"Huff huff huff..." I pant. Stranded in nowhere, I had to run a marathon until I see a grandeur bustling metropolis nestled between rolling hills and green landscapes.
I approach the castle at the heart of Hira and am stopped by two guards until I show them the royal envelope.
They nod and open the gate, allowing me entry. Near the entrance, an escort stationed brings me across the meticulous castle to the top level. Parts previously destroyed by Haren are restored.
*Knock Knock*
"Your Highness, you have a guest."
"Enter."
The escort opens the door and bows. I walk in and reciprocate the bow.
In this stale office, Armin's appearance sparkles.
"Welcome Officer Arsto, I've heard a lot about you."
"Thank you, your highness. It's an honour."
He points at the couch directly beyond his desk. "Take a seat."
"My apologies, not in the presence of Your Highness," I say. I need to appeal to his pride for my plan to work.
"Haha...you are putting me in an awkward position. I am simply a few years older than you. Let's speak comfortably."
...
"Alright," I reply.
A servant brings us tea and places it on Armin's desk.
"Now then, there are two reasons why I want to see you. First of all, I want to help you resolve the situation with The Church of Axis. Secondly, I want to sponsor you. You are a splendid talent." He says.
Look at this guy pretending to be innocent...
"I am honoured, Your Highness, however...do you not mind my empty background?" I blatantly reply.
Armin does not seem surprised.
"So you know we've been investigating you...Don't take it to heart. It was a basic procedure. Still, your reputation is proof of trust. That's all I need."
...
Armin pours me a cup of tea and I take it. I sit on the couch and sip it.
"Understood. I am interested."
Armin nods and places a contract scroll on the table. "It's nothing much. I will let you use my authority to achieve anything in this country. Fame, money, women, or materials. Anything. In return, I want you to serve me. That is all."
I glance at the contract scroll. It reads:
------------
The contractor promises to uphold the following:
Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author's consent. Report any sightings.
-Heed any orders without fail for one year.
In return, the contractor shall receive:
-Authority
-Fame
-Money
-A single wish
-------------
It's a fantastic offer but heeding any order is worrying.
Yet I proceed to sign it as the contract scroll of this quality does not affect those with mana sense. It connects a thread of mana between Armin and me which I can cut if desired.
"Great. Don't think too much of this, I simply acknowledge your talent and strength, that's all," says Armin.
He probably wants to use me for something atrocious and completely discard me after a year.
Currently, in Rodgof, Armin has an unstable foundation as tensions arise. Some nobles formed an army and turned it into a revolutionary organisation. Of course, the true mastermind behind this is Rena.
Time is not on my side. I need to do what I need to do and decide what to do next.
"Ah yes, before you leave, this is my gift." He hands me a paper. A location is scribbled.
"What is this?"
"The bishop from Clamore."
...
"You can decide what you do with him," Armin says.
I walk out of the castle with a large golden pendant, the orders will be passed from the Royal emblem of a red rose carved within the surface. Any wielder of this has almost equal authority to Armin and I did not expect him to be so generous.
...
"Whatever, this is good for me."
I leave and head for Haeru.
Armin stares out of the window in his office. He has received reports that Rena is likely to be conspiring with the revolutionary army.
"Enough hide and seek, Rena."
==================================
My appearance back at the BOV is similar to my first day, with piercing gazes from every radian.
...
I hold back my urge to meet Melissa and head straight for the library.
I present to the librarian, an old lady with graceful silver hair tied up, the royal pendant and ask for access to the highest level, locked behind a high-tier barrier.
"H-How did you have that?!" The librarian exclaims, losing her calm composure. "Oh my...this is my first time seeing it."
She agrees and escorts me to the highest level. In addition to thousands of security arrays, two captains are stationed to guard one large ruby door.
With a swing of her hand, the barrier deactivates and the guard steps aside.
"May whatever you seek to find you. I wish you all the best." She bows.
I return the bow and step through the door. An immediate radiant sight befalls me. The interior of the library unfolds like a labyrinthine sanctuary as bookshelves and books floating gather in a vortex. Respective bookshelves dive into the floor and books lay neatly in rows.
After the grand entrance, a normal giant library remains.
This is the Heavens Sanctuary, a space connected to every BOV library and the backbone of the BOV.
Running my fingers through each covering sends immense mana into my body. The mana in this space suffocates my core.
Unfortunately, I can't absorb them efficiently with a broken physique. After overthrowing Armin, Rena would enter this library and discover one of the most overpowered tools in the entire game, a top "must get" meta mechanic that helped many players.
I traverse through the maze of books, resisting the temptation to read them until I reach the core. Amidst this majestic library is a single shabby table with a worn-out book.
I pick up the fragile leather cover, it reads "My Experiences".
---------------------------
Congratulations! You have found a Mythical Grimoire.
---------------------------
Despite it being a grimoire, it's more of a diary.
---------------------------
"My Experiences" (Mythical)
A simple diary of a curious man, presenting his thoughts and experiences.
---------------------------
A simple description and name. Nothing worthy of a mythical grading but that's judging the book by its cover.
This diary belongs to one of the strongest humans in history, the founder of the BOV, Carv Kevin Mannedy.
---------------------------
Do you want to read this diary?
[Yes][No]
Reward:???
---------------------------
---------------------------
You have a full understanding of the diary.
Reading duration has been reduced by 99%
The success rate increased to 100%
---------------------------
Rena is a monster. Many have tried to decipher this diary and failed. For Rena? She succeeded in five days.
This is the first puzzle I need to win against The Demon Lord and the main reason I joined the BOV.