Hello! Sorry for the late upload. Took a vacation from work, and was busy adding to the backlog. If you are enjoying the novel, please rate it! If you aren't let me know why so I can fix it. Enjoy
"We can open up trade. The only thing that it would cost you is increased resources and some gold. Other than that, it's up to you," I told him with a shrug. It's not like I really needed money. I could create it out of thin air. I figured it would be a good show of faith and hopefully remind him in the future that he shouldn't treat me like shit. So I would forgive it this time.
His eyes lit up as he worked through something. "That sounds reasonable. I will manage all trade deals at your behest, and I'll send some profits your way. Would you like to make another contract on the matter?"
"Yeah. I'll have it written up. It will be presented to you tomorrow, along with your first shipment." The gears in my head turned as I thought about what I could make. The best part is that I would still be a neutral figure. I have no desire to join whatever quarrels exist outside of this world. So this would be the best way to do it. I would only interact with the outside world through him.
"Thank you so much, Empress." He seemed much happier than last time, like I lifted an enormous weight from his chest with that idea.
"You are welcome. Anyway, I'm afraid I must cut this meeting short. I have things I need to do." I took the contract and brought it over to me. While I'm still coming out strong, I should probably end the meeting. Lest I get dragged into something that I didn't like or lose my advantage so far.
Redrick looked a bit stunned at my sudden dismissal. "So soon? I know that some of my companions did wish to speak to you."
Oh, I really didn't want to get dragged into anything else. I just wanted to relax and upgrade my class. "I will get with them at a later date. Tell them to drop by later, and talk to Kharon about setting up an appointment with me."
He shared a glance with Gunther before he shifted his head back to me. "I understand. We thank you for the time that you have given us."
I waved my hand dismissively as I stood up and grabbed the contract. "Anyway, I will take this with me. I'll have a copy made of this, and it will be delivered to you first thing. Moving forward, Kharon will be my intermediary, so please forward any questions that you may have to him."
Redrick strummed his fingers across the table and looked like he wanted to say more, but he stopped himself. "Thank you, Empress; hopefully, we meet again."
"Perhaps, stay safe Redrick, Gunther, you as well." I gave them a curt nod and gestured for Alessia to follow me. The quicker that I got out of here, the better. I was happy and excited that I got to speak to humans for the first time in a while, but yet, it felt so different. In a way, it felt like it fell flat against what I was expecting. They regarded me as if I wasn't like them. Like I was some kind of monster. I sighed and left the cabin with Alessia in tow. I wasn't as bothered with her as before since I had come to terms with what had happened. She walked silently behind me as we made our way down the path and out of the sight of the others before I teleported back to my office space.
Once I had appeared in there, I stumbled over to the chair and sat down. The stress left my body, and I closed my eyes. Dealing with them was stressful. The amount of acting that I had to do was insane, and it gave me a headache to boot. This sucked. I opened my eyes and stared at the ceiling as I tried to de-stress a bit, but there was a feeling that kept me distracted. The feeling of someone's eyes boring into me.
I shifted my head slightly and met Alessia's burning gold orbs. "Yes?"
"Are you mad at me?" She asked as she tilted her head and crossed her arms. There she was again with that kicked puppy look on her face.
"No, I'm not mad at you," I told her as I sat up straight and looked at the papers on my desk.
"Do you promise?" I paused, taken aback. It amazes me how much a person like her could change personalities. One moment, she could be the coldest person I have ever met, and then the next, she could be unsure of herself.
"Yes, Alessia, I promise I'm not angry with you." I motioned for the chair I made for her and turned my attention back to my menu. I was inquisitive about the stuff that I unlocked.
Congratulations! You have reached your first class milestone! Please select one of the following classes!
Martial Soul (Rare): You have spent countless hours working on your proficiencies. You have begun your path with ki and your soul. War drives every action that you take and flows through your veins. The longer that you remain in battle, the stronger you become. This class is a hybrid between a tank and DPS.
Soul Monk (Rare): You walk the dual path of soul and body. Each strike you deliver is laced with an unimaginable force that sunders armor and assault the very core of those who stand before you. Though all out offense is not your only option. With the power of your soul, you are able to defend those who can't defend them selves. This class is a hybrid of support and DPS.
Asterian Weapons Master (Unique): You have taken countless hours of training with an undead war maiden, a monk, and a blade master. Through hard work and relentless training, you have learned how to wield various weapons and find using them a solstice. This class is a hybrid of Tank and DPS.
Storm Monk (Uncommon): Lightning courses through your veins, pushing you to unimaginable speeds and striking with tremendous force. Though at the cost of your defense. You become the storm you so desperately try to emulate. This class is purely offensive, with very little in the way of defense.
Dragon of Asteria (Unique): The soul and ki of a long-dead dragon mingle with your own. Its power-enhancing you and fortifies your body. You walk a path that very few others have, but you do so brazenly. Much like the dragon that now dwells within your soul, you fight valiantly to protect your own. But at what cost? This class is a hybrid class. |
I read down the list, and I felt my jaw drop as I read the options. Not a single skill below uncommon appeared, and definitively not one that included mana. Wow, I need to take a second and carefully pick which one I want. But to do so, I had to balance all the pros and cons of each one. Starting with the first option, the Martial Soul. While the system didn't really detail the specifics of the class, I understood the general gist of the description. It was a class focused on sitting on the front lines and fighting.
As much as I enjoyed the idea of the class, since it would give me DPS and tank abilities, I didn't want to risk it. Fighting up front seemed like it put a lot of risk on me, and I would much rather not do something that would get me killed if I could help it. Primarily since everyone here is relying on me. I dismissed the idea and checked the second one with that thought in mind. The Soul Monk looked like it was a hell of a lot of fun. I mean, who didn't want to be a monk and fuck shit up. Plus, it lets me use my soul skills more freely and doesn't require me to stay in battle for extended periods.
I kept that one in mind as I moved further down the list. This next one was the Asterian Weapons Master. This was odd to see as a class, considering that Asteria was unique. But that would explain the unique modifier next to it. Let's see, it was essentially a conglomeration of all the proficiencies that I knew and used, so it wasn't a terrible option by any stretch, and it was a hybrid class to boot. So I would consider that one next.
As I read over storm monk, it looked like it would be a good time, but I dismissed it. I couldn't justify not having any sort of defense, especially after watching the adventurers fight. It would be too big of a risk for me. I could slip up, and it would spell my doom. Which was sad, but I had to place my well-being above all else. Now onto the last option!
Dragon of Asteria, eh? It looks like a really excellent class, and it would pair well with my soul skills, which I am ashamed to say I haven't leveled recently. The best part of it is that it would offer me a pure hybrid class, which is what I am into, anyway. I bit my lip as I read over everything carefully. More than anything, I was torn between the Soul Monk and the Dragon class. I wouldn't hurt too badly if I skipped the weapons master one since I would keep those proficiencies. But at the end of the day, I didn't need it. They were there more for backup than anything.
The more I thought about it, the more I realized that the soul monk would not be the path that I take. The reason is that I feel like it would limit me, and that wouldn't be something that I wanted. So with my mind made up I selected Dragon of Asteria.
Congratulations! You have selected the Dragon of Asteria Class!
You have earned +5 stat points. You have earned +2 willpower. You have earned +2 intelligence. You have earned +2 strength You have earned +1 conversion point.
You have unlocked Draconic Consitution: Your health, stamina now have increased regeneration, and your body grows in strength. You have gained Draconic Ki: Your ki has been upgraded. You have unlocked the following skills:
Basic Draconic Soul Shout I: Using the power of your soul, you can send out a blast in the shape of a cone.
Basic Draconic Presence I: The power contained within you radiates outwards and instills fear in those who stand before you. |
I felt my body grow stronger as the class change took effect. It felt much like when I upgraded my ki core, but it was much more potent this time than before. I could feel a laugh build up in my chest before it exploded outwards as the feeling became all the more intoxicating. Oh, I was going to have fun with this.
"But at what cost" has been a consistent theme in our empress's choices, hm.. not ominous at all lol. Welcome back!
Oh, wait till she has to cash it all in x)
@Raizia Oh nooooo! Lmao
@Raizia
I'm somewhat disappointed. Not how everything played out mind you, but by the blatant disrespect everyone shows her.
I mean in their eyes she is an empress, she has multiple bosses around that each can kill them all and at least one of them knows that she might even be a god.
Yet we get aggressive questioning, open and frankly insulting doubt, patronization, no formal speech, and attempts at exploitation.
This is honestly unbelievable, especially considering one of them is a former noble...
Exactly what I was thinking. Gunther I can get since he has his hate-boner going with the undead, but come on, the fallen noble should know better.
Thanks for the chapter! It felt a bit short, but it was still tasty.
Keep up the good work!
P.S. The Empress may want to add a few things to her office space. I know she expanded the area for her personal guards, but maybe adding some plants or a fountain that recycles water would be helpful for her to relax. The fountain doesn't have to be anything major; it can be something in the corner and should help give her the feeling of being in nature while still underground.
Something like this, but you could add fish and plants for a kind of mini-aquarium. If the mana expense is a concern she could make one as a hobby, perhaps. Working on getting it powered could lead to other benefits to her domain as well...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6cODKoPqec
Oh, there will be many fun innovations coming up ^_^
Fus Ro Dah!
Why is no one talking about this
Basic Draconic Soul Shout
It has dragon and shout in it
I have little knowledge of the game but this should be obvious
Thank you for the chapter
You... Are the Dragonborn! FUS RO DAH!
yes there can nothing wrong with only having 1 contact to the outside world. it is completly fine that he will totally try to exploit her for money and he has tried to blackmail her. why does she think he would be a good choice to represent her for others outside or would even be a decent merchant to sell stuff? she knows he is an adventurer which should make it clear he is either a fallen noble or is one of who know how many spares that lost their worth to keep. both mean that there are people outside with more power than him that don't want him to climb up. the more i learn about him the more i want calixa to have taken up his first offer giving his soul for his teams save exit.
Wait wait didn't intelligence get removed along with Magic i think i remember it not being on status list when she choose Soul Crystalization
TFTC!
The Dragonborn Comes
Moar?