Mistress Of The Evil Forest

Case 110: South Zircon Conquest – Preparation.

''It should take around a week for all of them. You can come to me to check whenever as well.''

Damien says that my new equipment should be ready in a week.

I should utilize that time and make thorough preparations for my upcoming conquest.

''Are you really going to... no, I understand.''

The blonde beauty sitting across from me sighs, her face grim. I know we had a brutal battle just yesterday, and it isn't as though my force is totally unscathed, but I need to push my strength further.

I need a breakthrough.

''Rather, how about your side?'' I ask.

''Right... it's chaos. Now that the emperor has made a deal with you regarding the heir selection... I don't think I can interfere much. In the end, it will depend on their real capabilities and the emperor's judgment.''

''I can probably have a say in it as well. The old man seems to like me.''

''...I would rather you not have to do that as well. It makes me feel unnecessarily useless.''

''It's fine. We're friends.''

''I don't think friends kiss each other like we do.''

''Do you want to stop, then?''

''No. Rather, let me put my tongue in already.''

''...''

Her eyes are uncannily serious.

Why are there so many perverts surrounding me... well, at least Nydia is not one.

...Right?

''In any case, the original storyline for this arc is practically unusable.'' Chloe sighs once more. ''Let's do our utmost and just hope for the best.''

''I suppose.''

January 16th, 1835.

On a breezy balcony.

I silently stare into the distance, observing the people's effort to restore the city. It has been a few days since the incident. Yet, imperial soldiers are still working days and nights to help the citizens rebuild their shelters and comb through the alleyways for potentially surviving cultists.

Even though I was quite determined a few days ago about the 'preparations,' in reality, there isn't much to do. There isn't much I can do, to be exact.

Firstly, about the final boss of South Zircon.

Among the documented Zircon's monarchs, it is the least known entity. Even after digging through the whole library of the academy and even a part of the imperial library, its nature and ability are quite vague.

The only thing we know about it is that it possesses a swordsmanship of transcendence caliber, which means that its sword will be able to alter causality itself. Obviously, at this stage, it has already surpassed the system's limits.

Against such an entity, there isn't any other way besides carefully advancing. I have a solution to defeat it, though, if nothing goes wrong.

Aside from the boss itself, there are also small enemies scattered between the bamboo forest as well.

In simple terms, they are ghosts. Vengeful spirits of the deceased gather in a ghastly forest, attacking the living whenever they have the chance. It's quite a standard concept for a horror movie, which I'm fine with.

Now, take Ariel as an example. She is essentially a ghost, and her main method of dealing damage is inducing harmful mental phenomena... that is, before she transforms, at least. So, the other ghosts in South Zircon should also be like that.

I should be fine since I have '[Status Condition Nullification]' that I can borrow from Nova, but Ariel and Skely don't, so it is quite uncertain. My horror team should be fine since they are, well, horror creatures.

In short, I am only waiting for my equipment to be done.

During this seemingly free time, I've been experimenting with the system's version of swordsmanship. With the power of the system, entities with the skill will be bestowed upon the instinctual power to wield a sword. 

However, what kind of style does it follow?

According to researchers, the system's sword emulates a strong, practical, and easy-to-apply tone, which means it has a strong foundation. While having a solid foundation is essential for a sword wielder, one cannot expect to stand above all without exploring outside of the basics.

The more I know about the skill's nature, the more I think it resembles a blank canvas. With such a solid base, adopting a suitable style shouldn't be too difficult.

For example, Claudia, who I played a small prank on the other day, has an aggressive style, while Luminous House's sword is more sophisticated.

That elegance all shatters with Chloe herself, though. She likes to wield a claymore.

In any case, it appears that I've been fighting with basic swordsmanship, and I hope I can learn something from this trip.

As I stand blankly like that, a sudden warmth envelopes my right side.

''Aurora.''

''Hm?''

Accompanied by a soft voice, I feel another layer of feathers wrapping around my waist. Nydia casually grabs my arm and pulls herself closer to my body, grinning.

''Didn't you get scolded by our lady?'' I ask.

''I did. She was quite jealous because I stole your first kiss.''

Technically, though, my first kiss was with Chloe. I'm not talking about the alcohol kiss on Valentine's Day. 

The night of Valstein's descent, Chloe visited me in the Backrooms and kissed my real body, and that was the first one my main body had ever done.

Though, I can't explain that to Nydia.

Still, we enjoy our quiet time on the balcony... until a certain blonde lady aggressively pulls us inside.

January 20th, 1835.

Finally, the time has come.

Knocking on the door of Damien's room, I take a step back under Graham's watchful eyes. Soon after, the door opens, revealing a disheveled middle-aged man with traces of coal and dust scattered across his body.

''You've come... yawn~!'' Damien shudders. ''Come inside. They're ready.''

Although his room appears to be messier than before, his table is still neat, with only a few items on it.

''The scale turned black after processing, so it's not my fault.''

Does he think that I will accuse him of something because his title is 'Obsidian Blacksmith'? 

Either way, the equipment really turned black. 

The swords are identical to the Blackstar in terms of length, weight, and overall feel, while the armor set is exceptionally comfortable to wear—a breastplate, shoulder guards, wrist guards, knee guards, and a helmet.

[Inspect].

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Twin Sword of Dark Dawn

A masterpiece created by the Obsidian Blacksmith,
Damien. Slightly boosts the user's mana output.

When equipped: +0.1 STR.

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They are identical. So that's why they are called twin swords.

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[Set]

Armor of Dark Dawn

A masterpiece(s) created by the Obsidian Blacksmith,
Damien. Slightly boosts the user's mana output.

When equipped: +0.1 AGI.

The user can hide the item(s)'s appearance.

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So, the system got lazy with the descriptions of these. That's alright, though.

I'm quite satisfied with them functionally and aesthetically. The swords feel both light and solid to swing, and I don't even notice the weight of the armor.

Unlike the Blackstar's murky black, these are pure black, akin to that of a black hole, so I'm glad I can make the armor invisible, at least.

I'm satisfied.

''Woah, miss, where'd you get such a unique mask?''

''Hm?''

''I can't even perceive your appearance even without your robe. Wait, how come I'm able to see the size of your chest, then?''

''...''

...How would I know that?