Chapter 16: Morgan Grew Up Listening to Scary Stories of the Land of Shadows
Noah could conduct three simulations per day. The one just now was his second for the day and the fifth overall. Now, he was about to begin his final simulation of the day—the sixth one.
[Please select a tag (choose one of three)]
[(Rare) Ghastly Visage: Makes your face exceptionally terrifying]
[(Rare) Timid as a Mouse: Makes you cowardly, but reduces the likelihood of encountering danger]
[(Epic) Martial Arts Prodigy: Your talent in martial arts is worthy of being recorded in history]
Upon seeing these three options, Noah merely glanced at the first two without any intention of selecting them.
After all, the first one would likely affect his appearance... This time, he planned to search for clues about the Holy Lance Rhongomyniad and also intended to seek out the Queen of the Land of Shadows. He might need to interact with many people, so having a normal appearance would provide some basic advantages in diplomacy. Looking too strange would probably be problematic.
The second one, [(Rare) Timid as a Mouse]... based on the description, it essentially offered no positive benefits.
As for the reduced likelihood of encountering danger—of course, hiding out of cowardice would lower the risk. But the inhabitants of Britain were remnants of the Age of Gods, destined to vanish along with its decline.
Britain was fated to undergo a complete rebirth. The current Britons and Picts would all fade from history, making way for new, truly future-oriented humans to settle this land.
So, merely hiding out of cowardice wouldn't suffice. If he couldn't escape the island, he was bound to fail against Vortigern.
This option was also unacceptable.
Thus, the only choice left was the third one.
Not to mention, the [(Epic) Martial Arts Prodigy] tag was quite a good one.
Previously, in his fourth simulation, he had selected [(Epic) Genius of Alchemy], which was of the same type and also epic-grade.
Noah wasn't sure if there were higher-tier talent tags, such as legendary, mythical, or even the highest—root-level. But an epic-grade talent was already quite formidable.
Last time, after choosing [(Epic) Genius of Alchemy], it allowed him—someone with only average magical aptitude—to develop his own unique path in alchemy. So, how far could his already decent martial arts talent advance under the boost of [(Epic) Martial Arts Prodigy]?
Noah was curious about this.
He had tested such tags before.
He could directly inherit experiential memories, allowing him to master alchemy instantly.
Similarly, he could rely on inherited experiences, memories, or attributes to acquire a fully developed martial arts system.
So.
Simulation begins!
[In your spare time while handling tasks, you noticed birds flying outside the window. As you approached, you saw Kay get hit by bird droppings, and you managed to avoid his notice.]
[You called Artoria inside and, after finishing the essential tasks that required your attention, attempted to let Artoria handle the remainder.]
[Throughout this process, you gradually made your aspirations for the nation's future clear to Artoria.]
[After informing Artoria that you might need an extended period to deal with the Picts' affairs and would entrust her with handling the work during that time, Artoria agreed.]
[Morgan arrived shortly after.]
[Following the agreement, you appointed Morgan as your assistant and introduced her to Artoria.]
[Morgan immediately saw through Artoria's identity and expressed confusion about your decision to have her and Artoria jointly manage Britain's affairs for the foreseeable future.]
[However, trusting you deeply, Morgan agreed outwardly and later privately inquired about your reasoning.]
[You explained the issue with Vortigern and the Celtic situation.]
[You told Morgan that Britain alone wouldn't be enough to defeat Vortigern—otherwise King Uther and Merlin wouldn't have failed—so you planned to seek external reinforcements, powerful ones like the Land of Shadows.]
[Morgan understood your intention to enlist the Land of Shadows but also felt fear, having grown up hearing horror stories centered around its queen.]
[Yet she ultimately didn't oppose your plan, well aware of Vortigern's strength.]
[Later, using your alchemy, you successfully created a meteor generator and numerous daily-use items. Morgan was astounded by your alchemical prowess, remarking that even the Lady of the Lake couldn't match your skill in alchemy.]
[Before the Picts invaded, you used alchemical potions to lift the curse.]
[Weeks later, the Picts invaded, and your preparations paid off.]
[With the meteor generator, you easily defeated the main Pictish force and issued several decrees in Selkirk Territory. King Rivalen of Leonois, after verifying the accuracy of all your decisions, held you in high esteem.]
[Rivalen's son Tristan also deeply admired your deeds and secretly resolved to become your knight if you ever formed an order of knights.]
[After helping Selkirk Territory repel the Picts, you utilized your alchemical expertise to continuously produce various goods.]
[Britain rapidly developed thanks to these alchemical products, and refined salt was manufactured. The Twelve Kings, including Rivalen, soon pledged their loyalty to you, stabilizing Britain.]
[You traded alchemical goods with the Picts, resolving their survival issues. They expressed willingness to submit to you, but you stated there was one more task to complete before discussing it further.]
[Guided by memory, you searched for a long time and, after sixteen consecutive failures, finally found the entrance to the Land of Shadows.]
[You didn't rashly enter the Land of Shadows but instead settled temporarily near its entrance, honing your martial skills during this period.]
[Martial Arts Prodigy, activated.]
Seeing that you didn't charge directly into the Land of Shadows, Noah nodded.
After all, to enter the Land of Shadows, one essentially had to be invited by its queen. Otherwise, regardless of the reason for intruding, she would immediately regard you as an enemy.
If you can defeat her, then everything you do is justified.
If you can't, then you're as good as dead.
This is precisely why most rumors about her are essentially horror stories.
So it's still acceptable not to barge in.
Given that she still takes disciples, perhaps she might even come out voluntarily if she recognizes my talent.
Therefore.
Now it's just a matter of whether she'll actually emerge and how long the wait will be.