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For Renji and his companions, the only option was for Nova, a “Calamity Rank” being, to sacrifice her power to complete the ceremony. This could lead to the true rise of the demi-human races and restore the fragmented Dragon Nation, but at the cost of potentially draining Nova’s vitality.
Even serious enough to
lose some levels.
These were the things Renji thought of, and Nova understood too, as they had absorbed Bal’s soul fragments together.
So,
the choice was now before Nova.
Renji did not speak, did not interfere, and left the choice entirely to Nova.
And Nova admitted that she indeed hesitated for a moment, even… recoiled.
It’s hard to imagine the word “recoil” appearing in Nova’s dictionary. As a Vanguard at her peak, she had always adhered to the warrior’s code, never fearing any powerful enemy, nor losing spirit in the most desperate of predicaments.
Otherwise, when she was thrown by her master into a den full of monsters, she would have given up long ago, but she did not flee.
However, now…
Nova clenched her fists tighter.
What made her recoil was not the reluctance to give up these powers, but the fact that losing them meant losing the qualification to stay by her master’s side.
Unable to fight for her master anymore.
Becoming “useless” and abandoned by him.
That was the reason for Nova’s current hesitation.
If she were still the same Empress from the Dragon Palace, Nova believed she would have unhesitatingly chosen to ignore Bal’s soul fragments, as nothing was more important to her at that time than continuing to stay by her master’s side.
The so-called Dragon Nation, the so-called Empress, were nothing but tools she have made for her master.
So what Suthia said to her about “selfish and dislike” was actually quite accurate.
‘I…’
‘Am a very selfish person…’
However, it was precisely because her master took her with him in disguise to the Southern Lands, showing her the true nature of the demi-human races, and letting her see the people struggling under her Nation.
And also,
letting her see those former companions and their descendants.
Nova’s mindset had quietly changed.
Putting her master first remained her unchanging creed, but whether she still “deserved” to be by her master’s s side, after her journey to the Southern Lands, Nova had an answer in her heart that she was reluctant to face but had to acknowledge.
She didn’t deserve it.
How could someone who turned the country into this still deserve it? How could someone who ignored even the descendants of former companions still deserve it? Just as Bal sharply questioned her in the end, what did she have left besides strength and a pretty face?
So.
After taking a deep breath, Nova had made her decision.
She could no longer selfishly occupy the place by her master’s side with her strength and appearance.
She could not remain stagnant.
She needed to progress.
And now, was her opportunity to take another step forward, to try to do what a true “Empress” should do.
Only when she was worthy of the title “Empress” could she deserve to stay by her master’s side again.
“I’m sorry, Master…”
After a moment of silence, Nova spoke, and Renji actually smiled at Nova’s choice.
“Sorry for what?”
“I know now is when you need strength the most, when you need me the most, but I still want to initiate Bal’s ritual.”
Nova quickly added: “If you allow it.”
“There’s no question of allowing or not allowing. Whatever decision you make, I will face it with you. Of course, I am a little happier that you chose to take this step.”
Renji was telling the truth, not just for Nova in front of him but also for the other four ‘them’. Renji did not want them to always have only him in their sight. Everyone has their own goals, pursuits, and careers, and this is what Renji wanted to see.
‘Like having a personal Vanguard or a respected Empress as a wife, obviously the latter would be a bit more exciting, right?’
‘Cough. ‘
“Master, will you still remember Nova after that?” Nova suddenly asked.
“What?”
“Will you forget my name like you did with Bal? If Nova is no longer the strongest, loses her talent in the ritual, and becomes an ordinary demi-human, will you strip Nova of her power and give it to a new Vanguard? That human called Eileen, is she prepared to replace Nova?…”
Seeing Nova pout her lips, with a pitiful demeanor never seen before, clutching the corner of her dress with one hand and counting her fingers with the other, as if enumerating her future “miserable” fate, Renji quickly interrupted.
“Nova! What are you thinking! Am I really such a utilitarian person in your eyes!?”
Remembering her master’s actions five hundred years ago.
Nova nodded at Renji.
But seeing her master’s frustrated demeanor, to not anger him, Nova quickly shook her head again.
“…”
Renji was upset that Nova had such thoughts akin to “handling affairs after death,” but what made him even more upset was that, thinking about his own actions in the game before, he really had no rebuttal.
“Anyway! Nova, rest assured, no matter what happens, I will not abandon you! Also, don’t be so pessimistic. Didn’t I say that whatever you choose, I will face it with you!”
“Together… face it?”
“Of course, how could I just let you sacrifice your power alone while I just stand by and watch!” Renji said without hesitation.
“But, but…”
“There are no buts. Even if you don’t trust me, you have to trust Lena, right?” .𝒎
Renji’s words only added to Nova’s confusion.
‘What does this have to do with… Lena?’
Renji snorted in response.
Thinking back to each key moment since his arrival from the Holy Kingdom to the Dragon Nation, one can see the shadow of that pink-haired succubus in each. From the initial tampering with the “Hearthstone’s Tears,” to Nova and Suthia’s simultaneous descent in the Sealed City, and finally, as if laying the groundwork for this moment, she jumped out to help “read” the training manual for Bal’s soul fragments.
If it happened once or twice, it could be a coincidence, but this was the third time. Renji didn’t believe that the pink-haired succubus wasn’t always watching and paying attention to them.
It’s very likely that even the current situation with Bal’s soul fragments and the key “Blessing Ritual” to resolve the Dragon Nation’s issue were within Lena’s expectations.
Given his understanding of Lena, she would never truly let Nova take risks. There must be some safer and more secure measures, like modifying Bal’s ritual to be more advanced and reduce the required power.
After all, Bal was only transformed from a former Vanguard into a “Special Ability” type of priest.
But for the pink-haired succubus, a genuine, true pinnacle of the “Special Ability” type, improving Bal’s ritual would be no difficult task for a genius Lena. There’s no technique in this world too difficult for her.
What made Renji more certain of this was the memory of how to perform the ritual that now existed in his mind.
The training manual was Lena’s work. She could have only let Nova receive Bal’s soul fragments, but why did she include him as well?
Obviously.
This proved that Lena had already found a way to complete the blessing with a smaller cost, and this method required his participation.
This was not surprising to Renji. After all, he was the “Greatest Emperor,” wasn’t he? Although he lost his levels, as such a special existence, he should play some significant role. How could he not assist in a mere blessing ritual?
‘So, how exactly should it be done?’
Renji once again turned his gaze to the manual. After mentioning the three keywords “trust in Lena,” it acted like a key unlocking a seal, causing the text on the manual to change again.
A new, improved version of the “Blessing Ritual” method was now presented before their eyes.
After a quick review.
This method, which minimizes costs and lifts the curse on demi-humans to construct a beautiful Dragon Nation, was very simple. After carefully reviewing it, Renji found that the part requiring his assistance in aiding Nova was summarized in just two words.
“Dragon Knight.”
Renji: “…”
….
Whether it’s a “curse” or a “blessing” ritual, both are essentially ways of transferring power to others, with the former contaminating and the latter blessing.
To reduce the consumption of the ritual, there are many approaches, such as minimizing waste during “transportation”.
If Renji were to simply illustrate the difference between the two, it’s like if Bal’s original ritual was a muddy country path, then the ritual improved by Lena is now akin to a smooth and straight highway.
However, just having a highway isn’t enough. While Nova’s journey would indeed be much smoother than the muddy path designed by Bal, the problem is that, despite the road change, the final destination remains the same: the vast group of demi-humans, equivalent to a very long distance in a straight line, still making it an incredibly long highway.
Continuing to walk this distance on foot, whether it’s tens or hundreds of kilometers, Nova’s fate is still predictable. Besides the consumption of power, it would cause irreversible wear on her body, leading to a loss in levels.
So, how to further solve this problem?
The answer is quite simple.
𝑖𝘦𝑎.𝗇t