Now that I have taken care of Vepar the situation should be a lot better. Its time for that now.
-Nunu, go to Maigrema, bring Max as well. We'll be getting her today.
-Understood!
He sure is excited, huh.
He is wearing the ring that would suppress his dragonic pheromones so letting the two be together should be fine. This way the princess will still have her dignity as a princess.
After going back to Astel by using the newly establish warping gate in the sirens' lair, I went to Maigrema using the teleportation gate.
We headed towards the capital of Lorazio where the princess Layla's palace is located. Even though it is the capital of the empire, the imperial family except for Layla doesn't live there. Instead they live further south where the dukedom of Exousia is. The grand sword masters and the sword masters would always patrol their own area so it would be safe to say that it is the safest city in the empire which is also the reason why the imperial palace is located there.
Meanwhile, the ones who run the capital of the empire is the dukedom of Adifagos. Since it is a commercial capital they let the Duke Kingston Adifagos whose job is marketing. Which makes his family's specialty shine in the capital.
Even though the imperial family doesn't live in the capital the security they've put in Layla's palace is way too lax. Ello's transformation allows her to shapeshift into anyone as long as they are several times weaker than her. This would allow her to copy not only their appearance but their memories and mana wavelength as well. Which is why she was able to infiltrate the palace so easily just by mimicking someone.
But from Ello's explanation, not only are the knights there are amateurs, the maids and others who work in the palace took their job halfheartedly.
Not to mention despite being blood related to the emperor, her standing in the capital is way lower than the duke.
Then again, the one who mainly protects her is Hasshule which is also the reason why no one would dare to talk about Layla in broad daylight.
After arriving, we landed in front of the palace where the princess lives.
Hasshule teleported in front of the palace's door.
"What have you come here for, spirit king?!"
Is it me or is she a bit edgy? We've never met in this timeline so why is she acting so cold to me.
"I'm sorry but did I do something to you for you to be so mad at me when this is the first time we met?"
"You dare say that when you kill innocent people as your living? Ridiculous!!!"
Huh? What is she talking about.
"Don't feign ignorance. Kavon already told me that you are a sinister person who do as he pleases"
Oh~ So that's what's going on here. Roman said that he was 'balancing' the power of me and the gambler king's forces which is why he sent Maximos to me earlier than my plan. Kavon must have told Hasshule something about me that would make her hostile to me.
Maximos went down Nunu. Hasshule got angrier that Maximos who is her responsibility hanging out with a 'slaughterer'.
Ugh, we'll never get into the same page if this continue.
"Do you want to talk things through over using the
"Tsk. I will be the one who will cast it then"
We hold our hands together and she casted the spell
[The Goddess of Truth Veritas is temporarily overseeing the
Wow. Her power is so high that just by activating the
"Firstly, what have you come here for?"
"I came here to get the princess. Because she is someone who will be a very valuable person in the upcoming holy war"
"Second, who are you?"
"My name is Michael and I am the spirit king. Aide of the 'hero'"
"Third, did you really commit such crimes such as killing innocent people"
"Of course not. I would be dead already if I did something like that. You see, I have a contract with the Master of the Souls that I am not allowed to kill anyone who doesn't deserve death"
She sighed and facepalmed herself for some reason. She then deactivated the
"Then why did Kavon said something like that? Do you two have bad blood or something for him to lie to me?"
"Something like that" paper appeared on my left hand, "I would like to make a contract with you that everything we've talk about right now and earlier to be remembered"
"Why? No one is capable of manipulating my mind"
"Yes, indeed. No one would be able to change your memories unless..."
"Unless what?"
"Unless someone is capable of rewinding time that is"
She understood my words and let out another sigh. After reading the contract she then signed it.
The only thing she will remember is about what we talk about just now, meaning that no matter what Kavon tells her she won't hastily attack me. So spending a chaos point for this is worth it.
She deactivated the isolation barrier.
"Where is the princess?"
"I never said I'll hand her over to you"
"Is that a challenge?"
"What can you do? You are in my territory after all"
Four pillars of light was released from the four corners of the walls of the palace.
[Sorcerer king, Hasshule, have activated
"Honestly, without spirits you are nothing. Maximos take him out now"
Nothing happened. Maximos have never disobeyed Hasshule but he is currently Michael's [Servant] and a servant can't raise his weapon to his [Master].
"Kavon needs to learn that whenever he shows the weakness of someone, he needs to show all of it" Michael whispered.
Hasshule who was shock that Maximos stayed put understood that he "can't" harm Michael. She hurriedly took her wand and casted a spell but,
"Abyssal world: Null"
Mana and all skills were sealed.
[
But this is not the end of it.
"Magical world: Spatial manipulation"
King Solomon Efuxis who was once known as the greatest man for unifying all kingdoms in the world with his otherworldly power, despite not being an apostle of any god. He have created a forbidden grimoire by splitting all of his ability into one hundred which is now commonly known as Solomon's forbidden grimoire.
He may have been the most powerful man but that doesn't mean a mortal's power can negate the power that was bestowed by a God.
According to Maximos, Hasshule is the apostle of the God of Space.
Back then when Hasshule and some sword masters teleported to our location, Hasshule was acting that she can't use any skills when she can. I guess I overestimated the power of Abyssal world. If it wasn't for Loki pointing it out I would have made the same mistake.
The reason why Maximos wasn't able to use
"Phantom World: World creation, offset"
Overlapping an imaginary dimension, Michael negated Hasshule's special skill.
If I want to counter a power bestowed by a god, I will also have to exert this much energy.
Why is she even attacking me? Though Kavon did said something negative to her about me I don't think she would believe him anymore after taking the
"By any chance, is the reason why you are still attacking me is Roman?"
If Hasshule is Max's guardian is Hasshule and if Max is close enough with Roman, doesn't that mean that there is a high chance that Roman and Hasshule know each other.
Her expression change. Earlier, her face was showing as if she didn't care about me but now she has the same expression when I told her that I was part of the blood moon organization from the previous time line.
"Black hole"
"Void"
The two negated each other.
I have additional supply of aura from the Pandora's I created, so there's no way I am going to lose in a battle of attrition.
"Max, I've trained you already. Surely you can take down all the knights here without any skills anymore"
"Of course"
Maximos quickly stop the knights who were charging towards Michael.
In terms of 'real skills' May can easily beat Max who relies too much on the 'skills' he gets in leveling up. But after training him myself, his just a little bit lower than May.
While they were busy fighting, Nunu already went inside and have already abducted Layla. The reason why her telekinetic ability didn't work is because of Michael's blessing.
Michael's blessing allows him to make elementals protect the person who will receive it. However, it also allows him to freely control that person's usage of 'skills'. Layla's
-Master, I got her.
-Good. Escape to the route I gave you. I will be done here after a moment.
I pull out some of my escape chemicals and slam it into the ground. A very strong sleeping gas with aphrodisiac.
The chemicals Michael threw created a thick smokescreen allowing him to escape with Maximos. They escape by teleporting repeatedly using aura.
I ordered Nunu to take Layla back to Astel. Since there is already a contract there which is reserved for her that Inosi is guarding, so long as she signs it her memories won't be erased when time is rewinded again.
Meanwhile, me and Max went to Xyhn kingdom. According to Aira there will be an auction that I will have to attend and will commence a week from now. Travelling that distance with the car should be easy since I have Max to protect me when I get tired.
"That reminds me, why was Hasshule so mad when I said Roman's name?"
"Well... they had a fight. That's the only thing I know"
So the two had a fight to the point that Hasshule was so mad just from hearing Roman's name.
Since Roman is the ruler of karma that would mean that he has to be neutral, I guess. Since he did said that he was balancing the forces of Kavon and mine, he can't let his good and evil karma to be more than each other.
I ask the system while Max is asleep.
"Do bounded items stay with their owner even if time is rewinded?"
[It depends. The power within the bounded item has to be superior or on par to the skill that is making the time to be rewinded]
"How much chaos points will I have to spend to do that then?"
[20 chaos points]
This item better be worth it for something so expensive.
"What about my
[There is no need to spend chaos point since it already met the requirements for it to stay with you even if time is to be rewinded. -_-]
The emoticon again... sigh, never mind.
"God's, whoever is watching me right now for any reason I have a question"
[Few Gods are listening to what you have to say]
[The God of Chaos is excited to what you have to say]
"As you know I have the ability to create an imaginary dimension that allows me to do anything I want"
[A certain God said "So?"]
"Will it be alright if I multiply the highest form of money using said ability?"
I only need one platinum coin to make mountains of it using my phantom world. As long as I know the components and details of it, I can multiply any non-living object with enough aura.
Because of this I was forbidden to get near to any form of money or jewelry by the leaders of the ten great clan from my world. I was forced to use credit card instead.
Though I am able to multiply non-living objects with enough aura, I can't do it to anything that has mana in them for some reason.
[The Demon of Greed is greatly interested to what you are saying]
"Will it be possible for me to obtain another page from Solomon's forbidden grimoire if I swear not to do it"
[The God of Chaos says "It won't be fun if you get stronger so one-sidedly. The answer is no"]
Why did this guy even intervene? And here I thought I was going to get another skill.
After that, I spent the whole night multiplying the platinum coin I have using phantom world.
We arrive at Xyhn kingdom. I had Max to investigate the place while I had my own invitation from the black market by using the money I multiplied. The auction is said to be hosted by a viscount who needs money which is why he is selling the artifacts he can sell through an auction.
The auction will take place in a stadium which will be protected by the one of the king's court magician along with dozens of other high ranking magician.
It is said that the one of the king's court magician had a mission and is currently staying in this city.
Later that night Max found out that there were valuable artifacts that will be sold tomorrow night. Since the treasury room was laced with runes and other special stones the usage of skills and spells weren't allowed inside. Stealing it was a no go.
...
The night of the auction came and so we went there.
"Do I really need to wear such tight clothing?"
"Yes since it is a formal event. So man up. Its just a suit anyway"
We went inside and sat on our seat. Shortly after the auction began and some artifacts did caught my eye. The host was explaining what the artifact is capable of as well as the rank of it.
"Now, for our last item for the night is a special artifact!"
As the item was brought in to the stadium the audience were excited to find out what artifact it was.
The cover was taken away and the 'special' artifact was a leather gauntlet.
"This is an artifact that possess some power of the God of War. After being appraised by the court magician of the king of Xyhn kingdom, it is classified as a very special artifact that can multiply the [Strength] of the user by three times. The condition to have this bounded item is to have at least [50] in your strength but the wearer's [Strength] cannot exceed [300]. So those who have a very strong slave this is the perfect chance for you to power them up"
Three times?! What kind of cheat item is that? How did someone like him even got that?
Many people started to bid.
"Ten platinum coins" I said.
"T-ten platinum coins. Is someone going to bid higher than that?"
"Twenty platinum coins!" Said by someone.
This is getting irritating.
The price of the item got even higher.
I stand up and shouted "Five hundred platinum coins"
Before saying it the current price was seventy platinum coins. Making the price go up that high would indicate that I am a count of the empire at least.
"Sold for f-five hundred p-platinum coins"
I got the item later on.
"Where did you get so much money?" Max ask.
"I have a company so its normal for me to be this rich"
I can't tell him that I multiplied my money.
Still, this artifact is really a cheat item. If Levi had this, his [Strength] would be over the thousands already. Alfred will probably like this.
[Requirements has been met]
Huh?
[The bounded item
This item is supposed to be for Alfred! What the hell system, I didn't even wore it.
I check my stats and it is true that my [Strength] was multiplied by three.
"Maximos, take care of them" I whispered.
"Eh? Why?"
"Because servants are supposed to get rid anything that displeases their master"
Max quickly went away to take care of the ones who were following us. He swiftly knock them out so we had to carry them all the way out of the city.
I splash some cold water on them which woke them up.
"I'm going to cut to the chase and ask you four: Who sent you and why?"
"As if we'd tell you that"
The immediately swallowed something. The died.
It's not a problem for me though.
I casted
"Just now I resurrected you guys and I can do it as many times as you want. So go ahead and kill yourselves again"
Max quickly came to me and whispered, "Aren't you too brutal?"
"Not really" I replied.
Besides, I am only able to cast a forbidden spell five times a day since the toll of each cast is quite severe. Even with my divine healing the stress that accumulates is too much for my body.
They were afraid of what I can do and told everything. It was the court magician of the king who sent them since I had too much money on me despite being an unknown person.
I released them after they told me everything. Those guys had a pure soul so no need to detain them any longer.
"Bring the court magician of the king here. You have twenty minutes to do it"
"Eh?! That's abuse of human rights!!!" Max complain.
"If you are able to do it within the time I gave you I'll teach you how to generate vibration through your body"
After hearing my words, he quickly went back to abduct one of the king's court magician.
In the previous time, he ask me to teach him how to do it since he wants to use it in bed. I said no since the reason he gave me was disgusting. But I have little time right now so I need things to get done as soon as possible.
In less than five minutes he got back with the unconscious court magician. Going there and going back here alone would take an hour and he did it while looking for this guy. He really is fast.
"You better keep your promise!"
"It will take you five months to learn it. Meaning you'll be away from May that long. You sure you still want to learn it?"
"...Yes! For future use"
I killed the court magician and stored away her soul. I then stored her body in my inventory.
"You can sleep in the back row. We will be going now"
"Again? Where will we go this time?"
"To the eastern continent at Ochikris. We'll be paying Daedalus' labyrinth a visit. Besides the bed I put in the back seat is better than the bed you get in the empire"
I didn't need any sleep and only need to rest so we arrived at our location in less than two weeks. I need to finish the job before the outbreak circle between the soaring mountain range and bull forest to form.
Me and Max went through the floors and went down with great speed. The golems here weren't that strong to begin with.
A labyrinth that was made by a mortal which is now being overseen by a goddess would surely possess good things.
As we go down it was getting harder for Max. The golems had a very strong body which isn't suited for his daggers which is made for assassination. In the end he became a spectator after reaching floor sixty.
"How come you can destroy the crystal golems with your bare hands?"
"I'm strong. Period"
All the magic crystals we get from destroying the golems were put into my inventory, making things a lot easier.
"System, is it possible to establish a warping gate here inside the labyrinth?"
[Only if the Goddess in charge of the labyrinth says "Yes"]
"Then-"
[The Goddess of Earth says "No"]
She didn't even tried to listen to what I have to say.
I started wearing the bounded gauntlet item since the golems weren't breaking anymore as easily as the ones on the other floors.
"If you sell all those magi stones we're going to have a lot of money, right?!"
"I won't sell them but I will still give you your monthly salary. And since you are working over time I will add a bonus as well"
"I'm happy that I'll get a bonus but why are you not going to sell those?"
"Because I need them"
When time get's rewinded again, history will change so much that Kavon would wish that he know what's going on.
[Defeat the mini-boss at floor seventy-five to claim the reward. If the mini-boss is defeated, the floor will also become a
I forgot. The lowest floor in the billboard was floor seventy two by hell king. This would be the first time that someone got here else got here.
We went down and saw a...human?
The dark room was then filled with sunlight. It was as if we went through a teleportation gate to another place. All this time we've been fighting in a labyrinth that has nothing but bricks as the floor, the ceiling, and the walls. But now we are in a grassland.
The person(?) we saw earlier was actually a statue. And there's two of them.
A notification appeared in front of us.
[You will now be facing the person you love the most]
The statue turned into May. While the other one turned into... Rosaline?
"I like May so I get why her appearance appeared but... I never thought that your strike zone was big"
"She's my mother, you idiot"
"Eh?"
"I'll be reducing your pay by ten percent. Of course the bonus is also included in that"
"Y, you can't do that!"
And so, the battle begun.