Pick me Up – Chapter 254 – The Unattainable
Top level of the temple.
I stepped out onto the terrace.
A burst of cheers filled my ears.
The mercenaries filling the center of Delhive chanted the princess's name.
Although the forces were nearly equal, the result was a crushing victory for the princess's army. The reasons were many: the skill of the commanders, the morale of the soldiers, and the presence of our heroes.
‘Anyway…’
We had successfully cleared the 60th floor.
Now that we had captured the citadel, the cult's army base, only the empire's capital, where the prince resided, remained.
Yoshu said the siege of the capital was already complete and the prince's army wouldn't last much longer. From the start, the war had been justified for the princess. The prince had summoned beings from another world in the forest, and that news had spread across the continent.
“…”
I was sitting in a chair on the terrace, looking down.
I heard light footsteps behind me.
“Phew, we finally won!”
Jenna, with her cheek smeared with blood, approached, wiping it with her sleeve.
Her leather armor was covered in blood and dust after an intense battle.
“I heard the civil war is almost over. Can we go home now?”
Jenna sat at the table next to me.
“We have to clear up to the 100th floor. There's still a long way to go.”
“Even so… we've come a long way. I’ve gotten stronger, and you, even more so. If we keep this up, I think we can reach the 100th floor. I'm counting on you, big brother!”
Jenna tilted her head towards me cheerfully.
It was rare to see her like this. I smiled.
“I’ve received a lot of recognition from the other mercenaries too. When I got here, I was just a girl from a small village. When we finish our mission and return, don’t you think I’ll be treated as a hero? I don’t want to work; I just want to play all day.”
Jenna murmured.
Living on a pension, huh?
It wasn’t a bad future.
“And you, big brother? You said you were a farmer… oh, dear.”
Jenna smacked her forehead.
Then she looked towards the back of the terrace and smiled oddly.
“I was so thoughtless. See you in the Lobby.”
Jenna jumped off the terrace and disappeared through a window on the lower floor.
“It wasn't an interruption.”
I sighed.
Though Riane had died and the citadel was nearly captured, the mission wasn't yet complete.
There were probably enemy forces scattered throughout the city. That meant we had a bit of free time before returning.
‘Now that I think about it…’
I had made a promise with that person.
I scratched my cheek. Someone was approaching from the hall connected to the terrace.
I didn't need to look to know who it was. Light and hesitant steps.
“May I come in?”
“Yes, I have nothing to do.”
I replied while sitting.
Priacis slowly entered the terrace and leaned on the railing.
The height from here to the ground was over 100 meters. The mercenaries looked tiny from here.
“Well done. Now there's just one step left to reach the emperor.”
“I…”
Priacis opened her pink lips.
“I don’t have the right to do it.”
“It’s not about having the right. If you can do it and want to do it, do it.”
“I’m different from my brother.”
“You know what your brother did.”
“There must be some misunderstanding. The brother I know would give his life for the empire and its people. He’s not selfish like me.”
“Selfish?”
Priacis closed her eyes.
“I have a half-brother.”
“…”
“We were separated when we were very young, but he was an angelic boy. In the closed palace, he was my great support. Without him, I might have done terrible things.”
“And?”
“The reason I fight is not for everyone’s sake, like my brother. It’s for one person. I want to create a world where that boy can live in peace. I’m willing to sacrifice everything for that. Isn’t that selfish?”
Priacis smiled faintly.
And looked at me.
“But, something has changed.”
Priacis placed a hand on her chest.
The silver bells on her dress rang.
“I want to indulge in a luxury. That’s why I want to be empress.”
“You can have all the luxuries you want. Money won’t be a problem…”
“I want something I can’t have.”
Priacis's golden eyes reflected in mine.
“I don’t need a splendid palace, expensive jewels, or beautiful dresses. None of that means anything to me. Han, do you know what I really want?”
“…”
“I know you live in a world different from mine. I can’t reach you, even if I stretch out my hand. But, if I become the empress of the empire, maybe I can.”
I held back a bitter smile.
It’s not like I hadn’t anticipated it.
But I didn’t expect her to be so direct.
“When the fight here is over, you plan to go back where you belong.”
“…”
“I don’t want that. I still need you. I’m tired of wearing a mask in front of everyone. I need someone with whom I can be myself. Without someone like that, I might collapse someday.”
“Yoshu…”
“It’s not Yoshu.”
Priacis cut me off firmly.
I could only remain silent.
“You're carrying more than I can imagine. I know you don’t have time for this. But I just wanted to tell you.”
She wasn’t wrong.
I didn’t have time for this.
Though we had surpassed the 60th floor, we didn’t know what missions would come next. Moreover, I didn’t know what was happening outside. When I was a master, every time I relaxed thinking everything was fine, something bad happened.
“It wasn’t in vain. It’s the first time I see your surprised face.”
Priacis smiled playfully.
I kept my expression impassive.
“So, what’s your conclusion?”
“…”
Priacis puffed out her cheeks.
“Lifetime contract. Make a lifetime contract with me, Han.”
“Lifetime… contract?”
Priacis approached.
And, with a more serious expression than ever, said,
“Stay by my side until I die. If you do, I will grant you whatever you wish as empress. Mountains of gold, rivers of jewels, high titles, and lands.”
“That… is an abuse of power.”
“I told you I wanted a luxury. So, what do you say? Will you make a lifetime contract with me? I’ll make anything you wish come true. That is my resolve. That is my heart.”
I opened my mouth.
‘This girl…’
Did she know what she was saying?
I stood up from the chair, a bit dazed.
“I can’t answer now…”
“When the fight is over, give me your answer. I’ll be waiting.”
Priacis whispered in my ear.
“I’ll work hard not to disappoint you.”
“…”
“Hehe, power is a good thing.”
Priacis smiled and walked away from the terrace humming.
I stood there, dazed.
‘Lifetime contract?’
If I do that… I would have to give up returning to Earth.
Though I didn’t understand all the details, if Taonier revived, Priacis would remain as empress there. The proposal she just made meant she wanted me to support her when she took power.
‘Wow, what a situation.’
Finally, I realized how much time had passed.
The girl who used to cry over everything was now making such proposals.
[Stage cleared!]
[Han (★★★★★), Jenna (★★★★★), Belkist (★★★★★), Kishasha (★★★★★), Katio (★★★★★), level up.]
[Roderick (★★★★★), Benik (★★★★★) …]
[Rewards – 300,000G, Cursed Eye, Beast’s Heart…]
[MVP – Han (★★★★★)]
Soon the mission completion message appeared, and light began to envelop me.
I remained still on the terrace. I believed I could stay unfazed by anything, but this really surprised me.
Finally, I returned to the Lobby.
In the square, the fighters and assistants were celebrating noisily. A victory with almost no casualties. Anything had also prepared all sorts of food and drink for the heroes to celebrate.
At a table in the corner of the square.
I sat and drank from my cup.
Priacis’s words kept resonating in my head.
‘Why didn’t I reject her?’
I scratched my head.
I couldn’t immediately reject Priacis’s proposal.
That meant there were doubts in my heart.
“I guess they envy you to death.”
I turned my head.
Jenna was by the buffet table, holding a chicken skewer.
“Ahh~ Isn’t there anyone for me? Some young and handsome noble who wants a lifetime contract with me…?”
I reached out to Jenna.
Zap! A crimson lightning dragged her towards me.
“Ahh!”
Thud.
I squeezed Jenna’s cheeks.
“Were you listening?”
“No, hehe. It was just a coincidence…?”
I squeezed harder.
“It hurts!”
“Don’t speak out of turn.”
“I was just joking…!”
“Do you understand?”
Jenna nodded quickly.
When I let go, Jenna rubbed her red cheeks.
“Ugh, it hurts.”
“If this spreads, you know what will happen. I’ll make you train with me a hundred times in a row.”
“…I’d rather die.”
Jenna shook her head, pale.
“Good. Go back to your place.”
“Yes, sir!”
After Jenna ran off, I went back to drinking.
I turned the pages of the book on the table with my left hand.
[Book of the Inverted Sky]
There was a similar scene in the picture book.
The part where the story’s protagonist, El Cid, joined the foreign princess, Relthea. Well, no one here knew what the Book of the Inverted Sky was, so it didn’t matter if I read it openly. It just looked like a thick book.
‘This was also on the 60th floor.’
It was similar to my situation.
After overcoming a crisis, all the forces of Dorado united.
‘But why…?’
Why did it have that ending?
I recalled the image of El Cid spitting blood.
“…”
The reason El Cid died in front of me.
Was it a warning?
‘Does the difficulty increase dramatically?’
No.
El Cid completed all the missions.
That meant, even if the mission was difficult, I could overcome it with my strength.
The current situation in Taonier was the same.
Except for the capital, all the regions of Taonier were under the princess’s banner. Though only the conclusion was missing, in practice, the civil war was over. Additionally, Priacis had awakened the Dimensional Sword Lusrada and had means to face the series of fragments.
‘The problem is…’
Dorado and Taonier.
Though the details were different, the patterns were similar.
‘I don’t understand.’
I drank in one gulp.
Though it was alcohol, it had such a low content it was almost like a soda.
I had a training session scheduled with Halgion later, so I drank moderately.
I couldn’t train while drunk.
Yurnet would take care of El Cid’s part.
I heard the investigation was almost complete. Any remaining doubts about El Cid would soon be revealed.
I left the empty cup on the table.
<Master.>
A familiar voice resonated in my ear.
I was just about to contact her.
“Yurnet?”
<Congratulations on clearing the 60th floor. You’re almost at the 80th floor. It’s an unprecedented ascent.>
“It has happened that way.”
<But…>
“But what?”
After a pause, Yurnet spoke.
<Why don’t you make a lifetime contract with me?>
Yurnet continued in a cold voice.
<Don’t be deceived. Although it seems she’s offering you everything, she might be plotting something.>
“I don’t think she would…”
<One never knows. Once it happens, it’ll be too late. I’m concerned for your safety, master. Right now, you’re defenseless. The next time you see that vixen, reject her firmly. Have a good day.>
Beep.
The communication was cut off unilaterally.
“…”
---
(Up to '40' more ch4pt3rs)
Publication of up to 4 weekly ch4pters, thank you.