Simultaneous Travel: Becoming a Legend in the Heavens.

Chapter 533: Outwitting and outmaneuvering "air"?
"Witch Factor," the other side of "the origin of the world," is the power to disrupt the rules.

Apart from the “bishop of lust” who did not act according to the Gospels, no one could fit into the vacant “bishop of pride” position. The remaining “anger,” “envy,” “sloth,” “greed,” and “gluttony” were all in Luke’s hands.

However, strictly speaking, in addition to the orthodox "witch factor" named after the seven deadly sins, there are two special "witch factors" called "deception" and "melancholy".

The only adaptable beings for these two copies are "The Witch of Disguise" Pandora and the deceased "The Melancholy Witch" Hector, the latter of whom is currently in the possession of Roswaal's butler, Klind.

Lu Ke stroked his chin. The only passive skill of the [High Sin Archbishop] class, [Adaptability], is probably designed to be compatible with these two special "Witch Factors" in addition to allowing the "Witch Factor" power to be exerted more strongly.

"Senior, this is..."

Natsuki Subaru couldn't help but swallow hard at the "Witch Factor" in Riku's hand, feeling a kind of instinctive desire.

"Hmm, Witch Factor, the thing that can truly make your special profession take off, this is 'Gluttony'."

Lu Ke weighed the "witch factor" in his hand, tossed it to Natsuki Subaru, and said calmly to the boy whose eyes were shining, "Consider this a reward for your contribution in the battle against the 'Great Rabbit'. Although it wasn't of great use, attracting the 'Great Rabbit' with the 'scent of a witch' deserves praise for your bravery."

"Thank you so much, senior! Please don't hesitate to ask if there's anything I can do for you in the future!"

Natsuki Subaru looked at Riku gratefully, and eagerly gripped the "Witch Factor" in his hand. The unknown substance, beating like a heart, seemed to have a life of its own and entered his body before disappearing without a trace.

"Well……"

Natsuki Subaru's body suddenly trembled, letting out a slightly painful groan. He clutched his chest and knelt on the ground, his fierce-looking features contorted in pain, his entire body soaked in sweat, as if he were undergoing torture.

From Luke's perspective, the "witch factor" is rapidly altering his body, strengthening his physique, and at the same time, blending in "powers" unique to him based on his "adaptability".

The "witch factor" will produce different effects when placed on different people. Generally speaking, they are a large category that is similar but has some differences. However, there are also "powers" that seem very different on the surface, such as "witch of greed" and "bishop of greed".

Once Subaru Natsuki had finally calmed down and stood up with an excited expression, Luke asked with some interest.

"How are you feeling? Is there anything that's bothering you?"

His choice of "Gluttony" as the first "Witch Factor" that Subaru Natsuki could absorb was also well-considered. "Gluttony" is a powerful force that can devour everything, and it may provide a boost when it is used to absorb other "Witch Factors".

"Uh...it's hard to describe, but it's not bad."

Natsuki Subaru decided to demonstrate his newly acquired "power" with action. He looked around for a while, then glanced at the meteorite crater being bombarded by Kazuma and his group. His lips twitched twice, and he pointed to the "big rabbit" that Riku was holding.

"Senior, may I have that 'big rabbit' you have?"

"This is a backup in case Huihui and the others accidentally blow up all the big rabbits. I'll catch you a new one."

Lu Ke readily took out a new "big rabbit" and considerately asked, "Do you need me to knock you out?"

"No need, I've been completely transformed now, I still have the strength of a 'rabbit'."

Subaru Natsuki puffed out his chest confidently, and the next second he saw the "Big Rabbit" in Luke's hand being thrown over. Its scarlet eyes were staring intently at him, and its teeth, strong enough to bite through magic ore, gleamed coldly.

Ouch~ How scary!
Thinking this, Subaru Natsuki did not dodge, but instead activated his newly acquired "power" with a hint of anticipation, watching the "big rabbit" smash towards him.

"Squeak-"

The moment the two made contact, the sound of sharp teeth grinding suddenly stopped. The "Big Rabbit," which was about to devour Subaru, sank slowly into his body as if it were stuck in a quagmire. The "Big Rabbit" instinctively began to resist, its powerful hind legs struggling and kicking, but it had no chance to fight back.

About three to five seconds later, when the "big rabbit" was completely devoured, Subaru Natsuki's level suddenly increased from level 5 to level 7, and a white light emanated from his body.

"【Rampage】 can devour any living being that comes into contact with my body. After devouring it, it will comprehensively enhance my physique and magic power based on the quality of the living being."

As Natsuki Subaru spoke, he clenched his fist, seemingly sensing the improvement in his physique. Then, his body changed; a horn exactly like "Big Rabbit" grew on his forehead, and his teeth also became sharp like "Big Rabbit's."

"There are two ways to deal with the life forms I devour. If I digest them directly, I can randomly gain some of the life form's characteristics, talents, and skills. Alternatively, I can trap the life form in my body and digest it slowly and thoroughly. This way, I can gain all of that life form's abilities and even perfectly transform into that life form. However, if I do this, I cannot reuse [Rampage] during the digestion process, and once it ends, the life form will be irreversibly destroyed."

After saying that, Subaru Natsuki was surprised himself. "Wow... that's amazing! This power is incredible! Does that mean I can become very strong just by eating?"

Is it a larger version of the "Shepherd" or a reincarnated slime?

Luke nodded in agreement: "Is there an upper limit to your power?"

Subaru Natsuki paused for a moment, then nodded after carefully sensing it for a while.

"Yes, it seems to determine the strength of the life forms I can devour, the digestion time, the strength and completeness of the abilities I gain, based on my own level and my adaptability to the 'witch factor'..."

However, these problems are not a problem with an unlimited number of "big rabbits" as experience packs. Just keep leveling up to improve the basic stats and put all the skill points into [Adaptability].

Is Subaru Natsuki really going to rise to the top in one fell swoop?

Lu Ke raised an eyebrow. This was only one "Witch Factor" he had been given. If he were to reach the maximum level and max out his [Adaptability], and absorb all nine "Witch Factors", he might actually be able to surpass the "Sword Saint" and the "Envy Witch" and become the strongest in this world.

It's just that a new system was given to the useless male protagonist in another world, and the combination of them is surprisingly powerful.

No... that's not quite right. "Witch Factor" is a very precious thing, and the Archbishops of Sin, who have authority, are not to be trifled with. Without "Great Rabbit," normal people can't level up quickly. It's just that he unknowingly helped Subaru Natsuki gather all the factors for rapid leveling up.

That's good. With this level of strength, he'll have a better experience in the places he plans to visit later.

Lu Ke looked at Kazuma's team next to him. At this moment, Kazuma Sato's attack frequency and intensity had obviously increased by more than one level. Upon closer inspection, his level had soared from level 13 to level 47, and his leveling speed was even faster than Megumin's when she used the Explosion Magic.

It's probably because of the "protection" of the game.

Lu Ke remembered that when he first arrived with Sato Kazuma, this blessing appeared on him, which could increase the efficiency of absorbing "souls" and obtain three times the experience points of other adventurers from the Konosuba world.

It now appears that this blessing is a rare and unique blessing, probably bestowed by the world's origin upon the first adventurer to cross over from the Konosuba world.
"I'm going back now. You guys stay here and level up. Don't move around. Rem will bring you food later."

Luke instructed Darkness, who was enjoying being attacked by his teammates in the crater, to throw a few "big rabbits" up to Natsuki Subaru, who didn't yet have ranged skills but whose strength surpassed that of a "rabbit," when the opportunity arose. Luke waved and left.

Back at the Astrea house, Luke saw Beatrice sitting at the doorway, looking on expectantly, dressed in a beautiful dress, with Roswaal standing behind her, his expression inscrutable.

"Hey, are you looking for me?"

Luke stepped forward and greeted her, and instantly felt a tightness in his leg. Beatrice was holding Luke's thigh tightly, no longer acting coy as before, but speaking very frankly.

"Lucy~ Betty helped out a lot this time, right? Could you spare a little more time for Betty...?"

“Of course,” Luke said with a smile, cradling the petite giant elf in his arms and patting her head. “Betty has been doing a great job, she deserves praise, and you’ve taken good care of Kazuma too, I’m very satisfied.”

Roswaal bowed slightly, offering a polite smile: "Ah, Prince Luke, it's a pleasure to see you and Beatrice so close. But I'd like to ask when you plan to go to the Sanctuary? You haven't forgotten our agreement, have you?"

Hearing this, Betty's eyes lit up, and she looked at Luke expectantly.

Lu Ke smiled slightly: "I've already been to the Holy Land once, and I have no plans to go again at the moment."

Roswaal's expression changed. "I knew it. It must have been during the Witch Cult and the invasion of the three great magical beasts... Did you receive an invitation from someone in the Sanctuary?"

Luke recalled the enchanting and dreamlike feast that he had transformed from a "tea party" into a "flower arranging party," and gently licked his lips. "If you're asking about Echidna, I've resurrected her."

Not only the Witch of Greed, but all the witches were resurrected by him. Even Satella, who was sealed, had a shell placed by the sealing stone, and her true form was replaced by him.

"Really...really?"

Betty's face lit up with surprise, and she couldn't help but hug Luke's neck. "Mother, are you really back to life?"

Roswaal's eyes were equally intense, and he looked on nervously at Luke, awaiting her answer.

Lu Ke nodded slightly, his tone calm: "Yes, really. Although that woman made me a little angry, I still resurrected her after giving her a good lesson."

“That’s…that’s great.”

Roswaal's voice trembled, and he couldn't help but shed tears. The realization of his more than four hundred years of obsession filled him with mixed emotions, and he quickly asked more questions.

"Where is she! Where is Echidona? Tell me, tell me now!"

"Is this how you beg for help? Roswaal, aren't you being a little presumptuous? I've already fulfilled my promise to you and done what you wanted me to do, haven't I?"

Luke narrowed his eyes, revealing a displeased expression, and his gaze, as if it were a physical force, pressed down on Roswaal, causing the strongest mage in Lugnica to fall silent.

He then remembered that the person in front of him was the future King of Lugnica, and... a "dragon" that was countless times more noble and powerful than the divine dragon Polkenica.

"I am very sorry, Your Highness Luke, please forgive my offense."

Roswaal, his face covered in cold sweat, knelt on one knee, bowing his head in apology.

"No need to apologize. Your teacher will naturally make amends for the mistakes your disciple has made." Luke took out a magic crystal that records images and handed it to Roswaal, a wicked smile on his lips.

"Here you can enjoy this. It contains what Echidna wants to say to you."

"Thank you very much." Roswaal accepted the magic crystal with trembling hands.

Luke carried Betty, who seemed somewhat worried about Roswaal, and strode forward, saying a few words before leaving.

"By the way, 'Gut Hunter' and 'Beastmaster' have gone to the Northern Kingdom. You don't need to look for them anymore if you need anything."

"!!!"

Roswaal's heart suddenly contracted, his pupils dilated, his breathing became rapid, and his whole body was soaked in cold sweat.

Did Lu Ke know what he had been doing behind his back? And he didn't kill him? Why?
…………

"Tsk, Prince Luke's smile... Ram doesn't even know how to describe such a smile, it looks so awful that it's unbearable to look at."

Ram, who was busy adding to Rem's workload, saw Luke carrying Beatrice and pouted in annoyance. Rem, on the other hand, smiled at Luke with a blush.

"Ram, even you are not allowed to say that about Luke. Betty doesn't like hearing that." Beatrice snorted angrily, defending Luke with all her might.

"Lady Beatrice, I hope you don't forget that Ram is no longer a servant of the Roswaal Manor." Ram naturally embraced Luke without any intention of backing down. "In other words, Ram and Rem are Luke's closer companions than Lady Beatrice, so please don't interrupt."

"Choo~ Betty will surpass you two soon! Don't be so smug."

"Oh, really? Rem, go and take over the other side."

Ram instructed Rem to hug Luke from the other side, and the poor, adorable little sister obediently complied.

Luke affectionately reached out and smoothed Rem's hair: "Rem, you don't have to listen to Ram's capricious requests."

“No, Rem wanted to do it, that’s why she did it,” Rem explained, blushing.

Luke: ...

I was charmed by it.

Ram curled her lips into a smile, leaned close to Luke's ear, and breathed softly into his ear.

"I originally planned to bring Rem along last night, but we got held up by the drinks. But it's not too late now, Ram is willing to share everything with Rem..."

"So, you wicked master who amplified Ram and Rem's synergy, wouldn't you like to see what happens when Ram and Rem are together~"

This is indeed a rather academic question!

Luke put Beatrice down with a serious expression, and with a single sentence, he ended the great elf's impending complaint, ignoring Beatrice's aggrieved gaze.

"Betty, you must miss your mother a lot, right? Shall I take you to see Echidna?"

Beatrice: "..."

What's with this life-or-death choice between the contractor who's been waiting for over four hundred years and the mother who's been separated for over four hundred years...?

She hesitated for a moment, then turned her face away guiltily, not daring to look Lu Ke in the eye.

"Then, Betty should go see Mother, since it's been a long time since we last saw her."

"no problem."

Lu Ke smiled slightly and snapped his fingers.

Beatrice felt her vision flicker between light and dark, and when she opened her eyes again, she saw a different, exceptionally stunning view.

Embedded in the air is an ancient temple so massive that its end cannot be seen at a glance.

The gray-blue ground was covered with pale gold patterns, and the continuous temples looked like some lost ruins, solemn and weathered.

"what is this?"

Beatrice stared in astonishment at the sky, her mind somewhat dazed.

"This is the Temple of Time on the Sky Island, from a lost civilization, from a famous game in another world. The witches and I are working hard to build it."

A soft female voice sounded, and Beatrice turned her head to see the witch, made of black and white, smiling at her after many years.

"However, the master has now decided to name this temple Air, a word that means—"

"Air."

(End of this chapter)