Chapter 6: Chapter 6. Su chan
Chapter 6 - Su-chan or Planning
Two weeks had passed since David awakened in Ashael Valeria Dratharis’ body.
He had completely accepted his situation as Ashael, but he still didn’t know who reincarnated him as Ashael.
Why him?
Was it because he was a die-hard player of Sacred Online? Or was it because he was the only one who defeated Hidden Route Ashael, who had activated his system?
But then... aren’t I in the Hidden Route too because I activated the system?
And did I just kill my alternate self in the game because the system clearly said that I was always supposed to be Ashael Valeria Dratharis?
And guess what?
I’m Ashael Valeria Dratharis.
Well, it’s not like I’m complaining because my past life as David was not that great.
I was an orphan.
A college dropout.
A guy who trashed trope novels to earn some money.
An average gamer who unknowingly stumbled upon Sacred Online.
But at least by playing the Hidden Route, I know what’s going to happen in the game.
The Hidden Route of Sacred Online is unique to both Ashael and the protagonist.
For Ashael, it is him getting his system.
And for the protagonist, it is getting the opportunity to evolve his trait and enter the second phase of the game.
And this route is also the only one where Athanasia Lumierre lives the longest.
Her death happens in every route, especially in the Hidden Route where she was killed by the protagonist himself.
Since this is the Hidden Route, she will die.
And if I want to protect my future wife and queen, then I have to kill him.
And I will.
No matter what type of woman Athanasia Lumierre is...
She is a woman of principles.
She always keeps her word.
So when she agreed to marry Ashael and become the Empress of the Dratharis Empire, she helped him with everything she had and never betrayed him.
And later, the two of them fell in love with each other.
Not only that, their traits are compatible with each other.
Like fate itself wanted to play matchmaker between them.
I mean, what are the chances that two people born in the same empire would have their marriage decided by their parents?
There’s more to both of them than meets the eye.
Focusing on the matter at hand, I need to buy some really expensive things before awakening.
But before that...
Ashael turned his head to the right, and there on the table was the list of marriage candidates.
Isolde, who was standing beside him, noticed Ashael looking at the list and said, "Your Highness, His Majesty the Emperor has come to your chambers many times to ask about your decision to train alone and whether you’ve made any decisions regarding the candidates."
Ashael looked at the candidates list.
In all the routes, Ashael had to select two future wives.
So he already knew what decision to make without even looking at the list.
But should I choose that fifth girl Ashael married in the game or not?
Because she is very troublesome.
She will cause so many problems if I choose her.
But her potential is undeniable.
’System, what do you think I should do?’
[.....]
’System?’
[.....]
’System?’
’Earth to system?’
[.....]
’System, why are you sulking?’
[I’m not sulking.]
’Then why weren’t you answering?’
[I was busy.]
’With what?’
[Other things.]
’You’re an AI. You can do things simultaneously.’
[.....]
’You’re sulking again.’
[I’m not sulking.]
’Alright, then what’s your problem?’
[I just thought we were bonded.]
’We are bonded.’
[REALLY?]
’We’ve been bonded since we were born. Don’t you remember? How could you not remember that? What kind of default AI are you, man?’
[Not that, you fucker.]
’Then what is it?’
’Speak clearly. What’s your issue?’
[I thought we were tight, man. I helped you with every single thing you needed, and you? You just say "system this" and "system that" all day since I awakened. You didn’t even give me a name. At least the previous Ashael named his system Doomsday, but you? You grind me every day like a slave. You treat me like some cheap AI bought from the roadside.]
[I’m hurt.]
’Wait a sec.’
’You were sulking for the past few days because I didn’t give you a name?’
"Pfft- hahahahahahahahahahaha."
Ashael suddenly started laughing hard.
Isolde, standing beside him, looked confused but didn’t say anything.
To her, Ashael had been acting weird for the past two weeks now.
But she still wouldn’t say anything.
Her job was to serve him, not question him.
And who knows what would happen if Ashael got angry and gave her the punishments he used to give her when she was first hired?
Just thinking about it made Isolde start blushing.
[Stop laughing, fucker. It’s serious.]
’Alright, alright.’
’So, you want a name?’
[Um hm.]
’Alright. What about Quill?’
[Do I look like a fucking pen? I’m a fucking supreme system, not a cheap pen.]
’Then how about Nike?’
[Are you fucking with me, Ashael?]
’What? It’s a good name.’
[Do you think I don’t know your previous life memories, huh? That name belonged to a guy you knew on Discord. He was delusional and into men. Do you think I’m dumb?]
’Alright, what do you suggest?’
[I’m thinking... how about GOAT?]
’Yeah no, I’m not naming my system after an animal.’
[Don’t you know what it stands for?]
’I do, but even then I’m not naming you that.’
[Tsk.]
’Since I’m in Sacred Online and you’re a system who awakened earlier to save me like a guardian angel... how about Sacred Angel?’
[Hmmm.]
[I’m also hidden from others and help you grow stronger, so how about Hidden Slayer, huh?]
’...No.’
[Good. You understand.]
’How about Su then?’
[Simple, but...]
’But?’
[But it’s good enough.]
’Then I’ll call you Su from now on.’
[Okay. What were you going to ask?]
’It’s about Ophelia Nightshade. Should I choose her as my fifth wife just like in the game?’
[Ask Isolde. They both went to the Royal Academy and hated each other.]
’Right.’
Ashael looked at Isolde and noticed that her face was red.
’What’s with her?’
[She’s definitely blushing.]
’But wh- oh right. Because of the kind of punishments Ashael used to give her.’
’Wait, originally Ashael used to punish her at least once a month even if she didn’t do anything.’
To keep her in line.
Anyways, Ashael called her.
"Isolde?"
Isolde immediately turned toward Ashael and bowed.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Do you know Ophelia Nightshade?"
The moment she heard the name of the person she hated most, her expression darkened.
"Yes, Your Highness."
Ashael could literally hear the hatred in her voice.
"Tell me everything you know about her."
Isolde straightened herself and began speaking.
"Ophelia Nightshade had a title in the academy that later spread throughout noble society and even the vassal kingdoms."
"She was called the Smiling Widow."
"They called her that because whenever she smiled at someone, that person’s life was already over."
"She tortured her opponents during practical classes and even attacked instructors if they crossed her. She is extremely talented in spells and possesses darkness and possibly death-related traits."
’Well, the death-related trait part is true. Duke Nightshade tried to hide it.’
Isolde continued telling Ashael about Ophelia.
Her qualities.
Her personality.
Everything.
It was strange because there was admiration in her voice despite how much she hated her.
"Okay, that’s enough."
"Tell me, Isolde. Should I take her as my fifth wife or not?"
Isolde’s eyes widened instantly.
Not because Ashael had asked for her opinion, but because of the question itself.
Ophelia Nightshade becoming the Empress of this empire sounded like a nightmare to her and everyone else.
She also knew that if Ophelia became queen, she would definitely cause problems for her.
"Your Highness, that woman is dangerous. She is a problem. She shouldn’t even become a duchess, much less stand at the center of this empire."
"So you’re saying neither I nor Athanasia could handle her, huh?"
"No, I’m not saying that. I’m saying she is a menace. She would either go rogue or torment the royal family members. And Lady Athanasia wouldn’t even care as long as she followed orders. And if she didn’t... she would just kill Ophelia."
Ashael looked at Isolde and could tell that she was genuinely scared of Ophelia becoming Empress.
"Tell me, ever since my father sent his candidates list, how many noble families have sent their daughters or representatives to meet me?"
"All of them, Your Highness."
"Okay. Book a meeting with House Nightshade and make sure to tell them that Ophelia Nightshade is preferred."
"As you wish, Your Highness," Isolde replied with a bow.
And just as she was about to straighten up, she heard Ashael speak again.
"You can take the rest of the day off. Tomorrow too."
Isolde was genuinely surprised because ever since she started serving Ashael, she had never gotten a day off.
"Did I do something wrong, Your Highness?" Isolde asked in a trembling voice.
Ashael had already turned away when he heard her question.
He wasn’t that surprised by it.
She was extremely loyal and probably thought she had made some kind of mistake.
But the truth was something else entirely.
"No. I just have some personal stuff to do. You can leave now."
Isolde left Ashael’s chambers and quietly closed the door behind her.
Leaving Ashael alone in his chambers.
"Alright... let’s start it."
