Chapter 255 (2): Elemental Mantra x Dragonrider’s Mount

Wayne would say no to becoming Elemental Mantra’s sole owner!

He had never wanted exclusive ownership over the divine artifact. Just like how he partially owned Shadow Nightmare and Twilight Despair, he wanted someone else to stand ahead of him. Otherwise, if the goddesses turned their attention his way, someone following all three faiths like him would surely be in trouble.

Scummy lines like ‘I was just practicing for you’ or ‘I was only playing around with them’ definitely wouldn’t work on the goddesses.

Moula had an important responsibility to complete, though he couldn’t reveal the specifics of the mission. Thinking of something, he said to Wayne, “Perhaps I’ll need your help soon, but... it’s going to be dangerous. Be prepared. Familiarize yourself with Elemental Mantra in the meantime and get as strong as you can.‘

He spoke cryptically because he didn’t want to reveal too much, simply telling Wayne to be mentally prepared and sharing with him the control over Elemental Mantra. When Moula wasn’t using the sword, Wayne could transform into a knight to hone his combat skills.

Nature Knight (✗)

Headless Knight (√)

“By the way, if I really do need your help, remember to find yourself a mount. The Life Armor will grant your mount incredible power, so even a regular racehorse will become a sentient magical creature with impressive capabilities.”

Wayne cocked his head. Would an undead warhorse work? Probably not.

“Wayne, do you have something in mind?”

“I’m thinking of a dragon.”

“A great dragon?!” Moula exclaimed in shock. Where would a dragon come from? Why hadn’t he ever hit a jackpot like that?

“A mage with dragon blood will barely count as a great dragon...”

Wayne thought it over. He didn’t have a racehorse, but there was Senna[1]. He didn’t even have to wait for Veronica to grow up. There was already a suitable option—he only had to try riding her.

Perfect! His dream of becoming a dragon knight was within reach!

Veronica shouldn’t feel bad. He was only practicing his riding techniques and playing around with Senna.

“I have an unreasonable request, Sir Moula.” Wayne scratched his head. “You may not believe me. I encountered an assassination attempt recently at headquarters. I shouldn’t bring this up to you, but...”

“I understand. I know something must have happened.” Moula shook his head. He opened his mouth to say something, but ultimately decided against it. He said instead, “Don’t be afraid. Elemental Mantra will protect you.”

“There’s something else...” Wayne described the situation in the Misty forest with a somber expression. “I want to bring them out and give them a resting place, but Master Senna told me that the undead cannot leave the Misty Forest, and the forest is the church’s property. I can only give them peace by becoming the goddess’s chosen knight.”

“That... that’s why you want to become the chosen knight?”

“Yes, I pity them.”

Moula was deeply moved. He patted Wayne on the shoulder and said, “Young man, hold onto this pure drive of yours. But remember, simple kindness may invite nightmares. Do not freely give away your kindness, or schemers may exploit it.”

“Thank you for your advice.”

***

The door opened, and those waiting for the conversation to end eagerly stepped forward.

Moula put his arm around Wayne’s shoulder, talking to him with a smile. Ignoring the expectant looks on the others’ faces, he gave Garvin a thumbs-up.

Well done!

Garvin smiled, draining his wine flask. This was the best news he had received in recent years. It felt good to have his judgment proven right.

“Sir Moula, did Candidate Wayne succeed?” Pope Ludwig asked respectfully. His intuition told him that Wayne had succeeded, but he held onto hope that Moula’s answer might be different.

“Wayne will become the Nature Knight after me,” Moula said concisely, crushing what little hope the Pope had in his heart. Then Moula surveyed everyone present and said solemnly, “You’re all the highest leaders of the church. I hope you will keep this secret and not risk your own future. Death is truly terrifying!”

“Rest assured, Sir Moula. I swear to the goddess that no one will leak the secret of the future knight.”

Hearing the blatant threat, the Pope and the High Prophet nodded repeatedly, despondent. Despite their broken heart, they had to put on a look of joy as they congratulated Wayne and expressed their hopes for the church’s future.

They didn’t know what the church’s future would actually look like, but High Prophet Tubert did know what awaited him: he would be stuck at the Prophet Sanctuary, working hard day and night.

What a difficult life!

Pope Ludwig was having an even worse time. He could tell from one look at Senna, whose eyes were shining, that the woman had already begun scheming.

The human world wasn’t worth it. Better grab more things and pack up before reporting to the Divine Realm. He had to hurry—do it before Wayne became the true chosen knight. Otherwise...

Ludwig cursed the worthless fools silently. Virgil and Cerci were a disgrace to the magical world. Two Gold-ranked mages failed to assassinate a Silver-ranked mage even with the element of surprise? Absurd.

Maintaining his smile, he continued congratulating Wayne on his bright future. Before he could say more, Senna blocked his view.

Bah, wench! You got lucky this time!

“There’s one more thing, the Misty Forest...”

Moula mentioned the failed Philosopher’s Stone, requesting it in the name of testing his successor. Ludwig was about to say something when Senna headed straight to the headquarters.

“That’s decided then.”

Moula made the decision then and there. He didn’t want to stay with the Pope and the High Prophet, and he showed indifference to Senna, too. The two men received a cold shoulder and, after exchanging a few polite words, left in dejection.

Senna ran so fast that she didn’t realize her clothes were drenched with cold sweat until she was far away, feeling like she had just escaped death. Others didn’t know what Wayne was, but Senna did. She had feared that Wayne would be exposed while receiving the Nature Knight’s legacy. Then he would surely make her fall back, taking on the Nature Knight, the Pope, and the High Prophet on her own...

The thought alone was terrifying. She would’ve died for certain!

She deeply regretted her past actions. She hoped that Wayne would give her a chance to exchange genuine feelings for genuine feelings. She didn’t want to become Veronica, no. She wanted to be like Silvia.

Moula and Garvin had a few words in private. Since Moula had a mission, he couldn’t stay for long. He promised to play cards with Garvin once he returned, then he disappeared into the forest.

Judging by the direction he was going, he was returning to the Frozen Land.

***

Senna’s Mansion

.

Wearing Life Armor and wielding Elemental Mantra, Wayne struck a few poses. Veronica’s eyes sparkled like starry skies. Sun Knight and Moonlight Knight were distant concepts to her, while Nature Knight was a known entity to a disciple of the Goddess of Nature like her.

Seeing that Wayne had become the knight’s successor, destined to be the one and only chosen knight, she was so excited and happy that her face flushed red, looking at Wayne with admiration.

Soon, though, she became speechless. If the scumbag could become the chosen knight, wouldn’t it mean that the Goddess of Nature’s judgment was flawed?

If you’re deceived by the scumbag’s diary, Goddess, please blink!

Before Wayne finished posing, his designated mount appeared in the garden. Senna came with a semi-transparent grey stone in her hand. When she saw Wayne in his knightly appearance, her gaze became hazy, and her breathing quickened.

Goddess’s chosen knight. He actually did it...

Senna still found it hard to believe. It felt like she was dreaming.

Abruptly, Veronica spread her arms and blocked Wayne like a dragon guarding her treasure, not allowing Senna another look. Somehow, she had a feeling that there was something dangerous about Senna’s gaze. She knew what the chosen knight meant to a disciple. It was a ticket—a ticket for free access to the bedroom. No disciple would be able to reject the chosen knight.

Veronica found herself under tremendous pressure. The scumbag was standing out more and more, and thus she had more and more rivals. The woman right in front of her, for example, seemed like she was going to devour Wayne no matter how Veronica looked at her.

How shameless! He’s your student’s student, and he already has a fiancée!

Senna was speechless.

The girl’s too far gone. Wake up. The man behind you would cheat even the goddess.

“Enough. You’re acting like Vera.”

Wayne ruffled Veronica’s blonde hair and gave Senna a pointed look. She opened her dark domain, entering it alongside the new Nature Knight in shining armor.

Veronica would like to follow, but Senna stopped her. She flashed Veronica a beautiful smile and turned her back to her, sauntering with a sway to her hips.

As the dark domain closed, the wicked master’s voice came through: “Be good, Veronica. Do your homework. Wayne and I have adult matters to discuss.”

(눈益눈)

Mother! Look at the kind of master you had! Not only did you find yourself a bad husband, but you also failed at choosing the right master. You made things difficult for your daughter!

1. Racehorse, 赛马, shares the same first character with Senna, 赛娜. And they rhyme. ☜