I Became the Commander in a Trash Game Who Copies Skills

Chapter 17. Clouds of War (2)

A racing heart.

A faint pulse signaling unease.

Facing a figure I’d rarely encountered in thousands of playthroughs.

My mind cooled to an icy calm.

“No need to panic. It’s not immediately dangerous.”

Habitually, I imagined the worst-case scenario.

Thankfully, it wasn’t that bad this time.

The worst case would be if Viscount Pewin was a meticulously revived undead or an impostor.

But if that were true, the Archduke would’ve dealt with it already.

Unless you had a cheat-tier trait like [Lord’s Unyielding Mind], fooling the Archduke’s [Eight Thousand Angels’ Insight] was no easy feat.

“Olif covering for me was only possible because of his [Flawless Loyalty].”

If only he had more mana and wasn’t so old, he’d be a cheat character too.

Anyway.

“So, mere words won’t do. I’ll entrust you with a mission.”

Let’s summarize.

Viscount Pewin’s assassination was a fixed event.

It happened between Imperial Year 1018 and 1020.

Considering the game’s earliest start was 1020, he was a character you almost never met.

“A formal employment contract. Review it carefully, and if the terms suit you, sign and send it back.”

“…Thank you.”

His death, as a pro-Emperor figure, had a significant impact throughout the game.

The assassination was a wake-up call for the young Emperor, making him realize how rotten the Empire had become.

For years afterward, he built power in secret, including the Secret Knights.

The result was a major Empire event around 1030.

The start of a massive “reform” to overhaul the nation’s foundations.

“If the viscount didn’t die, does that mean the Emperor hasn’t grasped the situation yet? But the Archduke’s inspections are still happening. That means reforms are still in preparation.”

Was there another event that shocked the Emperor?

How far had the Secret Knights’ formation progressed?

Questions without answers.

A chain of question marks linked in my mind.

But one thing was certain.

The viscount’s survival was a “precursor.”

It wasn’t the first time a character who should’ve died was alive.

It happened occasionally with World Scenario updates or major patches.

And usually, when a hero who died in a previous scenario was alive…

“A major event revolves around them.”

A few days ago, by the mercenary band’s campfire, I made a decision.

No more playing it safe.

Unknown variables were both a crisis and an opportunity.

I’d decided to exploit the variables created by the 4.0 update, not avoid them.

“If so, the contract’s settled… Here. You’re a mage, right? This is an elixir made from the antler of an ice stag from Bisup Forest. It’ll help.”

“The Archduke already paid enough…”

“Tch, I know. But sending a benefactor away empty-handed would shame the Pewin family.”

“….”

See that?

Just for taking out one necromancer, I got an elixir worth dozens of gold coins.

Anyway, I’d save that for later.

The viscount seemed to have more to say, so I stayed seated.

He’d given me everything but hadn’t dismissed me.

Sure enough, after organizing his thoughts, he chuckled softly and spoke.

“There seems to be a misunderstanding… I’m not at odds with the Archduke over this incident.”

“Is that so?”

“Hahaha, of course. We’re on the same side… loyal to the Empire.”

Both are pro-Emperor, huh.

Nodding quietly, the viscount rose from the sofa and approached the window.

“My enemies are beyond that wall.”

“Beyond the border. Land once belonging to the Empire, now tainted by traitors.”

“My grandfather lost his life there. Now… it’s time to collect that blood debt.”

…That sounds ominous.

***

After returning from the lord’s castle, I immediately rented a training ground.

“No one, absolutely no one, gets in. Use it freely. Got it?”

It wasn’t anything grand.

Just the inn’s backyard for half a day.

This wasn’t a big city, so there wasn’t a dedicated swordsmanship training ground.

“My heart aches…”

“P-Pardon? Are you okay, Captain? Is it a side effect of the elixir…?”

“Five silver coins for half a day. I can hear my wallet sobbing…”

“….”

Since I’d rented the place, I called Karen and Olif too.

Not to work out like gym buddies…

I needed their help for an experiment.

But first, there was something else to do.

Absorb the elixir from Viscount Pewin.

The ice stag antler elixir, worth over 30 florins per bottle, was a high-end item.

Not quite “legendary,” but it significantly boosted a mage’s mana pool.

The effect would be especially noticeable for a low-tier mage like me.

Plus, it had minimal side effects, making it low-risk.

The problem was, absorption wasn’t as simple as gulping it down.

So…

“Huff… huff…”

I was running around the inn’s backyard.

Lap twenty-two already.

I felt like dying.

“Why’s the captain running like that? Don’t you usually rest all day to recuperate after taking an elixir…?”

“Not always. The better your body’s circulation, the more the elixir’s effect is maximized.”

“Circulation… so you need good stamina?”

“Exactly. Knights like me maintain stamina regularly, so resting after an elixir is fine. But mages are the opposite.”

Why were those two chatting so much?

Was I getting cranky from exhaustion?

The sky was starting to look yellow.

Not because the sun was setting—my body was the problem.

“I’ve heard mages often have anemia or low blood pressure, and many are frail.”

“That’s why he’s pushing himself right after taking the elixir. To force blood circulation.”

“I didn’t know. Oh no, Captain! Don’t puke!”

“Ugh!”

Barely holding back vomit, I ran for about an hour.

Finally, the moment I’d been waiting for arrived.

[Acquired a trait.]

[Initiate’s Mana]

[The mana capacity of one who has begun walking the path of spells properly.]

A refreshing surge coursed through my veins.

A swelling fullness around my heart.

Similar to when I first learned a spell, but a stronger jolt shook my body.

This was the “awakening” phenomenon mages often talked about.

After learning the level 7 [Infernal Meteor], I’d finally reached the mana capacity of a level 3 mage.

“Huff…”

“Congratulations. You’ve broken through a wall.”

“Wow, first time seeing it up close. Congrats, Captain!”

As I lay sprawled out, the two approached with congratulations.

Soaked like a wet towel, Karen handed me one.

But the training wasn’t over.

Wiping my face, I said,

“Karen, use your secret technique.”

“S-Secret technique?”

“Yeah, the secret skill shared among rangers.”

***

[Warrior’s Insight].

The perk of the Nameless Ash hero, allowing instant acquisition of observed skills.

Not only does it work on allies and enemies alike, but acquired skills reach 100% proficiency immediately.

A trait that obliterates balance.

That’s why…

“I need to figure out its exact conditions.”

I’d vaguely assumed it triggered “during combat.”

But the necromancer’s dungeon revealed an exception.

Spells from Soul Core Traps, not cast directly by the necromancer, were acquired.

Breaking through traps during exploration hardly counted as combat.

The “during combat” condition was wrong.

“But…”

That’s why I called these two to test it.

Was it the sudden request?

Karen hesitated, fidgeting with her fingers.

Fair enough.

Secret techniques were secret for a reason—closely guarded skills.

“As the band leader, I need to know our capabilities. Like during the last mission, we might face unexpected enemies. Lack of information in a dangerous situation is fatal.”

“….”

“And neither Olif nor I know much about archery, so no worries about leaks.”

…Saying it out loud, it sounded like a conman’s pitch.

But Olif’s tight-lipped nature was true.

Even if I copied her technique with [Warrior’s Insight], it wouldn’t be because I knew archery well.

It wasn’t a lie.

“Alright. Just once.”

“Good.”

Once becomes twice, then thrice.

Karen sighed softly and slowly raised her bow.

I widened my eyes to catch every movement.

Whoosh!

…What?

Was that a gust of wind?

“Impressive archery.”

Huh?

I didn’t see anything.

“Really?”

“I mean it. You’d be hard-pressed to find an archer of that skill in all of Burken Fortress.”

“Wow! Thank you!”

Don’t just clap.

I feel like an idiot.

Rubbing my eyes, I saw five arrows embedded in a woodpile in the corner.

The grouping was about the size of a large tray.

I instantly knew the skill.

[Ranger’s Rapid Shot].

A technique to fire multiple arrows quickly, scattering them like a shotgun at close range.

“Ahem. So, how was it?”

Karen sidled up while I was dumbstruck in awe.

What, was this a job interview?

And how could I judge when I didn’t see it?

“It’s fine.”

“Did I fail? Am I getting kicked out??”

…Did she actually think it was an interview?

Anyway, it was clear that merely observing a skill didn’t guarantee acquisition.

What a pity.

If it worked, I’d have gone to a mage tower or swordsmanship academy, paid for a demonstration.

But there were still untested conditions, so I’d test them slowly…

“Captain! Captain!”

“I said no one gets in! Your captain said…”

“This damn woman! Captain, urgent news!”

Brol, shaking off the innkeeper, rushed into the backyard.

He was at the guild tavern until lunch.

What was it?

“War! War!”

“…What?”

“The Archduke and viscount are gathering people in the Emperor’s name. To conquer the Vampire Archduke!”

War had broken out.

Much earlier than expected.

***

In a vast mansion parlor, light filtered through a half-closed window, scattering off a chandelier.

Under the shattered sunset glow, a table large enough for thirty stood.

Only one person sat there.

A middle-aged man, fiddling with a small statue, food before him.

[Viscount Pewin declared war.]

Click. Click.

A voice echoed between the sound of footsteps.

[If they focus on external enemies, the central power will strengthen. This wouldn’t have happened if we’d killed Pewin earlier.]

“….”

[It’s because of that relic, isn’t it? Why Pewin’s alive?]

The man looked up.

No one else was visible in the parlor.

“Chincharina. I told you not to set foot in the capital carelessly.”

[I didn’t. Just sent my voice.]

From the shadows in the parlor’s corner, a laugh like a mistuned instrument rang out.

The man placed the statue prominently on the table.

It glowed red.

A fiercer, more ominous hue than the sunset.

“Yes. It told me about the future.”

[Future?]

“Killing Pewin would’ve swept away the anti-Emperor faction. Your gains would’ve been nullified too.”

[So, sparing him weakens the Emperor’s side?]

“Who knows. Avoiding a certain death is valuable in itself.”

The man said.

After a brief silence, the voice spoke.

[That thing. It’s still red.]

“It is.”

[What’s it this time?]

“The gods beyond the statue don’t always reveal everything.”

[You called it a baseless superstition before. Now you’re interested?]

The parlor’s shadowed corner fell silent again.

This time, the man laughed.

“Burken Fortress. He was based nearby, wasn’t he?”

[That creepy-laughing rookie necromancer?]

“That rookie is also a chosen one. Beyond personal blessings, he’s our brother. The technology he’s developing is astonishing. If the Vampire Archduke doesn’t awaken… he could be the Archduchy’s future.”

Tap. Tap.

The man’s fingers tapped the base of a wine glass.

“We need to send a warning. A bloodstorm’s coming, so be careful.”

[How? You told me not to move carelessly.]

“Borrow a hand. There’s that red-haired vampire, isn’t there? Ask her.”

[You always hang out with creepy types. Do as you please.]

A gust of wind whooshed from the shadows.

An eerie air settled where the voice had been.

“….”

The man continued his meal, leaving the statue.

It still glowed red.

A distorted female figure holding two spears in different directions.

He thought it resembled a clock.