Chapter 1046: Chapter 790: Eldo’s Tears
The eve of the artificial labyrinth assault.
While the adventurers and citizens of Orario were still eagerly discussing Reiger’s level-up, the members of the assault knew well the harsh challenges that awaited them the next evening. Some were excited, some were thrilled, some were anxious, and others were determined as they made their final preparations.
The same was true at the Loki Familia’s stronghold. Even though night had fallen, Raul and Angel were still in the courtyard, directing members to move boxes filled with supplies to designated spots.
From time to time, people from the Hephaestos Clan and the Dian Cecht Familia would arrive with the final batch of weapons and supplies, delivering them to the Loki Familia’s base.
Of course, the first-tier adventurers who had some free time also entered a state of readiness. Some were maintaining their weapons in their rooms, some were checking their physical conditions, and others simply went to the basement to spar with the captive female warriors, under the guise of warming up.
"Truly, there’s not a moment of rest..."
While everyone was bustling with their preparations, Reiger walked slowly down the corridors of the stronghold.
He had no specific destination, just wandering aimlessly.
For tomorrow’s assault, he had nothing more to say, nor anything else to prepare.
Everything that needed to be done was mostly completed, leaving the outcome to depend on the others.
"After this battle, quite a few in the Familia may achieve great feats, discover new magic or skills, or ascend to a new phase, right?"
With such conviction, Reiger did not intervene in anyone’s work, watching like a bystander as everyone put in their efforts.
And so, with his leisurely stroll, Reiger eventually found himself in the inner courtyard.
There, as expected, he saw that golden figure.
"Swish—Swish—Swish—"
The female swordsman with flowing golden hair was freely wielding her sword in the courtyard, casting out cold sword lights that cut through the air, creating sharp sounds as they sliced the air continuously.
"Exhale—Inhale—"
While swinging her silver saber, the young girl also adjusted her breathing.
She followed the teachings of a young man who had grown so close to her, focusing her mind, refining her senses, and inhaling more oxygen.
"Huff huff huff huff—"
Gradually, a furious wind began to blow around her, as if she were channeling the "wind" she’d inherited from the great spirit Alya.
In the wind, the Sword Princess accelerated her slashes, the sharp wind-cutting sounds growing louder, until several wind blades appeared mid-air, cutting through the dust and soaring to the sky.
"Huff..."
After finishing, the golden-haired girl finally stopped, sheathing her sword as she slowly steadied her breathing.
"Reiger..."
Only then did the girl notice Reiger’s presence. Looking at the quietly observing Reiger, she parted her red lips, calling out to him.
"Can’t sleep?"
Reiger stepped forward to her, smoothing her slightly disheveled bangs.
Ais blushed slightly but didn’t resist Reiger’s actions, rather finding some enjoyment in it.
"Just practicing a little," Ais said softly once Reiger had smoothed her bangs. "What do you think?"
"You’re asking about your proficiency in Wind Breathing, right?" Reiger sighed slightly, smiling. "It’s perfect; indeed, you have a great affinity with Wind Breathing."
Three months later, Ais had reached a masterful degree of command over Wind Breathing.
She had successfully mastered Total Concentration Constant.
Now, in Wind Breathing, she would not lose to the Wind Pillar of the Demon Slayer Corps, Shinazugawa Sanemi, and might even be stronger.
The Mist Pillar, Tokitou Muichirou, was praised as a top-notch genius in the history of the Demon Slayer Corps for becoming a Pillar merely two months after first wielding a sword.
However, Ais’ comprehension speed in Wind Breathing surpassed even Tokitou Muichirou, reaching the pinnacle over a month ago, long before she could officially be considered a master.
To be blunt, in the application of Wind Breathing, even Reiger couldn’t match the current Ais.
After all, Reiger didn’t have a great affinity with Wind Breathing.
The breathing technique genuinely suited to Reiger was ultimately Sun Breathing.
This was proven from the moment Reiger first held a Sun Wheel Blade, turning its blade black.
Therefore, Reiger did not invest much effort into Wind Breathing.
Though he had learned nearly all breathing styles, the ones he truly used and prized were only Sun Breathing, Moon Breathing, and Thunder Breathing.
Thus, Reiger could confidently tell Ais,
"In Wind Breathing, I have nothing more to teach you."
"You have surpassed the master."
"Maybe now, you could even hold your own against Finn and the others who’ve just reached Lv.7."
Indeed, Ais has become this strong.
Originally, Ais’s "Wind Spirit Swift Walk" was an exceptional supportive magic, enabling her at Lv.5 top tier to challenge a Lv.6 floor boss like Daedalus and emerge victorious.
Now, though she may not have progressed far into Lv.6 after more than three months of effort, her comprehensive grasp of Wind Breathing had given her combat ability a qualitative leap.
Maybe with only "Wind Spirit Swift Walk," Ais couldn’t yet challenge Lv.7.
But, combining Wind Breathing with "Wind Spirit Swift Walk," maximizing its output power, and with its side effects greatly reduced, perhaps Ais could now challenge Lv.7.
Geniuses indeed stand apart; while others found a cross-level challenge unbelievable, Ais always managed to accomplish it.
She might not be as overpowered as Reiger or Bell Crowney, but compared to prominent figures like the "Braver" Ota, in terms of potential and future possibilities, she was not too far behind.
However—
"...I’m still too weak right now."
Ais lifted her head, gazing at the moon and stars in the night sky and voiced her thought.
"In tomorrow’s battle campaign, I can only assist as Revilia’s second-in-command. I can’t help you, nor can I play as decisive a role as you."
These words somewhat weighed down the atmosphere.
But they were the truth.
Facing such a terrifying entity as an Elf clone, even a couple of Lv.7 combat power was insufficient to turn the tides.
Thus, Ais actually felt quite pressured.
"If only I were strong enough..."
Maybe, tomorrow’s operation would go much smoother.
This thought stirred a sense of urgency in Ais, who already yearned for power.
She was someone who had lost everything once.
Her father failed to challenge the black dragon.
Her mother followed suit.
Now, she had finally regained a family, and if she were to lose them again, she would surely break down.
Ais felt this urgency, felt this anxiety.
She no longer wanted to lose anything.
"....."
Watching Ais silently gazing at the moon, Reiger uttered no comforting words.
Because he knew, this was a bad habit of the girl.
She always felt she wasn’t strong enough.
She always felt she should become stronger.
As if not becoming stronger would inevitably lead to losing everything again, helpless against the loss, the girl dubbed her actions as "revenge," forcing herself to move forward.
Clearly, she didn’t want to wield a sword, didn’t want to fight, but longed for a hero to rescue her.
Indeed, just like that Sanjono Haruhime.
Sadly, the girl was even less fortunate than that vixen.
At least that vixen waited for her hero and received salvation.
And Ais?
She didn’t wait it out, she had to wield the sword herself.
To this, Reiger couldn’t say anything.
His arrival timing in this world just wasn’t right?
When he arrived in this world, the girl had already picked up the sword, and become a remarkable swordsman, no longer needing a hero to save her.
Hence, Reiger still couldn’t become her hero.
But, he could become the girl’s companion.
"Desire strength... do you?"
Reiger pondered for a while, and suddenly took out a necklace from the storage space of the dimension cube.
"Ais."
Reiger tossed the necklace to Ais.
"...What is this?"
Ais snapped back to her senses, instinctively caught it, and looked at it closely.
Upon this glance, Ais was immediately captivated by the necklace.
This was a necklace crafted from special metal, engraved with mysterious runes throughout, and adorned with patterns composed of numerous micro Magic arrays, sketching an inexplicable magical power fluctuation.
Ais examined it closely, after a while her expression shifted slightly.
For she sensed an obscure astonishing Magic power from this necklace.
It was undoubtedly an ancient, mysterious, and powerful artifact.
The facts were literally that.
"It’s called Eldo’s Tears, an Ancient Secret Treasure I acquired from a queen’s tomb who inherited a hero’s lineage."
Reiger said so.
"A queen who inherited a hero’s lineage..."
These words touched Ais.
After all, her father was a hero too.
"You wish to gain more power, and use it to protect those around you, right?" Reiger gazed at Ais and said: "In that case, you should wear it."
"Its sole effect is to protect the wearer’s spirit and soul, stabilizing their mind."
"With it, you’ll be free to use that."
"To use your sealed skill—[Revenge Princess]."
Upon hearing Reiger’s words, Ais’s heart throbbed violently.
[Revenge Princess]...
Ais whispered, her head bowed deeply.
The expression resembled a dejected girl whose inner darkness had been excavated, unconfident to face anyone.