Chapter 30
It is beyond the system’s authority.
Beyond authority. It was the first ti since I’d asked the system about the point cost of “Creation Magic” that could craft all things.
Was all of this a coincidence? The Cosmos Empire’s Finest Holy Diamond Bullet, a perk for Martin von Targon Ulvhadin, and the holy relic and secret magic of the Cosmos Church obtained from conquering a Ti Chaos Dungeon that would beco a future calamity.
It felt like a well-orchestrated play, didn’t it?
I took the Rosary of Grace. There was no instruction manual.
“Custor, please be careful.”
Nerjin’s warning gave reason to pause.
“There will be many who covet it.”
“Thank you for the advice.”
Having received the items, it was ti to leave. What was certain was that Nerjin was a highly trustworthy person and possessed information about the Cosmos Empire.
‘I should do business with him often.’
I paid 10 gold coins, ten tis the originally quoted amount. It was that extraordinary a job.
“That’s too much.”
As he tried to take only 5 gold coins, I insisted on giving him 10.
“I don’t believe in buying trust with money, but I hope this brings you peace.”
A polite way of saying it was hush money.
“If you insist.”
The under-the-table deal was fully concluded. I left the workshop with Nerjin, who personally saw out.
“Grandpa! A custor’s here!”
Nerjin’s granddaughter approached with an innocent smile. Nerjin seed delighted, finding his helpful granddaughter utterly adorable.
“Master Nerjin, it’s been a while…”
The new custor froze upon seeing . I, too, felt rooted to the spot, unable to move.
The lingering sensations in Martin’s body tried to crawl up, but I suppressed them with sheer willpower.
“…Cadet Martin?”
“Cadet Gilbert.”
Behind Gilbert was his guard knight, Lina. He looked flustered upon seeing but soon offered a faint smile and extended his hand.
“What a coincidence, eting here.”
I didn’t respond to the gesture.
“As I’ve said before, we’re not on good terms.”
“Ah… right…? Haha.”
Gilbert awkwardly withdrew his hand.
We both knew.
Gilbert wanted to connect with in so way, and I wanted to avoid him.
We just pretended otherwise.
“I’ll take my leave then, Master.”
“Oh, yes. Take care.”
I quickly stepped toward the entrance and opened the door.
“W-Wait a second!”
Gilbert inevitably called out to . He looked flustered, unsure of what to do after causing a scene.
“Uh, with , um…”
“If there’s no business, I’m leaving.”
“No! Wait! If you’re not busy… how about, uh, a cup of tea?”
Oh, was this too much for the naturally popular social butterfly? Seeing him squirm was quite amusing.
I turned my head slightly to reply.
“No thanks.”
Then I opened the door and left.
I had a mountain of things to do. There was no reason to waste ti on soone I didn’t even want to see.
Fortunately, Gilbert didn’t chase out of the shop.
‘Now I need to commission a firearm.’
In this world, firearms were rarely used. Anyone could make a sword or spear, and a bow required so finesse, but firearms demanded the ability to manipulate mana.
They weren’t artifacts like magical tools, nor were they ordinary weapons. Firearms were an awkward in-between.
Instead of gunpowder, the prir contained condensed mana. Pulling the trigger caused a striker made of mana crystal to hit the prir, exploding the mana and propelling the bullet.
Instead of a safety, firearms required mana infusion to bind them to a designated owner, making them usable only by that person.
‘Ugh, this is tricky.’
I’d visited dozens of forges in the capital, but no one would take on firearm crafting. And I couldn’t exactly commission the Ulvhadin Family, could I?
Lost in thought as I walked, a shadow lood over .
“Excuse .”
Looking up, a hulking man in a black hood stared down at .
‘Magic?’
The inside of the hood was obscured, as if shrouded in black mist. A sense of déjà vu hit . Where had I seen this?
“Cadet Martin. You need to co with us.”
“Why should I trust you, when you’ve surrounded ?”
Wild Instinct (Lv 1) advises that there’s definitely an ambush nearby. The opponent’s stealth skills are at the pinnacle, making it impossible to pinpoint their location or number.
The black-hooded man fell silent briefly. He might’ve been surprised I’d noticed the ambush.
“…If I offer this, perhaps it’ll pique your interest. It’s a gift given in good faith, regardless of the outco. Take it.”
The giant pulled a case from behind. Coincidence or not, it was identical to the one Elisha used for the reward money.
‘I’m seeing this case a lot.’
The mont it clicked open, my expression hardened.
“…Who are you people?”
Inside was a shotgun identical to the one destroyed in the fight with the Demon Count, alongside a cutting-edge new-model shotgun.
Only soone intimately familiar with Martin’s circumstances could’ve prepared this.
“We’re rely… a bit curious, let’s say.”
“….”
How many people in this world held goodwill toward Martin? In contrast, those with malice were countless.
The scales in my mind tipped heavily to one side.
Wild Instinct (Lv 1) is certain that if caught by them, escape would be impossible.
I decided to flee.
‘Can I use the Blink magic?’
Know-It-All (Lv 2) analyzes that manifesting the Cosmos Church’s unique magic requires ‘Stellar Force.’
‘Damn it, System!’
You can acquire Stellar Force (Lv 1) by consuming 500 points.
This cursed thing was insanely expensive. Learning mana cost 50 points, and this was ten tis that. I had so many questions and complaints!
But no choice!
‘I’ll pay!’
Instantly, an unknown power surged through my body. It was… different from the mana existing in nature.
If mana was Earth’s power, Stellar Force felt like, true to its na, the ‘power of the stars’ beyond Earth.
‘Blink!’
With a flash, Martin’s body vanished.
The giant man, startled, looked around. Martin was nowhere to be found.
“Tch, this…”
The black-hooded man swiftly began moving sowhere.
***
“Hoo.”
Martin appeared in a sewer.
‘…I’ve put out the imdiate fire.’
Knowing my na and location was one thing, but preparing a gift tailored to my situation? Even if I returned ho, they’d clearly find again.
‘The sa case…’
The case with the shotguns was identical to the one Elisha gave for the reward money. In other words, it was an Imperial item.
‘Was I overreacting?’
They might be valuable allies in preparing for the apocalypse.
But Wild Instinct…
Wild Instinct (Lv 1) reflects that it might’ve been an overreaction.
‘You little—’
Backpedaling now? But Wild Instinct wouldn’t react for no reason. It definitely sensed danger then.
Wild Instinct (Lv 1) advises it’s not yet safe to relax.
“Co on in, Cadet Martin.”
My heart sank. Cold sweat dripped, and my body chilled.
They were definitely waiting for .
“Is that the vaunted magic of the Cosmos Empire?”
I turned around with creaking movents. My heart was still pounding wildly from the shock.
A woman in a black hood watched . Radiant blonde hair and golden eyes glowed faintly in the darkness.
I’d read that description before.
Even cloaked in a black robe, the woman exuded an unstoppable golden light. She spoke with a mix of intrigue and annoyance.
“Nice to et you. Need an introduction?”
“…Your Highness, the Princess, I presu.”
The woman poised to beco the next Emperor of the Imperium Empire. Ruling over all with overwhelming charisma and authority, the ‘Golden Empress.’
Fans of the original work often called her the ‘Mad Princess.’
Oh, to et the golden mad princess here. No greater plot twist existed.
“Smart. Won’t you tell your identity?”
“As you know, I’m Martin von Targon Ulvhadin.”
Why was she here? What was she after?
‘Is she after the Cosmos Empire’s items?’
Did Teacher Hectia report the diamond bullet to the Princess? Or did Nerjin report the Rosary of Grace?
Maybe the protagonist’s party was to bla.
Or, the worst possibility I didn’t want to imagine—Hailey might’ve betrayed .
“Not that na. I want your other na.”
‘Other na?!’
Did she know? That I ca from another world, from outside the novel?!
‘No, that’s impossible.’
There’s no way that could happen without any foreshadowing. Absolutely not!
“I don’t… understand what you an.”
“Peacemaker.”
The Princess strode toward .
“You didn’t think you could stir up the continent and go unnoticed, did you?”
“Well.”
I backed away, matching her steps.
Oddly, I felt relief. At least my true identity hadn’t been exposed.
As for Peacemaker, that was what Dr. Keren mistakenly called . The revolutionary group of the Cosmos Empire…
“I wouldn’t know. I’m just a lowly scoundrel from a count’s family.”
“You ca back a changed person.”
“Big experiences can change a person.”
“Changing a person is hard enough, but changing their abilities is even harder.”
“Who’s to say I didn’t study diligently?”
Irritation surged. The golden eyes of the Imperium Imperial Family, imbued with power, bore into .
“Ugh, forget it. This is boring. Peacemaker, I ca to et you because I want to maintain a rather close relationship.”
I sensed madness in the beautiful Princess’ eyes. Her golden gaze seed ready to devour .
“Slave traders, black markets, illegal mining sites, unauthorized labs… and recently, even a demon-worshipping cult? You’ve been stirring things up. Peacemaker, I roughly know what you want. So, make a deal with . I’ll give you information. Money, too. Whatever you want, I’ll support.”
“….”
The Princess dangled bait, as if bestowing a favor.
“Oh, was that na a secret? Then, Hound. Your answer?”
Like a tar with a whip, like a trainer taming a wild dog.
‘…What am I doing?’
Anger suddenly flared. In Recola’s creation, cowering before a character who wasn’t even Recola themselves?
‘I, too… created my own world. I’m a novelist.’
I refused to be servile, at least not in soone else’s work—Recola’s work.
“As I’ve said repeatedly, I’m not the Peacemaker.”
“You’re making say this is boring twice…”
“Shut up and listen, Princess.”
The Princess’ face hardened.
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