The Blispiel Clan’s victory in their battle against the Caracol Clan became major news even in the Wiblet Empire.
This information also reached the underworld guild “Praszkeak,” which had taken root in the empire.
“Looks like those young upstarts are trying to challenge for supremacy in the central continent.”
“Hmph. No need to worry just yet. At their current scale, they’ll be fully occupied with solidifying control over Elanore. For us, it’s enough to keep exerting influence in the underworld as we always have.”
That was still the general consensus.
But someday, if the Blispiel Clan attempted to expand into the mid-southern regions, a clash with them would become inevitable.
Caracol’s collapse had brought a massive shift to the central region’s history. The full butterfly effect would only grow stronger with time.
Personally, a few details stood out to me.
In the original history, Caracol had consistently pressured the nearby Baskaya Knight Empire while receiving support from the Wiblet Empire.
It had not been an event important enough to influence the main narrative, but in Reca Chronicles Part 1 there had still been one episode born from the conflict between the two empires.
Several such events from the original work now stood a high chance of never occurring at all.
The butterfly effect would produce various ripples, but the most noteworthy among them was the possibility that originally minor characters or forces could now block my path.
The prime example was the Praszkeak Guild, which ruled the Wiblet Empire and its surrounding underworld.
It was called a guild rather than a clan precisely because it was a criminal organization that had never received official authorization from the Church of Utility.
In modern Earth terms, it felt exactly like the mafia.
Setting books and flavor text had occasionally mentioned that it possessed power comparable to the five great clans, yet it had never appeared in the main story at all.
It had been wiped out by the revived heroes… and that was the end of it, described in a few hollow lines.
But right now the original story had not even begun. The moment I stepped into the Wiblet Empire, I would have to clash fiercely with a still-thriving Praszkeak.
Flora spoke to me.
“Normally, in nations under the Church of Utility’s influence, criminal groups like that could never run wild. Yet the Wiblet Empire refuses to allow the establishment of any church branches for some unknown reason.”
Countries with ideological differences that strained relations with certain churches were common.
The Lilyak Magic Nation, which employed undead as labor through magic and therefore stood at odds with the Circulation Church, was a classic case.
Among such nations, the Wiblet Empire was in a league of its own. It did not even maintain a branch of the Life Church, which touched the daily lives of ordinary citizens.
“Sub-Master Stroke. You promised that once the Blispiel Clan secured victory in the civil war, you would actively support the Caliroy Holy Nation.”
“That’s correct.”
“The Church of Utility asks for only one thing in exchange for lending the holy relic. If the Blispiel Clan later advances into the empire, please assist in the establishment of a branch there.”
“Of course.”
I nodded without the slightest hesitation. Flora set down the case she had carried on her back. The object inside was, naturally…
[Balance of Good and Evil (S+)]
- Adjustment: Holy Aura
- Effect: Promote Good / Punish Evil
- ???
It was the Church of Utility’s highest-tier holy relic, the Balance of Good and Evil.
This glowing iron hammer possessed the unique property that its effect and power changed dramatically according to the enemy’s “alignment” and “karma.”
Against villains who had committed every kind of atrocity, damage could be amplified several times over.
Yet against saints who had devoted their entire lives to society, it would not only inflict no harm but could even grant a healing effect instead.
It was impossible to ignore the sense that the criteria for judging good and evil were heavily skewed toward the perspective of the God of Utility.
In any case, nearly every opponent I would face from now on would be recognized as “evil” by the Balance of Good and Evil.
Furthermore, the final authority that had yet to be unlocked had never appeared in the original work either. Raising my Divinity stat would let me claim one MacGuffin for free.
The very reason the Wiblet Empire side was so unwelcoming toward the church’s presence was also tied to a MacGuffin. The condition Her Holiness had demanded as part of the lending terms aligned perfectly with my own interests.
Flora bowed deeply.
“Then, as promised, I entrust the Balance of Good and Evil to you, Aiden Stroke.”
“I will act in a manner worthy of one who has borrowed a holy relic.”
[Achievement Points: 16,050p]
- Random Bronze Card: 10p └ Consumable Draw / Trait Draw / Skill Draw
- Random Silver Card: 100p └ Consumable Draw / Trait Draw / Skill Draw
- Random Gold Card: 1,000p └ Consumable Draw / Trait Draw / Skill Draw
I stared at the window floating before my eyes, lost in thought.
Following the pattern so far, the Platinum Card I would obtain later would cost 10,000p.
It was not certain, but there was a chance EX-grade rewards would be included in the Platinum Card pool.
The probability would be extremely low.
Even 0.1 percent would be considered fortunate.
Each one possessed performance that could not even be compared to ordinary S-grade items, so of course. No matter how many points I stockpiled, the odds of drawing an EX-grade remained slim.
Therefore…
“Random Gold Card. Trait Draw, eight consecutive pulls.”
[Sixth Sense (B) trait acquired!]
[Blunt Weapon Genius (A) trait acquired!]
[Innate Focus (B) trait acquired! Merged into Serene Clarity (A).]
[Super Vitality (B) trait acquired!]
[Cleric (B) trait acquired!]
[Elemental Dominion (A) trait acquired!]
[Skill Acceleration (B) trait acquired!]
[Heavenly Martial Physique (A) acquired! Lung Capacity (C) and Super Vitality (B) merged!]
Satisfactory results.
It had not been long since I obtained the Church of Utility’s holy relic, the Balance of Good and Evil, and now I had drawn Blunt Weapon Genius (A)…
“Luck is on my side today.”
Sixth Sense (B), Skill Acceleration (B), a full set of physical-enhancement traits, and even Heavenly Martial Physique (A).
Above all, the A-grade ratio was remarkably high, rendering the 18 percent probability almost meaningless.
Since luck seemed to be with me today, I decided to ride the momentum.
“Skill Draw, eight consecutive pulls.”
[Ancient Empire Advanced Court Etiquette (B) acquired!]
[Southern Comprehensive Weapon Arts (A) acquired! Itanga Tribe Weapon Arts (C) and Mirvana Strong Wire Art (B) merged!]
[Rikium Swordsmanship (A) acquired!]
[Alabr Vision Mana Cultivation Method (A) acquired!]
[Kelbanir Blunt Arts (B) acquired!]
[Mercenary King Style Blunt Weapon Arts (B) acquired!]
[Survival Cooking Method (B) acquired!]
[Lacruz Direct Lineage Vision Elemental Magic (S) acquired!]
The skill draw results were equally pleasing.
Blunt weapon arts and swordsmanship had appeared, and above all I had obtained an S-grade magic.
Techniques I could not possibly acquire in my current state would never appear in the draws either. The fact that such a high-grade magic had come out was most likely thanks to the Elemental Dominion (A) trait I had just pulled.
It was a fine result when considering the future, yet for me—who still lacked a means to use heart methods and mana cultivation methods at the same time—it remained a somewhat awkward card.
Still, it was far from useless.
Since it was magic, I could pass it on to Chesa through the sense-sharing of Firebird (S-) and the power of the Great Educator (S) trait.
Moreover, by some strange coincidence, Lacruz Direct Lineage Vision Elemental Magic (S) was the very technique Chesa had learned in the original history.
In other words, the compatibility had already been proven.
Afterward.
[Sho Vision Fast Swordsmanship proficiency has reached the ‘Mastery’ stage. Effect greatly increased.]
[Kluber Defense Swordsmanship proficiency has reached the ‘Expert’ stage. Effect greatly increased.]
The most immediate growth acceleration came, of course, from the Heavenly Martial Physique (A) and Skill Acceleration (B) traits.
When combined with the title trait Ghost (S+), which specialized in mastering multiple sword styles, my swordsmanship improved by leaps and bounds day after day.
[Chesa Utland has acquired Alabr Vision Mana Cultivation Method (A).]
[Chesa Utland has acquired Lacruz Direct Lineage Vision Elemental Magic (S). ‘Initiate’ stage. Effect is minimal.]
Chesa’s growth was proceeding smoothly as well.
She absorbed my teachings at a terrifying speed and quickly made them her own.
Chesa’s current level was [36/74].
She would soon surpass her father, Elvio.
When I remembered that in the original history she had only completely overcome her mana sensitivity disorder around this time, her current pace truly defied imagination.
Three days before our departure for the Ascetic Church, we headed to an upscale restaurant in the heart of Elanore.
The sixteen clans and the Quentaltin mercenaries—along with the personnel who had joined the Glicia civil war late—had all gathered and promised to hold a celebratory banquet.
I had little interest in noisy drinking parties.
After spending an appropriate amount of time there, I took Chesa’s hand and quietly slipped away from the gathering. The two of us decided to enjoy a relaxed meal alone.
I gazed at Chesa, completely lost in the moment.
She was simply moving her knife and fork to slice and eat the meat, yet the sight itself resembled a painting.
At some point she spoke.
“Aiden. May I ask you just one thing?”
“Uh… sure.”
“I heard from Linia that you’ve been having frequent private meetings with Her Majesty the Queen lately… Are you perhaps thinking about marriage?”
“Pffft!”
I spat out the meat I had been chewing.
I stared at her in bewilderment, but Chesa remained perfectly calm, as if discussing routine business rather than personal matters.
Come to think of it, a similar proposal had come up right after the civil war ended—the same one Chesa had mentioned.
However, once Isabella became bound by the Shambhavi Oath, the marriage talks had been pushed aside. The alliance between the two families would instead be sealed by pairing the principality’s heir, Ridle, with Princess Delfina.
I cleared my throat and answered.
“No. I have no such intention. My frequent visits to Praga are simply because there are more and more matters concerning the Glicia Kingdom’s internal affairs to discuss.”
“Really?”
Chesa tilted her head and continued.
“This seems like a good opportunity. Let’s talk about our future plans. It’s about time we had a serious conversation.”
“Mm….”
Come to think of it, the time had indeed arrived.
I, Aiden Stroke, had turned a full fifteen years old in April of year 982… Under the international law of the Prima Continent, I was now unequivocally an adult.
And according to northern continent custom, when a prenatal engagement existed, the ceremony was usually held within one to two years of reaching adulthood.
It was now January of year 985.
We had already passed the ideal window.
After leaving home, events had kept me so busy that I had rarely found time to consider the matter. Yet now that the foundation—the Blispiel Clan—had stabilized, dragging things out any further would be unwise.
“Then, once the kingdom’s and the clan’s internal affairs have stabilized, let’s hold the ceremony right away.”
“Uh-huh….”
The wedding schedule had been set unexpectedly.
Soon afterward she asked me.
“Are there any other families or partners you’re considering for a marriage alliance?”
“No. Not at the moment.”
Thanks to you, my standards have become far too high.
I could not bring myself to say something that embarrassing out loud.
“Then what about concubines?”
“I haven’t thought about that yet, either.”
“Unexpected. I thought someone like Linia would definitely come up.”
“…No, why is her name appearing here?”
“It was obvious that you cherish Linia, Aiden. I figured that if you simply brought it up, she would gladly accept.”
“……….”
Suddenly the events in the Great Forest came to mind.
The emotional turbulence I had felt when the mutation occurred in Linia.
I would think about this later.
That day’s meal ended in an awkward atmosphere.
Ascetic Church.
The headquarters of this church was situated in a location far removed from the other churches that resided within the Holy Nation.
It stood at the summit of the rugged mountain known as Kapali. The reason they chose such a place was to isolate themselves from society and devote themselves solely to martial cultivation or inner exploration, it was said.
Because of the abnormal climate, blizzards and storms raged across the mountain year-round. Thorough preparation was required for the ascent.
Of course, I had already completed my preparations.
“Let’s depart.”