CHAPTER 39:
The Order of This World
A full day had passed since the final match of the martial arts tournament.
Despite his father taking the blame for everything, Orent was not only stripped of his title as Crown Prince but also demoted to the status of a criminal.
Originally, he was supposed to be sent to a monastery, but instead, he was taken to the western tower where prisoners were held.
I must have been more exhausted than I thought from everything yesterday because I slept in quite a bit.
No wonder.
Even while keeping an eye on Orent’s actions, I had to focus all my energy on devising a plan to defeat Klaus, who was stronger than me.
“But I really didn’t expect to end up fighting against erosion fluid.”
Just recalling that moment gave me chills.
If I hadn’t been trapped in that subspace with Klaus, it could’ve ended really badly.
—Piya was really worried, thinking something had happened to you, Lady Lulu!
Since yesterday, Piya had been clinging to me like glue, refusing to leave my side.
I guess she was quite shaken after losing contact with me.
“Even without you, the system notifications kept popping up, though?”
—That’s exactly what makes it dangerous! The system continues and the scenario progresses, but you can’t use your player perks!
“True. It would’ve been a lot easier if I could’ve at least used skills or inventory.”
The blue notification windows that began with [SYSTEM] came from the system itself, not Piya.
Even if separated from Piya, the system could continue the scenario as long as I was connected.
However, various interface functions were only usable when connected to Piya.
That’s why Piya kept stressing how dangerous it was for the system to progress without her—some trials were impossible without player perks.
While I was nodding along with her lecture—
“Your Highness, Prince Ancelot is here to see you.”
With a knock, Saira entered the room.
“Ancelot?”
“Yes, he’s waiting in the parlor. But oh my! Your Highness, you’re still in your pajamas!”
Startled to realize I was still in sleepwear, Saira dragged me to the vanity to freshen up.
“You don’t need to go overboard.”
“Overboard? It’s Prince Ancelot! You must look your best!”
She was clearly under the wrong impression about our relationship.
“Seriously, just keep it simple!”
Eventually, I managed to calm her down, threw on a simple dress and shawl, and headed to meet Ancelot.
He was elegantly sipping tea in the drawing room. When he saw me, he gave a gentle smile.
“Today might be a good day to change your clothes.”
“Huh?”
Out of the blue, he told me to change clothes. Then, addressing the bird clinging to my shoulder—
“Also, bird. You’re going to need to help out.”
Pyuit?
.
.
.
And now… here we are.
BOOM!
“W-Wait, Ancelot, just a bit slower…!”
I was panting, barely dodging his attacks.
Each spot his magic hit left cracks and craters across the training ground—it was chaos.
“There’s no ‘a bit slower.’ Your Highness just needs to move faster.”
He launched white orbs into the air, bombarding me.
His emotionless face and relentless assault were terrifying.
Pyuu! Lit! Pyu! Riit!
—Fighting! You can do it! Fighting!
Rather than helping me, Piya had taken Ancelot’s side and was cheering him on with frantic wing-flapping.
She even made a side quest:
[Side Quest: Dodge Ancelot’s Attacks!]
Avoid Ancelot’s insane barrage and grow stronger! (>ω<)/
▶ Reward upon success: EXP +5000, Piya’s affection ♡
BOOM! BANG! CRASH!
[Quest in Progress: Dodge Ancelot’s Attacks!] (9/50)
[Quest in Progress: Dodge Ancelot’s Attacks!] (10/50)
[Quest in Progress: Dodge Ancelot’s Attacks!] (11/50)
Three successful dodges, and three quest pop-ups followed.
“What the heck is this ridiculous quest?!”
—Main quests are given by the almighty system, but little side quests like this? Piya can make those!
“Why didn’t you say anything before—AAAH!”
BOOM!
[Quest in Progress: Dodge Ancelot’s Attacks!] (12/50)
—You never asked, Lady Lulu!
She replied in a sassy voice, laughing smugly.
Now that I think of it… when Hezen was the player, the system sometimes generated quests randomly too…
BOOM! BOOM! CRASH!
But Ancelot’s continuous attacks didn’t give me any time to think.
—Be more diligent, Lady Lulu! I spent my precious allowance to buy you that EXP!
She wasn’t even helping, just laughing at me while I struggled.
—Once you complete Scenario Chapter 1, you’ll get a performance bonus! I’ll make you even better side quests then!
Just as she said that, another attack came flying.
With all the constant quest alerts in my face, I started to feel dizzy.
“We really don’t need a quest right now—AAAH!”
As I rolled to dodge the next attack—
Pyurit?
—Ah!
Piya suddenly froze mid-cheer, flapping nervously.
She looked truly serious—enough for Ancelot to stop attacking.
“Piya? What’s wrong?”
—I… I think I made a mistake.
“Huh?”
—I’ll be right back.
[SYSTEM] The system will now pause for maintenance.
And poof—Piya disappeared.
Now that the assault had stopped, I collapsed onto the floor, exhaling deeply.
Then I glared at Ancelot with weary eyes.
“Was all that really necessary?”
When I asked with a pout, he stared back calmly and replied:
“You almost died.”
“I was worried.”
Suddenly, his cold, dry voice from yesterday—when he had grabbed my shoulders after we escaped the subspace—echoed in my mind.
Ancelot approached and tapped the red pendant around my neck.
“Didn’t feel anything strange from this?”
Only then did I realize that this pendant was the reason he dragged me to the training ground.
“Seriously? You could’ve just told me.”
I replied grumpily, fiddling with the gemstone.
It looked like an ordinary red jewel—but it was half of the fire dragon’s heart, and also the key to destroying the system.
“Because the messenger was listening.”
“So, if Piya hadn’t vanished, you would’ve just kept attacking me?”
“That’s why I made her leave.”
“Wait, you sent Piya away?!”
Instead of answering, he just smirked.
“To different degrees, the gods’ powers are embedded in all of this world’s order. But the fire dragon’s heart nullifies divine power.”
“Wait… you said this pendant could defeat the dragon and destroy the system. Why are you suddenly talking about divine power?”
When I tilted my head in confusion, Ancelot’s expression turned serious.
“What do you think the system is, Your Highness?”
“Something that controls this world… like rules? Or order?”
I answered hesitantly, but suddenly a thought struck me.
Order. If the system is this world’s order…
A chill ran down my spine, and a verse from the scripture came to mind:
“Lus, who became the master of the world, established order upon this land. From that day, the people worshipped the god of light, Lus, as their supreme deity.”
It couldn’t be… that’s too absurd…
“Then… the system is… God?”
“Probably.”
“……!”
My eyes widened.
God? That was something I’d never considered before.
I’d seen priests and paladins use divine power, but I’d never really thought about the existence of a god itself.
Thanks to my mother’s lack of faith—and the fact that I had possessed this body—it had never crossed my mind.
After all, it’s weird to believe in a god from a world you didn’t come from.
The god of this world, Lus, who supposedly established order…
I’d always thought of him as a mere concept.
Come to think of it, when Cedric, the system admin, manipulated people—it was always by using their faith.
“This can’t be…”
“Why not?”
“The enemy I’m supposed to fight… is the god who rules this world? That’s just… too much…”
I tried to sound calm, but my voice betrayed my fear.
“That’s just… terrifying.”
It felt like I’d suddenly gained a huge and frightening new enemy.
Ancelot seemed to sense my fear—his expression tightened.
“This is why I didn’t want to tell you.”
“Then why did you?”
You should’ve stayed quiet.
Then I wouldn’t be this afraid of facing the system.
“Because you almost died yesterday.”
“……”
“I thought I could protect you by staying close… but I was wrong.”
His face darkened as he mentioned what happened yesterday.
“Anything that threatens you is part of the system’s order.”
“The system’s order…”
“The subspace incident… that other player who attacked you before… all of it.”
So in the end, everything that hurt me was part of the system’s order—God’s will.
“If you could freely use the pendant’s power, you could protect yourself in situations like yesterday.”
“……”
I swallowed hard and asked:
“Aren’t you afraid…?”
Ancelot was a bug—an enemy of the system. Of God.
“You’re basically saying… you’re hated by a god.”
“Not really.”
He shrugged and smiled casually.
“There’s something scarier than God.”
“……”
I wanted to ask what that was—but something told me not to.
So instead, I asked:
“Then the power you use… is it divine?”
I remembered how the pendant had nullified his attacks too.
“More or less.”
“So you’re a bug who can still use holy power?”
“You’re a bug too, and you use divine power.”
He wasn’t wrong. My dark aura was still a divine blessing.
After all, my role was the heir to the light’s power from the prophecy.
“There’s one reason I’m telling you this.”
Ancelot stood and said:
“When something like yesterday happens again… and I’m not there to protect you…”
“……”
“You need to be able to protect yourself.”
“Okay. I will.”
I nodded and stood with him.
The idea of fighting a god scared me more than anything—but…
If I’ve already chosen to stand against it, I can’t afford to be afraid forever.
I gripped the fire dragon’s heart tightly around my neck.
Seeing this, Ancelot grinned and said:
“Then… want to try blocking one more of my attacks?”
“Wait, again—AAAH!”
BOOM!!
Without warning, he launched another strike.
“Ancelot, you crazy jerk!”
I was a fool to think I could have a normal conversation with him!
