My Family in the Novel?

Chapter 168: First Act 37: Successful Experiment....

Haah….

Sighing… I observed the unconscious form of Tristan lying on the rocky floor.

It had only been five minutes since I teleported the rest of the group away, leaving him to face the boss's second form alone.

But this is where it got me...

As the boss emerged from its cocoon, draped in its bloody red body. It immediately attacked Tristan.

While not much changed in its overall power, its leaner form indicated a significant increase in speed.

Tristan, with his celestial swordsmanship specializing in speed, should have had the upper hand, even in the face of the boss's enhanced agility.

I even chose not to interfere in the fight, curious to see how Tristan would handle the situation.

However, the outcome as somewhat expected happened.

I looked at the boss right next to me, now resembling a 2-meter-tall basketball player with red skin and four hands, this guy had managed to overpower Tristan.

"You couldn't even last more than 5 minutes…."

It was surprising to witness him succumb to the boss's assault so quickly, considering his status as the protagonist of this world.

I had anticipated that he would endure the challenges and perhaps even experience a random power-up, a trope common in stories like these.

Especially for someone like him who's pretty much the goddess's bias.

Her chosen hero per se.

'After all what kind of human receives so much blessing from a higher being from the get go….?'

"…."

I feel like I stabbed myself there….

Anyways, I should be satisfied I guess….?

This experiment was, in a sense, a success after all.

It seemed that the goddess had truly abandoned Tristan.

In the novels, whenever he faced insurmountable challenges, an unnatural surge of power would manifest, presumably the goddess intervening on his behalf.

These boosts were often the key to turning the tide in difficult battles.

I vividly recalled instances, like in the Kaksan subjugation arc, where Tristan would have surely met defeat if not for these sudden power spikes.

Now, it appeared that such assistance was no longer at his disposal.

Examining the current situation, it was apparent that the goddess could no longer provide Tristan with the divine assistance he was supposed to rely upon.

Though the confirmation of her inability to intervene raised questions about the reasons behind this sudden change, especially considering the numerous factors that could be at play.

One significant factor was the system within me, a system that now housed all the Authorities that were supposed to be bestowed upon Tristan.

This indicated a shift in the narrative, pretty much confirmed me as the new hero chosen by the goddess.

But she does realize that the transfer of these divine powers disrupted the balance that she had tried to maintain right?

Another plausible explanation for her restraint could be fear—fear of a direct confrontation.

The goddess might be wary of the consequences of interfering, especially with my aunt and Loki in the equation.

The delicate balance of power within this world had limitations, preventing higher beings like her from unrestrained actions.

Any interference might trigger a chain reaction, allowing Aunt and Loki to exploit opportunities that the laws of causality had previously restricted.

Lastly, there was the possibility that the goddess simply didn't care.

While this seemed unlikely, considering her self-centered nature, one couldn't entirely dismiss the idea. After all, understanding the motivations of a deity was a complex and unpredictable task.

'Especially for a bitchy Goddess like her'

Haah….

The frustration lingered in the air as I took another deep sigh.

The successful experiment had shed light on various aspects, but the goddess's passive stance remained a thorn in the side.

It was perplexing that she hadn't made any attempt to reclaim her Authorities or manipulate the situation in her favor.

It felt like a game, and we were mere pawns within the confines of her divine plan.

Shifting my attention to the orc lord sprawled nearby, a mix of emotions surfaced.

Having fed him the demonic stone, I held the reins to control his actions. As expected, the once ferocious creature now displayed docility, responding to my commands like a well-trained pet.

I grasped Tristan's sword tightly, its weight familiar in my hands as I plunged it deep into the orc lord's heart. The creature squirmed in agony, emitting silent painful moans, but it didn't offer any resistance. Slowly, it withered away, succumbing to the fatal blow right before my eyes.

As I withdrew the sword, I couldn't help but notice the demonic stone embedded in the orc lord's stomach. Though touching and smelling its innards was repulsive, the significance of the stone couldn't be overlooked—I was relieved to see it had leveled up during the confrontation.

This unique stone was a special gift from the demon king himself, bestowed upon us after hearing our plans I guess he really liked the offer.

This stone possessed not only the ability to turn anyone who swallows it into a demon but also the remarkable ability to grow stronger with each advancement of its user, akin to the adaptive prowess of Kaksan, albeit slightly inferior.

With a satisfied expression, I looked at the stone, recognizing its potential as a valuable asset in the future. Without hesitation, I teleported the stone back to my sister's domain, ensuring its safekeeping for later use.

As the lifeless orc lord collapsed onto Tristan, I took a moment to arrange the scene.

Placing Tristan's hands firmly back on his sword, I made it appear as though he had dealt the fatal blow himself.

I couldn't help but smirk at the thought of the surprise and confusion that would likely greet Tristan when he woke. He'd probably assume it was a stroke of luck or chance that led to the orc lord's demise.

"I'm sorry, Tristan, but war is coming, and you're too valuable for the people of this world to die in this place" I whispered regretfully.

I silently opened a healing potion in my hands. Gently, I let its soothing liquid cascade over Tristan's head, the magical essence working to mend his wounds.

As the healing potion took effect, I wasted no time. I conjured a portal behind me.

"I guess it's time to play hero now…"

….

"Princess...!!" Alex's cry pierced through the chaotic battlefield, drawing Princess Christine's attention. Before she could react, two steel-fanged wolves lunged at her from behind, their vicious intent clear.

In an instant, Princess Christine's reflexes kicked in. She spun on her heel, slashing horizontally with her blade.

A brilliant blue streak filled the space in front of her, accompanied by the crackling sounds of lightning striking the two wolves. The creatures convulsed in pain before collapsing, defeated by the princess's swift and powerful counterattack.

Christine let out a large huff, her adrenaline pumping as she scanned her surroundings.

They were supposed to be battling a gigantic demonic monster, but the circumstances had shifted dramatically.

Instead, they found themselves at the center of the commercial district, fending off monsters from all directions, emerging through the ominous black portals scattered around.

Despite the monsters being mostly low-level, the sheer number of them created a daunting challenge. Even a skilled warrior like Princess Christine hesitated to underestimate the relentless onslaught.

In the distance, Alex, who had been close to her when they got swallowed by the black hole and teleported to the commercial district, was already breathing heavily.

It was evident that the toll of taking the brunt damage from the Orc lord in their previous encounter was finally catching up to him.

'Looks like he's almost reaching his limit'

"We need to end this soon. I don't know what happened to the others, but I'm pretty sure Tristan was the only one who wasn't swallowed by the black portals."

Princess Christine's voice carried a sense of urgency as she addressed her remaining allies on the chaotic battlefield. The worry etched on her face revealed the weight of the situation, and her mind raced to comprehend the events unfolding around them.

As she recalled the events at the dungeon, Christine couldn't shake the uneasy feeling that Tristan might still be locked in a fierce struggle against the unknown adversary.

"If, he's still fighting that thing he won; survive…" she thought, a sense of determination sparking in her eyes. However, the relentless onslaught of monsters made it clear that time was of the essence.

"But there's just no end to them…"

Christine muttered to herself, her gaze scanning the relentless tide of creatures threatening to overwhelm them. The toll of the ongoing battle had already taken a toll on her.

A persistent headache throbbed in her temples from the overuse of her mana. The assistance she had requested had yet to arrive, and the blood rain that fell from the sky disrupted not only her magical capabilities but also her overall senses.

Despite the efforts of some students and knights protecting her the moment they saw her on the field, Christine knew that even they would eventually be overwhelmed by the sheer number of monsters.

The monstrous entities flying in the sky engaged in a fierce battle with top professors added another layer of chaos to the already dire situation.

"Demons…"

Christine mumbled, her gaze rising to the sky where two horned figures with bat-like wings clashed with Professor Frost above the buildings.

The air crackled with magical energy as destructive spells collided, highlighting the gravity of the magical warfare taking place overhead.

Princess Christine felt a strange mixture of disbelief and anxiety as she surveyed the dire situation unfolding around her. The chaos seemed surreal, as if the world teetered on the brink of an apocalyptic event, and the epicenter of this impending catastrophe was the very place she stood.

Amidst the turmoil, a knight's urgent call broke through her contemplation. "Your highness!" The knight approached, dragging a young woman with black hair and golden eyes. The girl wore a maid uniform, its pristine white intricacies stained a bloody red by the incessant blood rain.

Princess Christine raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Yes?"

"This woman is suspicious, your highness. I saw her running down the streets, yet not a single monster approached or even tried to attack her. Not even the monsters who were right in front of her; they deliberately avoided her."

The princess absorbed this information, her mind processing the implications. If the knight's observations were accurate, the girl's actions indeed seemed peculiar.

"Is this true?" Christine inquired, her gaze shifting to the black-haired maid.

The maid, her demeanor nervous, stammered as she attempted to explain, "Y-yes… but I don't know what's happening myself. For some reason, t-they, the monsters, just kept on avoiding me."

Christine's expression remained contemplative. The peculiar behavior of the monsters around the maid warranted further investigation.

"Keep an eye on her," Christine instructed the knight. "We can't afford any more surprises."

Princess Christine's suspicions also heightened as she scrutinized Analise, the black-haired maid in front of her.

With an intensity in her gaze, Christine observed through her heightened perception that Analise wasn't lying.

The mystery deepened, and her already pained mind grappled with the enigma before her.

As she contemplated the unfolding circumstances, Alex's urgent voice pierced through the chaotic atmosphere.

"Miss Analise!!!" Alex exclaimed, sprinting towards their group. A makeshift barricade was forming at the front lines, and it became evident that Alex was calling out to the maid.

"You know this maid?" Christine queried, her curiosity intertwining with her growing concern.

"Yes, she's Adrian's personal maid and Aria's current maid, I believe," Alex replied hastily as he closed the distance to Analise. "I'm glad you're unharmed, Miss Analise. I didn't expect you to be here."

"Ah... No, I was just—" Analise began, attempting to offer an explanation, but she was cut short.

A sudden oppressive pressure descended upon their surroundings, extending its reach to encompass the entire academy.

It was a presence so heavy and powerful that almost everyone in the vicinity was rendered paralyzed.

The aura emanated from the apex of strength, signaling a force that surpassed all others.

As Christine's green eyes glowed, her pupils transformed into a sharp glare reminiscent of a venomous snake.

Her eyes widened, absorbing the surreal scene unfolding before her. Everything seemed to wash in white, and in the distance, a towering level of mana and aura shone brilliantly.

The intensity of the spectacle left Christine in awe, her instincts recognizing the presence of an entity of immense power.

Princess Christine's body shivered involuntarily as her eyes beheld the colossal amount of mana, a magnitude comparable to that of dragons—no, it was likely even stronger and denser than the legendary creatures themselves.

The sheer intensity of the magical energy sent chills down her spine, hinting at a force beyond her comprehension.

As her innate dragon senses temporarily allowed her to perceive the metaphysical world, Christine discerned that the massive amounts of mana hadn't manifested physically; rather, they seemed to have spread out purely as a result of the overwhelming pressure exerted.

Whatever formidable entity occupied the building in the distance had yet to materialize fully, but its sheer presence was enough to cast a palpable aura of dread across the entire academy.

"But why is it coming from a coffee shop…?"