NOVEL NEXT Chapter 107
Chapter 107: Childhood Friend – Fulfillment
– Bang!
Lev was startled and jumped. When he came to his senses, he was passing through the slaughterhouse.
In the slaughterhouse, a butcher was cutting meat, and the smell of blood, which he thought was a hallucination, was actually emanating from there.
‘No. This isn’t right.’
Lev shook his head and banished the ringing whisper from his mind.
Annihilation route. I don’t want this. Maybe it was like that in the past, but not now.
This is not a game.
They are all living, breathing people. You cannot kill people just to gain power.
But…
He swallowed his saliva.
A system where you can skip all the rituals and accumulate offerings.
That alone was impressive, but there was something even more remarkable.
– One person
For him, when he killed someone, a life’s worth of benefits came in full force, which was tremendous.
Despite preparing for elaborate rituals, there was no way to receive the full offering.
Although the efficiency of the apostle’s offerings was considered good, it dropped to two decimal places, maybe even three.
Everything in this world belongs to the Lord, and Asin only manages to obtain a very small portion of it.
But this law did not apply to Lev. On the contrary, as if it were natural, the number of all those he had killed was meticulously written down.
It was only then that Lev confirmed that this game was created by the God’s hand. Such efficiency was impossible without His permission.
Lev wandered in front of the slaughterhouse for a long time. When the slaughterhouse owner asked if he needed anything, Lev waved his hand and continued to ponder.
And then… He concluded, ‘This is not something a person should do.’
Although he had committed murders out of necessity or for his own survival, killing humans with the accumulation of offerings in mind was a completely different issue.
It was not about achieving something through murder or gaining material wealth, but rather, placing the purpose of life itself… something that even a normal human should not think or do.
‘But…’
Despite reaching a conclusion, Lev hesitated.
Greedy desires arise. This dog-like game did not give me anything. While scenario rewards came steadily, they were limited by the number of turns, and the achievements were trivial and not very helpful.
So, should I not take this at least? Isn’t it assured benefits from the system…
Lev grasped his head.
The greed he had displayed when he wanted to be the adopted son of Marquis Tatian paled in comparison. Perhaps he could reign as the emperor of this world. He could clear the game in just a few more turns…
After hesitating for a long time, he could firm his resolve when the owner of the slaughterhouse began to suspect, ‘Isn’t this guy a thief?’
‘Let’s use only what we have now. Only use achievements when absolutely necessary… Annihilation route? Let’s forget about that.’
It was a difficult decision, but perhaps because there was no need to go that far, he could make the decision without realizing it.
Because the ending is near.
If he used his charming abilities well, he might easily see an unexpected true ending.
Moreover, it seemed that the accumulated murder count so far was sufficient, and he did not need to kill more people forcibly.
Lev took a deep breath. He exhaled his boiling desire and corrected his faltering steps.
Ignoring the dubious gaze of the slaughterhouse owner, he approached a merchant and asked if he wouldn’t sell some horses.
When he handed over the money obtained from selling leather, the merchant exchanged the horses for a low price and did not show any dissatisfaction.
Well, Lev’s eyes sparkled.
‘Let’s go to Nevis.’
He made up his mind.
To reach the Conrad Kingdom, Leo of the beggar siblings’ scenario still had a long way to go.
Right now, after killing Gilbert Forte and hiding in the southern mountains of the Bellita Kingdom, they were supposed to start moving only in a year and a half, in the spring of next year, to find Count Bart.
In the meantime, I will go to Nevis, the capital of the Orun Kingdom, and enchant the king.
Request to adopt Lena and rush to the Conrad Kingdom to warn Prince Leo and prevent his tragedy.
If I move quickly, I can also prevent the breaking of the engagement between Leo and Lena Einarr.
Finally, Lev’s words hit the ground.
His heart swayed between hope and desire as he left Torito.
* * *
“Thank you for your hard work today!”
An official from the Tertan Castle neatly organized the scattered documents and spoke.
“Well done. Finish up and go in.”
“Okay!”
The young official in his late teens shouted spiritedly.
He was born in Marquis Guidan’s territory and received education under the support of Margrave Harbei, becoming an official and being assigned to Bospo. There was much to learn, so he made many mistakes at first, receiving a lot of scolding, but now he had become quite proficient.
As the senior officials left one by one, the youngest started humming a tune and began to tidy up the complaints window.
Recently, there was a woman who gave and received subtle emotions when ordered elsewhere, so he only wanted to finish his work quickly and leave.
At that moment, a young man approached the counter.
“I’m sorry. We’ve finished work today, so let’s continue tomorrow…”
“I’ve come to see the Commissioner.”
“Excuse me? Who are you to see the Commissioner…”
He raised his head thinking that a high-ranking nobleman had come to see him, only to meet the eyes that shone crimson.
‘Oh, I should guide him. Whether he is urgent or not. Let’s guide him quickly and then I can leave work.’
“May I ask who you are? Do you have an appointment?”
Lev was taken aback.
Despite exerting charm, he had to follow procedures to meet the Commissioner.
He revealed his identity and purpose.
“I am Lev from the village of Demos…”
“Demos Village? Demos Village? Let me see. It’s here. But your purpose of travel is to meet the High Commissioner? If you are a Freemen, you need a permit… You don’t have it? Oh! You are a nobleman. I understand.”
Only after adding more charm was Lev able to obtain the pass. He should have just charmed the guards at the gate. What a waste of power…
“I will guide you to the Commissioner. Please come this way.”
Lev followed the official into the castle.
It was his second visit. In a childhood friend scenario, he had worked as a maid or servant here with Lena.
Looking around, he saw familiar maids. Fancy carpets lay everywhere, and various banners hung on the walls, indicating that now the High Commissioner was hosting the knights of Guidan and Palace Tertan.
They would leave for the Kingdom of Conrad next month and meet Bart there.
Of course, Lev had no concern, so he diligently followed the official.
– Knock knock.
“Commissioner. A guest has arrived.”
Upon knocking on the door, a puzzled voice responded.
“A guest? I haven’t promised to meet anyone today. Let them in.”
The Commissioner of Bospo, who was busy writing documents, greeted the unwelcome guest with a displeased expression.
Since the arrival of Lady Harry and the heir of Palace Tertan, he had been extremely busy.
Although he had completed managing the castle, he needed to entertain the two guests properly and pay attention to the knights serving them.
Palace Tertan had brought about a dozen knights with him.
Moreover, a few days ago, when Palace Tertan had requested an appraisal of a necklace as a gift for Lady Harry, the Commissioner had to visit a quirky magician contracted by the city of Bospo.
The arrogant mage holed up in the room would not lift a finger unless personally requested by the Commissioner.
“Who are you coming to see without an appointment?”
“Huh? Don’t you know me, Commissioner?”
As the Commissioner furrowed his brows and the official looked bewildered, Lev, the actual person in question, stood silently.
He had intended to charm the Commissioner upon meeting him.
However, a problem arose. The Commissioner wore a consecrated ring, and Lev instinctively realized that charming the Commissioner would not be easy.
Ever since the Lady landed in this land, the Asins had been cornered.
Not only had the Achaean Empire cooperated with the Church to subdue the mixed races, but also the recognition of the Cross Church as the state religion deeply rooted the lives of imperial citizens and spread the power of gods to a great extent.
This method was mainly carried out by Church rituals, such as exchanging consecrated rings during engagements or marriages.
Consecration was the act of infusing objects with divine power. As it involved infusing inanimate objects with power, it lasted much longer, almost permanently, compared to blessing living creatures, posing a significant obstacle for Asins.
As the Commissioner’s eyes narrowed, Lev hurriedly exerted charm.
However, blocked by the ring, his efforts were in vain, and Lev realized he was helpless, silently praying.
[Achievement: Civilian Murder – Murdered ‘2’ civilians. Slight unhappiness increases.]
As two more civilians’ lives were taken, Barbatos’ power poured abundantly. His heart swelled with sweet euphoria, and Lev’s eyes blinked red again.
“Oh, don’t you remember me?”
The Commissioner showed a momentarily puzzled expression…
“Oh! My goodness! My goodness! Teacher! It’s been so long. How have you been? Oh, right, you’re free to go.”
Officials were sent back and Lev was advised to take a seat. He politely sat down at the adjacent seat.
“I’m glad to see you again. If it weren’t for the teacher, I wonder what would have become of me… I haven’t forgotten the grace that picked me up as a wandering student and the teachings of the teacher. Achacha, get hold of yourself. I’ll order tea for us.”
“No, it’s okay. But more importantly…”
Lev tried to raise his hand, but the commissioner was quicker.
He called for a maid to bring tea, then returned to his seat with a bright smile. It was a smile that seemed to reminisce about old memories.
“How have you been, teacher? I tried to find you, but you seemed to have disappeared. I thought you had passed away. Now that I think about it, the teacher is still as precise…?”
The commissioner’s eyes widened.
Seeing the young teacher dressed in blue, doubt began to creep into his eyes. Lev had to step up his flattery.
Lev quickly brought up the business matter.
“I’ve come to meet Sir Harvey Changevac. Could you please write a simple recommendation for me?”
“Of course. It’s my honor. Sir Harvey will surely treat someone like the teacher with great respect. Please wait a moment.”
While the commissioner wrote the letter, Lev let out a stifled “Ugh.”
The old man was not simply bewitched. He forced his memory to fit in with the words, “Don’t you remember me?”
Earlier, when the official tried to skip the procedure for issuing a pass to Lev, he mistook him for a nobleman. Despite not disclosing his surname…
But this was problematic. He wanted to enchant the king to make Lena a princess.
However, if enchantment worked like this, and the king decided to adopt Lena without reason… It would require an enormous amount of power, even for Lev, who could efficiently gain power thanks to the system.
And that was not the only problem.
The ring on the commissioner. Just that increased the power needed to enchant him tenfold.
If a mere commissioner was like this, the king must have been surrounded by enhanced items. How much power would it take to enchant such a king was beyond estimation.
Judging from the attitude of a merchant selling jerky and leather earlier, enchantment seemed impermanent…
The commissioner handed over a neatly folded letter.
“Here it is. I wrote that you are the benefactor of my lifetime to Sir Guidan Harvey. And since Sir Harvey’s nephew is here, it would be nice for him to meet you once. Sir Guidan is proficient in etiquette, literature, and martial arts…”
Lev politely refused the excited commissioner’s request before the matter escalated further. He hinted it would be difficult to stay for a few days and had to leave for Nevis quickly. The commissioner looked disappointed, but seeing the proud appearance of his ‘disciple’ filled him with great happiness. No one knew how far he would go…
The commissioner escorted him far away, and as Lev left the castle, he finally understood Eric de Yeriel’s situation.
“So this is why Prince Eric was acting that way…”
The power of Asin was undoubtedly great, but there were constraints on all sides.
Those with enhanced items were not easily influenced, and even if they were, it required excessive power.
Even Lev, who could efficiently gain power through the system, felt burdened, so it seemed impossible for the ordinary apostle, Prince Eric de Yeriel, to dare to do so.
Perhaps enchanting Duke Tertan was the most he could do? Judging by efficiency, it seemed plausible. At least controlling the nobles with minimal investment…
No, undeniably.
Prince Eric de Yeriel was the grandson of Rupert Tertan Duke. He should have been able to approach the Duke easily and enchant him without force.
“Yes. That’s right. Duke Rupert Tertan was originally a gentle noble. If Prince Eric had not caused trouble before…”
One puzzling piece was solved, but Lev had no time to rejoice.
Even in that case, to enchant the king would require more power, meaning more sacrifices…
“No, it’s fine. There is still much left.”
Lev shook his head, suppressing the rising anxiety.
He had only used a few ordinary people so far, and there were still many achievements left unused.
He climbed up on a horse and headed towards Nevis. Having obtained an introduction to meet Harvey Changevac, there was nothing more to be done.
It has to go well.
It must go well…
Muttering to himself, Lev left, and a few days later, a thief’s body was found hanging on the wooden wall in Torito.
Arrested for murder, he was sentenced to hanging. His body swayed in the strong wind, sounding thuds against the wall, as if blessing Lev’s future ominously.