Chapter 80
Chapter 80
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 80
Chapter Title: Shared Incarnation (5)
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"It's delicious, isn't it?"
Hilda laughed lightly, clearly pleased with the wine.
"Are you saying the regressor is the relic of the Primordial Dragon?"
Theo asked, unable to hide his impatience.
Lordbrock spoke.
He had said that Theo possessed a total of four relics.
But Theo only remembered three.
The dungeon, the Moonblade Sword, and Amon.
So he had speculated that the one causing his regression might be the remaining one.
"No. It's not regression."
Hilda shook her head with an amused laugh.
Theo's eyes widened involuntarily.
"Then...?"
"The blessed body passed down only through the Ragnar direct line. That's the relic."
"......!"
"Unlike the legends, we Ragnars aren't truly Lordbrock's bloodline. We share the 'blood of the dragon' through a contract, but even so, over a thousand years of generations, the blood has inevitably thinned. As a regressor and Selector, you'd know that much, right?"
"Yes."
"But why does this trait keep passing down? Simply because our second-generation ancestor, Sigurd, was skilled at trait refinement? Even that doesn't make sense. Traits that flowed to branch families or other houses never manifested. And there were plenty of marriage alliances throughout history."
"You're saying it's because of the relic?"
"Exactly. The blessing passed down only to the <Ragnar> family. A unique bloodline factor that manifests only in the direct line. That's the relic."
"......!"
The Primordial Dragon's relic was a kind of <mystery>.
Though called a relic, its form could be a simple object or a specific phenomenon.
"And."
Is there more?
Theo felt completely drawn into Hilda's words.
"Among them, there are cases where the bloodline factor's traits manifest especially prominently. That's precisely."
"The Selector... regression ability."
"Bingo."
She refilled her empty wine glass as she spoke.
Drip, drip—
"I don't know the conditions for awakening the latent Selector or regressor ability in our genes. Nor the number of possible regressions. If we knew those things, the Ragnars would have conquered the world long ago."
Theo nodded heavily.
His mind was finally starting to clear.
'Those who awaken as Selectors gain regression ability and the qualification to contact Lordbrock... That's how it works. But the detailed conditions and contents are still unknown.'
That raised a question here.
-How many times can I regress?
And another doubt arose.
-Why doesn't Hilda mention the <Message>?
'It seems like she thinks the bloodline factor's power is limited to the blessed body and regression...'
Theo decided to test the waters.
"It's possible the number of regressions is just once."
"Maybe. There were actual cases like that. Why? Curious about your own count?"
Hilda spun her wine glass with a mischievous grin.
Theo gave a wry smile and nodded.
"I can't deny it."
"Heh heh. Of course. Each regression is a chance for you, so it has to matter."
"Is there any way to find out?"
Hilda shook her head.
"No, I don't know. But there's this thing called a 'feeling.' Like, you still have a few left, or not many remain."
"A feeling... Not very specific, then."
"Right. But isn't that impressive enough?"
Theo nodded silently, but inwardly, he felt certain.
'The Message is an ability only I have. Confirmed.'
Even if not, at least Hilda didn't have it.
Her words about it not being specific were proof.
Theo would at least get info related to it.
Hadn't a message appeared during his first regression?
'It's not just the Message. Status window, info window, inventory, shop... All <Authority>-related stuff is absent.'
Thump, thump, thump!
Theo had to forcibly calm his pounding heart.
Having abilities unique even among Selectors was clearly a huge advantage and weapon.
He needed to hide it from Hilda too.
Ding!
[Congratulations! You have successfully completed Tutorial Quest #18 by uncovering the family's hidden secrets and the events surrounding them.]
[Rating: A+]
[You have obtained 1 Coin as a reward.]
[All stats increase by 5 as an additional reward based on rating.]
[All Tutorials have ended.]
[Beginner status has ended. All beginner privileges will now disappear.]
[You may now proceed with the main scenario.]
Theo inwardly cheered at the messages floating before his eyes.
This meant his overall stats had risen by another 30.
It was a change similar to when he had completed the hair-molting ritual.
'Scenario? What's this? Seems like a new phase of the Tutorial.'
It was then, as Theo was about to ask.
[Scenario is a story to uncover various secrets hidden in this tightly sealed world and head toward ■■.]
[Rewards and a certain amount of karma can be obtained upon resolution.]
[We wish you victory.]
'Karma?'
As expected, the Message wasn't that helpful this time either.
But he could easily guess it was deeply connected to other family secrets he hadn't uncovered yet, the Primordial Dragon's relic, and the Message.
Especially, the newly appeared '■■' felt like the central theme piercing through this scenario.
[Main Scenario begins.]
[A Quest has arrived.]
+
[Scenario Quest #1]
Maintain your center amid temptations and threats from those coveting your talents.
· Difficulty: A
· Reward: 2 Coins
· Failure: Death
*The outcome of this quest will create an important branch point.
+
Theo straightened his back upon reading the quest window.
Keep your center amid various people's temptations and threats?
The sudden appearance of such content meant only one thing.
'Oh no.'
Theo spun his wine glass and sensed Hilda's gaze on him was extraordinary.
The eyes of a dragon eyeing prey.
Even a hint of madness that hadn't shown until now flickered there.
"I've answered all your questions, so now it's your turn to answer mine."
"Yes. What are you curious about? My past life wasn't that long, but I'll tell you everything sincerely."
"No need for that."
Hilda lifted one corner of her mouth.
Her canine tooth gleamed sharply between slightly parted lips.
"There's an even better way."
"A better way?"
"Become my disciple."
"......!"
"I'll give you my sword, forged from centuries of achievements. It's the sword that even your father couldn't dare exile me over. It should appeal to you."
"......"
"And."
Thump! Thump! Thump!
His heart pounded wildly.
Right before him was the sword created by Hilda, whose realm surpassed even Kyle's in purity.
As if reading Theo's inner thoughts, Hilda lifted her mouth corner higher and placed something on the table.
Thud!
It was a wooden box.
"A gift as well."
"What is it?"
"Open it."
Hilda slid the wooden box forward.
It glided across the table and stopped before Theo.
Click!
The moment he opened the lid, Theo's eyes widened involuntarily.
A red heart the size of a human head was beating.
Thump, thump, thump!
Thump, thump, thump!
Reacting to it, Theo's own heart began to beat in sync.
"You recognize it, huh? Must be from future knowledge."
Theo couldn't deny it.
"The heart of Garuda... isn't it?"
"Correct."
Theo swallowed dryly.
He had wanted it when he first saw Hilda at the Awakening Ceremony, but now that it was right here, his hands trembled.
Garuda, the divine bird from legend that devours only dragon hearts.
One of the few existences called a natural predator of dragons alongside dragon-slaying swords.
Naturally, the heart imbued with its power and spirit would be a huge help for future growth.
'It's like eliminating a natural predator altogether.'
And if he became her disciple, she'd give him the swordsmanship along with this elixir.
It was an outrageous offer.
"Since you know its value well, this'll make talking easier. I'm not like Kyle. I don't waste time pitting successors against each other. I'll pick just one true successor and support them fully."
"......"
"Come to me, Theo. I'll put in your hands a power no regressor has ever obtained."
Theo silently stared at Garuda's heart.
Thump, thump, thump!
It beat vigorously, as if still alive.
They said it was a being that crossed life and death. Its vitality seemed to transmit even here.
But,
Thump!
Theo steeled his resolve, closed the box lid, and bowed his head.
Hilda's confident expression hardened rigidly.
"I'm sorry."
"Why? Is my offer insufficient?"
"No. These are far too generous for someone like me."
"Then why?"
Theo raised his bowed head.
His deeply sunken eyes captured Hilda's face within them.
"I don't want to be a pawn in the political struggle between you two."
Hilda tilted her head as if not understanding.
"Political struggle? What do you mean? As you know, it's been decades since I abandoned the family head position. It's Kyle's era now. How could I intervene?"
"Yes. Even if Lady Hilda reveals herself again, sitting on the Ragnar throne would be difficult."
"Then why...!"
"But sitting behind the throne is entirely possible, isn't it?"
Theo didn't miss the emotions fading from Hilda's face.
Instead, another emotion beneath it fully surfaced.
Madness.
"If you place me—your disciple—on the throne, it would be as good as the entire Ragnar family falling into your grasp."
-Hilda still harbors a strong attachment to power.
That was Theo's conclusion from the illusion outside the castle, their past conversations, and Hilda's various actions.
He didn't know why she had abandoned the family head position in the past or why she now sought power again.
But they all had one thing in common.
Greed.
Just as the Mad Dragon Emperor had used regression ability for personal gain and tried to exploit the Ragnars.
Hilda had done the same with her own power.
-This must be the limit Kyle saw in regressors.
Thus, Hilda and Kyle would soon clash in political strife.
He hadn't seen anything like it in his previous life, but for those two, multiple invisible conflicts in the shadows wouldn't be surprising.
"Kyle will never let a regressor live. He's leaving you alone now out of whim, but that blade could target your neck anytime. Under my umbrella, you'll be safe."
Hilda no longer hid her strife with Kyle and came out openly.
Theo shook his head.
"I am someone who seeks to grasp the throne myself. Without Father's consideration or Lady Hilda's protection, I will stand on my own two feet."
"...I see. Now I really understand why Kyle thinks he needs to keep watching you."
Hilda read the strong will in Theo's eyes and gave a bitter smile.
Such resolve couldn't be broken with words.
So,
"No choice, then."
In that instant, Hilda's eyes were fully dyed in madness.
Theo instinctively tried to pull away from the table.
But before he could, Hilda's hand tapped the table.
Tap!
Whoosh!
The world surrounding Theo inverted.
Pitch-black darkness like ink everywhere.
Within it, the table, Garuda's heart, and Hilda were gone.
Even Theo himself.
All senses buried in the darkness, his very presence vanishing.
It was Hilda's glass realm.
「I've never once failed to obtain what I set my sights on. No matter how many tries it took, even if I had to crush the opponent, I always got it in the end.」
Hilda's telepathic voice echoed from all directions.
「So why wouldn't I get you?」
She was declaring she would keep him imprisoned here until his heart changed.