This is the final chapter...of the Iosop forest arc(nothing really happened though)
After I came back, we started traveling like before…at least that is how it looks to them. I may have come back, but 65 years is still too much time. It will take awhile before I could get the same feel as before…
I also know that I need to learn more about this world. I realized that I lack knowledge about this world, so I guess I will stay in the kingdom and gather information. I also have to sort out things with Feric, I need to clear things up before we get to the kingdom.
On the first week of our travel, everyone tried to get accustomed with their new equipment. They could all feel a large boost in their body, and used the first week to try various things with their new found power.
On the second week, I started training them. Since I am under the same class tree as them, I know how to make them improve. I would train each of them twice a week, giving me one day of break. I asked Pooch opinion on their growth cause I probably shouldn’t compare them to me, and it seems that they are growing a lot faster than average.
Nero was training in the god fist style, although he was having a bit of a hard time with the different footworks. His Cerberus gauntlet was spiky, and had slightly sharp fingers, like a claw of a beast. It had a black color and extended to his elbow. The balzan armor was spiky like the gauntlets, and was purple in color
Feric was simply learning the concepts of magic through imagination, while I also taught him higher level spells. Rune orb was a purple crystal ball at the size of a person’s head, and can float around the user at will. Krion robe looked like a long-sleeved shirt that extended down to his foot. The shirt starts to separate in two after his waist, leaving the lower body visible. He had also had purple pants under the lower part of the shirt, which more or less covers his lower body. The krion robe had a black color.
Ciela was training under the fast mobility style, and fluid trajectory change. Unlike her explosive personality, her fighting style was composed of sending a lot of feints to confuse the enemy. The sun & moon swords become short swords after Ciela synced with them. The sun sword had an orange blade, and a yellow hilt. The moon sword had a grey blade and a black hilt. Her leezian armor was looked like a smaller version of my armor. Both of us had purple colored armor.
With that, we looked like a suspicious group, because we are all covered in dark colored equipment. I just hope we don’t get mistaken for a cult or something…
___
One day, after training Feric, I finally had the courage to ask him. I made sure that the others weren’t around, so the talk would only be between us. I looked directly in to his eyes, which shocked him because he wasn’t expecting a serious talk.
“Feric…do you love me? If I remember correctly, your reason for joining us is…”(Shera)
“Yes, I love you.”(Feric)
After a long moment of staring at each other, I finally spoke.
“I see…sorry but I already love Nero.”(Shera)
“I know that. I still love you, but I already gave up. There is no point in me hindering your path of happiness.”(Feric)
“Will you still stay on the party?”(Shera)
“I could still stay for a few years, if that’s what you want. I enjoy being with the party after all, and hey, I need to make connections with the Duchess Nillin.”(Feric)
After talking a bit more about it, he has decided to help me first in the construction of my duchy before returning back to his family. He still has lingering feelings, but he said it would fade in time…it’s not like everyone could be successful on their first love. I felt guilty about it, but it is better than giving him false hope…
___
(Mirael’s POV)
I was called to retarded…I mean lord Zaladin’s void room. I am summoned here from time to time to give the current information to lord Zaladin, because he doesn’t really go out of this room. I have just finished telling him about the state of our territory. 4 of continents that we have conquered are rebelling, but are being quelled by my brothers and sisters.
“So those fools are still at it…What about the other 2 continent? How long will it take to conquer them?”(Zaladin)
“It seems that the other 2 continents are putting up a fight, but it wouldn’t last long. We would probably conquer the other continents in a few years.”(Mirael)
“Good, now only Zeirberg is left.”(Zaladin)
…I also want to see the people that killed my brother.
“Anyways, that’s all that I wanted know, you can leave now.”(Zaladin)
I hate the people that killed my brother, but the one I hate the most is Lord Zaladin who gave my brother the order. If I am given the chance, I would rather serve a normal majin instead of lord Zaladin. How did he create us anyway?
I went out of the void room, and walked past the great blood hall which connects the void room to the hidden basement of Crysalia Castle. Our main forces are scattered to different continents, but my own elite servants are with me inside the Castle.
When I back to my room inside the castle, I was welcomed by one of my servants.
“Welcome back Mirael-sama”(Servant)
“Sigh…good thing lord Zaladin didn’t do anything perverted today.”(Mirael)
“…if lord Zaladin hears this.”(Servant)
“He won’t, unless you tell him.” I directed a bit of blood lust to my ever so faithful servant.
“Of course, even if we are under lord Zaladin’s rule, you are the one I serve.”(Servant)
Jokes aside, this guy is really loyal to me. I bet he would even fight lord Zaladin if I told him to…
Anyways, I am currently at my humanoid form so that I could fit inside that castle…OF COURSE THAT GIGANTING WINGED MONSTERS AREN’T OUR TRUE FORM!…the colossal figures we have are the result of us passing through the gates that lord Zaladin created.
The gates give us strength which forcefully changes our body into those hideous winged monsters, but we could still change back to our humanoid form. Lord Zaladin usually sends 3-5 rune king/queen to a place, and makes them use all of their mana and life force to summon us through a gate.
The gate in the void room makes me transform into my colossal form…and it seems that lord Zaladin thinks that it is our real form…so much for being a creator, he doesn’t even know much about his own creations.
Sigh…I wish someone would punch our creator in the face, and cancel the contract which makes us follow his commands. Tsk…I am forced to lie to my brothers and sisters, and tell them that everything we do is for the sake of the world. It is a bit frustrating that I am the only one who truly knows what’s happening.
“You seem tired Mirael-sama, you should rest for a bit.”(Servant)
“I’m fine, did anything happen while I was gone?”(Mirael)
“The rebel forces are still at the Elidor city, and our forces are currently attacking the city. If this keeps up, we would probably wipe the rebel forces in 8-10 months.”(Servant)
“I see, did any of our spies get inside the city?”(Mirael)
“Yes, 5 spies have successfully entered the city.”(Servant)
“Then make our forces retreat, make the enemy lower their guard, so our spies could do their work.”(Mirael)
“But Mirael-sama, we could just take prisoners, and torture them to get information.”(Servant)
“I know that, but I am sure most of them are trained to resist torture, and would probably kill themselves before we could get anything useful”(Mirael)
“I see, Mirael-sama’s knowledge is really above ours. I’ll give the order right away.” My servant went out, leaving me alone in my room.
Actually, what he said is true…I am simply using the loop holes in lord Zaladin’s contract to move in a way I want. Since I can’t blatantly tell my forces to stop attacking, I have to make it looks like I am doing it for the advancement of our conquest.
Whenever we disobey his rules or command, our body undergoes extreme pain. I am the only one that is still trying to foil lord Zaladin’s plans…he thinks I am his pawn? Think again! I will make sure your plans will fail...or not.
Sigh…lord Zaladin has already conquered 4 continents, how am I supposed to stop him with all of my restrictions? SOMEONE! KILL THAT DAMN MAJIN IN THE VOID ROOM ALREADY!
___
We are staying near a lake, and we are all swimming since they don’t want me to venture around on my own again. Come on, I am already this strong, I can protect myself!...Oops, I reverted back to my old personality.
The others didn’t need my guidance on their training that much, since they have already found their own styles. They have gotten stronger, stronger than I first saw them, stronger than what they could imagine…they still have a long way before mastering the basics though.
Pooch would also spar with my from time to time, it seems like he also wants to gets stronger. Anyways, I am relaxing my body, as I float around the lake.
“I’ll go back, I’ll start cooking dinner.”(Nero)
By the way, everyone already knows that I don’t need food or sleep. Although I told them that I still wanted to do it though. Even if I didn’t need it, it doesn’t change the fact that Nero’s cooking satisfies my tongue. For sleeping…It’s simply a way for me to relax, and to make Nero spend time waking me up.
While relaxing, I suddenly felt the urge to ask pooch something…I want to know more about this world anyways.
“Pooch, can I ask you about the other animal gods?”(Shera)
“Why? Am I not enough for you? Will you abandon me?” Pooch moved his cute little paws to swim on the lake, and get close to me.
C…cute
“No, I was just curious.”(Shera)
Pooch jumped from the water to my stomach. He curled around, and started rubbing his head on me.
“I won’t replace you…I simply wanted to know.”(Shera)
“…Hellion Rancar, Hellion Certz, Hellion Ganri, Hellion Balda, Hellion Erial, Hellion Hairn, and Hellion Valma.”(Pooch)
“…They all sound the same, what about their second name? you have colossal lion as a second name right? what about the others?”(Shera)
“Master…promise me that I will always be your number 1 pet ok?”(Pooch)
I thought you hated being called a pet?
“Ok, I promise”(Shera)
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“I will say their names on the same order as before.”(Pooch)
The only thing I remember is hellion…
“Shadow Eagle, Burning Fox, Raging Rabbit, Unstoppable horse, Tyrant panda, Sleepy Serpent, Havoc Owl.”(Pooch)
I thought they would all have ‘colossal’ on their names. Their titles are kinda hard to imagine…especially the last one. Havoc owl? You gave a calm looking animal a dangerous title? Really? Ah, forget it, this is a different world after all…but who gave them their 2nd names? They all have names of the animals from our world…
“I see”(Shera)
“You look like you are thinking about it…just don’t forget I am number 1 ok?”(Pooch)
A few minutes after that, and the food was ready. We ate and had fun talking with each other, this is life. Still couldn’t forget about the Havoc Owl though…it just sounds really off.
Nero and I haven’t really done anything aside from traveling together in the coach. I am sure we wanted to do more, but we just didn’t know what else to do. Maybe I could research more about relationships once we get to the kingdom.
There are probably a lot more things I should be thinking about, but since I can’t remember, I might as well just go with the flow…Wait, I am starting to be irresponsible again. I thought matured a lot after those 65 years? Why does it feel like I am slowly reverting back to my past self?
___
I have started doing other things in the coach. Unlike before, I am helping Feric or Ciela clean the coach. From time to time, I cook the food…it’s edible, and tastes normal. I started asking about Feric about things a duchess should know, and as I thought, I wasn’t ready for it yet…so I’ll simply enjoy life for now, and study later, promise.
…Even though I said I’ll study later, Feric got angry. I am now inside of the coach, and is being taught about how a duchess should act. It’s so simply, even a baby could understand it. For our first lesson, it was divided in to 3 parts. First is about how a noble should act, second is about how a noble should act, and last but not the least, I have to learn how a noble should act.
“Isn’t there an easier topic?”(Shera)
“This is already the easiest topic I could teach you.”(Feric)
This is the easiest? Then what kind of complex things will you teach me in the future?
“…”
On that day, I realized that there was one thing more difficult than training, more painful than dying, and more dreadful than fighting a million gods…studying.
Gruesome days went by, and after 7 months of traveling from Kanaria city, we finally arrived at the kingdom. For my studies, I am still learning economics, how money affects everything and how to make my duchy flourish…or things like that.
I could probably live an easier life by being an adventurer, could I somehow take away the duchess title away? I am really not fit for it.
As we got closer to the gates, we could see a line. On a closer look, it seems that the guards of the gate are inspecting the coaches before letting them in. We quietly waited for our turn. When the guards saw our coach, and saw the emblem at the back.All the guards bowed to us, and let us in without inspecting our coach, Nero was the driver by the way. Since this is the first time everyone went to here, we didn’t know where to go. Nero asked people for direction, but it seems like they dislike him…so even people here react to his wings.
Feric stepped out, and started asking for where the adventurer’s guild is. It has already been our custom to check our stats once we get to a city, and it seems they are also quite excited to check their growth…it is the same for me, I wonder how strong I am now.
A red winged vallar driving the coach, the emblem of the osdwin family at the back, and a beautiful lein that could be seen inside. Those are the reason why our coach attracted attention as we got went to the guild
We entered the guild, and left pooch to guard the coach. Our party attracted attention, as always, but we just ignored it and went to the counter. We paid the fee for checking our stats and updating our plates. We were guided to a room with 20 floating orbs…how long has it been since I last saw this?
As the others check their stats, the man with us almost fainted after seeing their plates...
Spoiler :
NameFeric Morc OsdwinRaceTalarAge157GenderMaleTITLES[Transcender][Awakened One][Savior]Level75ClassSageVitality63Agility47Strength59Defense45Magic Attack259Magic Defense235
NameNero VentusRaceVallarAge77GenderMaleTITLES[Transcender][Awakened One][Crimson Hero]Level72ClassWarmongerVitality236Agility127Strength182Defense98Magic Attack12Magic Defense8
NameCiela VentusRaceVallarAge32GenderFemaleTITLES[Hidden Gem][Transcender][Awakened One][The Hard Working One]Level68ClassPhantom SwordsmanVitality168Agility103Strength172Defense129Magic Attack20Magic Defense18
They all leveled up, and CIela’s level rose at a frightening level again. It seems that, Nero would stay on the same rank, while Ciela will also enter the gold(high) rank. The man felt like he just saw a legend in the making, a 32 year old girl reached the gold(high) rank simply by getting stronger.
NameShera NillinRaceUltima MajinAge67GenderFemaleTITLES[War Goddess][God Slayer][Rift Walker][Transcender][One at The Top]Level954ClassHybrid Chaos QueenVitality245,797Agility2876Strength5649Defense4357Magic Attack4785Magic Defense3957
When it was my turn, I kinda expected a lot of change, so I didn’t react much. Seems like my level doubled…I kinda expected it to reach 4000 or 5000, I guess I’m wrong. I guess the training made me increase my skills, instead of my level…or maybe this is my cap?
After updating our plates, and getting Ciela’s new gold plate, we searched around for an inn. We found a good inn for a good price. It was a slightly packed room that has 2 double decked beds, and it was only 2 silver coins per day. There were only 3 washrooms on each floor, and a hot spring for both genders on the first floor.
The building was made from both saphia stone, and dark colored wood. For our coach, the inn also has a stable which were we can park for 10 copper coins a day. We have also paid for lunch and dinner, which are 40 copper coins a day for 4 people.
After eating lunch at the inn, we decided to walk around the city. We went to the gates of the castle, and left a letter with the osdwin family’s seal on it. The letter just states that we have entered the city, and just that. I don’t need to see the royal family anyways. Since it will be a bother if a lot of people welcomed us, we didn’t use the einolon birds.
We decided to buy equipment, since we don’t need to always use our main equipment, and it would attract attention if everybody saw weapon and armors suddenly appearing out of nowhere. We made our way to the weapon shop first.
The store head welcomed us, and guided us to his best creations while smiling the whole time. We observed and examined the weapons, and after an hour we got our new equipment, for only 3 gold coins…ok, it’s expensive.
For armor, we just bought things that would make us look good while not hindering our fighting styles. Ciela and I both bought a light armor, Nero bought leather armor, and Feric bought a fashionable robe. After spending 20 silver coins on equipment, we went back to the inn.
It was still a few hours before dinner, so they decided to test the new equipment, and went outside the city at full speed. I went out of the inn, and walked around the city with my new bought equipment. Seriously, doesn’t Nero want to walk with me? He is starting to ignore me because of all this training…