Rune

"I won't see Mom, my little brother, Leer, Bede, Father… There are so many people that need to be saved!" she shouted as she tried again and again to enter the lake, but to no avail.

Blade ignored her rambling as his entire focus was on the Rune. Runes were special items in Satisfy, akin to Mythical artifacts that only a few players could obtain. The reason for their rarity was simple—each Rune was a bound item, meaning it could neither be destroyed nor traded and would remain with a player permanently. Not to mention, each Rune came with its own unique effect.

[Rune of the Lord]

Bound Item

This item is permanently preserved in your inventory. Trading, dropping, or destroying it is impossible.

Usage Effect:

Leadership Stat opened

Grants the authority to command lesser beings, enhancing leadership and control over subordinates.

Unique Lasting Effect:

Copy Ability – Allows the user to replicate one ability from a subordinate under their command-can only copy from Pseudo named or above Npc.

Divine Command – Increases the effectiveness of issued commands, making subordinates more loyal and powerful.

Lord's Dominion – For each pseudo-named NPC under User command, increase Player over all Stats by 1% and 3% for every Named NPC and 5% for every Super Named NPC.

*Currently can only have 15 Subordinates registered under the Rune of Lord.

Registered Subordinates : none]

Seeing the description, Blade looked at Piaro and inwardly asked his system, 'I can take this with me to the real world, right?'

[Yes, Host can, and even the power attached to it can be taken too,] his system replied, causing Blade to smile.

'Finally, something good aside from my class.'

"Valentine, let it go," Blade stopped the frantic princess, who kept jumping into the lake only to emerge again.

"It's as Sir Antares said, we can't go back anymore—not until one year is over," he said firmly.

Valentine looked at him, her frustration clear. "You will grow stronger in one year, right?" she asked.

Blade met her gaze and nodded. "I will."

Satisfied, Valentine eased up and nodded back.

"Let's go to the city. There are many things you still need to learn," Blade added.

"Let's go, Piaro."

Piaro looked at them before nodding and following along.

"I guess now I can go and do your quest," Blade said.

Blade said, "I will go and get Asmophel, but you remember your promise of becoming my knight, right?"

Piaro nodded. "I remember."

"Good. After getting Asmophel, I will be coming for you," Blade said.

Piaro nodded again, a smirk forming on his lips. "I will be waiting."

Blade then led them back to Patrian City. Upon arriving, he once again began drawing attention. With Valentine by his side, her royal presence stood out, and since she was rarely seen in Patrian, many players attempted to approach her. However, Piaro kept them all at bay just by standing near her. His sheer presence and high intimidation skill—over 300—made everyone think twice before coming closer, causing the crowd to part and back away.

Blade, on the other hand, ignored the commotion and led Valentine to his home in Patrian, a residence given to him by his uncle, James.

"You can stay here for now, along with Piaro, while I go and punish someone for him," Blade said.

Valentine looked at him with puppy eyes. "But I want to go with you," she pleaded, looking pitiful.

"You can't," Blade replied firmly. "I'm going into enemy territory. You'll be safer here."

She pouted, staring at him. "But I'm strong enough."

"No, you're not. On the surface, without any water sources nearby, your strength is reduced by 20%," he reminded her.

Valentine looked at him and sighed. "Fine, I will stay, but I want to learn Human Magic too," she said.

"Can you even use it?" Blade asked, raising an eyebrow.

She nodded confidently. "Yes."

"Well then, there's a magic tower here. You can go there to study," he said, and she nodded in agreement.

Blade then turned to Piaro. "Piaro, can you look after her for me?"

Piaro smirked. "You can go worry-free. I will look over your lover."

Blade flinched. "She's not my lover!" he retorted.

Piaro glanced at Valentine, whose face had already turned bright red. "Then, you are just a kid" he teased before walking away, leaving Blade standing there awkwardly.

Blade looked back at Valentine, who was still blushing furiously. "Don't mind him… He was just talking nonsense," he mumbled, but seeing her reaction, he hesitated.

"You…" Blade started, rubbing the back of his neck. "Do you like me?"

Valentine's face turned an even deeper shade of red, but she nodded shyly.

Blade sighed, smiling slightly. "Are you sure it's not just a puppy love thing? It might be because I'm the only one trying to save your kingdom." He patted her head gently.

She pouted. "Let's give it more time… But honestly, I wouldn't mind having a beautiful wife like you," Blade added with a playful grin.

Valentine turned away, flustered. "So… you also like me?" she asked, sneaking a glance back at him.

Blade chuckled. "Yeah. You're cute, fun, and honestly, really beautiful. I do like you too."

Valentine nodded, looking determined. "I'll give it time. But if I truly fall in love with you… promise me you'll marry me."

Blade paused before nodding. "I promise."

She smiled brightly. "Great!"

Blade nodded as he said, "I should go now."

Valentine gave a small nod in response.

As he stepped out of the house, he sighed. "Damn… am I going to build a harem?" he muttered to himself before shaking his head.

"Anyway, I also need to retrieve the Sun Sword," he reminded himself. The Sun Sword was a sacred relic of the Sun God, a weapon of immense power.

Blade frowned in thought. "Now, where should I find it?"

"Sir Antares should have given me more clues aside from just its name," Blade sighed as he made his way toward the outskirts of Patrian City.

His destination: the Saharan Empire's capital city—the place where his target, Asmophel, was located.

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