ALL NOVEL Chapter 16: Chapter 16 - Charmed
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༺ Charmed ༻
First and foremost, I checked the objective.
I then turned my gaze to the heavily breathing and drooling bear monster in front of me.
'No killing.'
With this in mind, I waved to Eleanor, who had already drawn her sword, to not come closer.
She was probably more of a monster than the one in front of me. She was powerful enough to easily end its life in minutes, after all.
'But…'
'Let's not get ahead of ourselves.'
The main purpose of the main quest was not 'kill the monster', but 'reduce the casualties'.
Medium-size monsters had at least one or two special abilities on top of their basic combat skills.
If it had something like Acid Blood or Death Corruption, it would be a pyrrhic victory, even if we won. There was a high likelihood that deaths could occur because of the aftermath.
All in all, it was best to entrust this job to the regular knights.
Killing the monster now would be the worst move.
Moreover, this just popped up in front of my eyes.
System Message
[ !Urgent Mission! ]
[ 0 current casualties, what a feat! ]
[ Since no one has died, let's attempt to keep the monster alive, shall we? ]
[ Successfully hand over the monster to the Knights of the Academy! ]
[ Upon successful completion, the level of the main request reward, Exclusive Equipment Material, will increase! ]
"…"
This was the same as saying that a crazed murderer was also a person with a life and should be treated the same as their victims.
However, the reward at stake was unmistakably attractive.
It could be said that the materials used to craft exclusive equipment determined more than half of its performance. It was what determined the upper limit of how far it could grow.
'Well then.'
'For now, let's just hold on.'
Thinking of this, I smiled at the monster, which ferociously raised its front paw.
That was a bone-breaking strike if one was unlucky enough to get struck by it.
But similar to what I did in the artificial dungeon before, reading the attack patterns of monsters was no different than flipping through a book because I was a veteran gamer who had grinded countless hours into this game.
'So no fighting and just holding up a strong shield?'
'Oh please, I can do that with my eyes closed.'
So from here on out, it was just repetition.
…Not a battle.
●
The Tristan Ducal House was undoubtedly one of the most prestigious families in the empire since its inception. The title of a Duke alone was enough to intimidate people.
However, that long line of history and popularity also came with as much negativity.
Even if there was no Margave Kendride, there would still be plenty of people who would want to see the Ducal House's fall.
And this priest was one of those snakes.
"Did you not hear what I said? Didn't I say that I didn't bring a Holy Relic?"
Suppressing the urge to slap the living shit out of this middle-aged's snout, Eleanor calmly spoke.
"…I am truly sorry for what happened to Marquis Riverback. The Tristan Ducal House will definitely take relevant action—"
"You have no idea what you are talking about, do you?"
Sparks flew out of Eleanor's eyes at the mocking reply.
He was basically saying that there was virtually no room for negotiation.
The faculty members who strongly advocated bringing in living monsters to use as research materials belonged to the Tristan faction.
In other words, the greater the damage and casualties in an accident like this, the bigger the Tristan Family's liability.
And this damn priest was under the command of Marquis Riverback, who belonged to the anti-Tristan faction.
'This fucking trash…!'
Knowing this context, this person was nonchalantly talking about sacrificing people's lives for political interest, all while acting as a priest.
Anger welled up within Eleanor.
— …
She bit her lip while clutching her chest.
Her heart was getting very noisy.
An insidious aura rose whenever she was experiencing intense negative emotions. This was the product of the madness that ran in their family.
'…Back off.'
She cooled herself down and composed herself.
She had been repeating this cycle throughout her life.
Maintain discipline, act properly, always be perfect, and never get carried away by insidious feelings.
It was a principle she learned from that damned man, but it helped her suppress the evil energy whenever it creeped out.
Thanks to that, the voice that came out next was just as cool as before, even though there was a mix of icy anger.
"Don't bring your political interests here! This is an emergency, and people's lives are at stake!"
"Ha, this is why the Tristan Family—"
"Then give it to me."
Eleanor's eyes widened when she heard someone interrupt the priest's sarcasm.
It was Dowd Campbell.
'Again, this man.'
— …
— …!
Her heart began to beat louder. It was much louder than when she felt anger just before.
However, what she was feeling right now wasn't insidious emotions.
'How should I describe it?'
Blood rushed to her face and her body felt light as if she was in the clouds. It was a feeling that she had never experienced before in her life, so she had no choice but to be wary of it.
'…I told you to back off.'
But right now, she had to act the same way.
Never falter. Never surrender to these feelings.
Lately, it had been getting worse every time she saw that man. However, suppressing these types of emotions was normal for her.
She couldn't let emotions be bigger than her.
'…Back off. I will not lose.'
That was why she had to suppress it.
Watching Dowd sprint toward the monster after taking the priest's emergency tool strengthened that feeling even more. Nevertheless, she kept all those feelings locked inside her heart.
That man's existence was growing on her too rapidly. Even Eleanor herself was surprised by her behavior.
It was dangerous to be drawn to him any more than that—
"Angel's Blessing…! How could a student, that madman, do that?!"
Eleanor's gaze snapped towards Dowd as she heard the priest's murmur.
Blessing?
Something that even an official priest had to go through a long period of prayer to use once, and a freshman used it just like that?
'…No.'
It was actually not particularly strange for that guy to be able to use something like that.
He had shown many times that he was hiding dozens of talents under that veil.
While Eleanor was thinking about it in a daze, she suddenly heard a frightened exclamation beside her.
"…He's fine after using a blessing? How…!?"
Hearing the priest say that, Eleanor's eyes also widened.
Invoking a blessing without a Holy Relic would place a heavy load on the user's body and mind.
But wasn't that man standing intact?
"Wow. How does he know that?"
Eleanor then turned to the newcomer. It was Iliya, who struck the priest in the back of the head and knocked him out.
"…"
"Don't look at me like that. I just took out the trash."
"…Where were you?"
"I was unconscious until just now."
After her nonchalant reply, Iliya sat down weakly.
"That's a method that combat priests often use. It's something you always have on your body and only use it when needed. It's a technique that can only be used after 10 years of practice. How did he know that?"
If Dowd heard of this, he probably would have been speechless. He wouldn't use such a cumbersome and complicated method. He was literally just using the blessing that he had stored in an item.
However, a new theory was forming in Eleanor's head after hearing that.
10 years of studying divinity.
— There is something I want to learn in the School of Theology.
Learning about blessings for a long time and pursuing the study upon entering the Academy.
Of all things, this field was the most direct way to lift the Tristan Family's curse.
— There's something I've always wanted to protect.
'Something… someone?'
'There's someone I've been meaning to protect.'
— I am trying to protect you. There's no need to overthink it.
And who was that 'you' again?
— …
— …!!!!!
Eleanor's heart was pounding loudly once more.
So much that it hurt.
"…"
'No, no.'
Eleanor closed her eyes and pressed her chest with both hands.
'I can't let myself be consumed. I have to push it out.'
'I know nothing of that man and what his intentions are. I'm not even sure what he meant by that.'
'Eleanor, keep your mind straight—'
However, Iliya's voice pulled Eleanor out of her concentration once again.
"He likes you quite a lot."
"…What?"
"Even if it's a blessing built into the body, it doesn't mean that there is no burden. That person must be pushing his limits right now."
If Dowd heard this, he'd probably be too embarrassed and speechless to say anything.
In terms of pain, the only discomfort he was experiencing right now was from his left arm, which he had slashed with the rosario.
However, Iliya, who had no way of knowing such a fact, calmly continued.
"I mean that there's no need to go through such lengths when it can be finished in a minute."
— …!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Her heart throbbed even more. Each beat pulsated painfully.
Eleanor lowered her head slightly, feeling out of breath.
"…What are you talking about?"
"If there is a casualty under your jurisdiction, it will damage your reputation. Otherwise, why would he intentionally drag out the time by not fighting to kill? Look at him."
Eleanor barely managed to open her eyes and looked towards Dowd.
And, on the other side, was a one-sided abuse. Yes, an abuse since it was too embarrassing to even call it a battle.
Dodging, blocking, and bouncing back all the attacks with minimal movements. Dowd was reading every attack the monster made.
It was the same as what happened in the mock battle. It was as if he knew everything, down to the smallest of things about the opponent.
"A person who could do that much would have been able to kill it a long time ago, don't you think? There's no point in helping."
That was true.
However…
"…There's no reason to do something like that."
"Isn't there?"
Iliya replied with a smile.
Eleanor bit her lips until blood came out. She also remembered something.
— I quite like her.
Eleanor bit her lip harder and managed to shake that thought off.
Instead, she prepared to draw her sword and took a step forward.
"What are you doing?"
"…If what you said is true, then that man is putting himself in pain. I'll go and help."
That was what she thought.
However, Dowd signaled for her not to come near.
'…Why?'
Iliya giggled when she saw her bewildered face.
"Iya, how romantic. Is he catching the sword for you?"
"What do you mean?"
"He's telling you not to come because you might get hurt."
Heat suddenly surged from Eleanor's heart.
It was not the usual sinister energy, but a surprisingly warm feeling.
It felt like someone had lit a fire in her veins.
"…Your words… may all be baseless speculation."
Iliya looked back at her in disbelief.
It was a look that asked, 'How could you say that even after seeing all that?'
"Even if you can kill a medium-size monster, killing them cleanly is not easy. Sometimes, there are crazy individuals whose corpses explode due to the reversal of magic power. That guy is probably pushing himself to this extent, considering even things like that."
"…"
Iliya shook her head and let out a deep sigh.
"For you."
— …!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Eleanor's breathing stopped. Her heart pounded like crazy.
'Must control…'
'No.'
'You can't, Eleanor.'
She repeatedly reminded herself.
— !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
In the end, she couldn't control that heat.
She could feel it spreading throughout her body.
She lost her control and the initiative.
She had been conquered.
'…'
At that moment, she instinctively realized.
From now on, every time she looked at that man, she would feel these emotions.
Eleanor slumped down on the ground.
Her knees were pulled close to her chest, with her arms wrapped around her legs.
"…What are you doing?"
"Keep your mouth shut. Don't talk to me."
"…"
Iliya was looking at her like some crazy person, but Eleanor had no intention of talking.
A shard of glass jutted out of the surrounding mess, reflecting her face.
She was wearing an expression that she had never seen before, her entire face blushing red.
It felt like she was looking at a complete stranger.
"…"
Eleanor stared at her own reflection in silence.
Finally, the dispatched regular knights arrived. It was followed by loud noises erupting from all directions.
Eleanor, however, remained mesmerized by her own face.
●
System Message
[ Urgent Mission Completed! ]
[ The main quest reward level will increase! ]
I received a pleasant message after somehow finishing the battle and succeeding in guiding the monster to the regular knights.
But the reason why I couldn't celebrate was because of what followed after it.
System Message
[ Fatal Charm has been Activated! ]
[ The villain resists! ]
[ Pheromone lowered the resistance! ]
[ Resistance failed! ]
[ The vililian can't control herself! ]
[ The villain has been charmed! ]
"…"
Cold sweat poured down.
System Log
[ Favorability status change will occur on the target Eleanor Elinalise La Tristan! ]
[ The favorability level has been upgraded from Trust to Love! ]
[ Rewards Available! ]
[ She is an important character. Changes will occur in the main scenario! ]
[ The second gift awakening is imminent! ]
[ The target ??? is interested in you! ]
"…"
I felt more desperate than when I was confronting a medium-size monster 1 vs 1.
I didn't know what happened, I didn't know how it happened and I didn't know where to even begin. I just knew that I was in deep shit.
Following Eleanor's log, there was a note that said that changes would now occur in the main scenario. I didn't know what the gift was, but I'd be getting another soon.
In addition, an unidentified character took an interest in me.
'I'm fucked…!'
I had nothing else to say other than this.
While I was mulling over my fate, a knight came up to me and handed me a bottle of water.
"Good work out there. Want some? You look a little tired."
He was one of the knights dispatched to subdue the monster.
'…He was a monster.'
It was almost terrifying to see the three of them clean up a medium-size beast in just a few seconds.
This showed the power of the regular knights that the students aspired to become.
"Student, I cannot praise you enough. If it wasn't for you, who knows how many casualties there would have been?"
Seeing that he even tapped me on the shoulder apart from the already kind words, it seemed that he was treating me kindly.
It was a big deal for a regular knight to treat a student with this much respect.
"You'd be catching eyes anywhere with that kind of skill. Better keep your eyes open at all times, alright? By the way, are you an aspiring Theology major?"
"…Yes. I am indeed planning on taking up Theology."
I answered before pointing to one side where the Hero and Final Boss were.
They were trying to rip off the head of the priest who had refused to use the blessing earlier.
"Also, can you lend them a hand over there? If you leave them alone, they might really kill him."
"…Well, he seems like a rat so it doesn't really matter if he dies. But looking at you, I guess it is true that people with good talent have a good character, am I right?"
No. Actually, I didn't have such a pure intention.
Rather, I was thinking of a way to make use of that priest.
Uh.
It was better to get some use out of something rather than just disposing of it.
"Oh, I almost forgot. Take this."
The knight then handed me a letter.
"I don't know why, but I was told that you should open it when you're alone."
I let out a sigh as I watched the knight leave to continue his duties.
'Another letter?'
As I pondered, another window popped up in front of my eyes.
[ Main Quest Complete! ]
[ Go to the designated location to claim your reward! ]
[ Location: Atalante Swansong's Office ]
I was no stranger to the name Atalante Swansong.
She was the current Headmistress of Elfante Academy, after all.
She was rumored to be an immortal who had lived for over a thousand years. She was a key player in the main scenario.
"…?"
Wait a minute.
The Headmistress?
My eyes widened upon opening the letter.
Reading the contents, this was definitely from Atalante.
Though it was more of an invitation rather than a letter.
This person…
Wanted to have a private meeting with me.
"…"
'Why?'
'What for?'
"To read 250 chapters for $20 and read the first 25 chapters for free, visit: patreon.com/casca02."