what do you think... how about it?"

"No problem."

"Or rather, it’s truly perfect." Ash smiled: "To have me kill a plain girl who has lived in the Tower all her life, I don’t know how many therapy sessions I would need with Igula to soothe my guilt. Liss, thank you, you’ve given me a second option."

Ash agreed too readily, which made her feel a bit unreal: "You don’t think the difficulty has increased?"

"In fact, it’s just about taking you along. The difficulty has increased a little but not much, and besides, you might be able to help me in the mission... However, you really are too weak, with no means of self-protection."

Ash examined "Liss": "Although it might be only marginally better than nothing... I can make you a Mage, at least you’d have an extra Technique Spirit to help you."

"Liss" was startled, "Make me a Mage?"

"That’s right," Ash said with a grin, "I recently had an adventure on the Time Continent and acquired a ’gifting’ Miracle that allows me to transfer one of my Technique Spirits to anyone. You might not understand the value of this Miracle since you’re not a Mage..."

Diya, of course, understood.

Or rather, any Mage or person wishing to become one would understand the immense power of this Miracle!

At first glance, ’gifting’ appears to be nothing more than transferring a Technique Spirit, which seems no different from buying or selling one. Moreover, it can only be transferred from oneself to another, which would be more meaningful if it were about taking a Technique Spirit from someone else.

Among Mages, ’gifting’ really has no significance, but when it comes to a Mage and an ordinary person, the meaning of ’gifting’ is simply immeasurable. If Ash were willing to auction off this opportunity, he could become rich instantly, with countless people rushing to give him money!

For ordinary people cannot possess any Technique Spirits at all, as controlling any Technique Spirit requires Magic Power. However, Magic Power can only be obtained by entering the Void Realm, and for mortals, this is akin to an ’entry-level graduate needing three years of work experience’—an insurmountable barrier.

Therefore, whether you are a poor village girl or a rich young master, the first step to becoming a Mage is to tirelessly hone your skills and summon your first Technique Spirit from nothing in order to knock at the Gate of the Void Realm.

The value of the ’gifting’ Miracle is thus evident—although only a Technique Spirit summoned independently can open the Gate of Truth, and second-hand Technique Spirits given by Ash could not lead one into the Void Realm. But the thing is, once you possess a Technique Spirit, anyone can, in turn, grow their skills, as if solving a problem with the answer in hand. As long as they’re willing to put in the effort, they’re guaranteed to step into the Silver Realm!

And this ’gifting’ Miracle was the reward Ash earned after surviving the ’No Toilet Paper’ curse.

In their initial shopping spree from the Weaving Festival, they bought a Blessing and a Curse, the Blessing being ’Life-Threatening Sense’, with the catch that they must make eye contact with each other; and Ash individually bought the ’No Toilet Paper’ Curse. Although he couldn’t gain any inspiration about the Fate Faction during that unlucky time, there was still a consolation prize.

At first, Ash mistook ’gifting’ for something trashy, but after he consulted the Gospel Book, he found out that ’gifting’ had such great potential.

Nevertheless, what should be used must be used. Originally, Ash intended to save this reward for the future, to give Igula’s daughter as a present, picking out an Invincible Technique Spirit for Reya. But if Liss was going to enter the Imperial Palace with him, then naturally, he had to arm Liss first.

So, what did Diya think?

Of course, she couldn’t possibly accept it!

She was a Mage herself, unable to use Technique Spirits in reality because of the Bronze Dragon’s trial. Even if Ash gave her a Technique Spirit, it would be useless and instead reveal more of her secrets!

Therefore, ’Liss’ quickly shook her head in refusal, immediately changing the subject: "Right, although you agreed, Ash, Hanna will definitely insist on letting Banjee leave, won’t she? As a reason for Banjee’s departure, I must go too... Do you have a way to persuade Hanna?"

"It’s Uncle Banjee and Sister Hanna," Ash corrected ’Liss’ with a chop to her head. "You can call me by my name, but be more respectful to others." freewebnσvel.cøm

He paused: "As for that problem, don’t worry, it’s already been resolved. Hanna won’t let Banjee leave."

"Resolved?" ’Liss’ was taken aback, "How was it resolved?"

"The Gospel solved it for us."

’Liss’ blinked and immediately, upon realizing something, summoned her Gospel Book and flipped to the page with the bookmark.

Because the latest List came at an untimely, or rather timely, moment, little Liss took the opportunity to run away with Ash, so until now they hadn’t seen the content of the most recent Future List.

"The Assassination List."

"The 10th spot on the ’Assassination List’: Assassinate Rusted Crow. Assassin, Cicero Scott... will be executed by Ash Heath."

"The 7th spot on the ’Assassination List’: Assassinate Ghost King. Assassin, Anlok... will be executed by Ash Heath."

"The 5th spot on the ’Assassination List’: Assassinate Reya Bokin. Assassin... will be executed by Ash Heath."

"The 3rd spot on the ’Assassination List’: Assassinate Ash Heath. Assassin... will be executed by Ash Heath."

"The 2nd spot on the ’Assassination List’: Assassinate the Empress. Assassin Banjee Doran."

"Will be executed by Ash Heath."

This 𝓬ontent is taken from f(r)eeweb(n)ovel.𝒄𝒐𝙢