Chapter 173
Chapter 173
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 173
Chapter Title: Evil's Authority
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The Ice Queen left utterly satisfied.
In truth, it wasn't anything special as far as cooking went.
Think about it—just pouring sugar water dyed with the color of cactus fruit and flowers over ice. What kind of flavor could that possibly have? At best, it's sugar water.
But that didn't matter at all. Not one bit.
These folks didn't know the first thing about taste anyway.
And why would they? Tasting something requires taste buds, and these fairies made entirely of snow and ice—what could they possibly perceive?
That's why Lilia was such an oddball, and why the Ice Queen had never even tried food before.
So, what you had to put into the dish wasn't "flavor," but "heart."
Sounds like something straight out of a cooking manga, right? But damn if it wasn't true. Since they couldn't taste it, they'd just accept any fresh dish with a "sure, whatever." It'd be like saying, "You've fulfilled the request. Here's your affinity point," bumping faction favor up by 1 and calling it a day. I couldn't stand to see that happen.
So, I went full con artist. "This dish is actually based on a scorching volcano, designed to devour your rival and elevate the value of your first meal. Eating is for predators only, blah blah blah." You might think it's cringey bullshit, but my ultimate Hellmouth Bullshit Skill worked like a charm.
Affinity shifted from neutral to friendly, then friendly to adored.
A world where brushing your teeth once nets you 200 favor points instead of 1. What else could you do? Gotta run that mouth.
Anyway, hitting stage-three affinity meant I could claim the matching item, and it was exactly what I remembered.
The first item was cooking gear.
"This'll come in handy for making shaved ice."
Not bad for a stage-one affinity item. If we'd gotten this and called it quits from the start, I'd be pissed.
Might be useful in spring, but with winter right around the corner, it's kinda meh. I'll save it for next year's shaved ice season...
The real prize I was after was this one.
Cloak of Ice Essence9T (Growth-Type Item) Grants resistance to all cold. Feels weightless. Remaining Reinforcement Slots (10/10)Current Max Reinforcements: 2 A pristine white cloak impervious to any filth, edged with golden thread. Base effects: Cold resistance and weightlessness. On paper, you'd think it's not worth it over something custom-made at Yggdrasil, but this is a growth item.
It's "growth armor," starting at 9T but improving in tier and performance with each reinforcement. Fully upgraded, it adds +1 Strength, +2 Dexterity, +1 Willpower, +1 Stamina, 3 special skills, and 2 special bonuses—a super item viable even late-game. You could see the ending wearing this at full power.
And what really caught my eye was that one Stamina reinforcement slot.
"Just two chances."
As in most games, reinforcements in D/Z SAGA aren't free—they require Ice Essence.
No K-mobile failures here!
And thankfully, reinforcements tend to align with your character's growth direction so far!
Meaning, based on Wolfram von Loengrin's build, Dexterity has the highest odds.
Annoyingly, no save-scumming allowed, so I had to do it legit twice. What a trash game D/Z SAGA is.
Still, I picked this for a reason.
From experience, growth items like this usually fill stats first before skills and bonuses.
Remember?
Not long ago, I got a message that push-ups had a tiny effect on Stamina during that death-push-up ordeal.
So, my growth trend is Dexterity > Stamina > rest.
Normally, bare reinforcement odds are roughly 1% bonus, 30% skill unlock, 69% stat.
If it goes right, it maintains my fading Stamina—no, since it hasn't faded yet, it could make me even more omnipotent.
A grin crept across my face as I lightly tapped reinforce.
Not bad.
Now it's 50/50 for Stamina or another Dexterity.
Dexterity 17? Solid. +1 Stamina? Need I say more?
Close to perfect. Onto the next step!
"......"
No.
Why?
System. C'mon, system, talk to me.
We were getting along fine, laughing together.
You just couldn't give me that Stamina...
Punching through 69% probability into the 10% skill slot...?
"...Hm."
Of course I know this skill. But is it one I used often? Nah.
It's a fun skill, sure—but fun-only.
In a way, it's a lot like the one I got from Hark's ruins...
"......"
In simple terms?
Screenshot bait.
Equip it, get the blizzard visual, snap a pic—looks badass.
The cloak itself is fashion-tier, perfect for boss corpse selfies. Life-changing shots guaranteed.
That's it.
"......"
Okay, it helps with favor from fans and gives AoE intimidation against max-hostile faction monsters.
But...
"Strictly speaking, doesn't this overlap with Imperial Bloodline?"
Yeah. That was the issue.
Sure, it's a passive counter, but does it really help?
Of all things, this one...
What a garbage item.
Thanks for the +1 Dexterity, though.
Hm.
Hmm. Total garbage.
Strip the Dexterity, and it's just lightweight + cold immunity. What else ya got?
"...So warm."
...
Falling autumn chill. The perfect warmth from total cold block.
I let myself sink into it for a moment.
What was Wolfram von Loengrin's public image like?
The worst, obviously.
Current Student Council President Eve von Loengrin rose up vowing a new Jefrin, kicking him off the throne.
But in her boundless mercy, she permitted his graduation.
His crimes were grave, though—an imperial scion untouchable by any now attends as a regular student.
That alone showed how fair and just Eve led Jefrin. The villain Wolfram schemed, but the council's iron grip silenced him.
A muzzled, leashed wolf.
A regular student stripped of the council president's exclusive cloak.
That was the popular view of Wolfram von Loengrin.
But that day was different.
"...Hey. That guy's..."
"I see it..."
"Holy shit..."
Everyone who crossed paths with Wolfram von Loengrin that day thought the same.
Golden hair signaling imperial blood. Slightly sharp eyes.
Up to there, same as yesterday. But what enveloped him was new.
A cloak.
Yeah. A cloak.
The symbol only the sole authority in Jefrin could wear.
Students could accessorize uniforms freely.
Some fourth-years even wore century-old Eastern-style uniforms.
But cloaks were different.
Exclusive to the Student Council President.
Wearing one signaled discontent with the current regime—possible rebellion.
Of course, no one called him out.
Jefrin wasn't life's end. He might hold a grudge and bury you with imperial power post-graduation.
But you could glare. Throw looks. Curse inwardly.
That worked until yesterday.
Not anymore.
"What the... My body's shaking..."
"I-I'm scared..."
Even those who hated Wolfram, who sneered at him—they couldn't lift their heads against the man bearing north winds on his shoulders and heavy snow in his aura.
"...G-Go get the President... Hurry!"
"Y-Yeah... Got it!"
All they could do was pray for an absolute sovereign to descend and save the world.
Nothing else came to mind.
Ah.
So warm.
"...Maybe this is all I need."
Whatever the options, this coziness felt sufficient.
Who cares if no Stamina boost? This warmth welcomes me.
Before class, I chatted with Aila Trista in the next seat.
"Wolfram. What's with the cloak?"
"Winter gear I got recently. Pretty good options on it."
"Oh? Really?"
Aila nodded.
The Throne of North Wind and Heavy Snow amplified goodwill for friends, intimidation for foes.
But the effect seemed milder than expected. Other students avoided eye contact as usual; Aila was the same.
Thirty minutes till lecture.
Leaning back casually, chatting with Aila, the classroom door opened.
She strode in boldly, back straight, unwavering steps toward us.
Neatly pinned hair, cloak billowing—the Student Council President had arrived.
Her frown deeper than usual today; something as sour as her face must've happened.
"Wolfram. I've had reports of you violating school rules."
"...Rules? Nothing comes to mind."
"They say you're challenging the Student Council's authority."
What now?
Like I'd challenge that and you'd do what?
"Authority? No clue."
"Ah, the cloak. You're wearing it."
"Got a fine piece. Does this challenge council authority?"
Eve sighed briefly, then spoke calmly.
"Aha. Some student must think the cloak is exclusive to the current president."
"Makes sense. Even though it's explicitly in the rules."
Our voices overlapped right after.
"Student Council Ordinance Article 9, Clause 15: Exceptions to President's Privileges. Former presidents may wear replicas of exclusive items like cloaks as a sign of respect."
Yeah. Both Eve and I had it memorized—legitimately allowed as an exception.
"Even dethroned, I'm still the former president. No restrictions on wearing it."
"Exactly. Nothing to nitpick today. The reporter just didn't know the rules well... Sorry. Ended up hassling you over nothing."
Eve nodded and apologized sincerely.
She's surprisingly even-tempered and fair in these matters.
"Then I'll head to my lecture. Oh, Wolfram."
"Yeah?"
"Not praising you, but that cloak suits you. Has imperial dignity."
"Does it?"
Empty compliment, but it didn't feel bad.
"...The president acknowledged the cloak."
"Evil's revival..."
"Is the Empire of Evil rising again...!"
Despairing murmurs rippled around us simultaneously.
What? Some trendy novel these days?