Chapter 85
Chapter 85
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 85
Chapter Title: Friendly Sparring
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“Allan Ba-Tor's authority as Grand Chieftain remains fully in effect. Most of the tribal leaders in the alliance are starting to voice their discontent, but the level of control you desire is still functioning without issue.”
Tatiana's voice softly settled into the empty private room.
Thanks to her position as the Grand Chieftain's closest confidante, she had use of this spacious private chamber, and it never hindered her routine 'reports' in the slightest. Even so, she never let the mask she always wore slip.
Narrowed eyes, smiling face.
The reason was simple. The Foreseer had commanded her to act this way.
She always obeyed the orders from the Foreseer. Even if her life hung in the balance.
[What about the relic used to brainwash him over there? Still working fine?]
White steam billowed from the masked face as it spoke.
He was undoubtedly in the northern Empire right now. In the territory ruled by Kendrid Margrave.
Something needed to be 'arranged' over there, or so he'd said.
“Yes. It will function effectively for at least the duration you require.”
[Good. If something goes wrong there, we'd miss all the fun scenes. Manage it properly, alright?]
“I shall obey.”
[No need to drag it out. Just keep things as they are for the next ten days while the exchange students from Elpante are staying.]
To anyone overhearing, it would sound like the ravings of madmen.
All for the sake of seeing 'entertaining scenes'—and for a single 'academy event' lasting a mere ten days, at that.
Brainwashing one of the continent's hegemonic powers and bending it to their will.
[The vessels of the devils—four of them gathered in one place. A rare opportunity we can't just let slip by.]
“...Four of them, you say?”
She had already met two of the vessels mentioned.
Elnor Erinarije la Tristan. Vessel of the Gray Devil.
Yuria Grayhauncher. Vessel of the White Devil.
And there were two more?
[The Blue Devil... and the Red Devil. Both are here right now. I can sense them. We'll have to figure out who the vessels are from here on out.]
“...Understood. I will ensure a satisfactory report—”
[Ah—no, no need to push so hard. They'll come to us anyway.]
The Foreseer yawned and waved his hand dismissively as he spoke.
[After all, we've got the world's best 'trap' on our side, don't we?]
“...”
That was certainly true.
There existed a man who was like a magnet, drawing the vessels of the devils to him of their own accord without him even trying.
But there was one thing she couldn't quite understand.
“...May I ask one question?”
[Hm? You're always so obedient, but now you're asking questions? What's up?]
“Why do you only give that man 'trials he can overcome'?”
First the Riverback Marquis, then the Boy King Valkasus.
Through those battles, the man was growing stronger. His bonds with the devil vessels he could now call comrades were deepening.
Considering the Foreseer's near-omnipotent abilities, the only reason the man achieved such outcomes was because the Foreseer had set trials he could overcome. Otherwise, such results would be imposs—
[I never did that.]
“...Pardon?”
[Those were genuine attempts to kill him. I didn't go all out, sure, but I calibrated them so he'd need a miracle just to stay breathing.]
“...”
[And he overcomes them every time with the best possible results. That's purely his own talent. It's hilarious every time I watch.]
“...”
The Foreseer chuckled and continued.
[Well, if I had to pick a reason for not going all out... the stronger he gets, the better it is for us.]
“What... do you mean?”
[He overcomes the trials, grows stronger, bonds tighter with the devil vessels. That's good enough, right? Makes achieving our 'goal' that much easier.]
All those facts aligned perfectly with the conditions needed to reach the Foreseer's own 'ultimate objective.'
The end goals might differ for her, the man, and the Foreseer himself, but there was no denying that the man was ironically a huge help in their primary aim of gathering all the devil vessels' shards.
[Plus, watching Dawood Campbell scramble desperately to survive? Keeps the world from getting boring.]
Seeing Tatiana fall silent, the Foreseer let out another smirk.
[Jealous or something?]
“...”
[You look seriously pissed that I'm praising him.]
At the playful tone from the other end of the communication, Tatiana paused in silence.
The Foreseer was doing this on purpose, no doubt.
He knew full well that she, who would offer body and soul for him, would feel this way upon hearing such words.
[You're right. I am doing it on purpose.]
“...”
[Try killing him for real, then. With everything you've got. Won't be easy. Even that sly Riverback Marquis couldn't, and the strongest alchemist, the Boy King, failed too. How about you?]
“...”
[If you look more entertaining than him, I might even praise you.]
“...”
[Hang in there, Apostle of the Inverted Tide. Near the sea, that's your home turf, right?]
The connection cut off there.
Tatiana sat motionless before it for a long while, then nodded and rose from her seat.
“...”
Her gaze drifted momentarily to the necklace she always wore.
A gem at its center gleefully emitted an eerie green glow.
When she closed her eyes, she could hear 'it' calling to her from within. The 'vast presence' near this Crucible of Struggle.
Apostle of the Inverted Tide. The last survivor of a forgotten clan worshiping an ancient entity buried beneath the sea.
Using all that power.
She would kill Dawood Campbell.
Within ten days. By any means necessary.
“...I shall obey.”
She murmured softly, clutching the necklace in both hands.
●
One piece of good news and one piece of bad news.
[System Info]
[ The effects of consistent exercise are manifesting! ]
[ 'Strength' stat rank has increased! ]
[ 'Agility' stat rank has increased! ]
[Status Info]
「Dawood Campbell」
[Normal]
Strength: E (10% to next rank up)
Agility: E (10% to next rank up)
Endurance: F
Luck: F
Influence: D
The good news was this.
Dawood Campbell—finally experiencing the thrill of his first rank-up.
Back in his territory, no amount of farm work would budge the ranks. But after months of hellish training with the Lion's Necklace, the fruits of his labor were finally ripening.
Now, Desperate Situation's efficiency would double compared to before. He'd feel the full effects when using Tristan-style Swordsmanship or hand-to-hand combat.
And the bad news was this.
“Gah, ugh, aaagh, ack, aaa—”
Even with the rank-up stats, he couldn't keep up with the training regimen Casa had written for him.
“...”
Liru narrowed her eyes at me as I let out sounds more like screams than heavy breathing.
Today was the first day of the 'training' Casa had assigned me. The most basic of basics: foundational stamina work.
‘...Normally, she'd flip out and call this insane.’
Stamina doesn't build overnight. My stats had been trash until yesterday—no way they'd skyrocket in days.
That time was better spent learning her 'techniques' first.
I'd meant to argue with Casa about it.
‘So your goal is to master decades of my life's work in hand-to-hand combat in just ten days?’
‘...’
‘You must have some trick up your sleeve to say that to me, kid. And I have my reasons for assigning this. Got any objections?’
None whatsoever.
Anyway, I'd boldly declared to Casa that I'd master the martial art she'd devoted her life to in ten days.
Hearing that and still going along with it? I'd have to follow any order without complaint now.
“...Hey, stop. No point running more.”
Liru, who'd been pacing beside me to keep my rhythm, clicked her tongue and halted me.
“Sorry, aaaah, yes aaaagh—”
“...Shut up and breathe properly.”
Liru sighed deeply and approached me as I heaved like I was about to vomit.
“Stand straight.”
“...Pardon?”
“...”
Liru glared at me, her face slightly flushed.
The look screamed 'don't make me explain.'
“...I'll give you a massage. Stand straight. If you quit exercising like this, you won't even be able to stand.”
“...Pardon?”
“Don't make me say it twice. I'll kill you?”
Her sharp words made me straighten up reflexively, and Liru grabbed my arms and legs, kneading away.
Maybe from embarrassment, she put real force into it—hurt a bit—but it worked wonders. The tearing pain in my limbs dulled.
“...”
What was this?
Why was she being so nice?
Based on her original character, she'd normally look at me with cold contempt, like 'you can't even do this?'
Even accounting for favorability, this was way out of character for her.
“...Granny has high hopes for you.”
As if reading my mind, Liru mumbled on.
“She told me to treat you as best I can. That's why. Normally, I'd never waste my time on trash like you.”
“I see.”
For someone saying that, she was putting in serious effort.
I smirked and stayed still, but then.
Goosebumps prickled across my skin. An ominous chill raced through my body.
“...”
Come to think of it, there was another piece of bad news.
“Hey, Liru.”
I mouthed the words. The one I was wary of could hear even the tiniest sound.
“What?”
Quick on the uptake, she frowned but mouthed back to match me.
“Still there?”
Liru pressed her forehead without a word.
She'd felt the same sensation I had.
“Yeah.”
“...”
“Impressive tracking skills. I couldn't find her no matter what.”
“...How do you know she's there if you can't find her?”
“Killing intent was leaking out like crazy. Spiked when I was massaging you.”
“...Ah. That.”
I'd felt 'something' too.
Even I, who's dense to that stuff, vaguely sensed it. Must've been monstrous.
“How much does that side love you, anyway?”
Beats me.
That was Elnor.
She'd been tailing me since morning. If Liru hadn't pointed it out, I wouldn't have noticed.
‘...Why is she doing this?’
No clue what had gotten into her.
But it was scary.
Really scary.
Even now, whenever I got a bit closer to Liru, the prickling across my body told me as much.
“...Anyway, time to move soon.”
I checked my watch, sighed, and stretched.
Early morning workout with Liru had drained my energy, but I couldn't just collapse and rest.
The first exchange student event—'Friendly Sparring'—was up next.
‘...Friendly, my ass.’
Word was, national pride made it brutal. Serious injuries were common, not just bruises.
But more importantly for me.
‘...A chance to raise my Endurance stat.’
Solid performance there, and Liru's 'proof of promise' from Luca could net me a decent item.
No slacking allowed.
“...You gonna be okay, though?”
Lost in thought, Liru mouthed another warning.
“...Pardon?”
“Honestly, finding an opponent at your level will be tough.”
Fair point.
Without Desperate Situation, I was a total pushover. How many times had I been underestimated for looking weak?
“And if you can't find one? You'll be stuck alone in an empty waiting room hallway.”
“...”
Fresh goosebumps.
“You sure that woman won't do something to you if you're alone like that?”
“...”
Ah.
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The arena for the sparring match pitting exchange students from the Empire against each other buzzed with heat.
Mostly from the Crucible of Struggle side, though. The Imperials stood in line like half-dead corpses.
This friendly sparring at the Crucible was, exceptions aside, basically an execution for Elpante students.
Tribal warriors' one-on-one combat prowess was legendary.
Badel Goop-Ta smirked at the Imperial students as he signed up for the event.
‘Pathetic Empire weaklings.’
He slung his greatsword—nearly as tall as him—over his shoulder and eyed them with contempt.
Still, not a single one worth a damn. No change from last year.
Absurd that these losers were lumped in as one of the 'three great powers' alongside them. He'd entered last year thinking the same.
Ah, good times.
The thrill of pounding an Imperial begging to stop until his teeth shattered and he couldn't speak lingered sweetly in his fists.
‘Wonder if there's anyone worth beating this time...’
True to the friendly spirit, opponents paired up freely between Crucible and Elpante students.
Badel specialized in sniffing out the weakest.
He had confidence in his skills, but his taste ran to slow, controlled torment.
A perfect 'prey' caught his eye soon enough.
‘...What a pathetic excuse for a man.’
A pale-faced guy glancing around frantically.
Desperate eyes scanning nonstop. Begging other students to spar with him.
Crucible students frowned and shook their heads. Clearly 'too weak.'
Despair etched his face each time.
‘...Weird guy.’
With skills like that, he'd just get thrashed.
What was it? Like he *had* to find an opponent no matter what.
As if being chased by someone.
Still.
He looked weak, lacked confidence—right up Badel's alley.
Name tag check.
Dawood Campbell.
“Hey. You're with me.”
“Re-Really?!”
Approaching with those words, Badel inwardly sneered at the guy's beaming face.
The fool grabbed his hand and shook it without looking back.
Badel leaned in close, whispering evilly in his ear.
He wanted to see terror freeze that face.
“Don't celebrate like an idiot. Brace yourself. The moment you agreed, it was too late. We'll start sparring right now and I'll torment you straight through till the event ends—”
“Thanks...!”
“...”
The genuine gratitude left Badel speechless.
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