Capítulo 9: Phantom steed (1)
The place where Theo summoned me was as expected.
The stables.
The stables of the Reinharber family, one of the top three stables on the continent for raising fine horses.
"Here we are."
As I walked in, I saw Brothers Hartz and Allen, their bodies covered in painful bruises from the beating they took from me a few days ago.
Maybe I should have been a little more forceful.
You stupid bastards.
Even as I thought that, I nonchalantly shifted my gaze to the Patriarch.
"Patriarch."
I was the first to bow my head slightly in greeting, and my brothers followed suit.
Theo nodded, then broke off, glancing briefly at the foals behind him.
"I suppose you already know why I called you here."
I replied nonchalantly.
"Of course."
"From now on, you will choose a horse that will accompany you for the rest of your lives."
Horses.
It was the most sacred animal in all of Reinharbour, let alone the entire continent.
Anyone who decided to become a knight, or even a wizard, had to choose one as a child and make it their lifelong companion.
That was what horses were in the Inner Lunatic.
"Horsemanship is taught separately at the Eldain Academy, and there are a lot of big battles in the later stages of the game. The horse you choose is naturally important.
Plus… if a horse dies, you have to raise it from scratch.
Inner Lunatic is a very realistic game.
Magic and swordsmanship are not universal, and spatial traveling magic is too expensive to be commercialized.
However, depending on the breed of horse, it is possible to travel a distance that would otherwise take three days or more in a single day.
In many ways, this moment is crucial for later gameplay.
"Now, then, the winner of the duel, Knox von Reinhaber. You may choose your horse. You have one chance."
I controlled my expression and stared at the multitude of foals behind me.
Their coats were glistening, their eyes darting around the area with a piercing intensity. I wonder if they know their master is about to be chosen.
They were all looking this way.
But.
I had already decided what I wanted to say from the beginning.
"There you are."
Also, for some reason, he was making eye contact with me.
I looked at the horse in front of me. I walked nonchalantly past all the horses in front of me that looked like they had good pedigrees, and toward the one that was looking at me.
Hiying.
When we made eye contact, he gave a small whinny and didn't look away for a long time.
It was as if he already knew what I was going to do next.
But as I walked, Theo and his twin brother just stared at the back of my head in disbelief.
The reason was simple.
The horse was within my reach, staring at me. He was a horse on the verge of being put down, destined for death.
At least in its 'now' state.
I thought for a moment.
House Reinharbour.
It's not hard to imagine that the villainous family, considered the worst of the worst, would have a pretty good hidden piece.
As gamers are wont to do, they knock on every stone bridge they pass. They're the kind of people who look for every little groove in a wall to see if there's something hidden in there.
If you're one of those people, it's only natural that you'd want to take on a variety of challenges....
That goes for me too.
"I'll decide with this one."
"…I'll give you another chance."
Theo's brow furrowed. At first glance, he looked very disappointed. I guess I didn't make the right choice.
Well, it's not surprising.
It must be disappointing to be given the first chance to choose a horse, and then to choose one that, by all appearances, is about to die.
Of course, it would have been his choice to pick a horse that he could use right away, one that would be the most efficient.
But I didn't.
Hence, the look of outright displeasure on his face.
Actually, it's a kindness. Giving me a second chance… I've never heard Theo say anything like that in all the years I've played the game.
Theo was a blunt individual man.
A third-ranked swordsman on the continent, he had a reputation for being cold.
As such, he didn't give second chances. I don't know, but I'm guessing it's because Knox has high hopes for me.
What he saw in Dalian.
He must have seen the potential there.
Theo must have thought.
His youngest son, after all, hadn't been able to overcome his inherent weakness and fragility.
Maybe that's why he chose that weak horse, the one who looked him in the eye, despite his weakness.
But.
Regardless of his thoughts, I realized once and for all that this horse was a masterpiece.
I have the best trait [Insight], which is only given to the protagonists of Inner Lunatic.
-Calls up the target's status window.
__________________
[Basic Info]
Name: Undecided
Gender: Male
Rank: Upper
Age: 0 years old
Race: Horse – Obsidian
Primary Element: Darkness
[Traits].
Positives: [Steel Stamina – disabled by debuffs] / [Born Warhorse – disabled by debuffs] / [Courage – disabled by debuffs].
Neutral: [Single-mindedness]
Negative: [Predestined Death]
*[Predestined Death] Talent is in effect.
Time remaining: 2 days, 16 hours, 12 minutes
__________________
One familiar trait stands out.
[Predestined Death].
It is. This is a horse that was born to be a warhorse of the highest caliber, but is a hidden piece designed to die in less than three days.
It's a bit different than the [Time Limit] trait, though.
I haven't played it yet. There is no way to overcome it, but this talent is different.
"With my knowledge, I can do anything.
It didn't matter if that was the ending he wanted or not.
I glanced at Theo, then shook my head.
"I won't take it back, and I'll put it this way."
"…I hope it's a choice you don't regret."
Even as I said that, Theo walked out of the stables with a sour look on his face. He didn't even bother to watch the other two twins choose their horses.
He must be just as disappointed in me.
But so be it.
I was going to pick him.
Meanwhile, there was no fear in the eyes of the horse facing it's fated death.
I wonder if it's trying to come to terms with it's death.
Or maybe he sees his own death as nothing. I don't know, but I felt that he and I were essentially alike.
The vassal standing next to me asked.
"Master, please name the horse."
"Carl."
So I decided to give the horse that name.
"You shall henceforth be known as Carl."
About twenty-seven times. The name I used every time I cleared the Inner Lunatic.
A name that meant a lot to me, and I gave it to him.
Just as I struggle.
Hoping that you, too, would fight to stay alive.
I could hear my brothers' sneering, insulting voices in my head.
Of course, their judgment would be overturned in just a few days.
I laughed softly to myself, then left the stables and returned to my room with Carl. He was still a foal, so he was small. So far, it was fine to keep it in the room.
Besides, if it got dirty, I could just have Rona clean it up.
Of course, she's not my full-time maid....
After all, she's still a collateral of the family, isn't she?
If it's her choice, she'll just have to make do with evil.
I was going to let her know that.
"You talk a lot."
I tucked the blanket around him and sat him carefully on the bed.
He tried to move somehow, but he would never be able to.
He already knows.
He's already under the control of the future, of his predestined death, and overcoming it is… not the usual way.
If you're playing Inner Lunatic and you're granted this negative trait, your character will die in some way.
In a sense, it's even worse than Time Limit.
Because unlike Time Limit, which at least allows you to extend your lifespan, this talent doesn't even allow you to cheat at all.
To be honest, there's nothing I can do to save him.
But I brought him here for a reason. I have a sword to fight with, and I have myself.
I may not be able to do anything about my own life, but there are many things I can do for the dead.
"Carl."
I called his name. He lifted his head for a moment, as if to acknowledge me as his master.
His eyes still held the same blank emptiness. And a calm, burning will to live. I wondered if those two emotions could coexist.
I could see in his eyes that they could.
" Rona."
"...."
"I know you're out there. If you don't answer me soon, I won't leave you alone…."
"Hmph, how did you know...?"
"You got me."
For some reason, I thought Rona might be waiting outside, so I spoke up. She was indeed there. Judging by how quickly she replied, she'd probably been waiting for a while.
I wonder if she actually enjoys making me do things now?
I nodded with satisfaction and gave her instructions.
"Take care of him. He's sick, so be as gentle as you can."
"…Okay, I'll take care of him…."
"Of course."
Rona entered the room and said in a disheveled voice as she looked at Carl's condition. She seemed quite shocked, as it was evident that he was going to die, even to a three-year-old.
I guess he hasn't figured out my intentions yet.
Actually, it would be impossible for anyone to fully grasp them.
Hmm….
I'm torn, by the way.
What's going to happen next is going to be even more shocking. How is this weak, weak, weak Rona going to make it?
* * *
A room in the training grounds.
Theo sat there, meditating for a long time, recalling the events of a few moments ago.
The judgment of his youngest son, Knox.
Was it right?
The answer was already there.
"It was foolish.
I realized that I had let him choose his words too early. He let his emotions get the best of him, and he picked a horse that was as weak as he was.
Just because she made eye contact with him.
Theo thought.
Nox deserves better.
One of my sons should inherit his sword and follow in his footsteps, and even better, carve his name into the highest places of the Archheim Empire.
Just as I was one of the Three Swordsmen and still hold my place at the top.
I meant for one of my sons to do the same.
But he knew it was not easy, and he knew it was lonely. He knew it wasn't easy, and he knew it was lonely.
Theo remembered one mistake he had made in the past.
A day in the middle of a bloody battlefield.
Swarming demons…
tangled humans, and a night of killing.
It had been a disaster.
Theo opened his closed eyes. Unfinished mana floated in the air, quickly sucked into his body.
A glow began to emanate from his body, absorbing the energy like a black hole.
It proved that he was indeed worthy of being called the Third Swordsman.
"Rodwell."
"Yes. My lord."
Rodwell replied, having prepared a towel and other training tools at his side.
"As expected… Your mastery is always astonishing. It's hard to believe you're a human like me.
Rodwell swallowed hard and thought to himself.
Theo's skill with magic was overwhelming. His sword glistened with obsidian-black mana, and he wielded it to cut down his enemies in an instant.
A sword that lived up to its name.
The Supreme Black Sword.
It was a sword that only he could wield now.
Of course, the first three levels are taught to blood relatives....
'The true value of the Supreme Black Sword comes after that.'
Rodwell had seen Theo use it many times from the sidelines. But he couldn't follow any of the steps in the middle.
It was awe-inspiring, bordering on miraculous.
'However, now is not the time for such thoughts.'
Rodwell quickly pushed the thought aside and focused on Theo's words.
Theo hesitated, then spoke.
"One day, one of my sons will have to learn to wield the Supreme Black Sword."
"Indeed."
"Who do you think will inherit the sword?"
His eyes glowed menacingly. For a moment, Rodwell's breath caught in his throat, and he took an involuntary step backward.
"…I'm not sure yet."
He answered honestly.
First, of course, Garen is talented. But his father is still the swordsman of the continent. Not nearly enough to break through Theo's walls.
Moreover, he had one problem.
"The First Master is dangerous. He must never ascend to the position of Lord.
A blasphemous thought, perhaps. After all, he is only a butler.
But Rodwell's loyalty to House Rineharbour was unwavering, and he could assure them of that.
He would never, ever sit on the throne.
'After….'
Rodwell let out a small sigh.
There was no point in lying to himself here.
He who wields the Supreme Black Sword.
There is no way the three most powerful swordsmen in the world could not see through his lies.
It was best to be honest here.
"They all still have potential."
"We need solid talent, not flimsy potential."
Theo took a moment to scan the scenic surroundings, then rose to his feet.
"Because one of them is going to have to kill me, eventually."
* * *
By default, minions don't have any stats, but their rank tells you how powerful they are.
In simple terms, this means that the sword I brought with me could have been a top-notch warhorse if it weren't for his illness.
It's an Obsidian, a high-end breed.
If I can activate all of his disabled skills, he'll grow rapidly.
What's more, since it's the default system in Inner Lunatic for pets to increase in rank by at least 1 afterward, he could be promoted to at least Superlative.
He's not exactly the kind of hidden piece you'd expect to get at the start of the game.
Technically, he's not fully unlocked yet….
The sword.
After three days. The present.
I am facing the cold, dead body of Carl.
Rona, who has been taking care of him with me for a while now, is already wiping the tears from her eyes.
"Hmph!"
I knew it was going to be like this from the beginning.
Carl can't be saved.
There is not a single way to save him in the Inner Lunatic.
But I do know one other way to enjoy the battlefield with him. And it will take me to a better place.
Carl. It would give him a little more freedom.
"Stop crying, it's distracting me."
"Breathe… But Master… Carl… Carl… Carl… ...!"
Rona had always been a bit of a rumor-monger, but seeing her crying over Carl's death made me feel a little bad for her.
Yes, I realize that Nox must have committed a great sin in his previous life, and that's why she doesn't trust me.
So I decided to speak to her a little warmer this time.
"Don't worry. Carl is dead… but he will be by my side again."
"What? Are you crazy?"
... I never thought I would hear those words to my face.
I hastily reversed my earlier plan to warm up to her, and turned back to being an evil bastard.
"Step back."
At that moment, I pulled out a scroll that I had purposely kept on my desk and laid it on the floor. I then began to slowly pour my magic power into it.
Jiying....
Needless to say, it didn't go well.
I haven't yet met the flowering conditions for the [Mana Sensitivity Genius] talent, so my magical level isn't very high.
Just a waterfall of mana.
That was all I could do.
'Whoa… I have to concentrate. I can't make a mistake.'
I could feel the tenuous energy of life, pulsating with blackness.
It was a strange experience.
In this world, I've never properly handled magic before.
There's an Imperial law that says you can't handle it before you're of age, so I can't help it.
But I'm broken, and I plan to ignore that law lightly. Controlling the force is paramount to this plan.
Rona hesitated, seemingly embarrassed by my behavior.
"Do, Master, that scroll is…? Moreover, mana, are you using magic power?!"
"If you make any noise, Carl will die a second time. Because of you."
"Hmph!"
She immediately shut up, this kind of reaction wasn't something she'd go around gossiping about, after all, even when she'd spit up blood in the past and left it to be cleaned up, it hadn't caused much of a stir.
Besides, there's a reason I kept her around.
…I need to live.
What I'm about to scroll through is a type of black magic.
As you might have guessed from the foul odor of the name, it's incredibly difficult and dangerous.
What if I make a mistake and fall?
I'll have her with me as I make my way to the clan elders.
A backup, just in case.
That's what Rona was for now.
"Then let's get started."
Zeeeeee…!
A runic sentence slowly emerges from the enchanted scroll, emitting a blue light. The luminescent blue writing on the parchment's dull paper slowly began to take center stage.
[Uses 'One-time Skill Confirmation'].
[Acquired the skill "Book of the Dead – Necronomicon (1-Use)"].
[You can revive the target 'Carl' as an undead].
[Activate Magic].
Estado de energía semanal
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