Chapter 174 - Obvious
Elliot chuckled and shoved the topic away completely. As much as he wanted to tell his closest friends about his cheat system, he can't. He had been warned before and he don't want to experiment on what it'll do to the people he'll tell.
APRIL has been nothing but an artifact of overpowered attributes. The risk is not worth it. Who knows what more it can do?
"If you train enough, you can also become strong. You answered that yourselves," Elliot said. "There's no shortcut to greatness. You have to work hard."
Although it was partly a lie, although he had a cheat in his system, Elliot didn't just sit around and then got stronger. The first time he went on a mission, he was unwillingly transported to a cold forest. He had to fight a deer and a Freshwater Merman without prior experience in fighting.
Then he collected, made, and ate ridiculous things. With every thing he make, he would question himself if is it safe, is it okay.
He had gone on those dilemmas.
So to say that he worked hard to get to where he was was true.
When the three settled down with his answer, the group went back to the villagers and proceeded to their journey. This was the most dangerous part of their travel considering there are a lot of wild beasts in the path. But when they reach Alorde, which only has a handful of beasts, they'll be safer.
"I need a long bubble bath when I get home," Florencia said. "I miss my scented candles."
"I need a week of rest," Viper groaned. "I have never been this tired before."
"What about you, Christina?" Florencia turned to their other friend. "What are you gonna do after this?"
"Oh," Christina looked surprise. She was looking around the wagon, avoiding eye contact with the two. "I am not going home. That's for sure."
"So, you'll come with me," Florencia grinned. "I'll take you to my home. You can stay there too. We have tons of rooms but has barely any people there."
"Are you sure?" Christina asked with hope in her eyes. She looked happy to say the least. Everyone could tell that she doesn't want to come back to her prison, aka her family.
"Is the sun bright? Of course, I'm sure," Florencia grinned and raised her thumbs up. "We would have another set of guests if someone didn't decline the offer."
"I'm not comfortable in that castle," Viper said, scratching the back of his neck, slightly embarrassed. "Though father is great, and I could tell that he's a really good man, I don't think I could live such a grandoise life."
"And why not?" Florencia gasped. "Dude, you're literally an heir to a city. Why don't you enjoy that?"
"I wasn't raised to enjoy luxury," Viper replied. "Though, it's nice and all. Having your own maids to clean your room, having servants to prepare your meals, having guards to protect you, I don't think I could live like that, no offense."
"Sometimes, I really think there's something wrong with you," Florencia said. "But, to each his own."
"Wait," Christina pursed her lips and looked at the two. "Does this mean that you're both step-siblings?"
Florencia shook her head. "Nope. I'm just a freeloader. Father said that I could still be treated like his daughter because I did grow up under his care. Though I am not a candidate for the Lordship, I still enjoy my privileges."
"And Viper is…" Christina trailed off. "You're not in line for the Lordship too?"
"I am," Viper replied. "I am the third in line for the seat in Glassblade. But I don't live there. But there are about twenty guards lurking around the area of our house every day, every night. We're still under the surveillance of father."
"So, you don't consider each other siblings?" Christina asked. When the two shook their heads, Christina toom a deep sigh of relief. "For a second there, I thought Viper was–"
A hand was covered into her lips as fast as the fastest stealth knight could swing their sword. Viper was glaring at Christina, a sinister look in his eyes.
"Viper is what?" Florencia asked. "Viper is? Come on guys, don't leave me hanging."
"Viper is the most adorable person in the world yey," Viper said with an awkward chuckle. He exchanged seats with a villager and sat next to Christina. "She doesn't know."
"What?" Christina whispered. "But everyone knows."
"What?" Viper gasped rathet loudly. He looked around the wagon and saw the villagers with the same look on their faces. "Oh, shoot. Really?"
"Dude, you're rather obvious," Christina said. "Ask the villagers. Even they know."
Horrified, Viper slowly turned to the villagers they were with. They all nodded with eyes closed, knowing what the two were talking about.
"W-What about her? Does she know?" Viper asked, gulping in anxiousness. He tried to look at Florencia but returned his sight to Christina, afraid to even making eye contact.
"I don't think so," Christina said. "She has barely any consciousness with what the people around her feel about her."
"Yeah, that is true," Viper sighed. "Anyway, thanks for informing. I will start to distance myself from her."
"You probably should," Christina smirked. "Silly boy."
"Yeah," Viper said, looking one last time at Florencia and smiled. "I should."
–
"Tell me again why do we have to wait?" Malice flared at her throne, slamming her hands down the table in anger. "Those Terrans would only get stronger if we let them just level up."
"B-But your majesty…" Void trailed off, waiting for the woman to give him the permission to speak. When Malice nodded, he continued. "With our current forces, we will be wiped out once Heaven interferes."
"How are you even sure that they would?" Malice tilted her haid, quirking her brow up and waited for an answer. "Heaven will not intervene when we kill the one who is destined to kill me. Why would they do that?"
"Because it's what they've been doing for the past millenia?" A female voice spoke as the door to the room opened. "All they do is disturb. And if we hurt the one that can potentially eliminate you, they'd surely go berserk."
"Great, you're here," Malice said, smiling. "Do you have more information? You know we need more from that brother of yours."
"I'm sorry, your majesty," the girl bowed. "But the last prophecy that he had was the one I gave you. He hasn't been giving out more, I'm afraid."
Malice sighed, rolling her eyes in disappointment. "Really? Well you need to milk more if you want to stay as my Vassal."
"I will, your majesty," she said and bowed, her crystal boots clanking as she did.
"Good," Malice smirked. "Now go back to Terra.. Your siblings need you, Lilith."