Chapter 117
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 117
Chapter Title: How about Calling It a Draw?
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(3)
4.
After Ullan burst out of the base.
Left alone, Noa focused on defending the outpost.
Of course, Eloden's attack squad wasn't likely to reach this place. They'd have to get past Ullan first. Still, just in case, she figured she should set up some insurance.
'First, I need to make a guardian formation.'
Guardian Formation.
The most basic defensive spell.
It involved embedding mana totems around the target and arranging talismans in sequence to create a powerful, sturdy barrier over a narrow area.
'I don't have mana totems, though...'
Fortunately, there was a substitute.
The human totem Ullan had left behind.
Student Council President Cliff Anton.
Since he'd been holed up in the base the entire mock battle, his mana reserves were quite substantial—perfect for use as a totem.
A short while later.
The guardian formation protecting the flag was complete.
'Good. Now I've got my insurance in place.'
Next, should she set up a barrier to defend the base itself? As she pulled out a few talismans to prepare, thinking just that.
"Pardon the intrusion."
A familiar voice tickled her ear.
Followed by the sense of another's presence.
Moments later, a girl with turquoise hair appeared, her locks swaying gently.
An unexpected visitor.
Noa widened her eyes in surprise. Her counterpart, meanwhile, smiled with a calm expression.
"Mind if I come in for a bit?"
"...Laurea."
Eloden's next Saintess.
Noa wondered how she'd gotten past Ullan, but it made sense if it was Laurea. She possessed an ability akin to teleportation.
"Hee hee, no need to be so guarded. My goal isn't the flag anyway."
"What do you...?"
"I have a few questions for you."
"For me?"
"Yes, for you."
Laurea smiled brightly.
Noa hadn't even said it was okay to ask yet, but Laurea paid it no mind.
"Then let's start with this one."
As if Noa's permission wasn't needed at all.
Moments later, she narrowed her eyes into crescent moons and asked.
"Who are you?"
A rather out-of-the-blue question.
Yet also something trivial.
Noa nearly answered reflexively.
"I am..."
But she clamped her mouth shut in a hurry.
The moment their pale yellow eyes met, she finally realized. It was about the special ability Laurea possessed.
'...Projection Eyes!'
Eyes that pierced through one's essence.
Before the power to discern truth from lies, every answer had to be chosen with care.
Especially for someone like Noa, with so many secrets.
'If I say "Noa Darshen" here, it'll register as a lie.'
Because while this body belonged to Noa, her mind and values were those of Yumina, an Earthling.
In other words, she had to explicitly mention Yumina for it to count as truth. Having thought that far, Noa swallowed dryly.
To read Laurea's intentions.
'Why ask something like this out of nowhere...?'
She must have sensed some secret about Noa and was trying to pry it out.
'Did she see something with her Projection Eyes?'
There was a description in the original story.
When Laurea viewed someone's essence, it always appeared as a distinct, tangible form.
Based on that, Noa could infer that her own essence had shown up in some unusual shape in Laurea's Projection Eyes.
'Then the wisest course is...'
To shut her mouth.
The only way to counter Projection Eyes was to refuse to answer at all.
"Looks like you don't plan on answering."
Did she see through Noa's intent?
Laurea shrugged.
"Well, fine. That's not the important part anyway."
As if it hadn't been a significant question to begin with.
Then, as if suddenly remembering something she'd forgotten, she made a fuss and asked another.
"Oh, right. This is a slightly different question. You seemed pretty close with Ullan—how long have you known him? A while, I bet?"
A perfectly normal, natural question.
But this one had an ulterior motive too.
Noa and Ullan had actually met just over half a year ago, a fact even Ivela and Dilia knew. But the reality was a bit different.
Noa had known of Ullan since playing the original game.
To speak the truth, she'd have to include that timeframe too. So Noa exercised her right to silence again.
"Hmm, I see."
As Noa kept her mouth shut, Laurea narrowed her eyes. Then, with a soft smile, she said.
"You know about it, don't you."
Along with a meaningful smile.
Laurea pointed to her yellow eyes.
"The secret of my eyes."
"...!"
Noa's gaze trembled at those words.
She realized too late. What Laurea's real aim was.
'...I fell for it.'
Laurea's two questions.
On the surface, utterly ordinary. Ivela or Dilia would have answered without hesitation.
But Noa couldn't.
She knew about the Projection Eyes.
So she'd been cautious with her answers, avoiding the disadvantage by staying silent—and that had been the goal all along.
'If this keeps up, I'll get drawn in.'
Just clamming up wouldn't solve it. She needed to stop the questions themselves. Otherwise, who knew what tricks Laurea might pull next.
"You're making me more and more curious. Who you are, and what your goal is."
Watching Laurea look intrigued, Noa abruptly hurled a talisman. The ordinary paper burst into blue flames, engulfing Laurea.
Roar! Roooar!
Fierce flames roared.
But they didn't singe a single hair on Laurea. Thanks to her divine shield.
"No interest in talking, I see."
"..."
Correct.
Of course, Noa wasn't the type to enjoy fighting.
Still, she'd rather fight Laurea than continue the conversation—even if it meant escaping this awkward situation.
"Fine. Then before we talk, let's drain some of your strength first."
Laurea didn't shy away from the fight either.
With a bright smile, she clasped her hands politely and murmured.
The moment the prayer finished.
Whoooong! Kwarung!
Pure divine power swirled fiercely.
Like a storm.
5.
[Ian Marcus: Eliminated]
[Eloden Remaining Forces: 3]
With the elimination notice.
Ullan recalled the brief clash.
Within thirty-nine steps.
Just before this vast domain swallowed Ian, he sensed the danger and swung his sword.
'Wise judgment.'
Had he stayed put, he wouldn't have even gotten a proper swing in before defeat.
Of course, it changed nothing.
The thirty-nine steps engulfed the arena far faster than Ian's sword strike.
But Ullan didn't dodge the strike.
A duel with an old comrade.
He didn't want to waste this rare chance. Plus, he was inwardly curious and wanted to test something.
How much power did Ian Marcus wield now? What level had his divine power pushed him to?
And the result.
Ullan had gauged Ian's strength.
'The strongest of the four.'
Ivela, Dilia, Ian, Laurea.
Among the old comrades Ullan had faced so far, none surpassed Ian in one-on-one combat.
'Impressive talent, as expected.'
Just before the fight began.
Ian had mentioned a name.
'Paladin Master, Sir Shanktus.'
Full name: Cadel Dune Shanktus.
The Holy Kingdom's strongest knight and Ian's mentor. A man Ullan had spoken with several times in his past life.
Back then, he had said:
"If there's one regret in my life, it's the moment Sir Marcus reached Expert."
The reason was simple.
Ian had graduated from Cadel's tutelage the instant he advanced from senior knight to Expert.
He could have received more training, but the Holy Kingdom's upper echelons thought differently.
They had no intention of letting a rare tactical weapon like an Expert rot in the training grounds.
From then on, Ian roamed the continent, carrying out missions unique to holy knights.
"If I'd opposed it strongly back then, if I'd given Sir Marcus more guidance, he might have reached Master much sooner."
Cadel had regretted that it would have made him far more helpful in the war against the Abyss.
But now it was fine.
Ullan remembered his regret.
'I'm no good at teaching others...'
But he knew how to make someone stronger than before. Drive them to the brink of death in training, then repeat battles on the razor's edge.
'This time will be different.'
I'll teach him myself.
To surpass the Ian Marcus of his past life, becoming a far sturdier shield in the future war against the Abyss.
Ullan smiled in satisfaction.
As if looking forward to what was ahead.
Then.
Kwarung!
A sudden roar echoed. Ullan stared at the source.
'Arsen's base.'
A half-destroyed cabin came into view.
Then he felt divine power clashing with mana. It seemed Laurea and Noa were going at it. Ullan watched impassively before turning away.
'No need to help.'
Their strengths were evenly matched.
They'd hold out longer than expected. Ullan lowered his stance slightly, glaring toward Eloden's base.
As if he'd set his target.
'Charge straight in.'
The moment he decided.
Kwaaang!
He kicked off the ground ferociously.
Then shot forward like an arrow, crossing the forest in one breath and racing across the vast plains.
Soon after, Eloden's base entered his sight. But something odd caught his eye.
'That's...'
Pure white light enveloping the cabin.
A 5th-grade divine shield, layered with various divine barriers. Probably Laurea's insurance from when she was at the base.
Of course, it was no issue.
Just smash it.
Saaaaah!
Activating Spirit to maximize his physical abilities, he gripped his club tight. The plain wooden club soon blazed red-hot.
The mark of a Master: aura.
Ullan's strike soon rained down.
6.
Meanwhile, after engaging Noa in battle.
Laurea was inwardly surprised.
'Way stronger than I expected.'
Noa was a shaman.
So she'd underestimated her a bit.
Shaman arts were called primitive magic, infamous for their slow casting.
Divine spells were different.
Just pray aloud or silently, and they activated anytime. In special situations, faster than magic.
'Thought I'd subdue her easily...'
But reality proved otherwise.
Noa cast her shaman arts at astonishing speed, defending against Laurea's attacks. It shattered the common sense Laurea had held as truth.
Noa's inner thoughts were a bit different.
Unlike Laurea's high assessment, she was suppressing anxiety and impatience.
'Ugh, what do I do?'
She had plenty of mana, but talismans were running low.
Sure, she knew spells that didn't need talismans, but their power was reduced.
Insufficient against the Hero Party's sole SSS-rank, Laurea.
'Before my talismans run out...'
Ullan needs to secure the flag.
Noa bit her lip anxiously.
But then, the onslaught suddenly stopped.
"Whew, fighting nonstop is tiring."
Laurea stepped back a few paces.
She grumbled.
"So, how about a draw?"
"...A draw?"
"Yeah. Feels like it'll drag on forever otherwise."
Noa's expression brightened slightly.
A welcome proposal for her.
But the next words left her speechless.
"Let's talk instead."
"...!"
Astounded eyes and face.
Understandably so.
She'd started the fight precisely because she didn't want to talk to Laurea. This made the whole battle pointless.
"Last time I only asked questions, so this time, you get a chance too."
"A chance to ask...?"
"How about we take turns asking and answering? Just until the mock battle ends."
How's that? Fair, right?
Laurea's smile seemed to say. But Noa shook her head with a troubled look.
"I don't have anything I'm curious about."
This was true.
She'd played Laurea multiple times in the original game.
So she already knew almost everything about her. No need for further questions.
"Hee hee, is that so?"
Even faced with blunt refusal, Laurea's smile didn't fade. As if she'd anticipated it, she opened her mouth with a grin.
"Frost Dragon."
A name dropped out of nowhere.
Not particularly surprising—it had come up before. But what followed was enough to shatter Noa's composure.
"Specter Knights, Giant King, Swamp Lord."
"...!?"
Lords of the Abyss yet to appear.
The moment they were listed, Noa reflexively widened her eyes. As if hearing the unexpected from an unforeseen source.
Facing the shaken Noa.
Laurea smiled brightly.
"See? Now you're curious, right?"
"..."
"Oh, if you're worried I'll lie, don't be. I swear on the Holy Spirit—only truth here."
Shortly after her promise.
Noa opened her tightly shut mouth.
"...Your earlier questions."
"Yes?"
"Except those, I'll accept your proposal."
The ones about her identity and how long she'd known Ullan. Laurea nodded readily, as if they weren't important.
"Great. Let's do that."
Soon, Laurea spoke first.
"My turn then. Don't worry too much—it's not a big question."
Gazing at the tense Noa.
She posed her first query.
"What's your goal?"
Definitely not grandiose.
Nor hard for Noa. She stated the fact calmly, as usual.
"...Return."
"Return?"
"Going back to where I originally was. That's my ultimate goal right now."
Pale yellow eyes sparkling like stars.
Truth. Laurea nodded as if understanding. Now Noa's turn. She asked without hesitation.
"How do you know about the Abyss Lords?"
"From Ullan."
Noa's eyes wavered.
Figured as much.
But not enough. She pressed further.
"Th-then how does Ullan...?"
"That's tricky. We agreed to one question and answer each, remember?"
"..."
"My turn now?"
Cutting off Noa's question decisively.
Laurea widened her eyes.
"Oh yeah, now I'm curious too. How do you know about the Abyss Lords?"
A tricky question.
But manageable for now. A roundabout way to pass truth check came to mind.
"I've fought them."
"The Abyss Lords?"
"Yes."
She nodded and fell silent.
It was true. Noa had battled countless lords while playing the original.
Laurea nodded thoughtfully, and Noa countered. No need to deliberate what to ask.
"How does Ullan know?"
"Same as your answer."
"...Pardon?"
Noa looked dazed.
It quickly turned to bewilderment.
Understandably.
The answer implied Ullan had fought Abyss Lords too.
As Noa struggled with her shock, Laurea pondered.
'What I originally wanted to ask...'
About the "original place" from Noa's first answer.
But she'd changed her mind.
A more piercing question, encompassing that goal. Laurea asked with a serious face.
"Do you know the future?"
Hearing this.
Noa guessed.
Probably suspicion about her oft-used excuse of foresight. Deeming it troublesome, she hedged.
"Well, somewhat..."
"Answer properly."
Her evasion caught.
Tough opponent. Noa sighed shortly and answered honestly.
"Yes. But not everything."
Knowing the future.
Laurea's eyes flickered slightly.
Her guesses about Noa narrowing.
Then Noa took a deep breath.
As if for something crucial.
After several breaths, gripping her blue skirt hem, she spoke.
"...I know it's absurd, but just in case, I'll ask."
"It's fine. Ask anything."
Emboldened by Laurea's warm smile? Noa asked stiffly.
"Is Ullan a player?"
"Player?"
What's that?
Laurea tilted her head.
"Ah, that reaction means no, huh."
Noa sighed in relief.
Seemingly satisfied just knowing Laurea was clueless about players. Laurea narrowed her eyes at the sight.
'What's a player?'
Felt like a key clue.
Her intuition whispered, but she couldn't ask. Smoke rose from Eloden's distant base.
'...No time.'
Mock battle ending soon.
Time for the main point.
The reason for this proposal. The real question for Noa. Laurea exhaled softly and spoke.
"Noa Darshen."
Smile vanished.
With a grave expression, she asked.
"Are you with the Abyss?"
"No. Absolutely not."
Not a moment's hesitation.
Truth.
Laurea's eyes sparkled. Realizing Noa wasn't an enemy.
And at that moment.
[Vapor Deonas: Eliminated]
[Lua Axen: Eliminated]
[Eloden Remaining Forces: 1]
Elimination notices appeared.
Only Laurea left.
The implication was clear.
Noa's eyes widened; Laurea sighed in relief. Moments later, a new notice appeared before them.
[Eloden faction's flag has been stolen.]
[Victorious Faction: Arsen Academy]
[Final Winner: Ullan Bator]
[Mock Battle Ended.]
The signal that battle was over.
Laurea shrugged.
"Let's end the talk here."
"...Huh?"
"What? Surprised? We agreed only until the mock battle ended."
As Noa jolted in shock, Laurea tilted her head. Noa protested, thoroughly flustered.
"B-but you asked first, so I should get my question for fairness!"
"Did I ever say questions and answers had to be perfectly fair?"
"Th-that...!"
"Anyway, conversation's over."
She smiled brightly.
Then pointed outside.
"Come on. Time for the award ceremony."
"...!"
Noa clamped her mouth shut.
A sign of protest.
Laurea turned and exited first, as if nothing more to say.
Watching her, Noa trembled.
'Ugh, got totally played.'
She sighed heavily, then reviewed what info she'd gleaned.
Sorted, it was this:
First, Ullan knew not just the Frost Dragon, but other Abyss Lords.
Second, Ullan had fought Lords.
Third, Ullan wasn't a player.
Once sorted.
Noa swallowed her regret.
'Should've asked this.'
Based on the three facts.
She'd thought of:
"Does Ullan remember his past life?"
A reasonable doubt.
The Abyss Gate hadn't even opened, yet he knew the Lords.
And he wasn't a player.
So, memories from a previous regression?
Noa speculated.
'Doesn't make sense, but...'
Nothing else fit.
She'd meant to ask, but Laurea ended it with the mock battle's close.
Still, Noa didn't give up.
'I'll propose again soon.'
Take turns questioning to resolve curiosities. Confirm if her guess was right.
'If it is...'
Everything changes.
Gazing at Eloden's blazing base afar, her blue eyes flashed sharply.
After Noa left the outpost too.
The friendly mock battle between Arsen Academy and Eloden Academy officially concluded.