I Reincarnated into a Game Filled with Mods – Chapter 136

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Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
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‘Why did I do that…?’

Become mine.

Even for Cecilia, it was a surprisingly reasonable request. I was grateful it was phrased as a proposal rather than a threat or a command.

If this had been earlier, I might have accepted.

Back then, I hadn’t imagined the story would deviate this much.

In the game, the Holy Kingdom had a rather negative image, due to its rigid atmosphere and the infamous delivery quest that was practically mandatory.

Now, it felt like a normal religious nation that worshipped the Sun and Moon.

I wondered if this was another side effect of the characters’ genders, appearances, and personalities changing.

‘I also need to consider what happens after clearing the main story.’

The main story of BD4 ended with defeating the final boss of each route, but the ending credits didn’t roll immediately. The true ending showed the protagonist’s subsequent life.

It could be a peaceful, idyllic life, or even ascending to the throne of the Empire. Or perhaps receiving a noble title or moving to the Holy Kingdom.

There were numerous endings depending on the quests and events completed.

Since I was inhabiting this body, I wondered if I could return to my original world after seeing the ending, like in many other possession stories… but it wouldn’t hurt to prepare for the possibility of not returning.

Finding a place to live wasn’t a problem. I had already received an offer to live with the Popes in the Holy Kingdom, and I could also choose to remain in Aurora’s territory as a knight.

Either way, I wouldn’t have to worry about how to live in this world after defeating the Eater of Worlds.

The real problem was what would happen to this world if I returned to my original one.

Leaving Lize and the Popes behind would weigh heavily on my conscience.

“What are you thinking so deeply about?”

“……I apologize, Your Majesty.”

At some point, Cecilia’s face had drawn incredibly close. Her breath brushed against my lips, and her scent filled my nostrils.

I quietly apologized.

I wanted to lower my head, but Cecilia’s firm grip on my chin prevented me.

“I have shown you a level of mercy that those other insignificant beings couldn’t even dream of. That is how much I favor you. I have given you ample time to consider, so now I shall hear your answer. What are your thoughts? Will you become mine?”

Her voice sounded almost giddy, unlike her usual self, but my answer was already decided.

I took a deep breath to compose myself, met her golden gaze, and spoke.

“I apologize, Your Majesty. I cannot.”

“…….”

The playful curve at the corners of Cecilia’s eyes vanished, her lips returning to their usual impassive line. She stared at me, her expression unreadable.

Perhaps she hadn’t expected me to refuse, or perhaps she had anticipated it and was merely testing me.

After a long moment of silent scrutiny, she spoke, her voice cold.

“You say you cannot.”

“Yes, Your Majesty.”

“I am not known for my patience. Therefore, you will explain precisely why you refuse my offer. Is your title insufficient? Are my gifts lacking? Do you desire the Silver Dawn Knights beneath your command as well as the Golden Twilight?”

“It is not because I lack anything, Your Majesty.”

“Then speak. Why have you refused?”

Her grip on my chin loosened. Cecilia straightened, leaning back against her throne. Her right elbow rested on the armrest, her fist pressed against her cheek. Her golden eyes fixed on me once more.

The pose reminded me of our previous audience.

I glanced at her nervously, but thankfully, she didn’t seem inclined to shove my head between her legs this time.

If she had, the numerous people behind me would have witnessed the spectacle of me bowing before the Empress’s… throne.

“What you offer is more than sufficient. It is, in fact, too much for me.”

I meant it sincerely.

I was someone who had practically abandoned all human interaction to focus solely on BD4.

How could I possibly lead a knight order?

If I had to accept a position, Vice-Commander would be more appropriate.

“Then why the refusal?”

“I have things to do.”

I answered honestly.

“……What?”

“I said I have things to do, therefore I cannot accept your offer.”

Cecilia’s gaze intensified, as if trying to discern the truth in my words. I met her gaze calmly.

I did have things to do.

Even if I abandoned the idea of following the original main story, I still had to defeat the Eater of World’s. I couldn’t rest easy knowing it was still out there.

In the game, the Eater of World’s would never actually destroy the world, no matter how long the main story was neglected, but this world was different. It might actually try to end everything.

Moreover, having visited me once, there was no guarantee it wouldn’t return.

I needed to eliminate the Invincible Essential, at the very least.

And I had a considerable number of personal tasks as well.

I needed to acquire the rune that negated the Battle Fatigue debuff, level up further to make fighting the Eater of World’s easier, and finalize my late-game build.

Wingless Nightmare. Specific runes. Enchantment Dark Magic. And another rune to utilize that magic effectively.

Those four were the core of the Darkest Light mod’s melee build.

Until I gathered all four, I would have to travel extensively within the Empire, and remaining in Aurora’s territory was the best way to do so.

“What things must you do?”

I had anticipated the question, and answered without hesitation.

“To fulfill Your Majesty’s wish.”

“…….”

A crack appeared in Cecilia’s impassive mask.

I hadn’t originally intended to hunt demons, but since I had been assaulted by Cecilia, I might as well hunt them for the experience points and fulfill her wish along the way.

With Wingless Nightmare, Solar Eclipse, and Lunar Eclipse, demon-type bosses posed little threat.

Even with the Darkest Light mod’s enhancements, the fundamental elemental weaknesses remained.

I could just hunt them down whenever I had the time.

Eliminating the demons within the Empire and the Holy Kingdom should be enough to satisfy Cecilia.

The demons within Hell itself posed no threat to the outside world.

Cecilia, who had been scrutinizing me from her throne, muttered something under her breath. It was too quiet to hear, but judging by her demeanor, it wasn’t anything negative.

“If that is your intention, I will not force you.”

Hearing those words, I breathed a sigh of relief, only for her to add,

“Now, choose.”

“Pardon me?”

“Choose the members for your knight order. Did I not say I would give you half of the Golden Twilight Knights?”

“…….”

I looked at the Golden Twilight Knights with a troubled expression. I had assumed Cecilia would choose them herself, not me.

What was I supposed to do?

The central hall was eerily quiet now that the newly formed knight order, half of the Golden Twilight Knights, the Silver Dawn Knights, Aurora, and the remaining half of the Golden Twilight Knights had departed.

Cecilia leaned back against her throne, gazing up at the chandelier. Her own words from earlier echoed in her mind.

“A man who surpasses even Cecilia would be a worthy partner for life…”

At the time, she had spoken out of competitiveness, but now, it felt different. It was starting to feel true.

“You must have received his assistance as well, Minerva.”

Minerva had been holed up in the Mage Tower since yesterday, showing no signs of emerging.

Her mages were the same.

They would likely remain secluded for at least a month.

The Mage Tower stood beside the Imperial Palace. Its garden was essentially an extension of the palace gardens. There was no way Cecilia could have missed what had transpired there.

She knew Minerva had brought the Crystal Scroll. And that Minerva was officially credited with its discovery.

But Cecilia knew it was a lie.

If Minerva had truly known the scroll’s location, she would have moved heaven and earth to obtain it, even if it meant sacrificing every mage under her command.

But Minerva hadn’t. There was only one possibility.

Delta had found the scroll, and for some reason, they had conspired to fabricate a story.

The man’s true identity grew more intriguing with each passing day.

Now he even knew the locations of ancient scrolls?

“It is a shame I cannot keep you by my side immediately…”

If he said he had things to do, she would wait.

Cecilia’s flame wouldn’t be extinguished first.

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