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Chapter 342: Everyone’s Secrets

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“Just like what I said earlier, the King Test is but a game of politics that included the pride and wealth of the nobles of the world. So with that given, with the tendencies of mortality to everyone else, and the temptation of the throne itself, in the nature of our society, what entails this game for the rich is a mysterious series of deaths of its candidates. I don’t have a proof but I think that the entire test is being manipulated by the Council of Elders.”

This news startled the two. The Council of Elders is the core body of the Kingdom of Jeremiah. The simple notion of them manipulating the King Test is proof enough that Pistareen had long ago since had the doubts in them, what more is actually him telling this to other people and moving against it?

Having looked at his expression, the two of them was sure that Pistareen believes on this truthfully.

There was a conviction on his tone.

Volt then thought that since he was the one asked to be Pistareen’s ace in this game to the throne of The Kingdom, he had to take things seriously and think it through before agreeing.

He was really immature back there.

Because while these NPCs don’t know the truth that they are but mere game elements, the fact still remains that to them, majority of the [Players] –or the so called [Immortals]– only have one life in them so they have to cherish it or die in vain.

“In what way?” Thorn asked since he was the one with an experience with these matters between him and Volt.

“Just like I told you earlier, there have been too many splendid King Candidates in the past already but of all those I’ve set my eyes upon and have even expected to be the next king, none of them lived through to finish the test.”

“What about the rest?” Volt asked.

“They are the ones who remained alive.”

“What happened to them afterwards?”

Pistareen remained silent and inhaled and exhaled deep, thinking on how to answer Thorn.

“As the King Test invites all participants from all over the world, those who belonged to the other countries returned and became respected people, while those who belonged to the countries here in the Continent of Zenturo also became prominent figures of their generation. Almost all of them are even still alive until this very day and are either the leaders of their own countries or have schools or organizations which they managed or founded themselves.”

Thorn thought about it and became silent for a good while before speaking: “If what you’re saying is indeed true, then I can understand why the Council of Elders would manipulate the Test.”

Volt asked him, “Why then?”

“Simple. If you’re the citizens of the greatest and the strongest country in the planet and then your former king suddenly decides that he will leave his throne and allow it to belong to other people, even by other countries, as the Council who had been the guardian overseers of the territory of its kingdom, would you agree to it?”

There was a tinge of bitter truth in it. No patriot is ever going to agree to it. Not one citizen of their country will agree to it in the slightest.

He added, “A Kingdom is ruled by a [King] and his or her own children as Royals. To abandon it in this manner was not only betrayal of position but also betrayal of the people’s trusts. But while I can agree that this is indeed so, why did the former king, King Altair, do this? No, given as it was, why did the Council of Elders allowed this King Test to happen in the first place?”

“Good question.” Pistareen, smiled, “It’s because at that time, it wasn’t the Council of Elders that published this event to the world... but someone else entirely separate and should have no kind of connection to the Kingdom of Jeremiah. That is why they had their hands tied in the matter and had no choice but to go with the flor…. or at least that’s how I think they are thinking.”

“Who was it then?” “Who published it?”

Curiosity was burning in the two’s faces.

“Someone named, or rather, called [Teacher].”

Volt and Thorn exchanged glances and they both had the same look in their faces: I’ve heard this title somewhere before.

If Siva was awake, he would have connected the dots and formed the large picture at this moment.

This was a grand design that only one person in the entire universe is capable of constructing; and knowing the person who did this, Siva would have probably shot Volt a glare telling him to avoid this trouble.

But alas, the decision right now is not with him but was instead with Volt.

If he agrees, then they set off on two different camps during this entire vent. If he decline, then he can take up a position beside Siva as one of Lady Brea’s protectors.

As for Thorn, he would probably passively play his promised role in this: an observer.

Volt shook his head “Going back to topic, if I do agree with your proposal and be your ace in this game for the throne of The Kingdom, what’s in it for me?”

Pistareen sagely smiled at him. This is a different reply than what Volt gave him earlier.

“Our full support, of course.” He told him but Volt only continued to ask him for the specifics of this so called [support] so he explained, “Access to the Highest-Tier Life-Saving Spell Talismans as well as supplementing your identity as someone from The Temples from the very beginning.”

“—to cover the fact that I am connected to Siva?”

Pistareen nodded.

“But that’s not all, is it?” It’s not that Volt was one who is afraid to die in the game, but he was still a player —an adventurer— and he must think of his benefits if he succeeds; or his survival if he fails.

Life-Saving Talismans…

Highest-Tier Spells…

These were all mouth-watering rewards, or even just compensation, to any other player—but that is if they haven’t seen and heard what Volt had.

Volt had seen the existence of an actual Terran Immortal, the Emperor of Tiara. And if that’s not a surprising fact in itself, he had also seen a God of this universe two or even three times already; he had also seen and heard the future impossible to think of even in his wildest imaginations coming from that very God; and he had learned secrets that will frighten just about anyone to death once they hear it; secrets that included the destruction of worlds and the whatnot of the strings attached to it.

His horizons have broadened and just now, he had also realized his mistakes and even (slightly) matured on his thinking. He can’t think in short-terms. He had to think big and he had no choice but to do it.

—because someone was counting on it.

“Yes.” Pistareen nodded gently, “You’ve been told of my worries so you should understand that in the world right now, a great change will occur and in the middle of it will be him, Siva, with you all in the circle around him going along the winds that pivots its direction.”

Volt paused to think and Pistareen went on, “I’ve asked Lady Scion to take over The Temple and if she agrees to it, what do you think will happen to you guys as well?”

Thorn gasped, “We… will control Terroa.”

It was also the first thing that came into mind from the moment Volt had heard it.

Jeremiah controls the strongest Military while the Enchantment Temple controls the distribution and development of this world’s magic.

If the two organization’s leaders were from Siva’s group, then it technically means that Siva, no, they would be controlling Terroa.

But—

“Is that really it?” Pistareen had a look challenging Thorn to think of it deeper.

Thorn paused and pondered. He glanced over the room and with a look of shock he bit his lip as he looked over at Volt who had sweat covering his entire face and back.

“Burden.” Volt murmured. “If I win, then the King’s position will become my burden. If I lose…” even Volt can’t imagine what might happen.

He, Volt, either dies or become a sideline failure.

“In the end, we’re caught in Siva’s momentum and our directions, your directions, and this world’s direction, will be dependent on where he will be pointing his gaze upon.”

“I’m not really aware of Siva’s exact disposition but that incident in Dragona really concerns me.” At this point, Pistareen wore a frown with an obvious seriousness. “To put it figuratively, yes; but specifically, what I think will happen is that this new horizon and new era that will open in our world will either be death or just plain emptiness —if whatever Siva is pursuing ever be lost.”

Pistareen, of course, is not aware of Siva’s exact circumstances, but he had his experience and the fact that Siva needed his help on searching for that which drives him to be the strongest… and even stronger… then yes, it was indeed alarming.

Based alone on the fact that he still came here in Jeremiah despite the attention his identity is now getting and despite his identity threatening to be exposed; even adding this latest incident where he had just used The Temple to get out of that messy situation that even brought one of three respected Grand Knights of the Wall of Jeremiah down, Siva is an audacious fearless individual and that based on these alone, if he loses the reason why he was looking for his brother, then with his strength, he might actually destroy everything.

With all these backing it up, given the personality he had displayed to Pistareen so far, he could tell that he will throw a violent fit once he gets very frustrated with everything.

It wasn’t him being immature here, but Siva is just dealing with sensitive things that are keeping his eyes and vision in check.

These are all shackles. The people around him… are all fetters that keep his sense of direction and purpose in check.

“So if I become King then based on us being friends; when he throws this ‘fit’ you talk about, it can serve as protection to Jeremiah and a warning for the rest of his enemies, am I right?”

“Not only for his enemies,” Thorn added, “But this also applies to himself.”

Volt and Thorn exchanged glances and a thought struck them both. They are not aware of each other’s secrets but that one glance they exchanged to themselves both had the same meaning.

“You know who he is and if he suddenly gets to release that monster again and that unlike before, he wouldn’t be able to stop it, then—”

Volt understood what Thorn was talking about.

Mefisto

The Devil

The Mefisto that appeared in Dragona was just a shadow left from certain events that happened 56 years ago in Terroa. Volt knew this but for Thorn, he has no idea what he knew so he glanced at his direction to check for this.

Volt has enough reason to believe that what Thorn knew should solely be what Siva had told him… but… has Siva told Thorn of this already?

“—maybe you could be this country’s protection.”

These words entered Volt’s ears like bells ringing noisily on his mind.

“That is in the pretense that I win, right?”

“Ah, I forgot to tell you…”

“Hm?” “Huh?”

“The King Test is not a matter of winning or even losing, but a matter of being chosen by the throne to be the next King. There is a very high level of magic that I haven’t seen before installed in the throne and that is the magic that decides what the content of the King Test will be. Every year, there is a new set of King Tests that appears and they don’t repeat in the decades it had gone by.”

Volt and Thorn’s expressions went blank for that moment and then a look of helplessness at the next instant.

This supposed to be esteemed Grand Elder Mage is just too carefree.

Still, if they had to choose between the scary and imposing “Grand Elder Mage” who they imagined him to be when he that missive, then they’d rather choose this friendly and sociable old man that wore that carefree smile like a jacket before them.

“Haaaah… old man, is there something else that you haven’t told us yet? Please say it now while it is still not a life-threatening moment.”

“Nothing else, actually, and so let me repeat the deal once again: if you agree to be our candidate, then we will support you by giving you life-saving spell talismans as well as edit your identity as one of our external vessels. So, how about it?”

This time, Volt looked at Pistareen in the eyes, “I agree. I want to be a King that can help this nation establish the right path. That is, of course, we’re assuming that they are indeed manipulating it.”

Pistareen was genuinely happy, “Good, then. The King Test will officially start in two days so let’s register you now as Voltaire Romanoff.”

When Pistareen stood, Thorn also rose from his seat and told Volt, “I will be your buddy in this mission.”

Volt paused and thought about that [Heavenly Guidance] thing. Usually, there should be a notice on their visions right now telling them that they are about to do a Quest/Mission but there was no prompt… not even a notification.

—this game world really is changing.

—has it already begun?

Volt and Thorn had different thoughts but the same reactions regarding the matter. So they just assumed that they were ‘smart enough’ to realize that even if they felt shocked, there was nothing they could do to affect this world-changing event.

Thus, they just accepted the fact that from today onwards, Game-initiated Quests and Missions will be rarer while world-initiated tasks that have no [prompt] will be the norm.

……from now on.

“So we’re fighting against Siva’s team, huh…”

“At least let’s see what this King Test really is with our own eyes.”

“Right.”

Now that they were done with the primer, it was time to talk about the details of the plan so they’re now going to do the necessary preparations.

*****

The three talked about the matters as they left the office. Scion only gave them a side glance before resuming back on nursing Siva.

She wore a very calm expression as she looked at him almost without blinking.

In her chest, there was a white light and the glow of the [Eye of Origins] MOD enveloped her body.

Her eyes that looked at Siva had a glint of her burning affection. There is neither his smoke skin curse nor even a faint shadow of a Guardian Spirit around him unlike the other [players].

She caressed his face and a loving smile beamed on her lips. She used her gentle finger to trace the contour of his visage while fixing his sleeping expression on her memories.

Scion did it for a good while, not seeming to want to stop until she had her fill of showing the extent of her affection. One may even call it infatuation but she chose it this way because it felt good for her body and her soul.

If it’s not Rex, then it wouldn’t be any other man in the world.

For a very long time, the break room was theirs alone with no one trying to disturb them.

Then, Siva let a moan as he slowly opened his eyes to see her perfect beauty lovingly staring at him.

“You’re awake. Thank goodness.”

“I… I am… awake… what happened to me?”

“Thorn said it was mental fatigue. You’ve been in a lot of stress lately with almost no time to rest.”

Siva didn’t hurry to sit upright as he breathed in her smell in this world. This was the scent of a lady who’s radiating total affection and love. It is a very addictive smell and Siva wasn’t immune to it.

It was hard to stop himself from going for a bite if the cake is this good and is willing to be eaten.

He reached his hand and touched her face. “I’m sorry to have worried you again.”

Scion closed her eyes as she inclined her head to savour his gentle touch. In her eyes, while the MOD is activated, she could only see a very good-looking Rex Kingsley.

But even without it, she wasn’t even minding the black smoke sin curse. To her, Rex is Rex.

Nothing more….

Nothing less….

Thus, when she received her touch-reward, she couldn’t help let out a muffled moan that sounded both pleading and satisfied.

She wasn’t an “M” or anything. She just enjoyed the affection of the man she loved.

But to Siva, however…

“Damn… she’s so pretty.”

Unable to hold himself, Siva raised his body and gently planted a kiss on her lips.

She locked her arms on his neck and they kissed for a very long time, parting only to chase their breaths. Scion doesn’t have any experience in this business so she blushed while—and after—they were locking lips.

The sweet moment lasted for a good while. Soon, they parted, but there was an unwilling glint on her eyes as she stared at him with an intoxicating blush of her embarrassment.

“Not yet.” He said, “I’m not worthy yet.”

Scion nodded. They’ve talked about this. Siva will not take her as long as he still got those worries bugging his thoughts. She can’t add into the list of items he had to waste mental energy to worry for.

—even if it’s just, yes, mentally…

Is it just his hypocrisy? Perhaps. But it was also his pride and his true and honest thoughts about the matter.

Scion had decided to give herself to Siva, no, to Rex, but because of his burdens, he can’t let her add more content on his worries.

And whenever he was thinking about it, he would always feel guilty towards her and himself.

That’s why… it takes a lot of courage and strength just to resist her charms.

Especially at this moment where she was starting to heat up and like a cat that hadn’t gotten her fill of the day’s petting, she was blushing there while looking expectantly up at him.

“Damn it… don’t look at me like that…”

Siva really wanted to eat her up at this moment but logic won over his “male necessity” and he got off the bed, leaving only a deep kiss for her to get on by for the day.

“I never realized that the docile and shy-type girl both in the real world and here in Terroa will be this proactively possessive and sensually full of life when triggered. And it wasn’t even the kind that will make someone afraid of her. Quite the contrary, in fact, and perhaps only I would be the only exception in the entire Male Universe to have the uselessly unimportant ability to resist her when she is especially in Stage 5 of 10 in the aroused scale. Damn it… damn it all….”

Siva was really grumbling and cursing as he went to the door and didn’t glance back at Scion.

He knew that once he looked back, there actually is no more going back.

“I’m sorry.” He left these words before turning the handle to open the door.

“Don’t be. I know I am being forceful and perhaps even too aggressive. I’m sorry, Rex, for adding to your worries.” She displayed a repentant look as she stared down at the bed sheets, clutching it.

Siva still didn’t look back. He knew that she was in a state of cooling down so if he does look back, he would feel guilt and take her in… totally.

“While I do not understand why you were rushing things, I can still understand that you’re only trying to help me ease my worries a little.” At this point, Siva lightly turned his head aside and finished, “I am not impotent or anything but do understand that I am…… not ready yet.”

—right, this might be called hypocrisy in the language used by the human male species, but I really don’t have the ability to mess up right now.

His priorities are clear and he can’t waste time to do things that might affect his desired outcome.

As he thought about this, he also realized that it was already night time outside. Looking at the in-game clock on his vision, he realized that he’s been down for a good six hours already.

“Time to get those resources.” He murmured then left the words to Scion, “Stay here. I will come back later and fetch you to return to the hotel. Pull out the [Tower] just to be sure. [Smasher] will be here to stand guard for you.”

Scion’s look of resignation brightened as she thought of the prospect of taking a walk back to the hotel with Siva.

For a young lady… her viciously kinky thoughts with a still unknown driving force were something that if her parents found out will definitely warrant harsh rebuke and scolding.

And so, when she heard that line, she cheered up and smiled warmly at him.

“Okay!”

*****

Siva walked out of the Mansion and saw the many Guards wearing thin armor and held Mediums in their hands in the form of either a wand, a staff, a ball or a gem, a dried stick, a bamboo stem, even a few odd-looking items such as a silver horsetail, patrolling the Mansion Grounds in groups in turn.

I was still early in the night but they were already in full alert. He wondered why that is happening that warranted such a display of alertness.

But then again, as soon as he got out of the huge double doors of the Grand Mansion, middle-aged and young men and women wearing the Magister Robes of the Enchantment Temple obstructed his path and gave him a warning.

“White-themed armor and faceless mask… you are Sir Knight, Rex Kingsley, aren’t you?”

“Whoa?!”

THUD!THUD!THUD!THUD~~!!

Siva was shocked.

They —almost 50 in total, all knelt in front of him.

“It is our pleasure to have finally met you, sir!” the leader of the bunch, a young woman with bright crimson coloured hair, —passionately— called.

.

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Change is fast approaching!!

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