Elisia came to a small room near the dining room, the place she had visited when she saw the map of Runga. Scott was already in the room, smoking another cigarette. The sound of Elisia's footsteps made the man turn around. The cigarette was immediately extinguished, but Elisia stopped it.
“I don't mind if you smoke in front of me. I can accept it,” Elisia said.
“This is Risk's request. I can't break his word.” Scott stubbed out the cigarette in the ashtray.
After turning off the cigarette, Scott poured a pitcher of tea. He also poured a spoonful of sugar into the drink. Then he served it on the table. Elisia sat while watching Scott's behavior, which was calmer than before.
“I made it special for you. I heard you like tea,” Scott said, starting the conversation.
Elisia took the glass hesitantly. The aroma of tea wafted through her nose. Elisia took a small sip to confirm the taste. The girl was familiar with the taste of Scott's tea, just like the royal maids made in Gwelissa. The combination of tea leaves with jasmine flowers could recognize by her tongue.
“When I was dating with Betty, she made this tea for me. I really don't like tea, but the blend she creates made me love it. It's the best tea I've ever tasted.” Scott poured another cup of tea and gave it to Elisia. “After marrying her, she said that this tea was the drink of the Naumann family.”
Elisia remembered the traditions that existed in the kingdom of Gwelissa; if someone pours tea and it has given to you, then you have to accept it. Elisia accepted the glass and drank it. Scott smiled at her.
“You still remember that tradition, apparently,” Scott said, “I just wanted to ask you two questions. I won't ask for a sensitive topic.”
“So that's why you called me here?” Elisia replied.
“Yes, and I want to spend time with you.” Scott poured more tea after saying that.
Elisia fell silent and felt something familiar. The girl recalled events in the past that might relate to the present, especially to Scott. Scott's speech that brought up tradition made her suspect that Scott was someone who had been present in her life.
“Well. What do you want to ask of me?”
Scott smiled. “You don't have to answer all the questions. I understand your condition. Just think of this as a form of our friendship, like Risk and you.”
Elisia nodded and smiled seriously.
“First question, what is your full name?”
Elisia thought for a moment. “Elisia Von Naumann.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yes. That's what in my memory right now.”
Scott covered his mouth and took a deep breath. Elisia felt that there was something odd about the man's response. She was curious about what questions would come from the Province's husband's mouth.
“Second question, do you still remember The Pegasus Wings Training?”
“Pardon me?”
“Pegasus Wings Training. I'm sure you remember it.”
Elisia recalled the events of the past again. There was a big event held by the Gwelissa Kingdom when she was 11 years old. All the royal archers gathered at the Gwelissa training grounds. She was there with her parents. After her father gave a short speech, the activity held.
All the archers drew their bows to hit the target in front of them. Several people in black were standing near them; gave orders to the archers.
Elisia didn't know what activity it was. Her father simply replied that it was a joint exercise between Gwelissa and Siraca. The flags spread around the field only depict the head of a horse with wings behind its neck. Elisia wide-eyed.
“You remember it.”
“Why are you asking me that?”
Scott smiled. “Pegasus Wings was one of the most successful bilateral cooperation programs in Gwelissa. All the best archer armies of the two countries trained on the same ground and breathed the same air. You were there, watching your favorite squad took an aim.”
Elisia was surprised. “That means, you…”
“I was there, dressed in black, standing among the army of archers. I was lucky enough to train an army that was near the king. I could see you with all your innocence.”
Elisia was taken aback. Actually, Scott's words didn't surprise her. She had already tolerated everyone related to her past. But, they would be the target of Elisia's questions about the past.
Scott got up from the chair and walked over to the large shelf. He took down a box with a chessboard pattern. The man opened it. He spruced the chess pieces into the box. Scott took out all the pieces and folded the square into a game board. Then, he arranged the pieces according to their roles and positions.
Elisia felt familiar with the chessboard. The distinctive shape of the pawns decorated with the heads of soldiers and royal ranks made her brain work harder. Her memory also merged with Province in the past. In her vision, Province was playing chess with her father in the living room, right in front of Elisia. The game ended with Province was defeated.
“Next, maybe we should relax by playing chess. Isn't this your father's favorite game?”
“How do you know?”
“Province was quite careless in keeping valuables and keeping secrets. She said it when I accidentally made a request,” Scott replied.
“But…, I can't play chess,” Elisia replied.
“Does not matter. I will teach you.”
The game started. Elisia asked to move a small pawn. Scott moved the horse pawn. Even though Elisia had never played this board game, her moves were confusing to Scott. The girl felt her father, who accompanied her to play.
When she wanted to move the king pawn, Elisia felt a vibration from the pawn. She lifted and wiggled it, as if there was space. Elisia turned it over and looked at the legs. Her hand touched the leg, and it opened. She took out the contents.
It surprised Scott to see a ruby-shaped object that came out from inside the black king's pawn. Elisia held the thing. A red light emanated from it and dazzled their eyes. After the light dissipated, it absorbed the item into the [Fire Pendulum]. Elisia didn't know what it was, but it likely belonged to her father.
A notification appeared in front of Elisia.
.
“New Achievement Unlocked: Behind The Chess”
“Reward: [Ruby of Holy Knights]”
.
“Elisia, what is that?” Scott asked in surprise.
“I don’t know. That thing is inside this piece.”
“Could it be… it's your father's heirloom? Did you know that?”
“No. I didn't know dad liked to keep stuff like this in weird places.” Elisia remembered something. “Could it be, that was the reason dad liked to play as a black team?”
Suddenly, Elisia checked all the pawn displayed on the chessboard. There was no pawn like the black king pawn. The ruby had also entered the pendulum. So Elisia checked it.
Elisia Naumann
Level 20 (900/2500 exp)–Vanguard
Max HP : 1208 /1208
Stamina : 730/730
Skill Point (SP) : 220/220
ATK : 510
DEF : 301
RES : 15.9%
Agility : 45
.
Active Skills
1. Molten Flame (level 7 (Max level))
Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.
SP Requires : 36
ATK +75% and every attack gains 40% chance to ignore 20% Enemy DEF.
Duration: 31 second
2. Duetto (Level 5 (200/800))
SP Requires : 20
ATK +50% and burst a Fire that can attack 3 targets within 2 metres range. When hit the enemy, decrease 24% RES to them for 5 second.
Duration: 20 second
3. [Unknown]
(Unlocked in Level 25)
4. [Unknown]
(Unlocked in Level 40)
5. [Unknown]
(Unlocked in Level 50)
Passive Skills
1. Sixth Sense (level 5 (Max Level))
Can see the level, full statistics, and all skills of other characters, including their weakness
Duration: Passive
2. Overheat substitution (Cannot be upgraded)
When 2 or more enemies within the radius 5 metres; ATK +10%, DEF +15%, and RES +5%. Deal 40% damage to enemies that attack you. When against a hostile enemy, ATK +100%, DEF +50%, gain 80% physical and art dodge, and reduce 40% Critical damage that attacks her.
Duration: Passive
.
Equipment
1. Wool Jacket (not equipped)
2. Dublin Spear (saved)
3. Flame Pendulum (equipped)
4. Necklace of Fortune (equipped)
5. Christ’s Hairpin (saved)
6. Ruby of Holy Knights (saved)
7. Book of Hex Aegis (available)
8. Monstra, Book of Monsters (available)
9. Telum Experto (available)
.
Elisia wondered what her father was hiding in the black king pawn. The name of the thing made her think about the rooms of Gwelissa's palace. There were several rooms that Elisia could not enter, one of which was the treasure room. The reason her father had given to her back then was that the room contained a lot of jewelery that could make someone lose their sanity.
The game of chess stopped because of the discovery of the strange object. Scott got up from the chair carrying a pot of tea.
“I want to return this teapot to the kitchen. You can wait here if you want.”
Elisia checked all the pawns that might be a place to hide other things. But, there were no suspicious pawn. Elisia leaned back while taking a breath. For now, Elisia had her father's legacy. Maybe there was a secret hidden in the land of Gwelissa.
Elisia raised the chessboard. All the pawns above it fell to the floor. She looked at the bottom of the board. There were some Gwelissian writings that not understood. Elisia remembered that she had studied the writing, but had not reached the Eurawi level yet, the highest level in the Gwelissian language. If she was proficient at that level, Elisia would have already figured out the meaning of those words.
“The only words in this writing I know are 'Kenigtia' and 'Terinsa'. The meaning of the two words is knight and horse. I knew it related to them because the knights of Gwelissa were always on horseback. But, I'm sure that's not the point,” Elisia thought.
Her father must have written this text for someone, it could be a message or a warning. Elisia leaned back again with a headache filled with all the mysteries of her past. Elisia's determination grew stronger for the return to Gwelissa.
When she was about to get up from the chair, Scott came back with some [Bread] and [Strawberry Jam]. The girl sat down again. Scott surprised to see Elisia's behavior.
“Is there any problem? You look like you've seen something,” Scott asked in surprise.
“Oh, nothing!” Elisia shook her head in panic. “What did you bring with, white bread and strawberry jam?”
“You are right. Province asked me to bring it here. I told her that Elisia had eaten, but she still asked me to bring it,” Scott explained, “If you don't eat it, that's fine too. Don't force your little belly!”
Elisia watched the food. Her memory flashed again. Bread with strawberry jam was her favorite breakfast menu. Her mother always smeared the jam with the right thickness, so it wasn't too sweet and sour. She wanted to eat the bread with the spread of jam, but morning breakfast menu still filled her stomach.
Elisia got up from the chair to go to the bathroom. She ran to the room, which was on the second floor. Upon arrival, Elisia washed her face and looked in the mirror. Elisia didn't understand Scott's behavior today. He seemed to bring up her past, only because he had worked at Gwelissa in the training.
“What should I do? This past binds me even more and forces me to return.” Elisia babbled in the mirror. “Golden Shadow, are you there? I know you won't answer my question right now, but do I have to forget memories to stay focused on my purpose here?”
The mirror didn't show the slightest reaction. Elisia lowered her head into the washtafel as she thought about what happened this morning. As she thought, she had to forget her memories for a while. At least until Elisia got to Gwelissa later. He walked to the bathtub and opened the tap.
“A shower in the morning would be very relaxing,” Elisia thought.
Without thinking, Elisia took off all the clothes attached to her body. The water tap opened and left full. After a few minutes of waiting, Elisia got into the bathtub. Water wet her entire body, creating an atmosphere that made her body more relaxed.
Elisia washed her body using a foam cloth that was placed next to the bathtub. She felt strange when touched her body. She was 17 years old now, but there were some minor changes in her body. Elisia looked at her chest and found that her breasts were bigger than before.
“Very weird. I have been away from the palace for a year, but it has grown in size,” Elisia muttered while holding her breasts.
Then Elisia also felt a change in her hips. She touched it slowly. Elisia couldn't remember the last time he had measured her limbs, but her hips also felt wider than before. Elisia suspected that she had not disappeared for a year, in fact.
As the water temperature dropped, Elisia finished her bath. She used [Fire Pendulum] to dry her body instantly. After putting on the clothes, Elisia rushed out of the bathroom.
“I hope I'm not left behind,” she muttered to herself.
Elisia approached the kitchen. Everyone still gathered there. Province also among them. She had time to listen to the conversation between Province and Scott.
“I told you, don't ask the princess that! I'm afraid she will think about it all day.”
“I’m sorry. I think making her remember will make her feel better.”
“I'm fine.” Elisia's answer shocked everyone.
Province ran to Elisia and hugged her. “Elisia, are you okay? Are you dizzy?”
“No. I just took a shower. The water was very fresh.” Elisia raised her thumb.
Province turned to Scott with a murderous look. “You're still lucky she's okay. Otherwise, I will force you to sleep in the trash for three days!”
“Okay, I won't do it again. Huh, that's why I don't like dealing with the royal family.” Scott walked to the back door.
Province let go of Elisia's embrace. “Be careful! Every time you get in trouble, never hesitate to use your abilities.”
“Okay. Thank you, Vivi!” Elisia ran to her friends.
They headed for the hideout place across the street. As before, they had to cross at a fairly busy crossroads. Elisia didn't understand what had happened today, but it seemed like a busy day.
Elisia tugged at Scott's jacket. “Scott, why is it so crowded today?”
“You are so innocent, Elisia. It's Monday, the day that many people hate. Everyone's going to work all day long,” Scott replied with a smile.
From a distance, Elisia saw Captain Jayston on the corner. He seemed to chatting with a woman. Elisia looked at Jayston's stats from where she was standing. Her eyes widened.
Jesselton Jayston
Level 57-Berserker
Max HP : 3562
ATK : 452 (Caster) & 626 (Executioner)
DEF : 136 (Caster) & 569 (Executioner)
RES : 50% (Caster) & 10% (Executioner)
Agility : 30 (Caster) & 64 (Executioner)
.
Skills
1. Blood Spell
ATK +30% and Attack two targets simulately. The target gains Stun status (Can’t attack or use the skill) for 5 seconds.
2. Cross Blood Sundowner
Emits a [Iron Cross Dark Blood] that deals 150% art damage for 15 seconds.
3. Iron Aura
When entering to the {Executioner Mode}, gains 3 layer of shields. Each of layer can absorb 50% damage.
[Unknown]
[Unknown]
.
Weakness
Physical Damage {Caster form} and Art Damage {Executioner Mode}.
Resistance effects like [Damage Absorption] and [Damage Resistant].
.
After the green light flashed, they rushed across the street and headed straight for the hideout. They didn't respond to everyone who greeted them, and kept going non-stop. Arriving at the hideout, Scott opened the unlocked door. Kafka and Ilya were already inside.
“You guys are late!” Ilya said.
“Hey, what's the problem?!” Kafka elbowed Ilya. “They have come. I can't wait to hear what big plans Scott has created.”
Scott smiled at the enthusiasm of his two colleagues. He rolled out the roll of paper he had brought from home and showed it to everyone. Elisia saw it too. It was a floor plan of the ELECTEC main building.
“I named the mission this time, 'Operation Prototype'. We will infiltrate the main ELECTEC building to retrieve the archives of five combat devices. According to information from our colleagues there, they hide the archives in a giant vault on the 7th floor,” Scott explained.
Scott turned to Ilya. “Ilya, sabotage the CCTV and security systems in the building! Hold on it as long as possible!”
“Okay sir!” Ilya nodded.
Having finished with Ilya, Scott turned to Upgrade. “Upgrade, I know you've been in that building before. You can show me the way to the vault.”
“I haven't been in that building in a long time, but my memory is still good,” Upgrade replied.
“Risk and Elisia, you will come with me to that vault. Search the archive with this cover!” Scott showed me a photo from the archive book with the ELECTEC logo on it.
“Understood!” Risk and Elisia answered together.
“Rhino, I want you to take care of Ilya. Make sure no one suspects you.”
“I understand!" Rhino replied excitedly.
“Last, Dao and Kafka. You guys will monitor the situation outside the building until we're done. If any police come to the building, notify us immediately!”
“Dao will execute the task!”
“Always ready, sir!” Kafka was wearing strange glasses.
“Right. We already understand about each other's duties. We're leaving in five minutes. Dao and Kafka, you can leave now!” Scott saluted with hands.
Dao and Kafka nodded. After they left, everyone got their gear ready. Scott gave a green uniform to Elisia and her friends. They immediately put on the clothes of the ELECTEC building janitor. The clothes that Elisia received were slightly larger, but fit on her body if she didn't take off her original clothes.
Scott approached Elisia. He held both of the girl's arms and his face was serious. Elisia felt that this mission was very important, like the mission of stealing the [Greatsword of Sully] from the Sicilians.
“Listen, My Liege! Be normal when we make it into the building. Don’t create suspicious reactions or trigger warning alarms. Actually, I don't want to take you on a mission, especially if Risk forced me to do it. You understand your job, right?”
“Yes, I understand. I've done missions like this before in Tanin. You can trust me,” Elisia answered confidently.
Scott turned to Risk, who was standing to Elisia's right. The man responded by nodding. Scott took a deep breath.
“Well. I trust you, but don't act alone if you're in trouble.”
After listening to Scott's words, a message appeared in front of Elisia.
“Objective Complete!”
“Reward: 500 Player EXP”
.
“Next Objective”
“Infiltrate the ELECTEC Main Building and take a (Five Combat Devices) out”
“Reward: 400 Skill EXP”
.
The walkie talkie started ringing. Scott answered a call from Kafka who spoke from it. They had been monitoring the building and there was no sign of the police or special forces from Jayston. Scott and the team started moving into the ELECTEC building with the equipment.
“Mission Start!”