NOVEL NEXT Chapter 10 - Episode 10: Zaus' Skill
Episode 10: Zaus’ Skill
〜Zaus’ Perspective〜
“Slaaash!”
I cleaved a boulder larger than an elephant in two with my wooden sword. Quite the power, isn’t it?
“Amazing! You’ve already mastered my Brave Slash.”
Well, I grasped the knack for it when I controlled heroes as a player. Also, I think the unique skill of the mid-boss, ‘Status Enhancement x2,’ is strongly affecting it.
This skill, given only to mid-bosses, doubles their status as the name suggests. During the tutorial of Break Quest, the hero defeats the mid-boss by nullifying the skill with the ‘Skill Disable’ magic. After reincarnating as a mid-boss, I realized that this ‘Status Enhancement x2’ also doubles the experience gained. Probably, the detailed effect of this skill is to ‘double everything.’ That means it also doubles the ease of learning skills. That’s why I could learn Brave Slash at an astonishing speed…
However, this skill. Its benefits aren’t all good. Although I learned about it from net strategy guides in my previous life, I understood it the moment I found out. Actually, it also makes you twice as susceptible to status ailments.
Defeat the mid-boss by making them susceptible to status ailments with skill disable. That’s the tutorial of this game. Strengths become weaknesses. A setting typical of a game tutorial. Well, anyway. This skill is useful. With the benefits of this skill, I’ll become overwhelmingly powerful in five years.
Oh yeah. Now’s a good time to mention. I only have two skills. ‘Status Enhancement x2’ and ‘Curse Effect Immunity.’ That means I won’t be cursed even when equipped with cursed weapons. Quite fitting for a demon duke. Although I wasn’t particularly conscious of it while playing Breque, being able to equip cursed equipment risk-free is a significant benefit.
“Brave Slash.”
“It seems you’ve completely made it your own. Yours might even be more powerful than my slash.”
“But it’s strange. Arjena’s slash shines brightly, while mine emits a pitch-black aura.”
“Yes, it does give off a ominous vibe.”
Perhaps the power of demons is at work here. In that case, it might be fine to rename it as my own technique. Let’s see…
“Let’s just call it Dark Slash.”
“That’s a good name. Quite fitting for a demon duke.”
Mid-bosses didn’t have finishing moves in the game. This is a valuable acquisition.
“It’s been a great help. I need to thank you properly.”
“T-That’s not necessary. I get paid, and I have the best accommodation.”
“No, you taught me a valuable secret technique. I should express my gratitude accordingly. Is there anything you want?”
“Something I want… um…”
“There’s a market in Zaus Town. They have an incredible selection. Maybe there’s something Arjena might like there.”
“Y-You’re going shopping?”
“Yeah, is that a problem?”
“…N-No, but…”
“Huh? Are you feeling feverish? Your face is red.”
“I-It’s not like that! I-I’ll go. Just for shopping!”
And so, Arjena and I ended up going to Zaus Town.
“Meel is coming too?”
“Of course. I am Zaus-sama’s caretaker, after all. Oh? You seem a bit disappointed?”
“Huh? N-No, it’s nothing! It’s not like that!!”
The two of them always seem to be having fun. I guess they really get along well as women.
“Let’s start with lunch.”
The number of food stalls in Zaus Town is staggering. It’s evidence that the reduction in taxes has prevented food shortages and given the townspeople some breathing room. We enjoyed lunch at a stylish restaurant.
Then, the three of us went to clothing stores and visited jewelers. We found a lovely necklace that seemed perfect for her. It was a small necklace with understated gemstones.
“Oh, this probably won’t suit me.”
“No, try it on. If you don’t like it, you can always choose another.”
“Y-Yeah…”
Despite her face turning red, she put on the necklace. She looked quite nice in the mirror.
“Yeah, it suits you, right?”
“Yes, Arjena-san. It looks very nice.”
“D-Do you think so… hehe.”
I decided to buy the necklace.
“But this is expensive.”
“No, I receive regular compensation for my work. Thanks to you, the subordinate monsters have become much stronger.”
“T-This… it’s my first time receiving a gift from a man.”
Come to think of it, only heroes get into a romantic mode with her. It’s a bit complicated for me, the villain, to go shopping with her.
“Sorry that I’m your first.”
“That’s not true…”
“I hope you’ll continue to work hard as my sword technique instructor, the one guiding me, the Demon Duke.”
“Y-Yes…”
After that, we also visited the orphanage. A splendid signboard saying ‘Zaus Town Orphanage’ was displayed prominently. Although the building was primarily constructed by the mayor, it’s impressive and well-kept.
The orphans were thrilled to see Arjena, and for some reason, they gathered around me too.
“Lord Zaus!”
“Yayyy!”
“I want to be Lady Zaus’s bride in the future!”
“I-I want to work under Lord Zaus!”
Somehow, I seem to be quite popular… Even though I’m the demon duke, the enemy of humans.
The director of the orphanage looked troubled.
“Lord Zaus, I apologize for their impertinence. Please forgive them.”
“Well, as long as they’re happy.”
Since I’m already here, I should inquire about the current situation of the orphanage.
“Is there anything lacking here?”
“Oh, not at all. Thanks to Lord Zaus, we have everything we need: healthy meals, hygienic sleeping quarters, and adequate education. This place is so well-equipped that it’s hard to believe it’s an orphanage. All of this is thanks to Lord Zaus.”
Hehe… I incorporated ideas to eliminate waste and thoroughly develop the place. If these kids grow up and work in the demon duke’s castle, they’ll become valuable assets. Efficiency is key.
Arjena widened her eyes.
“It’s unbelievably well-equipped here at the orphanage. Apparently, orphaned children from neighboring areas are gathering here. Zaus is being revered like a god.”
Heh. I’m not really providing salvation. It’s all about efficiency. If the orphanage grows, it will contribute to the development of the town. Orphans dying of hunger means the loss of valuable labor. If orphans grow up, they’ll work and contribute taxes. And since tax revenue flows to me, the lord, it’s all beneficial for me. I really am a bad guy after all. Well, I’m a demon duke, and this is a game world after all. I’ll do as I please.
Speaking of which…
“Director, while education and discipline are good, are you giving them proper playtime?”
“Huh? Oh, playtime? We allow them to play freely.”
“Make sure to schedule regular playtime. Fun is justice.”
“Fun is justice…”
That’s right. Everyone needs to play. That’s the best education.
Then, a girl grabbed my hand.
“Lord Zaus, let’s play hide and seek.”
“Huh? With me?”
Come to think of it, that game brings back memories.
“All right.”
“Arjena, Meel, you two join as well.”
“Understood.”
“Umm, me too?”
We played with the children. Arjena seemed to enjoy it the most. Fun really is justice.
☆ Cea’s Perspective ☆
Shit! There are no items in the infinite dungeon. I can’t strengthen myself like this. I grabbed a villager from the village.
“Why? Why are there no items in the infinite dungeon!?”
“I-I don’t know! No one in their right mind would go near a dungeon teeming with monsters like that!”
Certainly. There’s no way such weak villagers would venture into such a dangerous place.
“Damn it! I need items!”
“T-Then why not try the shrine to the north? It’s said to have valuable items.”
“Oh?”
I went to the northern shrine. It was a place dedicated to a stone-made deity. There was a door, and it seemed people could enter inside. A large arrow floated above the entrance.
“Yes! This must be divine guidance!”
‘Divine guidance’ refers to unknown displays visible only to the chosen ones. There’s always something special there: valuable items or events. For some reason, only I can see that display in the village. If there’s divine guidance, this place must be special. It would be great if there were strong weapons inside. Now, let’s go in.