episode_0051

Not long after the results were achieved, women began to wake up one by one.

“Umm…”

“Ugh…”

“Now, everyone, close your eyes and meditate. Think about your past experiences or realizations. Then you will know what you can do.”

The women who woke up and closed their eyes at my words immediately expressed surprise by twisting their eyebrows or opening their mouths, and then sank deep inside.

“Sarah.”

“Yes. Master.”

As soon as I called her, she answered and held out a canteen containing water from the spring of wisdom.

“Thank you for your hard work as an escort. Now it’s your turn.”

“…Are you giving it to me too?”

“Huh? of course? Oh, but will it work for you too?”

“…there will be.”

“Good. Then drink it.”

She stared at my face and the canteen for a moment, then nodded slightly.

“I will drink it gratefully.”

“Yes.”

After tilting the canteen and drinking water, she quietly knelt down and closed her eyes.

“…Sarah?”

“……”

Did he faint because there was no answer? As expected, the Sword Master is different no matter what.

“Ah…!”

“Ahh…!”

Soon, voices full of joy and realization begin to flow from the women’s mouths, making them laugh.

The feast of enlightenment lasted for several hours, so I was able to escort them and reflect on the enlightenment and achievements I had gained this time.

“Um…”

Meanwhile, I realized that I absolutely lacked experience.

Sword Master is a level that can be achieved through expansion and hardening of the soul and mind. If before that the body was given priority, from the Sword Master onwards, as Saraha said, the will comes first.

The Auror Blade is only proof of that, and since it completely controls the body and soul with will, it is safe to call it an absolute being within the range of its attack.

It is a reversal of body and mind that can rightly be called a revolution.

“Tsk, this is why you can never beat the Sword Master…”

No matter how well-trained your body is, how can you defeat an opponent who attacks at the speed of thought within the territory you completely control?

The confrontation with the sword master Saraha was also like that. All of this side’s intentions were defeated, and the other side’s attacks were difficult to deal with… If it weren’t for the Auror Blades, would we still have been able to exchange a few sums?

“……”

I shake my head. He would have been defeated regardless of whether he had an Auror Blade or not.

If there were no elixir, and if it weren’t for the player characteristics of the game, everyone, including me, would have been wiped out by Saraha.

Considering that among the collected characters that were useful in battle, the minimum power was at Sword Master level, I would like to achieve Sword Master as quickly as possible, but that is not something I want to do.

Expansion and refinement of soul and mind. That only comes from a lot of effort and experience.

Just like tempering iron, it has to be compressed repeatedly with numerous hammer blows to remove impurities.

“If things continue like this, it will take at least 5 years… No, will it take longer than that?”

I can’t help but picture a bitter smile. There is nothing easy in this world.

***

When the women woke up from their meditation, I looked around at them and smiled.

This is because everyone had their own achievements and their faces were refreshed.

Harriet and Karen’s momentum became stronger and more refined, Isabelle opened the door to the 4th Circle, and Jeffrey also opened the door to the Expert Intermediate level. Halona and Jeremy seem to be knocking on the door of the Sword Expert Junior. Thankakal…is having a good night’s sleep.

“Cool…Ehehe, Jooyin…!”

“……”

I’ll have to punish you later.

However, the one that achieved the most was none other than Xenia.

There was a foul odor due to the impurities coming out of the body, but I just smiled and applauded.

“Congratulations. Xenia. The door to Circle 6 has finally opened.”

“Ehehe…it’s all thanks to you, Master.”

Her eyes, shining with intelligence and wisdom, were shining brightly, and the scale of mana naturally flowing around her body was so vast and strong that it could not be compared to before.

“It’s really amazing. The fountain of wisdom.”

“Of course. If its existence were known, war would break out. It is also very large, continental scale.”

“I guess so.”

“Master. Are you really going to leave Sam to the monsters?”

“……”

Originally, I had planned to just leave it alone, but now that I experienced the efficacy of the spring water, that thought was shaken violently.

That’s a spark. A large and fierce fire that would cause a lot of blood to be shed.

It may grow out of control and take away the precious people around me.

Should I leave that alone because of my selfishness of wanting to collect characters?

“Phew…”

I don’t know. It’s not easy to give up my desire to collect, and I feel guilty about letting the embers of a big war start.

Damn, I don’t know why I suddenly feel this way. Before, I didn’t even care about this and didn’t feel this much guilt.

“…It’s really scary. Fountain of Wisdom…”

Thanks to the fountain of wisdom, I intuitively realized what had changed in me and was able to clearly see the cause.

That makes it even more bitter.

Because I was able to see how selfish and trashy I was before.

Self-objectification became possible.

Of course, that doesn’t mean people change easily.

“…Damn.”

It would be nice if there was a means to satisfy both, but as of now, there is no way to do so.

‘Talking Monster’ collection characters will be born naturally as the size of the monsters occupying the Fountain of Wisdom grows. Since you have the ability, you will stand out like an awl in your pocket.

However, that means that many people will die due to that ability.

“……”

In fact, if you think this world is just a game, you can easily ignore it.

If you think that this is not reality, that humans are just created beings, and that collectible characters are just content for players, everything becomes easier.

But can I?

“Master. I need an explanation. In our eyes, the situation seems dangerous now that the orcs have taken over the Fountain of Wisdom. It seems useless. There’s no way the intelligent master wouldn’t know that. But you said you would leave it alone…is there something we don’t know about?”

“…There is no such thing as ejaculation. It’s just that I’m a selfish piece of trash.”

“What are you saying! Why on earth are you saying that? We definitely don’t think so!”

“That’s right. You are absolutely not that kind of person.”

“The master I met was always a kind and considerate person. You have a lot of responsibility.”

“The owner did nothing wrong!”

“……”

Harriet, Karen, Xenia, and even Tankakal, who suddenly woke up, raised their voices and defended me, making me feel bitter.

Rather, I feel like Vanessa knows me better as she looks at me without saying a word.

“Vanessa. Come here.”

“…? Yes.”

She tilted her head at the sudden call, but soon calmly came over and followed my hand gesture and hugged me from behind.

“Phew…”

As I lean back against her fluffy and soft body and bury the back of my head into her chest, my emotions ease up.

“…Let me explain. Why did I leave the fountain of wisdom alone?”

I ended up speaking.

About my collecting and possessiveness. How strong and irresistible the temptation is, and how great satisfaction and reward it feels when it is met.

When I told him about the possibility of finding the ‘collectibles’ I wanted among the monsters that used the Fountain of Wisdom, and that I was thinking of leaving the Fountain of Wisdom alone for that, the expressions on Jeffrey, Isabelle, Jeremy, Halona, and Karen’s expressions became distorted.

Since it was a natural result, I nodded quietly, but then realized that there was no change in the expressions of Harriet, Xenia, and Vanessa, so I tilted my head. His eyes are blank, as if he’s asking why he’s saying that again now. Tankakkal had a puzzled look on his face, as if he didn’t know what the problem was.

“Hmm, so in short, you want to have a monster with superpowers that will come from the Fountain of Wisdom? Do you want to leave the fountain of wisdom for that?”

“Huh? Yes. To put it simply, yes, but…you guys don’t mind?”

“Ahaha. Because it was something I already knew. Um…Karen. Since you too have become our master, I tell you in advance, you had better get used to being like this.”

Harriet, who had her hand on Karen’s shoulder, said slyly, and Karen, who thought for a while and cleared her frown, nodded.

“I see. Since the oath has already been sworn, it is the duty of a knight to adapt to his lord’s personality and inclinations. Of course, I won’t hesitate to give you advice.”

Long strides. Karen came in front of me, got down on one knee, and gently made eye contact.

“Master. I am absolutely against those orcs taking over the Fountain of Wisdom. It’s too dangerous.”

“Okay. I know too.”

“The reason you told us your thoughts is probably because you know it is wrong and want to hear our opinions. Although it must not have been easy, I really respect that you acknowledged your mistakes and tried to listen to our opinions.”

“…Thank you.”

“However, I do not know or understand how great the collecting and possessiveness you feel is. I probably won’t understand it for the rest of my life. So let me tell you what I think. I think we should kill every single one of those orcs.”

“…Hmm.”

It’s actually refreshing to hear him say this without any hesitation.

“Wait a minute, but killing the orcs doesn’t completely solve the problem, right? In the end, we have to destroy that fountain of wisdom… is that possible?”

“It is possible.”

An emotionless, low voice interjected with Harriet’s question.

“Huh? Sahara. Are you awake already?

“Yes.”

“Was there any result?”

“…Yes. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity.”

Sahara’s mouth smiled slightly as she answered like that.

“Hmm… I don’t know what’s changed… Well, if that’s you, then that’s probably it. But is that really true? You can eliminate the fountain of wisdom?”

“Of course.”

“Explain it.”

Sahara got up from her seat, stood next to me with calm steps, and quietly recited.

“It is impossible for water with similar ingredients to elixir to occur naturally. Especially in a special form tuned to work only on the soul and mind. In other words, there is a high possibility that there is something sinking beneath the spring that creates the water of wisdom.”

“Hoo…?”

“The most likely thing is a magic tool or artifact.”

“Can such an object really exist?”

“It is highly likely that a dragon or high-ranking demon was involved.”

“…I see. Dragons and high-ranking demons…”

When those two were mentioned again, I scratched my head and fell into deep worry.

Unearthing the identity of whatever lies beneath the fountain is tantamount to destroying the fountain of wisdom.

The moment its identity is confirmed, it will not be a ‘fountain of wisdom’ but ‘something that creates a fountain of wisdom.’ In other words, it is no different from the decision to eliminate ‘talking monsters’.

“……”

“……”

“……”

My companions, who noticed that I was struggling, also kept quiet and waited for my choice.

“…Good.”

The moment I made my decision, I felt frustrated as if something heavy had settled on my chest and a fire-like discomfort spread throughout my body, but even so, I spoke clearly, cutting out each word.

“Eliminate. All of the orcs who gained wisdom and the cause.”

In the end, I gave up on my desire to collect. It’s amazing that I can make decisions like this. Perhaps it is because of the temporary rationality and objectification brought about by the fountain of wisdom, but nonetheless.

I felt strongly that living in this world had changed something about me.

“Thank you for your difficult decision. My lord.”

“I will complete that mission, even if it means risking my life.”

Harriet and Karen knelt down on one knee like knights to show respect, Vanessa hugged me tightly, and Xenia hesitantly grabbed my head and kissed my forehead.

“…I will give you plenty of comfort. So much so that I can’t even remember the desire to collect.”

“I’m looking forward to that.”

For me, the desire to collect and possess is not interchangeable and is completely separate from sexual desire, but I didn’t expect to be understood anyway, so I just smiled bitterly and got up.

“But before that, there’s something to check. Sahara. You said that the Fountain of Wisdom was the work of a dragon or a high-ranking demon, right?”

“I’m not sure, but there is no being that can create something like that, other than dragons or similar beings.”

“So you mean they might intervene if we destroy the Fountain of Wisdom?”

“We cannot deny that possibility, but if it were a dragon, it would intervene by greatly suppressing its own power in the form of ‘play’. It would be a different story if they were high-ranking demons… but if they had been summoned to Middle Earth in the first place, they wouldn’t have gone through such trouble. Because I’ll just use force. In other words, there is a high possibility that warlocks will pop up instead of high-ranking demons.”

Even if a 7th circle warlock pops up like last time, I can handle it now.

“I see… Then, for now, Harriet and Karen should first seal the entrance to the cave. Everyone else joins me in clearing out the orcs. Uncovering the secrets of the Fountain of Wisdom comes next.”

“Okay.”

“I will honor your name.”

After briefly checking my weapons, I went outside and the blue rain came rushing towards me as if I had been waiting for it.

“How was it?”

“Yes. I heard it was awesome. The fountain of wisdom. Thanks to you, I gained a lot.”

“Is that so? I’m so glad. Well, then now teach me the mana exercises…”

“Oh, speaking of that… I’m sorry.”

Feeling a clear sense of guilt, I grasped the handle of the sword with a distorted smile, and the blue rain took a step back, perhaps because it felt ominous.

“Yes, yes? What do you mean by that…”

His words did not last until the end.

This is because in the next moment, the body and head were separated.

“I’m really sorry. You can blame me as much as you want.”

“You humans! What on earth are you doing!”

“Byeo, gather your troops! Those humans…!”

The orcs guarding the blue rain and the orcs standing guard around the Fountain of Wisdom also died in an instant from my sword.

Meanwhile, Harriet and Karen were already moving quickly and heading toward the cave entrance.

“Phew…”

“Chwiiigik! The humans betrayed!”

“Take up your weapons! Get ready to fight!”

Seeing the Orc village suddenly in chaos really gave me a sour taste in my mouth. But once I decided to do it, I had no intention of doing it half-heartedly.

Kill all talking orcs who have taken up residence in this cave.