Chapter 21
Chapter 21
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 21
Chapter Title: Job Selection (2)
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"Monsters are proving rather scarce."
"Your Highness, doesn't that just mean the Arcana Kingdom is blessed beyond measure?"
I'm currently riding on Object's personal airship, heading toward the Karbalon Mountains.
The vessel looks like a yacht made of ten-meter-tall trees, soaring through the sky without a hot air balloon in sight.
"With mana stones in short supply across the entire country right now, how did you manage to get a private airship up and running so smoothly?"
"Your Highness, this ship doesn't run on mana stones. It moves by the power of the magic circle I personally activate."
"Oh? Is that even possible? Could it be applied to other ships as well?"
"Military or commercial airships are far more efficient with mana stones as the power source. This is just a mage's personal vessel, so..."
These were all facts I already knew, but to build up her reputation with me, I played dumb and showered her with questions, praising her to the skies.
'But how on earth do I get her to accept that she's actually an Object?'
No matter how much I racked my brain, it didn't seem like something that could happen overnight.
Even if I suddenly blurted out, "Actually, you're not an elf—you're an Object mimicking one," would she believe me?
All the minuscule reputation I'd built up so far would just vanish into thin air.
'Max out reputation and affection first. Then solidify my authority with the Discernment Eye skill.'
Only after that could I attempt to inject the truth into her.
I have to make this Object mine.
'What does her true form look like? What shape is it?'
Imagining Object's real, physical appearance brought an involuntary smile to my face.
"...Your Highness, why are you smiling at me like that?"
"Ah, my apologies. I was just picturing you casting that weather spell, and I got carried away."
"Pardon?"
"The thrill of that magic succeeding—it came rushing back, and I couldn't help but smile. Truly remarkable magic, isn't it?"
"Y-Yes, I suppose so."
Object whipped her head away.
Had she spotted something?
"I'll adjust our course a bit further south."
"Handle it all yourself, Professor."
As we flew along, I suddenly wondered if Guardian Knight Xante was following us.
"Professor Silvret, do you dream of ascension as well?"
"Of course. It's the dream of every mage."
Ascension.
It refers to transcending the earthly plane and ascending to the higher-dimensional celestial realm.
But the location of that celestial realm was never revealed.
That's why players had speculated it would appear in an expansion pack.
"They say that upon reaching the celestial realm, your soul doesn't dissipate—you live eternally, delving into all the laws and orders of the world."
"How could any mage not aspire to that?"
"Who knows? It might not be as idyllic as we imagine."
"Pardon?"
"Just idle fancy with no basis. No one truly knows what the celestial realm is like, do they?"
If it were such a paradise, would the Ancestral Dragon God have struggled so desperately to return here?
Hmm, then again, she left to seek knowledge for her descendants, so maybe it's a different story altogether.
"Thanks to the Ancestor's blessing upon the capital, we have to venture as far from the royal castle as possible to encounter any monsters."
That blessing is the Shed Skin of Ascension in the underground cavern.
The dragon bone Object instills fear in monsters, blocking their approach.
Of course, it's a royal secret.
'Now I need to decide on my job.'
I can choose a job once I hit level 2.
And once chosen, it's irreversible.
There are advanced jobs, but those branch off from the base job.
Like advancing from Warrior (1st class) to Gladiator, Holy Knight, or Heavy Knight as your 2nd class.
Once you pick, the root is set in stone.
'This isn't a game—it's reality. One shot at this decision, so I have to be careful.'
I've leveled every class up to 2nd advancement.
But I preferred mage the most.
It synergized best with my favorite heroine NPC, Swordmaster Canelian.
I'd always liked mage classes anyway.
'Is choosing mage really the right call?'
Mage—great class.
Especially powerful in large-scale wars.
But weak in one-on-one PvP, and even more so against ambushes.
'If I'm just thinking survival and assassination defense, Rogue or Brawler would be better.'
A king who picks Rogue? Brawler?
As a Dragon Defense hardcore player, that's an unbearable combo.
What good is a Rogue/Brawler king?
No assassination worries, sure, but zero benefit to national power.
'Might as well go Warrior-Holy Knight route. At least I could lead the charge in wars against other nations.'
For national management, mage or engineer classes are perfect for a king.
But they're the most vulnerable to assassination.
Rogue and Brawler are best for anti-assassination, but otherwise useless...
'Warrior classes strike a balance—decent against assassination and shine in wars. But outside the battlefield, no help to national power.'
In contrast, mages and engineers contribute across every aspect of the nation, not just war.
'Ugh, if it weren't for the assassination risk, I'd pick mage in a heartbeat.'
Once married, Swordmaster Canelian could guard me in the bedroom.
But she won't be glued to my side 24/7.
Tough call, tough...
Thud!
The airship jolted suddenly.
An immense acceleration kicked in, slamming my body backward.
"Professor Silvret? What's happening?"
"Wyvern Lord. Your Highness, hold on tight."
"Got it."
I strapped into the harness, securing myself firmly to the seat.
Glancing back, a massive Wyvern Lord was closing in fast.
-Kieeeek! Kieeek!
Ugh, even its roar sends chills down my spine.
The ship was at max speed, but the distance kept shrinking.
No wonder they say you can't stand against a Wyvern Lord in the sky.
Whoosh! Whoosh! Whoosh!
As Object chanted, massive fireballs materialized in the air.
They formed a formation on their own, blocking the Wyvern Lord's path like floating mines.
The moment the Wyvern Lord charged into them...
Boom! Boomboom!
Kaboom! Kwoom!
The fireballs detonated in sequence, erupting in blinding flames and flashes.
"Professor, did you get it?"
"Not at all!"
-Kieeeek!
The roar came from above.
The Wyvern Lord was diving at us from a 45-degree angle behind.
Czzzzt! Zzzzt!
Object chanted again, and lightning arrows formed relentlessly.
As expected of an Object.
Handling two elements at once, both at 2nd class level.
Players specialize in one after 2nd advancement—fire, ice, or lightning.
Fwip! Fwip!
The lightning arrows scattered into the sky, pursuing the Wyvern Lord.
-Kieeeek!
The Wyvern Lord pulled off an impossible aerial turn.
A mesmerizing Cobra maneuver that briefly evoked an F-22 Raptor.
It flipped direction right in front of them, so all the arrows missed.
But Object stayed calm.
She'd already gauged its maneuverability from the fire spell.
Czzzzt!
Cold air flash-froze the atmosphere, rapidly icing over.
Whoooosh!
A vortex of concentrated frost whipped precisely into the Wyvern Lord's ascent path.
Crackcrackcraaaack!
Its shoulder pierced straight through by a massive ice lance, the Wyvern Lord's hide began freezing white.
"Professor, this time?"
"Not yet, not yet!"
-Kiek! Kieeek!
Pain and fury mixed in its roar.
My eardrums felt like they might burst; I clamped my hands over them.
Object calmly prepared her next spell.
'Mages really are at a disadvantage in one-on-one or mob fights.'
No, holding out this long against a Wyvern Lord mid-air is already...
-Kyaaaaaooo!
One shoulder frozen solid.
Yet the Wyvern Lord charged us relentlessly.
High-level mage players could kite it with barriers, flight, and homing spells for an easy kill.
But how do NPCs hunt Wyvern Lords?
Wait for it to land—that's the only reliable shot, right?
Damn, no EXP anyway due to level gap—what's with this ordeal?
Object's face paled.
Not enough time for another spell.
The Wyvern Lord would shred the airship any second.
"Your Highness, don't worry. I always carry a last resort for Wyvern Lord encounters."
"I trust you."
Could she finish it this time?
"Brace for impact!"
"Ngh, got it!"
In that instant, the entire airship glowed.
A transparent, spherical barrier enveloped the exterior tightly.
The Wyvern Lord lunged, jaws wide, and bit down on the shield.
-Kieeeek! Kiyaaak!
Its teeth shattered.
Blood filling its maw, it wailed, flapping in hover.
Seizing the opening, the airship slowed and descended.
Can't dive abruptly without decelerating or you'd crash into the ground—a massive wreck.
"Landing successful! Get out!"
"Right!"
I unstrapped and leaped from the airship.
It was still the beast's target—too risky to stay near.
Shaking off the pain, the Wyvern Lord eyed the ship again.
It landed at blinding speed, then tore into the airship with claws and beak in a rampage.
We hid and watched.
"Your Highness, what now?"
"If we attack, can we take it?"
"It's wounded and grounded. A mage alone could solo it without guards in this state. But with Your Highness here..."
Can't gamble with the prince's safety.
'No EXP anyway from the level gap.'
Pity to lose the Wyvern Lord byproducts, though.
But at level 1, my safety comes first.
"We slip away quietly."
"Yes, Your Highness."
Then—a flash of light.
The rampaging Wyvern Lord froze.
Its long neck split vertically, gushing blood.
Thud!
Its massive body crashed down, shaking the earth slightly.
Only then did we see him.
Plate armor gleaming with ornate patterns.
A sharp sword dangling diagonally.
Unfamiliar armor.
The knight removed his helm, turning to us.
A man in his forties revealed himself.
A sturdy, rugged middle-aged knight gazed at us, slowly sheathing his blade.
Clank clank.
"I hope a passing knight like me didn't overstep by meddling."
"Thank you for the aid. And this lady is..."
I cut Object off and stepped forward.
Bowing deeply and courteously to the knight, I expressed my gratitude.
"I'm Jeguelle, eldest son of the Nuboten family, out on a minor excursion from Arcana."
"This woman is Object, a lowly elf maid I hold dear."
"I'd like to know the name of the noble knight who saved our lives."
Object shot me a puzzled glance but played along astutely.
She bowed her head and waist hastily, just like a "lowly sex maid."
The ornate middle-aged knight laughed heartily.
"Haha, what a polite young man. Nuboten family? I'll remember that name."
"An honor."
"The ownership of this Wyvern corpse goes to me, I presume?"
"Naturally. It's yours, sir knight."
This was my kingdom.
But this knight's face wasn't in the prince's memories.
We were strangers.
Yet he was decked head to toe in relics.
My study is stuffed with Legend (A) and Myth (S) grades, but Relic (B) isn't exactly common.
Precious even for regular knights.
The Royal Guard Captain's artifact is just a single Saga (C) sword.
And this knight wields a Legend (A) weapon no one in the kingdom but me possesses.
【Dragon's Fang Sword that Shakes the Heavens】
【Rank: Legend (A)】
Above all, the proof: mana density filling his body, surpassing even Canelian's.
Undeniably a foreign Swordmaster.
Probably from the Empire.
Such a man wandering my kingdom, posing as a wealthy free knight?
Better keep my identity hidden for now.