Chapter 19 – Now We Are in the Same Boat
#1
Loria couldn’t focus on her magic studies and put down her pen.
She just couldn’t stand the curiosity any longer.
‘What on earth is he hiding?’
As soon as they entered this place, the Grand Duke’s fortress, he casually conversed with Lancel Gaudi, the Grand Duke, known as the King of the North.
And what was that swordsmanship?
It was clear that he had only just picked up a sword, yet he quickly became a skilled swordsman.
He might not be able to handle aura, but his swordsmanship was already at the level of an apprentice knight.
She couldn’t hold back her curiosity any longer.
He said it was a unique ability, but does that even make sense?
And sometimes, the cryptic words he threw at her would poke at her heart.
So she absolutely wanted to ask.
“I can’t stand it. I have to ask him directly.”
She felt that unless she asked, she wouldn’t be able to sleep.
Otherwise, she might stay up all night and end up dozing off in tomorrow’s strategy meeting.
She couldn’t afford such disgrace, so she decided to use her status as his sister.
Loria carefully opened the door and headed toward Lawrence’s room.
Quietly, tiptoeing, she moved.
What she saw in front of Lawrence’s room was the Grand Duke standing still and people talking beside him.
Before they noticed her, Loria quickly hid around the corner.
It was instinctive.
“Your Highness the Grand Duke, although he is a direct descendant of Montemer, he hasn’t formally studied holy magic.”
“That’s right. Therefore, we would appreciate it if you would reconsider. He could be accused of heresy if things go wrong.”
“Silence, and hurry back to your quarters.”
“But…”
They kept flattering the Grand Duke while subtly disparaging Lawrence.
Loria clenched her fists at their behaviour, but she couldn’t intervene.
In the meantime, the Grand Duke’s voice resounded again.
“Must I say it twice?”
“N-no, we will take our leave now.”
“I believe you’ll tend to the wounded tirelessly on the battlefield as well, right?”
“…”
They couldn’t say anything and bowed their heads before retreating.
The Grand Duke let out a short laugh and shook his head.
“Those fools claim to be servants of the goddess…”
“…”
“Little lady, you can come out now. You came because you had something to say, didn’t you?”
“Oh-”
Loria, hesitant, slowly revealed herself from around the corner.
The Grand Duke looked at her with a kind smile.
The son and daughter of Gaudi trained as knights were quite different in their physical build.
On the other hand, the daughter of Montemer, being a mage, had a certain charm.
“Why have you come? Ah, you said you were his sister, correct?”
“Y-yes. I came because I had something I was curious about…”
“I’m sorry, but your brother is very busy. He instructed not to let anyone in, so what should I do?”
“Then, could you just convey my message? I don’t think I’ll be able to sleep otherwise.”
Heh.
The Grand Duke laughed lightly.
Then, knock, knock, he tapped on the door he had been guarding.
Shortly after, the door opened, and Lawrence, with eyes sparkling with life, appeared.
“Oh, sister? What brings you here?”
“It really must be his sister. He jumped out right away. Speak as if I’m not here, but keep in mind, someone still needs to keep watch.”
“Ugh…”
Loria’s face turned red.
The Grand Duke chuckled as he observed the conversation between the two siblings.
She asked Lawrence.
“What kind of ability do you have? Can’t you tell me?”
“No. I can’t.”
“…”
Lawrence smirked at his flustered sister.
He hadn’t realized it in his previous life, but it was oddly amusing to tease her.
He spoke again.
“Actually, I can tell you, but you’ll have to be prepared. Are you still okay with that?”
“Yes.”
Seeing her resolute nod, Lawrence grew curious.
Was it really simple curiosity, or a determination of a lifetime?
“Are you ready for everything you’ve believed in to collapse all at once? You might end up seeing a lot of ugly and dirty things.”
“It’s okay. I just need to know, no matter what.”
What exactly happened in the annex?
Why did you gain such an ability?
And what kind of events will unfold because of that ability…?
She also wanted to know why he kept trying to scare her.
“Alright. It’s almost ready, so just wait a little longer. Ah, Grand Duke, could you also call for Lady Leila? Haha…”
“This brat really treats me like an errand boy. Fine. If it’s about saving my son, how could I refuse?”
“Eh? Huh?”
Loria was the only one who couldn’t keep up with the conversation.
She had come just because she was curious, but why did it feel like she was getting involved in something huge?
Lawrence chuckled and said.
“Sister, we’re on the same side now.”
“…”
Loria stared blankly at the closing door.
#2
“Huff… I think that’s enough.”
[You made a wise decision.]
“Your advice was helpful.”
[I am always watching over the Artifactor as a guardian assigned by the Dragon Lord. If you ever need their wisdom, feel free to call upon me.]
“Thank you.”
Muttering to himself, Lawrence looked at the completed artifact.
The first one he had finished was the Black Dragon’s Holy Grail.
[Artifact: Black Dragon’s Holy Grail]
[Authority: Black Dragon’s Lair]
[The sacrifices gathered from the inferior beings could create a thousand mountains; his authority is an endless abyss.]
[Implantation Status: Possible]
An immensely large inventory.
It was also a crucial authority for Lawrence.
The second one was the artifact to heal Lake Gaudi.
[Artifact: Broken Imitation Holy Grail]
[Engraving: Divine Blessing]
[This artifact is single-use.]
[It is designed to be implanted in others. It will disappear after its effect is applied.]
“Win over the hearts of others and make them allies. This dragon has a different personality than the one I knew.”
[It was the only regret the Dragon Lord held. The belief that one could do everything alone. He said that was the root of all distortions.]
“There’s no point in hiding it, is there?”
[That’s not exactly it, but it embodies the principle that nothing in the universe can solve problems alone.]
Lawrence gave a small nod.
Even though he seemed to have come this far alone, in truth, hadn’t he returned with someone’s help?
People.
People are the greatest asset and the most dangerous to be wary of.
The people of the Gaudi family and Loria were trustworthy and could become allies.
[According to the Dragon Lord’s wisdom, they would never betray the Artifactor.]
Whether that was true or not, the remnants of the Lord were saying so.
In his previous life, no one had ever helped Lawrence.
This time, things had to be different.
“Alright, let’s go.”
The purpose of preparing for this subjugation battle was here.
It was time to reap the fruit of six months of preparation.
Crackling—.
The densely packed magic circle.
The grail that held it slowly seeped into Lawrence’s body.
It felt like his head was about to split, and a vast amount of knowledge churned through his mind.
“Ugh!”
[You must endure.]
Lawrence couldn’t respond, squeezing his eyes shut.
They say the human brain contains the universe.
Even with the endless knowledge of the dragon pouring in, Lawrence’s mind retained its form.
What difference would a speck of dust make within a universe?
“Haa…”
[The authority manifestation is now possible.]
[Accepting the authority will advance the growth of the Dragon Body.]
[Hatchling: 33%]
[It has surpassed 30%.]
[The number of implantable artifacts has increased.]
[The maximum circle of implantable artifacts has increased.]
Crack—.
Authority is the same as will.
Lawrence caught his breath and willed the inventory open, revealing the Black Dragon’s Lair.
“Ha, so that’s how it works.”
He felt an abyss-like space.
Now, this place would become an infinite repository for weapons and offerings.
He emptied the artifact materials and pre-made artifacts from his backpack into it, then closed the door.
He no longer needed to carry a cumbersome backpack.
“All set. Now, let’s go for the treatment.”
Lawrence took the artifact for implantation and opened the door.
He saw three people who had gathered while he prepared.
He smiled brightly and spoke.
“Let’s go. To heal your son’s illness.”
In the room, Lake was asleep, wheezing with every breath.
Lancel Gaudi and Leila, watching over him, wore gloomy expressions.
Lawrence took out the prepared artifact.
Loria asked cautiously.
It was hard to believe that such a small boy could break the curse.
“Can you really do what the priests couldn’t?”
“I told you I can. Just wait. And you said you were curious about my ability, right? I’ll show you now.”
“…”
At her brother’s words, Loria kept her mouth shut.
Leila also crossed her arms, fidgeting nervously but said nothing.
The Grand Duke merely looked at Lawrence.
Hoo!
Taking a deep breath to calm himself, Lawrence began the procedure.
In truth, there wasn’t much to it.
‘Just extract the curse and infuse the Divine Blessing, and it’s done.’
The reason Lawrence had delayed was only for his own growth, not any other reason.
It was better to absorb it himself.
There were more important things than treatment now.
He slowly opened his mouth and revealed his ability.
“My ability is to create artifacts. I’m the only one who can make and use them.”
Crackling—!
The artifact in Lawrence’s hand emitted a bright light.
In an instant, the artifact disappeared into Lake’s chest.
Everyone’s eyes widened, astonished by the unbelievable sight.
The Grand Duke had heard of it before, somewhere.
Occasionally, there were those who could use [Authority].
All of them had become renowned figures in the world.
“Heh…”
“…”
“Now, I’ll extract the curse.”
[Divine Blessing is manifesting.]
[The curse on Lake Gaudi is being suppressed.]
[Please extract the poison energy using detoxification or negative energy.]
‘Here I go.’
He had left enough room in his capacity.
Lawrence absorbed all the negative energy permeating Lake’s body.
The negative energy devoured it greedily.
As a result, Lake’s complexion visibly improved, and he began taking deep breaths.
The Grand Duke, Leila, and even Loria, who was a novice in such matters, could all see it.
They realized that Lake’s condition was dramatically improving.
“Ugh…”
“Lake, are you awake?”
Finally, Lake, who had been asleep for a long time, opened his eyes.
The Grand Duke and Leila quickly checked his body, while Loria stared at her brother with astonished eyes.
It’s called an authority because it’s something a regular human cannot achieve.
It’s called authority because it isn’t attained through training or sacrifice but awakens naturally.
“You…”
“I told you, you couldn’t do this without a serious resolve.”
Loria realized.
She had stepped into an irreversible place, and she truly was now in the same boat as Lawrence.
Somehow, she felt like she’d been kidnapped.
—
Read More at – GENZNOVEL.COM!!
PLEASE JOIN OUR DISCORD AND SUBSCRIBE THE ROLE TO RECEIVE LATEST NOTIFICATIONS!!
Click here -> https://discord.gg/S8c2kGVr2g
Comment