Chapter 104. Forgotten Truth (2)
The County had only just taken its first step toward revival. Even so, its overall framework and system had already been established.
However, a round trip to the royal capital would require at least one month.
In other words, I would have to leave the County for at least a month.
Therefore, I needed to reinforce the system further so that everything could proceed smoothly without confusion during my absence.
“Is there anything you did not understand from what I explained?”
At my question, Bernard, the Head Butler, sank deep into thought.
A moment later, he nodded.
“I understood everything.”
I asked him several questions, and he truly did understand it all.
Bernard was remarkably reliable, but....
‘Bernard has never triggered an Affinity message.’
Now that I thought about it, Bernard’s Affinity was the only one that had never appeared.
Come to think of it, I knew practically nothing about Bernard either.
Father had been the one who brought Bernard here. Father had also been the one who appointed him Head Butler.
Nor did I possess any information about him from my previous life. I did not even know whether Bernard had survived during the war.
I had never investigated him separately because I had neither been particularly interested in him nor considered him important.
I had even forgotten his name.
In other words, the only thing I knew about Bernard was that he was a stickler for principles.
‘I can’t tell what he’s thinking.’
Just like Isolde, he was utterly inscrutable.
Yet even the inscrutable Isolde had triggered an Affinity message.
‘Hmm.’
A sudden curiosity arose within me.
When I used Predatory Instinct [S], information related to Bernard appeared before my eyes.
==<Character Information>==
Name: Bernard Neville
Classification: Kingdom Animalia, Class Mammalia, Family Hominidae, Human
Sex: Male
Age: 38
Trait: Versatility [G]
....There was nothing particularly unusual.
The only noteworthy thing was the trait Versatility [G]—
◆Versatility [G] : The user possesses outstanding situational judgment and environmental adaptability, granting them the ability to skillfully solve problems under various circumstances. Although the user will find it difficult to acquire exceptional expertise in one particular field, their comprehensive problem-solving ability allows them to immediately analyze situations and present the best possible solution.
[G] represented the Grand Rank.
It was a rank that had appeared for the first time.
It belonged to a category of special ability ranks that differed from the ranks used for biological evolution abilities, which ranged from F to S.
That was why several ranks existed that I had never encountered before.
Judging from what I had seen, it was one rank above Edlen’s Sense [R] and one rank below Unique [U].
Therefore, the ranks could be rearranged as follows:
Rare [R] < Grand [G] < Unique [U] < Epic [E] < Legendary [L] < Mythic [M] < Primal [P].
True to the meaning of “Grand”, it was a talent that made him competent in numerous fields.
However, as the description indicated, it would be difficult for him to become an expert in any one field.
Nevertheless, it was an exceptional talent for a Head Butler who served as the lord’s representative.
There was a clear reason Father had trusted him despite his relatively young age.
It also explained how Bernard had been able to understand every instruction I had just given him.
‘Hmm.’
For now, that was everything Predatory Instinct [S] could reveal.
Just in case, I also used Find Weakness [U], but it did not accomplish much.
In other words, I still had no idea why his Affinity message had never appeared....
“I will ensure that everything proceeds without disruption.”
….Bernard was inscrutable in more ways than one.
* * *
In the middle of the snowy plain, tents stood silently amid the biting winds.
Cold air battered the tents from every direction, but smoke from the campfires within rose as white steam while melting the surrounding chill.
Outside those tents, the Vister recruits writhed while half-buried in the snow.
“U-Uuugh...!”
“Aaaargh!”
They were not undergoing basic training but tactical endurance training. It was grueling tactical training designed to simulate real combat conditions.
“Haaagh...! Haaagh...!”
“I-I think I’m going to die...!”
Even for the Visters, it was nothing short of hell.
Still, perhaps because the Visters had spent practically every day of their lives brawling,
‘They’re enduring it surprisingly well.’
They were successfully enduring training that even veteran soldiers despised.
In truth, tactical endurance training was also exhausting for the instructors supervising it.
That was why instructors usually forced their subordinates to handle most of the work, but....
“Have you arrived, Lord Adrian?”
Kai was not merely supervising the training. He was undergoing it alongside the recruits.
Despite that, all four of his limbs remained perfectly fine. Even his breathing had not grown ragged.
‘He’s practically a Lich.’
......
Calling him a Lich would hardly be an exaggeration.
When I examined him with Predatory Instinct [S], that assessment proved surprisingly accurate.
Kai had fully ascended to the Master realm.
Seraphia had also safely recovered.
The synergy between those two developments had strengthened Kai’s Immortal Link [E].
Previously, he had been like a “zombie” who remained alive despite his body being completely ruined.
Now, he had been elevated to something resembling a “vampire” capable of recovering from fatal wounds.
Fortunately—or perhaps unfortunately—the ability had not improved enough to increase in rank.
However, considering the speed of his growth, becoming a Lich was only a matter of time.
No, forget becoming a Lich.
....He might eventually surpass one.
However, Liches and Death Knights were both among the highest-ranking undead entities.
Therefore, the only immortality superior to that of a Lich belonged to the Monarch of Immortality.
In other words, Kai possessed the potential to grow to the “Monarch level”....
‘Is this guy insane?’
He was genuinely monstrous.
Just as I was surpassing the Predator from my previous life, Kai was surpassing the Commander of the Frost Legion.
Fortunately, Kai’s immortality could still be ended by killing Seraphia, but....
‘That bastard Ian....’
Ian’s whereabouts remained unknown.
What would ultimately happen to Seraphia was also uncertain.
....In any case.
When I looked around, I saw that the recruits were enjoying the brief respite brought about by my arrival.
They sat in the snow, catching their ragged breaths and wiping away their sweat.
At the same time, their eyes were filled with dread because they did not know when the training would resume.
‘They look exactly like the members of the Special Task Force.’
Memories of my days with the Coalition Forces resurfaced one after another, causing a faint chuckle to escape me.
“Kai, I don’t know whether you have already heard, but—”
I told Kai that we would be traveling to the kingdom’s capital. Kai listened attentively before nodding.
“Then I will prepare as well.”
Kai immediately started walking away. It seemed he intended to prepare for the journey to the capital.
“Kai, you will remain here.”
The moment I finished speaking, Kai stopped dead in his tracks.
“....What do you mean?”
“I mean exactly what I said. Kai, you will remain in the County.”
“I cannot accept that.”
Kai answered without hesitation.
His eyes resembled blue opals. An unwavering determination shone within them.
“I must escort Lady Seraphia throughout the journey to the capital.”
His resolve made it clear that he intended to follow us even if it killed him.
Well, I had expected this. He was a lunatic who lived and died for Seraphia.
That was not a metaphor. His Immortal Link [E] genuinely worked that way.
“If you leave, who will command the remaining recruits?”
“The instructors from the Count’s Castle can—”
“Do you truly believe the instructors and soldiers of the Count’s Castle can control them?”
There were no fewer than 2,132 recruits.
Their sheer numbers alone were overwhelming.
Moreover, all of them had originally been “Visters”.
For now, they had submitted to me.
However, it was still too early to believe that they sincerely followed me.
In other words, what would happen if I left?
No one knew how they might change. Frankly, it would not be strange if they started a rebellion.
Had the Lawless City of Violess not been created in much the same way?
Of course, the circumstances had been somewhat different.
Nevertheless, the White Wolf County could potentially become another Lawless City.
“You are the only person capable of protecting the County during my absence, Kai.”
That was why Kai absolutely had to remain behind.
Now that he had fully ascended to the Master realm, he could easily command and control thousands of Visters.
“....Even so.”
Kai’s voice trembled.
Conflict briefly appeared within his blue opal-like eyes.
He lowered his head and remained silent for a long time.
He seemed to be struggling immensely with the decision.
Still, Kai’s sense of responsibility was just as exceptional as his loyalty. Of course, his sense of responsibility could never surpass that loyalty.
“We are merely protecting her in different ways. Kai, remain here and safely protect the home to which Seraphia will return.”
“....Understood.”
Kai finally nodded in a low voice.
Seeing him like this, his Affinity being at the [Trust] stage or whatever else no longer mattered.
To Kai, Seraphia took priority over absolutely everything.
‘Does he really care about Seraphia that much?’
Was it merely because of his loyalty?
Or did he personally cherish Seraphia?
Perhaps those two feelings had become so ambiguously intertwined that even Kai himself could no longer distinguish between them.
I used Find Weakness [U], but it did not accomplish much.
In other words, I could not determine why Kai was so fanatically devoted to Seraphia....
“Please take good care of Lady Seraphia.”
....Kai was inscrutable in a completely different way.
* * *
Time passed quickly, and a week went by.
The promised date of their departure for the kingdom’s capital rapidly approached.
On one side, the horses that would pull the carriages chewed on hay, while soldiers performed one final inspection of the carriage wheels.
Preparations for the long journey were in full swing.
‘Finally!’
Seraphia had been unable to conceal her excitement. She would be traveling alone with Adrian to the kingdom’s capital.
Strictly speaking, maids and soldiers would accompany them as well, but....
....In any case!
‘I’m so nervous!!’
Seraphia took a deep breath.
Even so, her mind was already filled with countless fantasies.
‘Would he find me annoying if I talked too much?’
In that case, perhaps she should adopt a quiet and reserved demeanor.
Adrian might be unable to endure the awkward silence and speak to her first. They would then naturally begin sharing conversations inside the carriage.
There would be that strange tension whenever their eyes occasionally met.
Then, if she grew exhausted during the long journey, fell asleep, and accidentally leaned against Adrian’s shoulder....?
‘Wh-What would I do then?!’
Her cheeks turned red with anticipation and excitement. Her heart burned with exhilaration.
She steadied her breathing and desperately tried to calm herself. However, her fingertips continued fidgeting with the hem of her clothes.
She felt certain that this journey would bring her closer to Adrian.
Even if she could not completely change Adrian’s determination to leave the family, she believed she could at least change much of his mind.
Before long, the surrounding commotion gradually subsided. The soldiers and maids had finished preparing for the journey.
They stood silently, waiting for the order to depart.
Then, at that moment—
“Ah! He’s here!”
Adrian emerged from the Count’s Castle and walked past Seraphia.
Seraphia followed closely behind him with quick, light steps. Just as she was about to enter the same carriage as Adrian,
“What are you doing?”
Adrian suddenly frowned deeply.
“Why are you getting into this carriage?”
“What...? Because—”
“You will ride in the carriage ahead.”
“What? The one ahead...?”
When she turned and looked toward the front—
She saw another carriage.
It was a completely separate carriage positioned far away from Adrian’s.
“Th-That carriage?”
“Yes.”
“I’m not riding with you, Big Brother?”
“We don’t have time.”
Adrian shut the carriage door.
“Ah...! Aah....”
All the excitement and anticipation she had nurtured shattered into pieces.
Seraphia tightly pressed her lips together. Pretending to remain calm, she started walking away.
Her carriage stood far from Adrian’s. For some reason, that distance felt even greater than it actually was—
“......”
Before she knew it, Seraphia’s small shoulders had drooped dejectedly.
* * *
Inside the rattling carriage, our traveling speed was not particularly fast.
‘It would have been nice if we had an Aether Carriage.’
Aether Carriage.
It was a means of transportation powered by Aether rather than horses.
With an Aether Carriage’s exceptional speed, it was possible to reach the capital within two days.
That was not its only advantage. It optimized the storage space available for supplies.
It possessed an automatic restoration function powered by internal arcane circuits.
It also contained barriers and impact-absorption devices that activated instantly during emergencies.
The Aether Carriage offered numerous conveniences and could be utilized for military purposes.
Aether Carriages had been one of the decisive reasons why the Logistics Command’s supply deliveries had never ceased.
Unfortunately, it was impossible to construct an Aether Carriage at this point in time.
We lacked the necessary technology, and its construction required an advanced understanding of Arcane Engineering.
Consequently, even during my days with the Coalition Forces in my previous life, only one person had been capable of constructing them.
That person was the Hero of the Coalition Forces—the Blacksmith.
In any case, I left the gradually receding scenery of the County behind and sank deep into thought.
If this invitation to the royal social season had been arranged under the empire’s influence and involved the Monarch of Darkness—
“There is no information I can currently obtain.”
I did not know “why” Queen Marceline had invited Seraphia. Nor did I know “what” she intended to accomplish by inviting her.
However, I did know why the queen had been bought off by the empire.
“She must have joined forces with the empire to bring Leon down.”
In truth, Leon was not Queen Marceline’s son. He was the child of a Royal Mistress.
In other words, he was the child of a concubine.
The Kingdom of Vatenberg practiced monogamy.
However, because the royal family had to ensure the continuation of its bloodline, the king was occasionally permitted to take a concubine known as a “Royal Mistress”.
Even then, she was nothing more than an “officially recognized mistress”.
She was not formally acknowledged as the king’s wife or a member of the royal family.
Therefore, the child of a concubine could not become an heir to the throne, but—
“Leon was simply too exceptional.”
The Coalition Forces had once evaluated Leon as follows:
—If Ian had not existed, Leon would have become the Supreme Commander of the Coalition Forces.
Leon’s personal combat ability had not been particularly exceptional. He could not compare to Ian, much less the other Heroes.
However, Leon’s outstanding leadership ability allowed him to rise to the position of Field Commander within the Coalition Forces.
In other words, Leon’s abilities were genuine.
Even if he was the child of a concubine, royal blood still flowed through his veins.
If the queen wanted to bring down someone like Leon,
“She would have had no choice but to join forces with the empire.”
The empire had probably provided the queen with enormous financial support through the Dark Merchant Company.
In exchange, the queen would have turned a blind eye to the empire’s activities.
In my previous life, Leon had consequently been removed from the line of succession.
The Kingdom of Vatenberg was ultimately divided and destroyed by the empire.
“All the truth was erased by the Monarch of Darkness.”
The truth had merely been forgotten.
However, things were different now. I could currently resist the Authority of Oblivion.
They said that every crisis was also an opportunity.
“If I can make Leon the Crown Prince....”
The future balance of power would change completely.
Leon, the Lion of the Coalition Forces.
If I could grant Leon political power, he could become a game changer who would completely reshape the future.
It would all begin with this journey to the capital.
A tremendous change would begin with the faintest flutter of a butterfly’s wings.
“Should I prepare as well?”
There was a possibility that I would encounter the Monarch of Darkness in the kingdom’s capital.
Furthermore, there was the social season being hosted by Queen Marceline.
Entering it without possessing any relevant information was practically equivalent to thrusting my head into a dragon’s maw, but—
It was fine.
I had returned to the past, to a time before the emperor began acting in earnest.
At this point in history, rare monsters still lived in the wilds of the continent.
There was the Fluidization ability, which reduced bodily friction and enabled swift, smooth movements.
There was Night Vision, which allowed its user to see objects clearly even in pitch-black darkness.
There was Concealment, which allowed its user to blend perfectly into the surrounding environment and hide from view.
And there were many more.
“Let’s see....”
Drawing upon the memories of my previous life, I began compiling a list of monsters with rare abilities that I could consume with Predation [S+] during the journey to the capital.
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