The Following Day
Early in the morning, I accompanied Melissa to the Temple of the Goddess of Wisdom.
That was when I took advantage of the moment to check her status window.Using the basic skill I had completely forgotten I even had.
I crossed my fingers, hoping that "Transcendental Eyes" would show me real information—and not question marks.
[NPC Status Window]
Name: Melissa VanopilasRace: HumanAge: 18
Title: The Flower of AtaxiaLevel: 134
Vitality: 15,000 / 15,000Mana: 5,000 / 3,500
Unique Trait: Extreme Beauty (AAA+)Occupation: Priestess (B+)Class: None
Strength: 18Instinct: 23Speed: 34Vision: 62Endurance: 21Intelligence: 180Wisdom: 220Adaptability: 34Luck: 10Charm: 1000
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Skills: Intentional Perception (C+), Basic Archery (E), Eloquence (F-)
Condition: VirginFavorability: 97 [+77]
Sexual Desire: 21Stress: 60
Status: Happy
When I finished reading her status, a smile naturally formed on my face as I said goodbye to her.
After that, I finally began investigating where the Ate Tavern was located.
It took me almost half a day to find it—the city was massive—but eventually I did.Once there, I began questioning every mercenary at the guild hall:
Why weren't they reporting the guild's income from Cartag?
Every single one gave me the same answer.
It was the fault of a man named Fanuel Kraiss, someone connected to the Imperial Army.
I spent the rest of the day gathering information about his connections.
By late afternoon, I returned to the temple to pick up Melissa.She told me she wanted to watch the sunset at the beach near the temple.
Suddenly, she started picking up shells.
I asked her why, and she told me:
"I'm making a necklace for my priestess friend. Tomorrow is her birthday."
Without hesitation, I dove into the sea, using my stats to gather shells.I extracted the pearls so Melissa could make the necklace for her friend.
That night, Melissa told me she planned to take us to Mount Torang the next day.That beautiful flower-covered mountain on the outskirts of the city.
That's how I spent another night at Nana's house.
***
The Next Day
Once again, early in the morning, I accompanied Melissa to the temple.
After that, I began investigating the movements and routine of this Fanuel Kraiss.
To my surprise, Fanuel was an Imperial Captain, responsible for the barracks and military pavilions of the province—located on the far western edge of the city.
This bastard's modus operandi was simple.
He continuously blocked the transfer of the guild's profits to Cartag, weakening the local guild branch and increasing merchant dependence on him.
Because Ataxia's infrastructure prevented the proper development of local imperial forces—there were no nearby dungeons, nor monster zones—
In short, Captain Fanuel constantly extorted local mercenaries with ridiculous charges, just to drain their money.
Quincy warned me not to get involved.
After all, he was an Imperial Captain.
But I had no intention of doing so anyway.
Getting involved with the Imperial Government—based on everything I'd translated—never ends well.
***
That same afternoon, I went back to the temple to pick up Melissa.
She brought her friend along with her.
It was the other priestess—Agatha, already wearing her pearl necklace.
I congratulated her on her birthday, but she seemed wary of me at first.However, seeing how comfortable Melissa was around me, she let it slide.
Together, we headed toward Mount Torang.
When we reached the summit, the view of the city was sublime.
A beautiful olive tree with orange leaves stood at the peak.
Melissa and Agatha stopped in front of a flower—but didn't let me see it.
Then they stepped aside.
And I saw it.
It looked like a fusion between a rose and an orchid—except it produced fire.
A blue flame with green accents.
It was the most beautiful flower I had ever seen.
Melissa laughed at my stunned expression, but Agatha explained:
—Legend says this rose was planted directly by one of the Goddess of Wisdom's sisters when she claimed patronage over the city. This flower only blooms on this mountain every autumn, just before winter.
The glow in Melissa's eyes as she heard her friend speak of her goddess stirred something indescribable in me.
Still, I asked them both:
—You truly love serving your goddess, don't you?
—It's the reason for my life. —Agatha answered proudly.
—As long as I live, I will serve the goddess with my entire being. —Melissa replied, her gaze full of conviction.
We spent about an hour on Mount Torang.
Then we parted ways.
Agatha returned to the temple for preparations—she was going to speak with the city's governor.
Now it was just Melissa and me.
Walking together through the city.
She showed me everything like a personal tour guide.
We had fun, and with my money we bought plenty of things at the market.
For the first time in days, I finally ate a truly decent meal.
At a restaurant called Grastomir.
They served a dish called Aliantruz Meat—and a soup made from various fish meats, seasoned with local spices.
It was exquisite.
Melissa was surprised when she saw me ordering multiple servings.
I ate until I was completely full.
Because, frankly, every meal I've tried in this world so far has had terrible presentation and taste.
I really needed to reorganize my standardsif I planned to live in this strange world.
After finishing—and ordering food to take back to Nana—
That's when everything went to hell.
I had an incident with that idiot Fanuel.
He was riding a horse, and when he saw Melissa, the bastard tried to grope her—right in front of me.
I immediately ordered Quincy to raise my stats to the exact pointneeded to permanently cripple that bastard.
I wanted him left in a state where not even the finest priest could heal him.
Quincy obeyed.
I activated "Infinite Speed."
In an instant, I shattered every single bone in his body.
No exceptions.
Every bone.
I returned to my original position beside Melissa.
And watched as the man collapsed from his horse—completely broken.
Screaming in pain until he passed out.
The surrounding people and the soldiers accompanying himonly murmured that it was punishment for trying to touch a temple priestess.
Once everyone assumed it was the Goddess's doing,I took Melissa by the hand and escorted her back to Nana's house.
We went inside and waited for Nana to finish eating.
Then I told them I had to leave for Cartag—to report everything to the guild.
Melissa stayed silent for a few minutes.
Then she told me—clearly—that she didn't want me to go.
I didn't understand why her expression darkened.
She told Nana we needed to talk about something.
We went upstairs.
And she confessed why.
Melissa: —That man hasn't come near me anymore… and I think it's because of you.
—Who?
Melissa: —I don't know… a dark-haired vagabond with deep blue eyes. He's always wearing a hood—like the one you had on the day we met.
—What has he done to you?(Oh… so that explains why she looked into my eyes. And why she called me "sir.")
Melissa: —Nothing yet. But I have a bad feeling. He scares me.
—If I run into him, I'll warn him that if he touches you… I'll kill him.(In the most twisted way my mind can devise.)
Melissa: —Please don't go that far… If you see him, just try to talk. He's just a vagabond—not important, okay?
—No promises.
We went back downstairs.
She gently held my hand.
I felt like an idiot.
But a happy idiot.
From her chair, the old woman touched my head and said goodbye:
Nana: —Come back soon, young man.
—I will, Nana.
Melissa: —Goodbye, Sam.
—Take care, Melissa.
I left Nana's house.
I asked Artia to keep Melissa under drone surveillanceand report anything unusual.
[Don't worry, Marshal. I'll report anything suspicious—just stay alert.]
—I will.
I headed toward the outskirts of the city.
That's when I saw a suspicious man.
His attire was strange—but the hood stood out.
Thanks to Transcendental Eyes,I could see he possessed eyes as blue as the sea.
But for some reason, I couldn't see his status window.
Name. Stats. Everything.
Unknown.
He was walking near the beach.
My instincts screamed.
This was the man harassing Melissa.
I approached and called out from a distance:
—It's you, isn't it? The sick bastard… the perverted freak… stalking Priestess Melissa.
I felt his contemptuous gaze.
Then he spoke—his voice deep, carrying the roar of the sea.
Vagabond: —Are you her boyfriend?
—No.
Vagabond: —Her husband?
—No.
Vagabond: —Then don't meddle in matters that aren't yours.
—It became my matter the moment I met Melissa.
Vagabond: —Hahaha… such an amusing mortal.
—What's so funny, idiot?(Should I kill him? …No. He hasn't done anything worthy of death yet. Still—he needs a warning.)
Vagabond: —You won't be able to stop me, boy.
—You'll suffer an unimaginably cruel death if you ever touch her.
Vagabond: —Keep dreaming, child.
He walked toward the sea.
And right before my eyes—he vanished.
I was confused.
Something about him felt familiar… but I couldn't remember what.
I activated the communicator.
—Artia. If you see a blue-eyed man approaching anywhere near Melissa, inform me immediately.
[Received, Marshal.]
I raced to Cartag at maximum speed.
All the while thinking about Melissa.
Still, I couldn't remember what that resemblance reminded me of.
***
I arrived in Cartag and went straight to Pello Tavern.
I reported everything to Frank.
He, in turn, reported on the five striking individuals who had followed me during the tournament.
Frank: —The beautiful green-haired girl with glasses is named Marilyn Weston. She's the next heir to the Weston fortune—the greatest merchants on the continent.
That name sounded familiar.
But I couldn't remember why.
Too much had happened in too little time.
I'd completely lost my sense of time.
Still confused, I asked:
—What did she ask?
Frank: —Whether you work for us.
—And what did you tell her?
Frank: —That I didn't know. And if you did work for me, I asked how I could allow you to humiliate me so publicly—or even reveal your existence during the Glasthor Tournament.
—Good. At least you have a brain. What about the other one?
Frank: —You mean the gorgeous redhead with silver streaks?
—Yes. What do you know about her?
Frank: —Her name is April Gateway. Future matriarch of the Gateway Clan—and the third rising star of the Nordkrieger Kingdom.
—Wait. Star?
Frank: —Let's just say she's the strongest female berserker on record.
—If she's that strong and famous, why third?
Frank: —Because James Simund Battler is the first star.You remember the guy you humiliated in the third round? That brat came with her—he also came asking about you.
—Continue.
Frank: —The second star of Nordkrieger is named Nicole Djokovic. She's the eldest daughter of the Master of the Ice Palace.
—Wait—The Ice Palace is in Nordkrieger!? Shouldn't it be in Britain or the Empire?
Frank: —Good grief. Have you been living in a cave? That's basic knowledge.Anyway—despite attempts to relocate them, they refuse to move. Probably because of inheritance.
—And the last two?
Frank: —One was a subordinate of Acrisio, Cartag's governor. He asked how to contact you—the prince, Alex, wants to know about you.
—Nothing good ever comes from dealing with nobility or royalty. Just headaches.
Frank: —Agreed. Exhausting.
—Anyone else?
Frank: —Right. The last one.The beautiful redhead is named Lucia Ducking—daughter of the most powerful fire mage on the continent.
—And what did she ask?
Frank: —You're not going to like it.
—Say it.
Frank: —She asked if I was your owner—so she could buy you.
—What!?
Wait—
What did you say?
Frank: —That if I were, you wouldn't have humiliated me like that.
—Good answer, Frank.
Frank: —So… what's next?
—I'm going to build a city. And the guild's main headquarters will move there.
Frank: —You're going to… what!?
—The headquarters will move. Whether you like it or not.
Frank: —Easy there, little sir… I believe in your vision.
—Good. I need to go back.
Frank: —Where to?
—Ataxia. I found someone I want to protect.
Frank: —Why not assign some subordinates to guard her?
—She's a young, beautiful priestess. I won't entrust her to men who look at her like animals.
Frank: —I understand. Then I'll see you, boss.
—Don't call me that.
Frank: —Hahaha, relax. See you, boss.
—Goodbye, Frank.