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Chapter 376: Forgotten Royalty

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The news of [Players] dying while inside Terroa wasn’t new.

Because of the hype before the release of the game, there are so many [Users] who thought that traditional gaming styles where one grinds your level and stats for nights without eating or even sleeping would work in a VR-Game.

[Avatars] in Terroa also needed to eat and rest, and there are also injuries to consider that when not healed or treated will leave obvious scars or impairments to the avatar’s overall status.

Yes, the VR-Technology provided by Terroa enabled players to sleep while within the game but forsaking real-world meals to the body was already the Players’ personal decision and is outside the developer and publishers’ concerns.

That said, although it enables players to use the [waive contracts] for a deliberate removal of the “safety system” of the NLD that limits players to only play the game 6hrs MAX per day, it was still not advised as there are possibilities for players to abuse this feature.

Alas, right after this opportunity was publicized, cases of players’ health deteriorating and even causing deaths surfaced and from then on, the rights of players to remove the “Safety System” became astringent with strict laws and even a lot of counseling to consider.

With this in mind, although the cases of deaths and health issues were still present, it wasn’t in a degree where it was already alarming.

At least, it was once every two weeks with these all being cases of real accidents or a deliberate act of suicide from reincarnation fanatics, with a few cases, even, of crimes of jealousy and real and intentional crimes.

But of all of this, the case of a few members of a certain guild dying while still online was really unnatural and is worthy of attention.

*****

The meeting has just ended and the four agents from the International Online Safety Regulations Committee, or “InOSaRC”, left the room with the usual daunting calmness on their expressions.

It was tactful meeting with courteous words and acts given for the four agents.

When the four of them got out, the BOD of the company, most especially President Ethan, can’t help releasing a long held breath of relief.

[This is trouble.]

[And to think we can’t even get in contact with a member of the Alcides… have they betrayed us and set us up?]

[It’s a possibility.]

[Damn them!]

“We aren’t sure yet if that’s really the case.” Just before they fell to despair, Ethan managed to collect his bearing —worthy of a CEO’s position.

Carl was standing at one corner, his face stern.

Just now, the [InOSaRC] stated that Panorama Corp will have to explain this matter in the entire committee or they will be, regardless of how this will affect the global market, forced to bring their brand down.

Carl was deep in thought, ‘Members of just one Guild died right after the time they said they will be going on a mission…’

On a panel screen in front of him, there was the news report of the four bodies in different sides of the planet being found to be members of the Alcides Guild —and even though they are just a low-ranking member and wasn’t a member of the famous Core Players of the guild, they are still part of it, and them dying was indeed news.

And then, Carl swiped the air and pulled up one other “related” news where the first member of the Alcides Guild died…. more than a week ago.

‘The first body was assumed to have died three days before the news broke out while this latest news indicated that these players died just three days before they were found dead. This second news really coincided with our parting back then in The North…’

It should be remembered that the first option of President Ethan to accompany Carl —Olaf— to find the Rogue Programs was the Alcides Guild.

‘Back then, as soon as the appearance of Siva in Magic City of Loire boomed, the Alcides Guild began to change and they received a lot of the bottled quests and missions.’

Carl was also surprised. Back then, weren’t their main concern was to find out about the origin of the bottled quests and missions?

But now, it was obvious that these ‘messages’ are not part of the original system of the game.

‘The messages were targeting Siva.’

He landed on this conjecture when he saw the event unfold in Port City Dragona —the City of Lights— of the South-Eastern region of Tiara, the Northern Continent.

‘It was back then that Alcides had totally stopped all of their media activities and even ceased all kinds of contacts to us, forcing us to contact the contractors from the Blue Card Legion.’

One event after another, the event dubbed as the “Darkest Dawn” event in Dragona triggered a series of unbelievable feats by Siva.

‘His rise in strength was unbelievably fast. It’s as if he’s really an NPC…… but…’

Carl had paid a lot of time to investigate Siva and there are some news indicating that he started as a weak [player] in Walled City of Aarun.

‘But that was just around two months ago. This kind of pace is really fast.’

Unless he’s a “Ranked NPC”, then this pace is acceptably suitable and if one paid attention to him early on —just like what the TOS Guild and the famous adventure-for-hire Volt’s Crew did— then they’d be as lucky as them to actually be pulled as part of the Grand Quest of “Siva”.

‘And yet even they are too hard to track down.’

Of course, although Volt had long since paused his activities as adventurers-for-hire, and that his crew’s income had also stopped pouring in, it was still a fact that their bank accounts are still covered by the privacy protection of Banks.

It wasn’t an easy task to get their contact info if the interests of the Banks are in question.

And adding to that the Panorama Corp has yet to get back the controls to the Janus Console, it was a hundred times more difficult for Carl to actually get information on the people closest to Siva’s circle.

That’s why they were still deliberating if whether they should treat Siva as an NPC or a [Player].

If they choose wrong, they’d be committing the crime themselves…. because this [virus] can kill a person.

‘Then our last hope would be her.’

—Scion.

‘Of all the people closest to Siva, she was the only one whose fame had spread so wide that her identity was the easiest to trace. But…’

Pulling another file, Carl was now looking at the next biggest concern he had next to Siva.

‘Is it just a coincidence? She worked at one of the Hospitals tagged as AG’s property. And it is also the same hospital that the Kingsley Doctors had once been part of… is this just coincidence or is there a connection to the two of them?’

Everyone knows that the Kingsley Doctors had helped Panorama Corp to develop the NLD, the device used to log in to PG: Terroa.

Carl then stared at Siva’s file on another panel.

—more accurately, he was looking at the video of his fight with the Forest Guardian in Anazon Forest.

‘His face is blurred. It wasn’t like this before.’

Carl, of course, had seen the video before it was even edited by Cold Janus. Being that back when this video was uploaded he was still in the search for people to help search for the Rogue Programs, he did paid attention to Siva’s feats.

And this is the reason why he’s having a great headache.

‘Now that I think about it, some of the victims of that accident were brought in this hospital… and although it was brief, there were rumors that the entire Kingsley Family was killed in that accident, although I don’t think that’s the entire truth.’

Carl was deliberating on his thoughts and his mind was traveling elsewhere from the meeting.

‘Should I pay a visit? But……’

Of course, Carl wasn’t aware of the incident four years ago in Lausanne, Sweetzerland. If he did, then it should be a wonder why he was still alive and was thinking about it now.

The controversy and the darkness surrounding the development of RPG: Terroa was deeper in the abyss than anyone could imagine.

Not only the UNICORN suppressing all kinds of news regarding the incident, even the Panorama Corp, the publisher of the game, was left in the dark regarding the real purpose and plans that revolves around this sophisticated plan.

‘…but her background is troublesome.’

Carl inadvertently let out a long sigh but it made the noisy crowd of BOD and even Ethan look at his direction with frowns and discontent.

“Errrr…..” Carl began sweating, and cursed to his heart why he had to exhale that loud.

They were in a heated debate just now but that loud breath of complaint sounded as if Car was looking down at them.

“Is there a problem….. Carl?” President Ethan’s ears were red and he looked like a real Dragon steaming up in anger right now.

Carl recalled the topic of their debates and gave thanks to his multitasking capability.

“Errr… it may just sound weird coming from me but the campaign against Siva is prepared. I was just thinking... just thinking that perhaps the best way to get to know if he’s really an NPC or not is to visit the closest person to him that we know.”

The room became quiet.

He clearly wasn’t actually part of this meeting.

Although what he was saying is one of the goals they have tasked him for, the current topic of the meeting was about the ways to deal with the [InOSaRC]’s demands.

But one of the BOD who was the calmest of the rest of them spoke up, [Tell us, Carl, what was it that you were thinking of to solve that issue?]

The rest of the BOD members thought that it’s also good to temporarily divert their stressed out minds away from the topic to cool off.

“It’s about the Archmage closest to Siva.” Carl said, “She’s from Philip-Country and according to her avid fans, she’s an intern to this hospital.”

When Carl showed them the panel, everyone’s expression greatly dimmed. Some even showed dark faces telling him how serious this case was.

[Is this reliable information?] asked another.

“Yes sir.” Carl nodded, “Many people have also confirmed this information to be true. Some had even posted being part of her alumni back on her college days. But the thing to take note of is that none of them posted her address in fear of her family’s background’s retaliation.”

“Why is that?” asked Ethan. He was curious.

Carl showed another panel screen. It was a tree with faces —a family tree.

“Well, because while her father’s family is but an ordinary rich family, her mother’s side, however, or more accurately, her mother is the youngest granddaughter of the retired Queen Brynhild.”

“…?!”

Shocked expressions engulfed the rest of them.

[Queen Brynhild of the Christiana Monarchs!]

[Isn’t she just around 80+ years old this year?”]

[Yeah. I think I’ve seen her appear in public just around last month…]

[Damn. Siva’s defenses are too tight the closer we get to pinning him down.]

“A royalty?!” Ethan was shocked but recovered as he stared at the family tree. “Wait. This line is from the banished son the Queen renounced off her family because of marrying a commoner fifty years ago. To think that a royalty would be entangled in this mess is just too…”

(AN: I’m actually surprised you know that. LOL)

The head of the BOD was also surprised, [I do not believe that no one had posted her address in the net. If I’m not mistaken, it was suppressed by the Queen’s men.]

Carl agreed, “Although the Fairy of the Lake is from a royal lineage, I don’t think she is aware of it herself.”

“How so?” Ethan asked.

“I contacted those who claimed to be her fellow alumni and they all said that she was famous for being kind and gentle and… cough… an airhead and don’t actually reject anyone who wants to be friends with her. In short, she’s a darling of her schools.”

—in other words, she’s a royalty that everyone naturally and willingly wants to protect.

No wonder no one posted her address.

[This is troublesome.]

[Indeed. The Christiana Monarchy is an iron-fist demesne and its main export is exclusive to the UNICORN military sect. Who knows if they really had detached themselves from her grandfather or not…]

The head of the BOD went silence, thinking deeply that the frown of his face became scary.

[Carl.]

“Sir.”

[I want you to focus on this matter. Since this issue with the Alcides Guild wouldn’t need your assistance for the time being, we would need you to work on solving Siva’s riddles with all of your ability. Can we trust you?]

Since Carl is part of the “Technical Team”, the HR matter regarding the issue with Alcides isn’t going to need his help at least for now.

Carl became excited. I’m going on a vacation!

He did his best to hide this excitement but of all the people here, President Ethan knew him well so his frown scared the soul out of Carl.

—especially when further instructions were also given by the Head of the BOD.

[And to show our sincerity, President Ethan will be coming with you. Bring some gifts and use this chance to set up a connection.]

Ethan smiled widely. “I will do my best.”

Carl’s expression…. went on a one-eighty. His face even paled at the sight of Ethan smiling on a meaningful way, even chuckling “fufufu”.

Carl asked the BOD, “Sir, is the President going to be allowed to bring his collection?”

Ethan flinched, looking at the man expectantly.

[This is work.] The Head of the BOD said. [Just do your best to know of the necessary things.]

Carl sighed and Ethan grumbled inwardly. In his mind, however, he already had plans to make the man efficiently work. Yes. It was italicized.

*****

While the minutes and hours ticked by, all the Human dignitaries were on the edges of their wits because of the supposed ‘impending’ attack of the Demons.

Gaia vouched for it, the possibility was high.

A globe was in front of Siva and inside was six people with four being men and two are women.

The six figures were stuck between an inner layer of film which housed a frightening beating object, and the outside film where Siva was with his gaze fixed straight at them.

His apathetic gaze felt like a looming scientist over his lab specimens. It felt like the Siva in front of them right now held their very souls in his hands.

Additionally, the Elf, Gaia, was staring straight at them with a wide grin on her lips. Since Scion doesn’t want to see any other man’s ‘body’ aside from her Rex’s, she had logged out so the only people left with the Humans were the two.

“It’s already ten minutes.” Siva said. “Akhenaton, bring them out now.”

With a flash of light, the six figures disappeared and reappeared naked standing in front of the two of them.

“This is a separate kind of teleportation.” Maki commented, “I thought it was just me but I am sure now that this method of teleportation is very different to how the T-Devices work.”

Siva smiled, “Oh? You can even scan how the T-Devices’ teleportation ability work?”

“With years of experience observing and even handling those machines, how can I not study a bit about them?” Maki was smug as white armor flashed over his body.

Siva then glanced over Galatea, the goddess with a seemingly detached personality algorithm to her which didn’t mind even Gaspar’s gazes that carried so many meanings.

Even Siva couldn’t help but appreciate her.

But even so, no matter how much she seemed to be cold outside, she was still no match when it was Gaia who pounced at her and grabbed all and every parts of her body that she could.

[Ara… ara… this is really a good body…]

This was one of Galatea’s flesh bodies and so, it was not much different from a real flesh body of a mortal.

As a result, she was letting out very restrained sounds of both pleasure and embarrassment.

[Good reaction…]

[Aiiyaaa… you’re strong but you’re still soft…]

[We should hang out more from now on…]

Galatea was being raped in front of the boys but none of them were stopping Gaia.

“P-Please…” finally, Galatea spoke softly and it was an angelic voice that paired PERFECTLY to her goddess body, making Gaspar collapse on all fours in despair.

He did his best to resist and he succeeded… in exchange for betraying his soul as a man.

The only unaffected one was Maki.

He was a Sage.

“How does it feel?” When he had his full, Siva timed it perfectly when Gaia had paused to the first body and was just about to pounce on the second.

“I feel strong.” Maki said, clenching his fists and even making punching motions into thin air. “It really is a genuine True Dragon Blood.”

Galatea was fixing herself a robe that Siva had found to be the same material as the WhiteTech that Maki gifted to him.

She was a cold one. He gotta give her that.

Then, Siva turned to Gaspar, “Without any kind of equipment or using abilities and just based on battle prowess alone, maybe we’re on the same general level of strength.”

Gaspar, with a boost of confidence, spoke back with confidence, “If you have a stage then we’d be able to find that out.”

Siva smiled back, “I will invite you if I’m ready.”

A triplet, a twin, and an extra... these six are now Humanity’s greatest living weapons.

“Just to remind you though, there is no way you can replicate this kind of cell enhancement to the other Humans.” Siva, seemingly able to read the silence within the two ascended AIs, said in a warning tone. “If you try to transfer or even try as much as to clone your cells, there is a 90% chance that you will create a monster that none of us wants to fight against.”

Maki, with a straight face, asked, “Is it because of the magical properties within the blood?”

“Yes.” Siva said, “Dragon is a unique race that in their adult Elder Dragon stage of evolution can stand toe to toe against the Primordial Gods of the ancient era. Their bloodline is unique and is imbued with the memories of their race. If you force your way and modify or even just as much as tamper with it, it will create a resonance that has the potential to summon a curse that might turn a person or any living creature the curse touches into a Dragon, creating a Dragon Tide that has the potential to destroy this planet. And even if you have sufficient strength to fight that curse, you’re still just aiming to be wiped out for there are only you three to support Humanity.”

Siva paused here and with a serious warning, he said gravely, “—and that’s optimistically speaking with the account that you won’t get cursed.”

The two bodies of Galatea stared at him with her usual cold pair of eyes, despite the fact that a blushing parasite is uncaringly rubbing her face on one of her clones’ back while Gaia’s hands were embracing her from behind.

Of course, Maki and Gaspar took his words with a pinch of salt —half believing, half not.

At least they believe the part where they can fight off the scourge of the curse after escaping its influence.

“Well then, you have your upgrade. Since we’ve taken another oath regarding this trade, I trust that this information wouldn’t be told to others.”

Maki glanced over Galatea. The reason being, she herself had offered a different trade just to be able to add one more body.

Between the two of them, Galatea obviously is a higher existence and intelligence.

Maki gained his sentience after the war for their planet while Galatea was the AI of SS-Pandora —the Warship-turned-Noah’s Arc war vessel that existed even during the first decade of that 50-year long war.

She was the last surviving AI of her generation and this even made the supposedly apathetic Maki to respect her as his senior.

What Galatea paid for in order to bring one of her flesh bodies here is another of her flesh body clone with a modified appearance that of Cortana.

In total, Siva got three White Bodies of Maki and one Flesh Body of Galatea.

The reason why Siva didn’t include Cortana’s body with this batch of upgrade is because she needed to not only attune herself to it first, but Siva also thought that there were calibrations to be done first before anything else.

“Well then, since this transaction is completed, we will now be taking our leave.”

Maki was the speaker. Galatea wasn’t the type to be talkative. In fact, she doesn’t actually talk much if it’s not important.

She was both elegant and beautiful that way.

“I will be waiting for the good news.” Siva said.

Maki gave him a nod and the six people were all immersed in a bright light initiated from the item in Gaspar’s hand, and was whisked away.

By now, there was only Gaia and him.

He tuned his gaze at Gaia, “Well then…” and at this moment, Siva’s entire demeanor changed in a way that even Scion would not recognize him.

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Things are progressing faster now…

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