Chapter 10
Chapter 10
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 10
Chapter Title: Synergy
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It hit me anew.
Gray clearly had zero interest in how her words sounded to others.
Perhaps it stemmed from living a life where she never felt the need to convince anyone else.
In that sense.
“⋯⋯Lady.”
“What.”
“Is this cleaning sufficient?”
“Good. Get out.”
Gray, who had been reading a book with her monocle on, waved her hand dismissively without even making eye contact.
It must have meant she was done with the job, so get lost.
Carlyle, who had spent the entire day in the same room as Gray fulfilling her every demand one by one, tilted his head curiously as he left the room.
She hadn't made eye contact once during the entire cleaning, only glancing around furtively when he reported the work was done.
There had been no human interaction whatsoever.
“⋯⋯.”
Sharing a room seemed to be her way of saying it minimized the time wasted on giving orders.
Compared to that initial shocking impression.
This was honestly.
“Just means 'tend to my needs 24/7,' doesn't it⋯⋯?”
[That's right.]
“⋯⋯.”
She expressed something like that in such a terrifying manner?
Sharing a room.
“⋯⋯Is it really okay to let an outsider guy into your room so casually?”
[Think about it. Do you really seem like even the slightest threat to me?]
“⋯⋯.”
[It feels more like excessive self-consciousness, honestly.]
Fair point.
Even if Carlyle harbored some lewd thoughts, Gray could euthanize him like twisting a chicken's neck.
“Then it just means she'll work me even harder.”
[⋯⋯It doesn't end there.]
“Huh?”
[Think carefully. Me, of all people—me, the ultimate personality wreck. Do you think someone like that would casually let another person into her room?]
“⋯⋯.”
[It's absolutely not a light matter.]
⋯⋯True enough.
Hearing her criticize herself from her own mouth was shocking, but it was even more convincing.
[It means she no longer sees you as a threat at all. She's fully recognized you as one of her own.]
Even if she couldn't be harmed, the fact that this woman—who treated other humans like half-bugs—had no complaints about sharing space was a positive sign in itself.
The Holy Sword added that, then paused before sighing and continuing.
[She probably intends to take you to the academy by keeping you this close.]
⋯⋯I already knew that.
The academy limited attendants to one or two for various reasons, so those few had to stick close and assist their master in all aspects of life.
She needed to get used to being supported in every way.
Carlyle smirked and summoned the window in front of him.
[System Log]
▶ You have smoothly handled the 'Major Event'!
▶ Trust greatly increases.
[ ★ Trust 5% → 40% ]
▶ Reward granted!
▶ Check the Trait tab!
▶ Your relationship with the Hero has greatly changed.
▶ It will greatly influence future events.
▶ The Hero no longer sees you as a threat.
▶ The Hero wants to take you to the 'Cradle'!
It was the window that had popped up since returning from the banquet, and I knew what it meant.
The Empire's knight order training institution. Known as the 'Cradle'.
An academy symbolic of the era, having produced numerous peerless warriors.
Its fame was continent-wide. Even nations growling at the Empire sent their talents here just to utilize it.
The surprising part was that even Gray had entered such a place willingly.
“You had something to learn there?”
[I did.]
The instant affirmative response said it all.
[I'm far more immature than I appear right now—not just in personality, but in abilities too. The Cradle erased most of those flaws.]
Carlyle widened his eyes in surprise.
Was the Empire's academy that capable?
Enough for humanity's strongest to say she'd learned much there.
[Not all memories are fond, though.]
But the Holy Sword continued.
[Like when you stopped me from killing Anastasia at the banquet.]
“Yes.”
[I truly didn't think killing her then was wrong—until you corrected me.]
“⋯⋯.”
[It's natural since I'm here following the path my past self took, but⋯⋯ most of the 'experiences' that piled up to create the mad Hero you met happened at the Cradle.]
In short.
Most incidents that turned this person into a personality-wrecked sociopath occurred there.
“Then I have to go no matter what.”
Correcting her 'first murder' had already visibly changed Gray's behavior patterns, even if slightly.
She still led with fists over words when annoyed, but at least now she hesitated just a bit before swinging.
Honestly, it was astonishing. Even for a child, seeing results this quickly.
[⋯⋯Doesn't it end the same with her hitting anyway?]
“That's progress for an egalitarian like you.”
[Egalitarian?]
“You treated everyone equally like a bastard, regardless of gender, age, or status.”
She was truly equal in that sense.
When rampaging, she judged solely by whether they pleased her, sparing no one.
Granting even a speck of self-control to this fairly destructive tyrant was an enormous change⋯⋯
[⋯⋯I see.]
Gray accepted it readily, and Carlyle smirked as he added.
“Still, realizing her mistakes now is something. I think you're amazing.”
[⋯⋯What?]
An incredulous voice leaked from the Holy Sword.
It was natural given how Carlyle usually treated her, but he meant it sincerely.
“I've never thought otherwise. You are amazing.”
Having wielded her power once himself, he understood even better.
Born with such immense power, she could have veered far worse. The Hero's strength was monstrous enough to twist one's fundamentals.
Yet through all those cycles, one thing Carlyle was certain of.
⋯⋯This person fought humanity's enemies to the end every time.
Even with her shattered, twisted personality, she fulfilled her duty until the finish.
“Realizing that anew, it's impressive.”
[⋯⋯.]
“I don't know all the past events yet, but you're not at your worst. I guarantee it.”
[Fix the me there now. Don't try to seduce⋯⋯ correct me at this point.]
⋯⋯Don't seduce her.
Carlyle smirked, interpreting Gray's swallowed words.
“Hero.”
[What.]
“Excessive self-consciousness.”
[⋯⋯If I had a body now, I'd kick you.]
“You don't, so I can say it. Are you dumb?”
[⋯⋯.]
As the Holy Sword ground its teeth, Carlyle stroked his chin in thought.
“But there might be a problem.”
[What?]
“I definitely felt it last time—sticking with you means my lifelines aren't enough. I need to get stronger.”
Not to mention, the Holy Sword would reveal events, but resolving them depended solely on Carlyle's capabilities.
And to stay by the Hero—who operated on a different scale—he was woefully inadequate to even protect himself now.
Plus, this was an issue.
[System Log]
▶ 'Gray Cardinal' takes interest in you.
▶ Try adding the target to 'Taming' candidates!
'⋯⋯What the hell with this shady bastard.'
She must have been impressed by Carlyle's full-body contortion at the banquet.
Judging by her reputation, tangling with her wouldn't end well.
For various reasons, boosting Carlyle's combat power was inevitable.
Especially since he'd inevitably get dragged into nasty business.
[⋯⋯But through all those regressions, why didn't you ever think to strengthen yourself?]
“Of course I did. Do you know how desperately I tried?”
He'd tried everything possible. Really.
The simple reason Carlyle ultimately abandoned it all.
“No matter what I trained, supporting you more in that time was far more efficient.”
Overall combat power-wise, funneling everything good to a talent-filled Hero beat his own growth hands down.
“I gave you everything I could. Don't you remember?”
[⋯⋯You did.]
Even in the last cycle, he'd poured rare elixirs, gear, and growth means onto the Hero.
'This time will be different.'
With the ability to nearly copy the Hero's power now in his hands, Carlyle had no reason to neglect his own growth.
Especially with beings above Archdemons confirmed, he couldn't afford to be picky.
“Any way to get stronger right now? Faster the better, all around.”
Currently, three Holy Sword skills were available to add.
Not a small number. Could lead to big changes.
[By the way, about these 'skills' being added to me now.]
Suddenly, the Holy Sword spoke up.
[I don't know the principle, but is it copying abilities I originally used?]
“Something like that.”
[⋯⋯Hmm.]
At that, the Holy Sword pondered briefly.
[Then, take these if you can.]
Carlyle stared at the Holy Sword in disbelief at the list that followed.
“⋯⋯These? What for?”
To him, the skills sounded utterly without synergy.
To the point of wondering what use they'd have.
But the Holy Sword replied calmly despite the doubt.
[Remember this. You're not the only one regressed.]
“⋯⋯What suddenly?”
[Everyone has regrets. Even me, humanity's guardian.]
“Huh?”
[If I could go back, I'd do this better, that differently⋯⋯ Those regrets apply to my growth too.]
Things visible only after achievement.
A 'fully grown' Hero could instantly see how to better utilize her accumulated power.
[I'll pass all those theories to you.]
“⋯⋯.”
Huh.
Wait.
'⋯⋯Now that I think about it, yeah?'
It's not just restarting for him.
Humanity's guardian's accumulations were with him now.
Especially since his power's basis was borrowing the Hero's abilities.
Learning to wield the Hero's power from the 'completed Hero' herself.
That meant ultimate synergy.
[Humanity's strongest guarantees it. You'll grow faster than anyone.]
What followed.
[Enough to guide the 'me' in this timeline too.]
-It was a line brimming with an aura that made his spine tingle.