Chapter 187
Chapter 187
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 187
Chapter Title: No Such Thing, President
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Childhood.
The protagonists in the comics and novels I read back then lived incredibly busy lives.
I mean, they went to school during the day, and whenever enemies showed up, they'd fly off to fight them.
What was it? In this really old robot comic, they were so efficient they even hid a robot inside the school—ripping up the sports field and draining the swimming pool to stash it there, then hopping in and blasting off. Talk about a ruthless, high-efficiency world.
Anyway, that's not the point. I'm not trying to rant about exploitative child labor in hero stories.
Back then, I was going through this oddly nihilistic, modern puberty phase...
So, what I wondered was:
'When the hell do these guys study for their grades?'
There was never a single mention in those stories of saving the Earth counting toward their GPA. While their friends slaved away at cram schools and certifications to land decent jobs in this cutthroat society, these protagonists jetted off on robots yelling, 'I've come to judge you villains who seek to plunge the world into darkness!'
'Do they even have time for performance assessments?'
But no one ever answered my question.
Those guys are gonna get in real trouble someday. Imagine the parent-teacher conference: 'We're grateful you saved Earth, but why couldn't our Cheol-i save himself?' You've gotta look out for number one.
Anyway, those childhood doubts from comics became a clear guiding principle in my life.
That's why, even after diving into D/Z SAGA—a game I loved so much I cleared the rotten water level—I always put myself first.
The top priority being 'never risk your life' says it all.
Hell, if there was a resurrection spell, I'd go all-in, but without that? No way I'm gambling my life.
What? You think trekking out with just 2 stamina to smash bosses doesn't count as risking it?
Nah, that's just playing around. It's not like I'm doing backstep-cancel-parry-cancel combos to 'reverse-run the gates of the demon world with nothing but my bare hands and a dagger, maintaining invincibility frames faster than spwon'ting backward.' Too bad—stamina 15 would make it tempting. The fun part is the thwack! on backsteps and the shiiing! on dagger parries. That's the 'Tta-Shi-Run' technique everyone's raving about. So satisfying.
Anyway.
Right now, I'm playing it safe, focusing on maps I can clear, prioritizing myself first, then my party members.
For my own glory, the convenience store's growth, and above all, peace. That's how I'll live today.
So... with the party's midterms setup mostly done, it's time to gear up myself.
"Let's go, Patrasche."
"Do we have to?"
"Hm. Any reason you don't want to?"
"Flames are my foundation, so it doesn't appeal to me much."
"I see. Then just escort me to the entrance."
"...Understood."
To power myself up, we head for Frostplain Snowfield.
Silpia's party buff ends around the time midterms wrap up.
Before that, I'm settling things with this damn cape once and for all.
Truth be told, there was a slight glitch—the stats didn't go up on this accursed cape—but I'd laid all the groundwork.
It even affected stamina a tiny bit, right? Pump some real reinforcement into it, and stamina will rise for sure. I could data-mine D/Z SAGA to prove it.
Honestly, stamina 4 vs. 3 isn't a huge gap. The real decider is backstep-cancel: 3 lets you survive, but 2 kills you mid-backstep.
Whatever. Once Silpia leaves and midterms end, whoever joins next, we'll sync buffs and head to the matching expedition spot.
So right now, I need to hit Frostplain Snowfield, complete the quest somehow, and slap a stamina option on this cape. That's the plan.
The monsters there don't attack me, and Ria Dia Frost is friendly, so wandering solo is no issue.
That's the perk of faction alignment and affinity. How great is that?
Patrasche isn't even necessary. Just check quests, pick one, clear it, and bam—stamina up like eating cake with your hands.
Thinking that, as I prepare to leave Jefrin—
"...Wolfram?"
"..."
Again.
Again with that damn Eve von Loengrin popping up in front of me.
Disappear. Please, just vanish from my sight. Why does she show up every day, meddling in everything?
Today's probably no different—picking at me casually, thumb raised in veto. Can't we just go our separate ways and pretend we never see each other again? See you never?
"Where are you wandering off to this time? Forgot it's midterms?"
"Got business. Heading out on a quick expedition."
I have stuff to do, so you do yours. Let's ignore each other completely.
"Oh, okay."
"Yeah."
Eve eyed me with hollowed eyes, sighed, and shuffled away.
She looks rough, no energy to bother with me.
Sweet.
Hurry up and go.
Then she stops dead and turns back, like something hit her.
"Wait. You're about to head out—where's your escort?"
"Patrasche will accompany me partway."
"...You know what's right ahead?"
"Frostplain Snowfield, right?"
"You know that, and you're going without an escort!?"
"It's not my first or second time. Why worry?"
"...Ugh. Urgh. Anywhere else, fine, but Frostplain Snowfield is a total no-go zone... Are you insane?"
Ah. She doesn't know yet.
About my contract with Ria Dia Frost.
"Don't worry about me. Mind your own path. I can handle myself. You look beat—got the energy?"
"And whose fault is that...!"
"How's it mine?"
"You forgot!? A few days ago, Silpia came to me crying, 'I'm sorry, my lord... I'm no longer your pure servant anymore!'"
"Is that so?"
"Yes! She reported going to you, came back in new armor etched with a golden wolf emblem, and burst into tears! What did you think I'd assume, you trash?!"
"..."
This is unfair.
Is that my fault? Silpia chose it.
Of course, from Eve's faction, Silpia's an irreplaceable asset—a major loss.
And... that emblem on the armor? Yeah, it screams affiliation.
I get it. From Eve's view, it's cause for heartache.
"Even when I pressed her, she just sobbed apologies—do you know how tough that was!? Lucky I got the full story later...!"
With that outburst, Eve sighed deeply.
Hm.
I see.
"Got it. My bad on that front. I apologize."
Eve stared at me in shock.
What? She'd be less surprised hearing a cockroach talk.
"You... apologizing? To me? Are you crazy? Wolfram, you sick? If you're hurting, go rest."
"...Tch."
This girl, really...
"Silpia's officially your faction's. We shared temporary joint affiliation through teamwork, but the armor emblem can imply independent loyalty. 'It was a mistake open to misinterpretation, but no malice intended—I'll resolve it amicably with her.' Accept that apology?"
"Sounds like that prime minister's excuse before dissolving into morning dew at the last execution grounds. Am I wrong?"
"You are."
"...Sigh. Fine. Good armor, and you nailed it as promo-only, so I'll let it slide. ...But with the Black Flag stirring chaos, don't make things more exhausting."
"I'll be careful."
"...Good enough."
With that, Eve started to leave, then turned back again.
"Wait. Where'd you say the expedition was?"
"Already forgot? Frostplain Snowfield."
"...No. Wait. Patrasche escorts only partway, right?"
"Yes."
"...So you're going alone?"
"How many times do I have to say it? Yeah."
"I just said don't make things more tiring!"
God, really.
She's so noisy.
"Then come along if you're worried."
"...Urk."
In the end, Eve tagged along to Frostplain Snowfield, and we split with Patrasche around there.
"I'll head out from here. You'll be fine without me?"
"What? You know what this place means to me now."
"True enough."
With the Ice Essence Cape, and the monsters not attacking me.
It's just a normal map. Safer than residential zones, considering the friendliness.
Eve's the issue, but as party members, no attacks there.
Affinity at adoration spreads to companions too.
More importantly now:
"One request before you go, Patrasche."
"What?"
"Bless that idiot over there with flame protection."
"...Got it."
Eve came in just her uniform and cape. The student council president's cape has some insulation, but not enough for Frostplain's chill.
Holy Light Spear heals, but isn't great for elemental resistance—still cold as hell.
Her chattering teeth at 165 BPM eurobeat speed is unbearable.
"...Ah. Warm. Thanks, Patrasche."
"Thank your master."
"...Thanks, Patrasche."
"Sheesh. ...Do what you want. I'm off."
Patrasche turned and left.
After that, we strolled through Frostplain Snowfield casually.
Ice spirits, snow monsters, snow women, ice folk, even ice drakes blinked at us curiously—but no attacks.
"They're all ignoring us... Huh?"
Eve, loaded with 【Holy Light Spear: Rapid Fire: Auto-Intercept: Annihilate: Must-Hit】, walked ahead carefree until she locked eyes with a snow rabbit glancing our way, then poked me.
Don't. It hurts.
"What's going on, Wolfram? ...Frostplain Snowfield and Akea Volcano are Jefrin's twin hells, right? This feels cozy like a... Huh?"
"I'll explain inside."
Ignoring her, I passed the next 'Frostplain' gate, and an ice palace appeared before us.
No fanfare, just walking—and Eve gaped, but I wasn't fazed.
Just like in the game, huh? First time, I thought it was stunningly beautiful. Now, after grinding faction affinity, it's just the quest guild office.
"Ria Dia Frost. Your equal partner has arrived. Open the gates."
"Come in."
Wind and ice clash into a single voice.
More beautiful and noble than eerie or fearsome. Definitely Ria's.
"Let's go in."
"...Wha, wait! Wolfram!"
The gates opened, and one step in—we're in the queen's audience chamber.
Exactly like the game. Comforting, really.
"Wolfram von Loengrin. Our equal ally. One who dreams the same dream, sees the same future. Oath-partner to build the Millennium Ice Crystal World together."
Ria and Lilia together in the audience chamber.
I wondered why a mid-tier ice spirit shared space with the queen, but eh—game devs cram NPCs wherever.
"Oh, and who's that...?"
"One who shares my bloodline. Beneath my hand."
"...So, in human terms, a descendant?"
"Means from the same generation, under my hand."
"Ah... I see. A sibling, then."
I didn't bother replying.
Eve, missing the vibe, poked my back with her finger.
Stop, it really hurts.
"Wolfram, Wolfram... Explain. What's all this?"
"Nothing much. Ria Dia Frost and I are allies united by common purpose. No one here treats me as an enemy."
"Yes. Indeed. We're cooperating to build the Millennium Ice Crystal Kingdom. Until the day the song of ice echoes across the world."
"Hm."
"...R-Right. Allies, got it?"
"Yes. As Wolfram's sibling, you're a welcome guest too."
"Wow..."
Eve glanced at me, eyes sparkling a bit.
Why the pressure?
"Spit it out if you have something to say."
"No, I thought you were the worst Loengrin—stirring conflicts daily, causing trouble—but making alliances like this... You do care about peace and harmony?"
Huh?
What're you talking about?
"Nonsense."
"Huh? Doesn't having an allied faction mean no more fighting?"
"Hehe. Little ally sister, not quite."
"...What do you mean?"
"We're pooling strength to freeze the neck of that fire-witch in Akea Gorge and hang it from this palace's peak."
"The one in Akea Gorge... Th-that means—"
Eve slumped to the floor right there.
"The factions are on the brink of war—why drag me into this... Silent for three centuries... Wolfram, you trash..."
She glares at me.
No.
Is this my fault too?