Ch.5454. The Butterfly Effect

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After finishing all my business and walking out of the dome, I found the Holy Maiden clutching her head with a deeply furrowed expression.

She held a lit cigarette in her hand.

“…Is it okay for a Holy Maiden to smoke that?”

“When I’m stressed, I have no choice. Without this, I might have died long ago.”

“…”

Why are you suddenly saying such frightening things?

“It’s still difficult now. Because of you.”

“Pardon?”

“Did you know? Once you can hold a certain level of holy power, you can occasionally communicate with beings from the Otherworld.”

“…”

“There’s whining in my head. One angel in that building is shouting with great indignation that you’re trash.”

“…I see.”

Right.

I can tell just by looking at this.

[Target ‘Fallen Angel A1101’ perceives you as trash not worth associating with!]

[A negative influence is imprinted!]

[A receivable reward is given!]

[Skill: Dominion of Evil activates. You gain 1 command right usable on the target!]

“…”

Lately, I feel like my reputation keeps hitting rock bottom, but what can I do?

More importantly, there’s this.

I pulled out several metal ingots as thick as forearms and placed them in front of Lucien.

As soon as she saw them, Lucien’s expression turned serious.

“…This is.”

Despite her harsh treatment, she’s still a Holy Maiden. She seems to recognize what it is immediately.

After all, the “Heart of the Star” inside that dome is also made from this material.

[Star Iron Ingot]

[Material: Weapons and Armor]

[It has high conductivity for all types of abilities, but is especially compatible with holy power. Only other star iron or Pandemonium metals can damage star iron.

▶ When crafting equipment, it has strong resistance to all curses.

▶ When combined with certain materials, it has special effects.]

That looks quite splendid just by looking at it.

As expected of a material that makes up the protagonist’s core weapon, it has all sorts of utilities attached to it.

“Where on earth did you get such a quantity of star iron? This is a metal that only appears in myths…!”

“The person inside who’s denouncing me as trash is also technically someone who only appears in myths, isn’t she?”

“…”

With an expression that seemed to say “That’s true,” Lucien closed her mouth.

“I plan to give this as a gift to Yuria.”

As I continued speaking while scratching my cheek, Lucien’s eyes widened.

“…What?”

She blinked several times.

She seemed to be slowly processing the meaning of what I just said.

Then the Holy Maiden jumped up from her seat. With an astonished expression, she looked back and forth between the star iron ingots and me.

“W-wait a moment. This is star iron. There have been wars fought over half the amount you’ve just given.”

That’s true. This is no ordinary value.

But the curse on your sister is no ordinary thing either.

“Well, I’m not giving you all of it. I’ve set aside what I need to use, so just take it.”

That’s actually true.

This is barely half of what I extracted from the Fallen Angel.

I’m saving the rest for other uses.

“That’s not the issue…!”

“As I told you before, if I don’t give you this, there will be serious consequences.”

I say this in a firm tone.

I’m not exaggerating when I say the Curse of Severance is one of the most vicious in this game.

Even materials close to holy relics like these, obtained by threatening an angel directly, can’t completely cure it.

“…That’s, true.”

Lucien replied with a dark expression, then bowed her head in silence for a moment.

“But I can’t just accept such help…”

“No.”

I cut in with a serious tone.

“You two are that important to me. I can give you star iron without hesitation, so please accept it.”

“…”

To be more precise, Yuria needs to receive star iron equipment to be useful in the upcoming Chapter 2 boss battle.

Considering the role these two will play in the Boy King boss battle, their importance cannot be overstated.

“Besides, this is just the beginning. I intend to go all the way with you. Think of it as a gesture of sincerity.”

And, well.

These two are central to one of the main late-game storylines, the “Pope Conquest.” Giving away star iron is nothing—

<System Message>

[Since the other person knows about your history with women, they have doubts about you. They resist your seduction!]

[But ultimately fail to resist!]

[Target ‘Lucien’s’ affection level has slightly changed!]

[Affection level has been upgraded from ‘Interest Level 1’ to ‘Interest Level 1.5’!]

“…”

What is this saying?

What seduction am I doing and what is she resisting?

“…Please don’t do this, really.”

Lucien spoke with a trembling, completely reddened face.

“Pardon?”

“Before I only had suspicions, but now I’m certain. How many people have you strung along like this?”

“…”

“There’s a limit to speaking in ways that invite misunderstanding… If Yuria wasn’t in such a state, even I might have fallen for it…”

“…What are you…?”

“I don’t know! Don’t make me explain it with my own mouth, you shameless person!”

“…”

Darwood Campbell, second life achievement:

Being denounced as a shameless person by the Holy Maiden.

How far am I going to fall…?

“Anyway!”

After clearing her throat a few times, the Holy Maiden continued with her still-red face.

“You said last time that helping me wouldn’t be free. Don’t you want something from us this time too?”

She catches on quickly.

I guess the experience from her role as Holy Maiden shows.

“Yes, well. Nothing major.”

I choose my words.

Choose them carefully.

As I said earlier, these two people are key to the Boy King conquest.

Because of that, the roles they need to take on are… quite extraordinary.

And whenever I try to explain these things, I tend to be misunderstood.

So, calmly explaining the plan—

“No. Just from your expression, I can tell you’re thinking something crazy, so don’t bother choosing your words. Just tell me. What is it?”

“…”

That’s really unfair.

●

The truth is, I was prepared for the fact that things wouldn’t always go according to the “canon.”

But I should have considered it more carefully.

The butterfly effect is always more of a bastard than I expect.

●

[Main Quest] 〖Chapter 2 – Boy King〗

[1 day remains until the ‘Academy Raid’ incident!]

I read the window that appeared before me.

‘Only one day left, huh.’

There was some commotion, but I’ve made all the preparations I could.

In some ways, the scale of this boss battle is larger than the Purifier’s, but it’s likely to be much easier than back then.

Compared to then, I’ve prepared and developed many more things.

Strengthening Ultima through the “Echo of Consecration” received as a main quest reward, crafting equipment to control Yuria’s curse using star iron, and conveying what needs to be done to the Greyhaunter sisters through that equipment.

Suddenly, I recall what Elnore told me.

“Professor Vulcan from the Production Department wants to see you next time.”

“Really? I guess he likes the unusual requests with rare materials?”

“No. He said he wants to kill you for requesting such work to be done in one day.”

“…”

“But before that, he’d like to treat you to a meal.”

How kind.

But still, Elphante’s Production Department. Their skills are certain, so by now the completed work should have been delivered to Yuria.

Just as this was delivered to me.

< Item Info >

[Holy Ultima] [Item Grade: C+ → B+]

[Echo of Consecration applied 1 time!]

[Changes to embedded skills!]

◎ Embedded Skills ◎

■ [Asceticism → Proof of Faith] [Skill Grade: C → B]

[Temporarily converts all stat bonuses to ‘Durability’ and ‘Holy Power’.]

[Consumes a small amount of mana.]

※ [This skill can evolve!]

Upon evolution, the skill will change to [Martyr]!

■ [Holy Shield → Sacred Stigma] [Skill Grade: C → B]

[Creates a continuously regenerating shield for a certain period of time.]

[Consumes a small amount of mana.]

[The shield’s strength is affected by the ‘Durability’ stat.]

[The shield’s regeneration speed is affected by the ‘Holy’ stat.]

※ [This skill can evolve!]

Upon evolution, the skill will change to [Shallow Grave]!

That’s right.

What would normally have taken a year of constant use to evolve has been accomplished with a single item.

Both Proof of Faith and Sacred Stigma are significantly improved from their previous skills.

It’s especially encouraging that Proof of Faith also temporarily boosts the ‘Holy’ stat.

Desperate Struggle normally boosts all stats but doesn’t boost abilities. Considering the stat bonuses applied at higher grades, when all of that is converted to holy power, the effect will be truly tremendous.

The advantage of a “regenerating” shield is also significant.

If someone can’t shatter it in one go, the shield will remain.

The defensive capability in actual combat would be several times that of Holy Shield.

‘This will be tremendously helpful for survival.’

Thinking that, I stretch out fully.

All that remains is to deliver a general response plan for tomorrow’s raid to Atalante.

“…It’s getting late.”

Muttering that, I walk steadily through the academy’s corridors.

Dusk was settling nearby, casting a reddish light around.

This time of day at the academy is always bustling with students dispersing in small groups after finishing their daily routines.

“…”

And if I said I didn’t sometimes look at scenes like that with envy, that would be a lie.

I wonder what it feels like to have such a… “proper” student life. I’ve never really attended school properly.

Neither before nor now. Even in the “outside,” I never got to attend school.

Ironically, even though I’ve been incarnated into a school-life game, I spend more time running around solving incidents than attending classes.

“What are you staring at so intently?”

That voice came to me then.

When I turned my head, there was a woman wearing a mask on her face.

The atmosphere she exuded was utterly plain, but there was a strange presence about her that made it hard to look away.

“…”

What a strange feeling.

I don’t sense anything harmful at all. Despite the strange mask and the additional voice modulation making her extremely suspicious.

Instead, I feel a comfortable atmosphere that even gives a sense of warmth.

‘…Hmm.’

I look the person up and down.

Usually, I’d be immediately suspicious of anyone approaching me like this, but this person, well…

Simply put, she looks so weak that I don’t feel much wariness. I don’t even need to use my exploration vision to tell. I’ve developed a sense for this from being around strong people.

She’s probably just slightly better than me before Desperate Struggle activated. If anything, slightly below average for a normal person.

I tilt my head and answer.

“Do you know me?”

“Oh, no. I’m seeing you for the first time today. You were looking at other people with such melancholic eyes.”

“…Was it that obvious?”

“It was.”

The woman giggled and hopped toward me. She naturally fell in step behind me as I made my way to the headmaster’s office.

“Did you see a girl you like? Your girlfriend would be angry if that’s the case?”

“…I don’t have a girlfriend.”

Not only am I currently single, but I’ve never had one even once.

Sadly.

“Oh, really? No girlfriend or anything? You don’t look like someone who would be unpopular.”

“…”

I give a bitter smile.

It’s the first compliment I’ve heard in my life.

“…That’s not wrong.”

I do have popularity.

Just with targets that I probably shouldn’t have it with.

“Hmm? That smile suggests there’s some circumstance.”

“There’s nothing special.”

If there’s any circumstance, it’s just that as I struggle to survive, all sorts of people have become entangled with me.

Like a butterfly effect.

‘…There may be no circumstance, but there is responsibility.’

No matter how much I try to brush it off by saying I’m oblivious or had no intention, the affection levels are clearly displayed right in front of me. It would be nonsensical to claim I don’t understand those feelings.

So regardless of how it happened, if they cling to me because they like me.

If not now, then someday, definitely.

I must take responsibility. I must bring closure.

Even I am clearly aware of that much.

“Oh. Your expression is becoming melancholic again.”

“…I’d say it’s closer to fear.”

Yes. Taking responsibility is good, but.

Demons fundamentally have obsession and possessiveness as their base traits.

In other words, if such beings start fighting over romantic jealousy.

That wouldn’t be a simple lovers’ quarrel, but would very likely become a scene of sticky, terrible destruction.

Perhaps most humans born with a soul constitution like mine died for that very reason.

While I agree with Atalante that ultimately I need to charm all Demonic Vessels to survive, it’s still me who has to bear all the risks that come with doing so.

‘…Stay strong.’

In the end, the top priority is to level up my specs to survive.

No joke, just being caught between women who like me carries a pretty high chance of death…?

Accepting their feelings and whatnot comes after I’ve gained the strength to handle such risks…!

“…”

The masked woman, who had been quietly observing me as I continued these thoughts, suddenly burst into laughter.

“You’re an interesting person even just to watch. I’m never bored just seeing what you’re doing by yourself.”

“…Is that so?”

“Yes. You’re even more interesting than I expected.”

“…”

I tilt my head.

“…Than you expected, you said?”

This woman.

She knows something about me.

Chances are it’s nothing special.

Stories about me have spread to some extent these days, so it’s not difficult to imagine she’s heard something. But.

Something, something feels off.

“Well, you see.”

The masked woman nodded, humming.

“Do you know the term ‘butterfly effect’?”

“…”

At this familiar phrase, I stop walking.

“Originally, I had no interest in you and didn’t plan to come here today. But somehow you kept catching my eye, and now I can’t see anyone but you.”

A strange feeling comes over me.

A chilling sensation runs down my spine.

“All of your actions created the result of me being here today. That’s totally a butterfly effect, right?”

“…What?”

“Honestly, since you prepare everything one step ahead, I thought you’d have the air of a meticulous strategist.”

The masked woman leaned forward with her hands behind her back.

“But you’re not like that at all. You’re more peculiar than I expected. Should I say you’re special because you’re ordinary? It’s strange that someone like you has the upper hand when entangled with demon-level beings.”

The strange feeling becomes more concrete.

The fact that she knows I’m involved with “demons” is known only to a handful of people across the entire continent.

Even among the leaders of the hegemonic nations, only a select few know.

At the point where such information flows out so casually, the hypothesis that the other person is an ordinary human is completely erased from my mind.

“So I like you. Much more now that I’ve seen you directly than when I just heard about you.”

The atmosphere of the masked woman who was picking up such words remained completely unchanged.

Calm, silent, and completely harmless ordinariness.

“…Who are you?”

“Just know that I’m Darwood’s fan number one. I might cherish you much more than those demon-possessed women who throw themselves at you?”

“What?”

“The very existence of those cursed women around you is disgusting.”

So, when such sentences flowed out in a calm voice.

“I want to kill them. When I see them clinging to you as if they’re something special. When they know nothing about you.”

The cold sweat that immediately flowed was inevitable.

I couldn’t understand what she was saying at all. The atmosphere she exuded remained exactly the same. Still ordinary and harmless.

No matter how I look at it, there’s nothing threatening about her demeanor.

But, while I can rationally judge it that way.

Instinctively, the thought that the other person is ‘dangerous’.

Is stronger than ever before.

To the point where my head spins.

Without any physical pressure, I unconsciously step back from the twisted sense emanating from the other person.

“Only I can understand you. Only I can see through your ‘true self’.”

The masked woman giggled. She approaches me one step for every step I retreat.

“In this world, uniquely. Only I can face you as an equal. The only ‘villain’ who can do that is me. Not even the demons can do it.”

“…You.”

“All the others are just being manipulated according to your intentions. They’re like pieces on a chessboard. No matter who, no matter where I look, none show the same brilliance as you.”

The woman continued in a voice mixed with laughter.

In a flat voice, sentences filled with enough malice to make my head spin pour out.

“It’s boring and irritating, and I want to kill them all. I want to kill everyone and leave only you and me in the world. Then life might be a little more fun.”

“Who are you?”

It feels like my internal organs are twisting.

I continue with a voice barely squeezed out.

“Hmm…”

The masked woman steps back and grins.

“You should remember me as someone who came to scout.”

“What are you talking about?”

“You haven’t finished all your preparations for Valkarsus’s raid yet, have you?”

The back of my head feels cold.

“You seem to have prepared several ‘means’ to counter them… but the more important ‘deployment’ is still incomplete. There should be at least four people near the clock tower. If that had been done well, you could have subdued Valkarsus quickly.”

My breath freezes.

“The plan is perfect. The means are appropriate too. I would have done the same. But.”

This person.

“If the incident occurs just ‘one day’ earlier, most of your plan becomes neutralized, right?”

Is repeating exactly what I’ve been doing to the ‘enemy’.

Predicting everything they’re going to do, and delivering a counter punch one step ahead.

“I want to have higher expectations for you.”

The woman said, turning her gaze toward the clock tower.

“What I’m about to do… even I, in your situation, wouldn’t be able to handle it. But you.”

Then.

“You can show me something, can’t you?”

The sentences pour out again.

“Can you make me fall for you even more?”

After saying that, she pulled something out from her bosom.

It looks like a small awl-like object, but.

It’s an item I know.

“…Sky Piercer?”

“Oh? You know it, as expected?”

How could I not know?

This is the item that signals the start of Chapter 2.

It’s an item that neutralizes the barrier surrounding the entire academy, allowing Valkarsus’s alchemy to infiltrate the entire academy.

It’s an extremely powerful and rare artifact.

So rare that only the leader of the Demon Cultists would even know of its existence.

“…”

I clench my fist tightly.

That means.

The identity of the person in front of me couldn’t be more obvious.

“Come to think of it, I haven’t introduced myself.”

The masked woman said, running her hand through her hair.

“Hello, Darwood Campbell. I’m the Luminary. It’s not my name, but that’s what people around me call me.”

The Luminary.

The leader of the Demon Cultists.

“But you know what?”

She offered such words to me.

-Do you know the term ‘butterfly effect’?

And immediately after.

A massive light erupted from the Sky Piercer. The light struck directly at the dome-shaped barrier in the sky, causing spider web-like cracks to spread across it.

“…”

Watching what was essentially the beginning of the Chapter 2 boss battle.

!!Alert!!

[Scenario variation occurred!]

[Emergency event occurred!]

[The remaining period for the main quest is drastically reduced!]

I was thinking only one thing.

Do I know the butterfly effect?

Yes, I do.

“…”

I know better than anyone that it’s a master teacher showing me that nothing in this world comes easily to me.

[Main Quest] 〖Chapter 2 – Boy King〗

[The ‘Academy Raid’ incident begins!]

[Protect the Academy!]

Truly.

So it was.

●