BXBX NOVEL Chapter 196 It's A Pain Being Too Efficient
The hell did I just hear? Did she just confirm that she was the mastermind? No way, right? There was definitely no way that she did it, right? No.
I couldn’t doubt the possibility of her having done that. Knowing her, it was highly likely. And from what Sunalla said, the princess didn’t like it when things happened out of her control. A surprise invasion from an enemy nation definitely doesn’t sound like having everything under her control.
Still, for her to go this far just for the throne. She was the worst kind of person. They’d do anything to achieve their goal, even if it negatively affected those looking up to her for support. She was worse than scum.
I had several things to tell the princess, but no one else in the room heard our conversation. The princess simply said vague things in their eyes and ears. Maybe Sunalla and Osveta would believe that princess did something like that.
The problem was if they gave a shit. They’d known her for sometime now so it was possible that they were in on this plan.
No. Sunalla clearly doesn’t know. If she did, she wouldn’t have shown nearly as much authentic emotion as she has done till now. This princess was a real menace. A menace. Keeping even her closest allies out of the loop even if it could get them hurt.
I’d only just realised that Sunalla’s father was killed, all according to this princess’ plans. She was definitely the worst kind of person. She killed her closest ally’s father just for a plan? It wasn’t even like he was an enemy to her plans. He serves the royal family just like Sunalla does.
Unfortunately, after hearing this, I couldn’t find it in my heart to get angry. I just heaved a stressed sigh and face-palmed.
‘I’m getting a headache.’
<<That is impossible with the skill [Mental Pain Resistance]>>
The agent spoke up out of nowhere. That reminded me of what Akira wanted to talk to me about earlier. I might have to have that conversation really soon cause now I didn’t feel safe in the slightest.
On my back, Kawaii was starting to get restless. I noticed the expression on everyone else’s face. They were terrified. Even Osveta looked like he could sweat buckets after that.
“But, I didn’t. You can rest easy about that.”
The princess regained her former composure. My [Superior Survival Instincts] finally shut up, allowing me to breathe and think properly. The others’ faces returned to normal and they did as I did. The tension in the room was suddenly non-existent.
Strangely enough, no one questioned what just happened. They all proceeded as if the princess didn’t just pull up with the shocking aura we never presumed she possessed. It’s like watching a kid stab a teacher then ignoring it like it never happened. It’s just never done!
“Alright then. Your highness, Sunalla and I will personally be at your side throughout the entire event to protect you in case our plans fall through, and to boast of your strength, if I am worthy, of course.”
He added at the end so as to no impose on her. This guy really was a loyal dog, wasn’t he?
“Of course, Osveta. Over the past couple of days, you’ve proven yourself more than worthy enough. Although, I was originally disappointed to see that you weren’t Hiro, you really are worthy of being the best graduate. I will see to it that once I become leader of the nation, you will be promoted to General, since there is now a void.”
At the mention of the vacant position, Sunalla flinched. Like before, the depressed smile formed on her face as she looked at the table. Honestly, the way the princess was treating her was completely unfair. You wouldn’t even allow her to inherit her father’s position?
“Alright then. I guess this will be it for now?”
“What do you think, Keeper?”
The old man who had been quiet came up and looked at the table, contemplating what had been said so far.
“It’s a good enough plan. The only problem is The Pillars; however, I believe that shall be handled quite well.”
I got bad vibes from hearing that. Why was I getting bad vibes from hearing that?
“If that’s the case. Then everyone, you can go out.”
‘Wait. If I use my shadows for this plan. Who will keep the assassins of the guild in check?’
I asked and the princess’s right eye raised suspiciously.
“Are you not capable of summoning more shadows?”
Ha! She assumed I’d let everything go her way. Sure, I was helping so I got my required information, but I wasn’t going to make this easy for her.
‘No.’
“Hmm? I was certain you had more mana. Summoning more should be no problem.”
The Gate Keeper came in closer and lifted my hand, scanning me from head-to-toe.
‘No. There’s a finite amount I can summon.’
I lied through my teeth… skull?
“I guess you’re not strong enough yet. Was I seeing too far ahead? Disappointing.”
He let go of my hand as he muttered some weird things.
“Don’t worry. I will keep the assassins in check. You can get the shadows out to do as the plan demands.”
He reassured everyone that he could do it by himself. No one even questioned him.
“The meeting is then adjourned. Oh, and Hinotori.”
The princess announced the ending of the discussion, but then called out to me. I was getting far too much attention from her than I’d like.
‘Yeah?’
“I believe there’s no need for me to tell you that should something bad happen during the feast, the Grand Court Mage’s research would be hindered and you might not find whom you are searching for.”
“Tch.”
I looked away, realising that I might have to give it my all. We all apart from Sunalla and Osveta left the room to go to our own quarters. Some went to get start their missions.
Yokino was following me to my room since she didn’t have a room. With her disappearing and what-not.
‘Are you alright?’
“Yes.”
‘You sure?’
“Yes.”
‘I’ll beat you if you’re lying to me.’
“I’d like to see that happen.”
She tried me and my light beam hit her abdomen before she could react. Unsurprisingly, it did no damage to her. Her clothes were made of her mana thread which boasted of higher defence than most armour. There we even modifications to it with multiple spells on it, one that helped with regeneration and increased her physical stats beyond her actual capabilities. With it, she was more or less equal to an A- rank monster.
“Idiot.”
I’d just noticed that her hair was red the entire time. It turned blue and she smiled. Did it represent her emotions at the time? Maybe I could use that to tell what she was feeling.
DAILY ACHIEVEMENTS
[Tori consumed 1 Magic Permit Card]
[Tori consumed 1 whole soul]
[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], the skill [Low Poison Resistance] became [Mid Poison Resistance]]
[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], Tori acquired the skill [Shock Absorber]]
[The skill [Vector Control] rose to level 3]
[The skill [Slime Body] rose to level 8]
[The skill [Shock Absorber] rose to level 2]
[The skill [Auto Regeneration] rose to level 6]
[The skill [Lethal Black Claw] rose to level 2]
[The skill [Devil Form] rose to level 2]
[The skill [Ferocious Slash] rose to level 2]
FAMILIA
[You changed your general from [Arisu] to [Reiman]]
[The General Reiman used [Absolute Command] on the servant Arisu]
[The General Reiman has a report about the servant Arisu]
-Crude, heartless and still believes she is in control. In need of intense character reformation or being eliminated before becoming a threat.
[Please give your thoughts on this report]
DUNGEON
[You need to attend to your dungeon before it acquires too much mana or else it will acquire a will of its own]
[Mana limit 50/60]
Day 54
Overnight, I had been scouting the city to search for the points Osveta said it’d be likely for mana bombs to be placed. There, I left my shadows to watch out for incoming enemies. At least a dozen shadows at each of the points. In the end, I still had more than a thousand shadows still ready for action. I told most of them to go out of the dome to identify possible enemies whereas I had about a hundred go back to help the old man. Some of them where at all known the entrance routes to Yorul, some of them were searching for possible secret routes. My generals were with me the entire time.
Still remembering what the Gate Keeper said about the pillars, I decided to assign my Generals to the pillars in secret. If it was them, they could possibly avoid detection from even Atlantis’ most elite.
I was done with my part before morning, giving me a lot of time to play around with my magic and skills. Also poisoning myself a lot to raise my skills.
When I believed I had sufficiently raised my abilities, I went to check up on the Grand Court Mage’s progress. He told me he’d send for me if there was any news, but there was nothing wrong with me going to find out a bit earlier, right? Also, I was very bored. Inflicting self-pain wasn’t the best way to solve that problem.
Unfortunately, I met some resistance when I tried to meet him. Some apprentice court mages came in and said they wouldn’t even allow me to enter the room where the other court mages were. I asked for their reasoning and they told me that no one was allowed to enter. I explained to them that I was working with the princess, but maybe since they were relatives, they didn’t see her title as all that important and were still blocking my path.
I had to argue with them for a bit before a Senior Court Mage came to check on the ruckus. Coincidentally, the mage who came to check up on me was Nori. This cheeky bastard had equivalent magic power to mine, I’d just realised.
He gave me a pass, escorting me in, only gaining me the ire of the apprentices that were simply doing their job. In the grand hall where the mages were once busily working on all manner of whimsical spells, potions and gadgets, all I saw was an organised set up of less mages. It would seem only Senior Court Mages and a miniscule amount of Junior Court Mages were allowed in here today. Most of the Juniors and all the apprentices were out in the city performing various tasks ranging from ensuring that the magic orbs were properly fixed, voice enhancing orbs were set up so the king’s voice could be heard by everyone and that the people would basically get free labour from them. Supposedly work experience for them.
The true purpose was to get them away from messing up whatever was happening in here. I asked Nori about it, but he didn’t tell me anything. He only explained that it was something magnificent for the feast. Of course, I read his mind where he had accidentally explained to himself. Didn’t sound so magnificent, but when I tried to visualise it, I could imagine how that could be magnificent.
He left me off at the staircase, where I descended myself. Once again, that thing in the shadows was staring at me. Unfortunately for me when [Shadow’s Crib] reacted to its presence, this time it didn’t disappear. Even more eerie, [Shadow’s Crib] started to laugh at it.
I didn’t know what kind of horror genre I’d just thrown myself into so I hurried to the door and cranked it open forcefully. This time the old man hadn’t shut it himself.
When I got in, I saw that his room was neater than usual. Ok. Not neater than usual. He’d just piled up everything in one corner of the room while swimming about drawing magic circles. I didn’t think too much about it and decided to ask about the creature standing in front of the door. He looked up at me as if he hadn’t noticed me since the beginning.
According to him, there was no creature in front of him room. I wanted to think he was joking, but with how serious he looked, I had no reason to doubt him. That made the whole scenario far scarier. I moved the conversation along to what he was busily doing.
He informed me that this was all preparations for my search. I felt happy that even though there was an event coming up tomorrow he was putting more focus on mine. That is, till he told me he was taking credit for what the court mages were planning to do. He suddenly looked like some scummy old man. Not that I cared. I was kicked out after that and hurried up to go check on everyone else. Unlike me, they were all still busy with their work and had little to no time for me.
It was a pain being too efficient.
DAILY ACHIEVEMENTS
[The skill [Poison Generation] rose to level 7]
[The skill [Mid Poison Resistance] rose to level 5]
[The skill [High Force Impact] rose to level 3]
[The skill [Shock Absorber] rose to level 3]
[The skill [Vector Control] rose to level 4]
[The skill [Auto Regeneration] rose to level 7]
[The skill [Devil Light Manipulation] rose to level 3]
[The skill [Devil Twilight Manipulation] rose to level 2]
[The skill [Twilight Manipulation] rose to level 2]
[Tori developed the magic skill [Geo Crusher]]
[Tori developed the magic skill [Healing Touch]]
[Tori developed the magic skill [Aqua Touch]]
[Tori developed the magic skill [Shadow Cage]]
[Tori developed the magic skill [Water Wheel]]
[Tori developed the magic skill [Dark Shot]]
[Tori developed the magic skill [Space Isolation]]
FUSION
[Evolver] + [God’s Wisdom] = [Fusion Not Permitted]
FAMILIA
[The General Reiman has issued another report about the servant Arisu]
-With no response, the General Reiman has decided to engage in Character Reformation. The servant Arisu will be given 3 chances. Should she fail, the servant Arisu will be killed.
[Please give your thoughts on this report]
DUNGEON
[You need to attend to your dungeon before it acquires too much mana or else it will acquire a will of its own]
[Mana limit 50/60]
<A/N: Again, another late release. At least I've still got my 8-day streak. Wow, I looked at the original script for this arc. I'm honestly surprised by how much it's changed and how much longer it is. I was originally going for the innocent princess act, but I guess a scheming princess was better for this. Finally, we're about to get started with this feast and the final few chapters of the arc. Also anyone notice that Day 53 started about 15 chapters ago? XD, I wonder when we'll get to day 100.
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