"A-choo——"
Char sneezed violently.
He touched his nose and looked a little unhappy.
In recent days, Xia's spiritual perception has been a little uneasy, and he feels his eyelids twitching every time he wakes up.
He always felt that something very subtle was about to happen to him.
But no matter how hard Char thought about it, he never found any definite clues.
He even went to find a famous fortune teller in the imperial capital, but this great prophet who claimed to have a high-level king-level fortune-telling owl pet, after tinkering with it -
In the end, the only suggestion I came up with was "drink more wolfberries and eat more kidneys."
This not only made Char quite confused, but also cost him 300 Rhine gold coins in vain.
...
...
"Being a charlatan seems to be quite profitable. Maybe I can get a time-based pet and use it to cheat people in the future."
Xia washed his face and quickly calmed down.
Today is a very critical day.
Because today is not only the time for the mall's "Weekly Heartwarming Lucky Bag" to be refreshed.
Moreover, it was also the time when the first task was refreshed after he completed the novice task.
Although Char previously thought that free experience points and skill seeds were valuable enough, after seeing the dazzling array of goods in the Sands of Time Mall, Char set himself a bigger goal.
Complete the mission and then empty the store.
Let’s not talk about anything else, just the “Black Cup”, if it is really an omnipotent wish-granting machine—
Does that mean that as long as I can find a way to eliminate the side effects, I can return to Earth?
Of course, after living in the Western Continent for so many years, Xia has already developed feelings for many people and things here.
But it would be nice to be able to take Xiao Ai back to my hometown.
Let’s not talk about the clichéd plot of returning home in glory and the return of the Dragon King, “I became a legendary beastmaster, but was chosen in a death game with weird rules.”
Just the Coke, PS5, internet, air conditioning and so on, Char misses them terribly.
Those are all good things that can improve life, much better than this fantasy medieval world where magic technology is not very developed.
"A small one first."
Xia washed his hands carefully at the sink, then used his mental power to activate the light curtain and exchanged for a heartwarming lucky bag that could only be purchased once a week.
This thing has to be replaced no matter what. Anyway, there is a guarantee, so you can't lose money no matter what.
[You have purchased the "Weekly Heartwarming Lucky Bag", consuming one Time Sand, and the current number of Time Sands remaining: 26]
A flash of blue light.
[You have obtained "Super Skill Experience Card (Limited Time)" *1]
This time it’s not a small experience value crystal?
Could it be that the metaphysics of washing hands before drawing cards really works?
Char was delighted and began to check the panel properties of the newly acquired item.
[Super Skill Experience Card (Limited Time)]
[Rarity: Blue]
[Category: Limited Time Items]
[Price: 10 pieces]
[Description: After use, the pet will temporarily acquire a super-level skill within a certain ability system. The proficiency of this super-level skill is solidified to "perfect" and lasts for 3 minutes.]
[Note: This experience card is a limited-time item and will automatically expire after one day (current remaining validity period: 23 hours, 59 minutes, 53 seconds)]
This is a product that Char cannot redeem directly in the Sands of Time Mall at present. It should be the item column that the system mentioned that has not yet been unlocked, but it is included in the prize pool of the lucky bag and can be drawn.
Char looked at the "Super Skill Experience Card (Limited Time)" in front of him and fell into deep thought.
To be honest, if it is a "Super Skill Experience Card", it should be a very powerful item.
Although the time limit after use is only three minutes, within these three minutes, it is equivalent to being able to use a new, "perfect" proficiency super-level skill without restrictions.
Char still agrees with the strength of super-level skills.
You know, "Amaterasu", which once broke through the defense of the Dusk Incarnation, is actually just a quasi-super-level skill, and all the main combat skills of Char's other pets are mostly still at a high-level level, including the extremely practical "Flash" and "Tsukuyomi".
Perhaps only when Char breaks through the fourth ring and becomes a master beastmaster, and Char's pets are promoted to kings, will these skills have the possibility of transformation and upgrading again.
And that three-minute time limit is actually enough to reverse the outcome of a battle at a critical moment, given Char's fighting style of planning and then winning with one strike.
But the most disgusting thing is that this experience card is limited to one day.
In other words, he must use up this experience card today, otherwise this lucky bag will be wasted.
However, Char is now in the imperial capital, and the situation is not as urgent as when he was preparing for the final battle against the Principality of Cang Ting. Naturally, there is no opportunity to use this experience card.
"Or find a way to take on a difficult task today..."
"Otherwise, we can only let Yin and the others experience their future abilities and lay the foundation for them to create this skill in the future."
This is also a use. Although the experience card is only valid for three minutes, the experience and insights gained from using that super-level skill will remain after it ends.
If Char had used a trial card to let Gin feel the specific abilities of "Amaterasu" before helping him create "Amaterasu", it would have saved him a lot of effort to create it later.
There is no need for Char to spend so much time helping Yin materialize illusions such as the Great Sun Golden Crow, the Flaming Mountain, and the Sun God.
"It's a little useful, but not much. No wonder it's only worth 10 Sands of Time. The value of a non-limited edition should be at least 30."
"Forget it, it's still better than the small experience crystal."
Char shifted his gaze from the results of the lucky bag and looked at the other side of the light curtain.
That was the first official task released by the system after the novice task was completed and the system had been on a cool-down period of seven days.
[The first official mission has started]
[Mission Stage 1: Triggering the Echoes of History - "Esgania" (Unfinished)]
"Okay, okay, the first mission is to find the remnants of history. You're not going to pretend anymore, right?"
"And—Esgania?"
"What is this place?"
Char's gaze paused on the information on the light curtain.
In order to find the remains of the Principality of Cang Ting, he spent several years in the field of archaeological exploration.
Assisted by his extraordinary mental strength.
Although Char is young now, he is already qualified to be called an archaeologist. Ordinary archaeology students are far inferior to him when it comes to the field of ancient history.
If it was a place name he had seen in ancient books, then Xia would definitely have some impression of it.
"Could it be another existence from the lost history before the Land of Disaster?"
"It would be a huge project to find it."
Xia felt a slight pain in his head.
Because of the existence of the "Land of Disaster", there is a huge gap in the human history of the entire Western Continent.
More than five hundred years ago, the Principality of Cang Ting was at the end of the land of disaster.
Several decades after the fall of the Principality of Cang Ting, the Land of Disaster was officially declared to have come to an end. Therefore, although the history of the Principality of Cang Ting is vague, there are still some clues and records left.
However, if we go back further, to the early days of the Land of Disaster...
Even in the old era before the Holy Calendar, when the Dawn Church had not yet been established.
I'm afraid only God knows the historical secrets involved.
However, Char soon discovered that new product options suddenly appeared in the mall exchange interface.
[Map Guide: Echoes of History "Esgania"]
[Rarity: Green]
[Price: Five pieces]
[Item Description: Helps guide the host to the location of the historical reverberation]
"Okay, okay."
"I was wondering why the guidance function for the novice mission was cancelled. So it turns out that you are waiting here, right?"
Once again, Char realized Tongzi's sinister intentions.
[You have purchased "Map Guide: Esgania", which consumes 5 Time Sands. The current number of Time Sands remaining is 21.]
There is no way, you have to buy it.
His time was very precious. If he really had to spend several years searching like he did when he searched for the Cang Ting ruins, then Char would rather spend money to save himself some effort.
The next moment, in Char's mind, an illusory map of the Western Continent slowly unfolded.
Char's eyes narrowed slightly.
Because he discovered that the destination marked on the map was not far away from him.
If we consider the size of the entire Western Continent, the difference can even be described as a millimeter.
Right inside the imperial capital.
And, if he remembered correctly.
This place should still be an owned land with deep connections.
…
Imperial Capital Military Headquarters, Secret Affairs Department.
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg looked at Char, who was flipping through the files of the Secret Affairs Department, and at the blonde girl who was silently following behind Char and looking around at the unfamiliar environment with a cold expression.
A bitter smile appeared on his face.
Not long ago, he was threatened by Airola with the Holy Spear pointed at his neck. The feeling is still fresh in his memory.
A four-ring master was threatened by a third-level extraordinary academy student. If this news spread, it would probably make the soldiers in the entire military laugh their heads off.
However, Lieutenant Colonel Sieg had a clear premonition at the time.
If I refuse to take out the bottle of spiritual secret medicine, I will definitely die, without exception.
"Mr. Char, why didn't you think of buying intelligence from the Shadow Council this time, but instead thought of our military's intelligence network?"
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg took a few steps away from Airola before asking.
"That store is so shady that I'm a little afraid to go there."
Char's attention was still focused on the pile of files in front of him, and he answered without even looking up.
"If I go there again, I'm afraid I'll really be left behind to pay off my debt with my body."
"Besides, didn't I just become the Sword Bearer? It seems that I am equivalent to the second in command of your military. It would be a waste if I don't use it."
The Imperial Military's intelligence network is vastly different from the types of intelligence held by the Shadow Council.
As for the military, they care more about the exact movements of various countries in the Western Continent, including major forces and high-level strongmen in recent times.
Any slight movement in the strategic locations within the enemy country will be detected, after all, this may directly affect the development of the situation on the mainland and the direction of the war.
However, the military's intelligence network knows very little about the secrets buried in history and certain forbidden knowledge.
After all, this has no direct interest relationship with the empire and the military.
If not for this, Char wouldn't have to give money to the Shadow Council again and again. Who would spend money when they can get something for free?
"Is this it..."
Xia's gaze fixed on a file.
He glanced at the information on the file and his eyes narrowed slightly.
"The "Sinful Thorns" Club."
"The club's business scope includes bridge, imperial chess..."
Char waved the file in his hand towards Sieg.
"A board game club actually occupies half a city block, and is classified as top-level confidential information by your military?"
"Of course there is more to it than that."
Sieg came to Char's side and looked at the information on the file, frowning slightly.
“It’s called a card game club, but in reality, Sinthorn is a large casino.”
"Moreover, unlike those casinos that are only interested in making money, there is indirect evidence that the "Thorn of Sin" is directly involved in certain black industries." "Including but not limited to organ trafficking, personal imprisonment, slave trade, etc..."
Xia raised his eyebrows in surprise: "So you just watched them run a black business right under your noses in the imperial capital?"
"I thought the incident at Saint Laurent College was just a special case... but now it seems that the military and the Administration Bureau are full of useless people who just want to eat and wait for death?"
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg gave a helpless smile: "The military and the Administration Bureau are the products of a compromise between the Empire and the nobles."
"Nominally, they have the power to enforce the law throughout the empire, but in practice they face many constraints. Even the military and the top brass of the Administration have people planted by the aristocratic faction—"
A hint of coldness flashed across his stern face: "The owner of the "Sin Thorn" club is Viscount Lori."
"In accordance with the Third Amendment Act, enacted forty-one years ago—"
"Before obtaining solid evidence and obtaining parliamentary approval to issue a search warrant, the Bureau and the military have no right to exercise law enforcement power in the property of any noble above the baron rank."
"What we have right now are indirect clues, not enough to apply for a search warrant, and even if we do apply..."
"Even if the application is successful, by the time the parliament, where the nobles hold most of the seats, approves it, those criminals would have already gotten wind of it and cleared up the evidence and fled."
Char raised the file in his hand and completed what Lieutenant Colonel Sieg had not finished saying.
"Wow, you guys are really good. This is a one-stop protection industry chain."
"Now I understand why the princess wanted to rebuild the Sword Wielder."
…
"no way."
"The nobles have been powerful in the empire for a long time, and it is difficult to reverse the situation."
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg certainly heard the sarcasm in Char's words, but he just nodded in agreement.
Even though what Char said sounded harsh, it was true.
If we really have to rely on the current governing bureau and the military to maintain order, it will probably take less than a decade before the country's remaining national strength and public support will be completely drained by those vampires.
By then, even if the Fresta Empire had not been destroyed, it would only exist in name only.
He looked at Char and spoke seriously.
"That's why I swore allegiance to Her Highness Isadella."
"Among all the princes today, only Her Highness Isadella's swift and decisive approach can possibly clear away these cancers and hazes."
"Let Foresta, let Camelot—"
"It will once again become the orderly city and ideal city that was the focus of the people's hearts and minds when the country was first established."
"It's a good thing to have ideals." Char listened to Lieutenant Colonel Sieg's words without commenting, and put down the file in his hand: "There is more to this casino than this."
"The crime of a mere viscount is not even worthy of the highest level of confidentiality."
"Indeed."
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg spoke again: "It's mainly because the owner of this casino, Viscount Lori, has another identity."
"Oh?" Xia paused and took the tea that Aurora had prepared for him.
Tea is also one of the businesses developed by Xia Ya. It emphasizes using tea instead of alcohol and focuses on health preservation. It is quite popular among middle-aged and elderly people.
He took the steaming ceramic cup and blew on it: "Who?"
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg hesitated for a moment before he spoke slowly: "The Scarlet Rose, the Borgia Family."
"This casino is one of the several important money-spending dens and transit stations controlled by the Borgia family in the imperial capital. Every day, a huge amount of money and resources are transported to various parts of the Western Continent through this casino as a transit point."
"And Viscount Lori is the white glove of the Borgia family."
Char paused and took a sip of tea. "Why do I feel like the Borgia are everywhere?"
"The secret industries within the imperial capital, with the exception of behemoths like the Shadow Council that can stand on their own without any external help, most of them have the background of great nobles."
"And the Borgia family is also considered a representative of those great nobles."
Lieutenant Colonel Sieg explained: "If we can get rid of the Thorn of Sin, it will be a big blow to the Borgia family's financial chain, and it will also be able to shake up the current situation in the imperial capital to a certain extent."
"but……"
He shook his head helplessly.
"In other words, if we can take down that casino, it can be considered as a relief for Her Royal Highness?"
"Of course, the Borgia family is currently the most powerful noble alliance in the imperial capital, and is also the biggest obstacle for Your Highness."
Zieg nodded: "But the other party's background network is very deep, and it is extremely difficult to break through according to normal law enforcement procedures."
"And if we don't follow the normal process and resort to force, it will likely cause a joint backlash from those great nobles..."
Zieg's words soon came to an abrupt end.
Because he saw that Char had stood up at some point.
Char stood up and put on his dark windbreaker: "It's good to be able to help His Highness."
In the last battle of the Cang Ting Principality, the two-way teleportation array provided by Isadela and the "Judgment Order" containing the Black King's words and spirit did help Char a lot.
Although Char doesn't buy into empty promises, he also doesn't like owing favors to others.
It would be great if I could have the chance to repay this favor.
He straightened his collar and called out, "Come on, Xiao Ai, it's time to work."
The blonde girl beside him nodded and followed Char out obediently.
But soon, Airola stopped in her tracks.
She looked towards the military passage not far away with her turquoise eyes, and a hint of hostility appeared on her pretty face like an iceberg.
Char followed Airola's gaze and immediately understood the source of the girl's hostility.
A graceful figure appeared at the corner of the passage, wearing a white long dress, her pretty face full of purity.
The most important thing is to be tolerant.
She took brisk steps and soon came in front of Char and Airola.
"This is the military's secret department. It doesn't seem like a place for a good girl like Saint Laurent's student council president to come."
It was extremely rare that Airola spoke before Char.
"It's a bit hurtful for Aurora-san to say something like that."
There was a look of hurt on Diris's innocent face. If Char had not seen her true form as a succubus, he would have been fooled by her pitiful appearance.
"Student Council President is just a hidden identity. I am now considered a member of the Sword Wielders, so of course I can appear in the military."
As she spoke, she came in front of Airola, and then spoke in a voice that only the two of them could hear: "Don't worry, Airola, I'm not a threat to you."
"I have personally experienced Char's dream, so I know exactly where you stand in Char's heart..."
"You are too important to him. I can't shake your position in his heart."
"Perhaps, there are not many people in this world who can shake me..."
Airola's cold expression remained unchanged, but the silver light shining in her blue eyes faded slightly.
"cough--"
Xia coughed lightly, breaking the frozen Shura field in front of him: "President Diris, you just said that you are also a member of the Sword Wielder? What does that mean?"
"The Sword Bearer is actually a general term for an entire organization, just like the Control Bureau and the Military Department, there are superiors and subordinates."
"Otherwise, relying solely on the energy of a few people, no matter how strong they are, how can they become the sword of Damocles that monitors the entire territory and hangs over the heads of all disordered people?"
Diris took a step back and looked at Char, with a pure and sweet smile on her lips.
She leaned gently into Char's ear, ignoring the murderous aura that suddenly burst out from Airola, and exhaled a sweet breath.
"According to your Highness' wishes, from now on I will be your subordinate as the Sword Wielder."
"In other words, I will not refuse any of the hidden rules that the bosses have for their female secretaries, such as doing it in the secret room or asking me to do it under your desk."
The warm air sprayed onto Char's earlobe, causing a slight tingling sensation.
"Or even if you don't like my looks, let me use the power of the Succubus royal family to help you imagine His Highness, or your golden elf teacher in the Black Tower..."
"Even if we can make Aurora's steel-like figure a little more plump, there will be no problem at all..."
"I'm talking to Tingting."
Xia spoke, interrupting Diris's words.
Feeling the bone-chilling look of Airola behind him, as if she was ready to kill at any time, Xia couldn't help but sigh.
"President Diris, you are teasing me on purpose, right? Otherwise, shouldn't some things be kept in private?"
"is that so?"
Diris blinked her soft and innocent eyes: "But I thought you preferred the exciting feeling of having sex in front of your real girlfriend."
"Okay, stop talking."
Xia had to admit that some of Diris's suggestions just now did make him excited.
The only problem was that he was afraid that if the truth came to light, he would end up being chopped to pieces.
It can only be said that Diris is worthy of being a member of the succubus royal family. Even though she is a shameless succubus with no experience, now that she has had some contact with Char, she has learned and mastered her job very quickly. She has become an experienced driver in just a few days.
"Since the Sword Bearer is an organization, that means His Highness should have assigned me more than just you as a subordinate."
"As expected of Char-san, you figured out this information without me having to explain it."
There was undisguised admiration in Diris's eyes, which made Aurora's eyes become even colder.
"The original Sword Bearers were formed by several legendary knights who followed the late emperor."
"So those true sword bearers also have another name - "Knights of the Round Table."
"Several legendary knights and the king held a meeting at a round table, deciding the future of the empire."
"Later, as the royal family's control over the empire gradually declined, the Sword Bearer and the Round Table gradually became history."
"But there are still a few descendants of the original Knights of the Round Table who remain today, and they still maintain their loyalty to the royal family. There are two of them in the Imperial Capital's military department today."
"Descendant of a legend?"
Char frowned. "Isn't he the kind of childish kid who keeps talking about the glory of his ancestors, the seven virtues of chivalry, and the golden spirit...who keeps making a fuss all day long but gets scared to death when something happens and will only become a burden?"
"Of course not. Even if such a person really existed in the past, he would have been turned into dust in history by the nobles during that dark age. How could he survive until now?"
Diris smiled and said, "And if that were the case, they would never be chosen by His Highness, or even be entrusted with important tasks as his trusted subordinates."
"That's true."
Char nodded.
Apart from anything else, Char still approved of the Second Princess's vision in selecting her subordinates, as there were no unqualified people who would hold her back.
Of course, the most important reason why Char recognized the princess was because she chose him as the Swordsman.
In the field of discerning talent, I, Char, would like to call you the best.
"Then take me to meet them."
…
In the military lounge.
There were two slender figures, indifferently blending into the bench and the dark shadow behind the bench.
Their appearances are extremely similar, but they exude two completely different auras.
Time passed by little by little, but the lounge remained silent and no words were uttered.
Until some point.
The door to the lounge suddenly opened.
A young man wearing a long black windbreaker, with the upper half of his face covered by a white metal mask, leaving only a pair of black eyes exposed, walked into the lounge.
Behind him, two girls followed on his left and right. One had blonde hair shawl, exuding a cold and murderous aura, while the other had a pure face, wearing a plain white dress, and looked a little timid.
Half of the two girls' faces were also covered by similar metal masks, revealing only their swan-like white necks and delicate jaws.
"Ladies."
Char looked around the lounge.
"From now on, you can call me——"
"Joker."
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