"100,000 fields, Ken!" Came the angry voice of Annabelle.
"It's more like 90,000," I corrected, "I have about 11,000 fields left."
"Oh, and that makes it so much better!" She snapped.
It was now my 3rd day in Radia. Early morning, Annabelle and I were at the Champions Hall, having breakfast.
"This is some good bacon," I said, cutting up a slice.
"Don't change the subject!" She snapped again.
"Look." I spoke, putting my fork and knife down, "The money's gone, what do you want me to do about it?"
"First of all, how about an apology for being so wasteful!?"
"How am I wasteful!?" I confronted, "Everything I bought was essential for our survival! Nothing more, nothing less!"
"Oh yeah, and you think that jacket is essential?" Yelled Annabelle, pointing at my attire.
Wearing a copy of the clothes I arrived with, I was also wearing an additional teal jacket, black fingerless gloves, and a pink bandana wrapped about my neck.
"Look, I need my own style." I spoke, "Besides, all this cost me less than 7,000 fields."
"That's nearly the price of two whole meals!" Annabelle snapped.
After earning the 50,000 from the dire chicken quest, I earned the other 52,500 fields for selling the carcasses the next day. With that money, I bought us a motel room for a week, an additional copy of my clothes, along with the 3 new additions, and commissioned a weapon for myself, with nearly half my money being spent on the room. Aside from that, eating a meal from the tavern three times per day, essentials like a toothbrush and towel, my daily bath, and one undisclosed payment…. I ended up blasting through 90% of my cash.
"Look, Anna, I don't know what to say," I spoke, picking up my knife and fork again, "The economy is rough."
"You could have skipped the room?"
Swallowing a piece of bacon, I pointed my fork at Annabelle and spoke, "I, under no circumstances, will sleep in a stable."
"You aren't on earth anymore…" Annabelle spoke, with a bit of tenderness in her voice, "You can't expect the same luxuries."
"A roof over my head is luxury?" I spoke, "Come on now, I get we're nearly bankrupt now, but we can just go make that money again."
"Yeah, good luck with that," Annabelle spoke, "In case you didn't notice, you got really lucky with the dire chicken quest yesterday."
"…"
After a bit of digging around, I learned that the reason for the lack of low-level quests was due to the presence of the wyvern. Apparently, it showed up just a few weeks ago and had perched in a castle close to town, which made the low-level beasts go into hiding. Hillreach's champion's council had made a request for backup and for military assistance from the capital, but the patrolling troops were already cut thin due to the ongoing war with the demon army, so it was a no-go.
"Wonder what made those dire chickens so aggressive anyways…" I wondered.
"Probably desperation… they stayed in hiding for so long, and just decided to risk it all due to starvation," Annabelle explained.
"Right then… even in that case it doesn't warrant any extermination quests… Can't I just go take down a few anyway, and sell their carcasses?"
"They are essential for Hillreach's food supply." Annabelle explained, "You're not allowed to hunt them willy-nilly and need permission from the council."
"Which won't be easy to get, I reckon."
"…"
Damn it.
Finishing up the last of my bacon, I drank a glass of water and began to think to myself.
"Part-time work maybe… but no, I'll have to work all day every day to just end up sleeping in a stable," I mumbled.
"…"
"What about the quadrilla quest?" I asked.
"Forget it." Annabelle spoke, "The dire chickens you could handle, but the quadrilla would rip you into pieces." She continued, "That is, if the quadchimps don't tear you up first."
"Quadchimps? Quad-rilla… hey, don't tell me the quadrilla is actually a four-armed gorilla?"
"It's also like 12 feet tall," Annabelle confirmed.
"Huh…"
Leaning into my chair, I continued to think. "What if I had help?"
"From who?" Annabelle spoke, "This is a beginner town with beginner champions. Sure, I'm comparable to an overlord, but I reckon you'd need at least two more highly skilled intermediate champions to even have a chance with the quest."
Intermediate huh….
"What about those two…" I said, pointing at the two girls sitting in isolation.
"Huh, you mean your crush?"
"Hey, that was just a heat-of-the-moment thing, I got over it fast!" I snapped.
The two girls were the blondie Lara and the gothic Melanie, who I learned was indeed not human, but from a near divine species called the seraphins.
"Wonder if a prophet had something to do with their naming…" I wondered.
"Maybe?" Annabelle spoke, "Despite their looks, their people specialize in holy magic, some of them even being overlords, so it's a fitting name."
"And Lara's a gunslinger, right? Rumored to be an intermediate?"
"Yeah…" Annabelle spoke, "But I don't know, she could help but… I doubt the seraphin will be able to match me, and no point in having two priests in the same party."
"True…" I agreed, "That being said, they are the only intermediate champions here."
"And they don't party up with anyone." Annabelle interrupted, "What makes you think they'd agree with you?"
"Well… It's a matter of negotiation."
"…"
"Hey," I spoke, "The quadrilla quest's reward was 3.6 million, right?"
"Yea…"
"The corpse and the quadchimps… how much do you think they'd sell for?"
"Can't say… but I reckon 500,000 fields minimum… maybe more?"
"So 4 million fields bare minimum… 1 million each…" I spoke, "Hard deal to pass…"
"Well, you could try talking to them… but I don't think it'll go well."
"Yeah, well," Standing up from my chair, I spoke, "If anything, I happen to have a very business-oriented mind, come on."
"Here goes nothing, I guess…" Saying so, Annabelle morphed her wings and flew up shoulder, and took a seat, dissipating the wings.
"Alright, Kenneth, put on your best smile!" I said to myself, walking up to them.
Noticing me walking up to them, Melanie put her head down and sighed, while Lara looked over at me and smiled.
"Kenneth, Annabelle, good morning!" Lara spoke.
"Morning, Lara! And…" Looking at the bored Melanie, I spoke, "Melanie…"
"Yeah, yeah… what do you want?" Melanie spoke, still not looking at me.
"Jee, asocial much?" I joked, "Anyways, how would you ladies feel about making some cash?"
"Oh?" A bit intrigued now, Melanie lifted her head and looked at me, "A business proposition? Let's hear it." She said, with a grin.
"…"
I looked at Annabelle, who simply shrugged her shoulders.
"Haha, Melanie, you sure do get excited about business!" Lara spoke, her smile forced, "Hey, why don't you let me do the talking?"
"No, I wanna hear it." Melanie rebutted.
"!!!"
I saw Lara's face twitch a bit, but she maintained her smile.
Huh… not what I expected of them…
"Well, anyways," I spoke, "As Melanie said, I'm here for a business proposition, one that'll end with us all being millionaires."
"Millionaires!" Melanie snapped, her eyes sparkling.
"…"
At her outburst, a couple of champions gave us curious glances and began whispering among themselves.
"Melanie, if you would please!" Lara snapped, "And you all, mind your business!"
Hearing her complaint, the other champions went back to their own business, yet a few still gave us a couple of shy glances.
"Well, umm, why don't you two have a seat?" Lara spoke.
"Right on," Saying so, I pulled out a chair and took a seat, "Now then." I continued, "Would you like to hear the details?"
"Hit me!" Said Melanie, only for Lara to glare at her more.
This girl sure did a complete 180 at the mention of cash…
After seeing I have both their attention, I spoke, "The quadrilla."
The two of them looked at each other, then at me. "That's your great plan?" Melanie spoke, "The overgrown monkey?"
"Look, Kenneth, we really do appreciate the offer, but… we don't really party with anyone." Said Lara.
"I'm aware," I spoke, "But I'm not suggesting a permanent party, just a temporary one with mutual benefits."
"And what are they?" Melanie spoke, "Sounds like you need us more than we need you."
Alright, here we go.
"Now I admit, I alone am not very capable, and you two are far more accomplished than I." I spoke, "Lara, I heard you're an excellent gunslinger."
"Well… agreeing feels a bit conceited but…" Lara spoke, "I am skilled, yes."
"And Melanie." I looked at her, "You're a seraphin, right? A race of all-powerful priests that give way to an even overlord."
"You got the facts right," Melanie spoke, "But I'm not a priest." She said, bluntly.
"Huh?" 2x
Both Annabelle and I got a bit shocked at that.
"Melanie!" Lara spoke in a loud whisper.
"Wait, you're not?" Annabelle asked, "I thought all seraphins become a bishop at the least."
"Not me." Melanie said, a bit dismissive, "I got something else."
"And what is that?" I asked.
"None of your business." She said bluntly.
"…"
Annabelle and I looked at each other, a bit lost for words.
"Sorry about her…" Said Lara, "But really, we do appreciate the offer, it's just…"
"Look!" I spoke, "Even more so, you'd need us then."
"…"
"You see, Annabelle here is a very potent priest." I explained, "She's actually comparable to a pope in terms of power."
"I take that back, actually," Annabelle said.
"Huh?"
"I'm better than a pope!" She said smugly.
"…"
"Higher than an overlord, huh…" Lara spoke, "Well, she is a light elf."
"Well, even so, what?" Melanie spoke, "She can heal, sure, but won't be much use if we can't actually damage the thing."
"Actually, about that." I spoke, "Annabelle is really potent at buffing. She brought me, a beginner champion, to the level of an intermediate, so imagine what she could do for you?"
Hearing this, the two girls' eyes widened.
"That much of a buff?" Lara mumbled.
"You're got to be bullshitting us!" Said Melanie.
"Believe it or not, it's true." Annabelle added, "And not only will I be able to bring two intermediate champions to the level of an overlord easily, I will also cast a variety of more buffs on top of that." She continued, "Infernal resistance, venom resistance, temporary self-healing, enhanced senses, to just name a few."
"That's…"
"So that's that." I said, "With her, we could easily take down 'An overgrown monkey, ' as Melanie put it."
"…"
"Still… our answer remains the same… sorry." Apologized Lara.
Shit!
"3.6 million fields!" I spoke, "And counting the corpses, we should get at least 4 million, right? That's 1 million each."
"Yes, but…"
"Now, how about more? Instead of doing a 25% each split, we'll do 30% for you two each and the remaining 40% to us, that way you're benefiting."
"Answers no!" Said Melanie. "And as if a light elf needs any money to begin with, it'll all go to you."
"…"
"You made a big mistake thinking you could pull one over me!" Said Melanie, "We're done here!"
Saying so, Melanie got up, and Lara too, hesitantly.
"Sorry, Kenneth, it's just not for us." Said Lara.
"…"
As they got up and were about to leave, I spoke.
"33%"
"…"
Seeing them come to a stop, I continued, "33% for each of you, and 34% for us. That's 1.3 million fields for each of you separately."
"…"
"You can't do this without us." I said, "So let's help each other out."
Hearing this, I saw Melanie looking a bit hesitant, almost as if she was about to give in, but she eventually calmed down.
"…"
"Sorry…" Spoke Lara. "The answer is still no."
The two of them walked away, saying nothing else, leaving me and Annabelle alone.
"…"
"Shit!"
***
Hey, check this out, apparently one of the most active generals of the demon king's army has not been seen in months!" I said, reading the contents of the newspaper, "What do you think he's up to?"
"Probably something evil." Annabelle said, "Can you focus?"
"Oh yeah, right, right."
Putting away the newspaper, I went back to concentrating my mana, via Annabelle's instructions.
"…"
After the negotiations fell apart, Annabelle and I returned to our room. And with nothing for us to really do, she decided to help me get a grasp of mana, and maybe learn a simple heal.
"Hehe, it's all tickly," I said.
"It's supposed to feel warm and sorta filling. Not sure where you're getting the ticklishness from, said Annabelle."
"Well, as long as it's working…" Saying so, I began to focus the mana throughout my body.
"!!!"
Instead of a single location, I spread it evenly in every corner, which gave me a bit of a jolt.
"!!!"
Letting it go, I let the mana dissipate as I fell into bed.
"Not bad for your 2nd time." Said Annabelle.
"How long do you think it'll take… to learn a spell, I mean."
"Once you get used to moving it around, then I'll teach you transmutation… I'd reckon it'll take a few more days before you could successfully pull off a spell…" Said Annabelle, "But at this rate, you might be able to strengthen your muscles with mana soon, you just need to learn to lock it in."
"How nice…" I said, taking out my enhancement slate. "Hey, how come none of this is popping up here?" I said, looking at the available skill section.
"It takes time… you barely understand how mana operates." Said Annabelle, "Rest a bit now, and tonight, I'll teach you how to transfer mana to objects, so you won't end up in another situation like with the enhancement orb."
"Wonder how the other prophets managed that…" I said, putting the enhancement slate away.
"…"
Taking the newspaper back, I began reading it again.
"Didn't strike you as the type to be interested in the news." Said Annabelle.
"Well… I know jackshit about Radia's common knowledge, and I suppose this might help me out with it."
"I guess."
"…"
Continuing to read the newspaper, I stopped for a bit as I read an interesting piece of information.
"Would you look at that… some noble had run away from home… the family is offering a large sum of money for anyone who can find her," I said, reading the contents of it.
"Noble, huh… got a name?"
"Lydia von Bullette, the eldest daughter of the late Lanard von Bullette, the previous head of the house, according to this."
"Von Bullete, huh… big name, they're one of the 4 highest-ranking noble families in Rosaria." Annabelle explained, "If I'm not mistaken… her father's death is very recent, like a few months ago?"
"Sounds like some inner corruption going on." I concluded, "Maybe an assassination for power or something? Pretty common with nobles, right?"
"Well, the younger brother of the previous head is now in charge of the family, so you might be onto something."
"A medieval-ish power struggle in a world of guns and dinosaur chickens, huh?" I spoke, "This world keeps getting more and more interesting. Wonder if I'll get to meet one of them eventually, a jolly old fatso with their beautiful sky blue eyes and golden blonde hair."
"Although some do fit that description, the current head of the von Bullette is actually a really powerful former champion and in very good physical shape," Annabelle spoke, "And also, von Bullette's have golden eyes, not blue."
"His vitality aside…" I continued, "Gold, huh? that's unique…"
"…"
"Hey," I spoke.
"No."
"Come on now…."
"There's no way it's that obvious."
…
"Is there anything else the von Bullete's are known for?"
Hesitating for a moment, Annabelle spoke, "Well, on the top of my head, they are known to produce excellent gun slingers."
"…"
…
"Just to confirm… their hair is…"
"Blonde…"
….
"Annabelle…"
"Yes…"
"How old is this Lydia von Bullette…"
"… She celebrated her 21st birthday a few months back… just before her father passed."
…
"It appears the plot is in my favor."
"Look, Kenneth…" Annabelle spoke, "If she really is who we think she is…"
"Then you're thinking it too!"
"…"
Rolling up the newspaper, I put it away.
"Hey Anna," I said.
"…"
"Why don't we make another trip to the hall tonight?"
***
In the evening, the Champions Hall is at its busiest. Champions arriving back after a hard day's work, claiming their rewards, and then spending them all on drinks and food. As such, a majority of the money circulates back to the hall, and they also get an additional cut from the completed quest. Effectively, most champions are doing free labour.
But right now, I have no interest in the champions and their spending habits, as it would be hypocritical of me to care in my current predicament. Instead, I'm here to speak to two women in particular, the same ones who rejected me earlier the same day.
"Evening." I greeted, walking up to "Lara" and Melanie.
"Ah, Kenneth, Annabelle…" "Lara" spoke, "Good evening."
"What do you want now?" grunted Melanie.
"Was wondering if you two changed your mind?" I said, giving them a soft smile.
"What did we tell you!?" Snapped Melanie, "It's a no!"
"Alright, alright, jeez, I get it." Saying so, I pulled out a chair and sat down at the same table as them.
"Hey!" Snapped Melanie, "What do you think you're doing!?"
"What? I can't even have a seat?" I spoke, "You don't mind, don't you, Lara?" I said, looking at her.
"It's fine… he's a fellow champion after all…" Said "Lara", hesitantly.
"But!"
"Now, now, Melanie." I spoke gently, "I'm just socializing, can't I do that?"
"No, you're not!" She snapped, "You're up to something, I can feel it!" She continued, "Hey, Elf! What's he planning?"
"Don't ask me…" Annabelle said, rubbing her temples.
"You're being paranoid, Melanie. I just wanted to share something cool I heard in the news." I spoke.
"Ken…" Mumbled Annabelle.
"Oh, and what would that be?"
"Interesting, really," I spoke, rocking the chair back a bit and getting comfortable. "Apparently, the eldest daughter of this very important family had run away from home… von Bullette, if I remember correctly."
"!!!"
I inwardly smiled a bit upon seeing their faces tense up.
Jackpot.
"I just don't get it at all." I spoke, "I mean, someone from a noble family… all that money, just throwing it all away and running away?" I stopped rocking my chair and leaned onto the table, "They must surely have a big reason for it, don't you think?" I said, looking at "Lara", straight in the eye
"I-I suppose so…" "Lara" spoke, her face tensed up, unable to meet my gaze.
"Alright, enough!" Snapped Melanie, hitting the table, and standing up.
"!!!"
"What's the matter, Melanie? You seem angry." I said, smiling at her gently.
"Angry!" She snapped, "Who the hell do you think you are! If you don't back off, I'll-"
"Excuse me, miss, is there some sort of trouble?" Said a random voice.
Looking at the source, I saw that it was a waiter carrying food, likely for these two.
"Not at all, sir!" I spoke, "We were just speaking about politics, and how horrible it would be for a noble family's name if the public got to know about an inner power struggle."
"!!!"
"Why don't you sit down, Melanie?" I spoke, gently smiling at her, "It's not good to get rowdy during dinner.
Staring daggers at me, Melanie relented and sat down in defeat.
"Okay then… here's your food madams… and sir…"
"You have our gracious thanks!" I spoke.
"Right…" Said the waiter as he left.
"Meat chops, bread, something that looks like lentils, and some greens, a delicious-looking healthy meal!" I spoke, "Must of cost you a whole bunch, huh?" I continued, "Just how do you afford this every day?"
"…"
Melanie continued to stare at me in anger, and then "Lara," who had remained quiet, finally spoke, "Kenneth… where are you going with this?"
"Whatever could you be talking about?"
"Don't play dumb!" She snapped, "If you could figure out who I am, then you'd be smart enough to know how foolish it is to be doing what you're doing!"
"What I'm doing? I'm just simply making conversation."
"!!!"
"You couldn't… No!" I said dramatically, gasping and putting a hand on my chest, "You couldn't possibly be the lost Lydia von Bullette!" I said in a voice loud enough for these 2 to hear, but not loud enough for others to make out.
"!!!"
"Y-you!"
"I'm stunned!" I spoke, "Something like that is just! Wow!"
"What do you want?" Melanie snapped. "Just spill it already!" She continued in anger, "Just like the others, I bet you're also just after her money!"
Money… oh well, I guess that is part of it.
"And you, Elf!" Melanie snapped, "What the hell!? I thought elves only contracted with the pure! Why are you enabling this!?"
"Our contract is a bit of a special case…" Said Annabelle.
"What?" Melanie snorted. "Did he blackmail you, too?"
"…"
Melanie's face was red with anger, while "Lara's" was pale as a ghost, tense.
Leaning onto the table, I spoke, "I don't want your money, Melanie… nor yours, Lydia."
"!!!"
"Instead, I'm offering a proposition," I said.
"Proposition… you don't mean…"
"As we discussed earlier," I explained, "The four of us will form a temporary alliance, and we will take down the Quadrilla. Afterwards, we will split the money four ways, 25% each, and then part ways. I will hear no complaints."
"Y-you!" Melanie said, her voice in shock, "You offered 33% earlier!"
"That was then, this is now." I said, "Now, make your choice." I explained, "Either you join with me, and walk out with a million fields in the end, and then never have to speak to me again, or..." I gave them a gentle smile, "I turn you in and get my bounty."
"!!!"
"Bastard." Said Melanie, looking at me with disgust.
"Ken…" mumbled Annabelle.
Ignoring Annabelle, I spoke, "Do we have a deal?"
The two girls looked at each other, then at me. Melanie's face was filled with anger, meanwhile Lydia's face was filled with a hint of fear and a look that almost spoke, "The audacity!"
"Do we have a deal?" I said again, "Lydia von Bullette?"
"!!!"
Hearing her name being said, Lydia's face tensed up again, before she opened it.
"Fine." She spoke, "We'll join you."
"Wonderful!" I celebrated. "Now then!"
Rocking my table back a bit, I grabbed a plate from a separate table and brought it to ours.
"!!!"
I used the fork to pick up some of the meat, then used the given utensils to take the grains, greens, and a big lump of bread.
"Well, what are you guys waiting for? Dinner's getting cold!" I said, cutting into my meat.
"!!!"
As I began eating the meal, I felt the disgusted glares of both Lydia and Melanie and the conflicted look of Annabelle.
Eating a big chunk of meat, I wiped my mouth with the table napkin,
"Delicious!"
To be continued.