Conquering The Novel



After dealing with Maya, Ares exited the mansion accompanied by Irethiel and Meira. Soon after, Elaine emerged from the castle and joined them.

As they stepped outside, Ares couldn't help but ask, "How are we going to reach the capital?"

Elaine, with a hint of admiration in her voice, suggested, "Why don't you just fly there with those magnificent wings of yours? You looked like a devil— I mean, an angel. It truly impressed me. I wish I had wings like that."

'So she saw me using Pazuzu's wings?'

Ares gave her a blank stare for a moment before responding, "...I don't know how to fly well yet."

!!

Elaine muttered in disbelief, "...You can't be serious, right?"

"I'm not joking. In all honesty, I never had the opportunity to learn how to fly properly, so please leave me alone," Ares replied, his tone slightly defensive.

"Tsk, what a waste of such cool wings," Elaine said, shaking her head in disappointment.

"...It's actually quite easy. I can teach you how to fly," Irethiel spoke up, transforming into her crow form.

"We can discuss that when we have more time," Ares replied to her, his attention shifting to Meira.

"Meira, where is your car?" he asked, turning to her.

"I-I apologize, master. I left it on the floating Island at Rose Mansion," Meira responded apologetically.

Ares let out a sigh, realizing their transportation predicament. Meanwhile, Elaine's mischievous grin hinted at a solution.

"Let me show you my collection of cars!" she exclaimed, her excitement evident. Gesturing for them to follow, she guided them toward the garage located behind her castle.

As they approached the garage, an advanced sensor scanned Elaine, causing the doors to open automatically with a resounding clang.

CLANG—

Elaine, brimming with enthusiasm, proclaimed, "Prepare yourself, for you are about to witness the heaven of cars!" Her exaggerated tone added a touch of theatricality to her words.

As the garage door ascended, an awe-inspiring sight unfolded before Ares. Stretching out as far as his eyes could see, there was an endless lineup of meticulously parked cars, representing a vast assortment of styles and models. The collection boasted sports cars, muscle cars, vintage classics, and more.

Impressed, Ares raised an eyebrow and remarked, "You do have an impressive collection of cars." His gaze lingered on the array before him, appreciating the variety and craftsmanship. "Although," he continued, "it would have been even better if you had a private jet or something."

Elaine responded with a playful smirk. "Are you teasing me?" she quipped, stepping into the garage. "Private planes are usually reserved for royalty, you know."

'Of course, I will be able to own them once we are married and you ascend the throne after dealing with your brother,' Elaine's thoughts momentarily drifted to the future, where she envisioned herself as Ares's queen, with all the privileges and luxuries that came with it.

Breaking her reverie, Ares posed a sudden question, "...Which one is the fastest?"

Elaine's grin widened as she confidently strode towards a striking yellow sports car. It's aerodynamic curves and vibrant color exuded a sense of power and speed.

The gull-wing doors added a touch of sophistication to its already striking appearance. The car's polished exterior shimmered under the garage lights, reflecting a hint of anticipation in Elaine's eyes.

She opened the door, revealing a luxurious interior adorned with black leather seats that hugged the contours of the body, providing both comfort and support.

The dashboard boasted an array of high-tech displays and controls, hinting at the advanced performance capabilities of the vehicle.

Elaine slid into the driver's seat and gripped the leather-wrapped steering wheel, its firmness reassuring in her hands.

"This beauty right here holds the title of the fastest in my collection," she declared, a glimmer of excitement in her voice.

"...."

Ares furrowed his brow slightly as he observed the two-seater configuration. "A two-seater?" he questioned.

Elaine shrugged, undeterred by the minor setback. "You did ask for the fastest car, and this is it," she explained, a touch of mischief in her tone. "And fear not, your companions can select their rides from the other cars in the garage," she added, a warm smile gracing her lips.

"R-Really?" Meira suddenly exclaimed with genuine excitement, her love for cars shining through her expression.

!?

Ares looked at her, surprised by her enthusiastic response.

Sensing his gaze, Meira quickly apologized, her head lowering in deference. "I-I'm sorry, Master. I didn't mean to be presumptuous," she stammered.

Ares smiled and reached out, gently patting Meira's head. "You don't have to apologize," he reassured her. "Feel free to choose any car that catches your eye."

!?

A spark of gratitude lit up Meira's eyes as she absorbed his words. "Thank you so much, master," she expressed sincerely and then nodded at Elaine, her appreciation evident. With newfound excitement, she eagerly headed towards a captivating red sports car, her anticipation palpable.

"Not a bad choice," Elaine commented, acknowledging Meira's taste.

Ares shook his head, realizing that Elaine was already strategizing to win over both Irethiel and Meira.

Elaine had keenly observed Meira's reaction to her car collection, deducing her love for cars, and intentionally allowed her to select a car of her preference.

"Shall we begin our journey, Ares?" Elaine asked with a mischievous grin. She pressed a button, igniting the engine, which roared to life, exuding a symphony of untamed power.

Vroom— Vroom—

The car's exhaust emitted a deep growl, signaling its eagerness to conquer the open road.

"By the way, demon, it would be considerate of you to accompany Meira. Driving alone might not be the best option for her," Elaine suggested, her gaze shifting to Irethiel, perched on Ares's shoulder in her crow form.

"....."

Irethiel remained silent, her gaze fixed on Ares. He nodded in agreement, prompting Irethiel to reluctantly fly towards Meira's car.

Elaine nodded, her grin widening with satisfaction. As the other side of the garage door opened, revealing the world beyond, Ares slid into the passenger seat, settling in beside Elaine. 

Thud—

"Buckle up, because we're in for a thrilling ride!"

Elaine pressed her foot on the accelerator, feeling the raw power surge through the car.

Vroooom—

With a surge of speed, the yellow sports car catapulted forward, leaving the garage in a blur of motion. The wind rushed past them, heightening the exhilaration of the moment.

***

As the car accelerated at high speed, Ares gazed out of the window, taking in the picturesque scenery. Windmills spun gracefully in the distance, vast fields stretched out with crops swaying in the breeze, and diligent workers went about their daily tasks.

In the midst of the exhilarating drive, a thought struck him. "System!" Ares called inwardly, summoning his system screen. He wanted to check the status of the quest —the quest to win the tournament.

Unforeseen circumstances had disrupted the tournament's finals, leaving no declared winner. Ares realized that he had already invested a significant amount of time and effort into this quest, enticed by the promised reward. He didn't want to see his efforts go to waste.

[SYSTEM NOTIFICATION]

Quest:

Complete the Following:

1. Form a Faction (Completed)

2. Become the Academy's Representative for the Upcoming Tournament (Completed)

3. Win the Tournament (Completed)

Quest Reward: New Ability - Ruler's Authority! [Acquire now? Yes/No]

***

!!

Ares chuckled wryly as he read the system notification. "So it counted as us winning the tournament?" he muttered, his eyes drawn to the tantalizing reward displayed on the screen.

'Ruler's Authority?' Ares's curiosity was piqued as he contemplated the new ability bestowed upon him. Intrigued, he tapped on the reward to unveil its description, eager to uncover its potential and significance.