Kingdom Building: Civilization Starts with Divinity-Chapter 107: Verminae Strazh

Alchemy’s tense fists loosened a little.

"And the almighty system conveniently has a way out for me." Alchemy sighed.

She kept a strong, rebellious demeanor, but Alchemy was horrified. 𝒻𝘳𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝘯𝘰𝑣ℯ𝑙.𝘤𝑜𝘮

Even if she knew how to deal with the Mental Destruction, she couldn’t do anything about it. As far as she could see, her options were creating an elixir or strengthening the World Tree until it was strong enough to cleanse the debuff.

The prior of the two options required, at minimum, a Tier 5 Civilization. Meanwhile, the latter of the two possibilities required who knows how much Divine Power. Regardless of which she wanted to choose, she lacked the time.

’Since you’re so eager to keep my life in the palm of your hands, perhaps I should let the mental destruction occur.’

|<Notice: The System has never wished to hold your fate hostage. Please trust the system.>|

It was a fleeting thought but one that echoed throughout her mind.

Was moving forward truly the best option for her? These past 10, soon to be 11 days have been more stressful than the past 24 years of her life.

She was sure she had encountered many roadblocks that seemed impossible then. But back then, she had friends to rely on, people to seek out if things seemed bad—a clear goal.

Alchemy looked at Nera. Her face was full of distress and worry.

’A world where I have things to lose... What a funny worry. Well, you’re keeping this life of mine interesting. Glad to play along.’

She tried her hardest to quip about how that last message was definitely prepared since day one, but what was the point anymore.

|<We believe in you. Monarch.>|

Alchemy ignored the system.

"Finish your briefing, Nera. What’s our situation looking like?"

"Right! We’ve used the two Tier 2 Defense Vouchers to place traps near the Divine Tree. Our total population has also surpassed 200 and is estimated to hit 250 before the start of the invasion."

Alchemy nodded when hearing about the preparations. It was a massive waste, but with zero information about what they’d be up against, this was the only way to ensure their safety.

"We’ll have to expand our hunting range a lot because of this. If those Dryads Teacher spoke of still don’t dislike us, they’re going to have a great reason to start."

"Can I trust you to continue taking command during the battle?"

"Eh? I couldn’t possibly take such an important role!"

"Nera. Now isn’t the time for this. I still don’t know how to access the pseudo-hivemind or the telepathic link. You have to do this. You’re the only one who can..."

Nera and Alchemy looked each other in the eyes. The young Goddess’s expression caused an indescribable pain to fill her chest.

"Yes, Mother Goddess. Then please do the honors of the final preparations for this battle." Nera kneeled down in front of her lord.

"What are you refer-"

|<Notice: You’re Hero: Nera is trying to ascend. Would you like to permit this? Y/N>|

"Ah. Right, Guess it makes sense you hit max. Alright then, show me your new form, Nera."

|<Notice: Your Hero is undergoing an evolution!>|

The same as before, Nera was engulfed by a sphere of light. Now that it was dark, however, the show was more radiant and eye-catching than ever before.

Inside the orb, Nera stood idle. Her body barely changed, if it did at all. Instead, she was prompted by the System.

|<Notice: She who walks the knight’s path wields the blade to protect their Charge.>|

|<Notice: She who walks the scholar’s path wields their knowledge to light the way.>|

|<Notice: She who walks the path of both is a stalwart sentinel. A guardian of both honor and knowledge.>|

|<Notice: Are you, Nera, the Wings, "She?" Are you that stalwart guardian that will only fall when your Goddess is safe? When no more danger resides in the world?>|

"I have my job to protect Mother just as you have yours to guide her. So don’t waste time asking such stupid questions." Nera answered.

|<An answer fitting for the ruler of the skies.>|

|<Notice: Your Title, Sky King, has gained a new feature!>|

|<Notice: You have gained the Skill: Item Master>|

|<Notice: You have gained the skill: Sentinel’s Knowledge.>|

|<Notice: Your skill, Gravity Well, has been altered. Henceforth, it shall be called Origin Well.>|

|<Go, Nera. Spread your wings in the name of your Goddess!>|

"You don’t gotta tell me twice. All for the sake of Mother Goddess."

...

|<Notice: Your Hero has finished their metamorphosis and become a Tier 2 being!!>|

|<Notice: The Verminae Rytsar, Nera, has become a Verminae Strazh!>|

Instead of shattering the sphere like last time, the light was sucked into Nera. It was like she was a black hole absorbing all light near her.

Nera looked at Alchemy before once again bowing to her.

"I’ve returned, Mother Goddess."

"Welcome back. I know I just asked you this the other day, but how do you feel?"

Nera stretched her body before confidently smiling.

"Well enough to protect you."

"Well, I’m currently not so weak that I’ll die to anything random. Take that wellness and put it into protecting your siblings." Alchemy returned her daughter’s smile.

"As you command, Mother Goddess."

Alchemy was going to ask about Nera’s new status, but before she could, Nera had already opened it and presented it to her.

|<Name: Nera the Wings(Hero!)>|

|<Faction: Verminae Strazh>|

|<Title: Sky King>|

|<Level: 5/50>|

|<HP: 8157/8157>|

|<SP: 8185/8185>|

|<STR: 402(+4)(+30%) ↓↓>|

|<INT: 328(+4)(+30%) ↑↑↑>|

|<CON: 379(+4)(+30%) ↓>|

|<ANA: 361(+4)(+30%)>|

|<Form: Insectoid>|

|<Core: Origin>|

|<Personality: Inquisitive>|

|<Skills: [Cycle of Wings] | [Origin Well LV 2] | [Powerful Strikes LV 4] | [Strong Body LV 3] | [Analysis LV 3] | [Robust Mind LV 3 | [Item Master LV 1] | [Sentinel’s Knowledge LV 1]>|

=

Alchemy’s eyes immediately locked onto Nera’s skills.

"Your Core changed. System, what’s your dumb excuse for this one?"

Changing Cores wasn’t something rare. The method was bizarre in this case since normally you’d use a Core Token, but gaining a new one from evolving was not the weirdest thing the system has done, and Alchemy was sure it would only get weirder.

The issue was that "Origin" wasn’t a Core in A.O.A.

|<Notice: Heroic Evolution can change and add Tokens.>|

|<Notice: Hero Sapphire will also gain a Personality Token when she becomes a Hero.>|

"Huh, you don’t say?"