Chapter 66: Chapter 66
(Still in 3rd person because it is easier to write!)
After the party was over, Juri was taken to a nicely decorated guest room, where she took off her warm blankets and went to the soft palace bed.
...
The next morning!
Juri was invited to lunch with Aphelia, who then asked.
"What is your goal? I know you wish to return home and get revenge on your sister, but what other plans do you have during your stay in our world?"
Hearing Aphelia's sudden question, Juri scratched her chin thoughtfully, before saying. - "To tell you the truth, in my world practically the whole world has already been explored, there aren't many adventures one can do, nor many creatures to kill, my world is quite peaceful so to speak.
But since I was sent to a new world, full of Magic that would be the dream of many [Awakened], not to mention that it is full of secrets and new races, so before I return to my world, I would say that I wish to see the wonders of this world and find ways to become even stronger!"
"I see! How about we talk about some mutually beneficial business?" - Aphelia smiled and Juri already had an idea of what it would be.
Aphelia desires knowledge, she is a smart woman, as well as mistress of a city, Princess of a Nation!
She desires Juri's advanced knowledge, for it can bring prosperity to her people, as well as an improvement in their social status.
Probably even many of the spies of Princes and Princesses who are among Aphelia's subjects, must have already told the King and Queen, as well as their brothers and sisters about Juri.
Juri is also not stupid and understands that she cannot stay here much longer, she will gather the information she needs before she leaves.
Juri then stopped eating and smiling hinted for her to go ahead.
"Then I am interested in your Beast-like weapons, only much more powerful, I wish to buy them, as well as the Explosives in your possession, if possible the weapon you used to punch the hole in the Giant Prince's chest!" - Said Aphelia smiling.
"Princess Aphelia, I wish you to understand that I will not be willing to cause major disturbances in the world, this is for your safety, mine and that of your people!" - Juri said interrupting her.
"What do you mean?" - Aphelia asked narrowing her eyes.
"The technology and knowledge I possess is something very advanced and new, the little bit of technical knowledge I possess, if passed on in your world, will cause a drastic change in the balance so to speak!
The knowledge I possess, if handed over to your Kingdom and you succeed in mass producing these weapons, destroy the Frost Giants, then expand your dominance across the rest of the continent and world, would not be a problem.
But of course, the rapid expansion and technological growth would lead to envy and suspicion from others, Nations might band together just to annihilate the Winter Kingdom, dismantle it and roust all its knowledge, which might lead to me!" - Said Juri seriously, Aphelia frowning, Lalarins too.
"So even if I want to sell them such knowledge, I understand the weight of the knowledge I possess and I know what tragic futures it will bring to your nation, so I will not give the complete knowledge!
And even if the annihilation of the Winter Kingdom doesn't occur, with firearms and advanced technology, many things can occur and ultimately the domination of a large part of the continent or the entire continent may be something possible in 1 or 2 centuries!
Do not misunderstand, I have no problem with you Elves conquering the Continent, nor do I have a problem with your Winter Kingdom, but I wish to avoid breaking the balance of the world, as I do not wish to incur the wrath of the world!" - Juri sighed.
" World Wrath?" - Aphelia was confused.
"Mana is an existing force, very mysterious and powerful, every living being possesses it in different amounts and quality, but the one who possesses the greatest amount and quality of Mana, is none other than the World we step on!
Respectively, the world has a consciousness formed according to the beings that live in it, its children so to speak!
I am not a child of this world, I am an invader, I don't know how your world treats invaders, but since I am still alive and have not been punished, it means you don't care much about my actions, but should I break the balance of power of this world as an invader, likely I will be annihilated or worse!" - Juri smiles bitterly, a frightening revelation for Aphelia and Lalarins.
A while later, Juri, Aphelia and Lalarins are in an office, talking about many things and deciding what Juri will tell them.
Juri will naturally not give Modern Weapons, nor very advanced Technology, it's not like they could understand, even if Juri hands them a cell phone.
What would they do? Use magic to understand the complex, new circuits?
Juri said she would give the basis of [Science], just like [Biology], [Physics], [Chemistry] and so on, she was also willing to give some books on laws and methods of government.
And Juri is also willing to give a very precious and rare book, which is a lie, but still precious, the [Art of War].
Aphelia was happy, since Juri gave a basis of what everything is and she would only have to translate the books before handing it over, the System having that ability.
But of course, Juri wants things in return, Aphelia only wanted to use money, but Juri didn't want money, that she can get easily, she wants information!
Aphelia seemed hesitant, but still agreed, giving Juri many books about Magic, runic knowledge, forging, alchemy, magical archery and so on.
Juri also got information about [Aura], she was surprised but pleased, since in what she remembers, [Aura] is practically [Chi], only while [Chi] is for Martial Artists, [Aura] is for Knights!
What is the difference? Juri only knows about the stories she has read in the past, but she doesn't know the details in this life, so she doesn't dare make assumptions, it's always good to have an open mind about all this.
And besides all this, Aphelia handed Juri a map of the surroundings, where she could find a Kingdom of Humans and such.
It turns out that the continent is really very large, which makes it impossible to map, especially since the [Frozen Plain] is not close to the sea.
But Juri didn't mind, she happily accepted the map, as well as information about history and so on.
It took 2 days for with the help of the System, Juri to make the copies of the books in the language of the Winter Elves.
Then she took the books and scrolls, as well as the map and documents, keeping everything in her Inventory.
Aphelia invited her to the Capital, saying that her parents would like to meet her, they might even give her much better things in exchange for more knowledge.
But Juri refused, not that she despises knowledge, she just wishes not to complicate things any further.
Days before Juri's farewell!
Juri was given permission to walk around the fortress without problems, to see how life worked around here.
She ended up understanding the reason for the Winter Elves' prejudice against humans, not because of slavery or anything like that, but because of the war itself.
They have conflicts with some Human Nations, so they have lost many family members and so the hatred arises.
Not to mention that over the years, many stories have been told to dehumanize humans, making them look more like beasts than men in the eyes of the Elves.
Sure, there are stories about rape and such, but this is mostly caused by bandits and slavers.
And it turns out that humans are linked to these individuals, because humans are the most numerous race on the continent, 80% of the bandits are human.
But since Juri has the status of Heroine of the Fortress, it is natural that the existing prejudice has lessened, but not disappeared.
As Juri wandered around, she traded some of the materials and food she has for money, which she used to buy things she found interesting.
And today, Juri ended up at a fancy restaurant, Lalarins invited her, which took Juri by surprise.
But why would Juri refuse? Lalarins is a very beautiful and charming woman, if she has a chance to get her into bed, why would she refuse?
But it turns out it was something more casual, Lalarins ignored his flirtations and it was more of an experience conversation, Lalarins wanting to know about fighting techniques, as well as Martial Arts.
Lalarins wants to get stronger and [Chi] is something that interested her a lot, so she wanted to know more.
In the middle of the conversation, someone appeared in Juri's vision, Luria, who as soon as she saw her, showed disdain before turning and walking away.
And finally Juri asked the big question. - "Why does Luria hate me so much?"
A question that took Lalarins by surprise, but she also noticed Luria in the establishment and walking away, so she told him.
Fifteen years ago, a war occurred, Humans allied with the Frost Giants, but the humans that came were not the troops of a nation, but the personal army of a Nobleman.
This Nobleman had enmity with Luria's family, one that went so far as to almost start a fierce war between both Nations.
And the result of this nobleman joining the Frost Giants was a crushing defeat of the Winter Kingdom, where Luria's family was demeaned due to criticism.
Luria's parents wanted to fix this and restore their family to glory, so they worked hard, but 10 years ago they were ambushed and killed!
Their severed heads delivered to the door of Luria's family mansion, Luria who was about to finish her Knight training, was the one who picked up the "gifts" and saw her parents' heads!
Then over time, severed limbs from her parents surfaced and obvious evidence of abuse, which finally led to a war.
The Noble Human Family that caused all this, was annihilated, betrayed by the Nation they served, as they did not wish to war against the Winter Kingdom over such a small matter.
And even the Winter Kingdom did not wish to prolong this too much, so they publicly executed all the members of the Nobleman's Family, handed over the assets to Luria and her brothers, then the matter ended.
With that, the reason for Luria's hatred and disgust, not for Juri, but for the entire human race, is obvious.
Juri was quite amazed by this, she didn't expect such a cruel story, so it's not unjustified, but still, Juri didn't like Luria.
And with the end of her curiosity, Juri went back to talking about Martial Arts and so on, where it ended with the two going to train and dueling unarmed.
Juri tried to teach a little Taekwondo to Lalarins, who understood it very quickly, but because she was a rider who trained her muscles a lot and was very rigid, it made it difficult to learn a Martial Art that uses mainly the legs to attack.
Lalarins soon lost much of her interest, since she trained for a long time and her body was already developed, changing the method would only complicate things and could bring her more problems than benefits.
Even her Elven racial trait, where she is naturally more agile, didn't help, as it became unusable due to her Strength and Constitution which are quite high!
Juri didn't say much, there wasn't much to say anyway.
As the days passed, Juri saw that it was getting close to the time to go, so he was getting ready.
And by chance the day before she was to go on her journey, she stopped by a tavern for a drink, it turns out that the drinks in the castle are very... refined!
But in the tavern, there were many different drinks, including the famous [Dwarven Beer]!
Juri started to get a little drunk, she already acquired [Alcohol Resistance], but it's an [Active & Passive] Skill, which she can deactivate if she so chooses.
Juri leaves it activated, since she doesn't want to get drunk, it's just to enjoy the weather a little and warm her body, since the whole place is too cold!
Even though Juri has already acquired [Frost Resistance], an evolution of [Cold Resistance], the place is still too cold!
But while drinking, Juri didn't notice that in this tavern, drinking with some soldiers, was none other than Luria!
And Luria as soon as she saw Juri, she showed her contempt and anger, so she decided to drink more than usual, which falls between us, always leads to shit!