Chapter 100:
*Scraaappeeee!*
*Thud!*
After breaking the window and fleeing the party, Otto slid across the roof and leaped over the ramparts with a flourish.
*Swoosh!*
Then he sprinted like a madman toward the mountains.
It was a desperate run for survival.
Noooooooooooo!
A scream erupted from Ottos mouth as he ran.
Why is she here now, why is she here now!
Otto recognized the man and woman who had entered the party earlier all too well.
They werent just a man and woman, and they werent a couple.
They were a grandfather and granddaughter.
The old mans name was Giancarlo Von Salzburg.
Grand Duke of the Arad Empire, he was the famous Northern Grand Duke.
He was the shield of the empire, responsible for one-third of the great wall that the former Cannibal Emperor Kairos had built in the name of the Northern Invasion.
But it was not Giancarlo, the Northern Grand Duke, who should be the focus of attention, but his granddaughter next to him.
Elise Von Salzburg.
The daughter of the Grand Duke of the North, she was one of the most beautiful women on the continent, standing at six feet tall.
But her height and beauty werent the only things that were important to him.
Her true value was her <Force>.
Elise was the strongest character in the game, <Territory Wars>.
She was a once-in-a-1,000-year swordsmanship genius.
Her strength was so absolute that she could be counted within the top three at any given time.
In the later stages of the game, she reaches the level of a great <Grand Aura Master>, becoming invincible and unbeatable in combat on a one-on-one basis.
And she.
Wasnt the engagement already broken off!
She was also Ottos fiance.
* * * /SchattenTranslations * * *
A long, distant time ago.
Conrad made a pact with Giancarlo, Grand Duke of the North, for the revival of House Kuntachi.
If they ever have children of their own, the two would marry.Findd new stories at novelhall.com
But the promise fell apart when Ottos mother, Selena, was disowned and exiled from the Kuntachi Family.
This effectively cuts off the marriage, making it impossible for Conrad to fulfill his promise, even if he wanted to.
After Ottos entrance into this world, however, the story changed.
In fact, it was largely thanks to Ottos wandering around that the rumors spread.
The fact that the game and this world arent 100% aligned adds a lot of variables, and its clear that Ottos existence has caught the attention of the Salzburg House.
Im not sure how, but.
Ah. This is truly damning.
The arrival of Elise was more threatening to Otto than any other variable.
Elise was as difficult to handle as she was powerful, and she was a mysterious character with no known way to earn her favor.
Countless gamers had attempted to either marry her or turn her into a subordinate.
If they could make a world power like Elise an ally, they could beat the game with their feet.
However, not a single person has managed to successfully marry or recruit Elise to their side.
Anyone who has tried to get close to her has either had their arms and legs blown off or their heads snapped off.
As a result, Elise has come to be viewed by gamers as a kind of natural disaster that should never be touched or messed with.
So much so that when he was planning his Otto build, he was careful to avoid interacting with Elise as much as possible.
After a certain period of time, Elise would marry another man, and the engagement would be completely broken off.
What are you doing here? Have I been too open? No. Theres no way that news of me could have reached the Salzburgs.
Otto had no idea why the frightening character named Elise had appeared.
But that wasnt what mattered at the moment.
I need to get as far away as I can. If all else fails, I need to stay hidden for a while. Otherwise.
*Chills!*
It was horrible to think about.
He knew how ruinous his life would be if he became involved with Elise, so the best he could do was to hide like a mouse until she married another man.
Why?
Because even he had no idea how to rein her in.
If he pokes his nose in here, its likely that.
*Whoosh!*
*BOOM!*
Something flew and exploded near Otto.
What the Heeek!
Otto nearly pissed himself as he saw countless swords made of light raining down on him like missiles in the distance.
Those swords of light were clearly made out of auras.
There arent many people in the world who can make light swords out of an aura and send them flying like missiles.
Ahhhhhh!
Dont you feel sorry for this younger brother?
As Giancarlo said this, he thought to himself
You sneaky old bastard, you used to be so eager to marry into the family, but now you dont even bother to contact me, now you dont think your grandson is a waste anymore, right?
For an Imperial Grand Duke, Giancarlo was no fool.
But even though Giancarlo could see right through Conrad, he didnt show any signs of it, instead playing it off like he didnt know.
Why?
Because he had no intention of giving up on this marriage.
There is no alternative but to marry his grandson. His grandson, is the only hope. He cant back down from this. One way or another, he must be wed to Elise.
Elises path to marriage is completely blocked by the events-accidents and rumors-some of which are true.
Moreover, because of her personality and her refusal to allow any man to even speak to her, a romantic marriage was virtually out of the question.
Thus, an arranged marriage with Otto was the only hope for now.
* * * /SchattenTranslations * * *
Meanwhile, Otto, who had been taken into the woods by Elise, was forced to speak in a very polite manner, with his hands folded in front of him.
Otto de Scuderia.
Ah, yes.
I dont know if you know this, but I am your fiance.
O-Oh, is that so? I I didnt know.
Never mind. At least now you know.
.
But you dont deserve to marry me.
What?
You are too weak.
Elise said, looking at Otto with disdain, as if she were looking at a bug.
I have no intention of marrying a weak man like you.
W-Well, is that so?!
Otto quickly blurted out, wondering what kind of fortune this was.
How could a weakling like me marry the Untouchable Elise, I know, hahahaha, I shouldnt even look at a tree I cant climb, hahahahaha!
Be strong.
What?
You just have to become stronger.
W-What do you mean.
Ill give you time, so become a strong man. So that you can be my marriage partner.
.
If you dont get stronger to the level I want you to, I will consider it an insult to me and.
*Swish!*
Elise drew her sword and pointed it at the tip of Ottos chin.
I will kill you with my own hands.
Heh, huh?!
I wont tell you to get stronger all at once. Ill give you time. Youll get stronger one step at a time. Its not that hard to be strong.
..
Ill check in with you once a month to see how youre doing. I want to see you improve.
At that point.
*Ding!*
A quest window popped up.
[Homework Inspection].
Description: Once a month, you will be tested by Elise to see how strong you have become.
Type : Long-Term Quest (36 Months)
Progress : 0 / 36 (0%)
Reward: Survival and Marriage to Elise
Note: If you abandon this quest or fail to complete it, you will die at Elises hands.
[Notification: You have accepted the quest <Homework Inspection>!]
A quest has been forcefully accepted.
Refusal was never an option.
Why?
Because if he refused, he would die.
Take it.
Elise nonchalantly tossed a small pouch at Ottos feet.
These are pills made from the pollen of the frostbite flower, native to the north. Eat it as soon as you can, that way you can at least strengthen yourself a little bit.
A pill made from the pollen of the frostbite flower Huh!
Otto was stunned when he realized what Elise had thrown at him.
Because.
Youre giving me this for free?!
The pill made from the pollen of the Frostbite Flower, called the Frostbite Pill, was a tremendous elixir that could raise ones level by 30 levels at once.
** ** **
TL/N:
1. Felt like the name of Fiancee is coined after this person: Elisabeth von Habsburg-Lothringen. Elisabeth was renowned for her beauty and her unconventional lifestyle.