Chapter 213
"I can't take it anymore..."
Rezé collapsed with a thud.
It was merely over an hour of exercise, yet she had fallen.
"Keke, even if a rabbit's stamina is poor, this is a bit much. Please, get up."
"Hi, hiiiiiiiiik!"
I struggled to pull Rezé out from where she had buried her head in a box.
As I did so, she started to flail desperately.
A fierce kick, vicious enough to guarantee death if it were to connect with any of the Legion Commanders!
To think she would attempt such a strike on me, her owner. Quite a cheeky rabbit, one might say.
'I should probably get a leash...'
Training a pet is also a part of being a true master.
I was seriously considering the provision of a leash when someone tugged at my ear.
"Don't start with your perverted thoughts again. Rodelin will scold you if she hears of it."
It was Luna, resembling a temperamental cat.
"Keke, I haven’t thought anything of the sort. Just very wholesome thoughts."
"Really? What if I did to you what you were just thinking?"
Hmm... would Luna be holding my leash then?
I might actually like that... No, that's not right.
"Keke, it's a pity, but I don’t have that kind of preference."
"...Why does the word 'preference' even come up in this conversation? What exactly were you thinking?"
Well, what was I thinking, indeed?
"Keke, it's a secret."
"..."
I leaned towards Luna because she yanked my ear very hard.
"I'm not interested in your perverted thoughts, let’s just take a break. Rezé is struggling."
"We were only practicing basic stances. To think she would collapse after just an hour. She's clearly faking it."
"Think about it, she couldn’t even last 10 minutes before. Rezé is doing her best!"
What we were practicing was one of the Fleur Family Style's five movements.
These exercises stimulate various muscles and can boost stats, a secret technique of the Lester family.
We were repeating these movements for a simple reason.
'There has been a significant harvest.'
Using the [Information Window] skill, I checked Luna's stat window.
[Strength: 43.3]
Her stat was not a whole number, but a decimal.
Yes. The experiment 'Does the Fleur Family Style's secret technique apply to people in this world too?' started right after Caron left and had ended successfully.
'The technique works on people in this world. The Fleur Family Style is revolutionary!'
If we intermittently repeat these five movements, by the end of this game, significant growth could be achieved.
It was natural for me to push Rezé to her limits.
'I'm transforming a clumsy rabbit into a muscular rabbit!'
If her stats increase, she gains muscle, and with muscle comes confidence, which in turn could eliminate her trait of fleeing from battle.
- That was my logical reasoning.
A perfectly flawless logic from any perspective.
The problem?
'It's hard to convince Luna.'
"Keke, all this is for Miss Rezé’s benefit. If the children of the sanctuary come, the competition for the advanced class will become fiercer. Surely, Miss Luna wouldn’t want to be separated from Miss Rezé."
"Uh... That is true but..."
"Moreover, I've heard that the clergy have a grim tradition of slaughtering weak rabbits."
"I've never heard of such a thing?"
Of course not. I had just made it up.
"Keke, it’s highly classified information that’s not known to the public."
"It's more surprising that such information is classified. But what does this have to do with our Rezé?"
"Well? Because Miss Rezé is a rabbit..."
"Rezé is not a rabbit, she’s a human."
Ah... that's right.
She is biologically classified as human.
Though her behavior is indistinguishable from that of a rabbit.
"Anyway, just rest for a bit. I’ll convince her and bring her out."
Luna crawled into the box.
After a moment, she peeked out and said.
"Anyway, don't worry about the clergy. If they lay a hand on Rezé, I'll bite them to death."
"That's reassuring. You’d do the same for me if those kids tried something on me?"
"I'll think about it."
"...?"
Is it just my imagination or am I being treated differently?
It must be. To think of tormenting someone as cute as me.
That would be nothing short of a heinous crime!
As I waited for Luna and Rezé, who had gone back into the box:
[Lucia has achieved an astonishing feat.]
[Lucia’s reputation has greatly increased.]
[The astonishing feat is known to a few people.]
[Someone is controlling the information. The increase is limited.]
[Because it is an astonishing feat, complete control is impossible. Lucia's reputation will gradually increase.]
[Current reputation of Lucia: 48,020]
[Your current reputation: 21]
The system window cluttered my view.
Why am I seeing the system window when it's Lucia’s reputation that has increased?
It's because of the title effect of 'Lucia’s First Disciple.'
A terrible title that brings benefits when the master progresses, but penalties when she doesn’t.
‘Looks like she did something great with the punitive force. Lucky to avoid the worst.’
I might not know about others, but it seemed clear that Lucia had survived.
I scanned through the system window.
‘From 50,000, it’s considered continental level... not long before I get a reward.’
Heroic, Continental, Imperial, Kingdom, and Flea levels.
A system that categorizes reputation into five stages.
‘Since Lucia's original reputation was high, I can only receive two rewards...’
With such numbers, a 'Heroic' reward was almost certain.
The rewards given are random, but not everything is as unpredictable as a ‘potential gamble.’
Each level provides appropriate rewards, so it was something to look forward to.
"..."
I waited a bit longer, but no more notifications appeared.
I calmly summarized the situation.
What I knew now was that the punitive force had succeeded, Lucia had distinguished herself, and she was safe.
Survivors? Details of the battle? Information gained?
There was so much I wanted to know. But right now, what I was most curious about was...
‘Volkan’s life or death.’
One of the Four Heavenly Kings, and from the latter half of the game, an untouchable entity.
Volkan, the Maestro of the Battlefield.
It's just the beginning of Chapter 2.
Killing one of the Four Heavenly Kings before the story even properly starts?
There couldn't be a better outcome.
‘The story will change a lot, but considering Volkan’s value, it’s not a bad deal.’
Knowing future information is the greatest strength of a possessed character.
If the story changes, there could be great losses.
But after various calculations, the conclusion was clear—it wasn't a bad deal.
Volkan's life was worth that much.
‘If Volkan dies, I could monopolize the fate, mysteries, and hidden pieces originally meant for him.’
As I was calmly sorting through these thoughts:
[People begin to recognize the existence of the Four Heavenly Kings.]
[People's animosity towards black mages is tremendous.]
[All over the continent, people start to be wary of black mages.]
[The progress of the Four Heavenly Kings’ plans is significantly slowed.]
System windows filled with optimistic messages.
Yet, I couldn't help but frown.
‘Volkan... did he survive?’
The reason I thought so was simple.
The phrase 'People begin to recognize the existence of the Four Heavenly Kings' was telling.
If one of the Four Heavenly Kings had died, it would have been indicated differently. For instance... as the Three Heavenly Kings.
‘Adonis and Elester were there and yet they failed... Should I have given more information?’
Volkan was a clever character.
Always so smart that people suspected he wasn’t just an NPC, but someone real.
With his skills, behavior patterns, mysteries, and various escape patterns.
As many the veteran players had smashed their monitors out of frustration, thinking they had cornered Volkan only for him to unveil trick after trick and mock them.
'Now it’s the start of Chapter 2. I thought it possible because Volkan hadn't amassed his full power yet... but it’s still not easy.'
Volkan, with his hundreds of behavior patterns, makes the upcoming battles challenging.
But, he can't defeat me.
'Because I've memorized all those hundreds of patterns.'
Precisely 796 patterns. No more, no less.
In fact, I've killed Volkan over 500 times with ease.
The problem is.
'I only have one chance.'
If I miss that timing, Volkan becomes untouchable forever.
Interestingly, the veteran players have only managed to kill Volkan once at that exact timing.
Of course, killing Volkan doesn't solve all problems.
'The continent would have to endure tremendous damage.'
While battling Volkan, there’s no way to stop the other Heavenly Kings from rampaging.
The surviving Heavenly Kings’ antics lead to the Legion Commander’s arrival, and the continent inevitably heads towards destruction.
And how did we get to the final boss battle? Well...
'It ends in destruction either way.'
Defeat the Heavenly Kings and Legion Commander, and the final boss leads to destruction.
Defeat the final boss, and the Heavenly Kings and Legion Commander cause destruction.
I’ve never defeated the final boss, but even if I did, it wouldn’t stop the continent’s demise.
Human extinction.
That’s what they always said at the end of this game.
Of course, the veteran players haven’t given up hope. That's why they hang their hopes on the final boss.
If we can defeat the final boss, maybe we can prevent the continent’s destruction!
'I participated in that hope too.'
In the end, I was left alone.
"..."
I shook my head, discarding the negative thoughts.
Although they failed to kill Volkan, this operation wasn't a failure.
Half... no, more than 80% success?
Black magic requires 'human vitality.'
That means kidnapping and murder are inevitable.
But if all the people of the continent are watching?
It won't be easy.
'We've successfully suppressed the activities of not only the Heavenly Kings but also the black mages. Their research and preparations will also slow down significantly.'
Maybe... we can stop both the Heavenly Kings and the Legion Commander?
My fists clenched automatically.
Stay calm. Detailing the plan is for later.
I'll devise it after hearing Caron’s report.
Of course, Caron could be dead. But.
'I don’t think that human would die.'
Because Caron is a killing machine.
I have no doubt he survived.
'But why aren’t they coming out?'
Using the [Fleur Family Style], which boosts stats.
With this, both Luna and Rezé might become heroes.
Such an overpowered skill.
I slightly lifted the box where Luna and Rezé had gone into.
Sshhk sshhk-.
...They were asleep.
Luna sprawled in a "大" character shape, and Rezé curled up.
Instead of annoyance, a smile leaked out first.
'Heroes...'
For now.
These cute ones are out of the question.
*
"Yaaaaaaah!!"
Lucia's cry echoed across the battlefield.
With the aid of Elester’s ‘Levitation’ magic, Lucia was flying through the sky.
Suddenly, she sensed something odd.
"Huh?"
The ground was rapidly approaching at an alarming speed.
"Cruack!"
Lucia managed to land on her face (?), unscathed.
But Lucia’s trials were not yet over.
Fwoosh-!
"Agh!"
The Sacred Sword burst into flames, threatening to consume her hand.
Lucia had no choice but to throw the flaming sword away.
"Ouch! What now? Why is it burning again?"
It was a reaction of rejection.
Just moments ago, Lucia had been recognized by the Sacred Sword. Yet now, it was rejecting her.
Could the Sacred Sword have gone mad?
Adonis picked up the Sacred Sword. This time, it did not burst into flames.
"It recognizes its true master."
"Master?"
The second-generation Sacred Sword, Durandal.
Though it had lost much of its power, it still deserved the title of a Sacred Sword.
It chose its master.
"To have used a master-bound Sacred Sword temporarily... how intriguing."
This was unprecedented in history, and Lucia had managed it.
Adonis truly admired her.
"It's strange. You'd think it would prefer me, younger and prettier than an old man. Why not switch to me this time?"
"I do think that would be the right decision, but..."
"But?"
"That would be if you had been recognized by Durandal."
"Once recognized, why not a second time? It might prefer a young and pretty master like me, right?"
"I wish it were so..."
Adonis threw the Sacred Sword.
Lucia easily caught it, and then...
Crackle-!
"Agggghhhhh!"
The sword emitted a burst of electricity.
Electrocuted, Lucia could only hit the ground.
"This damn thing!"
Lucia began stomping on the Sacred Sword.
Yet, the Sacred Sword remained intact. Not a scratch, not a speck of dust on it.
Adonis walked over and retrieved the sword.
"Congratulations, Lucia."
"Are you mocking me?"
"Not at all. You might not feel it, but you've met the qualifications of a hero. This sword might be too much, but you'll be able to wield other sacred swords."
No, maybe.
'If I were to die... perhaps you could become the master of Durandal.'
But he refrained from saying so.
Durandal had lost much of its power, and finding another Sacred Sword and obtaining it would be a great advantage for the empire.
"Lucia... you've done well."
It was Elester. He looked pale.
Lucia approached and supported him.
"Are you alright?"
"Yes. Are you?" "As you can see. That dragon? I think I could take on a couple more."
Elester nodded.
It might not be known now, but a future Lucia would certainly be capable of it.
"..."
Elester looked up, his vision filled with the bones of a true dragon.
Undead. They do not feel pain and do not lose vitality.
Allies turned into enemies.
'...The worst kind of enemy has appeared.'
Crackle-!
Using his mana, Elester began to destroy the dragon's bones.
Shattering the ghosts of the past, escaping the pain.
But he knew.
New pain would arise.
"Lucia, a war is coming."
A war unlike any you've ever seen... no, unlike any we've experienced.
"A truly terrible war beyond comparison."
--TL Notes--
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