I could only hear the announcement of the system until my focus was turned to the immense amount of pain my mind was going through as a memory that was taken from me was returned.
The memory wasn't all the way clear as it seemed a good chunk of it was covered in a massive fog.
But the one thing that remained clear was Vlada. The sole remaining Silent Sister of the Grave. My first and only true friend. And the one person who was the closest to my heart.
I could even remember why her humming was so familiar to me as she was the one who had sung it for me.
The tone, rhythm, and heart of the song was something that seemed to always calm my heart and soul.
But if there was one thing that made my heart tear with pain was the line Vlada used when she served the King from having a hold on me.
'Even at your peak I would only need to use the beat of my own dead heart to kill you.' From that one line the only thing that kept repeating was.
Just how long was I gone from my real original world. Because if that wasn't enough. Just from that one returned memory it seemed as if I was only just thirteen.
I just continued to lay where I was as I continued to stare at the familiar wooden ceiling.
'Just who am I really? Vlada called me an Emperor, yet the only thing I've ever known was the world of bombs and cursed lightning.' I said internally as I slowly sat up and massaged my temples. 'And Vlada was right, that was a very important and valuable lesson that needed to be taught.'
"I'm weak. And if I want to survive in this Otherworld then I need strength." I said as I released a long and tired sigh as I stood to my own feet.
{System Update.}
{User will no longer be able to communicate with the system's original assistant. Otherwise called "Rose" until the time the System is fully up to date. Which will take up anywhere up to three if not four weeks depending on the percentage of severance of the Main System from the Core System.}
I stumbled and fell like a sack of potatoes, not because of the announcement from the system but because of the feeling of weakness and soreness from before.
{There is no need to trip over your own feet. You'll still have access to the regular functions of your system such as. Status, Inventory, Skill List, Trait List, Spectator Mode (Rose only.), and Customer Help. But unfortunately Customer Help has been in constant update since you've arrived and will take...… so until then you are on your own. Oh and also you only have about five minutes before the update happens.}
I groaned and rolled over as I was wondering why I felt so weak and sore as I could only hardly shake my head.
[Bastion, it seems like a lot of things happened and I'm sor-.]
"You don't have to apologize for anything Rose. You were doing your best to help me the best you could. If anything I'll miss your bluntness and your company Rose." I cut Rose off with a slight smile as I continued. "If anything I wonder how much more powerful you'll be able to become after the update? Can't wait to see. And when you get back I will have some stories to tell you."
Rose seemed to be silent for a little bit until she spoke up in a small voice. [Thank you Bastion. And I'll miss you as well and I can't wait to hear your stories when I get back. And promise me something Bastion.]
"Sure." I said with a grin.
[Kill those three sisters. They don't deserve your kindness.] Rose said with venom and hatred in her voice.
"Of course." I didn't hesitate which surprised me as I would have never said anything like that before.
And the weirdest thing was I didn't question it.
[If you wish to know, ask the Crown Prince. I'll explain later why when I'm back if you want.] Rose asked as a timer started to count down.
10.
9.
"There's no need, I trust you Rose. Plus it'll be a little bit before I'm able to do so, and it should be quite the fishing trip when it happens."
6.
[Thank you Bastion. Get strong, I hope to see you at least Rank Human - 2, when I return. See you later Bastion.]
3.
"That should be no problem. And see you later Rose."
0.
{System has initiated 100% Update. Since Update has reached 100% the system will take the full length of four weeks to finish. Please try to survive until the time update finishes. Tata.}
I could hardly sense Rose's presence like she was in Spectator Mode as the system started its update process. I decided to continue to lay on the floor for a bit longer until I felt enough strength to stand.
I was only laying on the floor for what felt like twenty minutes until I heard a pair of footsteps as the door to the room I was in swung open. I didn't even open my eyes as I knew that there was only one person who would come in and possibly check up on me.
"Oh, you're on the floor this time. Last time I came in you were floating above the bed. Scared me half to death, almost shat myself. I almost had to call one of the priests of the Blue Sky." Ulrich said as he scratched the side of his nose as the blackness of his eyes stared at me.
"Yeah, I tried standing. Didn't seem to like it so I laid down. Feels a little bumpy though." I shook my head with a sigh as I continued. "So, how long was I out for and how did I end up back here?"
I asked as I tried to get into a sitting position. Until I felt nothingness as I noticed that I was floating.
"Don't try to move. Remember when I told you that you can change the Systems settings I wasn't lying. It's just I wasn't expecting you to do it so soon." Ulrich said with ease as he started walking to the only chair in the room next to the bed. "And to answer your question you've only been out for seven days. So that means your time here amounts to a total of ten."
I was shocked when I heard the amount of time I was out for as that explained a lot.
I noticed Ulrich started to smile as I was lowered back into the bed as he sat down in the chair.
"What are you smiling about?"
"Oh, nothing, I just remembered that you are the quickest person to have upgraded their system, that's all." Ulrich nodded.
"And to answer your other question that Siegbald dropped you off as well as a lot of dead corpses, body parts, and big piles of meat paste. He did mention that he wasn't able to bring your Epic Items but left you two Rare Items. Oh and said that he left something so you could contact him for your business together."
I kissed my teeth as I felt cheated as I was promised two Epic Items, but was still appreciative of the Crown Prince for the two Rare Items. I also nodded my head in my mind as it seemed like the Crown Prince still wanted to work together.
"How much longer till I'm able to move properly?" I asked as the silence continued after a few moments.
"You should be able to fully recover by tomorrow, I just finished making a potion for you and I know what you're thinking, no, just because I'm blind doesn't mean I can't see. What was it I heard from you Otherworlders? Don't mess with weird old men, they could be a master in disguise." Ulrich laughed as he stood and pulled out a vial filled with purple liquid that was violently boiling.
"Now I also officially made you my inheritor so that means you have a lot of work tomorrow so drink up."
I felt myself starting to sweat as I noticed my body started to pale as Ulrich slowly started getting closer to me.
'Is he insane of course he's insane. I mean he just called himself a weird and powerful old man. Plus why is it boiling, potions shouldn't boil right? Right?' I started screaming internally.
Which only intensified as I felt my mouth open as Ulrich waved his hand as he arrived next to the bed with an odd smile.
"Now, now I know what you're thinking. And don't worry the potion boiling means that it succeeded… or did that mean its strength increased by double? Huh, I can't remember all I remember is that it's a strong potion. Now drink."
Ulrich didn't hesitate as he opened the violently boiling potion and poured it out as I felt an intense chilling and burning sensation down my throat. After all of the vial was poured out, the chilling and burning sensation increased by five as it started spreading across the entirety of my body.
"Don't worry you'll live and if you're even lucky this'll make you stronger, if it doesn't break you." Ulrich said with a slightly devilish smile as I felt my bones starting to crack.