I Became a Level -99 Vicious Lord

Camille and Qasim's faces showed astonishment as they witnessed Otto expertly wielding the aura blade.

The aura blade is a skill exclusive to the truly elite.

In this world, the ability to wield an aura blade is a measure of strength, determining whether one has reached the rank of a true powerhouse.

This was because the aura blade was not something that could be taught.

Using an aura blade was entirely dependent on one's self-enlightenment.

Without a deep understanding of one's own strength and enlightenment in mana manipulation, using an aura blade was nearly impossible.

‘Right.'

Otto nodded as he observed the aura blade that had formed on his sword.

‘With Invincible Swordsmanship reaching 6 stars, a new world opens up.'

From experience, the power of Invincible Swordsmanship differed greatly depending on whether it reached 6 stars or not.

Now, he began to understand why 6 stars were considered the benchmark.

“Fiancé.”

Eliza approached Otto and said.

“Congratulations on reaching a new height.”

“Ah?”

Otto was taken aback.

“T… Thank you. Haha… Hahaha.”

He couldn't believe that he had reached a new level of proficiency himself, so he wasn't sure if this was a dream or reality.

“To have mastered the aura blade means…”

Elise offered him a piece of advice.

“You've opened up a new horizon in mana manipulation."

“Huh?”

"Try applying it to the powers you possess."

"…..!"

"Something will definitely be different."

Otto gained further insight from Elise's advice.

‘D-Different.'

As he reevaluated the skills he had with the mana manipulation he used to generate the aura blades, he realized something distinctly new.

He felt that he could now cast magic more effectively and with more precision.

‘Can it work?'

Out of curiosity, he took up his sword and tried to channel mana.

*Whiiir!*

He swung the sword widely.

*Whooosh!*

A gray aura spread out in a fan-shaped arc.

*Crk!*

*Crunch!*

Everything in front of him turned to stone.

One of Calypso's powers, the Eye of Petrification.

That power was now unleashed not through his eyes, but through his sword.

And not just that, it was stronger and covered a wider area.

“Huh?!”

Otto was astonished that he could now unleash the Petrification Eye technique through his sword.

When unleashed through his eyes, the range was limited, and the power wasn't as strong, but using the sword, it had become an entirely different and much more potent technique.

‘So that's why she said one's personal strength is more important.'

Otto finally understood the meaning of Elise's advice.

‘You must first become strong yourself. Only then will your powers shine.'¹

Elise's advice echoed in his head.

She hadn’t spoken in vain.

How to proceed.

What is right?

Now that he thought about it, she had provided the exact direction to grasp true strength.

“Thank you so much.”

Otto expressed his gratitude to Elise once again.

“I've learned so much from you.”

“You don't need to thank me.”

Elise shook her head.

"I only showed you the way. The enlightenment was achieved through your own effort."

“Still.”

"Rather, I am the one who should be thankful."

“Huh?”

“You are a fun person to teach. It gives me great pleasure and joy to see you absorb my teachings and make progress. That's what you are to me. Someone who gives me pleasure and joy.”

Otto felt a certain emotion, something indescribable, upon hearing those words from Elise.

Meanwhile, Camille and Qasim watched Otto and Elise from the side, feeling utterly dumbfounded.

"Is this the right thing?"

Qasim whispered into Camille's ear.

"I don't really know either."

Camille shared his honest opinion.

To outsiders, the way Otto and Elise's relationship unfolded was a bit odd.

It would be nice if they could just have a normal relationship like others and nurture their feelings…

“Everyone has their own way of nurturing love I suppose.”

“That's true.”

“Why don't we go take a shower?”

“Okay, Sir Camille.”

Camille and Qasim subtly stepped aside to give Otto and Elise some time to themselves.

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Otto and Elise spent all their time together except for sleeping, practicing, eating, drinking tea, and telling each other stories.

Since they were usually busy and had few opportunities to meet and spend time together, they had to make the most of every chance they got to be together.

‘Anyone would think they're a monthly couple. Hehe'

Otto chuckled to himself, thinking of his and Elise's relationship that way.

Not even a weekend couple, but a monthly couple.

“What's funny?”

Elise asked Otto, as she was drinking tea.

“No, it's nothing.”

Otto shook his head with a smile.

“How's the situation on the other side of the Wall these days?”

"It's always the same."

“Constant fighting?"

“That's right."

“Hmm.”

Otto fell into deep thought upon hearing Elise's words.

‘It's problematic if things play out according to the scenario.'

Elise wasn't a main character, but she was at the center of a very big plot arc.

Moreover, beyond the northern wall, which was Elise's main stage, was also where a major event that could determine the fate of the world was about to take place.

‘It would be problematic if the situation beyond the wall continues to develop like this.'

His mind was racing.

Otto knew what would happen in the future and was also aware of Elise's fate.

Given that, it was inevitable that various thoughts would cross his mind.

If he hadn't become involved with Elise, it might have been different, but now that they were connected, it was impossible to just let things unfold according to the predetermined scenario.

‘I need to change the scenario at the right time. Otherwise…'

At that moment.

"What are you thinking so deeply about?"

Elise asked Otto.

“You seem to have a lot on your mind.”

“I do.”

Otto gave a faint smile and looked at Elise.

“I can't help it.”

“What are they?”

“Something like that.”

“Is it a something you can't confide in me?”

“Not to anyone… uh?”

Otto's eyes widened in surprise as he suddenly had a thought while answering Elise's question.

“What did you just say?”

“About what.”

“What you just said.”

"…..?"

“Didn't you say it was something you couldn't even confide in me?,” Elise inquired.

“I did.”

“What are you implying~?"

“T… That."

Elise's face flushed with redness.

"W-Well, we’re engaged to each other and will become a couple in the future. I think there shouldn’t be any secrets between us."

“Hehehe.”

Otto couldn't help but laugh at Elise's sudden shyness.

He hadn't expected her to be so shy about a conversation like this, when she'd been so casual about wanting to have many children.

“I wish I could tell you, I really do.”

Otto cracked a smile.

"Not yet. It's not the right time."

"Is that so?"

"Later. When the time comes, I'll tell you all my secrets."

If he really ended up together with Elise.

If he survives the Great War.

If he remained in this world afterward.

If he marries Elise and they have a family.

When that time comes.

Otto planned to reveal all his secrets to everyone, including Elise.

But for now, he had no intention of saying anything.

In a situation where he didn’t know what the future held and might suddenly return to his original world, he didn’t want to speak carelessly.

"When everything becomes clear, I'll tell you then."

“I see.”

Elise didn’t press Otto further.

Out of respect for him, she believed he had a reason for his words.

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Meanwhile, the Kingdoms adjacent to the Uruk Plains were plunged into tremendous chaos due to the Orcs' attacks.

Just as the orcs feared the humans, so too did the humans fear the orcs.

The prejudice and perception against the Orcs were so severe that improving their image was nearly impossible.

Moreover, since Orcs are a race with innate combat prowess, it was indeed difficult for humans to match them.

In particular, small and weak kingdoms without strong military forces often struggled against even a small orc tribe.

As a result, these small kingdoms had to send diplomats to the Kingdom of Erzsebet immediately, pleading for assistance.

Without the Kingdom of Erzsebet's help, the weaker kingdoms would be powerless to quell the orc invasion.

"Your Majesty! Please, have mercy!"

“We hope for your compassion as a great kingdom!”

“Our king earnestly hopes for the assistance of your majesty, King Bathory!”

Diplomats from the small kingdoms all groveled before Bathory in unison.

Because Bathory did not meet with them individually, they had no choice but to gather together and plead in this manner.

King Bathory looked at the diplomats from the small states with a very relaxed and composed demeanor, and she smiled alluringly.

‘These ungrateful wretches. It's quite pleasing to see them come and beg so desperately for help. Hohoho.'

King Bathory wanted to laugh out loud in amusement.

It was utterly satisfying to see those who had tried to cling to the Lota Kingdom come rushing in, begging when the Orcs invaded.

“I understand well the wishes of your kings.”

Bathory spoke up.

“However, I am deeply disappointed with the recent behavior of your kings.”

At this, the diplomats from the small kingdoms all bowed their heads and begged humbly.

“Your Majesty! That is a misunderstanding!”

“Why would you say such bitter words? The King of our country has always had the utmost respect and admiration for His Majesty Bathory!”

However, Bathory had no intention to send in any reinforcements.

‘I was already concerned by their growing power, so this is perfect. They need to be thoroughly put in their place.'

Bathory decided to wait patiently.

The longer she stalled, the more damage the orcs would do to the weaker kingdoms.

If that happened, it was obvious that the influence of the Erzsebet Kingdom would naturally grow even stronger.

Perhaps this opportunity could help overcome the geopolitical weakness of being surrounded by enemies on all sides.

By fully dominating the south, she intended to create a foothold for launching conquest wars against the surrounding Kingdoms.

“I will observe how your Kings act for the time being. So return to your Kingdoms. Our Erzsebet Kingdom's army cannot shed blood for those who are ungrateful like you."

Bathory coldly sent away the diplomats who were begging and pleading.

Until the neighboring kingdoms come to her and offer to make unequal treaties and promise to pay tribute, she will not help them.

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Meanwhile, the border fortress of the McLaren Kingdom was on the verge of collapse, having been attacked by the Red Hammer Tribe.

“H-Hold on! Hold on no matter what! This place must not fall! Whatever it takes!

Stay strong!"

The commander defending the final fortress shouted at the top of his lungs, encouraging the allied soldiers.

However, in the face of the Red Hammer Tribe's orc warriors' attacks, the McLaren Kingdom's forces were hopelessly outmatched.

“Argh!”

“Aaaaah!”

“S-Save meeeeeee!"

Desperate cries and screams erupted from the mouths of the McLaren Kingdom's soldiers.

“Ahhh.”

A despairing sigh escaped the commander's mouth.

They had done their best to hold on, but now they could no longer fend off the Orcs.

“Ret….”

Ultimately, at the moment when the commander was about to give the order to retreat.

“Skreeeeeeeee!”

“Kaaaaaaaaahhh!”

Out of nowhere, a horde of wyverns appeared and attacked the orcs.

Moreover, among them, a black-scaled Black Wyvern even breathed a blue flame towards the orcs.

That wasn't all.

*Rumbles!* *Thump!* *Thump!*

*Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!* *Bang!*

From afar, orcs riding wild boars charged in and attacked the orcs that were assaulting the fortress.

“W-What the!"

The commander was confused.

He couldn't understand the sudden appearance of the wyverns and why the orcs were attacking the other orcs.

** ** **

TL/N:

1. Ref to Ch 254

**King is a gender neutral Title and not typo