How to Survive as the Villain in a Strategy Game

Chapter 107 : Chapter 107

Chapter 107Several months have already passed since I entered the world of without knowing anything.

I don't even know how many times my life has been in danger during that time. If it weren't for other people, I would have already departed for the next world.

But if I had known I had this kind of ability, I would have learned magic a long time ago, right?

Would it have killed the system or status window to tell me from the beginning that I had this ability?

No, in the first place, it didn't even say I had magical ability when I created the character, did it?

I stopped after panting for a while.

No. That's not right.

Let's think positively.

Isn't it a relief that I found out now?

Besides, if it weren't for Petrarch, I wouldn't have even known I had this ability.

Next time Esil comes to visit, let's send her some good coffee beans then.

First, I have to show off.

"Hey, Theo, look at this."

"What is it?"hing.

Thanks to it, I've navigated through crises well so far.

The problem was that Charisma wasn't very helpful in learning magic.

Learning magic requires Intellect or Education.

But my Intellect and Education, the core stats for magic, are not just ordinary, they're practically rock bottom.

My Intellect is slightly better than my Education, but only slightly, a really tiny bit. A negligible difference.

For a mage, Charisma is more of a bonus or a byproduct of practicing magic. (It's easy to understand if you think about whether people value the advice of an ordinary person or a mage more.)

If at least my strength was high, I would have tried being a muscle wizard, but it's a shame.

I racked my brain to see if I had forgotten my character build, but nothing came to mind.

In the first place, if a skill tree based on Charisma had been discovered, the community would have gone wild, no, it would have burned down. Since I have no memory of that, it seems there really isn't one.

"Then why don't you just ask someone else?"

"Who?"

"Zeta or Lord Petrarch. The two of them are experts in magic."

"That's right."

Theo presented a solution.

He was right. I don't know why I was worrying alone, leaving the experts aside.

I wrote letters seeking advice from the two of them, and a few days later, a reply came through the Mage Guild mail.

"What does it say?"

"They're telling me to come to Florence."

"Huh?"

Only Petrarch replied to the letter.

Zeta seemed very busy and there was no reply, and Petrarch told me to come to the Grand Library of Florence if I wanted advice.

It's certainly right for the person who needs help to go in person, but the location being Florence was a bit of a problem.

Fasa is at the southernmost tip of Apennia.

On the other hand, Florence is in the central part of Apennia.

And it's in front of Levona's sphere of influence.

I can't help but hesitate to go.

It's not because I'm a coward, but because of the personality of those petty dwarves.

They must have a mountain of grudges against me for interfering with their national policy, and I'm supposed to walk right into their path? I can't do that.

"Of all the times."

"Then are you not going at all?"

"Still, I have to visit Florence at least once."

It's not just because of Petrarch, but because of the special nature of the Grand Library.

The Grand Library is a special facility, one of the few in . As its name suggests, you can find all sorts of secrets and lore there.

But the true value of the Grand Library is not the lore, but the elements hidden within it.

Depending on the circumstances, you can obtain hidden magic items or traits, or increase your stats while searching.

Among them, what I want most is a magic book.

Of course, I'm not even sure what might be there or what might be left now.

"Theo, we have an intelligence network in Florence too, right?"

"Of course. Do you have something for them to do?"

"Expand the intelligence network just in case. Increase surveillance as well."

"Understood. I'll take measures."

Petrarch mentioned Florence frequently during our conversation. And this time, they mentioned the Grand Library of Florence.

Unless Petrarch intentionally leaked information, the Apennia Mage Guild's branch is likely to be in Florence.

Of course, Petrarch didn't seem like the type of person to harm me, but there's always a 'what if' in the world.

There's nothing wrong with being prepared for any eventuality.

And also, there's still the magic book Petrarch left me.

This magic genius who insults even the gods has already mastered it before even reading it, so it's become unnecessary, but the value it contains is immense.

Suddenly, a good idea came to mind.

"Theo."

"Yes? Are there any more instructions?"

"Here is . I'll give you this book, so go and study magic."

"What? No. Me? That?"

"It's an order. I'll check how much you've studied later."

"No, what kind of ridiculous..."

"Let's see. It took me one day, so three days should be enough for you, right?"

Theo made a crying face, but I had no intention of backing down. It's by no means because I have something against Theo.

Considering the usefulness of magic, wouldn't it be better for everyone if one more person learned magic?

Even though I entrusted him with something precious, Theo took the magic book as if he was reluctant.

I'll have to watch him later to make sure he doesn't use the magic book as a pillow.

At this time, I couldn't have imagined that I would be visiting Florence so soon.

***

The Theologian, Pope Astro, had a face that was boiling with dissatisfaction from within.

It was because he had sent his most trusted aide out on a mission, but instead of doing what he was supposed to do, he was only doing strange things.

"This is a spectacle. A real spectacle."

Pope Astro stopped reading the report and threw it down.

The reports that had been piled up on his desk, unread, came crashing down.

They were all records of Ceras' monster search and engagement. Of course, they were not the reports Pope Astro had been hoping for.

"Is Ceras protesting because she doesn't want to work right now? Is that why she's doing this?"

"Ahem. Your Holiness. Please maintain your dignity. Surely Sir Ceras wouldn't do that. For now, please drink some coffee and calm down."

"Ah. Right. The coffee smells good today too."

As Bishop Rosanka offered freshly brewed coffee from the side, Pope Astro's expression softened.

In fact, Pope Astro was more interested in coffee than a whole bunch of seminarians.

Since the Pope himself was a graduate of a seminary and had met seminarians his whole life, it was only natural that he would be uninterested.

On the other hand, what about this beverage called coffee?

Isn't it very interesting?

This beverage, which was popular only in the southern part of Apennia, recently landed in Ratio and began to be consumed.

At first, it was strongly rejected because of its color, but those who tried coffee always praised it highly.

Surprisingly, this beverage had the effect of awakening a person's mind and invigorating them.

On the other hand, there was a side effect of not being able to sleep at night if you drank too much, but there were quite a few priests who welcomed that.

For priests who worked at night, coffee was an essential beverage.

Now, the only ones in Ratio who didn't drink coffee were the purists who believed the Western Church should return to its early days.

That was the reason why Pope Astro became interested in Leon Gryph.

"Look. The popularity of this beverage called coffee coincides with the founding of the Black Company. How did that mercenary captain named Leon Gryph find out about something like this? He must be a person of truly amazing insight."

Bishop Rosanka sighed inwardly but maintained a smile on the outside.

Pope Astro was too interested in Leon Gryph. Of course, it was because he had high expectations.

Leon Gryph had wiped out the pirates that filled the Golden Sea and led a disadvantageous war to victory even after being betrayed.

At the same time, he did not cause any problems like personal deviance or womanizing.

What a religious and exemplary life.

That alone was enough for Pope Astro to take a liking to Leon Gryph.

Because only such a person could help the Holy See in crisis.

Pope Astro, who had calmed his excitement, spoke.

"Send a letter to Sir Ceras."

"Should I tell her to return?"

"No. There's no need for that. Isn't the bishop's seat of Fasa vacant? I remember that Bishop Malone's successor has not been decided yet."

"That is correct. Then perhaps?"

"Yes. It was about time Sir Ceras needed an official position. And to support Leon Gryph, it would be good to officially attach her to his side."

"Understood."

Even within the Holy See, the sale of offices was common. Among them, the bishopric of Fasa was a position coveted by several factions.

As Fasa had recently become rapidly wealthy, the money flowing into the bishop's pockets was sure to increase.

So, when they find out about the Pope's decision, the political enemies who were aiming for the Fasa bishopric would surely protest loudly.

To ignore that and hand over the Fasa bishopric to his closest aide was tantamount to declaring Pope Astro's will to the world.

The Holy See would no longer be cowering. It would fight against its enemies.

This is part of the preparation for that fight. Bishop Rosanka, understanding the Pope's will, carried out the instructions.