We have changed the notation for Gerard’s Unique Skill.
Equip Rank Up -> Equip Performance Up.
***
Trisen Castle
We arrived at what appeared to be a dining hall, led by Sera and Melfina. The plan was to gather everyone for a meal, our first in three days. We’d passed quite a few soldiers and servants on our way here, and they all looked astonished, as if they’d seen something incredible. They’d all properly salute or greet us afterwards, but did I do something?
“Y-You surprised me… Is that Kelvin-sama, the one who defeated the Demon King? It’s really true that the hero likes beautiful things.”
“Is that the heretic who corrupted Colette-sama… Hahaha, just you wait.”
“Hey, hey, is that Kelvin-sama, Efil-san’s Master?”
“He’s not as handsome as they say. Clive is more… Wait, was he even that good-looking?”
“My memory is hazy… But I like him a little. He seems kind, doesn’t he?”
Having evolved into a demon, my base physical abilities seem to have increased, so I could hear their conversations clearly as they passed by. Was the second person a member of a fan club who joined for Colette’s sake? I hope Colette remains pure in his heart. While I welcome ambush, what does he plan to do at level 13? Is he hiring mercenaries or thugs? If so, I hope he finds a renowned sensei in that field. For now, I’ll place a marker on him. Just in case, I’ll use it to erase him instantly if he tries anything on Lyon and the others.
“Master, are you thinking strange thoughts again? Your lips are slightly curved.”
“Oh, really?”
Idiot, idiot. I got carried away because I gained another source of enjoyment.
“That’s right, you’re still recovering, so don’t overdo it! It’s a bit early for lunch time-wise, but wait a moment for Efil. Efil insisted on making the meal.”
“Understood. What about everyone else?”
“Well, let’s see…”
Without dwelling on small talk with the two, markers for people moving at tremendous speed down the castle corridors appeared on the map. This reaction is Lyon, and slightly behind her, Gerard.
“Ah, Older Kel! You’re awake!”
“Whoa there! Haha, Lyon, you’re as energetic as ever.”
Lyon leaped into my chest immediately after we met. As her older brother, this was well within expectations, and I caught her properly. She spun around two or three times right there, expressing her joy to the fullest. A wonderful sisterly spiral.
“Sorry for making you worry. Was Lyon alright?”
“Yeah! My fever went down the day before yesterday. Old Man Gerard also finished evolving around the same time as me, so we were practicing together. Older Sister Efil finished evolving yesterday, I think.”
“I see, that’s good. Like me, Lyon, your appearance hasn’t changed… Huh?”
“Hm?”
We stared at each other as we embraced. …W-What? Her appearance hasn’t changed at all, but Lyon seems unusually dazzling! Is there a halo, or does it feel like a brilliant aura is emanating from Lyon!?
“By the way, what did Lyon evolve into?”
“Oh, Master, you’re asking! You can check it with Appraisal Eye and find out right away, can’t you?”
No, I’m a little scared, or rather, I want to hear it from Lyon’s mouth.
“I evolved from a Human into a Saint! Did you too, Older Kel!?”
“………”
***
Lyon, 14 years old, Female, Saint, Sword Saint
Level: 114
Title: Black Meteor
HP: 1480/1480
MP: 2399/2399
Strength: 1322
Durability: 690 (+320)
Agility: 2175
Magic: 1884 (+320)
Luck: 1367
Skills: Slash Mark (Unique Skill)
Absolute Purification (Unique Skill)
Swordsmanship (S-Rank)
Dual Wielding (S-Rank)
Acrobatics (S-Rank)
Stealth (S-Rank)
Heavenly Walk (S-Rank)
Red Magic (S-Rank)
Danger Perception (A-Rank)
True Sight (A-Rank)
Courage (A-Rank)
Companionship (S-Rank)
Sturdiness (S-Rank)
Iron Wall (A-Rank)
Strong Magic (A-Rank)
Growth Rate Doubling
Skill Point Doubling
Support Effects: Concealment (S-Rank)
***
“Hah! Isn’t it the same as mine!? A Saint, well, I can accept that for Lyon, but why am I a demon? Why a *demon*!?”
“Older Kel?”
“…Uh, well, I became a demon.”
“What, a demon…?”
Lyon’s eyes widened. Have I disappointed her? My own… well, not exactly brother, but older brother has become the opposite of Lyon…
“C-Cool!”
“Huh?”
“Amazing, amazing! Ahh, I wish I had become a demon too! It’s cool, like a fallen one who commands demons! Master, you haven’t allocated your skill points yet, right? Let’s think about it together later!”
Lyon, sparkling with joy, was happily babbling. She’s an angel, an angel was here! Mel, the genuine article, looked displeased, but I hope she’ll forgive me for now.
“My King, are you safe!”
“Kelvin-sama, I’ve heard the story! Please entrust the ceremony to me!”
The followers, Gerard and Colette, who had rushed into the dining hall, joined us. They must have caught wind of something and come along. Let’s see…
***
Gerard, 138 years old, Male, Emperor Knight King, Dark Knight
Level: 121
Title: Sword Elder
HP: 12700/12700 (+8400) (+100)
MP: 527/527 (+100)
Strength: 2483 (+320) (+100)
Durability: 2619 (+320) (+100)
Agility: 501 (+100)
Magic: 398 (+100)
Luck: 644 (+100)
Skills: Glory Is Mine (Unique Skill)
Self-Transcendence (Unique Skill)
Swordsmanship (S-Rank)
Danger Perception (A-Rank)
True Sight (S-Rank)
Armor (A-Rank)
Riding (B-Rank)
Army Command (A-Rank)
Instruction (A-Rank)
Natural Healing (A-Rank)
Resilience (S-Rank)
Great Strength (A-Rank)
Iron Wall (A-Rank)
Materialization
Darkness Nullification
Slash Halving
Support Effects: Self-Transcendence/Demonic Sword Dainsleif++
Self-Transcendence/Battleship Black Shield++
Self-Transcendence/Crimson Exterior++
Self-Transcendence/Ring of the Goddess++
Summoning Magic/Magic Supply (S-Rank)
Concealment (S-Rank)
***
Gerard had evolved and his armor had been renewed. It looked like the armor a Demon King would wear, exuding an overwhelming sense of intimidation. His new race name is Emperor Knight King. …So you’ve become the king. Although it’s an ambiguous name between emperor and king, he had grown enough to potentially suppress Zel, the true Demon King, by himself. His Unique Skills have also changed.
“You all look well too. Hm? Gerard, hasn’t your sword’s appearance changed as well as your armor?”
“Indeed, you asked well. It’s thanks to my new Unique Skill, ‘Self-Transcendence.’ Not only does it enhance the performance of weapons and armor, but it also transforms their appearance into something more refined! The enhancement level is also superior to ‘Self-Modification.’ And this is the true highlight: the equipment can even be removed!”
“In other words, it’s become a superior version of the Self-Modification skill.”
The ability to remove equipment is a big deal. I can now work on Gerard’s entire set of equipment, which I couldn’t modify before because it couldn’t be removed.
“You, the King, have also evolved and have skill points left, haven’t you? Actually, I haven’t allocated my skill points yet either. Shall we have a strategy meeting together later!”
“Oh, uh… later.”
Please don’t say the same thing as Lyon while leaning in with that intimidating appearance. Now, it seems there are still other Unique Skills, but I’ll ask about them later. Colette has been waiting beside me.
“Kelvin-sama, I’ve heard the story! Please entrust the ceremony to me!”
“…You don’t have to say the same thing twice, I heard you.”
It defeats the purpose of ignoring you. Are you acting on Melfina’s orders? I have no choice but to whisper to Colette so no one else can hear.
“Well, I might need your services sometime soon. I’ll be counting on you then.”
“Hauu! I-I will make it the best wedding with all of Delamis’s power…! That’s right, and for my father, the Pope himself will be the priest—”
“No need, no need. I don’t intend to make it that grand. Colette, please bless me then. Here, wipe your nose first.”
I handed Colette a handkerchief. I don’t know what kind of wedding ceremonies are held here, but I want to entrust it to someone reliable. Well, it’ll probably be a long while from now.
“Ah, thank you. I will manage it properly as a holy relic.”
“Wash it and return it.”
Who would appreciate a handkerchief stained with a shrine maiden’s nosebleed? …Would that fan from earlier be happy? It’s a world too extreme to tell.
“C-Colette-chan? May I come in? Is it okay?”
Just then, a weak voice was heard from the entrance of the dining hall. Her speech and actions were childish, but her voice sounded like it belonged to someone in their late teens. I got a somewhat mismatched impression.
“Yes, it’s okay. Everyone here is kind, so please don’t worry. Shutra-chan.”
Hiding behind the entrance of the dining hall, peering at us, was Trisen’s Princess, Shutra Trisen.
