episode_0099

Life’s turning points always arrive unexpectedly.

More precisely, they’re significant changes in mindset or motivation that alter one’s course.

Brilliant ideas are beyond my control and unpredictable.

I often felt a pang of regret that I couldn’t fully possess my life, the path to my life’s destination.

But even that hesitation is all a part of me as well.

Even though I’ve embraced my mother’s will and set new goals, it is my own feet that will walk this path.

Even if I’m manipulated by the flow of the ‘scenario’ dictated by the system and status window, the driving force that makes me get up in the morning and live my day is my long-ago resolution.

Yuri, Lulu, Eve, Aspi, Nyx…

Even though all of them appeared before me according to this world’s fate.

It is my heart that loves them.

Therefore, acquiring new skills to meet my mother is also my ability.

Even if that idea came to me while I… well, you know, was making passionate love with Yuri and Nyx at the same time.

. . .

“Ugh… I don’t want to go out.”

My lower back felt as heavy and achy as if I had sandbags strapped to it, gluing me to the bed. I had no intention of getting up.

“Ugh~ I don’t want to go out~” “I don’t wanna~”

And that was the same for Yuri and Nyx.

They were stuck to me like honey, with no intention of moving.

Spending time lying in bed, one in each arm, indulging in fantasies, was pure bliss. My body felt more and more like it’s sinking into a swamp.

Having decided to take a good rest after coming back from the dungeon, there was also the fact that I had a mountain of things to do today.

I had no idea where to even start, so I was paralyzed by fear.

First, I have to go to the Evermore Guild to receive emergency support and dungeon break requests.

And there’s the Artamys relic dungeon purchase.

After showing my face to the Four Saints and other adventurers I saved…

It’s time for me to start my own work.

The final scenario trigger for Chapter 3, ‘Understanding the Nature of Unattributed Mana”.

Seeing nothing hidden in the deepest hidden floor, this could be considered problem from my mother. A challenge for me to reach my own level of understanding using the information I’ve gained exploring the Artamys ruins… it felt like a provocation.

But I haven’t even taken the first step to meet this challenge.

It was a frustrating and overwhelming moment.

“Whew… Everyone, wake up quickly. It’s getting late, and if Eve catches us—” “Eve came early this morning, though?”

–What?

Leaving my jaw agape, I extended a [Mana Barrier] outside the bedroom.

My mana flowed into the living room, slowly sensing the presence around. The other side, sensing my mana, emanated a strong wave.

‘…3 hours.’

Three hours, huh. It’s unlikely to mean she’ll give us three more hours; she probably means she has been waiting for us that long.

Judging by the sharp, angry ripples of Eve’s mana, that’s definitely the case.

Whew… Anyway, I have too much to do. Even when I’m having a threesome with these clingy girls, I always feel like I need ten bodies…

“Hmm…”

Ten bodies.

Something felt like it was about to dawn on me, and I quickly retracted the [Mana Barrier] extended into the living room and back into my hand.

Then I clearly grasped its outline. I imagined that outline as my hands moving freely. as my hands freely moved.

Extending a new arm, as if I were growing a new arm.

At that moment, the black onyx pendant around my neck caught my eye. I also recalled the spirit bodies of the ruins that I had grown so tired of seeing yesterday.

…I got it.

. . .

Of course, just because I figured it out doesn’t mean I’ll suddenly have ten bodies.

I needed sufficient training time, and a quiet place away from prying eyes.

First, I went to a place I absolutely had to visit.

“Let me offer my deepest gratitude once again, Guild Master Grünhill of Evermore. Thank you for your immense aid in this matter.” “…I understand. Please, have a seat.”

He straightened up from his bow and sat back down on the opposite sofa.

His gaze seemed to convey the thought that demonstrating trust through tangible compensation would be more effective than empty compliments. I’d heard that most Imperial citizens are pragmatic, but this was my first time experiencing this.

Or perhaps that was simply just me wanting to get to the heart of the matter.

Anyway.

The compensation discussion was completed smoothly, promptly and efficiently.

“We’ve prepared three things. One is the usual gold compensation, ten times the average reward for a unique-ranked request.” “…That seems excessive.”

Money first. A massive sum that would make Yuri get wide-eyed with excitement.

According to what they said, this amount would be enough to live worry-free for the rest of my life. But given this was the first compensation, the subsequent things must be even greater, wouldn’t they?

When I sent him a look full of expectation, Grünhill smirked and presented a small platinum token.

“The other two are covered by this. This is… the seal of the guild master’s insignia.” “…Could you explain?”

Eve, sitting beside me, slightly trembled. This seemed to hold significant meaning.

“Certainly. First, this signifies that you and your party have been recognized by the Empire’s top guild. It acts as a kind of citizenship. You will receive excellent treatment in any guild across the Empire.”

It was similar to the inn magic pass I’d received from him initially. I could see that it had more authority, however what further significance did it have…

“That’s not all.”

Oh, of course it isn’t.

“If you continue your activities as an adventurer, you will have free access to various dungeons across the Empire, and you’ll receive the best discounts from merchants. And most importantly…”

*GulP-*

A sound of swallowing echoed throughout the master room, a moment of profound silence.

Grünhill spoke.

“It will also be a significant factor in raising your adventurer rank.” “Raising my rank here means…” “Yes. The highest rank for adventurers, legendary, seen only in continental legends.”

Then, thankfully, he began to speak about something I already knew.

Very few adventurers had achieved Legendary rank, and to think that the ‘Great Sorcerer from the Great Continent’ was one of them.

My heart pounded harder.

“This is plenty, thank you for your consideration.” “No-no! What are you saying…! This is the least we could do…”

He seemed overwhelmed with emotion again as he grabbed my hand, weeping and profusely bowing his head. His aura suggested that he must have been a quite accomplished adventurer in his past, must be one of older adventurers… is this what happens when one gets older? Does the sentimentalism increase?

Anyway, I managed to pry his hands away from mine before continuing.

“Yes, I’ve heard about it… the dungeon acquisition. That might also require more than just money.” “Yes, well… luckily, this was also taken care of.”

The Evermore platinum token in his hands glittered brightly, and Grünhill gave a reluctant smile.

“Yes, I will do my best.” “You can discuss the details with her…”

I gave the middle seat of the sofa to Eve and stood up, brushing my skirt.

I managed to stop Grünhill from getting up to see me off and then offered my greetings.

“Thank you very much for today. The reward was generous, so I’ll only have good memories of this place.”

Making the effort to ensure that the reward exceeded what was expected is an act done to maintain a healthy relationship.

I snapped my fingers and squinted one eye.

“I’ll come running if anything dangerous happens again.”

. . .

The personnel arrangement somehow ended up like this. I couldn’t send Eve to the Four Saints.

I left her at the guild to discuss matters related to dungeon transactions.

Yuri and Nyx went to visit the hospitalized adventurers.

Yuri is sociable, so she wouldn’t clash with anyone, and Nyx can check their condition using magic. A perfect combination.

That takes care of the external affairs for now, leaving only my internal affairs.

Due to the somewhat dark geography of the Empire, there weren’t many places readily available for training.

So I ran to the kingdom for a quick break.

Whoosh—!

‘It’ll be a quick trip; I’ll be fine without telling anyone.’

Even though the mere statement of ‘running to the Kingdom’ would be perceived as a falsehood when relayed to others. It seemed that my skills had grown by that much, and the level of [Shadowless Step] had risen considerably.

The key discovery was the special effect in [Shadowless Armor] on Wind Attribute that drastically reduces air resistance.

As a result, it became so fast that I could jump across an entire imperial city in a couple of steps.

Whoosh—!

“…Didn’t something just zip past?” “Hey, over there! Stop goofing around and get back to work—!”

The trip that took six hours by carriage only took about thirty minutes for me.

Walking through the capital, I saw several familiar faces, but I didn’t acknowledge them.

I had things to do, especially since time was of the essence. It would have been embarrassing to suddenly show up before telling anyone I was back from my temporary leave.

Secretly slipping into the academy, I headed toward the special training ground for advanced students.