CHAPTER 186: VOICE OF THE WORLD.

It seemed as though time stood still as Seraphina continued to ball her eyes out in Maria’s arms.

Behind the door, in the hallway, was Ishtar, who was listening in on the whole thing. She had her arms folded, a serious yet intrigued look on her face as she absorbed everything happening inside the room.

After Seraphina had cried her heart out, she finally raised her head from Maria’s embrace and looked her directly in the face while wiping her tears away.

"Sorry about that. I got a bit carried away there."

She tried to maintain a smile on her face. However, it was painfully obvious that she was faking it. Even a toddler could likely have spotted the deception.

Thus, Maria scanned her face for a while to be sure. Her nose was still red and a bit swollen after crying so intensely just a few seconds ago.

But that led to another question from Maria.

"Can you tell me what you saw?"

Her question hung in the air for a while. Just like the first time she asked, Seraphina was hesitant to reply.

Until she did.

"Yes. I did see something. And it was terrifying, scary, and not something I ever want to see again." Seraphina shook her head as if to physically stop the thoughts from slipping back in. "Is it okay... if I don’t tell you?"

"..."

"Please trust me. I can’t tell you."

Maria sighed. If Seraphina was this adamant about it, then it had to be something serious.

"Okay. I won’t ask for you to tell me. But, I want you to answer a question." Maria pushed on.

Seraphina raised her head, waiting for the question to appear.

"Is my lord in danger?"

Instantly, Maria saw as Seraphina’s face contorted in fear and she burst out crying once more, this time far more heavily than the last.

In that moment, Maria understood.

And with that understanding, she made a choice. With that choice came a vow, a vow linked to the blade strapped to the side of her waist.

A vow to protect Dorian to the extent of her own life.

...

The next morning...

[Notice: You have gained 15,000 points for securing the oil business.]

Dorian’s eyes snapped open as the system notification played right before his eyes.

’Fuck. I fell asleep.’

He immediately turned to face the window, where he could boldly see the sun seeping through the closed curtains.

On the side of the bed, though it took him a while to notice, were Flare and Lili, both resting there as though acting as some kind of shield.

Seeing them somewhat calmed his mind; they probably missed him and decided to stay there since, for the most part, they were usually spending more time with Celes and Ciel than him.

But as he stared at them, another thought echoed in his mind. ’Where is Seraphina-’

Before he could step out of the bed, another notification popped up in front of him.

[You have gained 30,000 points.]

[A new feature has been gained.]

[System Upgrade. {Cost: 29,000 points.}]

A nervous look played on Dorian’s face for a while. ’What the hell is a system upgrade?’

[System Upgrade: This feature allows you to gain access to the reformed system, ’Voice of the World.’ This system has the ability to grow, learn, and assist you in many ways superior to the previous version.]

’Like software?...’

Dorian paused; his initial plan to leave the bed vanished as he comfortably sat at the edge of the mattress.

’I have a question. It’s something I have had for a while. What are you?’

[Error. Question unidentified.]

Dorian narrowed his gaze for a while. ’So you can’t answer the question, or are you being forced not to?’

[Negative. I lack the resources to reply to such a question.]

Dorian sighed. It was no use. He remembered he had tried to ask the system the same thing when he first arrived in this world and it gave practically the same response. Something wasn’t adding up. He was surrounded by way too many mysteries... for someone who had only just arrived in this world. It was quite strange.

Dorian raised his head a bit. ’If you were upgraded, then would you be able to answer the question?’

[Affirmative.]

’Tsk, you just want me to upgrade you, don’t you?’

[...]

Sigh...

’Upgrade.’

[Request confirmed.]

[29,000 points have been deducted.]

[The system has been upgraded.]

Dorian’s eyes picked up on the next notification that appeared before him.

[Would you like to give the system a name?]

He raised his brows. ’Is the system my summon now?’

He thought hard about it. So far the system had only given him minimal help. If this was supposed to improve how the system would operate, then there was no use thinking too hard about it.

’Raphael.’

[System name has been registered.]

[I have registered my name as Raphael.]

[Would you like me to answer the previous question you have asked me?]

Dorian was a bit surprised. The system interface had changed completely; it was like an entirely new thing. Taking his time to appreciate what he was seeing, Dorian went on to give his response.

"Yes, please."

[I have received your request.]

[Answer: I am a discharged piece of the former dragon, Lumgard. A piece born from the will to serve the Dragon Monarch. You.]

’Lumgard? As in, Revina’s ancestor dragon?’

[That is correct.]

Dorian sighed, lowering his head in exhaustion. ’Things just keep getting better and better, don’t they?’

First, he still needed to find Yahoshi and make her answer his questions.

Secondly, the fact Seraphina was not in bed with him must mean she had awakened, and seeing that he could sense through their bond she was fine, there was nothing for him to worry about immediately.

Thirdly, there was the issue with the oil he still hadn’t taken care of. He knew he could use the oil, but how was the issue. Building a refinery wasn’t that easy, and even if he did, he would still need to figure out a way it would work alongside electricity. There was just way too much for him to handle all at once.

[Would you like me to lend my assistance?]

...

[A/N]

The system is in no way sentient.