Player’s Guide to Raising a BUG Angel-Chapter 57 : New Skill and Dragon’s Treasure

Chapter 57: New Skill and Dragon’s Treasure
The situation shifted so quickly that Mophis almost could not react in time.
One second earlier, she had still been the “suspect” questioned by the imperial envoy.
The very next second, she had become the mysterious powerhouse whom the other treated with utmost respect, requesting “equal cooperation.”
And this entire change was merely because she had, on instinct, tugged at Ignis just now?
Mophis looked at Elsa’s attitude, so humble it bordered on fawning, then recalled Ignis’s domineering, overprotective declaration before leaving. A most absurd feeling arose in her heart.
I… was I being shielded by a Mother Dragon?
And moreover… it seemed rather useful?
“Cooperation?” Mophis forced herself to calm down. She knew this was the critical moment in negotiations, and she must not show weakness.
Imitating those business tycoons, she asked with a cold expression (though inwardly nervous): “I am quite curious. The mighty Empire of St. Orleans—what could it possibly need to cooperate on, with our… newly established ‘small city’?”
Elsa’s spirit lifted at her words.
The other party had not outright refused—that meant there was hope!
She immediately regained her professionalism as chief diplomat, speaking clearly and logically: “Honorable Guardian, we hope to reach three points of cooperation with you.”
“First, intelligence sharing. We need to be informed of the daily movements of His Majesty the Golden Dragon King… in order to ensure she does not pose a threat to the Empire. Of course, this is merely a routine security assessment, absolutely not surveillance.”
Mophis rolled her eyes inwardly. Nicely phrased, but wasn’t this just an excuse to plant a spy here?
“Second, trade exchanges. The growth of the City of Mophisia is nothing short of a miracle. We believe this place must contain unique resources or technologies the Empire lacks. The Empire is willing to offer gold, grain, weapons, and any other materials in exchange for trading rights with your city.”
Now that was somewhat interesting. Mophis thought, the Library was still in ruins and needed reconstruction, and she herself required many high-grade consumables to regulate her body. Doing business with the Empire might not be a bad idea.
“Third…” Elsa’s tone grew solemn, “we hope to obtain your ‘friendship.’ Or rather, to gain the ‘understanding’ of the Dragon King standing behind you. The Empire has no wish to make an enemy of a newly awakened ancient sovereign.”
This was the true purpose.
They were afraid.
Afraid that Ignis might one day be in a foul mood, fly over their capital, and unleash a single breath of dragonfire.
So, they needed a “middleman,” an “insurance policy” who could communicate with the Dragon King.
And she, Mophis, was the most suitable candidate.
Mophis instantly understood the crux of the matter.
She felt as if she now held a trump card.
A banner called “Ignis.”
But how should she make use of this card to gain the greatest benefits for herself?
Looking into Elsa’s expectant eyes, Mophis knew she could not easily agree. At the negotiating table, whoever spoke first lost half the game.
She needed a bargaining chip.
Something that would make the other party believe in her even more, something that would prevent them from underestimating her.
At that moment, she suddenly remembered.
She had a unique skill called 【Observation & Recording】.
Originally, it had only been a skill she used to copy books, one that came innately with her NPC identity. The description read: “Observe a target. Once the observation degree reaches a certain level, recording is possible.”
She had discovered that this skill could record not only books but also living beings.
Except players.
Players were simply a bug of existence: undying, tireless, and not counted as living beings in the system’s logic.
Thus, ever since she transmigrated, the only NPC she had recorded was this Mother Dragon—Ignis.
Since Ignis had moved in, she had spent every day with the dragon. Her 【Observation Degree】 had long since been maxed out.
She had never found time to check what she had actually recorded from Ignis.
Now was the moment.
She sank her awareness into the skillbook.
The pages flipped. On Ignis’s page, five skill slots had appeared, with the first already unlocked.
【Skill Name: Projection of the Dragon’s Treasure Hoard】
【Skill Level: 1 (Upgradeable with increased Spiritual Power)】
【Skill Effect: Consumes Spiritual Power to project the illusion of any ‘treasure’ you have seen into reality. The illusion’s duration and realism depend on the strength of your Spiritual Power. The illusion has no substance and cannot inflict physical damage, but it replicates 100% of the original item’s visual effects and aura.】
【Note: The brilliance of treasure is part of the dragons’ power. — Insight from the Golden Dragon King, Ignis】
Reading the description, Mophis’s eyes lit up.
This was… a skill she had recorded from Ignis?
No substance? Purely visual effects?
Wasn’t this just an illusion for showing off?!
But then again…
If used well, its effect could go far beyond mere showing off.
A marvelous—perhaps even somewhat underhanded—plan took form instantly in her mind.
She raised her head, fixing Elsa with cool silver eyes that seemed to see through everything.
“The Empire’s friendship—we accept in kind.”
Her voice was calm, not loud, yet carried an irrefutable confidence.
“As for trade… you are correct. We do indeed have some ‘specialties’ here that the Empire lacks.”
Saying this, under the stunned gaze of all present, she slowly extended her right hand.
She focused her mind and activated the skill she had just obtained—【Projection of the Dragon’s Treasure Hoard】!
In her thoughts surfaced the mountain of treasures in Ignis’s chamber. She selected the most dazzling, the most extravagant, and the one she remembered most vividly.
—The flawless, pigeon-egg-sized diamond that Ignis had once toyed with in her palm for half a day.
Humm—!
A gentle golden light gathered in Mophis’s palm.
When the light faded, a brilliant, enormous diamond illusion floated serenely above her hand.
The gem had been cut into perfect eight hearts and eight arrows, each facet scattering rainbow light under the sun. A vast, pure aura of Light elements radiated from the diamond, making the very air around it feel warm and holy.
“Th-this is…”
Elsa’s breath stopped instantly.
Behind her, the paladin Kael collapsed to his knees with a heavy thud.
“The… the Diamond of Holy Light! The legendary crystallization of pure Light elements, said to form only in the divine realm!”
The players were dumbfounded as well.
【Holy crap! What is that? Did my wife just pull out some kind of treasure?!】
【That effect! That glow! This has to be an artifact-tier gem!】
【Wife… just how many good things are you hiding?! Did you empty out the treasury of some bygone dynasty?!】
Watching their provincial reactions, Mophis smirked inwardly.
She held the magnificent “illusion” aloft, her lips curving into a faint smile, as though to say “this is nothing but a trinket.”
“As you can see.”
“We are not lacking in ‘treasures’ here.”
“What we lack are simply some… everyday, ordinary supplies.”
She paused, letting the “diamond” flicker once before it vanished into light.
Then, fixing her gaze on Elsa’s shaken, almost faith-shattered expression, she spoke slowly, one word at a time:
“Now… do you still think your Empire’s ‘gold coins’ are worthy of exchanging for our ‘specialties’?”
“Go back and tell your Empress.”
“If she seeks cooperation—so be it.”
“But she had best bring sincerity to the table.”