Chapter 34: Returning to Garden #2

Chapter 34: Returning to Garden #2

Orcs are a unique race.

Although humans scorn them as barbaric, orcs have their own culture passed down through generations.

The blessings of ancestral gods.

The honor of warriors.

An unyielding pride that bends but never breaks.

There are even enthusiasts among “Nine Stars” players who exclusively play as orcs.

I was once also fascinated by orcs.

Therefore, I know.

This situation, where three Orc Shamans are dedicating all their efforts to perform a strengthening ritual for a human, is by no means common.

It’s probably one of the most peculiar cases in history.

“Om Var Saha-“

“Oho, Wolf God, please lighten this maiden’s legs and bestow firm strength upon her slender arms-“

The magic stones earned from hunting amounted to a staggering 940.

All those magic stones transformed into new power and imbued me.

「Used magic stones to increase abilities.」

「The effects of Orc Shamanic Secrets are added! Abilities increase by an additional 30%.」

「The synergy of three exceptional Orc Shamans’ rituals harmonizes. Abilities increase by an additional 25%.」

「-Abilities stored in the Reliquary:

Stamina- 23(+11) Mana- 52(+22)

Physical Composite- 18(+11)

Magical Composite- 47(+27)

Faith Composite- 4(+4) 」

‘Insane.’

My jaw dropped.

It was an enormous increase.

I never imagined I could grow this much in the Garden Frontier.

The combined power of the three Orc Shamans was truly formidable.

‘At this rate, I could even defeat Dawson.’

Confidence surged within me.

I’m not just boasting pointlessly.

I can calculate the combat power I can exert now.

“Phew⋯ It’s over now.”

“We poured all our strength into it after a long time.”

The shamans, having completed the ritual, were sweating profusely.

「Gained new skills through accumulated experience.

-Necromancy Novice」

「Skill level has increased.

-Destruction Magic increased to Novice Level 5.

-Frost Magic increased to Novice Level 6.

⋯

⋯

⋯」

Not only my stats but all my skills also increased by 2 to 3 levels at once.

At this pace, at least in the early game, I’m not falling behind even compared to the great Michael’s growth rate.

No, in some aspects, I’m better than Michael.

Thanks to the strangely good luck, I also managed to acquire Spirit items and an artifact.

“So, how is it, maiden?”

Yurka looked at me with eyes full of anticipation.

If I stay still again, she’ll be greatly disappointed this time.

So, as I had planned, I decided to reveal some of my abilities by unleashing the power of the Reliquary.

「Ability Unleash」.

「⋯Stamina increases by 23.

⋯Mana increases by 52.

⋯Physical ability increases by 18.

⋯Magical ability increases by 47.」

The next moment, a storm of mana swirled around my body.

Caught in the strong currents, Yurka’s tent flapped precariously, as if it might fly away at any moment.

The Orc Shamans faltered, leaning on their staffs planted in the ground.

“Ooh- This power…!”

“Yurka, it’s a success, isn’t it! Look!”

“Yes, this is it. This is it… Finally…”

Even though they couldn’t open their eyes properly due to the wind, Yurka spoke with a choked voice, filled with emotion.

‘Yes, that’s enough.’

I circulated the power within my body for a moment, then recalled the abilities back into the Reliquary.

“⋯Huh? Did the power disappear-“

“What? It was definitely just-“

The shamans’ eyes widened in surprise.

The orcs exchanged bewildered glances and flustered.

“Maiden, what is this-“

“Well. I don’t really know either. I definitely felt a surge of power, but then it suddenly disappeared.”

“Hoo-“

Yurka sighed regretfully.

However, unlike last time, she didn’t seem greatly disappointed.

“It’s alright. Maiden, I saw potential. What do you all think?”

“I agree.”

“I too have witnessed a glimpse of great talent. I look forward to this human maiden’s future.”

The Orc Shamans busily prepared for the next ritual.

My existence must feel like a challenge suddenly thrown into their monotonous daily lives.

Somehow, they all seemed to be enjoying it.

“Now, let’s gather all our wisdom until the maiden brings the next magic stones. I have a good idea-“

The old shaman Yurka’s eyes sparkled like a young boy’s.

***

At the same time, in the Imperial Capital Versa’s Grand Cathedral.

At the top of a spire, as high as a hand reaching out to God, lies the office of the Paladin Michael.

As expected of the office of a hero whose fame extends beyond the empire to the entire continent, the interior was both antique and luxurious.

Gently glowing marble and elegant indoor furniture. Even a dazzling chandelier.

However, despite the abundance of furniture, each a work of art in itself-

The most prominent and radiant being is none other than Knight Commander Michael.

“⋯.”

Michael turned the pages of a book in silence.

The most devout servant of Justia.

At the same time, he himself possessed an appearance that resembled a god.

Brilliantly shining golden hair.

A sharp jawline and melancholic eyes.

It’s clear that the world’s praise isn’t solely due to his heroic achievements.

Click, click.

Footsteps approached.

The office door burst open.

There is only one person who would dare to open the office of the Empire’s top ace, the Knight Commander, without permission.

“I’m here-“

With a relaxed and carefree voice, Anna entered, her high heels clicking.

Anna, the hero’s companion and Archmage, the head of the Fire Magic Tower.

Michael quietly raised his eyes slightly to confirm the visitor, then returned his gaze to the book.

“Someone has arrived, so why don’t you greet them, Hero?”

“⋯.”

“Excuse me, are you listening to me-“

“Don’t make a fuss. Your voice is always too loud.”

Anna puffed out her cheeks.

She’s deliberately acting sulky, but Michael still pays her little attention.

“Hey, handsome mister- The weather outside is lovely. Want to go out for a meal together after a long time? I’ve found a restaurant I’ve been eyeing-“

“I refuse. If you have something to say, keep it brief.”

“Hah.”

Anna narrowed her brows as much as possible.

This treatment is unfair to anyone. Does it make sense?

To me, who is so beautiful.

To me, who is so competent.

There are men waiting outside, lining up, ready to lick my shoes if I just say a word!

‘Isn’t this too much?’

However, she could only complain inwardly and couldn’t say anything.

No matter how much of a young genius Archmage she was, her reputation couldn’t compare to the Hero Michael.

Therefore, Anna is always the one who is disappointed and clings to him.

‘This is why the person who likes you first is always at a disadvantage.’

Anna suppressed her frustration and approached Michael.

She had even come wearing a custom-ordered dress from the capital’s best boutique, just to look good.

She had even sprayed on a trendy perfume.

If only he would say just one word of compliment, even if it were just polite…

“Eden is currently handling the task you assigned.”

“⋯What happened to the lich?”

Finally, Michael looked up from his book and stared directly into Anna’s eyes.

What a workaholic man.

As Anna expected, she whispered, gently stroking Michael’s thigh.

“It’s gone. Something must have happened, just as you said. How resourceful, to have escaped.”

“⋯.”

“Don’t blame me. It’s not my fault. You confirmed yourself that there were no problems with the magic restraint device, so you know.”

“I have no intention of blaming you, so be quiet.”

Michael slightly frowned, his handsome face creasing.

Then, he extended a finger and gently pressed Anna’s lips.

It meant, ‘I need to think for a moment, so please close your mouth.’

He’s truly arrogant to the extreme.

Anna let out a small sigh.

She resented her own eyes for finding even that arrogance beautiful.

‘I’m truly blinded by love. Sigh, am I an idiot?’

Michael spoke after a long pause.

“It’s still difficult to make a judgment. I will decide how to proceed after receiving Eden’s report.”

It was as Anna had expected.

Eden is one of the few people Michael trusts.

Anna herself firmly believes that it’s not as much as her, though.

“Is it over? Then can you rest a little now?”

Anna exhaled warm breath onto Michael’s cheek. Her voice, filled with flirtatiousness, was sticky like honey.

Her hand, which had been stroking his thigh, was slowly moving to a deeper place.

“I have a lot of work to do.”

Michael said without the slightest change in his expression.

As Michael stood up without hesitation, Anna’s hand lost its destination in dismay.

‘What is this?’

Anna scowled deeply.

Does molten iron flow through this man’s veins instead of warm blood? He’s so heartless.

‘It wouldn’t hurt you to spare a little time…’

With a gaze full of complaint, she glared at Michael’s broad back.

No, in fact, it wouldn’t end in a short time.

Heroes also have passions, but they are usually hidden deep within their noble armor, rarely revealed.

Anna knew how fierce and long-lasting his desires were once ignited.

That’s why Anna, enduring even shame, is pleading like this.

‘Sigh-‘

Recalling those blissful times, Anna’s cheeks flushed red.

Perhaps it was her imagination, but her lower abdomen seemed to be thumping deeply.

“Anna.”

Michael, who was about to leave the office, suddenly stopped.

Hearing her name called in that low, wonderful voice, her past hurt vanished, and her heart pounded.

‘Am I perhaps an easy woman?’

Anna felt pathetic.

“Come to my room again tonight.”

“⋯Yes? Ah, yes!”

Anna’s face lit up with a smile of pure joy.

‘⋯I can’t help it. I might really be an easy woman.’

While smiling, she bitterly mocked herself.

***

Garden’s only cafe, Three Some Place.

The original name is ‘A Moment of Leisure Under the Gray Sky,’ but no adventurer calls it that.

It’s too long.

Most importantly, anyone who saw the adventurer statue in front of the cafe couldn’t help but agree with the nickname.

Originally, it was just a statue of a male adventurer standing confidently with his hands on his hips.

But someone with a lot of mischief created a female statue crouching and holding something in its mouth and placed it in front of him.

And as if in response, a female statue licking something was added behind the adventurer’s buttocks.

The cafe owner was furious at first, but later resigned himself to it and just laughed it off.

“What a wonderful statue.”

Flora smiled brightly.

“This is, right?”

“⋯Huh? What?”

Facing Flora, who spoke so nonchalantly, I had no answer and could only feign ignorance and ask back.

“It’s sucking out the poison. Right, Estel?”

Flora pointed at the statue with a face full of conviction.

“I heard that when you’re bitten by a snake, you need to quickly suck out the venom that has entered the wound. It seems this adventurer was bitten on both the front and the back.”

“Uh, uh- Hmm. Yes. Senior is right.”

“Estel, don’t worry. If you ever get poisoned, I’ll help you.”

For a moment, a suggestive image flashed through my mind.

Me, breathing heavily with a flushed face, and Flora diligently sucking out the poison… beneath me.

I quickly shook my head. What am I imagining?

“Alright, let’s go inside.”

“Huh? But now that I look closely, the statue’s expression seems a bit strange…”

“Let’s go inside.”

I nudged Flora’s shoulder.

We found a table and ordered two coffees.

After gaining experience in the Contaminated Deposit, it was finally time to learn the last magic from the “Principles of Magic” spellbook.

Flora, who opened the spellbook first, learned the magic of “Weighting.”

It’s a magic that temporarily makes the weight of an object significantly heavier.

Although it’s not a direct attack magic, it’s a useful magic that can help allies or hinder enemies depending on how it’s used.

Next is my turn.

「Reached a higher level. Receiving new magic from the spellbook.」

As I placed my hand on the spellbook, a bright light began to emanate.