Brand New Life Online: Rise Of The Goddess Of Harvest - Chapter 1782: Visiting The Velberth Mansion

Chapter 1782: Visiting The Velberth Mansion

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“I had no idea Runes could be used like that!” Elayne said in surprise as she passed straight through the walls.

She landed inside a massive carriage that was very much alive. It resembled a golem crafted through Necromancy and Alchemy, formed entirely from the bones of powerful beasts with several ghostly souls bound within. The creature roared with the skull of a giant lizard-like bone beast and soared through the skies toward House Velberth’s territory.

Elayne gazed at the distant city with wide eyes, hardly believing what was happening. The Netherworld was truly full of wonders and strange people.

Their first impression had been terrible, but not everything here was bad.

As they entered House Velberth’s domain, vast fields of dark blue nether grass and forests of bone trees stretched before them, dotted with graves inhabited by small ghostly creatures and roaming bone beasts.

“We raise a variety of beasts here and sell their products,” Blank explained. “Nether Beasts provide excellent meat. Bone Beasts yield the sturdiest materials for architecture, clothing, tools, alchemy, and more. Ghostly Beasts produce potent soul products that nourish us White Ghosts best.”

“I see!” Elayne nodded. “Wow, you have hundreds of thousands?”

“Yes, we raise nearly a million beasts. Their life cycle lasts ten years. Once fully mature, they are ready for processing,” Blank said coldly, gazing over the herds. “This is how we sustain the city. The Tooth of the Nether Titan supplies valuable ores we mine and sell to other cities, villages, and even clients from distant regions.”

Elayne noticed Blank sipping what appeared to be wine, but upon closer look, it was liquefied ghostly nether essence. On the surface of the azure liquid, faint wails of small souls echoed, sending a chill down her spine. She still needed time to adjust to such things.

“Interested in a cup? This is Nether Nectar Extract aged for a thousand years. It’s delicious and rich in miasma and nether,” Blank offered. “Would everyone like one? There’s plenty.”

“Ah, gladly! I haven’t tasted fancy liquor in ages!” Yaga said excitedly. The others hesitated, staring awkwardly at the wailing liquid. “W-What’s wrong with you all? Are you not going to accept this noble’s generous offering?”

“I’m flattered, but…” Elayne muttered. “Isn’t that made from innocent souls?”

“Ah, this? Not really. What you hear as screams is merely ghostly energy,” Blank explained. “Did you know ghostly energy forms from the dark emotions twisted within a soul by nether upon death or existence in the Netherworld? It can be mistaken for true souls, but it isn’t. Liquor made from actual souls is far more expensive and reserved for special occasions. Creating it requires advanced alchemy, as a true soul could easily attack those who consume it or even mutate into a monster.”

“I-I see…” Elayne said with an awkward smile. “I suppose I could try some, just to taste it… as long as there are no souls inside. We have a rule in our Undead Tribe: we do not consume souls.”

“Hoh? That’s quite intriguing. Most Undead consume souls to grow stronger, yet none of you do?” Blank asked curiously as he poured the liquor into cups. “Ah, I see. You feed on those vegetables and fruits you produce instead… how amusing. You might be the first Undead to refuse souls. You don’t eat meat or other creatures either?”

“No, we do eat beasts we hunt, but we avoid consuming their souls if possible,” Mark explained. “We believe in the cycle of reincarnation. The souls of the fallen should be allowed to rest. We hunt to feed ourselves, but we never bring ultimate destruction to a soul… that would be too cruel.”

“Hmm…” Blank nodded, though a hint of disappointment crossed his face. In White Ghost society, consuming souls was normal and accepted. They were White Ghosts for a reason; though capable of physical form, they were essentially living ghosts and required souls to stay healthy. “In our society, we usually avoid consuming the souls of intelligent beings. Most of my kind find the idea of eating fallen Undead souls disgusting, as they carry memories of life. Our racial trait causes us to assimilate those memories, which can… complicate things. However, we do consume the souls of creatures we raise or hunt. Here, try it. It’s soul-free, delicious, and refreshing for the soul. As Undead, I’m sure it will be especially effective for you.”

“Thank you,” Elayne said politely, sipping from the cup. “Hm… it’s bubbly? Sweet, sour… slightly bitter, with a tangy aftertaste. Ah…” Before she realized it, she had drained the entire cup and licked her lips. Her soul felt refreshed and brimming with Soul Stamina. “T-This is good! Like an energy drink…”

“Haha, I’m glad you like it. Would you like another?” Blank asked with a gentlemanly smile.

“Thank you!” Elayne nodded as he refilled her cup. She sipped more slowly this time. “Hmm… I never imagined drinking something like this here. It’s like an entirely new kind of wine I’ve never tasted before… The Netherworld is truly full of wonders.”

“Yes, it’s delicious,” Mark agreed, clearly impressed. “Wow… Even a skeleton like me can taste every flavor through my Soul Stomach. It’s wonderful!”

“Please, have another serving. It’s my way of thanking you for everything you’ve done,” Blank said, opening a new bottle.

And so, on the way to his mansion, everyone drank freely and grew much happier, relaxing and setting aside their worries for the rest of the journey.

“And this is our mansion. It’s vast and filled with many facilities. There’s an Alchemy Room, our own Blacksmith, an area to choose ridable Nether, Bone, or Ghost Beasts, and more,” Blank said proudly, presenting his wealth to his guests.

The mansion was pristine white and gleaming, incredibly clean inside with elegant paintings and decorations. Pitch-black flowers with watchful eyes and bony plants adorned the interior, while silent haunted statues served as the family’s servants. They made little noise, perfect for White Ghosts who valued silence.

“It’s all wonderful. Thank you…” Elayne smiled. “Ah, I almost forgot something important… Excuse me, Lord Blank. Do you know where I might find a Class Changing Stone?”

“Hoh?” Blank raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “A Class Changing Stone, you say…”

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