bridge 38 (Wait what!?)

The coming days came faster and faster as I adjusted to life in this world. Sure, a lot of my time was spent in my own instant dungeons with my ninja guards but exploring this place was important as well.

The dungeons that were naturally formed here could have been more interesting but they did offer things that were rather difficult to gather in most places. Most of the high-level dungeons were not exactly explored fully and that meant I could gather skill tomes. A frankly ridiculous thing that would allow me to expand my skill tree further even if it was already pretty fucking wide.

For example, Ringo and I spent a whole week traversing this one dungeon. It was a tower that might as well be the Tower of Babel, given how high it reached. The place was filled with countless floors filled with traps/monsters/ and most importantly loot to be gathered. Sadly I was not able to get all of the loot there as the first fifty floors were already cleared but after the first fifty, I was able to get a monopoly on the loot.

Honestly, when I got past the 50th floor the worries I had about this world went down immensely. Sure, the fight would be something difficult for me to handle on my own but the 50th floor boss was just a giant scorpion. If I maneuvered myself well and spent my time fighting him it was a fight that was well within my capabilities. With Ringo by my side, it was not even an issue as she beheaded the thing once she was sure I got a nice taste of combat there.

That fight taught me that while the ceiling for the place was high the current populace was nowhere close to reaching that peak. So I did not have to worry about the King and the Nobles trying to strong arm me using their so called grace to undermine me.

Ringo could run circles around this world while murdering whoever she wanted and these plebs would not be able to do a thing. Well, perhaps that was an overestimation magic is esoteric and could change things massively even if the other party was massively weaker. Then again when things were esoteric and odd I had Tsuyukoi to deal with those things.

The Uzumaki’s were real mad lads and the things she could do with seals confounded and baffled the mind.

Beyond the 50th floor, the loot was good but not outstanding for the most part. Yes, there were plenty of skill tomes but for the most part, they were just skills like Fireball or god forbid Magic Missile. Essential spells for most D&D Wizards but these versions were supremely scuffed and did not really deserve the title of the spells they represented. I gave those spells to my guards to expand their skill sets.

Tsuyukoi was a monster given prep time but in on the spot battles she was not that impressive so having an instant cast skill was really helpful for her. Ringo on the other hand did not benefit from the more flashy elemental weapons but she did do well with minor buff spells. So giving them those skill tomes was fantastic.

There were a variety of enchanted gear that was interesting and I took most of them. My own skill with Item Empowerment meant high-quality equipment was massively helpful. Them having added benefits beyond what I gave them was just the icing on the cake.

I was not Empowering all of the gear I got as I planned on studying the enchantments laid on them so I could add them to my arsenal of enchantments. Those effects might just be icing but it was certainly worth the effort of learning them.

At the top of those 300 floors was a prize that was even tempting to me. It was another on of those Skill Tomes but the skill it provided was well beyond the simple spells that littered the lower floors. At the very top of the tower was the Scrol of Multi Chanting. I was not really as bound as the rest of this world was in the use of spells but even I found this thing helpful.

It allowed me to use multiple spells at the same time. Even spells that had no right were cast at the same time as others. Like the concentration spells that were prevalent in D&D. The scroll started off with only letting me cast a couple of spells at the same time but it gave me a skill which meant the Gamer could level it. Meaning eventually I could cast thousands of instances of the various spells in my arsenal.

Getting that one skill made the effort of climbing the tower well worth it. Sadly when I cleared that Tower I got a bit of a hassle coming down my neck that I now had to deal with. As all dungeons have shown so far when I cleared it I was given a unique title that was reported back to the guild. In this case, I received the title [Worthy Challenger].

The tower that we cleared was known as the Tower of the Sage and as you can imagine for a place with so much loot it was a rather prominent location. So the legends and records about it were of the utmost importance to the countries around the world. So when a boy that was almost the same age as the Crown Prince cleared that thing waves were sent.

Waves that I could not hide from even with my various blessings from the Moon and Earth Goddesses. I may have had the interest of the nobility before for being such a young but strong adventurer with baffling blessing but now I had their desire. Everyone and their mother wanted a piece of me and the one that was most prevalent sadly was the Royal Family.

When I arrived back at the capital after clearing the dungeon I was summoned to the Royal Palace. For what end? I had no idea as know one would tell me as I was shuffled towards a carriage. I could have just run but I kind of still wanted to see what Amy would do when the school year started. So I just went along with the rather pushy summons. 

I was being escorted to the throne room currently by the Knight Commander. An imposing man with armor that was scarred but well-maintained. He would be almost impressive if I did not know that Ringo could kick his ass before planting him into the ground with minimal effort.

The man standing by his image did not say much to me but he might have been intimated by the giggling woman marching next to me. Ringo may not be doing anything crazy but she certainly had an aura about her for anyone experienced in high levels of combat.

The commander coughed roughly before opening the giant door leading towards the throne room. It was decorated lavishly to project power and the long lead up towards the raised platform where the royal family rested on their thrones was equally imposing. Again it was powerplays I wanted no part in but they were trying to sell their image here.

Brilliant red hair and bright blue eyes adorned the father and son duo. While the Queen had flowing silver hair with gold eyes that were equally eye-catching. Finally, the princess had long flowing red hair and striking gold eyes. I was not really that impressed by the strength the Crown Prince had but I will admit the guy was certainly a pretty boy.

I could not see how the gruff-beared king could have a son with such a….soft face but I guess the Prince leaned more towards his Mother’s beauty. On the other hand, the Princess mixed the sharp features of her father and the soft regal look of her Mother.

 Before anything else could happen the Knight Commander kneeled before the Royal Family.

“I present you the Adventurer Ito Camden as you have ordered my liege.” The man spoke out without raising his head. The Royal family was looking at me expectantly I wanted to let out a sigh but I figured when in Rome.

So I knelt like the knight had done. Ringo may be able to murder everyone here but taking those risks was simply not worth it. It was not like I had an overbearing pride that would stop me from doing this.

“Ito Camden at your service your Majesty,” I spoke out to the silent room. Ringo rolled her eyes but joined me in a well-prepared form. She came from a world with Daimyo’s so she was used to this song and dance.

“Ito Camden’s Attendant at your service your Majesty.” She spoke out with an annoyed look on her face. Again the silence hung in the air but it might have been over our choice of words this time. We showed a modicum of respect to their position but we did not call them our liege. Implying that we were not in their faction at the moment. Simply a respectful mention of their current position.

Ah, the good old political mind games where every single word and action held meaning. It was annoying but when dealing with Nobles you had to know where to step and where to run like hell.

“You may rise.” Finally, the king relented after he parsed his thoughts. Ringo and I rose while the Knight Commander took a bit longer before he left our side to stand near his lord. He was giving Ringo a wary look that was noted from the Royal family.

The king and queen were rather difficult to read but the Crown Prince might as well be an open book. He had a sour look on his face that clearly said he was not happy with our words and actions. I kind of wanted to show him how low his position on the totem pole was but that would rock the boat. But for now, I was going to remember this prick.

How in the world was Amy going to get this guy to go along with her perfect cuck plan when he was this prideful? Whatever, not my ball game even if said girl was trying to get me involved.

Seeing the crown prince and his actions Ringo snickered some more with a teasing glint in her eyes. She was still not over the absurd plan Amy had going on. Honestly, when the plan actually started working I wonder what the look Ringo will have.

The Princess on the other hand was watching me with a knowing look in her eyes and an amused smile dancing across her face.

“We wonder young adventurer if you know the meaning of your blessings?” The king spoke out with a voice that could drag anyone's attention even in a loud room. It was not loud itself but there was something about it that demanded attention. Maybe a skill or something.

I raised an eyebrow at his question but shrugging at his words was probably not permitted.

“I do not your Majesty other than what they offer me,” I spoke out calmly not really caring too much about this. The king and queen exchanged looks before the queen nodded at the king.

“Very well, all throughout our world, many are blessed by the gods. As you know already those blessings can be minor or something truly special in the case of yourself and our daughter.” The king explained with a look that was trying to dissect me where I stood.

“That is where your case leaves the ordinary and becomes something…truly special. The gods only bless us Mortals young adventurer but on your card, you are listed as a child of the moon and earth.” He spoke out seriously seemingly drawing in all the sounds in the room with his final words. I blinked at his words but understood his point.

I was not just blessed by a god. I was quite literally a Demi-god as far as the world was concerned even if I was not really….At least not in the typical sense. They were wrong about Nature’s child but I could see how they would draw that conclusion.

The prince was almost scoffing at the words coming from the king while the knowing look on the Princess’s face increased.

“There has only been one other case of a man bearing a title like that. Our ancestor Hellios Von Centralen. He bore the Tile of Child Of The Sun. His power flows through our family’s veins for generations to come but even with our overwhelming might we are but flickering candles in comparison to the feats he was capable of.” The king explained slowly and I was starting to feel a certain mood building here.

The sour look on the Prince’s face and the knowing look on the Princess started to make more sense. Of course, the royal family was not capable of the same feats they were comparing themselves with a literal Demi-God. No matter how talented the bloodline they married the divine blood in them would only become thinner and thinner.

Judging from the king's words it has reached the point where the Royal Family was not blessed by the Sun any longer. At least not all of them, apparently his daughter still held the blessing and maybe he did as well.

“This has been enlightening your Majesty but as you are a flickering candle I assure you that I am not that blazing flame you compare me to.” I tried to weasel my way out of this but the knowing smile on the princess's face already told me I was not leaving here just like that.

“Perhaps, as we have said before there are differences between people even when they hold the same blessing. That was why we were content to simply watch you to see if you would reach those heights young adventurer.” The king spoke leadingly and I could hear the snicker coming from Ringo getting even louder. The Royal family ignored it thankfully even if the Prince glared at her even more.

I let out a sigh as they were content to watch me before but I had shown my hand here,

“Then you saw me complete the Sage’s Tower,” I spoke out simply and the silence that hung in the air afterward was telling.

“That we have.” The king acknowledged and I wanted to just smack these people and walk away but so far they have been reasonable.

“What do you wish of me, your Majesty?” I asked with a sigh. The king looked at me for a good long moment before looking at his daughter. The girl simply gave him a sharp smile and locked her gaze back on me.

“We wish to engage you to our daughter.” The king spoke out simply. I blinked and felt like the rug was being pulled from under me.

“Father!” The prince shouted in a mixture of panic and anger. Before I could get a handle on that the snickering coming from Ringo morphed into full-on laughter. 

I had no idea how to handle this? What was I even supposed to say!?