The Twelfth Research - Ascension to Glory (2)
“You want me to become a paladin?!”
“That is correct.”
“Utter nonsense!”
Grraaagh!
Lucifeles bared his fangs in open hostility. The cambion prince had only relinquished his archdevil powers to thwart his father’s schemes; he still possessed the temperament befitting a tyrant of Gehenna.
“I would rather be annihilated than become one of those revolting sycophants who worship the heavens! Every word that spills from their mouths reeks of hypocrisy!”
Like many villains, Lucifeles preferred pure evil over hypocrisy. Tellorian could understand the mindset, but…
Hmm.
Persuasion was pointless.
Time to swindle him instead.
“If you refuse, then so be it.”
“…You’re accepting that so easily?”
“In exchange, disguise yourself as a mage and assist with my research for the time being. Publicly, you will be my assistant.”
Lucifeles frowned.
“An assistant is far too lowly a station for someone of my stature.”
“If that does not suit you, feel free to live on your own…”
“I did not say I refused…”
Lucifeles was currently being hunted by the Devil King’s wrath. Without Tellorian’s protection, his identity would be exposed within a month.
“…Still, as a grand duke, serving as a mere assistant is beneath me. Surely there are more respectable positions, such as visiting professor or researcher…”
In other words: anything but graduate student. He wanted a postdoc position.
“What is a postdoc?”
“A high-class slave.”
“??”
“A graduate student is a low-class slave.”
“…”
“Researcher Lucifeles! Compile every scrap of knowledge you possess regarding the Seven Hells and devils, then submit it. The deadline is before dawn tomorrow!”
…?!
Tomorrow morning?!
“There are only three hours left in the day!”
“If you have time to complain, then finish by midnight…”
“I shall have it completed before your workday begins tomorrow!”
“Excellent. I am counting on you.”
Tellorian patted Lucifeles on the shoulder and left the laboratory. Elenstra blinked, still unable to comprehend the situation unfolding before her.
“…Why is a former archdevil inside the mage tower?”
“It would take too long to explain.”
“You are plotting something dangerous again…”
As if this were the first time.
She would simply have to accept it.
“Is there anything I can help with?”
“Continue receiving assistance from the Silver Serpent and focus on your future sight, just as you have been. That will suffice. Now, if you will excuse me.”
Stepping out of the tower, Tellorian summoned the Silver Serpent.
“What is it, mage?”
“Keep Lucifeles’s mind in check.”
“Hmm.”
No explanation of terms was necessary for a familiar. Intent alone conveyed meaning.
“He may appear composed on the surface, but inside he is shaken. Even now he likely wishes to beg his father’s forgiveness and return as an archdevil.”
The being had lost the omnipotence he once enjoyed as a Transcendent. Any sudden deviation in behavior would not be surprising.
“Why entrust this to me?”
“You have experienced something similar, have you not?”
“…”
Once, she had been revered as the Supreme God.
Now she was merely a mage’s familiar.
“You would understand what he is going through.”
“I would? How?”
She tilted her head.
“You also lost your divine authority.”
“He is nothing more than cambion dregs.”
“…”
“Even at his peak he was merely a devil.”
“…”
“Comparing a mere archdevil to me is blasphemy itself. They are nothing but vomit born from mortals’ negative emotions! In contrast, I am the sublime Supreme God forged from mortals’ worship!”
Immortals were, as always…
Exhausting to deal with.
“This is necessary for future plans.”
“If that is the case, I shall do my utmost.”
“Then would you practice what you intend to say to comfort him?”
“Hmm…”
The Silver Serpent cleared her throat.
“Bastard son of the Devil King, do not grieve too deeply over the loss of your archdevil powers. A fleeting mortal life, though base, is far happier than living as the Devil King’s puppet. Even if a mortal’s existence is wretched, it still possesses freedom…”
…Immortals truly lacked any capacity to empathize with others. Their power simply made rudeness inconsequential.
“Hmm? What is the problem?”
“That is…”
[Lore of Immortals acquired!]
[Experience +10]
[Lore Points +1]
[10/100 until Level 33]
[Lore Points: 34]
…
Persuasion was hopeless.
Teaching others was difficult.
“Realize it on your own. I am leaving.”
“Understood! Travel safely!”
Final check: Level 26.
Current level: 32.
First, distribute stats.
[Agility 23 → 25]
With stats already so high, the increase was minimal. This also brought agility to the [Human Limit].
‘At this level, I could even dodge bullets. Crafting weapons that utilize agility would be worthwhile.’
[Class Abilities]
[Remaining Class Abilities: 6]
However, priority went to crafting weapons for his party members. Facing archdevils required special items.
‘Item grades are divided into six tiers.’
Common. Mass-produced by skilled craftsmen.
High-grade. Items imbued with mana.
Rare. Masterpieces crafted by experts.
Heroic. Items further enchanted with magic.
‘These are the ordinary items.’
Heroic-grade equipment could be found scattered throughout the north and the empire, if one exaggerated slightly. Searching the imperial armory or dwarven treasure vaults would yield dozens.
‘Heroic-grade equipment means gear worthy of a hero. But how many heroes exist?’
Every nation has one or two heroes who represent it. Usually a founding king or a war hero who repelled invaders—without such figures, the nation itself would not exist.
In other words,
a national treasure symbolizing the founding king.
That was the status of [Heroic]-grade items.
‘But national treasures lack universal appeal beyond borders. They only hold meaning for the people of that nation.’
Conversely, certain treasures transcend [nation] or [culture], inspiring universal awe through their mystery. Those were [Legendary]-grade equipment.
[Consuming 6 Class Traits!]
[New Legendary Trait acquired!]
Legendary Enchanter (Legendary, Class Trait)
You have mastered the art of imbuing objects with mystery. The enchantments you weave contain not mere arrangements of mana, but stories that inspire awe in mortals.
◆ Effects
: Enables [Legendary]-grade enchantments.
: Halves failure chance for [Heroic]-grade enchantments.
: Allows instant casting of [Rare]-grade enchantments.
Materials meant to contain legends could never be ordinary. Blessing a kitchen knife forged in a village smithy would never turn it into Excalibur.
In other words,
legendary materials were also required.
Such materials shared one common trait: they were expensive.
[Personal Traits Selected!]
[Merchant (Apprentice) acquired!]
[Merchant (Basic) acquired!]
[Merchant (Intermediate) acquired!]
[Merchant (Advanced) acquired!]
[Remaining Personal Traits: 2]
[3 traits required for Master rank.]
[Lore Master’s Wisdom: Trait Acquisition]
[Personal Trait acquired! -5P]
[Remaining Lore Points: 29]
[Merchant Lord (Heroic) acquired!]
Merchant Lord (Personal Trait, Heroic)
You have learned how to make money from money. Empty the pockets of the ignorant and fill your own coffers…
◆ Effects
: +3 Advantage on [Commerce] checks.
: +3 Advantage on [Market Prediction] checks.
“Urban. Liquidate all of my assets.”
“All of them?”
“Sell every territory and mine except the mage tower. If they do not sell, offer them at a discount.”
Storing the massive gold ingots in his extradimensional space, Tellorian headed north. His destination was Goldenhold, home of the Gold Dwarves—a city so wealthy that anything could be purchased with sufficient gold, and it lived up to its reputation in splendor.
[Witnessed the wealthiest city in the world!]
[Experience +10]
[Lore Points +1]
[20/100 until Level 33]
[Lore Points: 30]
Tourism could wait.
He went straight to the auction house.
“Lucifeles.”
“Speak, mortal.”
“Sell the healing potions you prepared according to the sales strategy I taught you. I will meet with the president of the Golden Bank to discuss a loan.”
The next day.
The healing potions at the auction house sold out.
“Potions! Give me potions!”
“My mother is dying!”
“Why are there no potions on the market?!”
The day after.
Even the Alchemy Guild’s stock was depleted.
“Now there are none even in the general stores?!”
“Someone bought them all at a premium…”
“No! Do the alchemists have no sense of propriety?!”
“That’s right! They should have left some healing potions out of conscience!”
“Ah! They bought the propriety and conscience as well.”
On the third day.
Healing potions were being sold at ten times their normal price.
Any listing priced lower vanished instantly.
“Ten—ten times?!”
“Damn it! Let’s wait for the price to drop!”
“But we have to enter the dungeon right now!”
“Argh! I need to save my father! Just give me one!”
On the fourth day.
Every alchemist received a warning letter.
[For the next two weeks, do not sell healing potions below ten times the normal price. Alchemists who violate this will receive a visit from a rock troll.]
Those who ignored the proclamation were indeed abducted by rock trolls appearing from dark alleys. When the guards arrived late, they dismissed the eyewitness accounts of the elusive rock trolls as nonsense. Such creatures could not possibly exist.
Week two.
The mastermind who manipulated the healing potion market reaped enormous profits, and the residents of Goldenforge marveled at the skill of the anonymous tycoon.
[Earned a fortune through market manipulation!]
[Experience +10]
[Lore Points +1]
[30/100 until Level 33]
[Lore Points: 31]
“This proves my repayment ability, does it not, Bank President?”
“Your reputation was no exaggeration, Grey Sage.”
The potbellied dwarf smiled contentedly as he gazed at the crowd of protesters filling the streets. Commoners had gathered to protest the soaring potion prices. It was a clear indicator of a sound investment, which greatly pleased him.
“By the way, does your conscience not trouble you—”
“Triple the loan amount.”
“Three times is impossible.”
“Rodrick of the Iron Hammer has agreed to guarantee it.”
“Twice is possible.”
“I will put up the Silver Serpent as collateral.”
【You bastard?!】
Ignored.
A mage and familiar were one and the same!
If he went bankrupt, the Silver Serpent went bankrupt with him!
“Three times it is.”
“Excellent. A fine transaction.”
“The monthly interest is thirty percent. How do you intend to repay it?”
“I will repay it after I earn it.”
No need to overthink it.
After all, if he failed, he would die anyway.
“Fair enough.”
Snrk.
The other party recognized his thinking and chuckled as well.
“If it is you, fleeing to the underworld would not matter. I can simply collect from those who owe you favors.”
Hmm.
Curiosity stirred.
“What is the most expensive collateral you appraised?”
“Your disciple.”
The bank president wore a sinister smile.
“There are plenty willing to pay a fortune to claim the Warrior Queen’s virginity and dominion over Essil. Remember that the continent is filled with wealthy men of… peculiar tastes…”
Oh dear.
Belladia was a non-performing loan.
‘If I die, will Belladia remain under control?’
Essil would transform into a gathering place for black mages within a single day. The creditors coming to collect would end up begging to be killed.
[Sold non-performing loan to the King of Finance!]
[Experience +10]
[Lore Points +1]
[40/100 until Level 33]
[Lore Points: 32]
‘The fool who was deceived is the idiot.’
Well then.
Leaving the bank, he headed to the auction house.
Covenant Ark of the Forgotten Holy King (Legendary, Quest Starting Item)
📍 Buyout Price: 1,000,000 Gold
📍 Current Bid: 500,000 Gold
Buyout!
Ding-ding!
The bell announced the winning bid.
“Wh-what?!”
“Someone just bought out a million-gold item?!”
“That was an item our Sun God Order was bidding on!”
Essence of the Archangel (Legendary, Material)
📍 Buyout Price: 1,000,000 Gold
📍 Current Bid: 250,000 Gold
Buyout!
Ding-ding!
“?!”
“That was the material I had my eye on!”
“Which lunatic bought that for a million?!”
Asterium Ingot ×10 (Heroic, Material)
Crystals of Light ×5 (Heroic, Material)
Heaven-Blessed Purifying Water ×10 (Heroic, Material)
All of them!
Buyout!
[Spent 3,000,000 gold in 5 minutes!]
[Experience +10]
[Lore Points +1]
[50/100 until Level 33]
[Lore Points: 33]
With this,
he had gathered the materials needed to craft legendary equipment.
‘Now it is time to imbue them with legend.’
Tap. Tap.
He knocked on the Covenant Ark.
“Awaken, First Paladin.”
“…”
“The world is shrouded in darkness, and the innocent sheep have lost their way. It is time for the Sun God’s most faithful sentinel to awaken and restore heavenly justice.”
No response.
He seemed unwilling to wake.
‘Time to change the approach.’
The soul slumbering within the Covenant Ark was the [Holy King of Annihilating Evil]. The first paladin who devoted his life to the struggle against evil, the Sun God’s beloved who never abandoned his radiant and righteous justice no matter what trials he faced.
A noble paladin.
A failed founding king.
The worst father.
“The Devil King has plotted to pit parent against child. Without your help, the misfortune you once endured will repeat itself.”
And this time,
in an even more cruel and wicked manner.
【…Their methods remain unchanged.】
Then,
a voice echoed from within the Covenant Ark.
It sounded like a weary old man.
【What assistance can I provide, mage?】