Chapter 142
Chapter 142
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Translator: Vine
Chapter: 142
Chapter Title: Dungeon Conquest (4)
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I moved quickly. After a thorough search of the corners, I found the hidden room just as I remembered.
In the center of the stone chamber was a leather pouch. It was as if it had been placed there just for me to take. Inside were all-purpose elixirs… ten of them in total.
This was the basic reward. I took a light breath. The next part was crucial.
Well, what I had to do wasn't anything spectacular. After taking only nine elixirs, I stepped outside and then back in…
—!
Ta-da! The one elixir that should have been left had multiplied to ten!
Wow, it actually works? I didn't think it would be this lenient. The system window remained silent, as if turning a blind eye.
“…”
Right, now's my only chance. I need to get this done quickly before something changes.
Repeat, repeat, repeat…
In a short time, I had duplicated the all-purpose elixirs up to ninety-nine. I'd reached the inventory limit for consumables. I tried again just in case, but it was no use.
Still, this is amazing. I wasn't the least bit disappointed. If I only had ten, I'd have to use them carefully, but now I can use them recklessly.
What if the Four Heavenly Kings are stronger than me? I'll just unleash a barrage of ultimate moves and then drink an elixir. I just have to repeat that process three or four times.
And if they're weaker than me? I'll beat them to a pulp, feed them an elixir, and then beat them again… I'll humiliate them like that and keep farming experience.
It might seem too cheap… but as long as I'm happy, isn't that okay? Honestly, given how things have gone so far, it felt like I could reach the happy ending without using any elixirs.
Still, the more insurance, the better. I had to be prepared for any unforeseen variables. The flow of events has already deviated quite a bit, so this isn't the time to be picky about my methods.
In other words, I needed to do more than just rely on the existing strategy. It might raise some suspicion, but I tried my best to stay on my toes.
Visiting Aruru's hometown. Enjoying the hot springs to my heart's content. Taking it easy at the Imperial Palace… those instances… they weren't just me messing around without a thought!
It was all part of the process of getting stronger by raising affection, favorability, and fame.
“…”
Well, I need to have fun when I can. I'm surrounded by my fiancée and the heroines. They're constantly doing unpredictable things; it would be weirder if I remained completely composed.
Anyway, their existence was incredibly precious to me. Now that I've accepted them as my companions, I have to take some responsibility for them.
If nothing else, I'll definitely protect their lives. Getting the elixirs has pretty much solved that issue, and I was so grateful and happy about it.
Defeating the Demon King is just the basic premise. The important thing is to reach the happy ending without anyone getting hurt.
The elixirs I just obtained have drastically increased that possibility. I expect it will also shorten the timeline significantly.
My mood was so high I felt like humming, but the moment I saw my companions engrossed in dismantling the golem… my head started to spin.
“Ah, Jace is back!”
—!
The girls hastily composed their expressions. As I stared blankly, they glanced at me warily and cautiously resumed their work.
Huh? What's the point of acting demure now? In the end, they're still just looting a golem's corpse.
It's fine. You're doing great! Claiming the spoils is the victor's right, after all.
They worked hard, so I could overlook a bit of unseemly behavior. Besides, they were all so naturally beautiful that they still looked pretty even when they were a mess.
“You look happy. I take it things went well?”
“Yeah. I got something better than I expected.”
I explained the elixir's effects to everyone. As they all showed their interest, Luciel's eyes wavered slightly.
“Wounds, stamina, mana… it restores all of that?”
“I'll have to test it to be sure, but it probably restores divine power too.”
“My goodness, to think something so unbelievable exists…”
The Saintess sank into sorrow, looking dejected as if her role had just been erased. I could understand how she felt.
The Saintess's exclusive skills could save someone on the brink of death, but the elixir not only did that but also restored stamina and mana.
It was an effect comparable to a goddess's miracle. It was only natural for her to be so restless.
“Then my value… is now less than that of an ordinary priest…”
She finally put on a pitiful, teary face, looking like she was about to cry at any moment. Ah, don't cry! You've got it all wrong. You're still an irreplaceable part of our strength!
In terms of healing alone, the elixir was overwhelmingly superior, but its rarity made indiscriminate use impossible.
It was only for emergencies; normally, we'd have to rely on the Saintess's divine power. Besides, healing was just one part of her abilities.
Heals, buffs, barriers, attack spells… the Saintess class was surprisingly versatile.
Just casting buffs well was enough to pull her own weight, and her holy barrier could easily block demonic energy. Above all, her attack spells were exceptional.
A Saintess's privilege: deals 200% additional damage to the undead.
The undead are inherently tricky to deal with. Even if you defeat them, they can rise again at any moment… You have to destroy them completely, which is easier said than done.
Among the Four Heavenly Kings was an Archlich, the pinnacle of the undead. The army of immortals he led was disgustingly large. They made up half of the Demon King's Army, and their main tactic was to overwhelm with numbers.
There's no dealing with a relentless human wave tactic. Even with the Holy Sword and the holy relics I'd acquire later, it wouldn't be enough. The only hope to overcome that situation was the Saintess.
Turn Undead. Judgment of Light. Sun Light…
No matter how powerful the army of immortals was, they would melt away in the holy light manifested by the Saintess. Even high-ranking undead like Death Knights would suffer fatal wounds.
She would also be a great asset when taking on the Archlich. She was irreplaceable, not even for a truckload of elf maidens… Hmm, maybe that's not quite right?
Anyway, my expectations for her were that high, but since she didn't know that yet, she was consumed by anxiety.
If I left her alone, she'd likely continue to wallow in sorrow. If it got worse, she might even secretly steal the elixirs and throw them away.
I have no choice. I'll have to do it again… I grabbed Luciel's shoulders and whispered intensely.
“Don't put yourself down. You're the one and only Saintess in this world, right?”
“B-But…”
“Forget that. I need you.”
—!
Was it because my sincerity got through? Her teary face vanished, replaced by a bright expression and sparkling eyes. She gave me a fervent look, as if to say she had believed in me all along.
Well, it's good that her spirits are up… but why does she always make me say something that sounds like a confession?
“Let me be clear. The elixirs are for emergencies. Normally, we have to rely on your abilities. Besides, we don't have many of them.”
“Ah, I understand. My thinking was too narrow…”
The Saintess smiled sheepishly, her expression a mix of embarrassment and pride. I took the opportunity to explain the proper way to use the elixirs.
First, the Saintess's healing wasn't absolute. Light and darkness, divine power and demonic energy—they were a terrible match for each other.
The magic of a powerful demon could reduce the effectiveness of healing spells, which meant a greater waste of divine power.
But what if she took a sip of an elixir then? Her fatigue would vanish, and she could keep casting heals and buffs.
“Now you get it?”
“Yes. It's a potion that will make my abilities shine even brighter!”
The situation was narrowly resolved. Thus, the girl who felt jealous of a mere item was gone.
“Alright, then…”
I handed out five elixirs to each member of the party. Giving just one would be stingy, right? Since we're more than friends, I decided on five.
“That's all the elixirs we have. You shouldn't use them rashly, but don't hesitate to drink one in a critical moment.”
I lied about the quantity on purpose. You have to emphasize the rarity of an item to make it feel special. The girls' reactions, incredibly enthusiastic, seemed to prove my point.
“Hey, can I drink one now?”
Aruru's fox ears twitched. It was clear her beastkin curiosity had been triggered. Hmm, since I duplicated a ton of them using a bug, maybe one wouldn't hurt?
The fact that it's a bugged item bothers me a little. I should probably test it, just in case. As it happened, one of the girls volunteered for a clinical trial.
My little cutie. She seems more curious about the taste than the effects, doesn't she?
“Huh? How did you know?”
The way she licked her lips. The look in her eyes when she's found food. It was her typical reaction when she wanted to put something in her mouth.
I've come to know everything about her. This must be the true attitude of an owner who cherishes their pet.
Anyway, it didn't seem like there would be any serious side effects. After all, the elixir was more like a beneficial tonic.
It didn't just restore stamina and mana. The moment you drank it, this god-tier item also cured status ailments like poison and bleeding.
There's a reason it has the prefix 'all-purpose'. The description mentioned it purifies the body, but that was something I couldn't confirm in the original story.
I wonder how it is now. It could just be flavor text, but it was worth checking.
I looked at Aruru and slowly nodded. As if she'd been waiting for it, she uncorked the vial and drank it down.
It was only a small sip, but the fox beastkin smacked her lips for a while.
“Hmm, this is a little strange…”
“What does it taste like?”
“There's no taste at all. Instead, there's a strong, refreshing feeling. I feel like my whole body has been cleansed.”
“And your mana?”
“Completely restored!”
She wagged her tail, saying it was amazing. Thankfully, there didn't seem to be any side effects.
“No, wait a second…”
“She seems a little different, doesn't she?”
“The fur on her tail is shinier!”
A beastkin's physical condition is directly linked to their tail. When they're tired, their tail fur gets dull, but now it was the opposite. The girls made a fuss, touching the fox beastkin's body.
“Look at her skin. It's gotten so much softer in just a moment!”
“I can't believe it. To think she could get even cuter…”
So there was a side effect, after all. A beneficial one. It was a good thing, but for some reason, I dreaded what would happen next.
“Could this also be an effect of the elixir?”
—!
It's excellent for the skin. At that realization, every one of the girls' eyes lit up.
How could they resist? They had to drink it now! They all stared at me at once with that sentiment, their expressions full of desperate pleading.
“…”
What should I do? I told them to use it for emergencies, but it seems they've already forgotten.
Even Ceria was completely excited. The other girls were on the verge of doing something rash.
“But you're all already dazzlingly beautiful…”
“…”
Wow, they just glared at me. I understand wanting to become even a little prettier, but this is getting scary.
I quickly did the math in my head. The estimated number of elixirs I'd need was between twenty and thirty… Even with unexpected variables, it likely wouldn't exceed fifty.
Alright, what the heck, I'll allow it. If my girl's skin improves, that's a win for me, right? My little cutie would be even more fun to pet.
“You drink one too.”
Huh? Do I have to? This body is already perfect; there's no room for improvement.
“Aruru already proved it works.”
“…”
An enormous amount of pressure bore down on me. The atmosphere was not one I could refuse. The girls' expectations for a handsome man were sky-high.
It's no use. I have no choice but to play along… I swallowed the elixir as if taking a health supplement.
Just as Aruru said, a refreshing sensation spread through my body. There were no dramatic changes, but I could feel a subtle, beneficial effect.
“Hmm, how is it, everyone?”
“I feel like I've gotten a year younger.”
“I'm not entirely sure… but I think my mana has become purer.”
The group exchanged words with subtle expressions. Among them, I paid close attention to what Ceria said.
Purer mana meant a higher chance of breaking through her limits. I'd have to wait and see, but it seemed the day she reached S-rank wasn't far off.
“This is better than I expected.”
“Yeah. I'm very satisfied too.”
It was like we experienced a minor version of a complete rebirth. We used a fair number of elixirs, but it seemed worth the cost.
I had more than enough to spare, so I didn't feel it was a waste. More importantly, the party's atmosphere had become cheerful. I smiled contentedly as I stroked my little cutie's head.
Successfully clearing our first dungeon. Getting plenty of gems and elixirs as a reward. If we could keep this momentum going, there would be nothing to fear.