Chapter 17: The Long Road to the Imperial Capital – 03
The next day, we were eager to head straight to the Dungeon, but during our discussion at the cathedral, Larni suggested, “Since the Pope is being cooperative, why not have him check our Skills?”
I, too, wanted to know the exact nature of my Skills, so it was decided that any party member who wished could have theirs examined. Although it would cost ten million Rom per person, I had already earned enough that it hardly stung.
When we visited the cathedral the following day, the Pope appeared and agreed to conduct the examinations immediately. He mentioned that there would be no charge, but I decided to offer a substantial donation under the guise of a contribution.
“Since they said it’s unnecessary, isn’t it fine?” Larni remarked, which, in a way, made sense.
“However, if we don’t draw the line somewhere, it could complicate our relationships later on,” I replied, and both Sfenia and Mariane nodded in agreement.
Such exchanges are tricky as there’s no definitive right answer. In the end, I could only act according to my principles.
The magical tool used to examine our Skills resembled a large object with about ten crystal orbs connected together. The results of the examination were mostly as I had anticipated.
However, one point that caught my attention was that what I had always referred to as “Bad Luck” was actually named “Divine Fortune.” The essence of it was as explained previously, and I had experienced it firsthand. The issue was that if I were to fully utilize this Skill, I might become a “Hero,” but at this point, I had already come to terms with that possibility.
Next, regarding Freinir, she also possessed the “Dependency” Skill, and additionally, she had acquired a new Skill called “Faith.”
As the name suggests, “Faith” enhances one’s power as their devotion grows, a Skill often seen in a “Saint.” Naturally, one would assume that the object of that faith would be God Archulum, but when Freinir declared, “I only believe in you, Soushi,” I was left momentarily speechless.
Moreover, Larni chimed in with, “That’s only natural,” and the other members nodded vigorously… I felt a pang of foolishness and once again vowed to cherish Freinir.
The next point of interest was Karma’s “Synergy.” Since Karma joined, it seemed that Larni’s “God of Plague” Skill had become more potent, and it appeared that this “Synergy” Skill was the cause. It seemed to amplify the effects of specific Skills, and perhaps it was even enhancing my “Divine Fortune.”
Then there was Sakurahime’s “Loyalty” Skill, which strengthens her as her loyalty increases. This is a skill fitting for someone with a samurai-like aura, but if “Loyalty” implies serving a lord, it remains uncertain how effective it would be for her as an adventurer.
Overall, the Skills examined left the priests and the Pope, who was present, at a loss for words. My Skills, in particular, were said to be incomparable to those of an average A-Rank adventurer.
“I am fully aware that such things cannot be measured by mere numbers, but this is indeed what it means to be a Hero,” the Pope remarked, his gaze distant, leaving a lasting impression on me.
The following day, we finally set out for the B-Class Dungeon located south of the Royal Capital. With twenty floors to conquer, we planned to complete it in two days.
We would tackle the Dungeon with a full party of nine.
It was customary for the new member, Sakurahime, to be astonished by the sheer number of common monsters, the appearance of three bosses at once, and the frequent emergence of Rare Bosses, all part of the baptism of “Soul’s Guidance.”
Of course, I made sure she was also impressed by the comfort of camping in the safety zone on the tenth floor, and she was equally amazed that we managed to conquer all twenty floors in just two days. It was truly a full course of “Soul’s Guidance.”
The Skill I acquired from the boss on the lowest floor was “Adamantine Wall,” an advanced version of “Iron Wall.” I was beginning to feel as though there was no one left who could physically harm me.
Freinir gained the “First Strike” Skill, allowing her to cast spells instantly without the need for Mental Concentration. However, the cooldown time for reuse was lengthy, making it challenging for Freinir, who lacked other means of attack, to find the right moments to use it.
Larni acquired “Honshin,” enabling her to move with a grace that defies inertia, enhancing her agility even further.
Sfenia obtained “Advanced Earth Magic,” seemingly fulfilling the requirements to become a high-ranking mage. It appeared that mastering all four elemental advanced magics was one of her goals, and she was overjoyed.
Mariane gained the upgraded version of the high-speed movement Skill, “Flash Step.” When perfected, it would allow her to move as if teleporting, and her transformation into a ninja was showing no signs of slowing down.
Shizuna acquired “Dual Magic,” significantly boosting her capabilities as a rear guard. Though often overshadowed by Sfenia, Shizuna’s ranged attacks were crucial to “Soul’s Guidance.”
Karma received “Regeneration,” enhancing her endurance in battle. Her combat style primarily involves engaging in close-quarters combat, so the benefits of a healing Skill were immeasurable. For me, the increased survivability of the front line was a comforting thought.
Sakurahime gained “Sword Acceleration,” which increased her speed when wielding her naginata. However, her Skill level was still lower compared to the other members, indicating that she lacked a solid foundation for acquiring higher-level Skills. Moving forward, I would need to encourage her to actively raise her Skill level, even if it meant facing some challenges.
As for Geshura, she still did not acquire any new Skills.
Regarding treasure chests, we obtained two orichalcum ingots and a luxurious fabric known as “Elemental Silk,” which shimmered with seven colors. This fabric could be used to create garments with high magical defense, so I decided to use it as material for the rear guard’s armor.
Additionally, we acquired the “Ascetic’s Staff” from a Rare Boss along the way. This A-Rank weapon possessed the additional Skills of “Herculean Strength +3” and “Steel Body +3,” and it was given to Shizuna.
When I handed her the staff, she embraced me and said, “I have received your feelings, Soushi-dono,” but afterward, it seemed she received a lecture from Larni and Sfenia.
This time, Shizuna had significantly strengthened herself, fully achieving B-Rank status, so I thought it was only natural for her to celebrate a little.
Note: The list of Skills published in “Chapter 17: The Long Road to the Imperial Capital (Status)” reflects the results of the examination conducted at the cathedral.