Cassandra's Bold Declaration
Geum Taeyang narrowed his eyes. "Damn... Nadia's competitive spirit is completely out of control. She barely said a word until we reached Grace, and now this?"
Nadia had refined the Morion. The fact that she revealed this crucial detail only upon arrival told Geum Taeyang everything. Knowing her personality, she would never have prepared something so important just to spring a surprise. She had genuinely completed it in a rush.
"My rampage must have sparked her inspiration like wildfire."
Just moments ago she had casually claimed the refined Morion would be ready around next mid-year, yet she had also admitted she was already making significant progress. Witnessing Geum Taeyang's explosive actions in Memphis and then in the Grace Kingdom had clearly pushed her over the edge, igniting her competitive streak and forcing her to finish the project.
"And the proof? Geum Taeyang wasn't the type to rely on mere guesses. He was a man who analyzed everything with solid evidence and played it safe."
Gastmancer Skills: [Mana Body Enhancement] [Summoning] [Spirit Dominion] [Spatial Domination] [True Mana Detection]
Alchemist Skills: [Alchemy Conversion Master] [Alchemy Enhancement/Granting Master] [Alchemy Life/Creation Master] [Alchemy Secret Refining Master]
Special Item: ??? [Unlocked at Favorability 60+]
Profile — Race: Human | Kingdom: Darmina Kingdom | Position: Princess | Age: 24 | Height: 170cm | Weight: 54kg | Bust: 70H cup | Three sizes: 98/53/102 cm (39/21/40 in)
Favorability toward me: 85/100 — Personality: Finds me extremely, extremely interesting. Affection: ??? | Fetish: ??? | Sensitive spots: ??? | Libido: Average
"She was only A+ back in Memphis. Now she's reached S. Especially in alchemy — every single skill is at Master level."
A lazy genius who had already hit A+ in her mid-teens, Nadia had stayed at that level until she turned twenty-three. Then, properly stimulated in Memphis, she broke through to S-rank — the realm beyond realms in the awakener world — in just over a month.
"Can't let her take my front yard, can I? How about it, Great Khan Geum Taeyang? Even among the people around you, I'm still the most capable, right?"
The peerless Nadia had felt a genuine sense of crisis. Serazad, the woman who offered the legendary artifact Celendis; Cassandra, who created achievements with her Life Tree Staff that had evolved into a legendary weapon; and the rigid Sword Empress Marianne, who had formally invited Geum Taeyang. Nadia, who wanted to be the most capable woman at his side, had been spurred by the appearance of these rivals and finally completed her long-delayed Morion refining alchemy research.
"Judging something by appearance alone would be unthinkable for someone who handles goods, wouldn't it? Allow me to demonstrate the performance of the refined Morion directly, Great Khan."
"Yes! Please show us, Princess Nadia!"
Having read her intent, Geum Taeyang gave her the perfect reaction. Pleased, Nadia boldly declared she would put on an even greater performance.
Whoosh...! Fssst! Whoosh...!
"Ooooooh! This is actually possible? Magic refraction, something only discussed in theory?"
"Because it's an EX-level magic stone."
There were many devices for checking the performance of magic stones. Nadia Jasmine possessed every single one of them. She placed the refined Morion into each device and ran them without hesitation. When Geum Taeyang saw the results, he could barely contain his excitement. After all, he was also an alchemy major from the Imperial Academy.
"The refining itself succeeded, but I am certain that commercializing and mass-producing it is an entirely different problem."
As expected, Nadia was a professional with strong self-esteem. Even though most people would have been overjoyed and exaggerated, she savored Geum Taeyang's reaction before calmly moving on to realistic matters.
"The financial issue will be enormous."
"Correct. Given the nature of the technology, we will need to cover as much as possible with our own funds."
"Hmm... This winter is going to be truly critical."
Nadia would focus on manufacturing the core components of the refining device. Then they would need to train alchemy specialists capable of building the main refining machines using those components. Once stable refining devices were produced, they would have to establish magic stone factories — so-called magic workshops. Everything required money.
"We can't fund everything with Grace Kingdom's capital like in the original plan. Our situation has improved significantly. Once they're completely dependent, shaking that off will be a hassle."
Geum Taeyang's initial plan had inevitably relied on Grace's technology and capital. The first part — technology — had worked out. Nadia had refined the Morion and would build the devices. But the capital situation was about to change. He intended to cover a large portion with Mohican tribe funds and Jasmine Merchant Guild funds instead. That way, they would have far greater freedom in operations.
"You have achieved a miracle, Princess Nadia. The technology you have created will change the face of the continent."
Geum Taeyang offered his compliments as he wrapped up the meeting.
"I hear plenty of arrogant remarks, but in my opinion, once something like this is actually accomplished, it no longer feels like a miracle."
Nadia slowly shook her head.
"The true miracle is opening someone's heart."
She then looked at Geum Taeyang with a mysterious gaze.
"The miracle of opening the heart of a former enemy. The miracle of opening the heart of someone who had drawn a clear line. I, more than anyone, have experienced a remarkable miracle through you, Great Khan."
She was actually praising Geum Taeyang instead. The miracle Nadia referred to seemed to be how Geum Taeyang had opened the hearts of Cassandra and the Ragnarok tribe, who had once hated Grace, and how he had changed the rigid perspective of Sword Empress Marianne.
"Heh heh... You perverted woman, Nadia..."
Geum Taeyang knew exactly why she had brought this up.
"So she even sent Vivian to the Nahoja family just to watch me and the Sword Empress do something filthy. Kkukuk!"
Indeed, Nadia was subtly signaling that she had used Vivian to spy on Geum Taeyang and Marianne's lewd activities. Even for Nadia, it would have been difficult against an S+ Sword Empress, but her recent rise to S-rank had allowed her to buff Vivian enough to make it possible.
"I deliberately made an even bigger scene for you to watch. I hope it was an excellent source of entertainment, Nadia. Kkukuk! Pervert."
Geum Taeyang made no effort to locate Vivian. Lately, he simply assumed the perverted Nadia was always watching anyway. Since she had succeeded in refining the Morion, there was no reason he couldn't provide her with that level of content.
"It seems we won't be seeing each other for a while, Great Khan."
"Who knows? Anything can happen in this world. Hahaha!"
"Did you hear something from the Sword Empress?"
"Not at all. We only talked about swords. Heh heh!"
Between the Memphis expedition and this Grace expedition, Geum Taeyang and Nadia had met frequently toward the end of the year. But it seemed they would not during the winter. Still, Geum Taeyang's playful remark seemed to hint at the conversation between the Sword Empress and the mage Kesker.
"I've never seen the Sword Empress make that kind of expression before, Great Khan."
Afterward, Geum Taeyang left the Grace Kingdom with Advisor Camilla. Returning to the Sahara Desert, Camilla spoke about Marianne. She was still lingering on how Marianne, who usually only traveled with her disciple Josephina, had called Geum Taeyang a friend with a look full of regret.
"We talked about swords. It seems she liked my philosophy regarding the blade."
"Is that so? That's truly remarkable. The Sword Empress's philosophy is famous for being difficult to grasp."
"That's why she even asked me to teach her disciple, Lady Josephina, for a day. I gave it my all. Fortunately, the Sword Empress was pleased with the results."
"I see. No wonder Lady Josephina seems to follow you so closely, Great Khan."
"Hahaha! The Sword Empress's rigid appearance actually feels like a defense mechanism for someone with a very warm heart. They were truly kind people."
"Hmm... You're probably the only one who would describe that ice-cold Sword Empress that way."
Geum Taeyang spoke quite honestly. Camilla was practically his strategist, after all. And he wanted to enjoy her perfect reactions.
"By the way, regarding the follow-up schedule with the Ragnarok tribe, may I join as well? Even so, it doesn't seem right for you to enter the Life Water Tribe alone, Great Khan."
While discussing various matters, Camilla brought up the follow-up plans with the Ragnarok tribe. Geum Taeyang's group was not heading straight to Galatea. They would take a slight detour to the Life Water Tribe.
"There's no major problem, but it will likely become quite a scene of madness."
"Madness?"
"That's just how barbarians live. Heh heh...!"
Geum Taeyang had said he would set up camp near another oasis and go to the Life Water Tribe alone. He was clearly planning something extraordinary.
"Kuh...! Still as impressive as ever!"
The next day, as planned, Geum Taeyang headed toward the Life Water Tribe with Camilla. At a certain time, the barrier activated as expected, revealing the Life Water and the Life Water Tribe oasis before them.
"The Life Water seems even more radiant than before, Great Khan."
"Right? That's because Great Chieftain Cassandra now possesses a legendary artifact."
"Ooooooh...!"
There had been a change. The Life Water was openly radiating emerald energy. Camilla, seeing it for the first time, could not hide her astonishment, while Geum Taeyang — the very cause of the change — spoke playfully.
Whoosh...!!!
"Welcome, Great Khan Geum Taeyang. And Advisor Camilla Jasmine."
When they had approached roughly 300 meters toward the revealed Life Water Oasis, Great Chieftain Cassandra of the Ragnarok tribe, her daughter Ivy, and numerous Life Water Tribe women appeared via spatial teleportation to greet Geum Taeyang and Camilla.
"Great Khan!"
"Great Khan!"
"Great Khan!"
"Great Khan!"
"Great Khan!"
"Great Chieftain!"
"Great Chieftain!"
"Great Chieftain!"
"Great Chieftain!"
"Great Chieftain!"
Afterward, Geum Taeyang's group and Cassandra's group entered the Life Water Tribe village together. Geum Taeyang and Cassandra naturally took the lead. When the two appeared at the village entrance, the Life Water Tribe members chanted "Great Khan" and "Great Chieftain." "Great Chieftain" was the shortened term for the female chieftain.
"I can see tremendous trust and admiration in their eyes... Damn, people really can't let go of power once they've tasted this kind of high."
Geum Taeyang observed them while managing his expression. Not only was his aura affecting the Ragnarok tribe, but Cassandra had spent the past few days telling the tribe members all about Geum Taeyang's heroic deeds in saving the Ragnarok tribe. He had truly become more than a hero — a saintly figure — to the Ragnarok people.
Yet Geum Taeyang's status was about to rise even higher.
"I, Cassandra Viola, Great Chieftain of the Ragnarok tribe, hereby declare to my brethren!"
Standing on a large altar before the Life Water Sanctuary alongside Geum Taeyang, Cassandra raised her Life Tree Staff and shouted loudly.
"Rubio Viola shall once again become Rubio Vargas, and I shall take this man here — Geum Taeyang, the one chosen by the Life Water — as my husband!"
Cassandra had decided to divorce Rubio and marry Geum Taeyang.