Chapter 460: The Golden Shaman

460. The Golden Shaman (1)

“Kah-kah! Kah!”

As Duncan released his grip on Claude’s throat, Claude dropped to one knee, coughing violently.

Seeing this, the zombie puppet, Duncan, clicked his teeth together as he muttered something to Oliver.

“…What is he saying?”

“He wants permission to hit him once. Seems he didn’t like being trapped in the magic thread.”

Oliver translated for Force. Despite receiving training from the staff of the Angel’s House like First and Third, when Force got too emotional, he still made his characteristic wailing sound.

“Ah, I’d prefer he didn’t. He could die if he makes a mistake.”

“That’s why I told him not to hit. Force, could you please bring that spider-zombie puppet over there?”

Oliver asked Force to shift his focus by giving him a task.

Although Force looked displeased, he still complied with Oliver’s request.

“Heh… Impressive.”

“All of them. The zombie puppet is impressive, and so is the creature controlling it. What’s its name? How did you make it?”

“It’s called Child. I—”

Oliver paused mid-sentence. He had noticed an amusing coincidence. The creation of Child was thanks to Puppet.

Seriously. During the cleanup of the Contaminated Zone in Area F, Oliver had stumbled upon Puppet’s research on artificial souls, and he used that to make Child.

He added vitality to the minions he had previously made with pure emotions and put in a bit more effort.

“I came up with the name ‘Child’ in about two seconds, just to distinguish it from the minions.”

Recalling the memory suddenly, Oliver realized that the Child had been a remarkable success considering the effort he put in. He recognized how lucky he had been.

“Here.”

At that moment, Force returned, dragging the spider-zombie puppet, and placed it in front of Oliver.

He appeared regretful about not being able to hit Claude. Second, who was within the Duncan zombie puppet, quietly moved to Force’s side, supporting his position.

Second seemed upset, likely still angry for not being rescued from the Angel’s House staff.

“Second, Force.”

With his tone slightly altered, Second and Force flinched. Oliver continued.

“Thank you.”

Oliver belatedly expressed his gratitude to Child. Considering the time, effort, and resources that went into it, it was exceptionally well made.

Force and Second seemed slightly surprised by his expression of emotion. They exchanged glances, and the previous tension melted away as they waved a hand dismissively, as if it were no big deal.

“Ah, that’s touching.”

Claude commented, but he was immediately met with a kick from Force.

“Ah, I’m sorry. Are you alright?”

Oliver hurriedly apologized, and Claude replied sincerely.

“I’m fine. I’m still alive, so it was only a little painful.”

“I’m really sorry.”

Oliver apologized again and then cautioned Force before putting Force and Second back into their respective flasks.

Deprived of its controller, the zombie puppet collapsed like an unconscious person. Oliver then used a shrinking spell to reduce it and put it back in his bag, infusing it with a special order.

The order was so that it could come out immediately when summoned.

“So, that’s how it operates. Not bad. Even though maintaining the shrinking spell along with the order would consume a lot of magic, having a zombie puppet suddenly appear could catch the enemy off guard, regardless of its power. Of course, more power would be even better… Can I use that method too?”

Claude asked. Oliver, tilting his head, answered.

“…? Of course… But do you really need my permission? If it’s useful, shouldn’t you just use it?”

Oliver spoke earnestly. After all, that was how he had lived so far.

His minions were an improved imitation of Joseph’s creature, the Eater. The artificial souls and zombie puppets were also imitations of Puppet’s work.

There were numerous other similar cases. In fact, he couldn’t understand why anyone would need to ask for permission.

“Do you usually need permission?”

“No, not really. But it’s better to ask when dealing with someone stronger, you know. It’s also a way to ease the atmosphere.”

“Ah… Is that like a joke?”

Oliver asked. Thanks to reading humor books for an hour each day, he was becoming better at recognizing jokes, and he sounded more confident.

“Hmm… You’re really an interesting person.”

Claude genuinely remarked. Despite his skills, Oliver had this personality. He had heard rumors, but seeing it in person was different.

“If we’re talking about skills, you’re impressive as well, Claude.”

Oliver responded sincerely.

Managing a zombie puppet by utilizing its natural abilities wasn’t like ordinary zombies; instead of relying on a couple of dark magic spells, it required the direct control of the necromancer, demanding a lot more focus.

They had to control not only the movement of the arms and legs but also the magic orders and attack methods.

It was like manipulating a marionette.

That’s why most necromancers could only handle 2 or 3 zombies at a time, and even the talented ones couldn’t handle more than twice that. Yet, Claude, from what was confirmed, controlled at least six.

Whether it was talent or effort, it showed incredible skill.

“But Dave is the truly impressive one, don’t you think?”

“Is it really? I think you’re more versed in zombie puppets than I am with my usage of Child.”

“Well, since I can’t use that trick, I’m doing this instead.”

“Then, why not use this method as well?”

“Ah, sorry. While I’m skilled in control techniques, I don’t really have a knack for creation.”

Oliver was left without words. He found the entire concept of innate talent or difficulty based on fields rather foreign.

Claude noticed Oliver’s reaction and, almost jokingly, asked.

“Would you instead teach me how you enhanced your zombie puppets? They didn’t seem like ordinary ones.”

Claude had sharp eyes. Oliver replied.

“You need to learn magic for that.”

“Oh, that’s interesting. I actually know a bit about magic. I’m a special case.”

At Claude’s unexpected answer, Oliver didn’t hesitate to reach behind his waist and pull out Big Mouth from a leather case.

He then asked Big Mouth to bring out some books from the School of Life and some notes he had written.

Using its multiple eyes to assess the situation, Big Mouth promptly ejected the requested items.

“Kuwehhhh-!”

Books and notes fell to the ground. Oliver picked them up and handed them to Claude.

“The books have the basic necessary knowledge, and the notes contain ways to enhance zombie puppets using that knowledge. I believe with your skills, you should be able to master it on your own.”

Claude, who had been smiling even when Duncan grabbed him by the throat, suddenly had a serious expression.

He seemed to struggle to accept the situation, a strong light of suspicion in his eyes.

Seeing this, Oliver asked.

“Is there a problem?”

“No… It’s just that this feels like a trap. You’re just giving this to me? This is the knowledge and techniques built up by Dave himself.”

It was a natural reaction. Knowledge was the greatest asset and power for both wizards and necromancers. Even among wizards, who had a systematized education, knowledge sharing was reluctant, and it was even less likely among necromancers.

Most necromancers were stingy with their teachings, even towards their formal apprentices.

Yet, Oliver was now offering that knowledge to someone he wasn’t even sure was an enemy or not.

With such irrationality, Oliver asked sincerely.

“Is that strange?”

“Normally, yes. I did ask you to teach me, but why are you doing it? It’s almost frightening.”

“Hmm…”

Oliver made a thoughtful sound as he pondered. He had been asked a similar question before in the past. Naturally, his answer couldn’t be any different.

“Claude, you want to learn. I can teach. Do I need more reasons?”

This was the first time Claude’s expression lost its composure. Oliver’s response was so far removed from common sense.

Thankfully, his next words allowed Claude to recover his bearing.

“Ah, and I’m not teaching you for free.”

“Thank goodness… Sorry, but I don’t have the authority to handle votes.”

“No, it’s not about that. I’d just like to take the zombies and zombie puppets that have been defeated.”

Oliver pointed at the spider-zombie puppet.

The zombie puppet that combined four wizards was like a creature from mythology, with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a spider.

Upon closer inspection, the lower body, resembling a spider, was composed of three wizards’ torsos fused together, with eight legs, four arms on the lower body, and an additional four arms on the upper body.

“I found it interesting. It’s the first time I’ve seen a hybrid of a zombie puppet and a flesh golem, so I’d like to study it.”

“But it’s an inferior version compared to Dave’s techniques.”

Claude said, flipping through the notes Oliver had given him. It was clear that Claude’s claim of knowing magic wasn’t a lie, as he understood the concepts of cell fusion and using it to enhance a zombie puppet.

That might not be an incorrect observation.

While the spider-zombie puppet was a physical fusion, Oliver’s method involved chemical fusion using the cells. The superiority between the two was clear.

“Nonetheless, it’s interesting to me. I’m also curious about that flesh golem over there.”

Oliver pointed at the flesh golem that had been shot down by the zombie puppet-Durance’s bullet.

It was the most complete flesh golem Oliver had ever seen.

“Hmm… There’s no reason to refuse, I suppose. It’s just too good a deal to pass up. But can I make one request?”

“Go ahead.”

“Please, leave those ladies alone.”

Claude gestured toward the zombie puppets that were once a necromancer, wizard, druid, magic user, and a magic tool.

They were the five zombie puppets he had kept by his side since the incident at the harbor.

“They’re my most cherished ladies.”

“Understood.”

Oliver agreed without hesitation. His true interest lay in the spider-zombie puppet and the flesh golem, so there was no need to contest it.

“Thank you.”

“No, thank you.”

As soon as the deal was struck, Oliver asked Big Mouth to collect the spider-zombie puppet and the other zombies.

Big Mouth first swallowed the spider-zombie puppet, which was six times larger than the typical zombie puppet, like a snake unhinging its jaw.

It then gulped down the wolf and hound zombie puppets several at a time.

The problem was the flesh golem’s colossal size.

Just as Oliver wondered if he should have Big Mouth cut it to swallow it, Big Mouth slowly widened its mouth and stretched it over the golem, like a snake consuming prey larger than itself.

It was a sight unlike anything Oliver had seen before, making him tilt his head in curiosity.

‘I thought Big Mouth couldn’t swallow anything larger than its mouth… Could it be because it’s already swallowed three other dimensional storage items?’

Oliver speculated, and it seemed plausible. After all, there was no other reasonable explanation.

The only difference from the old Big Mouth was that, so it must be the case. It was quite regrettable; if only he had known this earlier.

As Oliver lamented inwardly, Big Mouth shuddered and glanced at him.

Just as Oliver was about to voice his thoughts, Claude spoke.

“Are you really okay with this?”

“Pardon? What do you mean?”

“Just giving away such knowledge to me… I usually wouldn’t ask such a crude question, but I can’t help it this time.”

“I didn’t just give it away.”

“Let me clarify. Is it okay for you to give me that knowledge? I could refine it and develop better techniques.”

“That’s perfect. Then I can learn from you.”

Oliver responded without hesitation. For him, it was the absolute truth.

In fact, that’s what he hoped for. Meeting someone better than himself would mean he could learn more, which was something to be happy about, wasn’t it?

With a mindset so different from others, Claude realized that Oliver wasn’t boasting or pretending—he was sincere.

‘Or maybe my master is just another peculiar case?’

Claude compared Puppet, his master, and Oliver as he pondered. At that moment, Oliver broke his train of thought.

“By the way, Claude. Now, could you tell me about that interesting piece of information you mentioned?”

“Ah, right. I almost forgot. You have a good memory.”

“Well, it’s part of the job.”

Oliver replied, and Claude finally began to talk.

“The interesting information I mentioned… is none other than—”

***

“—You’re saying that here on the New Continent, the Red Ones are planning to summon a demon?”

In a large mansion, Edith asked in disbelief. Oliver nodded.

“Yes, that’s what I’ve heard. And as a bonus, I was told something else. Apparently, this mess started because of a Golden Shaman who turns people into gold. It’s that tale you once mentioned to me, Edith, but I’m not sure what it means.”