No action can be taken against the Viscounty of Breeches at this time, since it’s almost winter and the north will be difficult to traverse. The palace also needs to figure out a replacement for the viscount and his nephew, so the crown prince is apologetic when he updates Lexi three days later in the dining room.
It’s fine, I wasn’t expecting anything to happen so soon.
She appreciates the effort Jordan - and he’d insisted on her addressing him by his first name, which had made Eric extremely uncomfortable for a while - has put into trying to punish the noble who’d killed her predecessors and tried to kill her, but she also knows that destroying an established family isn’t something that can be done overnight, emperor or no emperor.
If the palace moves arbitrarily against a noble house, they’ll be accused of being despotic. Which means they need to build a solid case that would shut down any and all opposition from aristocrats.
Jordan had done his best - scouring legal acts, spending thousands of his own coin at the underground information market - but in the end the emperor had told him to let the matter rest until after the 30th anniversary of his majesty’s reign in spring.
Asshole didn’t even give a definitive timeframe. I’m lucky Jordan’s preparing to raise it at the next parliamentary session, and Duke Tridentia’s already said he’ll not only support it publicly but also do some groundwork beforehand to secure votes.
Lexi is immensely grateful for the duke’s protection, and for the fact that Jordan had put her in the care of the influential Tridentia family. It’s been obvious for a while that the emperor has it out for players, for his own son, and she knows that at her level she can’t do much against such a man.
According to Eric, the emperor’s even been trying to kill his own brother since the grand duke was conceived. And let’s not forget how that crazy guy had his own wife die in an ‘accident’ once she'd given him an heir, just so he wouldn’t have to risk having an empress who might betray him.
It's almost surreal how extreme a character the emperor is, like he's just a two-dimensional villain in a cheap story, but a part of Lexi knows how twisted humans can be.
Just look at those crimes against humanity you read about. Remember the details of those warped 'science experiments' on prisoners of war, remember the cases of those girls who were mutilated and tormented for weeks or even months while others just stood by and watched, if they weren't actively taking part in the cruelty?
The first time she'd read about those incidents, fuelled by morbid curiosity, she'd felt cold and heavy all over.
If people in my own world could not only sanction such things but actively participate in and mastermind them, then the emperor doing whatever it takes to hold onto power isn't surprising. He's human, after all.
Speaking of human, is the emperor afraid of dying or does he just want to live forever? Our unique powers aside, the man's obsessed with trying to extract our agelessness, almost as though immortality is what he wants most. Is it some sort of god-complex, since he has incredible power already and the only thing missing is the ability to stay forever young? Or is he afraid of what will happen when he dies, since Terrans believe in the afterlife?
...I guess 'afraid' is kind of a strong word for someone like him.
Ray had told her that there are only a handful of individuals - all of them legendary rank - that his majesty is either "cautious of or dependent on".
All of them are people Lexi agrees should be on the list.
I need to get stronger. I can’t risk falling prey to that guy’s or anyone’s schemes; I refuse to put the people who're good to me in danger by messing up if I can help it. When it comes to games of intrigue and verbal sparring, I think I’ve learned enough to hold my ground, especially after all the stupid mistakes I've made in the past.
But if it’s about actually fighting…
Reaching level 8 just from training, reading, running around the capital, chatting with Elise, and practicing Hindsight and Flow under the senior sage’s watchful eye had been a pleasant surprise, but Lexi knows she’s still a long way off from being someone who isn’t an easy target for assassins and non-human monsters.
Still, giggling with Elise about how they have an in-built growth hack had been fun.
Lexi's full bio at Level 8 [https://i.imgur.com/eJwmedw.png]
Foresight Grants user ability to see the future. Length and duration at current level: up to 20 minutes in the future for 25 seconds. MP required: 32 [https://i.imgur.com/sVo6vZ0.png]
Hindsight Grants user ability to see the past. Length and duration at current level: up to 20 minutes in the past for 20 seconds, can only be activated upon touching the specific object or person whose past the user wishes to see. MP required: 31 [https://i.imgur.com/1AYn5pR.png]
Flow Allows user to see effect of flow of time on object, person, or surroundings with different variables by level. Current level allows user to see up to 4 variables’ impact on two items or persons, up to one day in future MP required: 17 Note: types of variables that may be used differ according to Intelligence points [https://i.imgur.com/4N9IvXm.png]
Guide Indicates items and people of important to player’s journey. Level 5 unlock: Guide leads user towards items and people of importance from up to 100 feet away Level up to unlock additional abilities. [https://i.imgur.com/6vHWTHM.png]
Sight Allows user to see information about others. User can view levels of people and items that the user already knows the complete names of. User can view names of people and items that have not been shared. Level up to unlock additional abilities [https://i.imgur.com/SNpacgC.png]
Clarity Allows user to see past illusions in accordance with user’s level. Current level: 8 Illusions that are level 8 and below do not work on user. [https://i.imgur.com/9v4anMM.png]
Intuition Allows user to see warning signs over people, objects, monsters, and locations. Synchronizes with Guide. Current level: user can see simple warning sign in color starting from yellow (some danger) up to red (danger imminent). No warning sign will be displayed if no threat detected. Note: danger may not be directed at user [https://i.imgur.com/3qiXjjJ.png]
While it’s disappointing that many skills remain stagnant, Elise had mentioned this is normal. In fact, according to the raven haired sage, Lexi had been progressing far quicker than other players already, so the younger sage just focuses on stat point allocation.
Strength: 14 + 4 Speed: 20 + 6 Dexterity: 15 + 4 Agility: 19 + 6 Intelligence: 22 + 6 Vitality: 23 + 5 Charisma: 17 + 4 Luck: 17 + 5 [https://i.imgur.com/RJfW2Ho.png]
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
Upon confirmation, M-ATK, P-DEF, M-DEF, and HP all increase by 5 each, which cheers Lexi up.
I’m getting there.
Yesterday she’d successfully dismounted Violet on her own, and finally managed to get her stand-up technique right (and fast enough that Eric stopped complaining) twenty times in a row. Her knife throwing still needs a lot of work, according to the redhead, but at least she’s not launching a practice blade at some hapless gardener anymore.
Beyond the obvious improvements in skill, Lexi has to admit she feels herself getting a little stronger and faster, though Eric still has nothing nice to say in training sessions.
He’s just a grump.
They’re leaving in two days, having gone to the Guild earlier today to accept a quest - hunting a basilisk, of all things - so Elise and Jordan are coming over for dinner tomorrow.
And now...
When Ray had told her gently that she’d avoided Vena long enough, Lexi had sighed and agreed to have tea with the half-elf today. She’s not looking forward to it, no matter what Jordan, Elise, Ray, and Mia say, but she owes it to the girl (woman?) to accept her request after leaving her in that den of torment for almost three weeks longer than necessary.
A soft knock, and then Mia is answering the door and letting the beautiful brunette with Guide’s glitters in.
Do I think of her as a child? Or as an adult? She’s 50 years old but looks ten.
“Good afternoon, Miss Vena.”
The look in those bright green eyes makes her heart ache, the yellow Intuition lights telling Lexi that the half-elf has almost completely let go of her grudges.
So soon? Or maybe she realized there’s no point staying angry with people who’ve already been tortured and executed.
“Take a seat.”
Mia and the maids had insisted on preparing lots of sweet and colorful cakes for Vena, despite Lexi reminding them about her age, but it seems they’d had their reasons if Vena’s excitement upon seeing the spread is any indication.
Eat as much as you want, kid. Or madam.
“How should I address you?”
Vena stares at her in confusion.
“Miss Vena, you’re older than I am, but you look younger than I do. While appearances aren’t everything, humans generally treat those who look like you as children because we assume you haven’t gone through the same life experiences as others in an older age group.”
Does she understand what I’m saying? Why isn’t she writing a word?
Another reason why Lexi had held off on meeting Vena is because she’d heard that those monsters in human skin had burned part of the half-elf’s tongue off. Despite her human blood, since elves’ hereditary weakness is fire even oracles and saints can’t regenerate the muscular organ.
From what she’s read in the report, Vena had lost her tongue months ago - before Lexi had even appeared in Terra - but she still feels guilty.
When Vena tilts her head like that, the tip of a pointed ear peeks through her hair. Lexi had heard from Mia that the half-elf always hid her ears as much as possible, and she suspects the child/woman had developed the habit thanks to the cruel humans she’d encountered.
We’re not that bad, though a lot of us are.
Soft scratches of nib against paper, and then Lexi is shown remarkable penmanship for someone who’d grown up in a remote cabin and then spent time in a human dungeon.
> ”My lady, please call me whatever you like. I owe you my life. I am only half an elf, but I will do whatever I can to repay you.”
Why is she...
“Vena.” The girl - and Lexi’s decided to consider her a child until proven otherwise - hasn’t touched any of the food yet. “Please, eat and drink whatever you like. I’m sorry you have to pause and write out your answers for me.”
She gets a brilliant smile in return - happy and grateful - and starts to understand why Vena has all the employees in the manor under her little healed thumbs.
While Vena eats, Lexi ponders what to do.
She thinks I’m keeping her here because she’s got elven blood. It makes sense, since Eric and the rest are hiding my abilities, and using those sound barriers whenever we talk about those topics.
“Vena.” The way chocolate has smudged all around her lips is adorable. “You’re not here because you’re half elf. You’re here because I’m a player, and the system told me you’re someone who’s important in my journey.”
I’m sorry, Vena. I wish I could tell you I helped you because you matter as a person, but the truth is I would never have found you if it wasn’t for selfish reasons. And I wouldn’t have brought you here if I didn’t need you.
Green eyes widen at that, before Vena smiles and starts to write once more.
> ”Thank you for telling me the truth, my lady. I like you more now.”
Vena...
It’s a little heartbreaking that this child is so happy to be told she’s alive and cared for only because she’s useful, and Lexi has to bite her lip before she says anything stupid. That action somehow makes Vena start writing again.
> ”My lady, please do not be upset. It makes me very happy to know that I can be of use to you.”
Mia is the quintessential personal maid, serving more cakes to Vena and detailing the ingredients as a distraction while Lexi calms down.
“Vena, you shouldn’t be happy about being used by others.”
I wish I could help you talk again, so I don’t have to see you using your hands to speak.
> ”Everyone needs to be useful in this world, my lady. I can see my lady is doing her best, so I must do my best too.”
She’s definitely not like other ten year olds. Do I treat her like someone my age then?
“Thank you, Vena.” That smile is both wonderful and painful to look at. “If that’s the case, I have a favor to ask.”
Immediately the half-elf sets her fork down and straightens thin shoulders.
You really shouldn’t be so...
“Eat and rest well, and once you’re feeling better, I’ll ask the duke to let you start training with the Dawn Knights. Let me know if you have a preferred weapon.”
How cute.
Vena looks about to fall over in shock, green eyes wide as chocolate and frosting stained lips part and tremble.
She’s just a kid. I can’t force her into danger, not when she’s not prepared for battle.
“I won’t ask you to do anything I don’t think you’re ready for. Your life is important - not just because the system tells me you matter in my journey. Don’t ever sell yourself short, Vena.”
When Lexi’s presented with a tear stained note, she swallows hard.
> ”You are the best human I have ever known, after my father. Thank you, Lady Lexi.”
I’m not a good person, Vena, not in the least. Don’t ever think of me that way.
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Elise had given her a beautiful necklace with a magic stone that can be used as a light source, and Lexi resolves to repay her friend - it’s funny using that word to refer to someone, since she’s not used to having people she can truly call friends - some day.
The crown prince had presented her with a pouch of expensive medicinal herbs and tonics, worry evident on a perfect face, and Lexi had felt compelled to tell him she’d be back soon.
I hate making promises I’m not 100% positive I can keep, but if you look at me like that I’d promise you anything.
While she doesn’t like him in the romantic sense (and she suspects he’s still motivated by some sort of resemblance he sees between her and his late wife) kindness without expectation of anything in return is rare for Lexi - and had been absent from her life since her father had passed - so she appreciates every little gesture.
That and she’d resolved never to make the same mistake of taking such things for granted ever again.
As to why she isn’t fangirling over the perfect crown prince, she’d clarified the matter (again) with Eric the day before.
> ”So what if he’s rich, powerful, handsome, smart, and kind? He’s not my type.”
>
> ”And just what is your type?”
>
> ”I’ll let you know when I meet them.”
That had been enough to shut the redhead up, though brown eyes had been more curious than she’d ever seen them.
Sorry, Eric. I know exactly what my type is, and I don’t think you’d approve.
It’s funny how she’s starting to see the cold commander as an older brother. Ray had long ago cemented his status as a big brother - literally and figuratively - but Eric had been teetering between “asshole” and “he’s not so bad” for the longest time.
Four days out of the capital, and Lexi thinks maybe she should revise her assessment of the redhead.
He’s an asshole, through and through.
She’s covered head to toe in monster blood by now - having fought psychotic demon bunny gangs, colorful mad cows on drugs, hysterical packs of two-headed dogs, and godforsaken flying snakes with extendable venomous tongues that whip through the air. As a result, Lexi is constantly scratching her scalp and neck, and fidgeting in the saddle. Fortunately Violet is a well-trained horse who takes her rider’s random movements in stride.
Thank God for my Agility and Luck stats though. Those crazy snakes would’ve gotten me good otherwise.
Her instinctive reactions in the battles against those reptiles had been to raise both hands to shield her face, which always results in Eric yelling at her. Though thanks to her Luck stat, the reflex action while holding Akara in an icepick grip allows Lexi to slash the appendages flying towards her, so she endures the snarky post-mortem lectures and wonders when she’ll stop freaking out in fights.
Ray has done his best to help her clean up and mask the scent of blood, but Lexi wonders if the inn they’re planning to stop at this evening will slam their doors on her despite all that effort.
Surprisingly, no one pays her any mind in the town and at the inn, and the knights give her a bit more time to clean up than usual.
I hate you, Eric.
It takes awhile to scrub herself clean, and when Lexi exits her room she sees both men casually chatting in the hallway.
You’d better buy me lots of booze to make up for this.
He does, and Lexi starts to feel much better after her twelfth pint.
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CHAPTER 15 END