The Founding Monarch Became the Mastermind

Chapter 82

At best, Si-on thought that half of the group would be able to see the level message, and in the worst-case scenario, maybe only around 10 percent.

The first time he came to this place with the Janstrick Mercenary Group, only Piotr and Stelman were able to see their level message.

And both of them were exceptionally talented individuals, even by Si-on’s standards.

However…

“Seriously, how is this even possible…?”

Si-on muttered in disbelief.

Out of the 150 division members, a staggering 90 of them were able to confirm their level message.

The 60 or so who couldn’t see their level were disappointed, but Si-on’s assurance that, with effort, they’d soon be able to see the “Divine Message” lifted their spirits quickly.

It was Si-on who had informed them of the existence of the Divine Message, and it was Si-on who brought them here to check it.

To the division members, the words of their monstrous instructor, who had single-handedly knocked them all down, were like scripture.

Those who couldn’t yet see their levels vowed to give their all in the monthly “combat evaluations” and, rather than dwelling in disappointment, became more determined.

Meanwhile, the division members who could see their levels were ecstatic, and their reverence and trust in Si-on, who had shown them the Divine Message, skyrocketed, as if reaching beyond the atmosphere.

Among them was an elven female warrior with a rather peculiar personality, who had already decided to make Si-on her lifelong idol.

* * *

“Name.”

“I’m Pablo from Eran Village.”

“Alright, Pablo Eran. What was your position in the Black Eagle Regiment?”

“I was a swordsman.”

“Starting tomorrow, you’ll learn the spear. You have talent for it.”

“Huh? Oh, yes!”

“Next.”

The reason Si-on was ordering immediate changes to the division members’ roles was simple.

He could see more than just their level. He could see their individual status, or “stats.”

Of course, he couldn’t see everyone’s stats.

The previous division member and the one now standing at attention in front of him both had something in common.

They were all marked as members of the “Si-on Clan.”

‘It seems the clan leader can see the stats of awakened clan members.’

Naturally, those who hadn’t awakened yet—those who couldn’t see the message—didn’t have their stats visible.

‘Still, this feels almost like cheating.’

The stats were displayed like this:

– Level
– Strength
– Agility
– Intelligence
– Charisma
– Innate Talent

While other stats were important, the one Si-on found most crucial was the “Innate Talent,” which was the only one represented by words rather than numbers.

For example, in the case of Pablo Eran, who had just left:

– Innate Talent: Warrior (C), Swordsmanship (D), Spearmanship (C)

This meant that while Pablo Eran had decent potential as a warrior, he had more talent for spearmanship than swordsmanship.

Click!

Now, the elf standing at ease in front of Si-on…

‘Female warrior?’

The elven female warrior was wearing a brigandine adorned with a pointed peak pattern, with the backdrop of a towering tree behind her.

Unlike the others Si-on had interviewed, the female warrior was staring intently at him, her gaze uncomfortably focused.

Of course, the undying ancient Nogwe didn’t mind. Elves had always been peculiar.

“Name.”

“Stella. Stella Gosan.”

“Stella?”

Si-on’s eyes narrowed at the mention of the same name as his late wife.

For a brief moment, Si-on scrutinized the elven female warrior who shared his wife’s name, before nodding.

“Are you perhaps Clara’s daughter?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Clara… named her daughter…”

Si-on’s expression softened nostalgically.

Clara Gosan.

The only elf who had confided in his wife. Si-on had also shared some moments with her while his wife was still alive.

However, after his wife’s death, Si-on had intentionally avoided Clara.

Seeing her, or even thinking about her, only reminded him of his wife.

And, just as Si-on had avoided Clara, the elf—who had lost her only human friend—had also not sought him out.

He hadn’t heard any news for a long time, but he vaguely recalled hearing a while ago that Clara had finally had a child.

And it turned out her child was a daughter, named Stella…

“They don’t look anything alike, though…”

“I’m sorry, I didn’t hear you.”

“It’s nothing.”

Si-on smiled wryly and focused his attention on Stella Gosan.

As he concentrated, translucent letters appeared beside her.

– Level: 28 (Ls 99)
– Strength: 31 (Ls 50)
– Agility: 33 (Ls 60)
– Intelligence: 18 (Ls 20)
– Charisma: 53 (Ls 70)
– Innate Talent: Ranger (S), Swordsmanship (B), Archery (A), Spirit Magic (S), Tracking (S)

“……!?”

Si-on was genuinely astonished.

It wasn’t unheard of for someone to have a level above 30, but a limit of 99? He hadn’t seen that since Blaho.

Her current physical stats, including strength and agility, were quite high, and her potential limits were the highest among any division member he had interviewed so far.

Her intelligence was average, but…

Charisma?

Most elves had a charisma stat over 50, so that was expected.

But five innate talents, with the lowest ranking at B?

This was like discovering a legendary Pokémon—or rather, a super rare talent.

“Clara certainly raised her child well.”

“Yes. My mother raised me very well.”

Si-on flinched at her immediate response to what was merely a muttered thought.

Somehow, her intelligence stat started to make sense.

“Between the sword and bow, which have you used more?”

“The sword.”

“From now on, focus more on the bow.”

“Yes.”

“And… Do you know anything about spirits?”

“There’s no such thing as spirits, sir.”

“…….”

Si-on had believed that too—until just a moment ago.

After all, in all his years in this world, he had never seen or heard anything about spirits.

But then, Stella Gosan’s innate talent showed Spirit Magic (S), clear as day.

‘This is certain. It means spirits will appear soon. And she’s someone who could become an S-ranked spirit mage. But how do I explain this?’

After a moment of thought, Si-on decided to take a chance and sell a little “faith” to this elf female warrior, who was clearly not too bright but otherwise quite average.

“Stella Gosan.”

“Yes.”

“Spirits do exist. You can’t see them now, but they will reveal themselves to you soon. The Divine Message says so. So…”

“I understand.”

“…What?”

“…Pardon?”

Si-on was confused.

He was just starting to spin a tale, but she had already bought it?

“The instructor said that spirits exist, and soon they will appear before me. So, that must be true.”

“Oh… right. Well, thanks for believing me.”

“No need to thank me. It’s because the instructor said it.”

“…Alright, you can go.”

“Yes!”

Stella Gosan saluted crisply and marched away.

Si-on instinctively checked her intelligence again, and with a slightly pitying expression, nodded to himself.

‘She may not be bright, but she’s a good kid. Clara really raised her well.’

Si-on was honestly relieved that Stella’s intelligence didn’t exceed 20.

If she were any smarter, things could have gotten awkward.

But what Si-on didn’t know was that Stella’s quick acceptance of his words had nothing to do with her intelligence being below 20.

Tap, tap, tap.

As Stella marched back to her spot with precision, her fellow elves from Gosan approached her.

“Stella, what did the instructor say? Surely, he told you to keep training in archery, right?”

“Yes, he said something similar.”

“I knew it… And did he say anything else?”

“He told me that spirits do exist, even though we can’t see them now, and that they will soon appear before me.”

“…What?”

The elves froze for a moment at her confident words.

And, quite unlike typical elves, who were generally unexpressive, they all shared a bitter smile as if they had rehearsed it.

“Stella. It seems the instructor has realized that you’re a little different. It sounds like he was teasing you.”

“Indeed, you were the first to charge at him, after all. He might’ve figured out then that you’re… a bit reckless.”

Elves were usually blunt because they didn’t bother considering others’ feelings.

But the elves from Gosan had known Stella since childhood and had grown up with her.

That’s why they knew.

‘Believing in spirits at her age… She’s kind, but…’

‘My dear friend Stella, she’s nice, but believing in spirits…’

Their pitying gazes landed on Stella, but she confidently replied.

“I know the instructor might have said that to tease me or test me. I’m not a fool.”

“Oh, really?”

“Yes. I’m not an idiot.”

They say only true fools claim not to be fools.

However, the elves wisely refrained from making that comment, as Stella proudly continued.

“But I believe the instructor’s words. He is my idol. Someone I should follow and devote my life to. So, I will believe in his words.”

“Stella…?”

The elves blinked in mild surprise.

Whoever said elves don’t show emotion?

Stella Gosan.

Without even realizing it herself, the young elf woman had fallen into a deep admiration for someone at first sight, and she was now smiling radiantly, like a golden marigold in full bloom deep within Gosan.

* * *

After confirming the awakening status and specific stats of the Great Monster Hunting Division members, and reassessing their roles based on their innate talents, Si-on returned to the garrison.

The craftsmanship of the Cheolsan Dwarves was impressive.

It had only been eight days, yet the renovations were progressing well.

The blacksmith and workshop, converted from empty barracks, were nearly complete, and the foundation for the warehouse to store weapons and gear was just being laid.

That wasn’t all.

Dozens of large tents had been set up near the previously empty garrison, and several small and large buildings were being erected simultaneously about 500 meters from the sentry post.

The workers, receiving instructions from both the duchy’s officials and dwarf supervisors, were residents of the duchy.

The Cheolsan Dwarves, known for being experts in every type of work, weren’t doing it all themselves.

Sminov, who had long grasped Si-on’s intentions, had enlisted the aid of small village residents from the duchy, who had been struggling due to the administrative vacuum left over the past year, hiring them as laborers.

The villagers were happy to have a means of livelihood, Yonas and the deputies were pleased to restore public sentiment without spending much of the budget, and Sminov got a chance to earn money while staying on Si-on’s good side.

And Si-on was simply satisfied.

A blessing in disguise, indeed.

It seemed that bad things didn’t happen to a person forever.

“This is how it should be.”

Si-on, content, resolved to move forward with his next plan.

The Great Monster Hunting Division was a combat unit composed of veterans.

They were ready professionals.

So, the next step was to go monster hunting.

If only the urgent news from the southern cities of Rozin and Fland hadn’t arrived with an immediate request for support.