Completing the Active Task
"...? Eh, well..." Artie didn't want to expose the system, and so she had no excuse to use. However, her active task seemed to be in danger if it continued. She didn't want to waste that ninety-percent completion rate. She bit her lips before sighing: "I just realized that… you might be trusting someone so much and not even realize that… they could be hiding things from you… of course to protect you."
"Do you think I am incapable of protecting myself?"
Artie then sharpened her gaze. "You can, but not if it involves your children. You don't even bother correcting their attitudes so they would treat you better. Moreover, that's not really what I meant… I have no proof to show you, but I am pretty sure that those girls were not handed to their respective houses when they were just babies. Then again, I don't want you to doubt me. I need to ask Ashen Plains first… as to why she lied to you."
A pair of glaring eyes answered Artie's gaze, but Larkin withdrew them just the same. He only sighed and leaned against his chair, his eyes closing. "There are a lot of things that people are not willing to tell me. I wish you'd be less concerned about my future transgressions and be more open in letting me know what I have to. Do not tell me what I want to hear; instead, tell me the truth. My ignorance is a curse and a weapon against me."
Slight noises echoed, and he opened his eyes to see why Artie had left her seat. However, what welcomed his view was an Artie Shen that kissed his forehead. With a gentle hand that kept his head in place, she planted a kiss for a few seconds. She then murmured, "You can't blame people for protecting those that are important to them.
"If you wish to hear the truth instead of assurances, then I think you'd need to show people that you're capable of handling your emotions better. You can start by letting your daughters and other people know that they are not free to mistreat you the way they wanted." She smiled, her lips curling against his skin. "Only by then will we be able to make sure that you won't sabotage yourself…"
She pulled back and poked his nose, which made him twitch in confusion. "But for now… I can't tell you much. But you can always trust me to save you as much as you're willing to save me. Don't forget, I'm not a pet alone; I'm an angel whose duty is to answer the prayer of the people. And you, my dear Archduke, are allowed to pray."
Artie's lips curled in a big smile, even her eyes curved like crescents. Larkin's hand then lifted and combed through her hair, soon pulling her down closer to his face. Their lips sealed again, soon ending the kiss with a soft smack. Artie then patted the archduke's head and felt satisfied with his answer. She then picked up the letters again and continued reviewing who the senders were.
Larkin only leaned against his chair again and watched her in satisfaction. It was strange to find someone who could comfort him like this. Perhaps it was something that angels could do. Then again, he was demon by blood; was it really fine for them to be united through marriage? What of the children? Did angels bear children? Would it be proper for angels to have a tinge of demon blood?
Then again, it was all in the future. For now, he would only bask in the company of this soft light before him.
[You have gained a sliver of trust! Active task completion: 10%. Veneration + 30. Total meter points: 351; Veneration 229, Apostasy 122.]
[Congratulations on completing the active task: Seduce the Archduke!]
…
It was a sweet dream. Artie finally maxed out the first task, and she felt really happy after reviewing everything that she received from the system for accomplishing it. Moreover, it didn't feel like she was only here to fulfill her task to the system, but a real person to support the poor archduke. Even if Larkin was strong and formidable in battle, he was yet to perfect his life as a father.
Artie sat down on her chair and perused the sheets before she went to lie down. Her eyes closed, and her body relaxed. In her mind, she reviewed the additional notifications she received from the completion of his first task.
[Congratulations on completing the active task: Seduce the Archduke!]
[Accomplishing active tasks and some special quests will grant you more power from the faith of the people in their hearts. Finish more quests and tasks to gain more power from the people.]
[Ellis Plains region bonus: 3% to all parameters!]
[You have opened your Parameters: Reverence, Mortality, Transference, and Fate! These parameters will dictate the power you can wield. Complete quests to be awarded points!
[Reverence equates to your main power and the admiration of the people. The more they look up to you, the more powerful you can become.]
[Mortality equates to the chances of you dying in battle or from scenarios. The lower the number, the more chances you have of surviving an ordeal. Becoming mortal and leaving traces of your existence will infringe on your Mortality, making you less invulnerable to attacks.]
[Mortality also corresponds to your Maximum HP inversely proportional to your Mortality. Default HP is 500, highest Mortality is 0.]
[Transference equates to the speed of your movements. In battle, the higher Transference points you have, the faster you can move, evade, and activate skills. The light reflected will depend on the higher Route Meter you have. White light for Veneration while Red light for Apostasy.]
[Fate equates to the chances of you delivering lethal blows to enemies. This does not play any role in your daily life and your chances of succeeding in a quest or task.]
[Temporarily-stored points are now allocated in their rightful parameters.]
[Congratulations on reaching 200 Veneration points! At 200 points, your Authority Burst's power will increase to Level 2. Your basic attack will pierce through low-level demon shields. Your Reverence and Fate will earn an extra 10% in calculations.]
[Current Veneration meter: 229/????. Next reward: At 400 points, your Authority Burst's power will increase to Level 3. Your basic attack will pierce through low- and mid-level demon shields. Your Reverence and Fate will earn an extra 20% in calculations.]
"Wow, there's so much to keep in mind." Artie sighed as she rolled to her side and lay on her back, staring at the canopy of her bed before resting her eyes. "I wonder how awful the next events of this world would be."
She had no idea how long she had been asleep before a loud thud came from the door. When she came to, she saw someone barged as if looking for something. The newcomer then cried out: "Lord Ellis?! Why must you run away from your one true love?!"