Chapter 490
TL: xLordFifth
ED:
Unbelievable! You accepted that quest? Leeha-ssi! And you negotiated with the king? You could get into serious trouble later
Shh, quiet, Nara-ssi! Dont raise your voice. I almost got into big trouble with Lotzak glaring at me already.
-mmph, heup!
Leaving Fibiels palace, Leeha explained the recent events to Shin Nara. Her surprise was natural, considering the situation. The Bargaining skill isnt something that worked on just anyone. If Leeha hadnt been adequately leveled or if he had spoken awkwardly after using the skill, he could have been arrested for disrespecting the king such is the world of Middle Earth.
This stays between us, okay?
Of course.
Leeha removed his hand from covering Shin Naras mouth. She could have easily moved his hand away with her strength and agility, but she chose to stay still, keeping her discontent to herself.
So what will you do? The quest seems quite challenging.
Yes, keeping it secret is crucial.
The quests success condition was simple: assassinate Chiyou within 7 days. However, the failure condition was not to be detected. A single misstep could mean immediate failure if Chiyou escapes and reports to Minis palace.
Are you taking this risk just for an item from the royal treasury?
Uh, yes, of course.
Shin Nara looked worriedly at Leeha, who nodded nonchalantly. The royal treasury of Fibiel wasnt just any storage but a collection of the kingdoms treasures, overseen by the deputy finance minister.
I even got these boots from there!
From the moment he used the Negotiation skill, Leehas goal was to find an item with the skill Joint Fixation: Upper to complement the Joint Fixation: Lower skill of his current boots.
If I can just get that skill.
That was Leehas big picture eyeing the next quest for Black Bass.
Ill start at Gaza City. Chiyou is likely back at Minis palace, so Ill have to track her from there.
Youre doing the tracking yourself?
Heh, Nara-ssi, I have more means than you think. Ill keep in touch if things go well! Leeha activated his crystal ball.
As it buzzed to life, Nara hesitantly spoke.
Um, you didnt forget, did you?
Forget what?
I wont rush you since youre busy with this but once its over
In a burst of violet light, Leeha was gone before she could finish.
We were supposed to go on a date after you returned from the New Continent
Days had passed in real time since his return from the New Continent without any contact, making her anxious. Yet she chose to trust and wait for Leeha.
At least from her extensive experience in the New Continent, Shin Nara had learned one thing for certain.
Aha, right, right. I promised to see you outside, didnt I, Nara-ssi?! Leeha remembered just in time, saved by the malfunctioning crystal ball.
Ill be busy even after wrapping this up.
Despite thinking about his upcoming tasks, Leeha didnt slow his pace. After successfully dealing with Chiyou, he had to visit Fibiels royal treasury, complete the quest at the Papacy, meet with Shin Nara, manage Gaza City, and then it would be time to go to Hong Kong.
I feel like Ive suddenly become someone important.
Leeha was reminded of the days when he felt powerless and just lay at home. Days when, far from hope of recovery from surgery, he couldnt find interest in anything. Despite the hardships, the game Middle Earth had certainly made his life better.
Welcomeoh, city lord.
Is Madam Joo upstairs?
Yes.
Okay, I am going up.
Leeha, smiling contentedly, arrived at the Holy Grill in Gaza City. Tracking Chiyou was not something Leeha needed to do himself. If it were a typical hunt, Leeha would personally pursue Chiyou, but now the quest changed the context. He planned to utilize the Holy Grills agents to track Chiyous movements, then
Ill kill her. This time. Definitely.
Whether shes the head of Shinobigumi or not, Leeha had a clear reason to kill her. What was once a personal matter had turned into an official one.
Madam!
Leeha burst into the Holy Grill.
But what neither Leeha, Shin Nara, nor the NPC intelligence guild of the Holy Grill knew was a hidden secret. On the day Leeha was first appointed as the lord of Gaza City, the city was attacked and destroyed by Faust and other minions of the Demon King. How did they know which city Leeha was going to be lord of? And so immediately after his appointment?
In a corner of Fibiels palace, someone murmured to themselves. A figure clad in a robe of the Mage Corps, not Lotzak, but someone else, was whispering:
-So it cant be regarded as accurate information, but its possible that the assassination order against Okasan came from Fibiel.
Such rumors are circulating in the Mage Corps?
Yes. Including the mumblings of the Mage Corps leader, it seems to be information he personally uncovered.
Hmm, I see. No wonder, the king seemed less intimidating than Lotzak lurking behind him. Sly as a fox indeed.
Its certain that hes the one to watch out for in Fibiels palace.
Sasuke nodded in agreement with Chiyous statement.
Their spy in Fibiels palace. Well, not exactly a spy, since the Mage Corps member was genuinely a native of Fibiel according to the game lore. But they couldnt fully control a user.
Their role was more as an information conduit. A hefty fee for information? For Chiyou, it was nothing.
He asked for 100 gold, right?
Yes.
Give him 200 gold. Tell him we appreciate his work and to keep it up. Oh, and if we have any magical ingredients he wants, add those too. Make sure he never betrays us.
As you wish, Okasan.
In Middle Earth, magical research required significant funding, even for the royal Mage Corps. Its natural that not all members could have their research fully funded. Chiyou, identifying potential talents early, had been supporting a few promising Mage Corps members across various kingdoms since the games early days.
A smart and talented NPC mage without funds was just food for Chiyou.
So, whats the plan for dealing with Leeha? Maybe report to the palace?
Hmm Yes, thats a good idea. I dont know the specifics of the quest, but if it involves an assassination order against me, its better to make it official. Fibiel might offer me protection at a national level, or Minis could formally protest against Fibiel. Maybe this could be an opportunity for Minis to disregard Fibiel and seize power in the New Continent.
Chiyou couldnt know exactly what quest Leeha had received, its details, rewards, or failure conditions. However, with her ability to deduce possibilities from fragmented information and general trends, she was already considering various scenarios.
If that happens, Minis palace will, of course, have to
Yes. They cant ignore it. Putting the Fox of the Prairie as governor and controlling all rights in the New Continent would be feasible. But
But what?
It would be boring that way. For future plans involving Bluebeard, it might be better to also sway Leeha. How to do that, though
Chiyou crossed her legs, a smile playing on her lips, unfazed by Sasukes fleeting glance.
The only way is to prove myself.
What do you mean?
One reason Leeha doesnt like me might be that he sees me as incompetent.
Thats impossible. You, Okasan
Right, thats probably it. He doesnt know my true identity, and I havent shown my capabilities during the New Continent voyage.
Sasukes expression darkened, guessing what she meant.
Its too dangerous.
When has it not been? But risking your life for Leeha
Hes a big fish now.
Big fish?
Yes, hes that significant now. Chiyous eyes briefly sharpened, then softened as she glanced at Sasuke.
Dont worry too much. Do you think Im unprepared?
Yes, but please reconsider the risks if something happens to you.
How do NPCs perceive a users death in a high-stakes game like Middle Earth? Deaths are frequent, so NPCs in Middle Earth are programmed to alter their memory only in relation to [specific events].
Even if I die, the bigger picture of Minis remains unchanged. If my death becomes known to Minis palace, Ill lose my influence in the New Continent affair, but thats only if I fail Its simple. In the worst case, Sasuke can act on my behalf, right?
Chiyou laughed lightly.
Sasuke realized he couldnt dissuade her.
Understood.
It took three more days in Middle Earth time for Leeha to pinpoint Chiyous location.
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