Mage Manual-Chapter 1303 - 949: I Believe in Your Ambition

Transfer everyone from Allstars to Ash’s Heavenly Kingdom of Souls?

Filly’s heart was racing, "Is it really possible? Ash, can you really save everyone?"

Nia murmured, "Living inside you from now on..."

"Of course, I’m not really letting you live in my kingdom, there’s not even a toilet there, it’s just a transit point," Ash said. "Once the Kingdom of Allstars is destroyed and Ruby Mountain is unsealed, I’ll transfer you out to the Kingdom of Gospel."

Igula had a thought, and Harvey paused with his drink, instinctively saying, "Isn’t this the way you saved Senluo from its apocalypse using the Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes?"

"That’s right, exactly the same," Ash said softly. "Silver Lamp and I failed last time, but this time..."

"You will fail again."

Vishi crossed her arms calmly, saying, "Though I said there is a prototype of a kingdom in your soul, it is ultimately just a prototype, and can only house Technique Spirits within, not manifest in reality. You can stuff people into the Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes, but can you stuff even a single hair into your soul?"

Ash remained composed, nodding slightly, looking at Vishi, "That’s why I need your help, Ghost Prophet."

"Now you remember to call me by my esteemed title?" Vishi sneered, "Do you really think I can help you?"

Ash laughed, "When it comes to soul issues, you are undoubtedly the authority worldwide."

"Yes, yes!" Filly nodded vehemently, coming over to hug Vishi’s arm, "Vishi sis, you surely know what to do!"

"That’s quite pleasing to hear." Vishi glanced at Filly, suddenly chuckling, "Considering the little lamb, I could help you, as it doesn’t involve my interests either. There indeed is a Miracle to temporarily manifest a kingdom, but I do not have the corresponding Technique Spirit—"

Ash immediately said, "During the third Angel Hunt, we defeated many Mages and seized many Technique Spirits, we can sort something out."

"—But even if the Heavenly Kingdom of Souls is truly manifested, it’s meaningless."

Vishi said faintly, "I never lie. If I say you will fail, then you certainly will fail."

"You were able to save people last time with the Heavenly Kingdom of Thousand Wishes because they were ’people’ from the Kingdom of Senluo."

Vishi emphasized the word ’people’,

"But the ones you want to save now, are ’people’ from the Kingdom of Allstars."

Ash opened his mouth, only to realize he had missed the most crucial point—Filly and the others weren’t human.

Because Filly and Nia were so real, so real that Ash couldn’t treat them as illusions, he forgot that they were shadows of their true selves, mirror images within a mirror.

Ash could steal anything, but could he steal a reflection from the mirror?

"As long as the Kingdom of Allstars is destroyed, they absolutely won’t survive." Vishi bit into a lollipop, "A mirror image cannot leave the mirror."

Filly couldn’t quite understand their conversation, but when she saw Ash’s gloomy expression, she understood everything.

She squeezed beside Ash, placing a comforting hand on his thigh, "We still have time, we can look for other ways... you’ve gained so much this time, and you’re confident in passing the Hell Trial in the future. Shouldn’t we celebrate?"

Nia hugged her legs, softly saying, "...let it be destroyed, after all, you don’t care about this world."

Ash opened his mouth, his expression rather complex, "Earlier, Igula taunted me several times, and I really don’t want to say such things... but do you all really not know who I actually care about?"

"Nope!" Filly and Nia replied in unison, and Igula quickly activated her phone’s recording mode to capture Ash’s confession.

"Is it me?" Rose blinked.

"Of course, it includes you." Ash immediately followed up, "And everyone else."

Tsk.

The little lamb and the little porcupine pouted, looking at Ash with resentment. Ash quickly changed the subject, "So, Vishi, do you have any other methods?"

It was merely an offhand question, but to his surprise, the maid nodded with certainty, "Yes!"

Ash was stunned, "What method?"

"Although you cannot use the Heavenly Kingdom of Souls to accommodate the people of Allstars, you can use it to burst the Heavenly Curtain of Allstars, breaking the seal of Ruby Mountain, allowing the Source Angel to escape," Vishi said. "As long as the Source Angel escapes, the Magic Master of Dazzling Star will naturally preserve the Kingdom of Allstars."

"Can you do it, Vishi?" Everyone’s spirits lifted.

"If a set of soul Technique Spirits can be assembled," Vishi said calmly, "but the problem is—why should I help you?"

Without waiting for Igula to speak, she continued, "This requires arranging very complex and meticulous Soul Techniques, and if you want to force me to comply, you must first understand my Soul Techniques. If you’re quick, maybe you can do it in a few decades."

Filly tugged at her sleeve, her eyes brimming with tears, "Vishi sis..."

"I don’t mind about other things, I’m even happy to help you, but this won’t do, little lamb," Vishi shook her finger, "because I also hope the Source Angel dies here."

"If it doesn’t die, the path to the Supreme won’t appear; if it doesn’t die, I won’t be able to seize its legacy."

"Ash, it’s your business if you want to save the world. But if you want to stop me from climbing the peak, then try and see to what extent your chains can control me."

"If the path to the Supreme requires slaughtering the masses, then let the blood of Allstars stain the steps of the throne red."

The atmosphere in the hall shifted instantly. Even though Vishi was still under Ash’s control, her presence was heavy and oppressive, making it hard for everyone to breathe.

Vishi had always been too tame, too obedient. So when she bared her fangs, everyone realized she was still that ancient serpent, greedy enough to devour everything.

Igula suddenly stood up, violence flickering in his eyes: "Lady Vishi, have you forgotten that Ash can take away your Seventh Void Wing?"

"I still remember Ash wanting to take all my gains from the third Angel Hunt." Vishi floated gracefully and knelt on the carpet before Ash, extending her hand: "Go ahead, take away my Seventh Void Wing then."

Ash seemed puzzled, "Isn’t the Seventh Void Wing important to you?"

"I only care about what I can obtain." Vishi smiled sweetly, "But if it’s something I am bound to lose, I won’t hold it dear."

"From the start, I knew I couldn’t hold onto the rewards of the third Angel Hunt. Even if I hadn’t provoked the Sword Maiden and Witch, you would have found another reason, or no reason at all, to strip me of my gains, right?"

"Ash, you’re just foolish, not stupid. How could you really let me grow my wings?"

"Keeping me suppressed to a level you can control, using my power to a limited extent, tricking me into thinking that obeying would reward me, I wouldn’t do any better in your place."

Vishi lay her head on Ash’s lap, tilting her face to look at him: "Sometimes I wonder if you use yourself as bait to lure powerful women into serving you?"

Filly and the others didn’t dare speak, Igula looked at them grimly, while only Harvey continued sipping his drink.

Ash glanced at her, took out a golden fish scale and pressed it into her palm.

A moment later, Vishi’s face grew pale, and she smiled, "This time I gained thirty feathers, and you’re really only taking thirty? Not taking more to punish my disobedience?"

"First, I’m not as clever as you think." Ash said, "I only punished you because I don’t want you to provoke the Sword Maiden and Witch. Compared to you, their quarrels give me a real headache."

"Second, I had planned to return your gains to you, for example, if you helped this time, I would gradually return those thirty feathers to you."

"Very well," Vishi said, "using my own stuff to reward me, you’ve already grasped the knack of management."

"Third."

Ash sighed, "Vishi, do you know why you always feel the world is full of schemes and calculations? Because you proudly stand against the world."

"I never intended to use a system of rewards and punishments to coerce you; you’re a millennia-old Demigod, and I am just a twenty-something young man. How could I ever play against you? I even thought about softening you with feelings, but I quickly realized how foolish I was—I never thought of you as a cold, heartless Demigod, on the contrary, your emotions are more intense than anyone else here."

Huh?

Everyone was stunned, incredulous expressions on their faces, except for Vishi who had curbed her smile.

"How could a cold person charge towards ideals with such passion, and how could a heartless person strive so warmly towards goals?" Ash said, "You recognize the beauty of the world, know how to please yourself, enjoy life; your affection for Filly isn’t fake, nor is your anger in your tone towards me an act."

"How could someone emotionally indifferent be so dedicated to ideals for thousands of years? Vishi, your greatest will is in being able to place your ambitions above all emotions."

"There is no chain in this world that can bind you." Ash gently tapped Vishi’s forehead with his finger, "Emotions, rules, dignity, none of it matters."

"So, you will definitely help me."

Vishi’s lips curled upwards, her eyes narrowing slightly, "Oh?"

"The Source Angel is dead now, can you really compete with other Divine Lords?" Ash said, "But if the Source Angel escapes, you could gain at least ten or even a hundred more years to develop. With your capabilities and the temple of Heavenly Position within your soul, do you not have confidence in achieving the rank of Divine Lord?"

"Then, upon capturing the Source Angel again, you’d truly be able to compete with other Divine Lords."

"Of course, more importantly—"

Ash flicked Vishi’s forehead, "Given a hundred years, can’t you unshackle the ruby chains?"

"Surely you wouldn’t want to gain the Angel’s legacy only to remain under my control, would you?"

Vishi touched her forehead, "Master, you talk as if you really understand this maid."

"I don’t trust your feelings, your credit, nor even your chains." Ash reached his hand towards her, "But I believe in the ambition of the Ghost Prophet."

Everyone dared not breathe, quietly waiting for the confrontation between the two.

Vishi stared into Ash’s eyes, then suddenly burst into laughter, laying her head on his lap, laughing so hard her shoulders shook, leaving Ash baffled.

"I spoke so decisively just now, and now reversing it feels so embarrassing."

Vishi, exhausted from laughter, wiped away the tears from her eyes, grasping Ash’s hand with a joyful grin: "But who says I’m just a little fool? As you wish, my master."

"Great!" Filly clapped her hands happily, "Let’s celebrate—is there no wine left? Mr. Harvey, what are you drinking? If it’s good, let everyone have some!"

Harvey thought for a moment, nodded, and poured everyone a glass.