Puppet Pavela Falls, and Act 2 Ends
Pavela, the puppeteer, had fallen, and Act 2 was over. We all headed back together.
The "cabin" where we'd fought the Pavela boss was in the darkness district not far from the black market, so we passed through the Black Auction and made our way to one of the many exits.
As soon as we surfaced to the ground, a message popped up as if it had been waiting.
Congratulations!
You've successfully cleared the boss fight with Puppeteer Pavela in true "Adrian style."
Solo clear! Incredible! You've earned the title "The Stagnant One"!
You've recruited Puppeteer Witch Pavela as a subordinate without killing her! But it feels more like a "deal" than "loyalty"! She could betray you at any time! Be careful!
You've recruited a former enemy as a subordinate for the second time! Achievement: "The Charismatic Man Who Turns Foes into Allies" cleared. "Companion of Bonds" leadership slightly increased.
Altered clear rewards granted!
I stepped back from the group chatting as we walked, held out my hand, and something dropped into it with a thud.
Acquired!
Issue commands to Puppeteer Pavela without anyone noticing via the Puppeteer Thread Phone!
Two-way communication impossible!
A quick glance revealed it was a string phone connected to paper cups. The "string" stretched out of sight. According to the status window, this item let me give one-way orders to Pavela hiding in the darkness. No back-and-forth chat. Guess for info trades, I'd have to summon her in person.
This must be the altered Act 2 clear reward because of me.
> Huh? No it's not.
> This is the boss clear reward! Act 2's full clear reward comes after the final condition.
Wait. What? This is Act 2. Wasn't the Pavela boss the end?
I checked the follow-up messages.
Act 2, "Ultimate Debut" – One final step remains.
On the last day of the Athletic Festival, make a spectacular debut for "Lumen Ribens" as "6th Princess Lijelilias".
Added Act 2 Clear Condition: Complete "Ultimate Debut" to unlock achievement "Princess Producer".
I see. Normally, beating Pavela would end Act 2 right away. Looks like this act got altered too.
"Adrian? What are you staring at?"
"Nothing. Just thinking it's time to see the true end of all this."
Yeah. From now on, I had to be her ultimate producer. For her alone.
"Adrian, more importantly, don't you have something to say to us?"
Reina and the others stared up at me. I gave a slight smile.
"Thanks, everyone. For coming to save me."
"That's it!"
* * *
The next day was the final day of the Athletic Festival.
"Die, die, just drop dead! 【Mid Tier Earth Elemental Magic: Cliff Severance】!"
"【Mid Tier Earth Elemental Magic: Cliff Severance】"
"Hmph, you think that magic works on me? 【Mid Tier Ice Elemental Magic: Ice Hammer】!"
"【Mid Tier Ice Elemental Magic: Ice Hammer】"
Boom!
A massive thorn erupted from the earth toward the sky, only for a giant ice hammer to smash it apart.
"Uh? Ah?"
"Just sleep there quietly!"
Kaboom!
"Kyaaah!"
A girl crumpled powerlessly to the ground amid the barrage of spells.
The Blue Team's invincible, undefeated legend held strong on day two—and now on the final third day.
"Ha!"
But the morning matches on day three played out differently.
Cavalry battle. All members of Blue and White Teams participated in this mandatory event. Teams of three riders, rule: steal the ribbons from the rider's head or arm.
But this was Salenium. The arena of youth and learning. Spells rained everywhere, earth flipped, explosions rocked, swords slashed at throats.
The vast field was packed, buzzing with energy.
"Five already."
Rider Reina von Wolfgang smiled brightly, showing off five Blue Team ribbons in her hand. She'd taken down five Blue riders—fools bold enough to charge her.
Knight or magic division didn't matter; she sent them all fairly to the infirmary.
"Now, who's next?"
Her eyes locked on one: a gem mage far off. Purple hair.
"...Shukros!"
She gripped her staff tight.
"Today, I'll crush you here. Revenge for last year!"
* * *
Explosions boomed. Gems flew in the distance; opposite, a storm of magic poured down.
They've finally met.
Miss Shukros pulling out "quartz" instead of her usual "obstacle stone" meant she was cornered. She wasn't a combat mage anyway—couldn't match Reina's firepower-focused assault.
White Team, including Ebnis, was grabbing local victories, but Blue would win anyway.
No one could match Lijelilias in the "combat" category.
Even if stalled, she'd flip the board with tactics I couldn't dream up.
So what was I doing, subbing in a ringer for the mandatory event?
"Haha, the Athletic Festival. I did it every year, but it's always fun to watch, right?"
"Yes, it is."
Having tea time with Prince Lutelus.
Surprisingly, he invited me first.
"I was shocked, though. A perfect commoner now?"
"Something like that."
"Haha, hard to find a commoner with such perfect etiquette. I almost regret it."
The white-haired man with slicked-back hair laughed heartily, sipping his tea. I watched him steadily.
"Your Highness Lutelus, may I speak freely?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"Cut the chit-chat and get to the point."
"...Hm."
Prince Lutelus frowned briefly, then glanced at the ongoing matches.
"Join me."
Figured it'd be something like that. In Empress Maker, before clashing with him, he'd send someone to recruit you in person.
"...If I pledge myself to you, Your Highness, what's in it for me?"
"Everything. Except the throne—that's mine. What do you need? Wealth? Women? Power? A capital mansion? Noble title? Repelheit Marquis? I can give it all. Tempting offer from an empire's prince, right?"
Tempting enough. And obviously.
"I refuse."
No way it'd work.
As I refused, Lutelus pressed his forehead, then spoke laced with mana.
"【Think it over again. With this one thing, you'll get far better funding and talent than your little sister. Just accept what I say.】"
Think it over again. With this one thing, you'll get far better funding and talent than your little sister. Just accept what I say.
Like 6th Princess Lijelilias's mystical genius in "combat" and "tactics," Prince Lutelus had his own weird power.
"I believe I've made my intentions clear."
"Wh-what?"
His confused face. Lutelus could indirectly mind-control and impulse emotions via his "words." Doubly effective on "emotions"—like mentioning my "inferiority complex" and "little sister."
It was in his bloodline. So he specialized in "speeches" and "rhetoric."
But his talent scouting, personal strength, and political sense were abysmal for royalty. All-in on that one power.
That's why it didn't work on me.
Status didn't matter—bloodline dignity crushed him.
"Fine, then I'll make you Repelheit Marquis again..."
"Your Highness."
The knights stood far off, so I smiled lightly.
"That's a goal I must achieve with my own strength, not by borrowing yours."
"...What?"
"And I already have a liege I serve."
"...You."
"This game."
I turned to overlook the field.
"Athletic Festival. Blue Team's overwhelming victory. The standout figure here."
"..."
"The biggest beneficiary."
"You bastard..."
"A game rigged so blatantly for 'someone.'"
No need to say more—Lutelus's face was beet red.
"You may already know, Your Highness."
I set down my teacup and stood.
"Then I'll take my leave."
* * *
As I descended the platform.
"...What is this."
"We've been waiting."
"Sunbae."
"Adrian-nim."
"Hmph, what."
Reina, Millije, Kalen, Ebnis. Four of them. No, five.
"Hi, Adrian."
"Sunbae? Not at the Blue booth...?"
"Just follow us, Adrian."
Clueless, I let them lead me—then realized why I was included.
Now for the Borrow Item Relay! The finale of this Athletic Festival! Oh! Someone's coming! First place, but wait—White and Blue Teams together?
They dragged me along relentlessly; we breezed through the finish line.
Wh-who wins? Notes first? Ooh—comrade, sunbae, comrade, cherished junior!
The announcer nodded at the notes, then eyed the last one without a note.
Show your note!
"Uh..."
Ebnis trembled, handing over her note. The announcer peered closely.
...Family! Family!
"Wh-what are you looking at!"
This was... nice, actually.
"Adrian!"
Yeah. Not bad at all.
And I turned to Lijelilias.
She mouthed: Starting?
I nodded; she nodded back, hand to her ribbon-tied hair.
Hair unbound. And whoosh! She shed her gym uniform too.
Long white hair fluttered in the wind; her uniform billowed beneath.
She drew her longsword from her waist, slamming it into the ground. Light particles swirled around her.
The packed spectator stands beyond the track, everyone here—eyes on us. Even comrades unaware of the plot. Even Lutelus watching from afar.
Amid the gazes, I took the announcer's mic lightly.
All planned in advance; the announcer said nothing.
My voice boomed, drawing every eye instantly.
All preparations complete.
Now, time to cap the long, grueling Athletic Festival.