Chapter 55

After receiving his new name, Thanatos headed towards the entrance of the afterlife located at the far north, accompanied by countless spirits of darkness.

Since the place was still under construction, it was a completely empty location except for Talos who was busy digging the earth. However, it was sent as a forward-looking measure for future work. And as an added bonus, the task of dumping the rocks shattered by Talos into the sea was conveniently handed over.

Let’s see. The suppression of malevolent energy emanating from the Dragon’s Tomb is proceeding well. In fact, there are too many personnel assigned compared to the necessary workload, leading to some idle hands and even complaints about it.

To the point that I had to chase out the dragons lounging around in the newly built temple to go sightseeing around the world! Of course, keeping the necessary personnel behind to suppress the malevolent energy.

On a rotating schedule, part of the staff would handle the suppression duties while the rest were sent off to explore various parts of the world. Naturally, concealing their true nature as dragons!

They could enjoy sightseeing while also practicing control over life force and treating injured people.

Speaking roughly, like wandering doctors?

In this era where medical concepts are not yet fully developed, minor wounds often become fatal.

So they were sent out with the intention of helping such people… though the dragons seemed overly enthusiastic about my orders.

Hmm… why have these dragons come to love traveling so much?

Well, probably none of my concern.

Now that gathering the spirits of darkness and assigning them tasks has been completed, and the dragons have been sent on their travels… hmm, next up is preparing teaching materials for the soul transport practice of the spirits of darkness.

Shall we head east this time then?

I’ve always been checking out the west or north, occasionally the south, but it’s about time to visit the east.

By the way, the humans living in the east somewhat resemble those from another world’s Eastern Asia. What causes such changes?

Does the environment affect humanity? Or is someone messing around behind the scenes? If so, I’d like to meet them and ask why they’re doing such incomprehensible things.

The eastern lands were densely populated.

The largest city among them already had a king ruling over a nation, its scale incomparably larger than other regions.

Simply put, the population was enormous – two to three times more than other places.

Why do so many people live here? Could it be because they cultivate rice?

What was it… something about carrying capacity? Rice can sustain more people per same area compared to wheat?

I seem to recall hearing such tales somewhere… perhaps that’s the reason.

And with such large populations comes…

“Oy! Oy!”

“Now when will you come back!”

A corresponding number of deaths. Coffins made from wood carried by several young ones were heading somewhere.

Many people followed behind the coffin wailing loudly.

Ah, seems like funeral culture is quite developed here. Makes sense given the high mortality rate.

I quietly followed along.

The coffin adorned with various trees and flowers was heading towards a mountain north of the city.

Not particularly tall, but with beautiful terrain. Yet this mountain housed numerous graves.

The locals called it Mangsan Mountain.

Mangsan… hmm… does it sound oriental because the inhabitants resemble East Asians? Hearing oriental-style names after so many western ones feels rather strange.

I’d like to meet whoever created this awkwardly blended world!

Regardless of my musings, the coffin continued up the mountain path.

Apparently this Mangsan served as the cemetery for the nearby city.

Eventually, the coffin reached a spot where the ground had been pre-dug to the right size, and was carefully lowered.

They separated the coffin from the bier and placed it into the hole, covering it with soil.

A proper burial indeed. Nothing like this was seen elsewhere – they even constructed a full mound.

After burying the coffin, the mourners carried the empty bier back down the mountain, their lamentations continuing all the way.

Seems like the deceased must have been a good person.

Right then, let me collect the soul…

“Another person laid to rest today.”

Huh? Next to the freshly dug grave, the earth began rising, forming a human shape.

Wearing a hat with a broad square panel and long cloth strips hanging from it obscuring his face, dressed in several layers of old-fashioned clothing.

No, not human. Though dressed as one and wearing a peculiar hat, this was clearly an elemental spirit.

Judging by the aura, an earth elemental – specifically the spirit of this mountain.

“Let us see. Third son of the Chang family. Known as Jang Sam. Passed away peacefully in old age. A fine example of natural death.”

The mountain spirit plunged his hand into the grave and pulled something out.

It was the soul of the deceased.

“Before you vanish, let us share stories. Until your heart holds no regrets.”

“Aah… Lord Mountain Spirit…”

“Yes. I am known as the Mountain God of North Mangsan. Speak your mind freely. Leave nothing unsaid. Ensure no traces of longing remain.”

Thus began a day-long conversation between the mountain spirit and the extracted soul.

Covering the entirety of one person’s life story. Until the soul felt no hesitation in departing.

“Has he passed?”

“Hmm. Fascinating.”

“?!”

Who would have thought, even before I established the afterlife system… there existed one who handled souls.

Moreover, ensuring no regrets remained through conversation until the soul could depart peacefully.

This is… invaluable!

“Are you… the Creator Dragon God?”

“You remember me.”

“Of course. Even now, I was once a dragon.”

Judging by his connection to the earth element, he must be one of Sagarmatha’s children.

“Most elementals I’ve encountered lost touch with their former selves. You seem different.”

“My pride in resilience remains intact.”

“True, children of Sagarmatha tend to retain such traits physically. But I didn’t realize it extended to mental fortitude as well.”

“Only a few among us manage this feat. What brings you here?”

Looking at the strangely attired mountain spirit, I spoke.

“Let me see. What is your name?”

“I’ve forgotten my draconic name. Now I’m simply known as Mang of this mountain.”

“Then I shall call you Mang. Do you understand the significance of what you just did?”

Mang gave a small nod, the cloth strips attached to his hat fluttering gently.

“Yes. I erased the soul of the deceased.”

“Why do you perform such actions?”

Mang paused briefly, then spoke slowly.

“To ensure the deceased hold no regrets.”

“Regrets?”

“Yes. When souls of the dead carry lingering desires, they fail to dissipate. Over time, they transform into grotesque forms.”

Ah, he understands quite accurately. Not done blindly.

“There have been incidents where such beings attacked the living. But when sufficient conversations eliminate regrets, such transformations don’t occur.”

“So that’s why you engage in such dialogues?”

“Yes. While forceful removal is possible, it would be pitiful for the soul. Whenever possible, I prefer resolving matters through conversation. Otherwise… burning the corpse achieves similar effects, but I find it distasteful.”

Hmm, excellent. This fellow is quite the promising talent. Preferring calm resolution through dialogue instead of brute force earns extra points! Very good! Excellent!

“Mang, would you care to work with me on a project?”

“Me? Work?”

“I’m preparing to expand what you’ve been doing to cover the entire world. Managing the souls of all deceased in this realm.”

Upon hearing this, Mang fell silent.

“Is such a thing… possible?”

“Not easy, but preparations are underway. It’ll take some more time, but things are progressing steadily.”

Talos is excavating the site. The dark elementals for soul transport are ready. Now we need to prepare the management personnel for the afterlife, the processing procedures, and finally the rebirth process… should complete the afterlife system, right?

Ah, might need to prepare a heaven-like place too.

Creating something entirely new is never simple.

“May I take some time to consider and decide?”

“Hmm! Take all the time you need. We always welcome talents like you!”

Especially experienced ones! Experienced in handling souls and resolving regrets!

Experienced employees cannot be passed up! Never!