After leaving Finn's case to the four reliable individuals, who can beat Finn, I went to the small 'town', constructed for my new subjects near my palace.
"I can see you lot are adjusting well"
I said as I looked through the window, seeing the dragon children playing happily under the shades of the trees.
"They are. And for that, I thank you once again from the bottom of my heart for not only accepting us but also creating an environment where they can live like children"
Braham bowed his head as I continue to drink my tea.
"So, tell me. What do you want to do now?"
".....?"
Braham looked up, not know what to say.
"The world is changing really quickly. Each country will soon fall and that is no exaggeration. I want to know what it is you are planning"
"I... do not have any such thoughts at the moment. I am just happy... for my kin, my family, to be alive and live happily"
Mel's hand stopped after laying down the fork and looked at Braham's eyes with disgust.
"You say you do not have any plan, that I understand after experiencing something as ridiculous as losing your country in a few days!"
"....."
"But, you say that you don't have anything to do after I told you that the world, every country in the world, will be in danger? If you truly desire to protect your kin, be strong. Strong enough to protect them by your own!"
"....."
Mel stood up.
"Once countries fall one by one, do not expect to live quietly and ask for protection for my subjects also have things to do. To protect what they deem important to them"
Before going out the door, Mel stopped.
Without looking back she said, "Those who deserve salvation are those who have tried their best and those who are innocent. But you are neither of them, so do everything you can, no matter what sin you must embrace, to do the things you desire"
After the Goddess of all Bitches left, her words striked deep into Braham's heart and mind.
"Hahaha! You're it!"
Braham watched over the innocent children playing.
"Does this look good?"
"Why of course it is!"
He watched the elderly compare their craftsmanship, thanks to the materials and equipment provided by the king of Lagnos.
After some time, the sun begun to set and the small 'town' they now live in was covered in warm golden light.
The children and the elderly watched over the beautiful sunset.
"Her grace is right..."
Braham stood up, watching over the backs of his family.
"I should do everything I can to prevent any danger rather than wait for it to fall onto them"
...
After the time limit, Finn passed his test papers for me to check after verifying that he did not try to cheat on the exam.
"Hmm~"
As I check one by one his answers to the questions everyone, especially Finn, were watching with suspense.
"I'm done. You got an eighty out of a hundred. You passed"
"YEAH!"
Finn jumped up and down in joy while the others congratualated him.
"Bravo~"
They all stopped and looked back at me.
"Truly. How amazing"
As they all looked at my eyes, they felt something. Something ominous.
"You have passed the written test. Now it is time for the practical test"
".....?!"
After feeling success, he felt all of his efforts were in vain after hearing my words.
His knees fell to the ground as his lower torso lost energy while the others were holding back their laughter as they genuinely did not know about the practical test.
"Your grace, what do you mean by that? You're joking, right? RIGHT?!"
Finn looked up to me with teary eyes and a trembling mouth.
"Unfortunately, no. After all, I will have to see whether you actually learn something for you to apply it in real life"
"Haaaaaaaaa!!!"
Finn cried and rolled over the ground as he felt it was unfair.
"Why didn't you told me about this?"
"Its not like you ask. Besides, whether I tell you or not won't change anything"
I stood up from my chair.
"Good job, you guys. For now, bring him back to his room since the practical test will commence tomorrow"
"Tomorrow?"
Finn stopped crying and looked up once more.
"Yes. It will be tomorrow. You will have to go to my clone since she will be the proctor of the practical exam"
"Okay. Then good night everyone!!!"
Knowing that he now has a chance to review what to do, Finn quickly ran off to go back to his room and practice.
Not knowing that the practical exam will last a whole month under the supervision of my clone who is known for her strictness.
"Your grace"
"What is it, Darius?"
"I am done here, right?"
"Yeah. You can go now"
"Okie!"
"I will also be going now, your grace. It was fun seeing him suffer"
Darius and Ralias left the room, leaving Alice and Zachary behind.
I sat down on my bed and looked to them.
"You have something to say, right. Say it"
Alice hold Zachary's hand and looked at him and nodded.
"Your grace... will it be alright for us to go?"
"You two are going to look for the remaining fragments, right?"
"Yes"
The two looked at me with resolve as they firmly held each other's hand.
"Go then. Just be discreet since you two will have a harder time if everyone's attention were to shift to you two"
"We will remember that. And thank you for everything, your grace"
Alice bowed. Seeing this, Zachary also bowed.
"Don't say such things. You're making it sound like you won't be coming back anymore"
The two left the room with ease as the burden they were shouldering of how to tell me, their benefactor, that they were going to go away for some time vanished.
I laid down on the bed, looking at the ceiling that I know so well.
"How nostalgic. I can vividly remember the first time I played the game"
For some reason, my chest felt lighter and it was easier for me to breathe.
Maybe it was because I have returned the favor to the elves and to the God of Life for what they did back then.
Maybe it is because of my subjects who are living happily and growing stronger each passing day to confront the danger the future holds.
Or maybe it is because there are many talented and powerful individuals in my subject's kingdom that I feel a sense of relief that nothing bad will happen.
"Perhaps it is all three of that"
Knock, knock.
"Come in"
Lavella entered my room with a bag.
She knelt down and bowed her head.
"Aren't you going to have vacation? My clone should have already told you about me giving you permission"
"I know, your grace. It is just that I wanted to tell you myself that I will be going now. I hope I did not bother you"
"You didn't. And, for your hard work until now, you deserve a break. So enjoy it"
"Understood, your grace"
With a smile and teary eyes on her face Lavella, the one who I treasure the most, exited my room.
The one who always served me every day and night when I played the game.
And was the one who protected me, when I was held down from my last game, by jumping through harms way.
Thinking about it makes me feel like I want to cry my heart out. And say how much sorry I am for letting her experience such things.
Without knowing, tears begun to fall down my cheeks.
- Master, are you okay?
'I am. I just feel lonely since a lot of people are going today'
Knock, knock.
"Come in, Braham"
Braham entered the room.
With his wings stretched, he bowed groveled as he slowly placed his wings down, a gesture when a dragon is begging for something.
"Your grace"
"Yes?"
"Will you give me knowledge how to get stronger?"
"If that is your wish, are you ready to do everything to accomplish whatever your goal is?"
"I am, your grace"
I stood up and walked down until Braham was an arm away and squatted down.
"Then raise your head. I will give you what you want starting tomorrow. Be sure to get back here before dawn"
"I will. And thank you for listening to my selfish request, your grace"
The night passed quietly in Lagnos as a messenger from the Kingdom of Swords arrive.