Chereads / Netorare: Consequences of Choice / Chapter 3 - Banquet (2)

Chapter 3 - Banquet (2)

"What exactly is your intention, Vyn?" A sophisticated woman inquired, her long, fiery red hair cascading elegantly in the breeze. She was adorned in a resplendent white and crimson knight's uniform, with a striking green jewel at the center of her chest and golden epaulets, connected by delicate chains, resting gracefully on her shoulders.

"This matter doesn't concern you, Theresia," he replied, his voice a soothing blend of tenderness and affection. "I didn't anticipate that he would become weak all of a sudden."

Theresia cast a fleeting glance at Sucura, silently pondering, 'Why did his aura suddenly dissipate?' before returning her gaze to Vyn.

"Regardless," she spoke up, "unjustified violence is never acceptable."

[Lvl. 42]

Sucura gazed at Theresia with an unwavering expression, marveling at her striking beauty.

'She truly is as breathtaking as the game described her to be. This must be the sensation one experiences when they say that, upon beholding an angel, one would gladly descend into the depths of hell just to boast about the encounter.'

Theresia is a prominent NPC hero, serving as a crucial ally from the beginning to the end of the game. Her character is designed with exceptional striking abilities, boasting the highest critical hit rate and critical damage among all heroes.

To maximize her potential, focus on enhancing her attack speed and defense penetration. With these attributes, Theresia will effortlessly crush her enemies, making her an indispensable asset to your team.

If you manage to gain Theresia's favor, she becomes an invaluable resource, providing a once-in-a-lifetime hint in each chapter up until Event VIII.

Her guidance can significantly impact your progress, making her an essential ally to cultivate throughout the game.

Regrettably, Theresia's full availability only occurs in Event IX. My astute dweeb friend pointed out, winning her over can be quite challenging, akin to battling multiple bosses.

Her storyline is fraught with numerous death routes, not due to her own nature, but rather because of her companion, the Last Princess of Moon Elves, who is masquerading as a human.

This elusive character is able to conceal herself using mystical artifacts, adding an extra layer of complexity and intrigue to Theresia's narrative.

"Are you alright?" Shaine asked, her eyes filled with concern.

Sucura turned to face Shaine, and despite the urge to respond sarcastically with something like, 'Are you blind, girl? Yeah, I'm fine; I'm just puking blood, after all,' he chose to keep his biting remark to himself.

"I'm fine," Sucura replied, though he coughed up blood once more. "Just heal me," he added, his voice strained.

Upon hearing Sucura's request, Shaine nodded in understanding and quickly began to cast a healing spell.

She whispered the incantation under her breath, her hands glowing with a soft, warm light as she focused her magic on Sucura's abdomen. "Heal Embrace," she chanted, pouring her restorative energy into his body.

[Lvl. 26]

Sucura gazed at her with an air of impassivity, yet internally, he was utterly captivated by the enchantment unfolding before his very eyes. The sorcery was so flawless and intricate that it seemed impossible to discern any imperfections. The mesmerizing display of arcane prowess left him in awe, as he marveled at the sheer artistry and finesse of the spellwork.

A surge of excitement coursed through him as he contemplated the prospect of unleashing a torrent of spells with unbridled passion. 'I simply cannot wait,' he mused internally.

Yet, he acknowledged the importance of prioritizing his survival and amassing experience to progress in levels, especially after utilizing the rebirth option. With a quiet, introspective sigh, he conceded to the necessity of balancing his desires with practicality.

With a tinge of frustration, he reflected on the skills he had acquired. 'I want to be angry, but I can't,' he sighed once more, grappling with the limitations of his current abilities.

Sucura's gaze wandered to the other three heroes who had stood up for him, and he couldn't help but internally scoff at one of them. Ulrich, also known as the [Manipulator Route] of the game.

[Lvl. 32]

Ulrich was the most cunning and charismatic of the group. Possessing a silver tongue, he could sway people's minds with his eloquent words. Ulrich was an opportunistic individual who would likely side with the winning contender, and Sucura suspected that he had joined the group merely to gain favor with Theresia.

He then shifted his attention to the other two heroes, Octavian and Luke.

Octavian maintained a neutral stance, though beads of sweat were visible on her face.

Luke, on the other hand, possessed a strong sense of heroism and harbored a self-righteous prejudice. His most irritating trait was his unwavering protection of women, even when they were in the wrong. This behavior had earned him the nickname [Simp Route] among the community.

"Why are you joining as well, Ulrich?" Vyn drawled, his gaze fixed upon him, eyes glinting ominously.

Unfazed, Ulrich simply shrugged and replied, "This is not a place for unnecessary brawls. If you wish to settle your dispute, it should be done outside."

"You are my friend, are you not, Ulrich?" Vyn inquired, his aura expanding with a ferocious intensity.

Ulrich nodded in affirmation, responding, "Indeed, I am your friend, Vyn," as an enigmatic smile graced his features.

Vyn's gaze shifted between Shaine, who was tending to Sucura's wounds, and Ulrich, before posing his question, "Then, what brings you here?"

Ulrich calmly explained, "As I mentioned earlier, my purpose here is to put an end to this senseless conflict. Moreover, we mustn't forget that we stand in the presence of the King and Queen."

Vyn couldn't help but click his tongue involuntarily as his focus shifted to Luke, causing an indescribable intensity to surge through his veins.

However, upon catching a glimpse of Theresia's striking features in his peripheral vision, he gradually regained his composure and calmed down.

With a determined resolve, Vyn thought to himself, 'Just wait, Luke. All I need is a several months, and your fate will be far worse than what befell Sucura.' He couldn't help but beam an internal smile at the thought.

Vyn briefly glanced at Octavian before turning his attention back to Shaine. With a commanding tone, he drawled her name, "Let's go, Shaine."

Shaine involuntarily trembled, her voice quivering as she uttered, "Y-yes, I'm coming, Vyn."

As she rose to her feet, Sucura's hand tenderly grasped her arm, his expression remaining neutral.

His lips silently formed the words, 'I hope you find happiness in the choice you've made.'

Within a few moments, he released her arm, allowing her to proceed.

Shaine's eyes shimmered with emotion upon hearing Sucura's unspoken words.

Vyn's voice, laced with a sinister undertone, reverberated through the air as he called out, "Shaine."

With determination, Shaine walked away, moving towards Vyn without casting a glance back at her past.