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2024-10-29 19:42:56The woman with striking looks and long blonde hair nodded as her husband explained.
Her bright blue eyes seemed to understand that something was amiss from her husband's story about the little baby in the basket.
"Now I see. So, I want to ask one thing! Have you rescued someone else?" With a proportional body and elegant posture, she sought more clarity from her husband.
However, her inquiry halted when she noticed something alarming. "Why is this basket stained with so much blood? Have the royal forces attacked you, my Husband?" Hilda asked, a hint of panic evident in her voice.
"Calm down, let's go inside first. I'll explain everything to you. But it has nothing to do with the Kingdom," Gunnar responded, removing his shoes as he entered the house.
He placed the baby basket on the dining room table. Meanwhile, Hilda quickly shut the door and took a seat not far from the table. She intently observed the little baby, who seemed so melancholic.
"I found this baby descending from the sky in this condition," Gunnar resumed his tale. "And I'm certain this baby isn't related to me in any way."
"Do you always put yourself in danger? You're just too kind. Our peace is always disrupted by the good deeds you undertake–" Hilda's words were abruptly cut off.
"No, it's more than just helping a mere human!" Gunnar asserted firmly.
"I'll fetch some magic books from the back to check the symbols on the baby. Don't touch the baby before I return! Remember, don't do anything!"
After saying this, Gunnar left for his collection of magic books, intending to discern the signs the baby might carry.
He pondered why such an infant could possess such immense power shrouding it, especially given the magical protection evident earlier.
Meanwhile, the baby suddenly cried out loudly, making Hilda slightly panic. However, recalling Gunnar's prior warning, she hesitated, but the baby's cries persisted.
Hilda's maternal instincts surged upon seeing the tiny, distressed baby. Without thinking, she attempted to lift the baby gently.
"Stop! Don't touch the baby, my wife! A strong barrier will strike you!" Gunnar shouted hurriedly after retrieving his ancient magic books from the back cabinet.
"Why can't I touch him?" Hilda inquired curiously.
"The baby is shielded by an incredibly potent mystical force. Your hands will get hurt if you try! If you don't believe me, use your special magical sight," Gunnar explained, placing his books on the table.
Hilda activated the magic ring in her special eyes, ensuring Gunnar's claims were valid, for her maternal instincts were hard to suppress when she gazed at the little baby.
After further inspection, Hilda conceded. "You're right, my Husband. Even my magical vision can't penetrate this strong barrier," she stated.
"This isn't an ordinary baby. Whoever placed this high-level protection must be extremely powerful," she added, experiencing the rebound of her power when she tried peering deep into the basket.
"That's why I told you not to touch him!" Gunnar said softly, flipping through the pages of the magic books he brought.
He began narrating how he found the baby, detailing every aspect without withholding any information, especially considering Hilda's jealous and meticulous nature.
If it wasn't about the kingdom or aiding someone, Hilda might have assumed the baby belonged to another woman who had been with Gunnar or was perhaps his wife, now absent.
Therefore, Gunnar needed to provide a comprehensive explanation without any deceit. After all, Hilda could detect any falsehood through her magical eyes.
"So that's how it is? You didn’t rescue anyone else and it’s not about the Kingdom. The baby just descended from the sky? This is very odd!" Hilda remarked, pausing to piece the story together.
Both tried to theorize the baby's origins and true identity. None could conclude until Hilda remembered something.
"I might be wrong, but I'm suddenly reminded of a legend passed down in my family!" Hilda recollected.
"What does your family's legend say?" Gunnar asked with intrigue, focusing his attention on Hilda.
"Oh, never mind, I might be overthinking," Hilda responded, unwilling to dwell on her spontaneous thought.
She wasn’t entirely mistaken, as the baby's signs matched the legend. However, she deflected the topic due to her lingering doubts. "Have you discovered anything about this protection? The poor baby inside looks so hungry."
Gunnar sensed Hilda’s odd behavior. Yet, he recognized her unique abilities, unparalleled by anyone else.
If she wished to speak, she would have. If not, he knew he shouldn't pry, given her noble lineage.
"I haven't found anything. We need to figure out another way to feed this little one. I can't bear seeing him starve like this," a resigned Gunnar spoke, as he couldn’t find a way to break the basket's protection.
The baby's cries grew louder, and Hilda couldn't stand it any longer. She decided to touch the baby directly.
"What are you trying to do, my wife?" Gunnar asked, slightly panicked. "Even though you're a Valkyrie and a potent sorceress, you can't force yourself to touch him, you'll–"
Gunnar halted mid-sentence upon seeing Hilda successfully cradling the baby.
"H–how did you do that?" Gunnar murmured, lost for words.
Silently, Hilda fed the baby with milk from her bosom. Being a Valkyrie and a sorceress, she had the capability to materialize the unusual, including breast milk.
Typically, only postpartum women could produce milk up to a certain time. But this didn't apply to the extraordinary Hilda.
"You just got burnt from the protective backlash earlier. Now, you're easily holding the baby," Gunnar expressed, baffled.
"It seems the baby knows who has pure intentions. The protection weakens for those truly wishing to aid him," Hilda explained as she continued nursing.
"It's not that simple, my wife!" Gunnar approached, inspecting the baby up close. He noticed an unusual Mana Magic surrounding the baby, sensing something off, as it wasn’t Mana of a typical human but of a deity.
"C–could he possibly be from…"
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ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM 005 - HE IS ARTE BALDER
"I don't care about any of that, let his identity remain a mystery in this World of Magic and Sword.” Hilda no longer cared about her husband's wild assumptions. She continued, “What matters now is that we both take care of this baby. Honestly, I've fallen in love with this adorable little one!" “Perhaps, this is the answer from the Gods to our long-time prayers for a child. May we adopt him as our own, my dear husband?" she asked with hopeful eyes. Gunnar smiled, especially seeing that the tiny baby was now calm and soundly asleep in Hilda's arms. His heart instantly melted. "Of course, I wanted to suggest the same. This is a blessing from the Gods for us, who haven't had a child yet!” Gunnar softly stroked his wife’s hair. He then leaned closer to inspect a necklace on the baby. “It says Arte here. It seems the baby’s name is Arte!” Gunnar whispered. “How about we name him after our family name? He would be Arte Balder. That way, no one would suspect anything in the future," Gu
ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM 006 - THE MYSTERIOUS FIGURE
"Be quiet! It's better if you go to the horse stable now, and feed those horses!" shouted Hilda from behind the door. Once she made sure her husband's voice wasn't audible, she gave Arte a meaningful look. Then she asked, "At this moment, is there anything you wish to do, young Arte?" Responding to his mother’s query, Arte just bowed his head. With his sincere smile, he could feel the warmth of family from this incident. "You remain silent and smile like that, instead of answering your mother's question," Hilda said, observing Arte's lack of response. "But didn’t Mother say earlier that I should be quiet since I was constantly responding?" Arte remarked, still smiling. "You’re right ... well then, go to your room. I will take care of your father, if he's not in the horse stable, he must have gone to the neighbor's house," ordered Hilda, who, it turned out, was quite concerned after scolding her husband earlier. Arte nodded and began to leave. He walked slowly to his room, his l
ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM 007 - INTENSIVE MAGIC TRAINING
That voice was none other than the Eternal Insect System, now activated within Arte. It was the grand legacy of the God Artemis to his true-born son. The Mysterious Voice in question was the very figure who had approached Arte. The Voice told Hilda and Gunnar that it was time for Arte to know the truth, as destiny awaited. Arte shouldn’t be forced to stay here, believing he is the child of Gunnar and Hilda. This belief would bind him and make him too pampered given the harshness of this magical world. “If it's indeed the time, we must take action!” Hilda and Gunnar exchanged glances and nodded in agreement. These foster parents had decided to prepare Arte. However, before revealing the truth to Arte, they waited for the right moment, at least until he was ready to accept his true identity. "You're right. Before that day comes, let's make the most of our time, imparting to him all the knowledge of our world! We'll also pass on our Magic and Combat Skills to him," Gunnar decided. "
ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM 008 - SWORD, SPEAR, ARROW
In the daytime, the training continued, led by Hilda with lessons on the sword, spear, and arrow. It was an intense session that had always been part of Arte's training regimen. "My dear Arte! Would you like to rest for a bit after practicing with your father earlier?" Hilda offered, having witnessed her son conjure a massive Fireball. It consumed a considerable amount of Magic Mana. Thus, she wanted to give her son a brief respite. But Arte's reply was decisive. "It's alright, Mother! I still have the stamina to practice swordsmanship! Let’s begin your training!" Arte responded confidently. "You truly are gifted, my son! In that case, let’s not delay any further. Let’s start with this sword!" explained Hilda, tossing a wooden sword to Arte. "A skilled swordsman trains in various offensive and defensive movements, combining speed, precision, and agility to defeat their opponent. That's the essence of wielding a sword!" Hilda began her explanation. She continued, demonstrating a s
ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM 009 - RECURRING NIGHTMARES
The rigorous training went on, and before he knew it, Arte Balder was now 20 years old, blossoming into a fearless, handsome young man. All the skills possessed by his parents had been passed down to him entirely. Nothing was left out. However, he still needed to boost the capacity of his mana. Arte had even mastered the four fundamental elements of magic simultaneously, and there wasn’t a magical weapon he couldn’t control. That's who he had become. His most significant achievement was integrating magic with weapons. This placed him alongside the genius wizards of this continent. "This is your last training day, Arte Balder, my son!" Hilda exclaimed with joy. “We have nothing more to give. Perhaps, it's only the world that can provide you with valuable lessons!” she added softly. Gunnar, having just arrived, handed over a magical staff and the finest sword to Arte, treasures of the highest caliber in the World of Magic and Swordsmanship. "You've always wanted a genuine sword, ri
ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM 010 - SAVE OUR SON
Hundreds of witches in this operation are immensely powerful. All of them had trained precisely to launch both ranged and close-quarters attacks. Their combined assault was flawless, with not a single miss. They then attacked Gunnar from all sides, giving the old man no space to move or retaliate. They managed to lock him up with a powerful sealing spell. Meanwhile, Hilda grabbed Arte's hand and tried to flee the scene, following Gunnar's earlier instructions. She did not want her son to be caught by those scoundrels. "We need to get out of here now! Trust your father with everything here! He's strong, he won't be defeated!" Hilda tugged at the somewhat stunned Arte, who was overwhelmed by the inexplicable battle unfolding before him. Arte snapped out of his daze, declaring with conviction, "We should fight alongside Father, Mother! I won't leave him alone! I've become strong, and I'll fight to help Father!" Hilda stopped in her tracks as her pull on Arte had no effect. She looked
ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM 011 - PARENTAL CONSPIRACY
Meanwhile, Hilda and Arte had reached a sprawling forest that stretched from the remote village to several major cities in the kingdom. The forest was dense, with sunlight barely penetrating its depths. Moreover, it was inhabited by numerous monsters of various races and high power levels. Yet, none of this deterred Hilda and Arte from their escape. They swiftly made their way through the forest, heading east toward the Blue Dragon City. "Hurry up, Arte! Don't let them catch us!" Hilda sternly warned, holding back tears that threatened to fall at any moment. She was thinking of her husband who was cornered earlier. But all this was just a facade, a ruse to evoke sympathy from Arte. Hilda and her husband had meticulously planned everything. They aimed to eventually mold Arte into a fearsome figure. She had managed to keep this secret perfectly. "Mother, shouldn't we–" "If I say run faster, you run! Your father's sacrifice must not be in vain! We can't teleport too far because of
ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM 012 - HILDA'S STRATEGY
Hilda and Arte, having skillfully evaded each of the enemy's assaults and taken refuge on a tree branch, saw no other choice but to counterattack. Especially when they witnessed the sorcerers relentlessly bombarding the dense forest, launching various attacks, causing fires to blaze sporadically. The enemies seemed indifferent to such destruction. Their sole focus now was capturing Valkyrie Hilda Inggrid. Witnessing this, Arte no longer had room for doubt. With a heavy heart, he finally said, "I will do it, but can you promise me that you will live for a little longer?” "I swear I will find both of you, father and mother, soon after I've acquired what I need from my forthcoming journey. I will search for both of you relentlessly!" "Can you promise me that, Mother? I won’t be gone long, I will surely–” But before he could finish, he was embraced in a warm final hug by Hilda. A contented smile appeared on Hilda's face, hearing Arte's response. She could see her son's calm demeanor
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- ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM
029 - THE ARROGANT ADVENTURERS
That morning, as the sun just began to rise over the Flame Mountains, Arte, Imdal, and Freya prepared to continue their journey. They planned to delve deeper into the mountains to find the legendary Phoenix Ashes. However, their plans were abruptly halted when Arte received an urgent notification from the system within him. [It's urgent, Master Arte! Your shop in the city is facing serious trouble. It seems some people are causing problems. You must return immediately!] Arte, surprised by the sudden notification, paused and stared into the distance. "We need to return to the city now," he said with a serious tone. "Our shop is in trouble." Imdal, who was checking his equipment, turned quickly. "Trouble? At our shop? What happened, Arte?" Freya, who was gathering the last of the herbs from the ruins of Dragon Steel, also looked shocked. "Our shop? We need to get back immediately. Who dares cause trouble there?" Without any delay, the trio quickened their pace back to the city. The
- ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM
028 - A BOUNTY OF REWARDS
Still in the valley of the Flame Mountains, the battle between Arte, Imdal, and Freya against the herd of Dragon Steel reached its climax. Each of their attacks struck with incredible force, creating blinding explosions and lights. Imdal's first attack, "Blade Storm," created a whirlwind of swords pelting the steel skin of the Dragon Steel. Each blade struck with fierce speed and power, making a loud clanging noise upon hitting their steel skin. Though hard, the skin of the Dragon Steel began to show signs of cracking. Freya, with her "Eternal Blizzard," enveloped the battlefield in a bitter ice storm. The ice assaulting the Dragon Steel's bodies produced a deafening cracking sound, momentarily halting their movement. The glowing eyes of the Dragon Steel now emitted smoke, a sign of the burning rage within them. Arte, using "Shadow Strike," leaped high and swung the Time of Death Black Sword with precision. Each of his sword strikes created shadows slicing through the air, targetin
- ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM
027 - DRAGON STEEL, SLAIN?
As Arte, Imdal, and Freya continued their struggle against the increasingly enraged Fire Golem horde, the system's voice within Arte brought good news. [Master Arte, you have now successfully defeated twenty Fire Golems. Each Golem is worth 10 Experience Points & 1 System Point. You have accumulated 200 Experience Points & 20 System Points, and... congratulations on your initial success!] Arte, hearing the notification in his head, couldn't hide his satisfied smile. "Thank you, system. I have indeed made significant progress today," he murmured to himself while continuing the battle. Meanwhile, Imdal and Freya were busy harvesting Crystal Hearts from the bodies of the fallen Golems. They worked efficiently, storing the precious hearts in their bags. "Look at this, Imdal. These Crystal Hearts will surely be useful for our new weapons and potions," said Freya, her eyes sparkling at their harvest. Imdal, lifting one of the Crystal Hearts with his sturdy hand, laughed. "Yes, this wi
- ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM
026 - THE MASSACRE OF THE FIRE GOLEMS!
[Master Arte, remember! These Fire Golems are enormous creatures, clearly made of hot stones and flowing lava, towering in the valley of the Flame Mountains, yet they are vulnerable, and you and your guards can win!] This was the voice of the system within Arte, which continued, [With their massive bodies rumbling with each movement, they seem like the volcano itself is speaking. So, good luck on your first hunt!] Their eyes, glowing with embers, surveyed the vast surroundings vigilantly. Every move they made was filled with the power to shatter anything in their path. Arte, Imdal, and Freya now observed from a distance, assessing the strengths and weaknesses of their foes. "They are strong but slow. We must use our speed and cunning," whispered Arte, his eyes focused on the nearest Fire Golem. Imdal, with his heavy sword ready in hand, stared at the Fire Golem, as if challenging it. "I'll attack from the front, drawing its attention. You two take that chance." Freya, her magic s
- ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM
025 - THE FLAME MOUNTAINS | GOLEM?
At the moment when silence enveloped the Sacred Dragon-Drake Shop, Arte, Imdal, and Freya surrounded a large map spread out on an old wooden table. Their eyes sharply scoured it, seeking the perfect location for their upcoming hunt. Candlelight cast their shadows on the wall, creating a mysterious aura that enveloped the room. "What do you think about the Flame Mountains?" Arte asked, his finger firmly pointing at the map. "Rumors say, there lies Phoenix Ashes and Dragon Steel, both ingredients we need for our new potions and weapons." Imdal, with his sturdy posture, nodded. "The Flame Mountains, a place full of challenges. I'm confident we'll find what we need there. But we must be cautious, the fire monsters there are no easy foes." Freya, her gaze sharp, added, "Also, if I'm not mistaken, there's the legendary Fire Golem. Its power is tremendous, but if we defeat it, we could obtain the rare Crystal Heart, essential for our magic potions." Arte pondered over these facts, weighi
- ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM
024 - TOMORROW WE HUNT!
Henry Pendragon sat behind his desk at the Trade Association. The large window beside him provided a perfect view of the city center, including the Sacred Dragon-Dragon Store that was beginning to assert its dominance. Sunlight streamed through the window, perfectly illuminating his room and casting delicate shadows on the marble-floored surface. With a sharp gaze, Henry observed the activities surrounding the store. "He truly is extraordinary!" he murmured, "how did Arte and his two subordinates manage to swiftly transform the face of Blue Dragon City, all starting from a shop I granted them? They are immensely talented!" He smiled in satisfaction, but that smile quickly faded as his eyes landed on an object atop his desk. It gleamed with captivating colors. An ancient artifact called the ‘Nyxion Prism’. An epic-grade artifact resembling a prism, beautifully engraved with a dragon symbol at its center and rare gems on each of its sides. These gems could refract light in a magnifi
- ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM
023 - "THE SACRED DRAGONS" SHOP
With meaningful eyes, Henry replied, “I admire your confidence. But remember this, through diplomacy, showcasing, and respecting their game rules, you can easily prevail.” He then stood up and walked over to the large window, gazing at the city shimmering under the moonlight. “Always bear in mind, every noble has secrets, every family has vulnerabilities. You must learn to observe and listen, turning that knowledge into a formidable weapon!” “Never reveal everything, but always be prepared for any possibility. Play your cards right, and you can acquire power, wealth, and most importantly, live peacefully in this city,” he added with ambition. Freya inquired curiously, "Lord Pendragon, why share all this with us? It seems your relationship with the Firestone Family isn't in good standing, is it?" Henry offered a thin smile. "The Firestone family and I share a long history, filled with conflicts and collaborations. I tell you this because I see potential in the three of you.” “I wag
- ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM
022 - LORD HENRY PENDRAGON
On the fifth floor of the Trade Association, silence dominated the grand and lavish room. Crystal chandeliers shimmered overhead, casting a gentle and soothing light. This room bore silent witness to countless transactions and negotiations in the Blue Dragon City. Henry Pendragon sat majestically in his mahogany chair, fixing his sharp gaze upon the three individuals before him. Arte, Imdal, and Freya stood confidently, but their demeanor conveyed respect. Henry took a deep breath and then said, "Three strangers coming into this city with a high-grade Artifact surely have specific intentions. So, tell me, what are you really after in this Blue Dragon City?" Arte glanced at Imdal and Freya, then sighed lightly. "We come with sincere intentions, Lord Pendragon. We merely wish to set up a shop here, conducting our business peacefully. This artifact is merely a sample of the quality goods we possess." Henry's eyes narrowed. He could sense something being hidden by the trio. "Many peopl
- ETERNAL INSECT SYSTEM
021 - THE FIRESTONE FAMILY
When Orion Firestone's threat echoed across the floor, his burly and valiant guards quickly moved towards Arte's dining table and his two subordinates. They all stepped forward confidently, acting as if nothing could obstruct their mission to retaliate for the impudent remarks made by Arte and Imdal earlier. Their sharp eyes, like hungry wolves, glared at Arte with full rage. It was clear they wouldn't hesitate to attack. They shouted fiercely. "You commoners are but trash in front of our noble Firestone Family. So, don't blame us if we get rough!" declared one of the guards. "Oh, then try it!" Arte's voice remained calm, now standing tall beside his table, seemingly challenging the guards. He stood firm, knowing he was up against the Firestone Family's elite forces. But just as the guards prepared to charge, two shadows swiftly darted in front of him. Imdal and Freya, Arte's subordinates, with surprising agility and speed, stood between Arte and the advancing guards, ready to co
