Capítulo 111: The Kingdom of Tahalin (2)
The Kingdom of Tahalin.
In order to explain this, we must first talk about the Arkhheim Empire, which is currently the most prosperous empire, and home to my family, House Reinhafer.
Basically, Tahalin is a "vassal state" of the Arkheim Empire.
To put it simply.
The people of Tahalin are essentially the dogs of the empire: they must pay tribute every year at harvest time, and they can be conscripted into the army at any time without a choice.
The discrimination the people of Tahalin face in Arkheim is staggering.
So much so, in fact, that even those who played the game felt that the Empire had gone too far.
I can't even begin to imagine how much anti-Empire sentiment there is among those who actually lived through this tragedy.
'I thought so too, to a certain extent, until I found out what happened behind the scenes.'
We'll talk about the behind-the-scenes stuff later.
For now, the important thing is to agitate the prince in front of me.
"You don't look like you understand. Why the youngest member of House Reinhafer has suddenly traveled to Tahalin. You must want to kill me right now. You have met the child of your parents' enemies."
For a moment, Kushan's shoulders slump, but then they settle back into place.
Apparently, he's not very good at acting. Well, it doesn't show up in his talents, so it's not like he's blind. Anyway, Kushan continued.
"I am sorry for what happened to you and your mother, but it is beyond my control now. I was weak, and I was defeated by your father, Theo von Reinhafer, Lord of Reinhafer, and that is all."
"Do you hate me?"
I stubbornly asked one more time.
Then, for the first time, Kushan's face crumpled.
"You don't understand .... Are you doubting Tahalin's loyalty, or are you trying to collect more taxes....?"
"No, I've had enough of that nonsense. Those taxes aren't coming back to me, and there's no reason for an emissary to come and explain such an important matter to you."
I panicked and blurted out as much as I could.
'You're crazy, what are you saying, are you out of your mind?'
That's how ridiculous it is.
I've played Inner Lunatic many times, and I've done projects to save the kingdom of Tahalin.
The taxes Tahalin pays to Arkheim are already ridiculous.
Add to that the fact that they would rather die than go to war.
I can't believe you're even talking about it.
This is when it becomes clear that Kushan's hostility is out of control.
Nowhere was this more evident than in the status bar.
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[Basic Info]
Name: Kushan Adrian
Gender: Male
Age: 17
Race: Human
Primary Element: Earth
Achievements: [Direct Line of Tahalin – King Candidate]
[Traits]
Affirmations: [Poison genius] / [Dagger master] / [Martial arts master] / [Serious].
Neutral: [Loyalty – my abilities have not blossomed because I have not met anyone to whom I can give my full loyalty] / Currently has some trust in the court mage Kramser (about 40%)].
Negative: [Self-destructive] / [Self-absorbed] / [Overwhelmed with responsibility] / [Indecisive] / [Flirtatious] / [Temperamental]]
[Stats]
Physique: 11
MP: 7
Luck: 5
Willpower: 4
Charm: 23
[Skills]
Passive Skills: [Venomous Calibration].
Active Skill: [Poison Dagger Intermediate]
*Warning! Hostility towards House Reinhafer has reached its limit.
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The main traits of Kushan Adrian that can be seen here are the following.
That he is overly self-pessimistic and mentally immature.
In the past, when he rebelled in the 27th game, he was tricked by others into starting a war when his intentions were around 90 percent.
He is vulnerable to making decisions on his own and needs to rely on others.
In many ways, he is not a good fit for a king.
Perhaps he is now tenuously dependent on Kramsar, his regent, his substitute in the absence of a king.
Sadly, he doesn't even know he's a demon.
I sighed to myself, thinking I should get back to work.
Then, I realize he's looking at me.
'Well, not as handsome as I am, but certainly as handsome as a prince in a game, with a rough and tumble personality that shows he's been living in the desert.'
It's a distinctly different look from Paracelsus.
I think of his red hair and red eyes framing his nearly chestnut complexion.
His attire is typical of the desert, with a turban and various special effects artifacts.
Most importantly, Kushan wields a traditional sword called the Kukri, which was adapted from a weapon used by the Gurkhas of Nepal. {1}
The only thing that distinguishes it from other weapons is that it has a curved blade.
'Your equipment is already great.'
Yeah, I'll take rotten over good.
It seems that the name Prince means more than I thought.
I felt unnecessarily proud that he would play well even if I didn't customize his equipment.
...Of course, it's going to be a dirty job getting him.
I look him up and down for a moment more, and my gaze lingers at one point.
'That's....'
A scar on his chest, prominent against his tanned skin.
It's a scar that was probably made by Theo.
In the past, when the Black Sword Knights led by him slaughtered the Kingdom of Tahalin, he had shown Kushan the first act of the [Supreme Black Sword] out of mercy.
[Ebony Dawn].
In the aftermath, Kushan was deeply scarred.
...I also realized that none of the humans associated with Nox were normal.
It's funny that he carved that scar into his body out of mercy, and the same goes for Kushan, who flew off the battlefield to stop the three swordsmen.
There were times when I thought the game was funny, but not now.
This is real.
I'm not a psychopath. Even I can't help but wonder, was this story necessary?
I can't help but feel a little sorry for Kushan at the end of the game, when we're dealing with the fall of a man and he ends up killing himself.
'But I am confident that I can prevent all this tragedy.'
In addition, I will obtain the items I need from the ancient ruins hidden in the northern part of the Kingdom of Tahalin, and I will also gain the power of the 'thing'.
The main story of Inner Lunatic is progressing faster than I expected. It's important for me to get my hands on the power sooner rather than later.
That's why I've arrived here, in Tahalin, with my limited lifespan.
I was thinking.
Suddenly, Kushan, who was facing me, spoke up.
"If it's not a tax matter… is there any other reason you've come to the Kingdom of Tahalin?"
It's an overly rude question.
It implies that the knees he bent to me a moment ago were never of his own volition. I reply bluntly.
"There's no need for me to explain… well… but for the sake of simplicity, consider me here for sightseeing purposes and to explore the ruins. If you don't take care of me until I get back, you're going to die. You know what I mean?"
I didn't like what he said, so I said it in moderation.
Fortunately, the guy nodded, as if he hadn't thought of anything like that until now.
"I see."
He bowed low, then rose from his seat.
Kushan rang the bell to summon the servant who stood behind him.
"First, see to it that the Young Master finishes his meal and is shown around the kingdom. Bring him a tamer who is the pride of the Kingdom of Tahalin and is skilled at taming animals, and if he needs anything else, be sure to treat him well. Again...."
At that moment, I quickly glanced over and found someone.
Then I took a deep breath and immediately cut off Kushan's words.
"Wait, let me change the person who will guide me around the kingdom."
Hueub, ha....
'Please… let's not make a mistake. Please....'
In order to fulfill my plan, I have to act like a 'real' asshole from now on.
I hypnotize myself. I'm a crazy bastard, I'm an asshole, I'm an asshole who skirt chases, and I'm a crazy bastard who loves it so much....
(michinnom; michyeobeolin; michinnom)
"You beside me. You'll be the one to introduce me to the kingdom."
I barely part my lips with those words, and a sudden wave of exhaustion and self-doubt washes over me.
In the direction I barely managed to point my finger through the pain, there was a woman.
A dark-skinned woman who bore a striking resemblance to Kushan. Even to my eyes, I couldn't help but think that such a beautiful complexion wasn't normal.
"But this girl is...."
Kushan's eyes fluttered open. But I just ask him nonchalantly.
"Is there a problem?"
"...No, Aria, go and serve your master as best you can."
"...Yes."
Aria.
I already know why Kushan doesn't want this child to come with me.
Why?
Because she's his only sister.
He's afraid that I, an asshole, might touch her.
...To be honest, I think I'd misunderstand too.
I know I shouldn't be doing this on the subject of playing Nox, but....
-Zitri…oh my god. It looks like the real Young Master has opened his eyes to women....
-Rona, what should I do…? I don't have a manual for this kind of situation…!
-I don't want him to see another woman… I don't want to die… I don't want to die!
-Shh! Elena… I don't know what's going on right now(?), but this might be a crucial moment, so be quiet…!
The stories of the units behind me are quite harrowing.
Luckily, they will not be heard by those in front. It's the same kind of power I gained when I became possessed by the character Nox.
It's a shitty power to call it a power, since it's never helped me before....
I shielded my face and looked at Aria Adrian as she approached me. She resembles her brother in general, but she seems more docile.
However, I know something is wrong with her.
A black snake slithers up and wraps itself around the slender girl's neck. Invisible to the rest of the world, the snake is choking the life out of Aria.
And then there are the empty eyes....
There was no mistaking it.
'She's already gone.'
Aria Adrian bowed her head.
"I'm not good enough, but please take care of me."
"Okay."
I nodded, playing the satisfied bastard.
Of course, I couldn't help but wonder, "Is this right?" a few times.
The stares around me, the prying eyes.
They were all making me dizzy.
But right now, I'm more concerned about saving people than I am about the prying eyes.
I told you earlier that I told Kushan to kneel for a reason, and I don't have to explain why.
A true scum of the earth, a corrupted demon sorcerer.
To defeat Kramsar.
And to do so, I need to be an asshole.
...Why did I end up like this?
I don't know, but what can I say?
Given my situation.
Inwardly, I wished they'd just go away, but I continued in a gruff voice.
"Then let's go. You all get some rest, Elena."
"Oh, okay! Seobang-nim!"
"Seobang-nim again… Ha, I don't know. Anyway, follow me. You're coming with me. Christopher too."
"Chung! I understand, as the proud head of the Knights of House Reinhafer, my mission is to serve the youngest, Young Master Nox! This Christopher... is deeply impressed...."
I haven't even gotten to the end… and I'm already feeling a little dizzy.
The rest of the characters are staying in some sort of accommodation at the Tahalin Royal Castle. Fortunately, there are no major dangers.
"Young Master, are you sure you'll be okay without me?"
Zitri asks, concerned.
I nodded and put on a reasonably cheerful face.
Why?
[Your Health stat is temporarily reduced by 1 due to the effect of the Talent 'Time Limit'].
[Due to the effect of the attribute 'Time Limit', Blood Lv2 is applied].
Because my short life span is starting to get to me.
However, I'm a scoundrel who possesses the [Master of Acting] trait.
"Zitri. You're taking too much care of me. What's the matter, do you want to rest again?"
"I'm not going to drink any more tea from you ...."
"Even though your master is giving it to you?"
"...."
Zitri was silent.
Mei secretly worried about sending Elena off on her own.
The others were fine with it, but the pitying glances from even Rona made her feel like she was doing something she couldn't do.
For the record.
I've seen some of the Black Sword Knights attach themselves to others, so I'm sure the safety of my companions will not be a problem.
Perhaps Theo's orders were to spread out and protect them.
'He wants to make me a Patriarch somehow… no way!'
I thought to myself as I finished my light meal on the terrace.
A wrinkled old man waiting nearby watches me move away at a brisk pace, then smiles to himself.
I take only a sip of the wine on the table.
It contains a bit of poison, but it doesn't matter.
'This must be enough to poison me....'
I don't see many people.
The profession of alchemist is not yet popularized.
I'm sure he thought Nox wouldn't be able to overcome the poison, but that's a sadly foolish mistake.
I crinkled my brow, remembering yesterday's little hiccup with Elena. I took another sip of my drink.
-Eh… I mean… you should take this potion beforehand… so that the poison won't enter your body at all, and you'll recover quickly. And just in case… it's.... No drinking in front of anyone but me, your future wife, I promise…!
At the time, I was given a safe poison purging potion by Elina, along with a bizarre promise.
Thanks to her, I am now perfectly poison immune.
Kramsar has apparently decided to try to mess with me by forging some unknown Tahalin-specific poison, and I'm not having any of it.
The longest playing gamer in this game (probably)!
That would be Gamer Yoochan.
He doesn't know it, but I know all the poisons on the continent, and I have a million ways to overcome them in my head. I have nothing to worry about.
I step outside and look crossly at Christopher and Elena.
"I don't know if you guys can feel it, but this guy...."
Christopher immediately raised his eyebrows and reported back to me.
"Yep. Aria Adrian, the only sister of Prince Kushan Adrian, rumored to be extremely fair, and currently...."
"To the point."
"She's under the influence of illusion."
Yeah.
That's why I'm carrying a useful unit with me.
First of all, I have Kushan's sister.
In other words, I'm going to break Kramsar's Curse spell on Arya Adrian.
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