abcnovels
Chapter 169
Chapter 169
Chapter 169: The Downfall [1]
Was it about half a day since we’ve been walking? Nox found a small stump. No one should live in this place, but it must be a resting spot set up by someone else in charge.
’[Winterbridge]. And near [The Frozen Frostwood Forest]? It’s definitely her.’
I thought briefly about a character that would appear later in this place. There’s no reason to meet now, but later, I’ll cross paths with her.
Anyway…
As I sat down and dozed off for a moment, I sensed two familiar figures approaching.
It was Noah and Astrid
Two of the Four Sages had come.
‘I’m saved.’
I casually greeted them, despite only just feeling relieved.
“You’re here.”
“No matter how troublesome it was, I wouldn’t abandon my disciple.”
“Is that so.”
“Of course~”
Noah, who was always in her child-regressed mode, was now in her adult form. Eleanor, seeing this for the first time, hid behind Nox for a moment, but soon relaxed when she realized it was Noah.
“Thank you for coming to save us. If it weren’t for the Dean, I’d surely be dead.”
“Really? I’m glad~ Unlike a certain other student, you’re humble~.”
Eleanor was back to her usual composed self. Nox felt a sense of relief.
‘Yeah, it’s not good to suddenly change your personalities. That’s never a good sign.’
“Dragon’s Breath… Did you succeed?”
Astrid asked, sounding casual. but her gaze was secretly expectant. Though she didn’t show much emotion, but by now I’ve gotten pretty used to it. For her, this was actually very surprising.
“Yes.”
“Well done. Even so, only a lunatic will stop their heart and focus all of their mana in the lower dantian, but…”
Noah gave Nox a sharp look as she said that, but I stood firm.
“There was an Ice Dragon. I had no choice but to fight.”
“I know. I could feel it. You’re quite something yourself, huh.”
Nox shrugged off Noah’s words and got to the real question.
“Was it Professor Aleph?”
“… Yeah. He was a demonic human. Filthy bug dared to mess with the academy I was in…?”
Noah was furious as she said that, but she quickly calmed down and relaxed his expression.
“Anyway, he was nothing. Weak and pathetic.”
“Is that so.”
“Are you alright?”
“I’m fine, but… I’d really like to go back and rest.”
“Hop on my back. But you have to keep my identity a secret.”
“Eh? Me?”
Eleanor, looking flustered for once, asked.
Not long after, Astrid used a polymorph to change her form. Without realizing it, Eleanor’s mouth dropped open. Its wings and enormous mana couldn’t even be compared with the dragon she’d seen earlier. Eleanor was in awe as she gazed at the sacred flames and its fangs. It was clear who she was looking at. Astrid. She dealt with a lot of information through her merchant work and investigated this already. Someone she didn’t know among the four sages or three sword emperors? No one. And even though they didn’t know Luna’s face that well at the beginning, the Rivalin family gained power through dealings with Lunatic. So it’s just natural that she knows about her identity.
So, when Eleanor realized who Astrid was, unconsciously, she couldn’t help but raise her voice.
“No way… Are you really Astrid-nim, one of the Four Sages?”
Right after snapping out of her surprise, she asked. Astrid nodded slightly, and Nox casually climbed onto her back.
[Take your shoes off before you get on.]
“Your disciple was injured, and you’re being so petty.”
[Want me to hit you, or will you just take them off?]
“Haa.”
As if it was troublesome, Nox took off his shoes and stored them in his inventory, then extended a hand to Eleanor out of habit. Signaling her to grab it. He thought for a moment that this wasn’t right, and when he was about to pull his hand back.
“I’ll take it.”
Eleanor took his hand and climbed onto Astrid’s back. Noah sat at the very back and asked Nox about what had happened. But, Astrid, as if hadn’t no interest in whatever happened, floated into the air and started flying with an absurd speed. Completely ignoring the laws of physics. As Nox enjoy the comfortable Dragon’s ride, they could go back to the Academy
————————————————
When Eleanor and I returned to the academy. We were greeted (?) by a buzz of whispers. Especially those directed at Eleanor were loud, and the reason was quite shocking.
— So, did Eleanor really get ousted from the Rivalin merchant group?
— Yeah, that’s what I heard.
— Even the nobles turned their backs on her.
— Well, she did take too much for herself.
— How did that happen anyway?
— The imperial family cut off their ties with her.
— What…!
I frowned. This was clearly Rick’s doing. It must have been a shock for Eleanor, but I knew how this scenario would play out in the end.
I also knew that this was the right time.
It was the perfect time to set up a plan to pressure Rick and the First Prince, Louis von Arckheim, and deal with them.
“Stay calm. As you know, crises can turn into opportunities.”
“…Yes, I trust you.”
What?
I was taken aback by Eleanor’s words for a moment but quickly regained my composure.
“I knew something like this would happen. In fact, when I asked Shane… no, when I asked you to protect me, the nobles had already started turning their backs on me. But it’s okay now. Really.”
Eleanor smiled softly, a clear smile. Standing in the courtyard, she crossed her hands lightly behind her back and said to me.
“If they think I’m just going to back down, they’re making a mistake. I won’t let anyone take what’s mine.”
“… Is that so?”
“Yes, that’s right.”
“Well then, keep it up. I’ll make sure no one takes what’s mine either.”
It was a moment of realization. Not letting something be taken It’s mostly the same as protecting, but it carries out a strong nuance that you have to do it no matter what. This must be her way of protecting what’s important to her. With that thought, we exchanged brief farewells.
“Go get some rest then.”
“Yes, see you again”
After our light conversation, I walked back to Sidus’ Hall, lost in thought. No matter how much I reflected, it was still difficult.
Human emotions, how difficult they are. Why had Eleanor changed in an instant? I still didn’t fully understand. What would someone like me, who used to hole up at home playing games, smoking, and drinking alcohol, know about any of this? But for now, I thought it didn’t really matter.
Eleanor’s final smile, the tears she had shed These were things I could never have truly experienced while playing the game. They were precious. When someone does something for me.
And it’s genuine, my heart couldn’t help but swell. Though it was so sudden, I thought to myself that I should treat my units well, and let out a small laugh.
I believed that this was an opportunity to become better.
….And that’s when I arrived back at my room in Sidus’ Hall. The moment my resolve started to crumble.
“…So, Young Master Nox, could I ask what kind of trouble you got into this time?”
“…You should ask about my health first, Zitri.”
“Are you healthy?”
“…No, I think I’ve got a bit of a fever.”
I felt a cold sweat trickling down my back. Was it because I was in the cold place for too long?
As I entertained this idle thought while I looked at Zitri for a brief moment, I let out a sigh without realizing it. We had only been away for a day, but it seemed her worries were not ordinary.
“Please quickly take a bath and rest. Can you wash by yourself?”
“Probably.”
I managed to answer as I felt all the strength leave my body.
“… I guess I have no choice. I’ll help you with your upper body.”
Zitri draped my arm over her neck, and with a sigh of resignation, helped me take off my outer clothes, hanging them up for laundry, and dragged me to the bathroom. No matter how you put it… This time, I thought that the [Prone to Minor Illness] was popping out quite often. This damn trait. I grumbled to myself, barely holding off the sleepiness.
After Zitri helped me wash, I tried to review the situation.
Then, I checked my status window. To confirm the title I had just earned. One of the rare, legendary traits from the Inner Lunatic play. [Dragon Slayer].
[Basic Info] Name: Dragon Slayer Type: Title Rank: High Attribute: Ice Stats: – Equip Requirement: Killed a dragon. Special Effect: Adds 30% extra damage to ice-attribute magic and swordsmanship.
‘Ice attribute magic or sword…’
There are quite a few types. Though I haven’t learned any yet (due to my cold limbs). But if I learn it properly, it should be pretty useful. A 30% damage boost is ridiculously strong. Especially considering how hard it is to raise stats or damage in Inner Lunatic.
‘… Well, maybe later I should learn the [Frost Sword] from Christopher.’
Though it’s not perfect yet, since he wields a sword infused with frost, I thought it wouldn’t be bad to learn from him.
Anyway, even the extra 0.5 mana stat I gained is already a nice bonus. I can think about it more when I actually need it.
For now… I have to sleep.
Fatigue is one of the roots of all evil, after all.
————————————————
Eleanor de Rivalin hadn’t sought out any new attendant. She first returned to her merchant group and provided proper support to the forces that still followed and supported her.
Even if the imperial family tried to push her out, would it really be that easy?
Naturally, a merchant group. Especially one dealing with massive amounts of money. can’t be easily sanctioned by the state. Extremely normal.
If she decided to take her vast capital and seek refuge in another country? Naturally, the wealthy could stop gathering in the Arkheim Empire. If that happened, various sectors, for example, manufacturers starting from agriculture, fishing industry. and even master craftsmen handling precious metals, would start to leave. The nation’s influence would naturally weaken, and the taxes it could collect would decrease.
“It probably wasn’t Princess Penelope’s doing.”
If Penelope had decided, she would have taken Eleanor down more cautiously. Eleanor didn’t think Penelope harbored such deep malice, but regardless, the conclusion was just one.
“It must have been Louis von Arkheim. The First Prince.”
Eleanor had no intention of backing down. Was it just to protect the merchant she had built? No. It wasn’t that sentiment. It was just…
— Stay calm. As you know, crises can turn into opportunities…
Nox’s final words kept echoing in her ears, making it impossible for her to simply accept the situation. She didn’t understand why but… Really didn’t understand.
Eleanor fanned herself as she remembered Nox coming to her rescue. Covered in blood, sword in hand, he had slowly cut a path forward, eventually even taking down a dragon. Thinking back on it, she couldn’t help but mumble to herself.
“Beautiful…”
The moment she realized it, Eleanor’s heart started racing wildly, as if it would go crazy.