Chapter 86: Heart-Pounding Unboxing
Chapter 86: Heart-Pounding Unboxing
The vacation to visit a labyrinth in District Five would depart the day after the prosthetic arm was completed.
Until then, everyone spent the time individually preparing and compensating for their weaknesses as explorers.
“I’ll go to the Mage Tower for a bit! My Soul Rank has risen, so I need to learn new black magic.”
Bartimir briefly returned to District Two.
One of the seven million reasons why the mage class was considered overpowered was that Mage Towers provided their affiliated mages with basic Mystery tomes appropriate to each level.
Now that he’s Level 3, he should be able to enter the Calamity Repository.
The tower belonging to the Dark Magic School maintained facilities that managed dangerous poisons, diseases, curses, and creatures.
For Bartimir, a demon, it was practically a treasure vault.
If he obtained the curse I had designated there, he would gain combat power surpassing warriors of the same rank.
“Captain, what should I do?”
Pendrick, a genius swordsman with the Tier-0 trait Master of the Sword but still inexperienced as a warrior, asked me for advice.
As expedition leader, deciding the direction of my member’s growth was not difficult.
“The most urgent problem for Pendrick is that he barely possesses any proper Mysteries.”
At present, Pendrick possessed only a single sword-related Mystery.
Even that was merely the First-Tier Powerful Cleave, which simply allowed him to swing his sword slightly harder.
Thus, our genius swordsman was still unable to properly display his real talent.
— Since Lord Kar hasn’t brought me any sword-related Mystery Tomes until now, it must be because you had a plan, right?
“As expected, Astrimia. Your refined appearance is matched by outstanding intelligence.”
— Ahaha!
Astrimia lightly shook her blade.
“That is correct. I could not allow the future great swordsman to learn the common trash Mysteries found everywhere.”
I had allowed Marlin to learn the cheap Mysteries Basic Dagger Technique and Basic Throwing Technique.
A thief class specializing in sleight-of-hand techniques benefited from learning as many Mysteries as possible.
Warriors, however, were different.
“Pendrick is still an unpolished gemstone. If we polish the basics properly from the start, will he not shine even more brilliantly?”
— That makes sense!
“Please wait a little longer. I will allow you to learn martial Mysteries.”
Martial Mysteries.
These were not learned instantly by reading a Mystery Tome but acquired through repeated training.
Mystery Tomes that granted power simply by reading them required accepting their inherent limitations. Techniques that had been passed down through generations accumulated the spirits and philosophies of previous masters, and were already complete in themselves.
As mastery increased, the difference became clearer.
“Pendrick must begin not with swordsmanship itself but with the basic conditioning required of a warrior. Just as Marlin first learned the fundamentals of being a rogue rather than the sleight-of-hand of a thief.”
“You’re right! I’ve been trying on my own, but it’s getting difficult.”
“Coincidentally, the martial artist Hugestis—who has practically become your sworn brother—is in District Five.”
The dog beastman who had suddenly visited us after the Nightmare World exploration and had been swept away by Pendrick’s overwhelming sociability.
Hugestis was quite a famous explorer in District Five.
“First visit Hugestis at the headquarters of the Inter-Species Association and say something like ‘I’m so frustrated by my weakness that I cannot endure it.’ He will probably help you enthusiastically.”
— That sounds like a good idea, but…
Astrimia thought for a moment before continuing.
— Wouldn’t the Inter-Species Association reject Pendrick since he’s human?
“Just say he’s a half-elf.”
“Ah! Are you a genius by any chance?”
— …What genius?! If they find out, you might get imprisoned!
“Then don’t get caught.”
“You really are a genius!”
— You idiot!!
After some minor chaos, the two lovers departed first for District Five.
— Thanks for the consideration, Lord Kar!
Astrimia laughed happily as she left in Pendrick’s arms, seemingly having already figured out my real intention.
I had tasks of my own to attend to.
“Greetings!”
Rachel, the Pale Shadow agent who had begun working as a housemaid in our home, bowed sharply.
“Please give me any orders. I will handle everything quickly!”
“Then could you clean the floors and wash the children’s clothes? Also the dishes.”
“Leave it to me!”
Until now Abel had handled most of the household chores, but it was time for him to focus on life as an explorer.
Rachel bowed again and immediately began sweeping the floor.
Her movements were impressively quick.
If she happened to steal something during work like a proper thief, it would be perfect.
“Patron, I’m almost finished organizing.”
After watching Rachel clean for a while, Abel—who had been writing diligently in a notebook at the living room table—spoke.
Marlin, chewing a flat sugar cookie she had bought with the allowance I gave her, poked my side.
“What are you doing?”
“Abel. Show her.”
Abel nodded and raised the notebook.
Written clearly on the cover were the words:
[Offering Recipes for the Evil Gods]
“…Ah. That.”
“Yes. I asked him to record the entire process used when preparing offerings for the rituals we performed so far. Abel is now a proper cook-class explorer, so it’s time to organize it properly.”
“Even I know preparing offerings has absolutely nothing to do with cooking…”
I shoved another cookie into Marlin’s mouth.
“It’s finished.”
Abel handed me the notebook.
After checking it briefly, I could not help but be impressed.
“You truly have talent in cooking. I never thought of drilling a small hole into the mana core and inserting fire so it roasts evenly inside.”
“It’s nothing special.”
“I’m telling you offerings have nothing to do with cooking…”
I inserted another cookie to silence her again and placed my right hand on Abel’s shoulder.
“Would you like to become my personal assistant?”
“Of course, Patron.”
Abel became my ritual assistant.
Naturally I intended to handle the main portion myself.
The offerings had to be presented through me in order to reach the Evil Gods properly.
Still, the minor preparations could be left to him.
“Hmm?”
Rachel, who had been wiping dust from the window frame with great enthusiasm, suddenly stood up like a soldier.
“Cultist, someone has arrived!”
“Is that so? Please open the door.”
“Yes! May Lidni’s vast knowledge cover the world!”
The maid-agent opened the door immediately while delivering perfectly timed flattery.
“Greetings.”
It was Lucius, a priest of the Inquiring Lantern.
The perpetually sleepy priest stood outside, arms filled with bundles.
“I have brought various gifts prepared by the Harmony Church for Lord Kar.”
“I’ll take them, Priest!”
Rachel quickly took the load from the frail priest and arranged the items on the table.
There were quite a lot.
“For a moment I thought you were a traveling merchant. Why so many?”
“Please consider it proof that the Harmony Church now regards Lord Kar as a valued guest.”
Lucius smiled warmly.
“Ever since the completion of Sanctuary of Restful Purification, Artea Monastery has been in a festive atmosphere. Our brothers and sisters were so excited that they all entered the labyrinth together to pay respects to Saint Seraphina.”
“…Wait. Shouldn’t someone take care of patients for five days first?”
“That is correct. They are likely busy providing care right now.”
Only the expedition that satisfied the hidden-clear conditions was exempt from patient care.
“That is why a simple priest like me has come instead of a high-ranking member. The monastery is practically empty.”
“…Shouldn’t they take turns going in small groups?”
“That would have been wise…”
Lucius awkwardly shrugged.
“Still, I have brought proper gifts for you, so please look forward to them.”
“My heart is pounding. Marlin, place your hand on my chest. Isn’t it beating rapidly?”
“It’s completely calm.”
“My heart calmed itself before you touched it. You were too slow.”
“…Priest, please introduce the gifts already!”
Lucius smiled faintly and opened a black-and-white box.
Inside rested a slender prosthetic arm of pale white color.
“First, the prosthetic arm.”
《Masterpiece — Hand That Grips the Spark》
《A prosthetic arm containing the artifact Spark of Glory. It can emit flames stronger than before. Sensory linkage should also function fairly well.》
《But creating a masterpiece in only three days…? That craftsman must have worked without sleep!》
Honestly, I had not expected a masterpiece-grade item.
For rough use, ordinary tools were better because they could be replaced easily. But high-grade items had the unique drawback of making you feel uncomfortable if you treated them carelessly.
“This prosthetic was created through collaboration between a master craftsman of the Harmony Church and an enchanter from the Mage Tower. Please extend your left arm.”
The sleeve of Sky Invader had already been shortened.
As I raised my empty arm, Lucius carefully attached the prosthetic.
Click.
A prickling pain like needles pierced my arm, and the phantom sensation began expanding.
This was more than simple attachment.
It felt as though my arm were rapidly regrowing.
I flexed my fingers.
They moved normally.
There was a slight delay compared to my right hand, but the difference was minimal.
“This… is impressive.”
“It really looks like a real arm!”
While the siblings stared in amazement, the snake tattoo that had been resting near my shoulder slowly slithered downward.
It hesitated at the boundary between flesh and prosthetic, watching cautiously.
Then it crawled forward.
Wriggle!
The snake suddenly lifted its head and coiled around the back of my hand.
“It seems to like it.”
“So it seems.”
Then Leria’s will reached me.
“My terminal has not been this happy in thousands of years… I am pleased as well…!”
“I’m glad.”
After adjusting to the unfamiliar sensation, Lucius continued his explanation.
“The Spark of Glory is embedded on the back of the hand where the snake tattoo rests. The flame is released from the palm when it opens.”
Click.
When I sent my will, an opening appeared in the palm.
“That’s impressive.”
“It is made of Snowflame Stone, a metal with extremely high fire resistance, so there is no risk of burning.”
The next gift was information compensation: 1,000 gold.
A sum large enough to make Marlin’s tail stand upright.
Since the labyrinth held historical importance for the Harmony Church, they had taken special care.
“This is the identity badge proving your status as an honorary member of the Harmony Church.”
Three explorer badges engraved with shield emblems.
Everything so far had been promised beforehand.
But the final item was a surprise.
A dagger with a slightly curved blade.
Unlike the killing daggers used by rogues, its purpose was different.
“This is a ritual dagger.”
《Artifact — Full-Moon Slayer》
《When used during offering rituals, the probability that the offerings will satisfy the great deities increases greatly. It also allows the installation of a temporary altar.》
Full-Moon Slayer.
Among ritual daggers, it possessed truly exceptional performance.
Considering that the fastest legitimate method to obtain it was to massacre the slums and attack Artea Monastery, this was the best possible gift.
Even I would hesitate to cause such chaos.
“It was once used by a notorious cultist. The previous pope left instructions that it should be given if a cultist appeared who faithfully followed the Harmony Church’s control.”
Lucius smiled gently.
“We believe Lord Kar fits that description best.”
I stared at Full-Moon Slayer before bowing deeply.
“I will serve the Harmony Church with the loyalty of a dog. Should I crawl on all fours and bark to demonstrate?”
“…That will not be necessary.”
Thus the heart-pounding unboxing concluded in a friendly atmosphere.
However, there was still one more gift.
“Lord Kar.”
Lucius bowed slightly.
“With the completion of Sanctuary of Restful Purification, you have placed additional Ore of Trust on the Scales of Harmony.”
In other words, I had already reached the next stage of cultist privileges.
“You may now hire a priest or holy knight of the Harmony Church to join your expedition.”
Recruiting a Harmony Church ally.
Once part of the team, they would easily perform their share—and often more.
In fact, he was already here.
“I will recruit Lucius into the Moon Expedition.”
I looked directly into Lucius’s eyes.
“That must be the will of the Saint, correct?”
“….”
The blue-haired priest blinked in surprise before smiling.
“Nothing can be hidden from Lord Kar.”
“More precisely, Lidni knows everything.”
“I see…? The contract period will be one year. I will do my best.”
“Please take care of us.”
We exchanged a routine handshake.
Harmony Church priest Lucius had joined the Moon Expedition.