Ch.5050. Interview (2)

I use [Exploration Eye].

[Loading target information.]

[A 24-hour cooldown applies to the same target.]

I sigh as I activate the skill.

[Valkarsus Allan Armada]

< Status Info >

[Normal]

[Strength: C

Agility: C

Endurance: C

Luck: F

Authority: F]

[Abilities]

[Magical Power: F

Law Power: F

Divine Power: F]

Valkarsus, the central figure of Chapter 2, is someone who makes you wonder why he’s the title character if you just look at his specs.

Considering that C-stat is the baseline for an average person, he seems only slightly better than me, who’s hovering around all F stats except for my Divine Power that’s just starting to cross into D territory.

However, this man’s true value comes from elsewhere.

< Misc. >

-Number of alchemical formulas currently applied to body: 2,134,423

“…”

My head spins when I see that aggressively high number.

This characteristic doesn’t appear on normal status screens, but it’s exactly what makes Valkarsus an unstoppable monster.

Alchemy is one of the forgotten ancient arts. It’s like an engraving that etches “techniques” into the body to be used when needed.

The upper limit of power that can be exerted by a single formula is absolutely overwhelming.

It’s best to assume that none of the three major abilities—Magical Power, Law Power, or Divine Power—can even come close.

But here’s the thing to consider.

Throughout history, there have always been those obsessed with power. And quite a number of them at that.

Yet alchemy was forgotten because even those people couldn’t handle the penalties.

I know what that penalty is.

The “price” required to synthesize a single alchemical formula is taking one human life.

“…”

And now.

Here stands a man who has crammed over 2 million such formulas into his body.

That’s probably equivalent to an entire “kingdom.”

The Boy King who carries an extinct kingdom on his shoulders.

The last ruler of the Kingdom of Armada.

Is a man who “harvested” his people by converting them all into alchemical formulas.

And embedding them into his own body.

“Finished looking me over?”

Valkarsus, still gazing at the sky, asks in a calm voice.

His response makes me smile bitterly.

It shows he sees right through everything I might do.

“It would be difficult to use in combat. I doubt anyone else would sit still and let you examine them like I am.”

“…Most people wouldn’t even notice me using this skill.”

“The Luminary seems quite concerned about you. In the future, you might have to face all of the ‘Enlightened Ones.'”

“…”

I was prepared for this, but hearing it directly still feels like hell.

As Valkarsus says, the Enlightened Ones are the kind who can evaluate a technique that scans information just by looking from afar as “impractical.”

Because in those few seconds of observation, they could kill me dozens of times over.

That’s why they occupy the final boss position in most chapters.

“…I doubt there are many at your level, though.”

Despite being surrounded by such monsters, few exceed Valkarsus in pure combat ability. There might be some who come close, but not many.

This man could single-handedly destroy a small country if he wanted to.

“…”

Valkarsus looks me up and down with peculiar eyes after hearing my words.

“You really do know everything, don’t you?”

“Pardon?”

“The Luminary tipped me off. He said you’ve already figured out information about us long ago.”

“…”

This is unexpected.

How much does that guy know about me?

As I ponder this, Valkarsus continues with a slight smile.

“The fact that you know who I am and still approach me for conversation says a lot. Doesn’t it?”

Indeed, as this man says.

He’s someone who could single-handedly face an entire country, and he just declared he would kill everyone in the Academy three days from now.

Knowing all this and still casually chatting with him at close range would be insane, but I, as this person says.

“…I know why.”

I plop down next to Valkarsus, who’s watching the setting sun, and continue.

“Why you’re doing this.”

At this point, any sensible person would have a very obvious question.

Why such a terrifying person appears in Chapter 2, so early in the story.

And the answer is simple.

This person lacks the most important element that would make him qualify as an “enemy.”

Malice.

Valkarsus is not a bad person. Absolutely not.

That remains true even now, after he’s declared a massacre at the university in three days.

If you examine his true intentions, that’s undoubtedly the case.

“…”

I look at that part of his body “flowing away” in the darkness.

When alchemy formed from over 2 million human lives resides in one body, the subject becomes virtually immortal.

Of course, as the price for accepting such immense power, his body must be festering and rotting, his mind under unimaginable strain. A normal person would collapse within seconds.

And yet.

This man has endured it until now. For eons. Without showing any sign of it.

All for a single goal.

And that goal is.

As far as I know, an extremely human goal.

Modest enough to be called humble.

“Would you like to make a bet?”

“A bet? What kind of bet?”

I inwardly sigh as Valkarsus responds with a smile to my proposal.

“As someone who knows everything, I’m proposing this.”

I calculate mentally.

Valkarsus’s ultimate “goal” is to save himself and his kingdom.

All that talk about turning the Academy’s people into the dead and controlling them is just harsh packaging for that.

So.

I’m about to make him an offer he can’t refuse.

“Go ahead with your plans. The Academy raid in three days. I’m not trying to stop you.”

“…What?”

“You have your reasons. That’s also why you’re cooperating with the Luminary.”

Really.

The fact that I don’t call this person evil despite his terrible planned actions is largely because of this fact.

“Just go ahead with it. I’ll handle stopping it myself.”

Hearing this, Valkarsus’s smile shifts to one of disbelief.

“You know who I am, yet you’re not avoiding confrontation with me?”

“That’s true, but not in the way you’re thinking.”

I have neither the means nor the reason to fight you to the death.

What I’m trying to do is more.

An action tailored specifically for this person.

“I will save you, Valkarsus. You and your kingdom. Three days from now.”

Well, as always.

What I’m about to do isn’t exactly recommended for someone in their right mind.

But the Luminary is already acting outside my expectations. If I’m going to keep up, I need to make some bold moves.

“In return, if I keep my word exactly as I’ve said it.”

Survival Rule #1 for possession:

Move unpredictably.

“Become my subordinate. For life.”

And it starts with.

Recruiting someone whose very existence is cheat-key level.

●

“…Mmm.”

Lucien Greyhaunter groaned as she pushed her eyes open.

The smell of medicine. Bandages wrapped around her body. A soft bed.

As this information registered in sequence, a realization suddenly dawned on her.

‘…Is this courtesy provided by the Empire?’

The Holy Empire would never do something like this for her.

Since she was born with immense divine power, they would have just scoffed and told her to heal herself.

“…”

More accurately, she was “engineered” to be born that way.

Homunculus. An artificial life form.

Not born from a human womb, but created by combining materials.

Her position as “chosen by God” wasn’t something she was born with. It was manufactured.

Lucien Greyhaunter is a girl raised from birth for that “purpose.”

And the only one she could call family is her younger sister, born at the same time.

A homunculus born to serve as a “scapegoat” to assist the Saint.

Because of that.

“Not even human.” That’s how they were treated. The sisters.

‘…Yuria.’

She unconsciously gripped the blanket tightly as she thought.

Her sister who had fled after stealing a national treasure of the Holy Empire that was originally meant to be “synthesized” with her to amplify her divine power.

The last place she was tracked to was this Elphante Academy.

Thinking back, she seemed to have caught a glimpse of her before losing consciousness.

Though the excruciating pain that felt like it was shredding her body prevented her from responding properly.

‘Was she okay…?’

Desperately, she tries to recall.

From the moment she first came to this academy, her thoughts were only of Yuria.

‘…By now, the curse must have spread considerably.’

Yuria and she are essentially life forms created as a pair. If one side is missing, the other will surely develop some kind of “defect.”

While she might just end up not being able to perform at “full capacity,” Yuria has been left holding a cursed object for quite some time. If she couldn’t properly resist it…

“…”

And then, as her anxious gaze swept around the room.

It fixed on Yuria, who had collapsed near the bed.

“Ah.”

Such a sigh escaped her involuntarily.

She didn’t know why she was here, and there was a mountain of explanations needed.

But right now, her younger sister was within arm’s reach.

Lucien, who had sprung up to approach her, suddenly noticed something and froze in place.

The chain-wrapped sword that Yuria was hugging even in her sleep.

The national treasure of the Holy Empire. The sword that creates the curse of isolation.

The Isolater.

“…”

As long as she’s holding that, approaching her would cut even Lucien. Being a Saint doesn’t exempt her.

Contempt and disgust flashed in Lucien’s eyes. Considering the circumstances under which that sword became a national treasure, she couldn’t help but react that way.

‘…Right now, more than that.’

But for now, she pushes that aside. There’s something more important.

Instead, she desperately examines her sister with her eyes.

Checking if there are any parts “corrupted” by too much influence from the curse, if anything has changed compared to before.

Traces of a long, arduous life on the run are evident everywhere, but there don’t seem to be any major deteriorations.

‘…Thank goodness.’

Lucien wiped away the tears that had formed in her eyes and murmured inwardly.

Although there was hope that they would be treated better in the Empire than in the Holy Empire where they received unspeakable treatment, there was no guarantee that would actually be the case.

She looks a bit thin but otherwise seems healthy. There are no signs of harsh treatment anywhere.

‘You haven’t been living too hard, Yuria.’

As Lucien was thinking this, her gaze.

Soon discovered the “collar” around Yuria’s neck.

“…”

Her expression froze completely.

A collar?

Why on earth would a person be wearing such a thing?

Yuria, you.

What kind of treatment are you receiving in the Empire?

“…Master Darwood, please…”

As she was thinking this, Yuria mumbled in front of her.

“I’ll serve you as my master, so please, don’t do such cruel things…”

So, probably.

If Darwood were here, he would have explained the circumstances and meaning of this collar, and that this “cruel thing” simply meant not abandoning her.

However, that man was not present. Unfortunately.

“…”

Lucien’s expression turned to shock.

‘That Darwood person, just what…!’

What kind of beast is he to make her say such things even in her sleep…!

‘…I’ll teach him a lesson…!’

A rage like a blazing fire was consuming her mind.

●

The next morning.

I stretch and get up to prepare for the day. My head is still replaying yesterday’s bold conversation.

I didn’t get much of an answer from Valkarsus.

He just returned a smile that said “do as you please.”

‘…Well, whatever.’

Then I’ll do as I please.

Well, he didn’t say he wouldn’t take the bet. So I’ll just proceed as planned.

Stop Valkarsus, save him, and recruit him as my slave… no, subordinate.

‘And…’

The first step is this.

I check the letter that was placed by my bedside when I woke up this morning.

[The Saint has regained consciousness. She says she wants to talk with you too, so it would be best to visit as soon as possible.

From the Chancellor.]

Yes. The timing is perfect.

It fits right into my plan.

In just two days, the Academy raid that starts Chapter 2 will begin. My goal is to break the curse on Yuria’s sword, the “Isolater,” before then.

‘Originally that happens near the end of Chapter 2.’

Normally, this would only be possible after subduing Yuria, who appears as the final boss of the chapter, and recruiting her as a companion, but I don’t have that kind of time. And it’s not impossible to handle it now. There are workarounds.

And if I can break the isolation curse on that sword by any means.

Yuria will be the key to my Chapter 2 strategy.

‘…Though it does have some conditions.’

Yuria wielding the curse-free Isolater becomes the supreme close-combat fighter in “certain situations,” even surpassing Elnore and Elia. She can establish dominance even if both come at her simultaneously.

And in this Chapter 2, a situation that more than satisfies those conditions will definitely occur at least once.

‘Considering the progression…’

To use the “workaround” I’m thinking of, the Saint’s cooperation is absolutely necessary.

It’s fortunate that she’s called for me first when I needed to consult with her anyway.

That’s what I was thinking.

< System Message >

[Target ‘Lucien’s’ anger has exceeded the critical point!]

[She is burning with the will to bring retribution upon you!]

[Negative influence is being imprinted!]

[A receivable reward is given!]

[Skill: Dominion of Evil activates. You gain 1 command right that can be used on the target!]

Until I saw this window that must have appeared while I was sleeping.

“…”

This is strange.

Didn’t I save this person even after going through trouble with the Pope?

So why is this triggering…?