The Hundred Reigns 57: The Season of the Minotaur (6)
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“Elios Magnos?” The Stone Muse’s dark chuckle echoed through the sanctum. “A cursed name indeed, although I may not remember it...”
“There is a carving of him in your treasure room,” Simon replied sternly. The rotten tree was playing coy with him. “You promised me knowledge and answers if I shattered your chains.”
“Rewarded you already, did I not?” she replied with amusement. “Have I not shared my treasure with thee, beloved? One step towards communion you have taken, but three more vows we must renew before answers I give.”
Simon grunted in annoyance. She still didn’t trust him and wouldn’t budge on her leverage so long as he hadn’t completely shattered her seal. The Muse would hoard her knowledge like a dragon until he coaxed it out of her.
“But other secrets I can share with you, beloved,” the Muse said. “Dark spells most wonderful, for you to cradle our foes into an early grave with.”
An apology bribe? Well, Simon would never spit on new magic. “What kind of spells?”
“Spells that command nature’s very elements.”
“My affinity for miasma makes learning those difficult,” Simon pointed out. After a few failures at learning conventional sorcery with Duchar, he had mostly begun to practice the Mire spell, a poison-focused malediction that inflicted both Corrosion damage and sapped the target’s Vitality.
“But not those I know; Hellfire, Hellwind, Hellthunder, Hellfrost… these are diabolism spells that draw strength from the Abyss itself. Lightning that strikes the spirit, cold that chills the soul, fire that burns hope, wind that carries miasma…”
Elemental spells that drew power from the Abyss? Even Duchar hadn’t heard of those, though that might be because of his focus on necromancy.
“Very well, I accept this gift of knowledge,” Simon replied as he left her sanctum. “We shall begin training tomorrow after we complete the inventory.”
“I look forward to us spending time together, my dear Lord of the Dark.”
A sentiment that Simon didn’t return, but he would gladly bear if it meant gaining more strength. He moved down to Duchar’s workshop, where he found the old mage studying the Crestones they had gathered. His son was back in a deep slumber, a staff very similar to Lorimor’s wand lying on the nearby bench.
“So?” Simon asked.
“I have completed a cursory analysis of our newly collected Crestones,” Duchar said. “Seven remain functional, but the rest have been corroded by too much miasma exposure. They can no longer sustain a Class.”
Simon had feared as much. Four hundred years spent soaking in demonic energy had taken its toll. “What about their Perks?”
“I doubt any of them will interest Your Majesty, but I have compiled a list. I suggest assigning them once I finish extracting their schematics. The more a Crestone is used and its wielder strengthened, the better it will stave off miasma corruption.” Duchar stroked his beard. “Otherwise, I have not found any blood relationship between House Magnos and Empress Euphemia’s line preceding her union with Your Majesty’s father.”
“So we aren’t distant cousins?” Simon inquired. “I thought it might have been the case since both Euphemia and my ancestor were three-eyed Visionaries.”
“Visionaries have been known to appear in the most random of places across all Tribes,” Duchar replied. “Though I do wonder if your wise father partly decided to marry Lady Euphemia in the hopes that the fruit of their united bloodlines would yield a Visionary child.”
“He certainly did.” Which was why Thalas had disappointed him since birth. “Is it some form of mutation? I know the Church of the Light considers it a mark of sainthood, but Elios Magnos is anything but holy.”
“I suspect it is a mutation, yes, but I never had the pleasure of studying a Visionary… the things I could learn from a visisection…” Duchar cleared his throat. “I do know that they possess a myriad of gifts, such as the power to see the flow of mana in the air, the power to bind Eidolons without the Summoner Noble Class, even receive visions of the past and future, but the Church of the Light is the only organization to have extensively studied them, and they hoard their knowledge.”
Again with the Church of the Light… Simon was wondering more and more whether he should spend a reign infiltrating them to access their astrology and Visionary research papers. It might also grant more insight into Euphemia’s plans.
Let us see where this life carries me before I consider the next, Simon thought as he studied Duchar’s new staff. I might survive beyond the ritual’s conclusion with some luck. It would be nice to die of old age for once.
“This is a more advanced design than Lorimor’s wand,” Simon said, his gaze wandering to Hector. “Are you building one for your own son?”
“Only as a safety measure until I can correct his body’s design flaws,” Duchar replied without doubt or hesitation. Most would have hesitated about creating a magical item to control their own child, but not him. “I must thank Your Majesty for it. The insight your soul-stealing Perk provided into our spiritual condition was most enlightening.”
“I don’t want any incidents,” Simon replied before he heard the familiar noise of airships in the distance coming through the Dungeon’s thick walls. It seemed Louis had begun his bombing run. “But I do agree we will need more guardians.”
War was finally upon them.
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Two weeks had passed since the Vernal Equinox heralded the beginning of a new imperial year on the 1st of Germinal, and that of the imperial civil war.
True to Shabram’s warning, Louis opened the conflict with an all-out bombardment that stretched from Magvolia to the Berwick Islands. Towns and cities burned all across the empire, and though Whispermire was spared, the sight of airships flying across the region had already become a common occurrence. The war machines bombed cities in the Church Party’s territories, returned home to refuel, and then flew back on new assignments. The thick cloud of miasma covering the Darkwood prevented the airships from seeing the Halls of the Minotaur from the air, but Simon could still observe their vague silhouettes when he looked at the sky at night. Odd to imagine that a town burned each time they moved east.
Louis had also bombarded cities deemed disloyal across the region, and while barbaric, it had turned out to be a tactically sound decision. Magvolia had been cowed into obedience by the fear of devastation from the sky and failed to rise in rebellion as it had in the past reign. Even local abbeys kept silent in spite of High Confessor Mastemo’s call for arms on behalf of Euphemia. It seemed people’s fear of fire raining down from the sky outweighed their faith.
This had a knock-on effect that prevented Norbelle and Cocagne from attacking the Goetia Research Center and thus left Lauriane firmly in charge of the empire’s Crestone production. The current battlelines had moved to the Navarre region and Cocagne’s borders in the south, whereas Dassein and the Tellurian Shifter tribes pressed on from the north.
And there was still no word of Vouivre.
At least Shabram confirmed that Anna and her father had survived the Berwick Islands’ bombardments, though the knowledge that she had officially wed Thalas enraged Simon each time he was reminded of it.
True to his objectives for this reign, Simon kept up with the news while working on his spellcasting and crafting. He had quickly mastered the Mire spell and practiced the Hell series spells under the Muse’s tutelage. She had proved to be a surprisingly good teacher so far, clearly explaining the underlying mechanics behind her sorcery and being attuned enough to miasma to effectively guide Simon. He could see why she had taken a liking to mentoring artists in the past.
The ‘Hell’ series of Tier III spells worked by blending the major elements and miasma to ensure half the damage they inflicted was aligned with the Soul type, which meant they could partly ignore elemental immunities. Training with them also put the issue of affinities to the forefront. Although Simon had an easy time learning the likes of Hellfrost and Hellfire, Hellwind came more slowly to him due to his neutral Wind affinity. It would likely take a month or two before he mastered all of them. He had also experimented with his Lord of the Demon Castle ability and confirmed he could reshape the Hall of the Minotaur at will, with the restriction that he could not move the Muse’s sanctum around due to the seal locking it in place.
Otherwise, he had also distributed the Crestones to his followers after copying their schematics and confirming none of them had Perks worth devouring. A few went to cultists who had proved loyal enough. Simon also experimented by giving a handful of Crestones to monsters. He already knew that demons could use Classes—Mardok came to mind, and the empire employed a few as shock troops—but it seemed that any sentient creature could call upon one. Carrock the treant, gargoyles, imps, toadmen, and even a sentient slime had proved capable of using Crestones.
There were a few exceptions. The Songstress and Courtesan Classes could only be used by female users due to the archetypes they represented, and trying to give Orator to an animated tree had resulted in a miserable failure. At least the Juggler gargoyle had proved surprisingly amusing.
The Vassal Class’ Perks didn’t change, no matter the user, but a monster’s biology could synergize with them in surprising ways. For example, Ulmos the slime quickly learned to use its own body to fuel the Pictomancer’s paint requirement, and Carrock’s control of the forest let him mix traps with Illusionist-fueled mirages. Trying to maximize the use of each Crestone was quite the interesting subject.
And I suspect they’ll all be put to the test soon, Simon thought as he entered the Midnight Market under the guise of a Fiendmask. It was his first time visiting Whispermire in person after the beginning of the civil war, and the adventurers’ den was already packed with local youths. He also spotted a few guards bearing the Magnos manticore’s seal among them.
“Emperor Louis wants you for his regiments!” the crier called out across the hall. “The usurper Euphemia would keep you poor under a burden of taxes while nobles and the Church of the Light revel in unearned luxury! Can you follow a woman who murdered her own husband for power?! Would you rather fight for a leader who keeps you in chains, or one who offers rewards, toil, and sweat?!”
Lauriane isn’t wasting any time going for the throat, Simon thought as he paused to listen for a bit. Both sides were accusing the other of murdering Balzam Magnos to garner support among imperial loyalists.
“Enlist today, and a Class will one day become yours! Poor, commoner, highborn or lowborn, it does not matter! Endymion thirsts on the strength of its people, no matter the tribe and station! Hail Endymion!”
“Hail Endymion!” a horde of would-be adventurers, drunk on alcohol and dreams, shouted back... but many remained silent or half-heartedly raised their hands so as to avoid reproach. Many probably resented the War Party for its bombing run, but it was always dangerous to speak up against those in power.
Soldiers went on to distribute enlistment papers, with Simon grabbing one on his way to the stairs.
True to Louis’ meritocratic ideals, the army promised a job to anyone enlisting and a Crestone to anyone making it to the rank of officer. Simon wasn’t sure if even the Goetia Research Center had the output to fulfill that promise, but the promise of a Class would motivate the masses.
Which would lead to issues when they looked for places where to level up new recruits…
Simon put the enlistment paper in his pocket and ascended the stairs to Cassandra’s apartment. Two guards—both cultists—kept watch over the door with sheathed swords.
“Master,” they greeted Simon upon recognizing him. He nodded back at them and stepped through the door as they opened and closed it behind him.
The smell of potions and alchemic fluids reached Simon’s nostrils the moment he crossed the threshold. Odette had afforded Cassandra her largest suite, and the witch had transformed its main hall into a witch’s workshop. Bundles of dried herbs hung from the rafters next to shelves filled with magical ingredients. Cassandra herself was near the fire pit placed underneath the chimney, using a large spoon to stir green liquid inside a black cauldron.
“Your Majesty,” she greeted him with a faint, kind smile.
“You can call me Simon,” he replied courteously. “We are friends now, not just subordinates.”
“Oh, I didn’t know,” she replied with a curious expression. “Since when?”
“Since… I don’t know? Friendships happen naturally.” He unloaded his bag. “I don’t remember assigning you bodyguards. Did something happen?”
“No, your worshipers took it upon themselves to protect me after some bar patrons bothered me.” Cassandra paused a moment before adding, “I think they hope I will invite them inside to have sex with me one day.”
Simon scowled. Cassandra had the power to easily repel any unwelcome attention, but he would rather avoid an incident. “Do you want me to send them away?”
“It is fine. I do not mind them, and they fear me too much to try anything too overtly.” She let go of her spoon and checked Simon’s bag. “Did you bring the slime oil I asked for?”
“Yes indeed,” Simon confirmed. He had had success breeding various elemental jellies in the Darkwood’s swamp. “What kind of potion are you making?”
“Oil for the skin and salt baths.” Simon’s surprised expression amused Cassandra. “I have a private bath.”
“Oh, alright.” Simon didn’t know she was into those things. “Doesn’t the Brand of Lust make skincare routine redundant though?”
“The Brand of Gluttony makes it pleasurable.”
“I see.” Sometimes Simon forgot it also magnified the bearer’s senses.
“I think I figured out how the Brand of Greed works, too,” she said. “It does not charm people, but it does bring about fortuitous coincidences. I find dropped money more often, and sometimes I feel compelled to meet someone’s gaze and learn he is looking for a particular potion I have in stock. I can even sense which decisions will yield better results at the gambling hall, though I cannot explain why. A small series of little events creates a flow of fortune my way.”
“Interesting. I always wondered how the Luck stat manifested compared to the others.” Simon spotted a sealed scroll of paper on the table near the cauldron. “Is that Shabram’s document?”
Cassandra nodded. “A messenger brought it to me and told me to deliver it to you.”
Simon nodded as he went to grab it. Obtaining the Spy and Merchant Classes’ blueprints was half the reason he had returned to Whispermire; the other was that the Cobweb had asked Odette for a meeting.
The document contained both the Spy and Merchant Classes’ schematics, alongside a description of their stats and known Perks. The Spy, true to its name, mostly focused on infiltration-related abilities like soundless steps, cosmetic and cloth alterations to better disguise the wearer, or even the power to change one’s voice.
As for the Merchant…
The Merchant: The noble wandering trader, the fast-talking dealer, and the magnate who turns coins into power and makes dreams into reality.
Strength D, Vitality D, Agility B, Perception A, Magic E, Intelligence A, Charisma A, Luck S.
Innate Perk: Inventory (Active): You can stock up to one item per level that you own in a unique pocket dimension only you have access to, and bring them out at will. Should you die, all items in your inventory are released at the spot of your demise.
Innate Perk: Golden Rule (Passive): Fortune favors you, and the flow of wealth always goes your way. You are supernaturally lucky when it comes to commerce, gambling, or treasure-finding.
Innate Perk: Lootbox (Active): You can sacrifice any amount of money to magically craft an item of equal value. The selected item is created at random.
Innate Perk: Buddyguard (Active): Magically summons an otherworldly bodyguard to protect you for a day. The bodyguard’s level and power depend on the amount paid to summon them.
Two things came to mind when Simon finished reading the document.
First of all, the Merchant was indeed the apex of money-making, utility Classes.
And second, Noble Classes were absurd.
Inventory alone was tremendously useful, but Buddyguard and Lootbox ensured a clever Merchant always had a way out of their predicament; with Golden Rule ensuring they always stayed in the black.
Otherwise, the Merchant’s other Perks were powerful but situational; identifying the value and history of items on sight, spending money instead of mana to power spells, buffing yourself by spending coins, a large Charisma bonus, the ability to speak all languages, and so on. The Overlord could already do a few of those, and most abilities required a sizable war chest to be fully effective.
It was Inventory that fascinated Simon the most. Besides the fact that it neatly explained how Patriate Malphas could have smuggled in the sword that killed Balzam Magnos into Frightwall, having the ability to stockpile dozens of items—including Crestones—in a private portable treasury would improve his logistics during so many reigns. No more trouble moving the Beleth archive around when he could simply stock them.
Moreover, this power might shed some light on how reigns worked. If Simon could stock items in this Inventory dimension and they traveled back in time with him, it would suggest that previous timelines still existed physically somehow; if not…
Oh wait, no, it says I drop everything upon death, Simon thought after rereading the Perk’s description. Although… if I die, would the items appear right next to my body after I wake up in a new reign if I perish instantly?
He could at least test that theory. The Inventory Perk would be incredibly useful either way.
“Innate Perks can only be used if someone wields the Crestone, right?” Simon asked Cassandra for confirmation. “A wielder does not retain them if they lose it.”
“Yes indeed,” she confirmed. “This is why the army does not have soldiers touch every Crestone they find in the hopes of having them collect a wide variety of Perks. Only passive abilities gained through level-ups can be retained without a Crestone.”
Then I’ve made up my mind, this is too good an opportunity to pass upon, Simon thought as he focused on contacting Shabram. “I would like to have the Merchant Noble Crestone delivered to me somewhere outside Whispermire.”
“I can arrange that, Your Majesty, but be wary that it risks being tracked down,” his spymaster answered quickly. "Euphemia holds Frightwall so I had to smuggle the Crestone in a more secure location."
“It will not be long for this world, trust me. There is no particular urgency, so take your time to arrange a secure delivery.”
“Understood.”
Simon cut the communication and folded the schematics under his coat. “I have a meeting upstairs, Cassandra,” he said. “Perhaps we can have tea or coffee after I am done?”
“Will you leave afterwards?” Cassandra asked, sounding a bit more nervous than normal.
“Maybe.” Simon raised an eyebrow. “Do you need me for something?”
Cassandra bit her lip. “I admit I find my current work lonely without my father or brother,” she confessed. “Your followers are kind to me, but they are neither family nor kin.”
“I can stay a bit longer in Whispermire,” Simon reassured her. He could practice his spells anywhere and return to the Halls of the Minotaur in a pinch should there be an emergency. “I would be happy to spend time with you.”
“Thank you, Simon.” She politely nodded at him. “I hope your meeting goes well.”
Simon took his leave and then walked up to Odette Kano’s office. His new retainer was waiting for him alongside Silk, signing a pile of papers. The Cobweb representative had come dressed in casual clothes rather than her assassin ones and didn’t bring along her grimoire, which Simon took as a good sign.
“A spider crawls into your den again, Miss Kano,” Simon said as he took a seat. “I would be wary if I were you. I hear they leave cobwebs everywhere.”
“They also catch flies,” Odette mused. She seemed to be in quite a good mood. “The spider has a proposition I thought we should discuss.”
“I’ll cut straight to the chase,” Silk said, immediately all business. “Demand for Vassal Crestones has exploded with the start of the civil war, and an extremely rich client commissioned us for a stockpile at multiple times the market rate. I want you to increase production.”
“What kind of client?” Simon asked warily. “The White Unicorn? One of the civil war’s sides?”
“That is not for you to know,” Silk replied sternly, as if she were talking to an unruly business partner rather than an archfiend. Simon wasn’t sure if she was genuinely that confident or just careful not to show weakness. “We take client confidentiality seriously.”
“I doubt that,” Simon replied, having been on the receiving end of their treachery in a previous reign.
“Doubt all you want, it is the truth. We would have blown the whistle on you a long time ago, otherwise.” Silk crossed her legs. “We will increase pay rates if you can produce at least three per month.”
“Once again, you take me for a criminal in need of money, when I trade in souls and secrets.” Simon clasped his hands. “I want to know where you found that miasma crystal of yours, and where I can find others.”
Silk held his gaze. “I cannot provide that information.”
Either the Prince is looking to obtain them for himself, or someone contracted the Cobweb to investigate, Simon thought. And Silk won’t spill the beans.
“I can provide other useful intel,” Silk said. “We have spies among the White Unicorn and their allies. Their eyes are turned on Magvolia now that imperial armies are waging war in the east.”
“You tell me nothing I don’t already know,” Simon replied, having already seen similar events unfold in a previous reign. “I have already foreseen that Lore and the League of Valne will attempt a landing in the future when the imperial army least expects it.”
“But do you know that they have already deployed spies and agents on the mainland to lay the groundwork for their arrival, and that Whispermire tops their list of targets?”
Simon suppressed a scowl as he put two and two together. “A town of adventurers is the best place to gather forces without too much notice.”
“I would keep an eye open when you sleep, or else you might find a Paladin knocking on your door when you least expect it.” Silk’s smile had sharp teeth. “Unless we give you an early warning, of course.”
Simon pondered her offer. He had already bested Alphonse in battle once in the past, at the cost of being sealed for years; not to mention that the likes of Frea were unlikely to pull their punches now that Belzemine was dead…
“Very well, I will pay for useful information on the White Unicorn in Crestones… alongside intel on another figure of interest to me.” Simon slouched in his chair to portray confidence. “You have dealings with a dragon warlord called Vouivre.”
Silk’s scowl confirmed Simon’s suspicions. The Cobweb was still in contact with her. “She is a good customer and supplier, so I doubt the Prince will agree to share information on her. We can always arrange a meeting, however.”
“Perhaps in the future,” Simon decided. He wasn’t ready to confront Vouivre unless he had the Minotaur Fiend to throw at her. “But very well. Depending on the value of the information you bring me on the Paladin and other holy fools, I may consent to producing more Crestones.”
“There is another matter we must discuss,” Odette said. “You have seen the army recruiters downstairs, but that is just the tip of the iceberg. I received a decree from Lady Lauriane ordering me to sell monster parts in any quantity required and to host new recruits.”
Now it begins, Simon thought. His fears were now realized. “Louis intends to use the Darkwood to level-up Class users before sending them to the front.”
“Yes. I will try to delay as long as I can, but I’ve already received word that they’re planning large-scale drills in the following months.” Odette joined her hands. “One that will involve dozens of Class users.”
Simon could read between the lines. He would have to prepare for a raid.
This turn of events saddened Simon, even if he knew it was inevitable that adventurers would come poking near the Halls of the Minotaur at one point or another. Trying to loot an ancient dungeon for wealth was what they did for a living, and the war would only bring more challengers.
But they knew the risks, Simon thought. It wasn’t like the Darkwood’s creatures were besieging Whispermire or threatening the local communities. Warriors went to the region for sport and profit. There were a hundred safer jobs to be found, and yet they still chose this one. Not to mention that they could disrupt the ritual should they reach the sanctum. Sacrifices must be made. I can’t delay forever.
“Well then,” he said, a half-smile stretching on his lips. “I will be sure to prepare a warm welcome for them.”
Those adventurers wouldn’t be the only ones leveling-up this year.
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A/N: between us, would you be interested in an interlude from the POV of poor adventurers doomed to perish at the hands of a mysterious necromancer in the woods and his lethally effective minions? Or would you prefer to keep everything from Simon's POV?
Otherwise, since Patreon is a wonderful website that doesn't allow us to put pictures and files on the same post, I have created a doc showcasing Simon's current stats as of this chapter (https://docs.google.com/document/d/1aR3YJNiAQCo6rmUdBff2z_CmXaeaGjKgr2ofAWXz3bk/edit?usp=sharing ) for those who want to keep up.
I'll probably only post similar stat sheet at the end of each volume since I would rather focus on writing the story but I hope this clarifies some stuff.
Finally, I've commissioned a Magnos family portrait which I hope to present you before Christmas, so you can see all these good people gathered on a single frame ;)
Comments (55)
buddyguard is a fun reference
Is this referencing overlord the anime/light novel or overlord the game?
The inventory perk working across reigns would be game-breakingly broken. E.g. it would allow item duplication, even theoretically for things like miasma crystals and noble crestones... So I'd guess it either leaves all the items in the previous reign on death, as described in the perk, or perhaps upon Simon's restart, the items are with Simon instead of wherever they were in the world when Balzam died. Which would cause loop reproducibility issues but could be interesting.
Item duplication could happen in a parallel worlds implementation of the reigns, but imo that's unlikely, given how Elios reacted when he found he was in Simon's seventh reign (he started brainstorming short-sighted things to do because he didn't think there would be consequences).
Thanks for the chapter! I’d be very interested in an alternate POV to see Simon from an outside perspective, although I think a single chapter following one adventurer/group would be the most engaging way to do it, as any more would waste too much time on the backgrounds of characters who will be short lived.
I love alternative pov chapters it’s always fun to see the main character from the outside
Tftc. I would like POV from other characters, I also would like to know how many levels will he gain before yhis reign ends, anoter 10 more maybe??
I think alt POVs are a great tool if used in moderation. As long as it's only a few chapters here and there, I'm all for seeing Simon's effect on the world from some other perspectives.
Down for a PoV. Simon is still pretty badly outclassed by most of the threats he faces, will be interesting to see how he looks from a "normal" frame of reference.
Think you meant world here. “It will not be long for this word, trust me. As for other POV, unless it reveals new information or relays something we wouldn't normally know I wouldn't. Would be more interested in a POV chapter from Louis or the sister since that gives us a scene we would otherwise not see.
I’m all for an alt POV so long as the plot still moves forward. Seeing new developments is what makes these chapters so entertaining.
Alternate POVs are always a treat. As long as we don't see the fights redundantly from both perspectives (that's often ends up boring in stories)
I want to know what stats Simon fed those Web bastards that they decided he isn’t worth the trouble.
Not really interested in a random POV, if it's a relevant character I would be all for it.
all for an alternate pov
I'm thinking about whether bombing cities/nations into compliance would actually work? In actual history as far as I'm aware, bombing campaigns have never successfully compelled a nation to surrender or even cities, so I'm not sure I buy this development. The typical reaction actually seems the opposite in that is stiffens people's backs. But maybe airships and the general tech level being more primitive means its so shocking it would work? In general though I don't think it should. These are airships after all and presumably their bombs are even less accurate than WW2 bombs, which were woefully inaccurate as well.
I would think that since airships have wizards on board, they’re capable unleashing much more destruction on the population of a city than regular bombing. So more likely to meaningfully force settlements to surrender or change their minds.
"not to mention that the likes of Frea were unlikely to pull their punches now that Belzemine was dead…" Well, Balzam would say tough love works best on Simon. Pretty sure the man would be a Frea cultist too!
Yes, Balzam would be an ideal Frea cultist; he would be disloyal, treacherous, and greedy, just like Frea herself. It's interesting what kind of cultists you're trying to recruit into your cult...
Do the alternate POV!! Sounds awesome.
title #3 "Resistance to Poison" is a bit lacklustre considering that Unyielding Essence III (Passive) confers complete immunity to poison. I can see how capital-e Evil would enjoy screwing somebody over wasting a reign on that but the Overlord's general theme seems to be "being OP as hell" - maybe now that he's already immune, poisons act as a mild restorative?
I think resistance is still potentially useful against immunity-piercing effects. So maybe it’ll come in clutch later down the line.
I'm interested in the POV also if he infiltrates the the church he should become a hell knight or Templar and kill the paladin to get a paladin perk with vassal levels transferred to noble class
I love alternate PoV, but I also think we haven’t had that many Simon PoV raids yet, so I’d prefer to skip the PoV for now.
I think the POV switch is a good idea, but it's too soon in the arc or story. We haven't gotten that many fights from Simon's POV to warrant it. POV shifts in fights are generally for OP characters who we have seen win fights many times already.
I saw some people talking about Simon's morality in the comments of the last chapters and wanted to give my take on it. Simon is afraid of personally crossing moral lines. And would never do anything against his morality. However the Overlord class makes consequences temporary and rewards evil. So Simon let's people run into his traps and stab themselves on his sword so he can create a better future. But keep in mind he HATES the overlords and fears becoming like them. So some lines he won't cross even if they are the fastest way to the best future. Balzam strangled his wife because she was an inconvenience. Simon won't let himself kill a friend for progress. It's compelling to see someone destined to be a paragon forced into becoming a lord of darkness and watching which lines they will and won't cross for the greater good. (Loving the story btw, it's crazy how different this story feels from the perfect run despite being timeloop plots from the same author. Good job Void!)
Love alternate POVs
ADVENTURER INTERLUDES!!!! Like come on, having their POVs of Simon in his evil era is going to be so sick. And they don’t even have to be long. Just snapshots of those who dared to defy our Overlord!
A pov showcasing what's going on might be interesting.
Interesting in retrospect that Simon’s third reign gave him a benefit which is now obsolete thanks to getting poison immunity from the Overlord class. Looks like there’s no ‘refund’ feature there, so an unlucky Overlord might end up with wasted reigns and titles.
I don’t want the pov. The castle or setting is currently not special or interesting enough to deserve it. Maybe later when he or it’s at greater power. It feels like a waste otherwise.
A good point. Maybe after he has expanded his dungeon and build new areas?
Interludes go a long way in fleshing out a world and make them feel lived in.
I would love to see adventurer pov
I vote POV from adventurers. Let’s make it spoooky!!!
Personally, I love POV switches like you propose, especially in time loop stories. Without them, the story can begin to feel even more distant, like a reflection of a shadow. A POV switch gives you the excuse to make an otherwise fairly boring/routine situation more interesting
Well, well, well. The Merchant Class is assuredly weak for big confrontations, but then it isn't its purpose...it all revolves about money, and Perks that are absolutely and devastatingly useful to make more money and smuggle/create items of near-priceless value...yes, devouring the Crestone sounds like a good move. The big dilemma in fact is which Crestone? As for the future chapters, my vote is to get an Adventurer Interlude, challenging the Darkwood Necromancer, to their great sorrow...
Thanks for the chapter ! This Reign is rich in possibilities (helped by Simon's growing strength). A Church Reign would be very fun. So would a Cobweb one.
There is no world in which the Muse doesn't betray Simon once she's freed from her seal Also, I personally lean against showing the adventurers' POV. If it's just to show how effective the traps are, I'd much rather read a brief but epic description of the raid. Short but sweet.
I think if there'd been a little more forwarning/rumours on the horizon to build up to the raid -- and it included some sort of character we were vaguely familiar of and had reason to dislike from a previous life -- then I would prefer a raid from the enemy POV. With less build up, I think all, or mostly, Simon POV would be more enjoyable. It's a good opportunity to show off the loops changing his perspective, *and* a good chance for commentary on the whole 'will he slowly be corrupted by the Overlord crestone' thing. That said, even in the later case, cut aways to mooks crashing out is always hella fun
There's a typo when Simon has Shabram send the Merchant Crestone. "It will not be long for this word -> world"
Edited thanks ;)
Thank you for the chapter. I look forward to seeing that portrait! I am really curious if the inventory option works out for Simon. If it does, combining it with the helmet Duchar was developing could open up some very interesting options…
Adventurer POV would be interesting, especially if we get to see what others think of the resident Witch and the Balzam recruiters before they go off to die horribly. Bonus points if some make it to the halls and run into the Frankenstein so we get to see him in action before Simon reacts subsequently.
Why doesn’t Simon just teleport to Frightwall, take the crestone and teleport back to the Darkwood?
I forgot to mention it in this chap but Euphemia and the Chuch hold Frightwall/the capital and Shabram has left to join the war party. The Church vs War Party conflict is basically the core vs the periphery. Edited to make that clearer.
I would love to see other people's POV as long as it's just one chapter. It's always pleasant to read how the people in the protagonist's world feel and interact with his actions.
Maybe a short pov of the adventurers then the rest of the chapter Simon. Or just keep it Simon.
Sir. This is Simon the Dungeon Master. What's the fun if we can't see things from his players' perspective? Yes, doomed adventurer PoV please!
I Like interludes
Would love to see how it is going up against an Overload from the perspective of a poor recruit/adventurer!
I would love an interlude from the POV of soon-to-be undead adventurers!
very early today
Thank you so much for the chapter. Greetings, first of all, let me tell you that the Euphemia cult is still very much alive and active and continues to seek followers to support the future arc of the church (with a wedding with Euphemia!!) and force Thalas to call Simon "father." Now, to take advantage of the situation and also show how useful my cult is, I'm going to give you two important pieces of news/information: 1- The great Void has already said that he has commissioned an artist to create images of the Magnos royal family, so if God and the artist will it, we'll have official images of the Magnos family before the new year. 2- Bros... Let me ask you something... Where is Frea currently? Yes, you know, she's with that idiot Paladin!!! Right now, she's giving support and probably eyeing up Paladin Alphonse while Simon has to hide and fight for his life to triumph and become stronger, while that annoying elf is helping the Overlord's archenemy. Is that what a lover or a waifu does? No, of course not!!! In the end, EVERYONE will realize that the only woman worthy of Simon is his stepmother (yes, I know it sounds bad, but please don't cancel me XD). And in the end, their destiny will be to rule together and throw Thalas down a hole, seal it up, and never see him again XD. Long live the cult of Euphemia!! Thanks again to the Great Void for all his work and effort!!! Remember to share the story with your friends!!! Good evening, thank you for listening (reading) me.
I have to applaud your dedication.