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Chapter 248 - Chapter 246: Looking Back To Go Forward

Giliath demands your power stones! Let's try to get over 500!

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"Mmm. I really have missed this.", Sherryl said, uttering softly to not disturb Princess Alfin, who was currently still sleeping beside us, letting out a light snore. Sherryl curled up into a little ball, and gently leaned her arm against my shoulder, entering a cuddle. We did this quite a bit in the caves to stay warm, but we didn't have such pressure going down our back now. I could see Sherryl's heartfelt smile as she leaned against me.

If I recall correctly, in the game, Sherryl's Big Sister's fiancé would end up finding Sherryl's mutilated body when heading inside the Sun Fort to raid it with the cops. It was quite brutal compared to the other test subjects that resided inside the Cult. Thankfully before that could come to happen, my own villa got raided by the Red Constellation, and the leader of the remaining DG Cultists, Joachim Gunter, captured me to be taken inside the Sun Fort, where I subsequently met Sherryl.

It was a good thing Sherryl's will was still strong enough for the few of us to escape together during that time. She, like the rest of us, has been injected by the Gnosis drug. Renne received Enhanced Cognition, allowing her brain waves to fluctuate basically like a super-computer, and likewise, increasing her brain capacity to store much more information than a normal person would. If there was a downside, she was quick to lash out at anyone, letting her emotions cloud her thought processing. Tio received Enhanced Senses, allowing her to perceive the outside world in various different ways, even allowing her to sense and feel the fluctuations of mana and spirit veins, despite not forming a mana core. She would often be one of the first persons in a party to sense a change in the elements.

I am not sure what exactly happened to Ennea, but if I had to take a guess, she likely received Enhanced Vision, considering she would always land a shot with her bow whenever she took aim. She was one of the few archers in the games, and quite a good one at that. Even with my Divergent Bow, I still feel a lack of skill compared to her. I haven't tested any combat related skills against her in ages, so it might be a good time to see how much Ennea has improved. As for what Sherryl received, I can only assume it was Enhanced Vitality. She said her blood is now a lot thicker, along with the marrow inside her bones, causing her overall skeleton to vastly improve in internal strength, while keeping her outside beauty. Very similar to mine, but I received Enhanced Endurance, allowing my body to become much more resilient than a normal person's.

It even caused the Endurance stat to trigger in the Gamer System as its own Passive. Along with strengthening my foundations in this half-year, I'm currently improving that skill as well, which allows me to reduce any and all forms of damage taken. During my fight against Ace, it wasn't as improved as it was now, so it just went to show how strong a monster Ace was. Definitely worthy of being called the number one assassin in the Garden of Swords.

As for Van though, he was still a complete mystery to me. It seems he had a special body, much like how they were trying to use mine to store the homunculus they were trying to store into, with Joachim calling my body the perfect vessel. Unfortunately for him, he didn't even get anywhere near my body apart from injecting Gnosis into it. It really was quite the time seeing his reaction the moment I stepped into St. Ursula to get my body checked after my fight with Ace. His expressions showed a wide variety of emotions that day. Unfortunately for him, I vanished before he could do anything, which brought me to Erebonia. Regarding Van's circumstances, he did mention something about a Demon Core residing

Joachim probably didn't know that the body he was so much striving for was meant to be a vessel of one of the Goddess's treasures, the Sept Terrion of Mirage, but perhaps Van's situation lied in an opposite where his body was targeted to become the desire of the Cultists. Their main desire aimed to reject the existence of the Goddess, so that was likely where Van played in. It wasn't clear whether they wanted Van's body, or just what resided in him, which was a Demon Core, likely used in some form of sacrifice to bring a greater being down into Zemuria, much like how a certain fiery blue haired man I've come across a couple times is.

I recall in the caves that Van stated they failed to retrieve that Demon Core resting inside his body, so who knows if he would be able to benefit from whatever powers that it could potentially give. That was all for speculation though, considering I likely won't be seeing Van anytime soon, unless I decide to pay a personal visit to Aramis High. At least from the sounds of it, Van's studies are currently going well since I've been able to keep in touch with him.

As I thought that, a good moment of silence passed through Princess Alfin's room as Sherryl and I enjoyed our warmth. Sherryl saw me quiet during this as she observed me with a happy look in her eyes.

"You've been in pretty deep thought for a moment, Big Brother. Anything catch your fancy?", Sherryl uttered, asking me as she looked my way. That gaze attracted my attention, and seeing her pink eyes looking right at me, I smiled.

"I've just been going over what we've experienced a few years ago, together with making some friends along the way. I can't believe it's already been a few years since then.", I responded, causing Sherryl to nod her head.

"It really has been a while. I am looking forward to spending our time together. I've been able to catch up with Renne since we're attending St. Astraia now, but I am curious to see how the others are doing. Of them though, I've been in recent contact with Van since Teacher brought me to Calvard of our places we went to. Sounds like he's been treated well with that group of friends he was able to reunite with. Didn't think you'd be giving Van a good pointer or two, even if it was through mail.", Sherryl responded as she looked my way.

"So you wound up in Calvard in part of your training eh? Kind of makes me jealous since I personally haven't paid Calvard a visit much after leaving that resort island. Instead I've been studying and managing my princely duties back in Grancel Castle since my return. I needed to do the Vermillion Trials so I created a little disturbance to come back to Erebonia though. It was nice to see that you wound up here. Sounds like you've overall, your training has been fortuitous.", I happily responded, seeing how well Sherryl has been. Her skin was peachy and her body was in good health. It was definitely a worry off my shoulders, but knowing Zin was keeping Sherryl in check, I knew she was in safe hands.

"Yeah. I guess both of us have our own experiences to look back on like this, but I mean what I said, Big Brother. My family has served House Bartholomeus for a few generations. I even got acquainted with Princess Lif, though she had to head back home for a house arrest since it was as you said, Remiferia isn't looking too hot right now. I will stay by your side as your maid from here on.", Sherryl said. She showed me her determination last night, and I could still see the same resolve in her eyes, prompting me to nod my head.

"Haha, and I will welcome it with open arms. There may be one or two people that you have to meet though once we're back at Grancel Castle. And the latest...Let's just say she's a rather unique character. Used to be part of the Northern Jaegers, but decided to join the Royal Army and become a personal secretary at the castle. If you are indeed serious after you finish your one or two years at St. Astraia, no doubt will the two of you share many duties together.", I responded with a laugh, not taking Sherryl's resolve lightly.

"So it's another girl...", Sherryl retorted softly, blankly staring at me the moment I said that.

"Heh, that's the first thing that comes to mind? Well, you're not wrong. She's quite older than me, but still a rather beautiful woman. If you want an ease of mind, I currently do not have any interest in her like that.", I said, placing my head over Sherryl's head again, ruffling her hair. Sherryl blushed a bit as I did that.

"Hehe, it sounds like you've been pretty busy in that department. Teacher told me you formed a royal harem during my absence. And now you're engaged to not only Her Highness here, but also that princess under Her Majesty the Queen in Liberl. Quite a lucky guy.", Sherryl grinned. Sherryl wasn't wrong in any way, I could only let out a laugh as she said that to me.

"You really are such a lucky guy, my dear fiancé~, I can't wait to meet my sister-in-arms, even if we're a full country apart. But this time, not under that silly little alias. If you can catch my drift.", A third voice suddenly called out to us, causing Sherryl and I to look to our side. In the next moment, we saw Princess Alfin stretch her arms while letting out a yawn. Shifting her body upward a bit, I saw Princess Alfin look our way, appearing awake now.

"I'm sorry, did our voices wake you up?", I said, scratching my cheek a bit after pulling my hand back. Hearing that, Princess Alfin shook her head.

"I was beginning to wake up, but it sounds like you two were able to share a good conversation, so I didn't want to disturb you. I know I have my friends back at the school but being able to make friends like that does make me a tad jealous.", Princess Alfin answered, causing me to smile.

"I'll definitely have to introduce you. Our group is a bit special, to say the least. They've all gone their separate ways, but I bet one of these days, we'll get back together. I mean, Renne and Sherryl are already here, so that only leaves Ennea, Tio and Van.", I said, causing Princess Alfin to look at me with interest in her eyes. Sherryl also nodded her head.

"I concur with that point, Big Brother. I think out of our group, Van might have the most trouble trying to come to Liberl or Erebonia, but we should definitely set some time aside. I also miss them.", Sherryl happily responded.

"Sounds like a plan to me. But it's the morning now and I still have to take you around the palace to show you your quarters Big Brother, unless you prefer staying in my room for your duration here?", Princess Alfin asked me, causing me to look at her.

"I mean if you're the one asking...", I immediately retorted, causing Sherryl's expression to turn a bit deadpan.

"Guilty.", Sherryl retorted me.

"Hey! The princess invited me.", I retorted back, looking back at Sherryl. This caused Princess Alfin to giggle.

"Hehe, oh I jest. Dearest Mother would definitely throw a fit if that were to happen. Father had already arranged your room shortly after the dance ended last night, so please do forgive that little joke of mine. I'll take you to your room, but why don't we freshen up first and bother the maids for some breakfast?", Princess Alfin asked us two, easing the atmosphere even more. In the end, we nodded our heads and I saw Princess Alfin take Sherryl into their bathroom. I knew not to intrude while they started to freshen themselves up, so I went to the opposite side and opened the curtains of the window, letting me get a splendid view of Dreichel's Plaza below. I could see a very thin layer of snow that was on the cusp of melting, having people going about their daily lives.

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