175. Dark Clouds [1]
Swoosh. Dark clouds and heavy rain. Whenever a period of war begins to stir, the clouds and rain feel colder than ever. I sit, sipping already-cold tea, looking out the window for quite so ti. The steady raindrops hit the ground, creating small puddles, which gradually grow larger, overtaking other puddles.
It reminds of the factions within Inner Lunatic, and I can’t help but chuckle. As I’m once again struck by the frightening nature of human greed, thoughts of the third chapter’s approaching conclusion and storyline just around the corner flood my mind
‘In fact, I can’t say that the soldiers on the Prince’s side are that strong. Even though the Goff rchant Guild has plenty of money, they don’t have even a fifth of Eleanor’s capital. The First Prince isn’t exactly overflowing with wealth either.’
But the problem isn’t there. The other side. specifically, this is all caused by Rick, a demonic human who served the demons.
‘Those demon troops he commands are dangerous. Even if they’re low-mid-level demons, they’re far too strong for regular soldiers to handle. Dangerous’
To fight demons, one must harness the elental strength. And for this, a majority of soldiers must be graduates of prestigious continental academies. They don’t move easily no matter how much money you offer. Their convictions are strong, making it hard to persuade them.
That’s why large-scale wars in the Inner Lunatic are dangerous. Any situation could be flipped just because of a single persuasive word.
“It’s unavoidable.”
Despite days of worry, the results have co out.
‘Regardless of the situation, many people will die. It couldn’t be stopped.’
Either way, that’s how it’s going to be. In dieval wars where victors and losers are clearly defined, isn’t it just natural that countless deaths are lurking? But I’ve never really thought about deaths in such a large-scale war. Is it because I’m still young? I’m not so sure. People fall to swords and magic, countless others burn and are tortured, blood splashes and soak the ground. This is war here. A fight over power and interests between people.
Thinking about this, I close my eyes briefly.
You know, don’t you? You can’t save everyone.
It’s a phrase I’ve repeated to myself countless tis in Chaders. If I can’t save everyone, I should at least protect those within my circle. Even if it’s hypocritical, it’s still the best I can do. And that thought is closely linked to the decision I have to make now.
While lost in thought, suddenly, ‘Oh’, along with this voice, I feel a girl quietly approach, not long after, a familiar scent spread around. Zitri gently settled beside and began to talk.
“What’s matter, Young Master? Going to bed this early”
“Well, isn’t this typical of a ruffian?”
Taking naps and letting ti slip by lazily is a privilege reserved only for fishern and ruffians. Thinking this, I offer my seat to Zetri. She tilts her head slightly as she sits beside , tucking her hair behind her ear before calmly speaking again.
“It’s been raining quite a while this ti.”
“Right. I thought it would stop, but it’s still coming down.”
“Young Master…You look dispirited. Even your tone is weak… Is it because of that situation? The power struggle between the Prince and Princess…”
“That’s right.”
There’s no need to hide it. As I replied calmly, I couldn’t completely hide my uneasiness. Perhaps it’s because I know the conflict is about to start soon, or maybe I’m getting too caught up in the situation.
No, at least it’s not the latter.
‘I am Nox. Nox is . The two are the sa person’
I repeat the words I heard in that white room, my ntal world. Nox von Reinhaver. That’s my na. There’s no denying it now. In this situation, I have to take responsibility and find a way to move forward. I’m no longer just an extra, I’ve beco soone who has to find a reason for my life.
‘I have to improve’
With this thought, I take a deep breath and organize my thoughts once more.
“The war will begin when the rain stops.”
“Yes”
“This ti, it’s especially dangerous.”
“I’m aware.”
“Are you not thinking of running away?”
I asked jokingly, but Zitri gave a rather fierce look.
“You asked to stay by your side. Are you discarding now?”
“…..”
The people who trust . This made vainly excited. More than anything, I realized that they are completely mine, not Nox’s.
I didn’t bring it up to joke with her.
The First Prince, Louis, and the Goff rchant Group. The First Princess, Penelope, and the Rivalin rchant Group.
The future where two factions clash is already set in stone. In the ga, I experienced it countless tis, but it still doesn’t feel real. Unexpectedly, at this point, I find myself feeling a bit anxious, even if it’s just for a brief mont. I even start to wonder.
‘….Maybe the ga Inner Lunatic was created as a tutorial to help survive and adapt to this world.’
The thought crosses my mind just for a mont. Anyway. I’m back where I was. There’s still so much I don’t know, but I believe I can figure it out from here.
Just as I firm up my resolve. Suddenly I hear a familiar system sound, as if it pierces through my mind. I narrow my eyes and focus on the half-transparent window hovering in midair.
— You have 1 unread ssage in your mailbox.
— Would you like to check it?
‘Check it.’
Without hesitation, I accepted,
Next, a strong sense of anticipation fills as the ssage appears. On the familiar parchnt background, the tightly packed words catch my eye.
[Hello, YooChan… no, I suppose I can now call you confidently by your na. Nox von Reinhaver. Thanks to your recent growth, I can now reveal a bit more of the world’s truth to you. I can’t tell you everything yet, as there is still the world’s ‘promise’, that I hope you’ll understand. Nox. As you noticed recently, the world is slowly changing thanks to you. Even though just a little, it’s moving toward a ‘happy ending.’ Whether it’s truly a happy ending for you, I can’t say… Nevertheless, you are progressing, and I am so proud of you.
But with good always cos the dark side, and you know this too. The world’s original flow, Natural flow what you would recognize as [history], has finally started to distort. You’re going to face countless variables from now on. I’m sorry. I know this is sad news, but I’m also sending you sothing to help you along the way. I hope it’ll be helpful. With you always, ▢▢▢▢ ▢▢ ▢▢▢]
‘The world is progressing toward a Happy ending’
Another subject that’s difficult to comprehend. Of course, the voice is that familiar, sa woman.
Besides, there was another part that made uneasy.
‘History started to twist?’
I vaguely noticed this truth, but sensing this beca reality. In addition, now when a major war was waiting ahead, even if it was , I couldn’t help but feel uneasy. I thought I was adapting quite well to this world, but… Maybe I still need to learn more about myself. I don’t even fully understand Nox’s past. If I can understand and analyze it quickly, it will help break through the situation.
It seems the sender. The mysterious woman was in a situation where she couldn’t give a lot of information. In the end, her na was hidden and broken as well
My thoughts were cut off by another ssage.
— The ssage has been deleted from the mailbox.
‘As expected.’
I feel I need to move more calmly. Variables. Those things have always been daunting to .
— There’s an artifact attached.
‘Oh, right! She ntioned a useful item, no!?’
Returning to my gar’s mode, I focus on the ssage. Soon, one of the items I need appears before .
— You have received a Trait Lottery Ticket!
A small, popping sound accompanies a capsule. As if to make sure other characters around can’t notice. Zitri is frozen in place, the clock’s needle stopped, the world tinted in gray. It’s like when I use Genius’s ti.
‘The ti has finally co for my Luck stat to shine!’
A trait lottery ticket! My lips curl up involuntarily. Although people might forget, I have a maxed-out luck stat of 10, which has provided huge boosts to enhancent rates. Thinking about how I’ll get to see that effect in action again this ti brought a joyful smile to my face.
This is a ga.
‘…No, is it a reality?’
Either way, lotteries always make people excited. With that thought, I’m drawn toward the lottery machine as if in a trance.
——————————————
Countless troops surround First Prince Louis. Seen from the towering royal castle, they appear like a mass of black dots filling the area below. Among the forces under Rick’s command, and his subordinates. There are also those with pale, purplish skin. They were demonic humans, or low-mid level demons. Rick had been granted temporary command of that force for the sake of this ti mission. Of course, this temporary authority was given by Amdusias. One of the new Grand Dukes.
Realizing he’d reached a position close to what he desired, Rick smiled.
‘I’ve been blessed with more demonic blood. Blood that was given to directly by Amdusias-nim. At this rate, not only Grand Dukes’ ambition, but I’ll also achieve my long-cherished goal.’
Rick’s desperate wish, even at the cost of betraying Eleanor, was to settle with his weak past. To put it bluntly and without any vague expressions… that’s how it was. To put it simply, he no longer wishes to be human. Becoming a Demon
Advancing to beco one of the great demons, one of the 72 demons and to rule the world alongside the Grand Dukes was his ultimate desire. To make sure no one could ever disregard him. That relentless thirst for more blood was fueled by the sa reason. Demonic blood aids the corruption of human nature, and makes them lose their intelligence after all.
But a human who, instead of losing themselves, becos slowly addicted to it will eventually transform into a demon. That was exactly what Rick wanted.
“When this war is over, I’ll finally be able to deal with my damn little sister. Quite a long ti.”
Louis said with a satisfied expression from beside him.
Rick simply grinned back. This ti, he’s not wearing his usual newsboy cap, revealing his true appearance. Demonic human Rick, or rather, Arschultz, put a sinister smile on his fishy look
“That’s right… Really, it has been a very long ti”
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