The option of hiring a trickster would not work either. There would be no guarantees, even beside the fact that I did not have so many granises. Thinking of all the pros and cons once again, I concluded that I could only do one thing:
“Greetings, Yaropolk. Did you have questions for milord?” Malturion responded, even though I had thought that I was calling Bernard’s personal comm.
“Greetings, Malturion. Not questions as such, but problems that have to do with Milord Bernard’s present. Can I talk to him?” I really did want to talk to Bernard.
“Milord is busy right now. You can describe the problem to me. Perhaps I would be able to help you without bothering him,” the butler insisted, and I gave in.
“Gromana passed on to me the present from Milord. After I activated the book my dark aura became so strong that it oppresses the Light ones around me too much and scares the NPCs. I am not complaining‒ not at all. But with an aura like this I won’t last long in the Light world. Gromana suggested a way to conceal my aura, but for that I would need an extremely powerful but small Light source. I can’t obtain one on my own; I don’t have either connections, nor granises, nor opportunities. So it seems I would have to deactivate the book in order to resolve the problem. But I would not want to offend my suzerain by doing this.”
“It’s highly commendable for the vassal to care about his master’s feelings. I wish everyone would respect their master so much,” I heard a grin in Bernard’s voice as he came on the line. Open irony in his words grated on my self-esteem.
“Good afternoon, Milord Bernard! I am very grateful to you for the present, and apologize for bothering you. I wanted to steal a source of Light on my own, but the only team of mercenaries that I know would not agree to the order, since no one wants to quarrel with the monks.”
I specifically did not state directly there was a connection between Bernard’s present and the activated book. For all the game world to see I had an active book of Lumpen and nothing else. Bernard’s tone made it clear to me that was in my best interest to mislead my suzerain as long as I could.
“Of course. So what drew the eye of my vassal?” Bernard clarified, and laughed on hearing my answer.
“The tooth of the Buddha was never kept in the Temple of the Tooth. A pretty legend that it is hidden in seven gold caskets is just that – a legend. What is kept in the temple is but a copy; the relic itself, as it should be, is located in the well-protected treasury that belongs to the monks. One would have to be an idiot to consider that an artifact so strong would be exposed for everyone to see. It receives its force not because it is seen, but because it is known. For this purpose the temple is more than sufficient. This would not work.”
“I see.” Actually, I was discouraged by the open contempt in Bernard’s voice. The hope that he would help was fading fast. “In that case, I would have to follow Gromana’s other piece of advice.”
“And that would be?” The Coordinator asked curtly.
“Gromana said that the simplest way is to deactivate the book.”
“Don’t even think of deactivating the book. That’s an order.” It was stated in a manner that made it clear: it was the Coordinator of three game worlds speaking. The man whose middle name was Power, no less. “Wait in the Lecleur estate‒ in ten minutes the source of Light will be delivered to you.”
Bernard hung up and my dismay vanished without a trace. However, my mood was in no hurry to bubble up to sheer joy either. Rather I was visited by worry threatening to bloom into paranoia. That’s it? The masks are off? Good uncle suzerain is a thing of the past? Bernard believes that I have activated the book of Lumpen, therefore to him I am no more than a puppet. Really, had I been simply a vassal, I would have had some freedom of choice with respect to following my suzerain’s orders. So suppose I disagreed with my lord, so it would be possible to argue against his orders. Naturally, Bernard and the Game would be within their rights to punish me for it. And, in order to prevent possible insubordination, Bernard would be playing a good master. But after the activation of such a convenient gift the vassal instantly turned into a puppet able only to act in accordance with its master’s will without asking any unnecessary questions. Then there would be no need to play the role of being good. How convenient. The question was: what was the point of such drastic measures?
I had no specific answer, nor did I have time for contemplation. The most obvious answer was: Bernard would need a puppet during the restart. Setting this question aside till a better time, I hastened to return to the estate. Regular nightly battles with the necromancers did not weaken in the least the players’ desire to get into the estate and complete their quest. The long line was still snaking all the way to the gate. Trying to maintain some distance from the players, I was quickly moving towards the entrance. However, it did not go entirely without casualties. My estimate of distance was good, and the “impact” zone of my aura caught players one by one; they also attacked one by one, which was convenient for me. Without unneeded emotions I sent them to respawn, then made a step forward and used my dark aura to check the next player. Who is he – a “trembling creature” or “has the right”? I would have never thought that there would be a time in my life suitable for quotes from the immortal “Crime and Punishment” by Dostoevsky.
“C-c-come in.” The guard at the door held up despite the beads of sweat that appeared on his forehead. His sense of duty overcame his fear. “You are on the l-l-list.”
I looked back – the line of those wanting to come into the estate had become noticeably thinner, but was still numerous. Those players who had been able to control themselves used the opportunity to become considerably closer to the coveted gate. Nothing new, just natural selection at work.
I decided against going deeper into the estate, so as not to provoke the players and local NPCs. I settled near the entrance and tried to hide from everyone, to quietly wait for the parcel from my suzerain.
“Yaropolk, come out of the estate, take out your anti-grav and hold it in your right hand.” Malturion called precisely at the time Bernard had specified. As I followed his instruction, the butler appeared next to me. All I was able to do was to nod in greeting, when something bent me and pressed me to the ground. My heart was banging in my throat, my ears rang like huge bells, the world darkened in front of me. I could not breathe; I could not move. It felt like a huge stone pressing me to the ground, threatening to crush me flat. Steve was shouting something, and I could even hear him clearly, but my brain refused to function and the meaning of the sounds escaped me.
“If you decide to leave this game world,” Malturion’s voice miraculously made its way through the weight of the stone and removed it, “you will have to return the Light source. That is the master’s order. Also, I would like to give you some advice: learn how to control yourself, even in situations like this one. Now you are rolling in the dust and bringing shame on your master.”
I was lifted off the ground effortlessly and set on my feet. Making sure that I was not going to fall over again, Malturion activated a portal and disappeared without another word. Still, I was grateful. I opened my right hand and saw a clump of hair within the anti-grav. Judging by the thickness it was definitely not human. Not as though it mattered; for all I cared it could be a yeti’s‒ the important thing was that it worked!”
“That was funny! You, with your hand outstretched, at a vampire’s feet!” I heard the cutting voice of Dolgunata as she was approaching the estate. “Let’s go! I can see you got your alms already, so now it’s time to work. Everything is ready. We need to get into the treasury before Iven notices that the key is missing.”
“You are such a bitch after all, Nata. I used this alms, as you called it, to dampen the aura so that you would feel better,” I grumbled as I joined Dolgunata. In response she only snorted like a cat, showing me where I could stuff all my care. Without hiding we went straight to Sophie for the key to the Reverse.
We found the lady in the sma
ll reception hall with Ervan, who was dead drunk. Even though she detested her husband, Sophie stayed close to him so that no one would try to bring him out of his Dionysian stupor too early, so the estate would have some respite. Exchanging quick glances with us, she nodded lightly towards the gallery that led to the treasury, then said to the nearby servant:
“I feel a little ill. I will go lie down. Make sure you keep a eye on my husband.”
We waited for a couple minutes, then followed her; we caught up with Sophie as she was turning towards her rooms.
“Monsieur Yaropolk, mademoiselle Dolgunata.” The temporary mistress of the estate nodded, welcoming us and looking us over. “Here, I hope this helps to find mother’s pendant and put an end to all this chaos.”
The key to the Reverse was in my hands again, and the system started its countdown. Twelve hours till Iven would be notified of his granddaughter’s betrayal. Sophie’s shoulders drooped and she disappeared into her room. “The die is cast”, as Julius Caesar said during the hard times.
Further preparations did not take us much time. We picked up Alard and gave Mizardine detailed instructions and a detonator in case we were delayed; then we hurried towards the entrance to the treasury. The three Paladins were not glad to see us.
“This place is off limits!” A bearded gnome stood in our way. He was about as wide as he was tall. “Turn around now!”
“Who is the head of the guards?” Dolgunata came up to the halfling, unabashed, and looked him over from top to bottom the way only she could.
“An’ who you be, lass, fer me to answer to ye? I said, it’s off limits! But…” the gnome looked back at Dolgunata with a measuring look, bottom to top, and stopped just above his eye level, which happened to be at the druid’s chest, “…if ye have something to offer nicely to a tired Paladin, don’t be shy, show me what ye ‘ave.”
“What I can offer you nicely is only to step aside and not keep myself and my companions from entering the treasury. And I am only extending this offer on the principle of not crippling those who are already crippled by nature. Here, take a look.” Dolgunata handed the Paladin a scroll. It was a pity that at this moment I was the only one capable of appreciating her politeness and restraint. She was actually capable of moderating her rudeness when needed for common success.
The gnome took the scroll and read it carefully and unhurriedly. After that, in the same unhurried way, he rolled it up and offered it back. Dolgunata jerked her head, puzzled, in no hurry to take the scroll back. Seconds ticked by, but Nata still waited for a different response. Finally the gnome frowned in irritation and lowered his hand with the scrolls, stepped to the side a little and took out his comm.
Even we heard the signal as he called, but whoever the gnome was calling did not pick up. The gnome’s eyebrows furrowed: he was puzzled. He made another call, also to no avail, then turned to Dolgunata again:
“Sorry, lass, but there's nothing good I can tell you. Gerhard van Brast might be a big laird here, but he’s not the one who hired us an’ he’s not the one to order us.”
“Is that so?” Dolgunata’s eyebrows flew up so high they were about to collide with her hairline. “Are you an idiot or have you lost your mind? That’s an order from the Head of the class of Paladins of the Earth game world!”
“I’m mighty impressed and a’ that! But I tell ye again, as your mind’s too dim – I ‘ve a contract! Get that? And your Gerhard will ne’er shower me with granises for breaching it!”
Dolgunata jerked in the direction of the tense Paladins, but was pushed back softly by the force field. The druid slipped back a couple of yards, but kept her balance.
“You shouldn’t be like that, lass. We might take offense at tha'. Naw’ one’s allowed to enter,” the other gnome clarified mildly. We were pushed further away by the expanding field, and Gerhard’s scroll flew after us. “You try tha’ agin, we’ll send ye for respawn without talkin’much.”
Dolgunata joined us and we turned a corner.
“Yari: your conclusions?” The druid stopped and pulled on a lock of her hair impatiently. “Any suggestions? Damn. We are wasting time so stupidly!”
“Who could have supposed they were not from Earth?” All that my conclusions could bring about was desperation. The druid chose the simplest solution: she took out her comm:
“Teacher, we have a problem!”
“Nata, solve it yourself!” The catorian barked so loudly that the girl jerked the comm away from her sensitive cat’s ear. The teacher’s voice was so tense that the druid did not dare argue with him. “Bye!”
A long pause was interrupted by the orc:
“Why our bearded friends are behaving so dishonorably?” Alard was extremely frustrated with the gnomes’ behavior. Apparently, he alone drew no conclusions from that. “There is no honor in such behavior.”
“They are strangers here‒ that’s why they behave like that.” I responded, sighing heavily. My seemingly ideal plan for searching for the pendant was about to disintegrate; we would not be able to get by those Paladins. Neither by force, nor by tricks, nor by any other method known to me. Well, actually… Leguria with 100 Darkness would probably help, but then most of the estate would be hit as well. Was I ready to feel all the joys of torturing a hundred players and NPCs? Frankly speaking, right now – not ready at all. The Paladins were from somewhere else. Iven hired them specially to guard the treasury. A little odd that he did not entrust his own fighters with that task. Wanted to keep them from talking? Could be. And it is logical that the outsiders would not let us through without notifying their employer of an off-nominal situation. Wait! But how come the gnome did not know that Gerhard van Brast was the head of all local Paladins?
“Alard, when you were preparing to travel to our world, did you need any paperwork?” I recalled my conversation with Gromana that something provided the necromancer access to our world past Bernard, as well as Steve’s mention that if a player were to travel to another world without permission, he would be eliminated. What if Iven had dragged the gnomes here illegally? Brought them in by portal directly and then sent them back the same way? They would not need to know who was the head of the Paladins in this game world. By the way, Bernard’s interest in Iven could easily be due to this – as a channel for people smuggling. I needed to check my guesswork.
“Not myself, no.” The orc frowned, clearly not understanding the reason for my interest. “There was permission granted to all the Paladins of my world, it was prepared by our Head. All I have is an excerpt from our orders.”
“Show me, would you?” I asked tentatively. The orc hesitated, then pulled out his tablet and showed the picture of the order. In it, his name was mentioned, among other Paladins; the order was signed by the Coordinator of sector 446, Bernard Kalran. Gerhard was also mentioned as the responsible party from the hosts’ class. What a tangled web indeed!
“Yari, look here. I haven’t changed my mind.” Miltay was mistakenly considering that I was going to offer him that same job again. “We aren’t going to fight against players.”
“Forget about the monks, I have already solved that problem.” The orc and the druid stared at me in a way that practically ordered me to tell them everything in detail. Well, tough luck! “I have a different question. Your group can work on Earth, even though you are definitely not from this game world. Did you have to obtain a permit?”
“Of course I did.” The mercenary’s voice expressed genuine surprise. That was obviously not a question he expected. “In order to work in any world you need a permit. The level of my team made it possible for us to work only in sectors 446, 282 and 1077; after completing the Dungeon with you we were granted access to a couple more. I’d thought I told you about it. Did I not?”
“That’s what I was I calling you about‒ thanks!” I hung up without going into detail, and could not contain the joy that showed on my face. Even though it was premature. We still had to take one last step to checkmate Milord Iven, if I
was correct in my analysis of the positions of the pieces on the board.
“Yaropolk, you have problems again?” Malturion picked up at once.
“Rather, some questions,” I clarified. “Within the Lecleur estate there are three fighter Paladin gnomes who are obviously not from the Earth game location. I don’t know their names, just the description of their appearance. According to reliable information Iven, the head of the family, is responsible for the presence of those bearded creatures within the estate. The question is, did Bernard issue a permit to gnomes to be in our game world, or did Iven act by going around him?”
“This is a grave accusation.” The vampire looked alert. “Can you send me pictures of the gnomes?”
“I will try.” My Context Search was already leveled to 15; that enabled me to download pictures and video to other players. Steve was a little slow doing it for the first time, but just in a few moments the comm was connected to the Book of Knowledge and the vampire received a video clip of the gnomes.
“I will check on it. Wait.” Malturion hung up, and then Dolgunata sharply turned me towards her.
“You knew that from the start?!” The druid was enraged, since I had not discussed it with her.
“Are you completely bonkers?” I was somewhat taken aback by her attack on me.”I have never even seen gnomes until now. It’s just that they are from a different world, and that gave me certain ideas… Now, Malturion will check all this out and it will become clear whether I was right or not. Come on, we have not a moment to waste. If I am right we’ll have just a few seconds to enter the treasury.”
We settled right around the corner to keep out of the Paladins’ sight. I did not want to aggravate the eager guards any further, so periodically I would check out the situation under my invisibility cover. The gnomes were calmly guarding, not trying to call anyone on their comms any more. I held mine in hand, but Malturion was in no hurry to provide any updates.
The Quest (Dark Paladin Book #2) LitRPG Series Page 26