46 Stirring Up a Bigger Problem
Problems couldn't be solved by just letting time pass them by. It could get bigger if not handled as soon as possible.
Ely wanted to avoid living with the problem, but solving a big problem was more complex than it seemed. Not to mention, there were too many unknown variables.
However, Ely didn't focus on the problem because she didn't want to overlook the easy solution. She and Yuuki agreed to stir up the bigger trouble and leave it elsewhere by involving more variables to take control of the overall situation.
Not all problems have solutions, but they have outcomes. In the murky water of a flowing river, they could slip away from the enemy's focus, much better than being trapped in a pond surrounded by predators. Also, some parties might solve their problem for them.
'Hmm, when the time comes, we'll strike them in their own game. Or perhaps, they will fall into the counter-trap. Ely glanced outside as she felt the wind was still blowing in a direction she could not predict.
She was already arrived at the Sumore Forest City, one of the major cities in the Northern Realm. Yuuki and Jophiel sat on either side of her, observing the forest city inhabited by many kinds of beastfolk and demonfolk. They currently entered the downtown area on a giant centipede.
Unlike the carriage or chariot popularity in the Human Realm, the Northern Realm had a trend of giant monsters being used as mounts, even if it was for the transportation business within the city.
It was a terrifying and intimidating giant centipede and a large palanquin strapped to its back. It was like a centipede limousine. No one dared to stand within a two-meter radius of the giant centipede. Ely's group trip into the city went quite smoothly.
'Ely, several unknown experts have followed us. Two of the three have a malicious aura! Yuuki informed Ely as she felt they needed to take precautions.
'They're not too stupid to act rashly. For now, just let them be! Ely responded with a telepathic talisman.
Why are you so calm, Ely? We are being chased by two holy lands. Do you want me to handle those malicious people in secret first?' Yuuki wanted to comprehend the source of Ely's confidence.
'No, people are not problems to be solved but mysteries to be explored. They also have their problems and reasons, but that's none of our business. I'm not saying I'm a good problem solver, but the solution might be easier than you think, Yuuki. Also, they are still haunted by a great taboo. You have agreed to our plan. I wonder if you can put your faith in me! Ely wondered why the ever-calm Yuuki suddenly became agitated.
'Is it? I have faith in you, but a great taboo? What do you mean?' Yuuki tilted her head.
'Hehe, both holy lands don't have any information about me. No matter how much hatred or grievance they have towards us, like Frozen Cloud's discrimination against my hair and fur color, I believe those old monsters would never dare to act rashly. N0veIfulIbo0k top update place. Do you think a random legendary nine-tailed shadow fox dares to roam the outside world for no reason? She even has a Deity-level elder sister~ Anyway, this isn't the time for us to act." Ely replied with a wink.
'O-oh-' Yuuki finally understood. Apart from the many weaknesses and limitations, she knew Ely was unbeatable in planning aspects.
The most dangerous person was those who lived the longest, but what these types of people fear the most was the unknown.
To think Ely had thought so far ahead. The original plan that Ely suggested and they devised was turning the old problem into a big problem and gaining some allies after turning a particular faction into a public enemy.
Apparently, Ely still had profound plans beneath the original method for a bigger chance of their safety and success. Ely didn't even need to dispatch the Guardian of Dream for this.
Yuuki couldn't predict the future, but she trusted Ely.
"Master, where are we going now?" Jophiel spoke in a whisper-like voice. She knew her master would play a high-profile role again, but this would be really fun because she was involved in the limelight!
"Auction house." Ely answered confidently.
"Is there anything that catches your eye?" Jophiel was curious.
"No, We will put some interesting items up for auction. Are you willing to ride the boat on the wild waves with us?" Ely offered her hand for solicitation.
"Willing, more than willing! Let me join the fun, master~" Jophiel pumped her fist as she was excited. It was always fun to be around her master.
"Mm-hmm~"
"Yay!"
Ely managed to receive Jophiel's help. She then summoned her grimoire and checked a few things.
[Ely (???) | Oth Rank]
[HP: 31,900/100 | MP: 6.68M/4,500 | SP: 301,354/4,500]
[Talent: 6 Stars | Legendary]
[STR: 10 (Limit) | DEX: 10 (Limit) | CON: 151 | PER: 100 | ARC: 10 (Limit) |VIT: 547K | LCK: 100 (Max)]
Her stats rose after four days of hunting. Nevertheless, it wasn't significant in number since she could only get a lot of extra stats by eliminating super-strong evil creatures.
Anything below 5th Rank could only give three digits of MP or SP at most. Heaven apparently didn't want her to become a death reaper or spree killer just to increase her stats.
However, she might be able to meet the requirements to unseal her Goddess Master just by exterminating around a hundred God-tier evil creatures. Nevertheless, it was a difficult thing to do.
Finding a God-tier evil creature was beyond difficult, let alone exterminating them. She was just an ordinary mortal with some blessings. Her attack-type Mythical-tier holy artifacts were limited in number.
All of her skills were non-combat and related to support only. Unless the enemy was evil, her attack might be ineffective. Those weapons always had long cooldowns and required many spirit stones after every use.
Regardless, Ely was currently happy. She finally figured out how she could increase her HP.
There were many ways to earn MP and SP, but not HP. She would obtain some HP after slaying an evil monster with great vigor, physically strong and potent in defense.
It was just one inconvenient method. But, she would definitely find a more effective and graceful way to increase her HP with the help of her grimoire's feature, namely the log history list.
"There are ten stats. HP, MP, and SP are related to my body; the rest are my capabilities. STR is strength, DEX is dexterity, CON is still a mystery, PER is perception, ARC may be arcane the magic, VIT is my precious vitality, and the last is LCK for luck. Ely observed her stats once again.
The three combat-related stats had reached their limit and were bright red, indicating she couldn't raise them no matter what.
However, her luck was perfect, one hundred. She thought of trying to test her chance at a gambling house or something just for fun. After all, it was rare, almost never, for her to be struck by bad luck. The one blessed by heaven and worlds was so nice.
Ely checked the quest list, but most were related to some 'hideous' affairs like killing or something similar. She didn't want to actively kill people unless they had a death wish.
'Nevermind, I can't be careless. Luck and beautiful fate is related to virtue, merit, and good deed. Ely closed her grimoire and put it back into her subspace.
However, she just realized Yuuki's face was right next to hers, and their cheeks almost touched.
"I wonder what you read in that fancy silver-gold book. It's all just blank paper." Yuuki leaned back in her seat.
"It's a grimoire, the special magical item for mages. Each grimoire has different abilities; only the owner can see its contents." Ely shrugged as she didn't intend to explain further details.
A few moments later, they arrived at the most famous auction house in the city. The exclusive weekly auction would be held in two days for the experts participating in the ancient secret realm exploration.
A gigantic ancient portal gate manifested on the border between the Human Realm and the Demon Realm but adjacent to the Northern Realm.
It was an unexpected occurrence that postponed the war between humans and demons, and the realm's gate would open in 25 days. The public was oblivious to the truth, but the major forces had started preparing themselves.
After all, everyone wished to find their own lucky encounter.
Unmeasurable treasures definitely awaited them in that unexplored ancient secret realm.
Every major force in all realms agreed to hold three weeks of preparations because they would face terrifying dangers and unfathomable mysteries within that ancient secret realm.
The auction house was hectic because it was the first-week auction for the grand event preparation. There were so many great and attractive items up for auction.
"How lively." Ely got off the centipede limousine.
The surrounding people were surprised when they discovered the stunning nine-tailed fox in the middle of the city. Not one, but actually two!
The gorgeous, wild, and incredible legendary creatures' arrival soon became sensational news that quickly spread throughout the forest city.
Updated from fr𝒆ewebnov𝒆l.(c)om