Chapter 6 – Pride and Accomplishment
Ultima Point of View
> Due to Sari’s Blessing, you now have 10 available uses of Sari’s Wheel of Fortune!
>
> Please note that any Special Content Crates will need to be unlocked with keys and not draws. Please note that Sari is not required to provide drop odds nor a list of prizes. Receive gifts at one’s own risk.
I stare at the text. This definitely isn’t Earth anymore and yet these accursed things follow me. This is punishment isn’t it Sari? You know I have a gambling addiction! Alright, let’s review…
“So, to explain once more Loria: a loot box or blind bag is a thing back home where for cash, you get a random item. Except the odds of getting useless crap or common items was much higher than getting useful stuff. It got so bad around the time I died that there were laws going into place to prevent targeting of minors and vulnerable populace. Thanks for attending my Fred Talk.”
“I am not such a shut in to live in ignorance of gambling, Ultima. What I don’t like is the fact that we now are depending on chance for the majority of our new skills. Not entirely, but far too much, don’t you know?” Loria’s attitude is overwhelming! I can’t help it. I have to say it.
“Well excuse me Princess,” I verbalize as annoyingly as possible. Hah! … she won’t get that reference, will she?
“You are excused.” Nope, didn’t get it. No idea why I would expect anything more?
“Anyways, shall we see what we get? Might as well use it. We could get lucky.” We engage the Wheel of Fortune. The world turns gray and freezes around us. We both now stare at each other, each of us have a version of our real body. “… so, we are separate during this, like tea-time?”
SMACK! Loria slaps my face with enough strength to knock me back. “That is for insinuating Gel and I have designs,” she huffs angrily with a red face. Alright, just friends. Sure. I get it.
“Fine. Fine. I won’t mention it…” for now. “Let’s do what we came here for.” Loria engages the skill once I say that. The world goes darker as the room starts to fade away. Now there is only blackness. “Alright this feels familiar,” I mumble to myself.
“Did it work?” Loria’s voice is full of concern.
> SYSTEM: WHEEL OF FORTUNE!
The thud of spotlights resounds through the darkness as we suddenly find ourselves on a stage in front of a giant, colored wheel. Bright, obnoxious colors and gaudy music fills our senses. I blink and find, before us, a giant button with a counter on it: Ten.
[https://i.imgur.com/9Z5i1O0.png]
Loria just walks right up and goes to hit the button without any fanfare. No pose of luck. No prayers. Nothing! She just jinxed us to a horrible draw, the fool! ~Doot~ The massive colored wheel spins up and then slows down to an acoustical tone for each passed item.
Unfortunately every item is just a colored box and I can’t even begin to guess what might be won later. It stops on a Green box.
> You have gained Rare: Level Up Fire Magic, Level 2! Congratulations.
Right off something good?! That's bad! "WAIT! It's a trap to entice you! Loria wait –!” ~Doot~
The wheel begins to spin again as the Princess looks at me with that excited, ‘I’m winning’ face. Shit, she’s already infected by the bug.
> You have gained Uncommon: Treat Toxin Le –
~DOOT~
> You have gained Common: Flirt Level 2! C –
~DOOT DOOT DOOT DOOT~ “Loria stop!”
> You have gained Common: Appraising Level 0. Congratulations!
> You have gained Common: Fire Making Level 0. Congratulations!
> You have gained Common: Camp Security Level 0. Congratulations!
> You have gained Common: Swimming Level 0. Congratulations!
She shrieks in anger that everything has been… not as good as the first roll at the very least. “Loria!” I’m literally holding her back from the button, “It’s the way it works! It leads you in with a good win and tons of crap! You have to do something first!”
Finally, she relaxed and responds with a crazed voice, “Something first? Like what?”
Well, it isn’t something I’ve done before in front of anyone else. Always in the privacy of my own home using my computer or some bathroom with my phone. I let go of her and then step in front of the button. Then I proceed to dance. “HOO. HA…. HOO HOO HA!”
Several embarrassing poses later, I end my little ritual by slamming my face down on the big button. If anything, to hide myself from the fact I just did that in front of anyone else.
> You have gained Rare: Level Up Diplomacy, level 15! Congratulations!
With a massive grin, I gesture with both hands to the reward. “SEE?! IT WORKS!” Loria just stares with wonder at the prize. “Diplomacy, though, what’s that good for? Isn’t it just… something someone can do?”
“N-no… the higher the diplomacy, the more likely you are to convince the other party. It isn’t mind control; they could outright reject it. Essentially the skill gets your point across better so the other party can see the potential of your points. It’s really hard to describe.”
“Well, that seems… okay? I mean, we don’t exactly have need for it right now.”
“Given my position as a Princess, this is extremely useful. Dad has a Diplomacy of Level 23, if that gives you an idea of how much we just jumped. Besides, how do you know what we need to have? You don’t even have an agenda. I do! So, I declare it useful. Enough yapping now, more button smashing.”
The tale has been illicitly lifted; should you spot it on Amazon, report the violation.
We position ourselves to either side of the Wheel of Fortune’s button and proceed to chant: “HOO HAA HOO!” We dance around the button like a bunch of crazed cultists, performing the luck dance in near synchronicity. ~DOOT DOOT~
> You have gained Common: Boxing, level 0! Congratulations!
> You have gained Rare: Level Up Boxing, level 2! Congratulations!
… we both stare at our ‘prize’ in unison. The wheel slowly vanishes, the lights flick off one by one. “Boxing?!” she screeches, “what use could I have for boxing?! What use could anyone have for boxing?!” I simply nod my head in agreement, while color rushes back to the world as we rejoin reality.
“Maybe it will be useful when someone trains us?” I say as my ‘body’ vanishes into her again.
“General Heth is scheduled to train me. He prefers swords and combat scythes. A fist would be useless against either, not without extensive martial training.”
“Well, I’m just trying to think positive, Loria!”
“Ultima, you are always positive. You need a dose of reality sometimes… now let’s go find Gel and apologize.” Unfortunately, I have to go along, since we share a body. I really wish I had my own, Sari! Is there a skill for that? Splitting? Doppelganger? PLEASE?
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Helvair’s Point of View
Not for a moment do I doubt my daughter’s situation. I’m not ignorant to reincarnation. The Heroes of old were reincarnated and so is the current one. That’s just how it works. Yet, my daughter? She isn’t the hero! Is there some other method I don’t know about?
“King Rall?” a guttural voice interrupts my thoughts. I look up to the Goblin King who is seated far from my work desk, lounging on the sofa, and drinking wine.
“Yes, I had my thoughts elsewhere for a moment. Where was the conversation again? The hero?”
“Absolutely. As you know, the hero Roland poses a severe threat to the stability of all monstrous sovereign states and tribes. My Lord, King of all Demons, Helvair Rall. We have a plan to deal with these enemies. Even as they gather their strength now, we might yet lead a campaign against them. Weaken them before they can rally the hero’s party against you.”
“The thought has crossed my mind. The western nations have been at siege with us for a long time. Breaking their trench-works would be nice but there is little that can be done. You have a plan, King Dolden?”
“Of course. Only Dwarves might compete with Goblins in the art of tunnel making. Our plan is simple. Find a battlefield where you can lure out the majority of your opponents. We will collapse the land behind them and trap their forces. While they are cut off and busy with you, my low goblins will raid and ransack their supply lines. You can, if you do not defeat them somehow, withdraw to safety and simply starve the enemy out. Force them to the negotiating table.”
“How do you intend to cut the supply lines? Hopefully not by razing villages? Doing that only gives the enemy more fuel for recruitment.” I steeple my fingers as the concern sits at the fore of my mind. It isn’t necessarily that I am weak, but unlike my father, I have no intent of spilling innocent blood. That only leads to inherited hardships.
“Our intent is only to do what is needed to cut off the enemy’s capability for a prolonged fight. Nothing more. Nothing less. The majority of our troops will be on the field with yours.” Doden grins before taking a sip from a wine glass.
“Very well. My kingdom will back this agenda. Yours has been a long-standing ally and having help put an end to this would be, ideal. If we can force the Holy Alliance to the table through removing their hopes of a victory… then maybe diplomacy can finally be applied to this timeless war.”
“Indeed, King Rall. Now, other matters,” his grin widens. “Prince Gelchar. You and I both seek to build our relationship as two kingdoms. I am glad you agreed with the idea of him training with your daughter. May they grow close.”
“While I admire their friendship, I do not desire to force a marriage on her quite yet. We will see how their interests in each other develop. Furthermore, I would desire such a thing to occur only after the war. I want to leave her a kingdom that has developed peace alongside its allies. That to me is more important. Prince Gelchar’s fondness of her is noted, but that topic will be broached another day.”
It does not escape my attention that the high goblin king is merely hiding his disappointment. A guaranteed wed between the houses through an arranged marriage would be to his advantage and not mine. I simply smile to him as he smiles back.
> Detect Falsehoods Triggered.
Oh? Thanks for telling me what I already know. Of course, he only has his own interests at heart. Gel is a great kid and I hope to mentor him. When this fat bastard passes of age then an actually useful leader will take his place, not the other way around.
“To a brighter future,” I said with a placid, well-practiced tone. I excuse myself for the time being and make my way out of the room. My wings trail behind me like a cape as I keep them tucked up to my shoulders. Each doorway is sized for me so I do not need to duck, but I am careful not to knock over any small furniture along the way.
“I’ve been away from the front far too long,” I mutter to no one in particular as the hall echoes my heavy steps. The war room looms ahead with a black marble door. Two sentries open the door, their demonic grins vanishing as they bow their heads to me.
Inside, a massive lizard-man is discussing strategy with a rotund, bearded demon. Ornate officer uniforms barely fit either. Around the room is the bustle of various officers and messengers coming and going. continue to handle reports and orders.
[https://i.imgur.com/F5LDj1N.png]
“Sire,” the hefty demon says with a low bow. The lizard-man simply grunts and nods.
“General Ogord, General Heth. I bring word of what our allies propose to do through King Doden,” I snap my fingers and a winged imp suddenly appears with two scrolls for them. “As you can see, it is mostly what we were planning to do too. So, I believe the help will be welcome. Opinions?”
The lizard-man, Ogord, frowns at the paper whilst reading. “Ssire. I think best plan, however, recommend two battless. A sssingle battle hass never ended well for prior Kingssss. I sssugest I lead one, and you the other, Sssire. Sssplitting our forcesss iss not ideal. However, by doing thiss, we can guarantee at leassst one major engagement lacksss the hero.”
Heth joins in with agreement, “My Lord, I know you intend me to train the two youth in the ways of war. I do not agree with this plan happening immediately. Instead, I suggest a series of battles that leads to two major engagements. I wish to partake in this war.”
That is a relief, we all thought the same thing. “With the additional forces provided by our allies, we can promise at least one victory. General Ogord you are a powerhouse, so I agree with your assessment. General Heth, you and your men are to remain at the capital just in case we need reinforcements. Until ordered otherwise, you and your trusted captains are to train the Princess and visiting Prince.”
A sigh escape from Heth. “Of course, my lord, I will not argue against your judgement. I stand ready to support you should this engagement fail.”
“We will march our two armies traditionally to preserve the mage’s mana for transference of General Heth and his troops. Should we need you, you will use the transfer sigil to reinforce us. Prepare to embark in one week. We will meet with King Doden’s military on the way through Kraig’s Pass towards the lowlands. If spies detect us, let them report. We desire them to see us coming. Now go forth and commit.” Both men bow to me low as they can.
Turning to leave the room, I purposely let my wings unfold. Intimidation and power are still very important components to ruling. My voice thunders out to those present, “Victory. Then peace.”
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Elsewhere…
A petite woman stands up from a smoldering crater, entirely covered in soot. Her teal skin barely revealed as she wipes her forehead clear of sweat. Quickly she pats out some fire in her hair. Little wisps of smoke curl around her as she jumps out of the pit and lands like a caped hero.
> SYSTEM: You have leveled up the common skill, Boxing, to level 10! Congratulations!
Suddenly she strikes a jubilant pose, shuffles around while turning in place, then flexes her muscular frame. Mad laughter echoes throughout the wilderness as she screams, “YES! BOXING LEVEL TEN!”
The elf-eared short stack stretches up and looks around the wilds. “Now where did that wyvern run off to?” Her yellow eyes scan the horizon for any sign of… “Ah! There it is. Come back here you little shit!”
[https://i.imgur.com/65Cl8VU.png]