Chapter 95- One Month Later

Chapter 95: Chapter 95- One Month Later

Chapter 95- One Month Later

With that, the days moved fast, one after the other, like a flashing light before the eyes. During that time, Rize spent his time training every day, practicing his swordsmanship, and mastering his gift to a good degree.

He would go out every day, hunt for hours, and get stronger before going back home to work. After the initial huge boost, his progress stagnated a bit as the stronger he got, the harder it was to get even stronger. He needed to kill stronger monsters, and coming across those kinds of creatures in the wilderness meant he had to go way deeper into the forest. That was something he couldn’t afford to do yet due to the nature of his work.

He had to be home in the afternoon, or he could face the risk of being fired. If the princess’ bodyguard wasn’t there to be well... The princess bodyguard, then what was the point of his presence there?

However, all in all, even with all those restrictions, Rize became considerably stronger. He was able to push his Rank to almost 60%, with 40% left before ranking up. Endless Hunger reached a staggering 70%. His trustee black matter had become considerably smarter and less straining to use on his brain.

It learned from their constant battles and practice, and it started understanding its tasks to a more complex degree.

As for Blade of Wrath, it also reached a comfortable 50%. As for his stats, all of them reached the 35-point mark or around, making him almost 3.5 times stronger than an average human.

As for the invasion, the work continued as per the plan. The king announced that the operation would begin soon and that teams were already sent there for scouting. Venera kept an eye on the situation, and so Rize also had an idea of how things were going, something everyone else didn’t have access to.

The city was boiling with debates and people who microanalyzed the entire speech. Nobody knew what happened with those weird, robotic humans, nor what they said to the king.

However, the thing Rize was looking forward to the most, aside from all that, was something else. At the same time, the city’s attention to the war diverged as they focused on the main event that took over the world.

Venera’s awakening ceremony.

That particular event was something Rize was waiting for patiently. Not only because of its importance in the story, but also because he was simply excited to see Venera gain her powers, finally.

He was the only person in the world who knew how utterly powerful Venera would become in the future. It was not an exaggeration to say that he would witness the birth of a Goddess.

So, even when he was focused on so many other things, he had the date of this ceremony plastered on his wall.

A few days before the event, the preparations began, and in the same fashion as Kane, many nobles were invited for the ceremony.

The stage was set for the most important awakening in the world... Or perhaps the second most important.

***

"You sure look like you’re having a blast, Venera," Rize said as he looked at the princess with a small smile on his face.

"And you seem to be very eager to get kicked out," Venera replied as she adjusted her attire and looked in the mirror.

This wasn’t the first time Rize had walked into Venera’s room, which was more like an entire apartement rather than a room. She had everything she needed there and more, and it even had an indoor pool, a jacuzzi, and a balcony that overlooked the entire city. It was the most luxurious place Rize had been to in his life.

’I still can’t get accustomed to this place no matter how many times I walk in here.’ He thought to himself, remembering his reaction when he first walked into this place a few weeks ago.

"I swear I will behave," Rize said as he lifted his hands in surrender. "But, really, how are you feeling?"

"..." Venera looked at him through the mirror’s reflection. "Annoyed. This is a waste of time."

"You think? I mean, it’s your special day, Venera. You’re finally going to awaken." Rize said. "I’m very excited myself."

"Mhm?" Venera turned around and looked at Rize with a mischievous look on her face. "And why are you excited?"

"Because I will finally not have to worry about you?"

Venera immediately picked up the bottle of perfume, ready to throw it at him.

"I’m joking! I’m joking!!" Rize exclaimed as he protected his face. "Seriously though, I mean it... I’m glad the time has finally come. I have a feeling that you will be a very powerful awakened, Venera."

Venera looked at him for a second before she averted her eyes. "We will see... I would hope I am strong enough, or it would be tragic."

"Your tone doesn’t make it sound that tragic."

"Well, it’s beyond my control; it’s pointless to worry. Whatever happens happens." Venera explained with a shrug.

"That’s a really nice way of looking at it. How do you think the party will be like today?"

"Definitely a lot more interesting than my brother’s... That’s for sure."

"Is it because of the noble families?"

"Yeah... This ceremony isn’t really about me. It’s just the front for what will truly happen." Venera explained. "This entire time, ever since the war was announced, no noble family had voiced their opinion about it. Many think they would rather not join the war, and others think they are directly opposing the king."

"I wonder what they’re really thinking about all of this."

"It benefits them to join, since they will get a slice of the pie. But they’re naturally very wary of the chances of success. Unlike the army that my father controls, the noble families have more free will than that. They’re here to discuss this, and they’re using my awakening as a front to hide their intentions."

"That makes sense..." Rize replied as he crossed his arms. "So you’re expecting all the noble families to accept joining the war?"

"Perhaps. But I still think there will be a few who will oppose it. After all, if the war is a failure, not only would they lose a lot of money, but they would also lose their foreign control."

’Many of these noble families have massive trading conglomerates in all kinds of fields. If they lose that, it would be a disaster for them.’

"This will be very interesting to see, definitely far more interesting than my awakening," Venera added as she finally looked at Rize.

At that moment, the door knocked.

"Your Highness, are you ready?"

"I will be out in a moment." She said. "Let’s go."

"Yes, ma’am..." Rize said as he pushed himself off the wall and started walking to the door; however, at that moment, Venera stopped him.

"Wait."

"Hm?"

"Your bowtie. It’s not fully adjusted."

"Where?" Rize asked as he looked down.

"Hold on, I will fix it for you."

Then, Venera pulled him forward and grabbed the bowtie as she started moving it before tightening it around his neck. Rize watched in awe before she nodded her head.

"That looks better."