Looking at the Theresa who had defeated her before her eyes, Ecaros, after being prompted by the system that she could voluntarily end the First-Person Mode, withdrew from her sim-self’s perspective.
And after returning to reality, Ecaros recalled what had just happened and sank into deep thought.
She did not believe it could have been an accident.
After all, at that moment, Ecaros had clearly felt her vision blur and shift for an instant.
Strangely…
it had been very similar to the Originium Arts her sim-self used.
Speaking of Originium Arts, it must be mentioned that during the first-person perspective experience just now, Ecaros had already figured out exactly what her sim-self’s Arts were.
To put it in complex terms: the simulated ‘Ecaros” Originium Arts were a composite-type, using Originium particles in the air as a medium to conduct sensory guidance and thought resonance.
To put it simply: the ability to distort the five senses, an Arts akin to signing a ‘contract,’ and additionally, a touch of mind-reading-like emotional perception.
And when she had been making the branching choice, Ecaros had felt her vision seemingly affected by the former.
Though it had only lasted an instant, that sensation could not deceive her.
This made her begin to somewhat doubt her system—to suspect that perhaps the simulation was not as simple as the system had claimed.
But the moment a sprout of doubt arose in Ecaros’ heart, the system panel popped up with a whoosh, as if terrified of being misunderstood, and hastily explained: [Host, don’t let your imagination run wild!
I’ve nearly exhausted myself just maintaining the simulation with your Originium Arts.
My dedication to serving you—the sun and moon can attest to it!] [As for the influence you experienced, I can explain that too.
That ability to affect the five senses is itself a yet-to-be-developed part of your Originium Arts.
When I guided it out, it inevitably exerted some influence on you.] [Moreover, it’s very likely that you originally wanted to pick the first option in your heart, which is why this result occurred.
And honestly, in terms of outcome, aren’t these two options essentially the same, anyway?] Then, as if afraid Ecaros still wouldn’t believe it, the system gritted its metaphorical teeth, doubled down on its assurances, and swore to Ecaros: [And besides, the thing you’re most worried about is nothing more than the simulation possibly interfering with reality.
I hereby guarantee—this is absolutely impossible.
Unless you, the Host, possess Originium Arts capable of turning dreams into reality…] [Otherwise…
otherwise I’ll send myself to the CWM System Waifu Academy, train myself up nicely, and become your, Host’s, own personal fluffball!] This oath, in the system’s own view, was sufficiently vicious.
After all, the CWM System Waifu Academy was the foremost of the Three Great Toxic Blight Academies of the system world.
As a qualified system, none wished to be sent there.
Issuing such a venomous vow showed clearly that the system truly had no intention of deceiving Ecaros.
And Ecaros could read the sincerity between every line of the system’s words, as well as its thick, visceral loathing for the so-called CWM System Waifu Academy.
Coupled with the fact that her own Originium Arts, in a certain sense, could indeed influence people’s five senses to some degree when deployed…
Thus, though a trace of doubt lingered, Ecaros tacitly accepted the system’s explanation for the time being.
Not to mention, the system had already put it this strongly.
Ecaros chose to continue trusting it.
As for whether problems might arise in the future…
she’d leave that to her future self to agonize over.
Right now, at the end of the day, she needed the system’s help.
Even if the simulation truly could affect reality, for the sake of her own and her childhood friend’s future, Ecaros would still carry it out.
At most, she’d be more cautious.
She couldn’t just leave a cheat unused, could she?
If this were some lighthearted slice-of-life world, that’d be one thing.
But this was Terra.
Even in Laterano, Ecaros couldn’t claim absolute safety.
Besides, in the future, she’d most likely be exiled along with her childhood friend.
So, whatever the case, she only hoped the simulation’s rewards wouldn’t disappoint her.
After all, on this vast land, weakness itself is the original sin…
[In the battle against Theresa, who had gained the power of the Sarkaz King, you lost without any suspense.] [The Originium Arts and swordsmanship you once took pride in proved utterly worthless before Theresa, chosen by the Black Crown.] [According to the rules of the game, Theresa had won.
She only needed to kill you to gain her freedom, as well as the wealth behind you.] [But Theresa did not do so.
At the same time, she also denied that this assassination attempt counted as a success.] [That is to say, your game had not, in a sense, ended.
And this also meant that the bond between you and Theresa would not be severed simply because of the girl’s departure.] [You did not know how to describe what you felt at this moment.] [You only felt utterly wretched inside, simultaneously engulfed by a sense of defeat.] [The next day, Theresa and Theresis left.] [They took practically nothing with them—only the clothes on their backs, their weapons, and some rations from the basement that were nearly moldy.] [You gazed with a complicated expression at the letters they had left for you.] [Theresa’s writing was gentle and refined.
Between every line seeped a faint apology and a playful tenderness.
She told you that she would return very soon, and once she came back, she would never leave you again.] [Theresis’ letter was much simpler and to the point.
He expressed his gratitude to you, and assured you that he would protect Theresa.] [The letters were not long.
You finished reading them very quickly.
They didn’t even feel like farewell letters.
Yet still, they left a bitter taste in your heart.] [Still, you quickly composed yourself.] [After all, you had always been alone.] [Nevertheless, for a long time afterwards, you could not get used to Theresa’s absence.] [That year, you lived rather uneasily.
At Thanksgiving, seated at the head of the table, you stared at the empty room in silence for a very long time, feeling once more that emotion called loneliness.] [You looked at the two Manchester family medals you had commissioned someone to design in advance.
Set within them were a beautiful, dazzling pink gemstone and a steady, deep blue gemstone, respectively.
The gold borders around them were also inlaid with countless diamond chips.] [They were clearly meant for Theresa and Theresis.] [Unfortunately, you were not able to place them into their hands.] [Nor were you able…
to hold a coming-of-age ceremony for Theresa and Theresis.] [And in the blink of an eye, nearly five years passed…] [These five years were not entirely peaceful.
For a long stretch of them, Victoria’s political situation was violently shaken by the sudden death of the previous king.] [Fortunately, the newly ascended Aslan King quickly quelled the internal unrest after taking the throne.] [Moreover, due to certain one-sided sentimental reasons, this new Aslan King—who had once been your classmate at the academy—held a far better attitude toward House Manchester than the Aslan royalty of the past.] [This allowed your family businesses to develop rapidly.] [However, you had no interest in the Aslan King’s implicit overtures of affection.
All these years, apart from Theresa, no one had ever truly sparked in you the desire to possess.
Thus, you would not consider this Aslan whose name you couldn’t even remember in the past.] [Even if he was now the King.] [And after everything more or less stabilized, you thought of going to find Theresa and Theresis.
But unfortunately, not knowing their location, you ultimately had to give up and continue staying in Londinium, waiting for news of Theresa, or for her return.] [Although your Originium Arts confirmed for you that Theresa was still alive, regrettably, you could not locate her through it.] [Thankfully, after many years of silence, Theresa seemed to have finally accumulated enough strength.] [One morning, when you opened the morning paper, you at last spotted a familiar name in a corner.] [Though to other Victorians, such a name would be nothing more than that of an insignificant little figure that appeared every so often in the increasingly chaotic Kazdel…] [To you, however, it was simply the best piece of information you had received in years.] [Even the corners of your lips—so long placid—finally curved into a faint smile.] [And after you determined their location, seeing your family’s now-bloated business empire, and considering the Aslan Crown’s loosened grip on your house,] [An idea arose in your heart: to go and aid Theresa, so that she could return to your side sooner.] [Thus, with such a goal in mind, considering Theresa’s identity and the situation in Kazdel, where warlords were beginning to carve out their own domains, your decision is…] [Branch 1: The time has come!
With Victoria’s political situation unstable, immediately seek out the exiled Draco royal bloodline in secret, form factions and alliances, and retake the throne!
Today!
After it’s done, petition to lead troops to aid Theresa as a meritorious official!
I shall be Victoria’s shadow emperor!
LORD!
PROTECTOR!
OF THE REALM!] [Branch 2: The current Aslan King has feelings for you.
Perhaps you could do this and that with him, and then…] [Branch 3: To be safe, secretly involve yourself in Victoria’s current military production industry.
Combined with the wealth you’ve accumulated over the years, this should basically be enough for you to support Theresa in seizing the throne of Kazdel.]