The power formula of Dark Mana is simple.
Dark Mana’s total amount × Dark Mana’s purity = Dark Mana domination power
But as with all subjects, the Mana Technique also changes with grade and level of knowledge, causing new formulas to pop up one after another.
Dark Mana’s total amount × Dark Mana’s purity × Mana Control Technique = Dark Mana domination power
Having a high quantity, high purity, and good control.
If you can balance these three, you can dominate even if your quantity is a bit lacking, your purity is slightly low, or your control is somewhat lacking at the final outcome.
If you dive a little deeper, factors like mana aptitude, individual mental power or peak output, and body durability also come into play, but obviously, all my stats are maxed out.
Even Masugaki Princess, who possesses a high quantity of pure Dark Mana, cannot dominate me.
You can tell just by looking at the aptitude, right?
My Dark Mana aptitude is ridiculously high.
Though the purity of the Dark Mana accumulated by the princess through money is impressive, it can’t surpass innate aptitude or the mana flow techniques honed by a veteran player like me.
A rich person, no matter how many quality Mana they acquire, cannot surpass the brilliance of a natural genius or the accumulated knowledge of a veteran.
The difference in talent and aptitude is indeed significant.
The princess doesn’t perceive this reality, so I intended to use that difference to swallow up her built Dark Organization later on…
“If I get caught here, the princess won’t grow her organization!”
The Dark Mana I painstakingly collected might just fooops vanish from my body. That’s problematic!
“Submit to me♡”
“What will you do if I submit?”
So, I started acting.
The appearance of ‘conditional submission’ that occurs when the Dark Mana levels are equal.
While the princess is bewildered, Zaku, who is well-versed in the characteristics of Dark Mana, spoke up.
“This phenomenon arises because your Dark Mana cannot overwhelm Oknodie. It’s conditional submission, not complete submission. If the psychological mechanism fails or the conditions aren’t met, the Dark Mana holder in that state cannot dominate.”
“Ugh. This is becoming bothersome. I didn’t expect it to be equal to my high-purity Dark Mana.”
The princess, who had been sulking with a pouty face, fell into a moment of deep thought.
“What will you do for me?”
When prompted from the side, a realization finally dawned in her eyes.
“Right. Whatever it is, if I agree, that’s that~? Just tell me. I can do anything♡”
“Then get me a hundred unique-rated dishes!”
The princess couldn’t respond instantly.
“…Unique rating isn’t something anyone can just get.”
“You asked me to submit, didn’t you?”
“Ugh, well, do you know? To be considered unique, the taste must be one of a kind, which requires an incredibly original recipe or skill, and an accompanying story, right? A lovingly made soup by a mom for a sick child won’t cut it!”
Yes, I do know.
Dishes that have a hint of the subtle flavors from Jonnas and Reap or one that tickles the tongue or even occasionally numbs the senses or causes stomach pain aren’t unique either.
It’s true that getting unique dishes is quite challenging, even for a veteran like me.
“On the contrary, the more precious they are, the more you should boldly ask me to get them, right?”
You want my submission, right?
This is something you should do!
By stating my conditions confidently, the princess hesitated.
“I’ll give it to you later, so just submit for now♡”
“No way!”
“Ugh, I said submit~!”
“No way!”
“I’ll hit you!?”
“Go ahead! Am I just going to stand there and take it?”
“Use honorifics to royalty!”
“You first!”
“Is this a fight between kids…?”
Zaku muttered with a dumbfounded face.
Upon hearing that, I recalled the dignity of an adult and cleared my throat to regain the attitude of a well-behaved, good child.
“No matter how many times you hit me, it’s useless, okay? Payment is upfront!”
“Hmph! I don’t need the submission of a naughty child like you!”
“Your statement is overruled. I’m more mature, right? The princess isn’t as mature as a child younger than her?”
“…I’ll really hit you!”
With a serious anger, the Masugaki Princess clutched at some petals and threw them like darts, whizzing through the air.
While teasing and sticking out my tongue as I dodged, Zaku sighed.
“What are you two fighting for? Are we just going to let the warrior do all the good work?”
That would be troublesome too. In unanimous understanding, we quietly attended the makeshift auction that was scheduled for noon.
“Late.”
“Sorry! I was playing with the princess.”
Jiang, who had been hiding somewhere to avoid the warrior, crawled out from under a rock in the open ground just a beat too late.
Seeing the warrior clicking his tongue, it was clear that he was filled with the intention to eliminate Jiang if he found him alone.
Day 5 of the bumpy life on the uninhabited island.
It’s been quite enjoyable!
*
Honestly, Masugaki was feeling a bit drained.
Oknodie, who doesn’t respond to commands.
If her strength is equal, she enhances her Dark Mana.
Though I aimed to raise my spirits best, Oknodie didn’t budge an inch.
Stop! Sit! Wait!
While trying to slip commands into our tussle, none of them were heeded by Oknodie.
Her attitude seemed light and playful, but it hinted at a very scary truth.
Oknodie was hiding her true power.
Perhaps at the moment she genuinely ‘commands’ me, she would be compelled to obey without choice.
Is she just being generous?
Or is she hiding it in fear of being caught up?
Either way, Oknodie has now become just as much a subject of vigilance as the warrior.
“I will now reveal the fifth item of the uninhabited island auction. Today’s item is [One-Time Assassin Detection Service].”
Even trying to avoid this auction, they always present items that pique my interest.
The princess read the hesitation not just from herself but also from the warrior and the saintess.
The foundation that keeps its eyes and ears open everywhere.
With their capabilities, they could very well detect assassins that could genuinely pose a threat to us in advance.
In a situation where our lives are at stake for the imperial succession rights, letting this opportunity slip by would be regrettable.
The imperial crown prince.
Masugaki Princess’s older brother.
Even at this moment, he’s probably itching to kill her, wouldn’t he?
There’s no way he could allow someone who threatens his position to remain unmolested.
The same goes for the warrior.
The presence of enemies that threaten their existence won’t be ignored by the great evils of the continent, the foundation, or even the Demon King.
The dispatching of assassins is an inevitable fate.
Being able to detect this even just for once is a strong merit.
Because assassins approach without recognition, it’s scary, but if you know and prepare, there are countless ways and possibilities to stop them.
“If no bidders come within one minute, today’s uninhabited island auction will be canceled.”
“Hang in there, Yufi.”
“But still…”
“If a crisis arises that can only be overcome with the foundation’s help, then that warrior is doomed from the start. Relying on others allows for new weaknesses to arise.”
“Pfft. It’s been a while since I heard a warrior-like remark.”
“Are you saying I didn’t sound like a warrior usually?”
“You seemed more like a ruffian.”
“Geez. Is this what a childhood friend really sounds like?”
The warrior held back.
Because he has confidence in his abilities.
His reputation management might be a mess, but he couldn’t ignore his pride in his skills.
Ishtar was right.
If a crisis comes that can’t be survived without the foundation’s help, then it’s his own lack of preparation that’s the problem.
Entering a relationship of reliance like that would only subject him to further weaknesses.
“Be patient.”
At the moment when nobody was responding to the bids, an unexpected person raised their hand.
“Me!”
“…Oknodie. 30,000 points.”
Oknodie, who had never once taken part in any auction, voluntarily raised her hand.
A ripple of surprise appeared on the faces of both the warrior and the princess.
Oknodie is basically strong.
While she isn’t as strong as the warrior, she has enough varied skills to threaten even him.
For her to purchase the assassin detection service…
Why?
For what purpose?
If it’s the strength of the foundation, she would normally be provided such a service.
In the midst of shock, an unexpected realization dawned.
It was the particular nature of the foundation.
In other organizations, other families, under general common sense, this would be understandable.
A child receives help from their household.
An employee receives help from their organization.
It’s a supremely normal and sensible matter.
However, in the case of the Wahyhiemhai Foundation, the story changes entirely.
“There’s no way a threatening organization would possess any common sense, right? They’re an organization that coerces children by showing them they could become a whore if they don’t follow the education, after all.”
This rumor had come from none other than Oknodie herself.
How much worse stories must she have heard, seen, and experienced, that even the princess, who indirectly collected rumors, knows of such a gruesome story?
“60,000.”
“Jiang. 60,000 points.”
“Ah, Jiang! You shouldn’t do that! I can’t let this go!”
“But I’m right by your side. Can’t you be satisfied with my help?”
“Not nearly enough!”
Oknodie’s friend raising the bid while Oknodie tries to talk her down was enough to tug at the heartstrings.
A child threatened to the point that even with the protection of actively working assassins, Zaku, who has the skill to be undetectable even to the warrior, can’t offer full reassurance.
As Zaku fell silent while unable to obstruct her, Oknodie raised her bid again.
She knows that bringing it away would make trouble.
But now is not the time.
Now is not the time!
Isn’t this too sad even for an enemy?
A silent understanding passed between the warrior and me.
Let’s give up on this auction.
“The fifth auction item, [One-Time Assassin Detection Service], has been awarded to participant Oknodie with a bid of 90,000 points.”
Even in a competitive relationship, the auction, conducted with a sense of minimal decency, concluded, and the princess sincerely applauded.
“Congratulations. You’ve received an item you genuinely needed.”
“Don’t think of us as terrible people. We may see you as an irreconcilable enemy, but at least we as the Warrior Party have the belief that evil should be eradicated by our own hands.”
“Just as Yufi said. Before you get killed by us, make sure you don’t casually fall victim to some heinous assassin.”
In a warm atmosphere, Oknodie, seemingly moved, turned her head sharply as if she was about to cry.
*
I regretted teaming up with Jiang to raise the bid and offload the worthless item at a high price. Now I’m stuck with it.
Ugh.
I really hate that warrior and princess for mockingly applauding as if they saw through all my traps!
