Chapter 244
Chapter 244
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 244
Chapter Title: One Empire, Three Legends (3)
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- Take a Look: It popped out! The evil inside Professor has finally emerged into the world!
- Heung An Mandu: That bastard Professor needs his head smashed if he dies. With that level of split personality, he's 100% turning into a Type 3 variant, right? Oh, he already has?
- Jokasss: Professor times two? We're done for. Our fragile world can't handle two of those lunatics.
- Speed Wagon: Hmm... I've only dated once in my life. And now the guy's doubled.
- Deer Drug Please: Dana, all men are wolves, you know? They say they'll give you their liver or heart, but dig deeper and they're all hiding something. Later, let's call Holy too and have a girls' night with some drinks. I ended up settling in the refugee zone while evacuating this time.
- Jokasss: Again with this. Don't feed weird nonsense to innocent people. Dana, you can trust what anyone in the world says except that guy. Even if you ate a truckload of forbidden fruit every day, you'd be less corrupted than listening to a single word from him.
- Deer Drug Please: Oh my~ Talking about others? Who was it that sweet-talked pure, innocent me and lured me home?
- Speed Wagon: Ah.
- Heung An Mandu: !!!!!
- Holy: Oh my!
- Number Three: !!!!
- Jokasss: Hey, saying that here...!
- Deer Drug Please: Why, my love~ Embarrassed? You whined a bit in the chat about how tough refugee life is and how dangerous... Then in a private message: "If it's really that bad, come stay with me~" "I've saved up some money selling variant byproducts from my cleaning job, so I can cover one more person~" How it made my heart ache~
- Holy: S-so, what happened? Did you go?
- Deer Drug Please: Yup! Got him blackout drunk and pounced! Uwahahaha. We've been living together since. He cooks well and cleans great.
- Jokasss: Fuck.
- Take a Look: I salute your sacrifice, Jokasss. Thanks to you, the world has one less burden.
- Jokasss: Whatever, man. I don't know why I decided to help that crazy woman... If you have time, come to Refugee Zone B-21, Block 58. Need a drink, but I'm scared she'll eat me alive if I drink in front of her.
- Take a Look: B? You're actually living decently? Impressive.
- Heung An Mandu: Jealous... I want to live with people too.... Someone send a rescue team.... There's someone at the mountaintop in Zone 40.... I want to join too....
- DOOMgay: If you have a wireless signaler, tune to channel 317. If I'm near Zone 40, I'll swing by.
- Heung An Mandu: R-really? You promised! Hell yeah! I have connections too! I'm Professor's best friend, best friend! Save me! Please! Even if I have to make trouble, I'll escape! One landslide and all the local variants will swarm like a disturbed beehive!
- DOOMgay: Damn it all.
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The best part of an active chat room is this: getting real-time info on the real world. Jokasss and Deer Drug Please from Zone 47 chat are now living together, and Heung An Mandu, stranded on a highland because he couldn't evacuate in time, luckily caught Ian's eye and now clings to a sliver of hope.
It was good news in its own way, so issues like Twin-Head Professor or Split-Personality Professor sank below the surface for now. Good. I'll talk to Dana about it later.
Crunch-!
While I was spacing out checking outside news, the line I was holding suddenly went taut and started shaking side to side. A thin scream like "Uwaaaaa-" came from above.
"Hey, Professor! Slowly! Gently! Pull without snagging on trees! If it snaps, we're in big trouble!"
"That's, easier, said, than, done!"
Crunch!
Carefully adjusting my pull on the rope toward the sky, the girl's muttering voice and leather balloon began descending bit by bit.
Listening closely, she was saying to send her back up.
"I haven't confirmed it properly yet! Just a little higher!"
"You're saying raise it higher! You brat! If I let go, you'll be lost in that vast sky! What kind of kid has no fear!"
"Do I look like someone who should be scared of that right now! A real letter came from the palace! Not even to the family, but to me personally! No more chit-chat, raise it a bit more!"
"Sigh, the kid's gone mad...."
Far off, high in the sky, Lucilla dangled from the magic leather balloon, yelling her head off.
Mad she was, but mad while perfectly sane.
30 minutes ago. Upon receiving a letter stamped clearly with the emperor's seal, Lucilla fainted on the spot. Soon after regaining consciousness, she demonstrated perfectly controlled hysteria.
'Just get my stuff out first. I'll sort it.'
'Hero, you said you're making a cart? The nearby trees look good, so start right away.'
'Dress, jewelry, shoes—with the money we have now.... Even at a loss, we have no choice but to cash in at a nearby city. Southwest Empire in a straight line: one week. One week.... Map! Find me a map! Quick!'
'Uh, uh. Hey, hey! If you untie that, the balloon will fly.... Lu, Lucilla! You're tangled in the rope! You're getting dragged!'
'Hold it! Just gonna check from up high quick!'
'Hey, hey hey hey!!!'
That's how she ended up dangling from the leather balloon now.
Pulling cautiously in case the line snapped, Lucilla descended with the balloon, her hair a mess from the wind. Using a water droplet enchanted with Ottman's far-sight magic to roughly smooth her hair, she immediately spread the map and started scrawling rough lines with charcoal.
"First off, we landed in a better spot than expected. Definitely northwest Empire. The Blue Line Mountains are faintly visible, so we've basically crossed the Empire. Assuming that faint spire on the horizon's edge is the Osman Peter Memorial Tower.... Around here. Not far from the capital."
Thud!
Lucilla's finger pointed to a city in the northwest on the Empire map.
"The closest city first. Looks like Haunuman. Hmm.... Trees thinning toward the sunrise...."
"We'll hit a road soon. But what are you planning to do there?"
"....What else? Battle prep. As a noble lady, as a merchant, prep for the greatest opportunity of my life!"
Lucilla pulled out that red dress from the sorted luggage behind her, eyes blazing. The lace torn, silk waterlogged and frayed, stained beyond use—that dress.
"Of course, I can't get another top-grade family-provided dress like this right away, but it's ruined enough that wearing it would be an insult to the royals. Luckily, Haunuman is a vassal state territory incorporated into the Empire, full of exotic, distinctive fabrics and accessories. Can't be perfect, but I can prep enough to cover my tracks."
Folding the map marked with chaotic routes, Lucilla locked eyes with each party member earnestly.
"I know what you're gonna say. The Hero's party has a truly important mission that could change the world's fate, no time for detours like this. Meeting you in the Blue Line Mountains and getting here is luck beyond measure. I know."
"Lucilla. Kid. That's...."
"Ottman. Hold on."
Cutting off Ottman, Lucilla looked me straight in the eye.
"Haunuman. Just to Haunuman. It won't detour much, and your party can regroup. After that, I'm on my own."
An appeal not to emotion, but a pragmatic request backed by calculation. Of course, she knew that alone wouldn't delay a saint and hero's mission, hence the desperate plea.
[What'll you do? We've grown fond of her, sure.... But extending the journey here means more soldiers dying on the Lordric West Front.]
'Right.'
[Personally, I'd say send her to the city with just Borca and Notum, then rejoin. We have two balloons with spirits anyway. Sentiment's nice, but think big picture. She's smart enough to fend for herself.]
'Big picture.... Hmm....'
Professor crossed his arms and looked around at the party. Everyone staring at me meant leaving the route decision to the party leader—me. Ottman and Notum seemed subtly hopeful I'd help, but they waited silently for my choice anyway.
As Lucilla bit her lip at my silence, I finally spoke.
"Alright. We'll go together."
"....Really?"
"Yeah."
"Th-thank you! I didn't say it fearing it'd burden you, but even though it's been long since vassalized, Haunuman folk are still independent and rough, so going alone—"
"Not just Haunuman. To the Empire capital. All of us."
"....Huh? Pardon?"
Caught off guard, Lucilla wore an expression of joy mixed with suspicion.
"To the capital.... together? In Haunuman, I need to buy clothes, stuff to maintain dignity, sell some goods—which'll take time needed for your mission...."
"Hey now. Lucilla Aedran. Ever heard of party loyalty? Sure, I lie a lot, but you think I'd deceive you at a serious moment like this?"
"So.... you're really coming along? For me?"
"Ah, not just for you, of course. We're not going empty-handed."
"....Figures. What's it this time? You said family-level support for Roman Valchia Manson already started. Need more? Gold Guide bonds? Food?"
"Nah. Just a small... cooperation?"
"Cooperation?"
As Lucilla tilted her head, tying her wet hair, Professor pulled two more letters from his pocket—same decorations as hers, stamped with the emperor's seal.
"Found more while sorting letters. All yours. Haven't read the first one yet, right?"
"Th-three letters from the palace...."
"Open them. I have a rough idea."
Convinced by my tone, Lucilla carefully broke the seals and unfolded them.
Similar contents. Gratitude for a foreigner's devotion to the Empire, praise for her stunning beauty, wisdom and courage that let her act swiftly in a crisis that would faint ordinary ladies, ending with invites to her modest party or tea time.
[In the name of Great Valtin Empire's First Prince, Keslick Rom Agdan, to Lady Lucilla Aedran from the distant west.]
[In the name of Great Valtin Empire's First Princess, Titania Rom Agdan, to the astonishing Lady Lucilla Aedran who crossed the continent seeking fate.]
[In the name of Great Valtin Empire's Third Prince, Cherasion Rom Agdan, to Lady Lucilla Aedran who arrived with winter.]
"Not the emperor.... From the princes and princess?"
"No matter how intrigued, direct imperial letters are a bit below their station. At least, that's their thinking."
I skimmed the opened letters—my guess spot on.
Letters from three royals fiercely vying for the throne.
"The emperor's old, kids grown and built their own factions, growling at each other. In this, imagine the old emperor casually saying, 'I suddenly crave apples today.' What happens?"
"They'd rush to fetch the best, fastest, to curry favor?"
"Exactly. Now look in the mirror. The legendary lady who spammed letters enough for direct word to the emperor is right here? Emperor personally ordered your requests fulfilled? Oh? Even rumors of 'legendary something'? Emperor who's always bored, nicknamed 'Lazy Lion'—he'd be thrilled."
"So, not to see me, but to stoke the throne war?"
Professor nodded vigorously at Lucilla's stunned voice.
"At high noble or royal level, every gesture and word is political. Think from emperor's view. Beyond those mountains, monsters are toppling a nation, even probing Empire borders. Sure, Empire's might dwarfs those puny eastern states, but long peace has rusted it, nobles split among princes and princesses, can't unite. Probably leaked your story too. 'If she shows that spirit and loves the Empire, drawing her in would be good....' Something like that?"
The emperor's no fool. Just watching how to turn this to the Empire's gain.
The battle at Storm Hill and Lucilla's fame became fine tools for him.
"Emperor's finally aware of the Mute threat. Tossing royals friction fodder to end the throne race early. Once next crown prince set, regime stabilizes, nobles obey new heir without fuss to impress."
"So, I'm...."
"Yeah. One of countless apples for the emperor. Congrats in advance. Unlike that idiot border count, stylish big-shots with massive backings will arrive with flower-cart bouquets. Depending on whose intro brought you to emperor, he'll score that faction."
Lucilla was sharp. Familiar with political underbelly, she grasped it instantly—not just facing royals or emperor, but thrust unwittingly into the icy throne war's heart.
"N-no way. Not as family, but personally choosing one of three.... Wrong pick, and if another becomes next emperor, not just me—whole Aedran family incurs Empire's wrath! No Gold Guide banners anywhere! I, we.... Hic! Our whole family's lives.... Hic!"
"Whoa, deep breaths. In.... Out! Good. So that's why we're going together."
"Y-you, Hero?"
"Yeah. Me. Pretty reliable, huh?"
Sitting beside her now, patting her back, Lucilla eyed Professor suspiciously as she calmed a bit.
"I said earlier, not empty-handed?"
"Y-yeah. Needed cooperation...."
"Right. Lucilla Aedran? Here's Professor Hero Party's proposal. Our path is super busy, but leaving legendary Teldrat girl—top trophy for Empire men—in danger-ridden Empire, especially alone, is too risky. So we escort to capital. But! In return, Lucilla Aedran...."
Professor took the royal letters from dazed Lucilla's hand, fanning them lightly.
"Publicly declares before all Empire nobles she's a full 'Professor Hero Party' member, turning her personal invites into party invites—for 'Professor Hero Party.' Party leader has say over members' actions, lodgings, events."
"That's.... customary right? Old custom, but can party leader block royal invites like—"
"—I have power to push it. With pretext, plenty enough."
After all, a saint popular enough to crash a magic balloon with fan letters alone.
Point was, tagging along officially to meet the royals.
'Official audience with Empire princes/princess in throne war? Eye-watering quests. But if they call? Direct access. Not me, but invited my party member—so if Lucilla plays along, squeezing in one or two extras possible. Aldritch black mage—no. Notum/Borca: humans split pleb/noble, can't bring. Invited Lucilla, me (dual-church saint), elf Idrasil—should squeeze in.'
Lucilla invite -> Sneak in under Professor Hero Party invite. Nobles bring kids/knights to intros at parties anyway. Plus, I'm religious heavyweight now. No harm meeting—with pretext? Probably?
[Oh. You just thought of that? No such plan in your memories.]
Hyde's inner applause echoed. Yeah, just came up now—no shared memory.
Not genius foreseeing all, balancing risks/rewards. Just 'Event!' impulse bite. Usually not, but now okay.
Why?
Luckily crashed in forest, no city/village.
Luckily hungry, wild boar right there—roasted.
Luckily, from Notum's burn-pile letters, found imperial seals.
Luckily, our crash spot not far from capital.
Coincidence? No way. Side effect of system break's Misfortune Lv.15 hit.
Luck Lv.7 for 24 hours granted.
Lv.15 max misfortune: player revives, still fails. Mine: straight to elf forest, negotiate world tree—derailed by insane letter dragon ambush. Normal person? Dead on crash.
Half that, Lv.7 luck: not everything perfect, but good chances flock player. Smart calls turn absurd like letter dragon into wins.
Eyes peeled for what happens—and party member goes 'This screams event~!'
Snagged it. No Empire noble ties/activity, yet face throne-war royals—with our card played. If not luck, what?
"So. Answer? You'll cooperate?"
"Uh.... Um.... Hero with me to meet royals.... Hero meeting royals.... Um...."
Lucilla agonized but deemed solo to capital impossible, accepted my handshake.
"Deal! Must cooperate, absolutely! No matter what! Break promise to Mercy and Light's saint? I'll brand you heretic in both churches!"
"Wh-what are you plotting to nail it down like that!"
"Insurance. Heh heh heh heh."
Seeing Professor's sinister grin, Lucilla seriously wondered if she'd contracted a devil. One granting wishes but ending in misery.
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