Chapter 377: Mirror Mirror On The Wall
Chapter 377: Mirror Mirror On The Wall
Vault?
It didn’t seem like Rael had misheard. In fact, he was pretty certain Solenne had just mentioned a Vault.
And what was inside a Vault?
Money. A lot of money, and items that he could sell for even more money.
Basically, it was an untapped gold mine, and all Rael needed to do was get close enough to sell whatever was inside that Vault, then dip to another world.
It seemed simple enough, and he already had a fairly good idea of how he would go about it.
Premium Facade [Special-Unique]
—Purchase a false identity complete with forged records, memories, and reputation.
This was one of the perks he had gotten alongside Premium Trickery: Death, and after spending so much time alone, he pretty much got the gist of all his perks and skills.
With this Perk, I can buy the identity of anyone who has died. There’s even a search function, so I can technically become Reinhardt if I wanted to. Or Diederich… that guy’s dead now. I just hope Zafira took over Aztera.
At the same time, he remembered the deal he had made with Yrgon, or rather, the deal he said he’d complete.
The trees had not been replanted, and winter had already started. So while it was a loss on Rael’s end, it was still salvageable.
Anyways…
[Come on, idiots… bring the mirror faster,] Solenne thought.
Rael hummed and decided to pry further.
<Voice of Reason activated!>
<You may subtly influence the target’s thought process.>
Rael pondered for a few moments, then typed something in.
<The Voice has begun to wonder…>
<…The Vault is beside the throne room, so why are they taking that long?>
“Hmm…?” Solenne’s brows furrowed as she strayed into her thoughts.
[Am I sick? The Vault is hidden beneath the armory. I really do need to call one of those pigeons to heal me. Or maybe I’m just getting old? Nah, no way.]
That’s good enough for now. Rael smiled. Can’t risk using it too much, otherwise she’ll really catch on.
Still, he waited for a few moments until eventually, Alcetas and Alene stepped back into the room, holding a tiny cracked mirror, which they handed over to Solenne.
“Good job.” Solenne nodded. “You two may go now. Go back to your quarters and await further instructions. Also, check up on Jashin, and tomorrow, tell me if he’s worth keeping or if I should replace him.”
Alcetas and Alene flinched.
Even if Jashin was a vagabond, he was still like a sibling to them. And in this case, Solenne was basically their mother.
So hearing their mother casually talk about getting rid of one of them was naturally hard to accept.
However, they had no choice but to accept, so with a curt bow, they both left the throne room.
Solenne remained, staring at the cracked mirror for a few moments. Then, she bit her finger, causing a single drop of golden blood to land on the glass.
And in the next moment, a series of pop-ups appeared in front of her vision, all of which were transmitted to Rael.
<The Mirror of Truth has been activated!>
<Seeking the truth…>
Oh… it’s this kind of bullshit, alright. Let’s see what I can do…
<The Voice has begun to wonder…>
<…Does the being I’m looking for exist?>
<The Mirror of Truth has answered!>
<Answer: Yes.>
Solenne’s brows furrowed as she leaned back into her throne.
She clutched her head as a frown appeared.
[It’s those stupid thoughts again… of course he’s real,] Solenne grumbled.
“Is his name real?”
<The Mirror of Truth has answered!>
<Answer: No.>
Solenne nodded, her expression darkening. “Is someone manipulating me?”
<The Mirror of Truth has answered!>
<Answer: Yes.>
The moment that pop-up appeared, Solenne rose from her throne and began radiating a fierce aura that seemed to distort the surroundings.
Even if Rael was inside her mind, he could still feel it.
Still, I can only control this outcome to a certain extent. Had I known she had something like this stashed away, I would’ve been better prepared, Rael thought, and continued watching.
“Who is it?” Solenne asked coldly. “Who dares to try manipulating me? What is their true name?”
<The Mirror of Truth has answered!>
<Answer: Unnamed.>
Solenne froze. All the ominous aura that she had gathered suddenly vanished, replaced by an eerily still atmosphere.
“Unnamed?” Solenne muttered. “Is it a being who has existed before?”
As vague of a question as it was, it only worked in Rael’s favor.
<The Mirror of Truth has answered!>
<Answer: Yes.>
“Is it a being on my level or slightly stronger?” Solenne asked.
<Answer: No.>
“Very well. Since your cracks are increasing by the moment, I will get to the final questions,” Solenne said, taking a deep breath.
“Where is the manipulator now?”
<Answer: Unknown. The being has not been in contact with any Mana in over 31+ days.>
Solenne’s brows furrowed. “So are they dead then? No… scratch that. Tell me the identity of the one manipulating me. If you can’t tell me their name, then tell me their appearance, or any known feats that they have accomplished.”
Hearing that, Rael sprang straight into action.
<Premium Facade>
—You can now buy the identities of the forgotten!
Seren Durnen: Black hair, grey eyes. Missing left index finger. Quiet and observant.
↳ Information: Former locksmith turned assassin. Betrayed his guild and vanished. Found dead in a monastery well.
Identity cost: 15,000,000 Trell
It was one of the most basic identities he could find, and without hesitation, Rael bought it.
Immediately, memories flooded into his mind, but since he couldn’t give less of a shit who Seren Durnen was, Rael simply filtered through his memories and eventually…
<Would you like to change your identity to: Seren Durnen? Yes / No>
<Note: This change is not permanent, and may be revoked whenever wished.>
<Ding!>
<You have successfully taken the identity of Seren Durnen!>
<The Mirror of Truth has answered!>
<Answer: Seren Durnen. Killed a boar with his fists. Banged 9 elves in one night by accident.>
Solenne’s brows twitched, and as she opened her mouth to ask yet another question, the mirror cracked.
<Ding!>
<The Mirror of Truth has shattered!>
<The Mirror of Truth will be restored in: 7 years.>
“Ugh… how impertinent…” Solenne mumbled, glancing around.
“I know you’re watching me. But I can assure you that it won’t last long. Once I find out who you truly are, I will fillet you like a fish.”
She continued tossing threats around, but Rael simply heaved a relieved breath and leaned back in his makeshift chair.
For the time being, the crisis was averted. It was a miracle she didn’t ask a question like: What name was he born with? What was his last location?
And he had his two months of carefully conditioning her thought process to thank for that.
Still, that just meant he had to get out of here soon or she would start snooping around inside her own mind.
If that happens, I’m pretty much fucked, Rael thought.
However, Rael already had a target in mind. The one whose identity he would be taking next.
Jashin Artemios. The Fifth Seat.