Chapter 39: Are the Royals Players?

Genesis floated nearby.

For once...

Even she remained silent.

Seraphina folded her arms.

The concern in her eyes disappeared.

The look immediately made Arthur regret what he had said.

"...I see."

She lowered her gaze.

Arthur’s anger vanished almost instantly.

...Damn it.

He hadn’t meant to say it like that.

Seraphina hadn’t been trying to interrogate him.

She had been worried.

And he had just thrown that concern back in her face.

Arthur let out a quiet sigh.

"...Seraphina... Teacher, I... I..."

She didn’t look at him.

Arthur rubbed the back of his head.

"I’m sorry."

Seraphina remained silent.

Arthur’s expression became awkward.

"I didn’t mean to yell at you like that."

She finally glanced toward him.

Arthur looked away.

"I was frustrated."

He sighed.

"And you kept asking... and I... I... I didn’t know how to explain any of this without sounding completely insane."

Seraphina’s expression softened slightly.

"...I’m sorry too."

Arthur looked at her.

She gave a small shake of her head.

"If you don’t want to tell me, then you don’t have to."

Her voice was calm now.

"I shouldn’t have kept pressuring you."

"But please understand something, Arthur."

"I don’t want you dealing with forces that are beyond your own understanding."

Arthur fell silent.

Seraphina glanced toward the exit.

"If something is happening to you... I wouldn’t be able to face your mother or forgive myself..."

Her voice softened.

"...I just don’t want you getting hurt."

Arthur’s expression changed.

He seemed pained.

Seraphina turned away.

"I’ll excuse myself."

But before she could take another step—

Arthur suddenly grabbed her hand.

Seraphina stopped.

"No..."

She looked back at him.

"No?"

Arthur sighed.

"I’ll tell you."

Seraphina’s eyes widened slightly.

"You don’t have to."

"No."

Arthur shook his head.

"I want to."

For several seconds...

Neither of them spoke.

Then Arthur released her hand and returned to his chair.

He sat down.

Seraphina slowly turned back toward him.

Arthur leaned against the backrest.

"You know... back a couple of days ago, when we were sparring?"

Seraphina nodded.

Arthur continued.

"After you landed that insane combo on me..."

He paused.

"...I started noticing I possessed a certain form of power."

"It allows me to see and understand things normal people can’t."

Seraphina remained silent.

Then—

A strange look or sadness appeared on her face.

Arthur noticed.

"...What?"

Seraphina’s expression softened.

"But young master..."

"I didn’t even hit you that hard—"

"I’M NOT GOING INSANE, OK?!"

Seraphina froze.

Then—

She suddenly chuckled.

Arthur stared at her.

"I know, I know."

A playful smile appeared on her face.

"I’m just messing with you."

Arthur’s expression became completely blank.

"..."

Arthur leaned back slightly in his chair.

"Well, with the power came knowledge."

Seraphina listened carefully.

"I can improve the qualities of things I own."

She slowly repeated his words.

"...Improve the qualities of things you own?"

Arthur nodded.

"Yeah."

He gestured vaguely.

"That’s basically what happened back there."

Seraphina stared at him.

Arthur shrugged.

"Well... more or less."

She remained silent for several moments.

Then Seraphina asked,

"Have you told anyone else about this?"

Arthur acted like he thought about it.

"Well... no."

"Not really."

Seraphina slowly nodded.

"I see. Understood."

Arthur blinked.

"Understood what?"

Seraphina looked directly at him.

"Young Master Arthur."

Her voice became noticeably quieter.

"I believe what you’re using is Divine Power."

For a moment...

Arthur froze.

"...Divine what now?"

Seraphina nodded seriously.

"Divine Power."

Arthur stared at her with exasperated disbelief.

Seraphina noticed his expression.

"I know how crazy that sounds."

Arthur slowly nodded.

"Yeah..."

She raised a hand.

"But hear me out."

Arthur leaned back.

"...I’m listening."

Seraphina took a moment to organize her thoughts.

"During the Age of Gods, all the gods possessed a form of power unlike Chi or Riki."

Her eyes became distant.

"It was said that this power allowed the gods to make divine whatever they willed."

Arthur’s eyebrows slowly rose.

Seraphina continued.

"Imagine a cracked sword."

She gestured with her hand.

"With Divine Power, that sword could be transformed into a blade sharp enough to cut through almost anything."

Arthur’s expression became increasingly strange.

"Or imagine something as simple as a spoon."

She continued.

"The gods could make it so dense that it became completely unbendable."

Arthur slowly nodded.

"...Okay."

Inwardly...

Arthur’s thoughts were becoming increasingly complicated.

I wanted to tell her part of the truth...

But I definitely didn’t expect her to interpret it like this.

Seraphina continued speaking.

"Long before the Empire existed, it was said that the gods could make entire fleets stronger with a wave of their hands."

Arthur’s expression suddenly changed.

He felt like she was onto something.

"Iron Angels with no talent for cultivation would suddenly become talented experts."

She paused.

"Equipment could be made powerful beyond its natural limits."

"Entire civilizations flourished under their rule."

Arthur’s eyes widened in realization.

Wait... don’t tell me...

Seraphina’s expression became solemn.

"It is said there was always constant war between the gods."

Her voice lowered.

"But those recognized and favored by them could live unrivaled lives."

Arthur remained silent.

"That was..."

She paused.

"...until the gods suddenly vanished."

Arthur frowned slightly.

"They disappeared?"

Seraphina nodded.

"And with them went the Divine Power they used to uplift the cosmos."

Arthur fell silent.

At first...

Everything Seraphina had said sounded completely ridiculous.

Divine Power?

Gods?

The Age of Gods?

But now that Arthur actually thought about it...

His expression slowly changed.

Was she referring to the Players?

After all...

Only Players could enhance their equipment.

Their Angels.

Their gear.

Their fleets.

Planets.

In the game...

Interstellar Lords Online...

Arthur’s eyes narrowed.

Were Players actually considered gods in this world?

He immediately pushed the thought aside.

It sounded completely ridiculous.

And yet...

The more he thought about it...

The more things began to make sense.

No...

It’s still worth considering.

Seraphina suddenly spoke again.

"So, if you somehow possess this power now..."

Arthur looked toward her.

"...I would advise you to use it cautiously."

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"Why?"

Seraphina glanced around the control room.

Then she leaned closer.

Her voice became barely above a whisper.

"Because you could become a target."

Arthur’s expression changed.

"A target?"

Seraphina nodded.

"The Royal Family."

Arthur frowned.

"What about them?"

Seraphina’s expression became serious.

"They are the only known descendants of a god and the only recorded Iron Angels who can use Divine Power."

Arthur’s eyes widened slightly.

"They are?"

Seraphina nodded.

"That is why no one can oppose them."

Her voice became increasingly solemn.

"Their bloodline possesses power unlike anything ordinary people can comprehend."

"And that is one of the reasons they rule the Empire."

Arthur remained silent.

Seraphina leaned closer.

"If they discovered that some random noble young master had somehow come into possession of Divine Power..."

Her eyes narrowed.

"...they might see you as a threat."

Arthur’s expression became serious.

"And they would put an end to your life before you could become powerful enough to oppose them."

For several seconds...

Arthur said nothing.

Then he slowly placed a hand beneath his chin.

"I see..."

His expression became thoughtful.

"I understand now, Teacher."

He looked toward her.

"Thanks for looking out for me."

Seraphina’s serious expression softened.

She pulled back slightly.

"Anytime."

Then she smiled faintly.

"Now..."

She glanced toward the exit.

"Why don’t we head back and finish preparing your things?"

Arthur raised an eyebrow.

"You’ll be leaving for the Academy soon, right?"

Arthur sighed.

"Right."

He stood up from his chair.

"Back to preparations, then."

Seraphina turned and began walking toward the exit.

Arthur followed behind her.

But even as he walked...

His thoughts refused to settle.

Are Enhancement Points really Divine Power?

Or is Seraphina simply mistaken?

Arthur’s expression slowly became increasingly complicated.

And if it truly is Divine Power...

Another thought suddenly entered his mind.

How did one of the Players manage to have a child in this new era?

Arthur frowned.

This universe was basically a VR model of the original game.

Naturally...

No Players should have been active while it was being created.

So how was it possible that NPCs could apparently inherit something connected to Players?

Arthur’s footsteps suddenly slowed.

And how can NPCs use Enhancement Points...?

His eyes widened.

Wait...

A terrifying possibility had suddenly entered his mind.

Are the members of the Royal Family...

He swallowed.

...actually other Players?