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Archvel - The Necromancer
Chapter 17 - Investigation - Soul Magic

Chapter 17 - Investigation - Soul Magic

After resting, Archvel woke up, had breakfast, and cleaned himself.

"It was a good decision to rest."

Archvel thought as he felt better. In no time, Archvel and Jareth met up and went to the graveyard.

Archvel stood in the eerie silence of The Graveyard of Red Copper Town, a solemn place filled with weathered tombstones and memories of the departed.

Jareth looked around the cemetery and commented.

"I am a dark mage, but this graveyard still makes me chill."

Archvel smiled and said nothing.

Two graveyard workers opened a coffin and put it on the stone table in front of Archvel and Jareth.

Archvel's eyes fixed on the lifeless corpse before him.

This was the corpse of Elliot.

The mage from the Tower of the Black Sun He could not help nodding as he looked at the corpse.

"Humans are really fragile and nothing more than sacks of potatoes when they are dead."

He commented in his mind.

As Archvel's mind churned with thoughts and possibilities, he began to analyze the body, drawing upon the knowledge he had acquired from the book on corpse investigation.

His eyes scrutinized every detail, from the discoloration of the skin to the positioning of the limbs.

He observed the telltale signs of rigor mortis, indicating that death had occurred several days ago.

The presence of lividity suggested that blood had settled in the lower parts of the body, a crucial clue in determining the time of death.

"This part is not that hard."

Archvel thought, and he continued to investigate.

Archvel's mind raced, connecting the dots as he considered the circumstances surrounding the murder.

He wondered about the possible cause of death, searching for any evident injuries or peculiarities that could provide insight into the killer's method.

Jareth started talking, giving some information about the corpse and how it was found.

"The first ones to find the corpse said that its belly and chest were penetrated by pure black arrows. I suppose it is a basic magic energy arrow created by dark energy and commonly used."

Archvel nodded and then added.

"It is not that basic; as we can see, there is no wound from arrows. Which means that those arrows are not simple spells."

Jareth nodded, understanding the point of Archvel clearly.

With each passing moment, Archvel's focus deepened, his perception attuned to the smallest details.

"Yeah, there is no wound on the body at all. It looks like a natural death, and if there was no existence of magic, it would be classified as a natural death."

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As he continued his analysis, Archvel's thoughts expanded beyond the physical realm.

He tapped into his magical abilities, sensing the residual energy that lingered around the corpse.

His fingers tingled with the subtle currents of dark magic, allowing him to glimpse fragments of the past and unravel hidden truths.

"Hmmph"

Archvel smiled.

"The mage was not an experienced mage, but he was using a higher-level spell that was not suited for his power."

"I can feel how the spell was cast and how it was directed."

Archvel's thoughts raced, weighing different possibilities and scenarios.

Was it a personal vendetta, a desire for power, or something far more sinister?

"I can imagine that the corpse of a dark mage would be great material for any necromancer."

"It is common knowledge in the tomes that I have read that the better the corpse, the more powerful the creature that will be created from it."

Amidst the graveyard's stillness, Archvel's determination solidified.

Turning to Jareth, Archvel started talking.

"From what I can see, the murderer is a necromancer with not that much level and experience but uses a spell that is suited for a high-level necromancer."

"I can also say that a murderer needs to have some sort of information on the matter of souls."

As Archvel's words echoed through the graveyard, a flicker of surprise flashed across Jareth's face.

He listened intently, his eyes narrowing with intrigue.

Jareth couldn't help but mutter under his breath, "Soul magic."

Archvel's ears caught the muttered words, and he turned his attention to Jareth, curiosity etched on his face.

Archvel wanted to know more about soul magic, but he did not say anything and waited for Jareth to explain.

Jareth's expression turned thoughtful as he spoke, and his voice lowered.

"Soul magic is a rare and forbidden branch of magic. It delves into the very essence of life and death, manipulating the souls of both the living and the deceased. It is a power shrouded in darkness and mystery."

"It has its connections with necromancers, as in the end, it is only to be expected that necromancers have an interest in soul magic."

Archvel absorbed the information,

Soul magic was a dangerous and forbidden art, which its practitioners often feared. From what he knows and can imagine. Defending oneself against a soul mage is not an easy thing.

They attacked souls, and most likely they were able to perform this act even if there was a huge distance between the target and themselves.

Jareth continued, his voice grave.

"There is a dark mage organization known as the Void Star in Obsidian Keep. They specialize in soul magic and possess knowledge that surpasses that of the Tower of the Black Sun. However, the two organizations are bitter rivals, locked in a perpetual struggle for power."

Archvel's brow furrowed, his mind grappling with the revelation.

The existence of another dark mage organization, especially one adept in soul magic, added a layer of complexity to their investigation. It meant that the forces at play extended beyond the immediate scope of Red Copper Town.

"But," Archvel interjected, "if the perpetrator of this murder is not adept at using the spell, it suggests they may not be affiliated with the Void Star or possess their level of expertise."

Jareth nodded in agreement.

"Indeed, it seems that way. The spell used in this murder might be a crude imitation or a beginner's attempt at soul magic."

"Still, we cannot let this go unreported; even a novice in soul magic can wield unpredictable and destructive power."

Jareth's eyes met Archvel's, their gazes mirroring a shared understanding.

Jareth then nodded and started talking.

"You are already doing a good job. Our investigators did not find out that Elliot was killed by soul magic and the mage was a novice."

"Just these two pieces of knowledge give us a great advantage."

Archvel just smiled and then added.

"I will keep on investigating. If we are lucky, I may be able to find the body proportions of the murderer using my knowledge."

Jareth was not expecting these words, and his face showed a different kind of look. He noted it in his mind.

"Archvel must be put in a different category. He is more experienced and has more knowledge than we thought."

then Jareth added.

"That would be the best. if you are able to find how the murderer looks."

Archvel then continued his investigation of the body. Jareth kept his silence, not wanting to interfere with the process.

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