Show Me Your Stats!-Chapter 167

In Solar, both knights and soldiers were figures of deep respect among the people. This was because they were the ones who risked their lives battling demonic beasts in such a barren, frozen land. Among them, Bloom was a knight who never spared himself—he always stood at the front lines.

As the citizens recalled that fact anew, they couldn’t bring themselves to hurl accusations at Bloom so easily anymore.

Still, the sharp tension in the air didn’t dissipate. Ayra knew well that, to the people, Bloom was still the root cause of the war erupting between Solar and Sobletz.

“Therefore, I shall entrust this sinner’s judgment to the gods.”

With that declaration, Ayra gestured, and Bloom immediately knelt before her. Jinas handed her a white cape, which Ayra then unfurled boldly in front of the people. Embroidered at its center was the red crimson blossom—the symbol of the Morunka faith.

“Sir Bloom.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“The army of Sobletz marching on Solar shall be repelled by you alone.”

The crowd stirred. Even if he was a knight, how could a single human face down an entire army? The lord’s order was, for all intents and purposes, a death sentence.

“Like the Saint Adrion, who valiantly stood alone against a band of marauders—if the gods choose to forgive you, you shall live. If they do not, the sinner shall perish!”

According to the scriptures of Morunka, Saint Adrion was a young man who, blinded by greed, had stolen money meant for hiring mercenaries to protect his village. When he realized his actions had endangered the villagers, he took up a wooden club and charged into battle alone against the bandits. Moved by his courage, Morunka sent a divine envoy to save his life, and Adrion became the village’s guardian ever after.

Become a saint—or die. It was a harsh, cold judgment, yet the man kneeling before Ayra showed not a flicker of emotion. On the contrary, he lowered his head as if grateful and showed his readiness to obey.

“I will fight to the end until this life is spent.”

As she heard his reply, Ayra raised her hand. The white cape fluttered down like a bird’s wing and landed upon Bloom’s back. It tied itself without anyone touching it.

As Ayra looked down at the man who had accepted death without resistance, a new quest window appeared before her eyes.

<Quest Complete!>

[Righteous Butcher (1)]

Hear Bloom’s story about the past — ✔

Persuade Bloom to return as Knight Commander — ✔

Warning: Quest failure will result in the permanent loss of a retainer.

<New Quest!>

[Righteous Butcher (2)]

Ensure Bloom’s survival until Sobletz’s army retreats — ✘

Warning: Quest failure will result in the permanent loss of a retainer.

Reward: Approval rating increase, Hero Evolution

After reading the quest, Ayra gave a bitter smile to herself, then immediately issued the next command.

“Sir Bloom, go forth. And as you have always done—protect Solar.”

“Yes, my lord,” Bloom replied with bowed head. Ayra’s gaze lingered on the line: “permanent loss of a retainer.” Naturally, she had no intention of ever failing a quest.

As that thought settled in her mind, the young lord's eyes sparkled with confidence. Among the crowd, Theon—now a barely noticeable presence—glared at Ayra with bitter resentment before whipping around and returning to the temple.

❄

Ayra had multiple reasons for giving Bloom a command that seemed impossible.

The first was that reinstating Bloom as Knight Commander wasn’t something that could be achieved through persuasion alone. Now that his past had spread through Solar, both the retainers and the citizens would have to accept him again. That would require an achievement so overwhelming that no one could deny it.

The second reason was that, given Solar’s geographical characteristics, Bloom standing alone against Sobletz’s army wasn’t entirely impossible. Now that the festival season was over, Solar had essentially become a natural fortress. There was only one path in or out.

Fighting five thousand men on open plains is nothing like fighting them in a narrow pass.

Had invaders never succeeded here because Solar’s past lords were brilliant? Because they were blessed by Morunka? Ayra personally believed it was because there simply wasn’t anything worth taking here.

No rational general would ever attack a fortress with a single open gate. But what if that general’s master had suffered massive ❀ Nоvеlігht ❀ (Don’t copy, read here) losses from a failed market monopoly, had their manor smashed to rubble, and their prisoner returned shamefully? What if, on top of that, Ayra was sending out a voice-recording magical artifact every hour—broadcasting across the cave pass and even into Sobletz—spreading a vicious rumor that their lord was a gemstone pervert with a penis the size of a pinky?

And what if, at that point, said lord had lost all sense of reason and was charging forward in blind rage, no matter what his subordinates said?

This content is taken from fгeewebnovёl.com.

Ayra smirked as she opened the map interface and watched Orsain’s movements. Zooming in, she saw that Orsain was moving chaotically—like a man frothing with anger.

As she continued observing the map, her efforts at provocation paid off—Sobletz’s soldiers had begun to move. Shockingly, some were heading toward the mountains. It seemed they were planning a surprise attack, even in this brutal winter.

Judging by their speed, they weren’t regular soldiers—probably elite knights. Ayra sent Hera and the most skilled of her knights to the area they were likely to cross. After all the hell it took to get over the mountains, imagine being ambushed the moment you arrive.

In game terms, Ayra’s abilities were akin to playing with a map cheat activated. She was more than satisfied with her absurdly broken skill set.

“No matter how mad he is, why the hell would he do something that stupid?”

Even though she’d been the one to provoke him mercilessly, Ayra found herself baffled as she rubbed her chin. If it were someone like Nilma Arbaltra, famed for his military brilliance, no amount of fury would lead to such poor choices. Right then, a scout rode out from the cave, waving a flag.

“My lord! Sobletz’s soldiers have entered the cave!”

“Good work.”

She praised the scout, who had ridden hard enough to taste blood, and sent him off to rest. Then, she noticed a heavy stare. Turning her head, she found Janus watching her, peering in curiously.

“What are you looking at me like that for?”

“Just thinking. When we went to the forest for those spiders, or when we headed to Sobletz—now, too... Detection magic—was it always this far-reaching?”

Ayra’s chest tightened.

Janus squinted in thought for a moment, then nodded.

“Yeah. I’ve seen mages use detection magic during mercenary work, but none of them had this kind of range.”

Ayra swallowed dryly. Naturally, Pebble’s abilities were top secret. Her awakened magic wasn’t the kind you wanted others to find out about. Anyone who’d ever revealed they could use prophecy, regression, or resurrection magic had met miserable ends.

Obviously. Who in their right mind would want to stay close to someone who could read their mind like an open book?

She didn’t need prophecy to know how people would react if her abilities were exposed. Which is why Ayra didn’t so much as flinch at Janus’s observation. Instead, she lifted her chin arrogantly and answered shamelessly.

“Of course. I’m not just a mage—I’m a labyrinth mage.”

“That’s why?”

“Yeah. Ever been inside a labyrinth? Everyone there can use magic of this level.”

That wasn’t true at all. Ayra had been among the top-ranked labyrinth mages—practically a walking encyclopedia of monster knowledge. Naturally, not all labyrinth mages were as skilled as she was. She really wanted to brag about how rare her talent was—but she held back.

Thankfully, Janus nodded easily.

“Well, yeah. Your magic is way above the others.”

“Told you.”

“So do labyrinth mages have to give something up—like, something human—in exchange for that power?”

“...What?”

“Never mind.”

Though she found the comment a bit odd, Ayra puffed up with pride anyway—then quickly reminded herself that this was not the time to gloat.

They were currently camped at the entrance of the cave. One thousand soldiers stood assembled some distance from the entrance, faces taut with anxiety. Alongside them were Ayra’s forcibly conscripted retainers, a few hired storytellers and bards, and some priests. They would serve as witnesses to what was about to unfold.

We can’t keep calling it “the cave” forever. Once this is over, I’ll give it a proper name.

As she pondered that, her restless retainers anxiously glanced toward the cave and finally pleaded with her.

“My lord, perhaps we should block the entrance—just in case?”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

Solar’s economy had just started to bloom. From here on, they would build their growth around quarrying and luxury Skeet silk production. Block the cave? She could already hear their entire trade network collapsing. On the contrary, Ayra intended to use this opportunity to put the cave—and Solar—on the map.

“Watch closely what kind of feat is accomplished today. That’s the whole reason I brought you here.”

After saying that firmly, Ayra turned to Bloom. He responded immediately, the clink of armor echoing as he stepped forward. All eyes landed on the white cape embroidered with the crimson blossom. Bloom knelt before her. She checked his stats—he’d eaten well, received healing, and his HP was more or less recovered for today’s fight.

“Sir Bloom.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“It’s time. Are you ready?”

“Yes, my lord. I will fight until this life is spent.”

His voice was as heavy as the armor he wore. A priest stepped forward and recited a blessing. Crimson blossom petals scattered like blood across Bloom’s cape and armor.

When the blessing ended, Bloom rose. Without looking back, he strode toward the cave.

Today’s battle would be harsh, long, and lonely.

But he would not face it alone.

Ayra’s eyes, watching the knight burdened with a grave sin walk toward battle, gleamed with quiet resolve.