Chapter 111
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 111
‘A prophet…’
I narrowed my eyes, staring down at the letter.
Interactions within Myrillin Saga never followed a fixed path, even if you played through the game multiple times. Mir, the developer, had famously advertised that they utilized high-performance AI and random number generation for every NPC to ensure a unique experience with every single playthrough.
Based on my own experience, that claim held water. Aside from the main storyline and essential sub-quests, the world always offered slightly different developments.
This was especially true regarding the ‘prophet.’
In some playthroughs, the prophet’s existence was a common rumor; in others, there wasn't a single trace of her. Intrigued by the inconsistency, I had once tried to uncover the prophet's identity through various methods, but I ultimately failed.
To think I’d stumble upon a clue like this by pure chance.
I turned the letter over in my hands and nodded slowly.
‘I have a rough idea of what’s happening.’
The prophet, Joshua.
She used her novels to spread the ‘revelations’ she received to the world, but her life was cut short by an incurable congenital disease. Crucially, her lifespan was determined by the game's internal random number generation.
There must have been playthroughs where she lived longer, allowing her prophetic novels to spread far and wide and earn her fame. Conversely, there were playthroughs where her illness took her much earlier. That explained why rumors of her reached me in some lives but not in others.
The most important takeaway now was that she was almost completely cured.
I finished my train of thought and tucked the letter into my coat.
“I’ll read it properly when I get back.”
According to my knowledge of the game, Joshua's prophecies were absolute. They weren't mere predictions that might come true; they were renowned for always being fulfilled.
Perhaps that was only natural.
‘Her lifespan and the various prophecies derived from it are the very anchors for the random variables of a given playthrough.’
In a way, the prophet Joshua could be seen as the wedge that locked in the specific RNG of a world.
‘In any case, since this situation has deviated significantly from the Myrillin Saga I knew, Joshua's prophecies will be an invaluable asset.’
I’d have to make time to visit the Izelin Kingdom eventually, or perhaps wait for her to enroll at the Union.
As I accepted the letter, Josephine offered a warm smile.
“Yes, my sister will be delighted. Please write back when you have the time. She mentioned she would very much like to meet you one day.”
“I’ll look forward to that day.”
I nodded with a polite smile.
*
The Underworld. Durhen District.
This was the heart of the Resistance—an alliance of roughly ten organizations leading the rebellion against the Panopticon, the absolute rulers of the Underworld.
In a secluded hideout where the leaders had gathered, a woman quietly opened her eyes.
“Hmm… so that’s how it is.”
Screech—.
As the bat that had been hovering by her ear took flight, Carmilla shrugged. She examined the front and back of her hand, checking her manicure. Tiny, glittering rubies were embedded in her blood-red nails.
“Well, I had a feeling, but still…”
Carmilla slowly clenched her hand into a fist.
‘Ain Soph Fingard.’
The descendant of the Great Sage Azolte Fingard—the man who led humanity's golden age—and the world's only human Grand Mage. He hadn't been seen for decades; to think he was holed up in a place like that.
Then again, it would take someone of his caliber to interfere with her authority. She had never imagined a Grand Mage would settle for an academy, wasting his time teaching mere brats.
“How amusing… how very amusing.”
Carmilla’s eyes sparkled as her lips curled into a thin smile.
She had sacrificed two of her kin, but it was no great loss. She could create as many as she wanted, given enough time. The information she had gained was worth a hundred times the cost. Now, Gillean wouldn't have a reason to interrogate her for acting independently.
She had discovered the true identity of the Union’s Chairman.
As Carmilla lost herself in thought, a pained groan echoed from beneath her.
“Guh…”
Carmilla glanced down, her expression flickering with irritation.
“Stay still before I kill you. Are you implying I’m heavy?”
“N-No, not at all!”
Carmilla ruthlessly jabbed her heel into the back of the human she was using as a footstool.
Useless lumps of meat.
She briefly considered turning them all into puddles of blood for failing to serve as proper furniture, but…
‘If I kill them all, I’ll run out of pawns for the plan.’
She had been dispatched to this archipelago specifically to command the Underworld's resistance. Setting these vermin aside, Carmilla found the Shadow Archipelago quite to her liking. It was far from the continent teeming with humans, and more importantly, the islands were saturated with primal magic.
Plus, there was that one boy who had piqued her interest.
“Gulados.”
As Carmilla spoke, a figure emerged from the shadows.
“Yes, my lady.”
It was a man whose face was half-melted, scarred by a severe burn.
“How is the mass production coming along?”
“We have secretly secured a manufacturing facility and are currently installing the equipment. Once the raw materials are supplied, we can begin mass production within a few months.”
The mass production of Dark Mana Stones.
Originally, Dark Mana Stones were a rare byproduct of high-ranking demons. Now, such a dangerous item was about to enter industrial-scale production.
Of course, being mass-produced, these versions weren't powerful enough to turn a normal animal into a monster or a human into a demon with a single touch. Unlike the original stones, which would leave a user crippled or dead after one use, this improved version was diluted. It allowed a user to maximize their power only when needed, offering relative stability. The ability to supply it to more members through mass production was an added bonus.
‘In truth, this is far more efficient than using raw Dark Mana Stones.’
A potion that allowed thousands of members to moderately enhance their power at will held far greater strategic value than a few monsters that turned into demons and rampaged uncontrollably.
That wasn't to say it was harmless. It was still a lethal substance that would slowly erode the user's magic circuits, eventually leading to death from demonic energy poisoning. It was merely the difference between dying instantly and dying slowly.
From Carmilla's perspective, the lives of her pawns weren't worth considering. What mattered was that it was a controllable, efficient weapon.
“Good. Contact me once the materials are secured. And what about that brat you were planning to recruit?”
They had heard rumors of a girl with the ‘Eye of Replication’—an existence that could accelerate their plans by years. If they could kidnap her and bring her under their command, it would be a massive gain.
Gulados reported promptly.
“The girl is reportedly under the protection of the Panopticon's western branch.”
“Oh? There? Should I go fetch her myself?”
“There is no need for you to go to such lengths, my lady. They are spending their own resources to raise her for us. We need only wait for the fruit to ripen before we pluck it.”
*
The midterm for the Basic Swordsmanship class was a practical exam.
It wasn't anything complex; it was essentially a physical fitness test. Push-ups, sit-ups, long-distance running, and the like. Strength, endurance, and stamina were comprehensively scored to determine a pass or fail.
“Roen Devalis, pass.”
This testing system was heavily influenced by Professor Zimmer, who was currently cooperating with me. Since my physical fitness was still technically at the level of an ordinary person, it would be difficult for me to secure an ‘A’ if the grading were based on technical swordplay.
Of course, for the sake of grade differentiation, I couldn't use this method for the final exam. But by then, Professor Verdandi would have returned from her suspension, so I’d cross that bridge when I got to it. For now, I would manage my grades using the points Zimmer was handing out and focus on conditioning my body as much as possible before Verdandi’s return.
I clenched my fists, feeling my frame slowly gaining muscle and bulk.
‘My growth has been accelerating lately.’
The growth bonus from my Martial Artist trait was stacking with my daily morning workouts. On top of that, I was wearing a growth-support item that provided additional stats, so the acceleration was expected.
Furthermore, I felt like the changes were moving beyond simple stat increases; my physical composition was transforming. My personal theory was that the sensation of my stats momentarily spiking through demonic energy was lingering in my body, aiding muscle development.
Gaurel, hailing from a mountain tribe, passed with ease.
However…
“Garfield, fail.”
Garfield failed to meet the passing criteria.
60 push-ups in two minutes, 65 sit-ups, and a 3-kilometer run in 15 minutes. It wasn't an impossible standard, but it was a bit much for Garfield's current physique.
“Haa… haa…”
“However, your record has improved since the last class. You're making progress, so keep at it,” Zimmer noted.
“Y-Yes, Professor!”
Garfield returned to my side, looking dejected. I patted him on the shoulder comfortingly.
“You'll get it next time.”
With Garfield’s turn, the fitness test concluded. Professor Zimmer checked his watch and nodded.
“That's all for today. There's quite a bit of time left, but you're dismissed.”
The students let out a cheer. They gathered their practice swords and bags, leaving the training grounds in small groups.
“Garfield, want to hit a cafe on the way back? We can compare our answers for the Divine Studies test.”
Since we had some free time, I figured we could hang out and review the exam we had just taken.
“Hehe, sounds good.”
Just as Garfield and I were about to leave, someone tapped my shoulder.
“Hey, look over there,” Gaurel said, pointing.
I turned to see Freya approaching with her aides. She bowed politely before asking cautiously, “Roen, do you have a moment?”
“What is it?”
“It’s nothing urgent. I just wanted to thank you properly for your help during the athletic festival. If you have time, I’d appreciate it if you could visit my office. Or, if it’s more convenient, I can visit the Student Council President’s Office.”
I quickly ran through my schedule in my head.
“No need for you to come all the way to my office when you’re busy. I’ll stop by your place this evening.”