I Got Reincarnated Into a Game I Was a Top-Ranker in and I Became the Leader of a Villain Group That Will Destroy This Shitty Country - 44

Chapter 44: Superior Cube

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And so, we ended up finding a wonderful ‘inn’ to place in the form of Rielle’s mansion. Finally, we were able to sleep in soft beds after so long. Sure, I could circulate the magic power within my body to keep the fatigue at bay, but sleeping in a comfortable place was still the best indeed.   

Upon waking up, I quickly washed my face and headed to Rielle’s room.

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“Wha-What?! 5 million gold?!”

“Yes. I would appreciate it if you could support us at least that much.”

After hearing the amount I mentioned, Rielle’s eyes widened as she shrieked.

“Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Wh-Why?! Why do you need 5 million gold…?!”

“There’s something I want to buy. No, to be precise, there’s something that I NEED to buy. There’s an item that can only be obtained in Odell.”

“Uuuu…. Uuugh….”

Suddenly looking devastated, Rielle looked like she was going to try as she hung her head down. 

Yeah…. Well, I already expect this kind of reaction though.

5 million gold wasn’t an amount a mere commoner in this world could earn even if they spent their whole life working their bones.

Feeling a bit guilty, I explained my reasoning even further to Rielle.

“Umm… It’s something that we need no matter what. There’s a huge difference between having it and not having it, so… We really don’t have any other choice…”

“….Uuuugh…. Uuugh… Sob…”

“Wha-Whoa?! Do-Don’t cry! Why are you crying all of a sudden?!”

“Because…!! You will kill me if I refuse, right?! You’re a demon after all. If I refuse, you will definitely kill me! But… But…!! Sob… Huaaaaaaaaaaahhhh!!”

“Whoa?!?!?! Wait-! Wait, Rielle!!”

When I was desperate to calm her down, the door to the room suddenly swung open, revealing Nia and Chloe. The two of them were staring at me with eyes full of contempt, like they were staring at a piece of trash. 

“…Kai is making a girl cry.”

“Not only you’re a demon, but you’re also a piece of trash.”

“No!! It’s not like that!! Well, I mean, technically speaking, you’re not wrong… But still! Also, Chloe! You don’t deserve to call me out for this! For your information, this item is meant for you!!”

“…Huh? F-For me…?”

Chloe’s cheeks flushed red for some reason and she was smiling bashfully. Meanwhile… Nia was glaring at me intensely, so much so that she might shoot lasers from her eyes.

“Hic… My debt keeps piling up and I’m losing more and more business…”

“Thi-This is just a one-time thing! I promise!! I won’t ask a large sum of money from you again!!”

After that, I told Rielle exactly what I planned on buying and how that item would be used. In the end, I somehow managed to get 5 million gold from Rielle. During my explanation, Rielle kept on sobbing miserably. Because of that, I vowed in my heart that I would repay this favor many times over to make up for it.

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“Artifact?”

Chloe asked and I nodded in return.

“Yeah. You don’t have any,right?”

After we calmed Rielle down (somehow), the three of us immediately headed to the market in Odell. Our objective was of course, to buy an artifact for Chloe. While Nia and I had artifacts like a ring, a necklace and a one-handed sword from the dungeon in the slum, Chloe didn’t have anything. 

“I don’t have one, but… Do I really need it? I mean, I think I’m already strong enough without one-“

“Yes! You are strong! Chloe is definitely strong! I’m not trying to imply that you’re weak or anything!”

I waved my hands frantically to dispel any potential misunderstanding. 

“But… Our next enemy is the Pope, you know? He’s one of the most powerful people in this country. We don’t know what kind of dangers await us and most importantly…”

“Most importantly…?”

“….I’d be troubled if you were to die. That’s all.”

Feeling embarrassed, I turned my head while scratching my cheek awkwardly. However, it seemed my feelings got across to Chloe since she was now smirking at me. 

“… Oooh~ So you’re that worried about me?”

“I-I’m not worried per say, but you know! The Pope has an army under him called the Crusaders and if anything were to happen and they somehow got you alone… You might be in danger, Chloe…”

“Fufu…. Fufufufu~”

“…”

This is bad. I can’t really explain why, but I have a very, very bad feeling right now. 

Chloe was smiling bashfully on my right side, but on my left side, Nia was holding my hands tightly. To be fair, Nia sulked often. This wouldn’t be the first time. But… I had a feeling Nia was extremely upset now, more so than usual. I couldn’t really see her expression since Nia always wore a blindfold when we were outside, but I had a hunch Nia’s expression looked terrifying right now.

“Well~ If you’re that worried about me then… Why don’t you help me with my training? I was just starting to feel like I’ve reached my limit now. I don’t think I will be able to improve if I keep training alone.”

“Tha-That sounds good. I’ll be happy to help but… Umm…”

“Hm? Oh. Ooooh~”

Finally sensing the shift in Nia’s mood, Chloe then flashed an awkward smile my way. She lightly tapped my face, probably telling me to pamper Nia. 

Chloe’s considerate suggestion and the fact that we were in the middle of a bustling market made me feel embarrassed, but I decided to wrap my arm around Nia’s waist without saying anything first. 

“Fue-h?”

And just like that, I hugged her in my arms and lifted her. Startled, Nia let out a cute voice as she turned her head to look at me. Her eyes were still covered though. She wouldn’t be able to look at me even if she turned her head toward me. 

“…Kai.”

“Yeah?”

“I want to take off the blindfold.”

“Ah… Sorry, but I think you will need to keep it on while we’re outside. After all, it’d be troublesome if your identity got exposed here.”

“….Kai is so mean.”

Even so, I could sense that Nia was in a much better mood now. She then happily placed her hand on top of mine. 

Good, good… I managed to stave off her fury for now…

I thought to myself as I started to stare at every shop sign lining on the roadside. 

“Ah, right. What are you planning to buy anyway? If I’m not wrong, there are various types of artifacts, right?”

Chloe said, as if she had just suddenly remembered to ask me that question. I glanced at her while still carrying Nia in my arms. 

“Superior Cube.”

I answered.

“Hm?”

“It’s a pendant-type artifact. It can increase the speed and magic power of its wearer, which is perfect for assassins like you. And also, it has a unique skill. It can connect spaces.”

“Huh…? Connect spaces…? I’m sorry but I don’t really get it.”

“Well, I will explain it to you later when we train together.”

Superior Cube was originally an accessory meant for Kaltz. It was also a cheat-like item that caused inflation in the game’s artifacts. Superior Cube was an S-rank artifact that Kaltz was always wearing throughout the whole storyline. Superior Cube had a significant influence on Kaltz’s combat power. His combat power would drop significantly without it. However, Chloe was a hundred times more important to me. I didn’t really care even if Kaltz would be having a hard time without Superior Cube. 

“Ah, I need to buy some herbs too after this.”

“Huh? Herbs.”

“That’s right.”

I nodded as I recalled Rielle’s tearful face. 

“I need to repay the favor I’ve received.”

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T/N: I can relate with Rielle ( ꒦ິ ཀ ꒦ິ  )