Chapter 176 A Chat With The Queen's Hand

Later on, Bastien called for me. I went to see him. He was right above the nesting area of the bandits. It was basically a mountain littered with holes in which the bandits rested and hoarded their treasure. Surrounding the mountain, there were some bandit groups set up with a few kids playing here and there. Several Lava Sharks swam through this area, making the water steaming hot. The Lava sharks were being treated as dogs here though, which felt sort of demoralising when I thought about it.

Bastien had crossed his arms while peering off into the unknown.

‘No blind jokes. Starting now.’

I reminded myself to make no jokes about Bastien’s incapability to see things.

‘What you looking at?’

Gah! First thing I said. I expected some sort of growl or snarl in response, however Bastien just kept facing in that direction. I stood there in silence for a bit, then he pointed in front of both of us. That was towards the east.

‘Um… is there something I’m not seeing?’

I asked him and after a weird minute of silence, he finally spoke.

“Towards the east, you’ll find the Bloody Seas. A vicious feeding ground for the most blood-thirsty sorts of creatures you could find here. It’s an impossibility for any to go in there and come back out intact. Krakens, Garguantuas, Thousand Eyes, Titranixes and Goats. Such fearful creatures that most are considered myths, you will find them in abundance in that place. Imagine being a kid growing up on silly night-time stories about beings capable of destroying your entire life and finding out that those were real when you grew up. The Bloody Seas are just that. A living nightmare.”

He suddenly started rambling on about something. His tone was light, making it close to impossible to take him seriously. Then again, that was in the direction where I had to fight that baby kraken, so I sort of got what he was talking about.

“That’s where I found Daxia.”

That was surprising information.

“A little snotty brat with a bad attitude. She was quite literally a handful when I first found her. However, there was one undeniable fact about her. She was strong. Seeing the way she took down a garguantua set fear in me. A ten-year-old was doing something I had to train for 15 years of my life to do. It didn’t feel right.”

I was starting to get confused.

“After that point, I decided to take her in. Get her away from the battlefield and into something more… lax. I decided to make her a queen. She radiated this sort of magnificent aura that automatically drew people in towards her. It was fantastic. As if she was born to rally up people and lead.”

I really didn’t get this sort of transition. Why was he telling me this right now? It had nothing to do with me or the current stakes.

“And now look at her. A selfish brat who doesn’t care about anything but her entertainment. After using up 20 years of my life to train her, she still ended up the same way as I found her.”

‘Um… what’s happening now?’

I asked him the question, completely uninterested in where this was going.

“I guess what I’m saying must be confusing then.”

A malicious smirk formed on his face. Honestly, I couldn’t really tell if he was smirking or not. I was relying on pure instinct and imagining it, so to make it seem scarier, I would go with smirking.

“All I’m saying is. You remind me of her.”

‘Eh? How? We’ve only just met. Barely an hour spent together and I suddenly remind you of Daxia from twenty years ago? Old man, have you grown senile?’

I asked, completely perplexed by the sort of conclusion he had reached. Who suddenly told someone they just met such nonsense? At least think about how the other person would feel. Am I supposed to say “Thanks” back? Also, a very, very weird scenario he just came up with.

Me? Daxia? Never! I could never see myself like her.

“Fahahaha! It’s true. It’s true. You act just like she did when I first found her. You have the same kind of spirit. This never-ending drive to get stronger no matter what.”

‘Eh? Never ending drive to get stronger? Is that the sort of vibe I give off? It’s not like I’m always thinking about though… wait. Don’t tell me e-.‘

“I heard your conversation with Daxia earlier. You really are just like her.”

‘Eh? H-How’d you hear that long conversation? We were literally miles away from here.’

This guy’s ability to eavesdrop was starting to freak me out.

“Don’t worry about it. But I have advice for you going forward.”

I looked forward, expecting some sort of long boring talk.

“If you don’t take everything seriously, you will die and everything you’re fighting for. Everyone you’re trying to protect. That one person you’re trying to save. They will die. Don’t rush headfirst into this war just for a glimmer of hope. Focus on your people. Help them grow and ensure they are safe. Don’t continue down Daxia’s broken path.”

He solemnly warned me about my rash decision to participate in this. I looked at him and there was a sort of regretful vibe he gave off. It would seem this old man had made some mistakes which he didn’t want me to make again.

Thinking about it in retrospect, maybe instead of storming off to find Minerva I should have asked about everyone else. Then again, Minerva was in a dire situation herself. Did I make the right choice choosing Minerva over the others or should I have concerned myself with them first?

‘Gaah! I can’t do this. I’m going to sleep over this.’

Having had enough with thinking of the issue Bastien had presented me with. I decided that sleeping would be for the best in this situation.

Ok, it wasn’t the best considering the type of topic I had to think about, but it was a simple preparation for the coming days. I had a weird feeling that I would not be getting much sleep.

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[The Sacred [Legend of Pandemonium] has reacted to the [Wires of Fate] at play]

[The Exclusive Skill [Legend of Pandemonium] has unlocked a new section]

Chapter 1 - #@$^&!

Act 1 – Battle For Atlantis

--- Torn up by the loss of her dear friend, Hyakkiyago sought hope from the mythical underwater kingdom of Magic, Atlantis. In her attempts to receive help, Hyakkiyago has received a royal wish from the Royal family, however, there are rising tensions between the Atlantis Kingdom and the Exsuole Empire. Hyakkiyago has decided to take up arms in the current turmoil concerning the Magic Kingdom, Atlantis. She has rallied the forces of the SharkFang Kingdom to help in her fight against the Exsuole Nation. With the aid of the Sacred Bearer [Champion of The Depths], Hyakkiyago mobilises. ---

*Rewards for creating this scenario will be delivered at the end of this Chapter*

*Special rewards will be delivered for finishing hidden events in this Chapter*

*Additional rewards will be delivered for beating enemy Sacred Bearers in this Chapter*

[Some higher beings are intrigued by this spectacle]

[Some higher beings will be watching your progression closely]

[The Sacred Event: [Battle For Atlantis] has begun]

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Huh? What’s happening? A-Am I dreaming up weird stuff? Whatever.

DAILY ACHIEVEMENTS

[Due to the unique skill [Evolver], Tori acquired the unique skill [Energy Transcriber]]

[The skill [Dark Arts] became [Dark Arts Level 4]]

[Tori acquired the skill [Blood Magic]]

[Tori acquired the skill [Curse Magic]]

[The magic [Basic Water Magic] became [Basic Water Magic Level 4]]

[Tori acquired the magic skill [Whirlpool]]

[Tori acquired the magic skill [Water Blades]]

[Tori acquired the magic skill [Water spears]]

[Tori acquired the magic skill [Bubble Knox]

FUSION RESULTS

[Camouflage] + [Super Stealth] = [Immersion]

[Diamond Scales] + [Basilisk Hard Scales] + [Anguix Bug Armour] = [Sinuous King Adamas Armour]

[Hyper Burst] + [Omni-Directional Movement] + [Super Speed Engine] = [Vector Control]

[Ink Creation] + [Acid Spit] = [Acidic Ink Creation]

SYNTHESIS RESULTS

[Matter Ingestion] + [Void Stomach] + [Umbrella Mouth] + [Soul Consumption] = [World Eater] (High Advanced Skill)

[Soul Orb] + [Blood Bank] = Still synthesizing

FAMILIA

[Several members of your familia are greatly displeased with your General. Please select a more apt leader.]