Chapter: 368
The Second Queen is still unable to escape her past. Remove the regrets engraved deep in her heart.
Meet the Second Queen’s old friend
Reward: Increase desired stat by 10
While Karia was bullying Kurze Newman, I froze as I read the quest window, seeing what the reward entailed.
An increase of 10 to my desired stat! That means it’s possible to exceed 100 in four different stats with just this reward?!
No. No way. I could also think about supplementing with potions and aim for Divine 200. Once one stat exceeds 200, various changes will happen.
I suppose those changes will be more intense in reality than in-game.
Hmm. Thinking about it, this isn’t that great either. After all, given that I’m an Apostle of God, it won’t take long to push Divine over 200.
Rather, what I need right now is… what I’m lacking. So let’s increase intelligence.
What changes if 58 becomes 68?
Can’t argue with that. Honestly speaking, compared to other useful stats I could pump up, it’s definitely an inefficient move. I wouldn’t even consider such a stupid choice when I was behind a monitor.
But, I don’t want to admit I’m a total moron! I may be dumber than others, but that doesn’t mean it’s fine to be a dumbass with an intelligence of 58!
“Uh… Employer! Are you listening?”
Lost in my own thoughts, I snapped back to reality at Karia’s words.
‘Kinda.’
“I found your shrill auntie voice a bit hard to listen to. So I was mostly tuning out.”
“That means you weren’t listening at all.”
With her forehead cradled in her palms, Karia sighed dramatically and continued explaining.
Two days after the fight at the end-of-term party between me and the Second Queen, her side reached out to the Newman family first.
I’m not sure of the exact relationship with the Newman family, but she surmised that I had ties with them and planned to use Newman as a mediator to apologize to me while also seeking a deal.
Newman’s side welcomed the deal with open hands, given that Serahne, a powerful figure in the royal palace with ties to the Ducal Family, would be involved, and they intended to extract various benefits by connecting me with Serahne.
However, Newman’s plan fell apart. It couldn’t be executed because Karia intervened before it could materialize.
“I was thinking of letting some cheating go, but this guy crossed the line.”
“Eh. It’s a misunderstanding, Karia. Although our house operates mostly in the shadows, we aren’t idiots who don’t recognize silver. We just took what we needed for mediation…”
“Hey, Kurze. If you keep talking like that, I’m spilling everything I know to Benedict. Can you handle this brat?”
“… I’m sorry.”
As Kurze Newman choked out excuses with his head bent low, I felt a complex emotion difficult to define.
When I first met Kurze Newman a few months ago, he was a noble with the haughty, murky, and thorough demeanor typical of someone from the Underworld. So why is he acting like a regular sloppy loser next to Karia?
“Anyway, getting back to the main point, the reason I came to see you, Employer, is to advise on what to gain from this deal. If you don’t need anything from the Second Queen right away, I hope you’ll hear me out.”
Seeing the serious look in Karia’s eyes, I nodded instead of saying some pointless words.
Right now, I’m in a position where I could obtain most items if I wished, and since I was on the Holy Knight route, there was no need for me to leverage the Queen’s status for anything.
As I showed my intention to follow her suggestion willingly, Karia’s lips curled into a smile.
“Then I’ll get straight to the point. I want you to request the Second Queen’s movements regarding the First Queen.”
What Karia suggested was to keep tabs on the First Queen.
Since she lived in the palace, she could establish a tighter surveillance net than them. This way, they could react quickly when the First Queen made a move, and Karia’s strong voice revealed a deep animosity toward the First Queen.
Since the First Queen was dead in the game already, I had little information about her, so I couldn’t identify the source of that animosity. Still, I agreed with Karia’s statement; it was obvious the First Queen was a danger.
‘Let’s do that.’
“Do what you want. If it’s about the decrepit old maid’s rancidness, I’m sure she’ll know how to handle it.”
“I know it sounds strange from your perspective. But… huh? What?”
It seemed Karia couldn’t just laugh off her previous remark, as her face flushed. Benedict hastily grabbed Karia’s shoulder.
“Let go, Benedict. Do I look like someone who gets mad over this?”
“If you want to say that, you should at least remove your hand from on top of the dagger.”
“This isn’t resting my hand on the dagger. I was holding onto the knife next to it.”
“That’s basically the same thing.”
As those two bickered, Kurze Newman broke out in a cold sweat. I suddenly realized the entire street was permeated with many Divine beings.
How puzzling. Just yesterday, there weren’t this many clergy staying in the Bardronel Territory. What could have happened?
Karia. I have something to ask…
“Old maid! Stop being annoying. I have something to ask. What’s gone down in the street where those perverted mages live?”
When I casually posed the question, the table fell silent. It dawned on me that these people had gathered since early morning for more than just discussing the deal.
‘What’s the deal?’
“I didn’t say it was noisy, yet you’re suddenly quiet. It’s creepy how well you grasp the situation. Honestly, what on earth is going on?”
Benedict was awkwardly avoiding my gaze while looking to Kurze and Newman, who were both watching Karia’s expression, keeping silent. Karia, in turn, sat in silence as if pondering what to say.
[Hey, Young Lady. If they’re not speaking up, it must be for a good reason, right?]
As I recalled Grandpa’s words about respecting those who care for me when I sensed something, a laugh escaped me.
Grandpa probably said that for my sake, but it gave me confidence.
Benedict aside, if both Grandpa and Karia were holding back on discussing it, there was only one issue at hand.
The death of someone involved with me.
Karia and Grandpa knew I wasn’t that weak-minded. Regardless of what faced me, I’d only express discontent but never shy away or crumble into despair.
Yet, death is a whole different story. I’ve shown sensitivity towards death too many times before.
Once I set that frame, fitting in the next piece isn’t tough.
The presence of Divinity on the street indicated something involving the clergy. With so many Divine beings spread out, it was clear it wasn’t an ordinary death, and given the vast area covered, it couldn’t be just one or two people.
Among those who had been in the Bardronel Territory recently, a person who could slaughter several members of the Church belonging to the Lord Jushin without hesitation and still be connected to me.
Even with my intelligence at 58, I could piece together what happened at this point.
Lasha. She killed the Church’s clergy in the Bardronel Territory. For my sake, no less.
I could roughly guess the situation.
To avert Lasha’s attack, someone from the Church must have seen my Divine energy rising, and since she took a liking to me, Lasha must have silenced that Church member before they could make a report. To keep the secret, hoping I wouldn’t end up in a predicament from the Church.
It turns out I unwittingly took on her goodwill, but I didn’t feel any gratitude at all. Never once did I wish to protect my safety by taking other lives.
Sigh. Maybe Erin felt this way when I said she could take a break. Unwanted favors really do put a sour taste in one’s mouth.
“Uh… Lucy? Are you okay?”
Benedict, noticing my displeased expression, glanced my way, but instead of answering him, I shot a glare at Karia.
“Where’s that dumb muscle pig gone off to now?♡”
… Would you please be a little less oblivious in these moments, Employer?
Karia’s curt reply confirmed my suspicions. Lasha was up to no good.
“Oh, she may be old, but she shouldn’t be losing her hearing at this age, right?♡”
“What’s your plan?”
I didn’t respond to Karia’s question. It wasn’t that I couldn’t share; I simply didn’t know what to say about what I would do upon meeting Lasha.
I want to get mad for this unwarranted interference. I want to tell her to shut up. Yet while I’m annoyingly irked, I also want to annoy Lasha enough to make her feel the same. But if you ask me what exactly I want to do, it’s too hard to answer.
However, one thing is clear. I need to meet Lasha.
“She’s heading toward Gundo.”
The reply I least expected came from Kurze Newman. He spoke steadily, even as the sharp glares of Karia and Benedict bore into him, sweat dripping down his face.
“There’s a woman gaining fame in Gundo lately. She’s likely gone to fight that person.”
“Hey, Kurze.”
“Count Newman. You.”
“As I mentioned before, I owe Lady Allen a lot of gratitude. Hence, if she desires something, it’s only right I fulfill it.”
Not sure if he had other motives or was merely trying to keep his word, Kurze Newman displayed a nobleman’s confidence even in front of two uncomfortable figures.
So she took off to hunt a strong person, huh? That makes things easier. Standing beside that strong person, I can naturally meet Lasha.
Gundo. Perfect. I was heading there to help Senar anyway.
I ought to bring my friends along. There are plenty of interesting folks among the medium dungeons there. As we tackle them, we can enhance our dungeon-clearing skills.
Hmm. If I can annoy Lasha as much as I’m annoyed, everything should work out perfectly.
With my arms crossed, lost in thought, a lightbulb went off. How might I provoke someone who revels in hunting strong opponents? Simply prevent them from hunting strong opponents.
The moment that thought struck me, I instantly fired off a question at Kurze.
“Count Newman…”
“Can you tell me about that sloppy guy who’s been getting fame in the remote Gundo Village?”
“Of course.”
Hearing Kurze’s explanation, I couldn’t help but grin, thinking I could execute my plan.
Good. Let’s catch the strong person Lasha’s eyeing before she can.
I wonder just how frustrated Lasha will be when she loses her quarry in front of her?
Hehe. Just thinking about it is entertaining.
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