The Black Witch Rowena. Aslan was able to reminisce about the past through their reunion with her.
Aslan’s life, when reflected upon, was nothing but pain.
Unlike when he was Lee Hyun-woo, the 12 years Aslan had lived were a dense period of hardship.
Aslan had to fight incessantly. He fought priests, battled monsters, and had to kill people.
There were times when he committed killings he didn’t want to do, and situations where better solutions existed but due to his lack of ability, he had to handle them with brute force.
Those 12 years spent by Aslan were undoubtedly filled with clear suffering and despair.
To the extent that he didn’t need to consciously remind himself how different this world was from where Geladridion used to live.
To the extent that one could realize how dirty this world dominated by the Evil Deity was without having to search it out.
Rowena’s reunion made Aslan recall all this.
Simultaneously, it reaffirmed his belief that he alone could change this world.
It also made him realize that even if someone were to inherit his will, they wouldn’t be able to accomplish it.
In order to change the world, Aslan had to kill the Evil Deity.
And the Dark Ram Herd had brought Aslan here as well; though they too, like the Evil Deity, needed to be killed.
“I will no longer hesitate.”
Aslan deliberately reminded himself that even if it meant killing Rowena, he must not stop his blade. He reflected on its meaning, refreshing his sense of responsibility and duty.
No matter how much Aslan loved Rowena or wanted to make her an exception, it couldn’t be done. Aslan had to kill Rowena.
“I will no longer confuse my tasks.”
Of course, just because Aslan decided not to hesitate doesn’t mean everything would be solved effortlessly.
All it did was show the path he needed to take to complete his goals and perform his duties.
Aslan organized in his mind what he needed for his goal.
Broadly speaking, there were three main requirements.
One: Gather all the Veterans and prepare all humans to fight against the Evil Deity.
Two: Progress the Main Quest.
Three: Collect Purity arranged by the Ancient Deity.
Moreover, Aslan thought the second and third points didn’t need to be prioritized highly.
In fact, it might be better to delay them as much as possible.
The direction of the mid-game Main Quest revolved around gathering the power of the Ancient Deity.
For that, he had to find places across the continent where the Ancient Deity rested or temples associated with them, and during this process, he could collect both the Main Quest progress and Purity simultaneously.
Therefore, the second and third points could be set aside for now. The issue was the first objective.
Gathering all the Veterans and preparing all humans to fight against the Evil Deity.
This would be difficult to achieve unless consciously guided and acted upon.
Not only preparation for fighting the Evil Deity but also forming alliances encompassing the entire world required his active involvement.
Fortunately, Aslan knew of a suitable Veteran to recruit as an ally who wasn’t far away.
Since they had been staying nearby for a long time, they were easy to find, and their performance was top-notch, even within the game context.
However, there was an issue with nurturing, which is why Aslan had delayed recruiting them until now.
The Master of Combat.
Aslan snapped out of his thoughts at the touch on his shoulder and felt countless gazes directed at him.
“Is your wound okay? It’s bleeding…”
The one who tapped Aslan on the shoulder was Angie.
Angie was still wearing the daring dress she hadn’t had time to change out of, with added side slits.
With her hand on Aslan’s shoulder and a worried expression, Angie sent a glance that Aslan read from her golden eyes, then awkwardly shook his head.
“…Ah, it’s fine. I’m using Wild Magic to stop the bleeding.”
“Really? It doesn’t seem like it’s stopping.”
“It’s part of the clotting process, so you don’t need to worry too much.”
That emotion wasn’t Angie’s alone. When Aslan glanced up, Ereta and Lumel were looking at him similarly.
Lumel fidgeted anxiously with medicine in hand while Ereta watched. Aslan shook his head again, insisting he was fine.
“If it comes to it, we can use Equalization. Don’t worry too much. There are many Restoration School spells.”
As Aslan said this and glanced at the Emperor, the latter looked blankly at Aslan’s ankle before shrugging and responding.
“Ahh, yes. My treasure vault likely has a few scrolls from the Restoration School. With proper catalysts and a skilled enough magician, we could even revive the dead.”
“You heard that? You can relax.”
Only now did Angie seem to ease her hand off Aslan’s shoulder, but it seemed Frida, leaning against the wall with an unpleasant expression, didn’t agree.
She stroked the head of an unidentifiable creature lying at her feet, whether a bear or a wolf, and said,
“You don’t value your own body, do you? Foolish one. Try living a little more carefully.”
Whether it was a sisterly comment or one from an ally was unclear. Aslan responded with a wry smile, prompting Frida to tut and shake her head.
Of course, that sentiment wasn’t hers alone. Those unfamiliar with Aslan’s combat style generally wore similar expressions.
But these individuals weren’t gathered to worry about Aslan’s wounds.
After returning from the battle with Rowena, Aslan sought out those scattered throughout the banquet hall for the originally intended purpose of negotiation.
Though officially it was about adjusting damages caused by magic and determining responsibilities, everyone knew otherwise.
Avoiding potential attention from the Evil Deity and priests, the leaders of the alliance gathered and looked towards Aslan. Aslan smiled faintly under their gaze.
“Let’s set aside concerns about my wounds for now. Let’s talk about the task at hand.”
“The task?”
An elder with white scales asked, and Aslan nodded in response.
“How we will proceed and prepare… That’s what I’m going to explain. First, let me state my current objective.”
In the narrow, dim room lit faintly by a few neatly placed lamps, Aslan spoke from his slanted seat.
“My current objective is to find the Master of Combat. To find and recruit them as my ally.”
Upon hearing this, the Duke of Helsing understood and nodded slightly. Aslan glanced at the duke and nodded back.
“Hey kid, do you know where the Master of Combat is? If it’s about the Master of Combat…”
“I do. I know where they are and why they’re there.”
Tiamat looked perplexed.
“If you know, why didn’t you recruit them earlier? This old man was wandering, and that big-breasted girl was only found recently. If you’d recruited the Master of Combat first…”
Everyone turned their heads following Tiamat’s gesture, and Lumel quickly covered her chest with her arms, blushing.
No one had been staring at her chest, and her attempt to cover it was barely effective, but Aslan simply replied,
“It was a matter of priority.”
“So what’s changed now that you’re going to fetch them? Phey doesn’t quite get it.”
Phey spoke up next. Apparently curious about Aslan’s “reason,” Phey swung their legs. Their bare feet, now free of shoes, were clean.
“The situation has changed. Before explaining, there’s something I need to tell you first. Specifically, about what happened today.”
Interrupting Phey’s question, Aslan raised a hand to stop them and smiled bitterly, mixing a hint of gloom into his expression.
“Everything that happened today was done by my wife, Rowena.”
Rowena. Angie, who had already heard, flinched, and Tiamat blew out a puff of air, flicking her tail lightly.
“Isn’t that the person you mentioned in the afterlife? Does this person have any relation to the current situation?”
“Just meet them next time and eliminate them, right?” When Ereta casually raised her hand and asked, Aslan forced a smile.
“It won’t be that easy, which is why I’m saying it. Rowena… used to be a high priestess of the Abyss but became a priestess of the Dark Ram Herd. She uses the powers of both the Abyss and the Dark Ram Herd and, regarding Illusion Magic, she may be the strongest in history. Today’s events were caused by the magic Rowena used.”
As Aslan explained, the faces of Ereta and others grew somber. They had some understanding of the Dark Ram Herd.
“This incident caused by Rowena isn’t even at the level of interference. By Rowena’s standards, it was probably close to a joke.”
Ereta, incomprehensible in her thinking compared to when she was the Saintess of Slaughter. That was Rowena. Aslan understood what kind of actions and thoughts Rowena could have and expressed them as they were.
“To Rowena, today’s events were merely a joke where a few people died. And the next thing she does won’t be a joke.”
A historically unparalleled Illusionist coming to cause trouble seriously.
The realization of what that implied darkened the expressions of those present almost instantly.
Seeing the appropriate level of caution seep in, Aslan continued.
“And it won’t just be Rowena causing trouble. Starting with Rowena, other powerful beings will actively interfere. Our opponents will become increasingly stronger. We must prepare for all this while advancing toward our goal.”
“…Does this have anything to do with the Master of Combat?”
When Lumel, still covering her ample chest, asked, Aslan nodded.
“It’s the minimum requirement to face and defeat the priests. Techniques exist for the weak to overcome the strong, and that’s what I need—powerful techniques honed to the extreme. The Master of Combat is someone who meets that criterion, like Lumel.”
Lumel, embarrassed by the mention of “extreme refinement,” twisted her braided hair with her fingers, and Aslan added,
“Of course, that alone won’t be enough. From now on, we’ll need to move more earnestly. I’ll gather all the Veterans, recruit others as powerful as the Veterans, and create a massive alliance spanning the continent.”
A massive alliance. The Emperor looked bewildered as he surveyed the room, and the leaders of various factions receiving his gaze wore similar expressions.
It felt somewhat like the ambition to unify the world.
But that wasn’t all.
“And I’ll unearth and collect powerful artifacts scattered across the entire world. Whether created by gods, ancient deities, or wizards—it doesn’t matter. Anything useful for winning this fight. I’ll drastically enhance the power of my traveling party through those artifacts.”
Until now, Aslan’s own strength and the basic abilities of his companions had been sufficient, but that wouldn’t be the case moving forward.
It was time to consider every available means.
One of those means was allies.
The highest player level in Eternal Dominion is 20.
Allies can only grow up to half of that, 10.
Moreover, they don’t grow alongside the player; they only grow when the player levels up twice.
Additionally, unlike players, allies don’t receive special bonuses.
At first glance, it might not seem very advantageous, but allies typically start with higher base stats.
Many also possess unique skills. Properly nurturing an ally with such unique skills can significantly lower the game’s difficulty.
Like how Tiamat possesses insanely high archery skills, and Phey excels in stealth abilities.
In the game, you can have up to four such allies.
However, there’s an element that Aslan couldn’t easily discern.
That element was Angie.
The fact that Angie was treated as a player rather than an ally by the system.
From this, Aslan hypothesized.
Perhaps combining Aslan’s and Angie’s ally limits, they could potentially have up to eight allies.
While this was purely speculative, if true, their journey would become considerably easier.
For this reason, Aslan stared pensively at Angie.
When Angie shrank under that gaze and muttered, “Why…”, Aslan spoke.
“Angie, do you feel any kind of power flowing within you?”
“Power?”
“Yeah, power. Not physical strength. Something… a force that’s hard to grasp.”
Angie’s expression turned puzzled, then tilted her head as she answered.
“Eh, um… Why?”
“Could you possibly draw it out? Like sharing it with others?”
“I don’t think I can… I don’t even fully understand what you’re talking about…”
Her completely clueless demeanor. Aslan attributed this to her Spirit stat being 1.
She had never experienced mana, nor had she had the chance to perceive other forces through luck.
Unlike Aslan, who was already familiar with such things, the girl had no experience handling such powers.
Seeing Angie’s downcast expression, Aslan reached out and gently brushed her cheek.
“It’s alright. Even if it’s tough right now, you’ll be able to do it eventually if you take it slowly.”
If she manages someday, that’s all that matters. Even if not, obtaining items that boost stats could indirectly help her perceive it, so there was no need to rush.
As Aslan reassured Angie with his touch, she accepted it with a slight smile. At that moment, Frida, who had been leaning against the wall watching Aslan silently, finally spoke.
“Well, then, what should Barmanz do?”
Though unexpected, Aslan immediately responded.
“Ma’am, please continue as usual… train soldiers and prepare to liaise with the Calus Empire to establish contact with the Northern Empire.”
“Hmph, the Northern Empire. I doubt they’ll welcome us, but I’ll give it a try. What about this bratty emperor over here?”
“The emperor… me…?”
Frida smirked and gestured toward the emperor with her chin, leaving Queen Ilyena visibly taken aback by the gesture. Aslan glanced between the two before speaking.
“Your Majesty, please also work on establishing contact with minor factions in the northern continent. Using the name of the Calus Empire will make it easier to secure their cooperation.”
As the emperor, still baffled and unable to respond, Aslan turned his head to look at the elder of Belus Alphen.
“Elder, please devise strategies that can be employed by the entire allied army. Strategies specifically against priests and the Evil Deity.”
“It will be challenging, but I’ll give it a try.”
Finally, the only one left was the Duke of Helsing. As Aslan turned to look at the Duke of Helsing, the latter slightly shook his head.
“Hillcing hasn’t exactly agreed to join the alliance yet…”
“I wouldn’t have come here if I had no intention. If there’s anything you need me to do, assign it. Even if you don’t, I’ll do it anyway.”
At the casual refusal, the Duke of Helsing looked troubled and asked,
“Are you really that willing? What if I demand something terrible?”
In response to the troubled expression, Aslan gave a self-deprecating smirk.
“I don’t have the luxury to care about that. Ask whatever you wish.”
At the firm statement, the Duke of Helsing responded with a look of evident discomfort.
“In truth, I don’t plan to ask for anything difficult or dirty. I just said that out of concern. What I actually require is…”
Suddenly glancing around, the Duke noticed everyone observing him with either disinterested or intrigued expressions.
Just as Aslan was about to ask if he preferred a private conversation, the Duke sighed and revealed his softer side.
“Bring my son back to me.”
Son. A family matter where anyone could feel vulnerable. Watching the Duke’s somber expression, Frida smirked.
“Do you really lack talent to the point of asking a busy fighter worth a fortune to bring back your son? Why not send your subordinates?”
The tone was heavy with disdain, but the Duke chuckled.
“That wouldn’t work. In fact, I’ve tried sending them, but they all failed.”
Sighing again, the Duke gestured, and one of his guards standing behind him stepped forward.
The guard’s arm was clearly broken and bent unnaturally. Tiamat noticed this and hummed thoughtfully.
“Did you threaten his life and break his arm or something?”
“Unfortunately, no. My son Richard has a knack for brawling, thanks to good tutelage. Since then, no one has been able to bring him back.”
Teacher, talent for combat.
As Aslan narrowed his eyes, sensing some sort of premonition, the Duke nodded at him.
“He became a disciple of I’taar. Because of that, every envoy I sent back came with broken limbs. That’s why I’m asking you.”
Receiving the Duke’s gaze, Aslan widened his eyes in surprise.
It wasn’t because of Richard’s skill, but because of the name I’taar.
The next recruitment target Aslan had planned was none other than I’taar, the Master of Combat.
I’taar, like Anton, the current Master of Magic, was a character created by a high-tier sponsor of the game.
Thus, I’taar had a unique concept and abilities, and due to those abilities, he was known within the game world as:
The Weakest Master.
Yet, Aslan knew.
Despite the moniker, I’taar was one of the strongest tanks in the game.
Only then did Aslan understand why the Duke’s envoys couldn’t subdue Richard.
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