Chapter 946 Prophecized Savior of the Elven Kingdom
While the intense confrontation between Avos, Mila, and Izmir unfolded, inside the grand Elven Castle, a new character materialized. He was accompanied by a group of priests from the Elven Kingdom, and his attire closely resembled that of the holy servants dedicated to the church. But in reality, he was no priest, nor did he aspire to attain the status of the holiest man. He was simply an ordinary player who had followed a trail of quest markers, eventually leading him to this pivotal moment.
Unperturbed by his surroundings, he proceeded casually, adhering to the quest markers thoughtfully provided to him in his new role. This enigmatic figure was none other than Janus, who still bore his in-game name, Hagane. Ever since the life-changing last encounter he had with Manato, he had dedicated his existence to fulfilling the wishes of Nobuhiko, the man who had given his sister a chance at recovery from her debilitating illness.
As time passed and his sister's health improved, she learned of Janus's sacrifices. However, rather than expressing gratitude, she grew distant, harboring an inexplicable resentment toward him. Even his closest friends tried to dissuade him from his single-minded pursuit but driven by an unshakable sense of duty, Janus remained resolute, believing that as long as his sister lived, every sacrifice would be justified.
Janus currently works under the employment of Nobuhiko. As he diligently carried out his duties for his employer, he also had a personal mission in mind. He aimed to restore the strained bonds of friendship that had frayed following a regrettable incident involving his friends. However, time had passed, and none of his friends had logged back into the game. Even his attempts to visit the mansion proved futile, as they appeared to have vanished without a trace.
With no leads on the whereabouts of his missing friends, Janus found himself at a loss. Yet, he remained committed to fulfilling a prior agreement he had made with Nobuhiko.
"Sir, we've reached the location of the King and Queen. We've established a means for them to acknowledge our presence and grant us an audience," reported one of the priests accompanying him. Although an elven priest by nature, this particular individual had already determined that following Janus and fulfilling his destiny was the right course of action.
"Thank you for the update, Sven. Let's move forward and complete this quest so we can finally take some respite."
Sven bowed respectfully and led the way, opening the door to the grand throne room where the King and Queen held court. The sheer authority and gravitas of the royal couple were palpable, but Janus, now known as Hagane, remained poised and unruffled. This demeanor filled Sven with admiration as he watched Hagane stand confidently before the King and Queen. For Sven, confronting the monarchs head-on was a feat that demanded courage, and witnessing Hagane do so effortlessly left him awestruck.
"Welcome to the Elven Kingdom, esteemed envoy of the Goddess of Life. Your presence here, despite the great distance you've traversed, is a testament to the widespread acclaim of your valiant deeds, which have even reached our secluded realm within the Resurgia Continent. Your mastery of the shield as your chosen weapon has piqued our interest," the King greeted, a gleam of curiosity in his eyes as he observed Hagane and his legendary exploits.
Hagane bowed respectfully before kneeling in acknowledgment of the royal presence. "I am humbled by your recognition, your Majesty."
The Queen's curiosity brimmed over as she inquired, "What brings you to our modest kingdom, servant of the Goddess?"
Through numerous quests and experiences, Hagane developed a unique ability to cleverly manipulate the objectives presented to him by the system and twist tales involving it to get what he wanted. Even though most of it sounded like some random bullsh*t he got from somewhere, the NPCs seemed to believe it wholeheartedly. He'd learned to use these altered tasks to convince people that they were divine mandates from the Goddess herself. Recognizing the advantage of this skill, he had honed it to perfection, utilizing it to his benefit on multiple occasions. And now, he intended to employ it once more.
"Divine revelations from the Goddess herself have assigned me the task of aiding the Elven Kingdom in resolving any issues that may be currently plaguing it. While I'm unaware of the specific troubles the kingdom faces, I trust in the Goddess's guidance and am committed to carrying out her will. I implore both of you to grant me the opportunity to assist and address whatever challenges the kingdom may be encountering."
When the king heard his words, a spark of excitement ignited in his eyes. He rose from his throne, hands stretching high into the air, and a radiant, otherworldly light enveloped his face.
"PRAISE THE GODDESS FOR SENDING HER ENVOY TO AID OUR NOBLE CAUSE!"
Instantly, the entire assembly of elves placed their hands over their hearts, a chorus of devotion and praise echoing through the courtroom.
"PRAISE THE GODDESS!"
"PRAISE THE GODDESS!"
"PRAISE THE GODDESS!"
Even Hagane, who had always thought of Renatta, Alena, and Labo as level-headed and not particularly inclined towards the Goddess of Life, was taken aback. He glanced at Sven, who participated fervently, radiating a sense of pride.
'Perhaps I shouldn't have spoken those words,' Hagane pondered, second-guessing his decision.
The Queen rose gracefully from her throne, her applause ringing through the hall as her eyes fixed on Hagane, a mixture of admiration and respect in her gaze.
"In light of your noble decision to aid our cause," she declared, her voice carrying regal authority, "we have chosen to entrust you with a position of great importance within the Church of the Goddess. You shall become one of our esteemed leaders, and your primary duty will be to protect our kingdom from the encroaching savages. If the ancient prophecy holds true, you are destined to be the savior of the Elven Kingdom. Once these perilous events conclude, we shall shower you with riches befitting your valor and bestow upon you the coveted title of [The Savior]."
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The reception held in honor of Hagane's audience with the King and Queen had surpassed all expectations, leaving him pleasantly surprised. Even the elves, typically reserved and discerning in their admiration, couldn't help but be won over by his presence. With the royal declaration came a new set of responsibilities, as Hagane was thrust into a leadership role to address an impending problem. Now, he found himself enjoying privileges that rivalled the luxuries of aristocrats, including sumptuous meals and a lavish room in the palace for the duration of his stay, which would last until the issue was resolved. As he contemplated his situation, Hagane couldn't help but have second thoughts about invoking the Goddess of Life. He frequently found himself uttering her name, but this was just one of the peculiar stipulations set by Nobuhiko, forcing Hagane's reluctant acceptance.
Stepping out onto the veranda through the expansive window of his VIP room, everyone else? Where is Riko? Her parents have been searching for her tirelessly, but she's vanished. Even Pandora is gone, and when I question Suhei-san, he remains Hagane couldn't shake off his lingering sense of bewilderment. Until now, whenever he is alone, he remembers everything that Manato has done for him until the very end when he leaves the facility with a disappointed look on his face. Years had passed since the incident, yet the mysteries surrounding it continued to haunt him, leaving him in perpetual confusion.
"I still can't fathom why you made those choices, Manato. What happened to you and everyone else? Where is Riko? Her parents have been searching for her tirelessly, but she's vanished. Even Pandora is gone, and when I question Suhei-san, he remains silent, leaving me utterly bewildered and in need of answers."
Hagane could only heave a sigh. He initially started playing the game for fun and to make some extra cash, and it was a way to grow closer to Riko and strengthen his friendship with both Manato and Riko. Now, it had become a job—a job that had cost him dearly.
"Is this really the right path? I suppose it is. After all, my sister's life depends on it."
He began to bolster his resolve. Despite the relentless confusion that plagued his thoughts, he decided that all he'd sacrificed was not in vain, and it was all essential to ensure the safety of his loved one. Even if it meant blindly following orders, he was prepared to do so.
"It doesn't matter anymore. Now that I'm employed by Nobuhiko, I only need to follow his lead. That's all that counts now."
Hagane returned to his bed and shut his eyes. There was an early job awaiting him tomorrow.
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Nobuhiko's grin widened as he watched the surveillance feed of Janus. Things were proceeding better than he had anticipated, and he could see tangible growth in the results.
"It appears I've found an exceptional replacement to execute my plans and achieve my goals," Nobuhiko mused, a self-satisfied smile playing on his lips.
His android assistant, ever dutiful, nodded before presenting her report to him.
"Master, it appears Akisame Tojiro has officially retired and left Nexus Company."
Nobuhiko raised an eyebrow. "The old man has finally thrown in the towel? It seems he's given up hope, clinging to the belief that those he thought were the linchpin of his ambitions were still among us."
"So, what should we do with him? Dispose of him to eliminate any threat to our plans?"
Nobuhiko contemplated for a moment. "I believe that's an excellent suggestion. Now that our plan is progressing smoothly, he's become superfluous to my cause."
With a mischievous glint in his eye, Nobuhiko plucked a dart from his table. Without so much as a glance at the target, he expertly threw it, and the dart found its mark, landing dead center on the photograph where Tojiro's face was prominently displayed.
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