He had never thought that just because Darkness had taken effect, the goddess would be unaware of this incident.
However, he had thought that since she had not seen it, she would be unable to apply the established system.
So far, that seemed to have been correct.
Since she had not seen it, there were no penalties, and since she had not seen it, there were no rewards either.
But there were no penalties, yet rewards were being paid out?
Wasn’t that basically saying she would turn a blind eye to the bad and give him only the good?
Could this be…?
“Does the goddess like me?”
What came back in response to that plausible deduction was Purnell’s chilly voice.
- Would you please restrain yourself? Think of the ghost who has to listen to you.
“No, but it’s strange. Unless she’s favoring me, does it make sense for her to give me rewards while overlooking the penalties?”
- How would I know what the goddess of Refu is thinking? If she gives it to you, just say thank you and take it.
That was certainly true, but separate from that, it still felt unsettling.
The reason lay in one of the items given as a reward.
The reward for the achievement, tucked neatly into his subspace pouch.
The Catalog of Patience.
“Just look at this. Even after seeing this, you’re saying it’s not favoritism?”
He took the item out, held it in his hand, and stared at it.
An item shaped like a small book.
On the cover, along with a childish drawing, the title was written in crooked letters.
[Catalog of Patience - Good Things Come to Those Who Wait!]
- ……I now have a very clear idea of the goddess’s aesthetic sense.
“Not the drawing. Look at the item description.”
「Catalog of Patience (Peculiar)」
「A catalog created for a specific purpose. Its outstanding artistry stands out.」
「While possessed, all values related to ‘patience’ increase rapidly.」
An item that allowed his patience stat to rise rapidly, no less.
To others, it would be as useless as a pebble on the roadside.
But to Hio, it was an insanely valuable item that he would not trade for any legendary weapon or legendary artifact.
Hio prided himself on knowing most items and artifacts, but even he had never known such an item existed.
To begin with, who else besides Hio even had values related to “patience”?
A custom-made item he absolutely needed had been placed right in front of him as a reward.
So the ridiculous claim that the goddess was favoring him actually sounded plausible.
- But if what you say is true, then objectively speaking, is the reward not insufficient compared to the achievement you accomplished?
“That’s… true.”
What Hio had done was hardly ordinary.
Even in the game, no one had ever stopped this monster wave alone.
Partly because the players would never allow someone to monopolize such a good event, and partly because by the time anyone reached a level where they could resolve a monster wave alone, the world had already gone completely to hell.
‘The guy who recorded the highest contribution was… was it him?’
He remembered there being a commotion for a while because the one ranked second had received a unique item as a reward from the monster wave.
Considering the level of the players at the time, it had been a sufficiently good reward.
But despite Hio wiping everything out alone, all he received were fame points and two items.
Of course, the Catalog of Patience was the best item he could ask for, but…
- Moreover, the other one is completely unnecessary to you, is it not?
The questionable point was the other item given as a reward.
「Skill Evolution Tome (Intermediate)」
「An evolution tome that can evolve a mid-grade or lower skill by one stage.」
「Be careful when opening the book, as it will be used immediately.」
An evolution tome that others would have welcomed with open arms.
But to Hio, it was utterly useless.
There was no need to evolve a skill that would vanish with a single act of violence… and what was he supposed to do with raising something by only one stage?
His body had now become one that could not be satisfied unless it was a highest-grade skill.
“That’s why I don’t understand. One is a book that’s useless to others but more precious than anything to me. The other is a book that’s useless to me but good for others.”
If she was going to give him something, she should have packed it full of only the things he truly needed.
He simply could not figure out the reason.
- If I must offer my thoughts, I do think the goddess made things convenient for you. The Catalog of Patience, you say? Is that not far too blatant?
“……Right? Besides, the reward notification appeared really late. Originally, I probably wasn’t supposed to receive any reward, but she deliberately intervened to give me one.”
- Even so, she likely cannot simply hand down only good things one after another. I have no deep knowledge of theology, but I have often heard that causality applies very strongly to divinity.
“Causality…”
The law by which a certain cause inevitably brings about a certain result.
It meant that without a cause, there could be no result.
If he wanted the result of a good reward, he had to provide a corresponding cause.
- So in a way, this matter deviated from causality. You eliminated the cause and obtained only the good result.
“Then… are you saying the goddess went so far as to violate causality to give me this reward? Why on earth?”
- If I knew that, would I be here playing the ghost? I would have ascended to those lofty heights and become a god myself.
As countless thoughts rapidly crossed his mind, Purnell continued speaking.
- Of course, all of this could be mistaken. We know little about gods, do we not? There are too many variables and too many unknowns. To begin with, there may have been some issue with the Darkness spell itself.
“……Can’t you go look into it a bit at the Magic Tower?”
- The places I can go are limited. How many low-circle mages do you think have written works studying gods? It was a miracle that I even found the room of a black mage who had studied Darkness. If you want higher-level information, you will have no choice but to raise your Circle and travel by portal.
As Purnell said, sitting alone in a room worrying would not reveal anything.
Everything he was doing now was mere conjecture and assumption. Nothing was certain.
“Fine. For now, I should do what I can.”
If he proceeded step by step, an answer would surely appear.
So for now, he would make what he had obtained entirely his own.
“Point Shop.”
「Point Shop」
「Stamina +1: 10 pt」
「Strength +1: 10 pt」
「Agility +1: 10 pt」
「Mana +1: 10 pt」
「Spiritual Power +1: 10 pt」
…
「Remaining Points: 807 pt」
In any case, he had earned a nice amount of points.
It was time to supplement his meager stats.
“For now, I should raise everything evenly except mana…”
The mage equipment he had obtained from the Magic Tower. The mana breathing technique he practiced whenever he had time. Because of those, only his mana towered above his other stats.
Since his other stats had barely grown at all, he needed to use this opportunity to balance them out.
However, there was one thing he was a bit conflicted about.
“Should I raise Spiritual Power too?”
The new stat he had gained this time, Spiritual Power, had appeared in the Point Shop.
It was such an ambiguous, troublesome stat.
There were certainly many benefits to raising Spiritual Power.
He was not sure about the effects of “Ghost’s Eye,” but at least “Spirit Body” had proven extremely useful, so that much was certain.
As Spiritual Power rose, the various effects of Ghost’s Eye and Spirit Body would likely be revealed.
“But back then, I could only do it because I had points to spare.”
During his days as the Supreme Heavenly Demon, he already had more than enough points, so he could invest in Spiritual Power without any hesitation.
But right now, he did not even have enough of his other basic stats.
- Hoo… It truly is fascinating every time I see it. Those who crossed over from your world can all see and manipulate things like this, you say? The world really is interesting.
Purnell, who was looking at the world together from Hio’s perspective, chuckled as if amused.
- Personally, I recommend raising Spiritual Power. Strengthening the power of the soul is more useful than you might imagine.
“The power of the soul? Do you mean it raises something like my rank?”
- It is different from rank. The power of the soul is… hm, difficult to explain. Just raise it. If you learn necromancer magic, you will have many occasions to use Ghost’s Eye in particular.
“……Fine. A disciple should trust his master. Here goes.”
- My word. Have you ever treated me as a master?
「Purchasing the stat ‘Stamina’ for 200 pt.」
「The stat ‘Stamina’ increases by +20.」
「Purchasing the stat ‘Strength’ for 200 pt.」
「The stat ‘Strength’ increases by +20.」
「Purchasing the stat ‘Agility’ for 200 pt.」
「The stat ‘Agility’ increases by +20.」
「Purchasing the stat ‘Spiritual Power’ for 200 pt.」
「The stat ‘Spiritual Power’ increases by +20.」
「Remaining Points: 7 pt」
Since it divided up perfectly, he distributed the points evenly and raised his stats.
- Ooh! Fascinating! I want to tear your body apart and study it right this instant!
“……You insane necromancer.”
At last, he felt like things were gradually coming together.
Although he had started far later than the other possessed people, this was the effect of his cheat-like hidden trait.
Now, he would be able to climb quickly.
* * *
“Hio Pavlenko. I’m coming in.”
Theordo’s familiar voice came from outside the door.
Soon, the door opened, and Theordo and Sylvia entered together.
Since the meeting would begin soon, both of them were dressed in attire overflowing with formality and dignity.
In contrast, Hio’s outfit was the same as ever.
A loose robe and a large staff. Even a mage hat perched on his head.
But now, no one would be able to laugh at him for it.
“Do we just go to the conference room now?”
As Hio rose and gathered his staff, Sylvia shook her head.
“No, not yet. I thought we could talk a little before the meeting.”
“Yeah, sure.”
Hio and Sylvia sat facing each other, and Theordo naturally stood behind Sylvia.
“Theordo, aren’t you going to sit?”
At those words, Theordo glanced at Hio and answered stiffly.
“Do not mind me.”
“Don’t be like that. Sit beside us, Theordo. It’s just us here.”
“Yes.”
But when Sylvia spoke up, he promptly sat on the sofa.
“……You sure are picky for someone who became my friend yesterday.”
“Hm? You two decided to be friends?”
“It was merely Hio Pavlenko one-sidedly…”
“That’s right. The two of us even shared a very secret conversation, and we decided to be friends starting yesterday.”
“……When did I ever…”
“That’s great!”
Theordo froze at the sight of Sylvia smiling brightly in delight.
“It’s nice that you two are getting along! Keep being good friends from now on!”
“……Yes, Your Highness.”
Hio chuckled as he watched Theordo’s expression, unable to do this or that, then turned his gaze back to Sylvia.
“Is there something you wanted to say before the meeting? Now we’ll have to persuade the Eastern Alliance and raise an army.”
“Yes. Actually, there’s something I want to ask you regarding that.”
“No need to make it sound like a request. Just say it comfortably.”
A request made after coming to see him before the meeting.
Wasn’t it obvious?
The existence of Hio Pavlenko had been firmly engraved into the nobles of the east.
Those who had witnessed the power of that calamitous mage could not help but pay attention to Hio.
So if Hio stepped forward, it would become easier for the Eastern Alliance to lend Sylvia their strength.
However.
“Could you stay quiet during the meeting, if possible?”
Sylvia’s request was the opposite of what Hio had expected.
“Stay… quiet? If I step forward, the nobles can be persuaded quickly.”
“That’s exactly why. If we do that, it has no meaning.”
Sylvia’s firmly resolved eyes did not waver.
Hadn’t Yon Torno said the same thing?
That this was something Sylvia absolutely had to do.
This was something she herself had to do.
How could someone who intended to become emperor be frightened of nobles and hide behind someone else?
She might not know about other things, but Sylvia could not ask for support for herself by borrowing another person’s mouth.
So she said to Hio,
“Please. Don’t let me rely on you even for this. Hio. I need the confidence that I can do it too.”
Sylvia had spent her entire life watching the moods of the two princes.
An environment where she could not help but be cowed.
Though she had never said it aloud, she must have lacked a great deal of confidence and self-esteem.
But how could an emperor be that way?
Sylvia’s request was like a vow to overcome her own problem.
Hio readily nodded.
“I will. You can do this more than enough.”
There were plenty of ways to pressure the nobles in the conference room without Sylvia knowing.
Well, if nothing else worked, he could just scowl fiercely and they would read the room on their own, wouldn’t they?
Silbert’s plan and the future of the empire. Even the Abyss, which even now must be growing deeper.
There was far too much at stake here to gloss it over with romantic words like “we can do it.”
Even so, the reason he nodded without any particular worry was because he had already judged the odds to be high.
It was something he felt sorry to Sylvia for, but… Hio’s presence was already overwhelming.
No matter what Sylvia said at the meeting, the nobles would be watching Hio’s reaction.
They would not support the princess because they believed in her potential; they would support her because they believed in Hio’s power and saw the possibility of victory.
However.
“…Thank you! I’ll be sure to make it happen!”
Watching Sylvia burn with resolve, making such a firm vow, made one corner of his heart prickle.
‘It can’t be helped. Making her emperor comes first.’
What could he do?
There was too much at stake, and it was far too heavy, to be quibbling over romance.
‘Though making her emperor will only have meaning if we do something about all that aura of death filling her body first.’
What use would it be to make her emperor if Sylvia died?
Because of her special ability to see souls, they had to somehow exhaust the deathly energy that had accumulated within her…
‘…Wait.’
A thought suddenly flashed through his mind.
‘It’s energy that built up because of Sylvia’s ability.’
The inhabitants of this world also possessed traits and skills.
They simply had no way to confirm them like a possessor could.
‘Sylvia’s ability is also a skill.’
When Sylvia used her ability, he had sensed signs of mana being used.
In other words, Sylvia’s ability was not a trait, but a skill.
And the accumulation of deathly energy was likely a kind of penalty that accompanied a powerful skill.
Just like Hio’s hidden trait, it was a natural penalty that came with a fraudulent ability capable of breaking the balance.
Leaving aside whether Sylvia’s skill was truly that extraordinary.
‘What if the skill’s rank is still low, so there’s no way to resolve the penalty yet?’
Once his thoughts gained momentum, they began to accelerate rapidly.
The two rewards he had received from the goddess.
The Catalog of Patience was such a good reward that it seemed tailor-made for Hio, but there had been one other reward besides that.
The utterly useless Book of Evolution.
‘What if this was the way to save Sylvia?’
If it had been bestowed not for Hio, but for Sylvia.
At last, everything fit together.
‘What do you think?’
— It sounds plausible. Still, when it comes to this thing called skills, do you not know more than I do?
As Purnel said, magic was one thing, but when it came to skills, Hio knew better than anyone.
And in Hio’s eyes, this idea was entirely possible.
It was fairly common for a penalty attached to a skill to weaken or disappear as the skill evolved.
“Sylvia.”
Hio opened his subspace pouch and handed her a book.
Sylvia accepted it with a puzzled expression.
“What is this?”
“A magic book that will strengthen your ability.”
“My… ability?”
The skill that allowed her to see souls.
According to Purnel, it was not simply an ability to peer into souls, but one closely tied to death.
If that were strengthened, what sort of power would it display?
“You said the more you use your ability, the worse your body gets. So we’re going to try strengthening it instead. Either you’ll be able to control the deathly energy inside you, or it will accumulate less.”
“But… I’ve never even heard of a book that can strengthen a skill.”
At Sylvia’s confused question, Hio merely shrugged.
“It’s magic.”
With just those words, Sylvia accepted it.
She had already seen magic like a miracle with her own eyes, so a book that evolved skills was hardly out of the question.
Sylvia looked down at the book in her hands.
“It should activate as soon as you open it.”
“How will my skill change if it’s strengthened?”
“I don’t know.”
Come to think of it, had there ever been a skill that dealt with souls?
Ventair had countless skills, all with their own distinct characteristics.
Even so, there was no skill that dealt with souls, at least not in Hio’s memory.
There had been similar skills, but none that directly mentioned the soul.
“There’s no guarantee you’ll definitely get better. In fact… it could get worse. The choice is yours, Sylvia.”
At Hio’s words, Sylvia fell silent and simply stared down at the book.
Just because an ability was strengthened did not necessarily mean its penalty would weaken.
It could worsen in proportion to the strengthening.
After some time had passed like that.
“…I’ll do it.”
Having made up her mind, Sylvia reached out toward the book.