Chapter 319 Chapter318-Completing the Quest
John's voice was icy cold, harboring profound implications that sent chills down the spine.
Saphir wore a look of confusion, "What do you mean, Captain?"
John snorted in amusement, "Are you truly this dense? Isn't it obvious? Clearly, AGHHO must have struck some clandestine deal with certain major powers—like periodically eliminating their rivals for them... in exchange for their silent approval..."
Saphir caught the mocking tone in John's voice, his face flickering with uncertainty.
"Could some of the big shots from our Northern Myst Empire be involved?"
John shrugged nonchalantly, smirking, "What do you think?"
Saphir was plunged into deep contemplation.
Emerging from the base's entrance, John looked back with a hint of disgust before flicking his hand.
A glint of shadowy light flashed, followed immediately by a massive explosion from within the cavern.
Flames roared from the entrance, engulfing and incinerating the entire base.
"Let's go. It's time to turn in our quest."
...
Cloud Sea, Mercenary Hall.
John and Saphir sat in Niel's office, detailing the events and findings at the base.
Niel frowned, his expression turning grave after hearing their account. "To think AGHHO would resort to such heinous acts, converting the lives of common folk into dark energy..." he muttered under his breath.
John gazed at Niel, his tone calm, "Niel, besides completing our quest, we also hope to expose AGHHO's crimes and seek justice for the victims."
Niel met John's piercing eyes, nodding slowly. "Understood. I'll liaise with the relevant departments in the Northern Myst Empire, ensuring they investigate the hidden secrets behind AGHHO."
Saphir and John exchanged a glance, with Saphir stating gravely, "Old man, here's some sincere advice. Don't escalate this to higher-ups. We'd be better off using our authority to announce it through the Mercenary Guild directly, ensuring the public learns of AGHHO's malevolence."
Niel, taken aback, locked eyes with Saphir, "Why go this route?"
Saphir responded with a bitter smile, "Do you believe that nobody in the imperial echelons knows about these deeds? Why hasn't AGHHO's wickedness ever been mentioned before?"
Niel, rugged in appearance but with a keen, sensitive inner self, quickly grasped the implications in Saphir's words.
His complexion turned a shade of deep red, and he picked up a large oak barrel beside him, taking a hearty swig of its contents.
His thick, ground-reaching beard quivered ever so slightly.
"Saphir... Why do we pour our heart and soul into our work at the Mercenary Guild? What is all this effort for? Why would someone be so reckless with lives? Do they truly have such dark dealings that they need AGHHO to handle for them?"
Niel voiced a cascade of questions, his deep tones filled with anguish.
The elderly man, bearing the blood of dwarves, wore an expression rife with desolation.
Saphir found himself at a loss, momentarily uncertain of how to respond to Niel's barrage of questions.
From their very first day as class-takers, their mentor had always taught them to harbor compassion for ordinary folk.
Yet now, faced with the realization that lives of these very people were being bartered in some nefarious transaction with AGHHO, both Saphir and Niel felt a chilling disbelief.
"Regardless," Saphir declared, "now that we are privy to this, we must not betray our conscience. This has to be brought to light!"
John, standing to the side, silently took in their conversation, refraining from interjecting.
While he might possess a genuine sense of pity towards the matter, he certainly didn't share their intense emotionality.
After all, he didn't truly belong to this world but was merely an observer.
Perhaps if such an event occurred in the real world, John's outrage might be more palpable.
As for their plan to disclose the nefarious dealings and the potential chaos it could unleash upon the Godslayer Continent, John remained largely indifferent.
From a player's perspective, the greater the chaos in the Godslayer Continent, the more advantageous for him.
Chaos, after all, often signifies opportunities.
John contemplated informing Auron Eastwind about this.
He had, after all, promised to aid the Seventh Prince of the Northern Myst Empire in his quest for the throne.
If handled adeptly, such knowledge might offer leverage within the empire's courtly circles, no?
[System Notification: You have completed the quest (FALL OF AGHHO) (Quest I)]
Promptly, Niel processed the completion of their quest for the duo.
As they awaited the delivery of their rewards, Saphir remarked with a light chuckle, "Old Niel, once we return, I intend to resign from the Mercenary Guild. I plan to join the Imperial Armed Forces and serve as an official magus for the Northern Myst Empire."
Niel blinked in surprise, a fleeting look of astonishment in his eyes before quickly settling into his usual calm demeanor. "Have you given it thorough thought?"
Nodding resolutely, Saphir said, "I have. Now that my quest for vengeance is fulfilled, I no longer have any lingering attachments. You know me well - I've always been hot-tempered, relishing in battles. It's that very nature that brought calamity upon my family. For the past decade, I've suppressed my true nature, but there's no need anymore."
"The battlefield is where I truly belong. Endless combat awaits me there. With the situation as clear as it is, our confrontation with the Abyss is inevitable. Let those damned abyssal creatures face the wrath I've kept bottled up for ten years!"
Niel nodded, understanding his sentiment.
Soon, an attendant delivered the quest rewards.
Saphir, seemingly indifferent to the spoils, pushed them towards John. "Captain, had it not been for you, my vengeance might have remained unfulfilled. I don't deserve these rewards; they rightly belong to you."
Without hesitation, John accepted, stowing the items casually into his backpack.
After exchanging a few more pleasantries, Saphir and John waved their farewells to Niel.
They then utilized the Cloud Sea portal, finding their way back to Silverglow.
Upon their return, Saphir, in a flurry of urgency, ushered John into a local tavern.
The boisterous fellow secured a private booth and ordered two large kegs of beer.
He guzzled the brew as if inhaling it, making John wonder if he even needed to swallow, as no such motion was evident.
After downing three mugs, Saphir, face flushed with exhilaration, slammed his cup on the table.
With gratitude, he addressed John, "Captain, I can't thank you enough. You've not only aided me in avenging my family's demise but also saved my life. From today onward, you are my greatest benefactor!"
He spread out his collection, laying all the items before John. "These are the treasures I've gathered in my lifetime. Pick as you wish... even if you took them all, it wouldn't matter to me."
John's eyebrows lifted slightly.
For some reason, he felt a hint of finality in Saphir's words, as if he was settling his affairs. "The way you're speaking makes it sound as though you're on the brink of death. I'll honor our agreement and choose three items as my reward. Keep the rest... Even on the battlefield, these treasures can be exchanged for vital strategic resources."
John spoke evenly, not taking everything displayed before him, as Saphir had suggested.
[System Notification: You have completed the Mercenary Quest (Grand Archmage's Commission).]
[Grand Archmage's Commission: Assist Grand Archmage Saphir in locating the AGHHO assassins and exact revenge by eliminating them!]
[Locate the assassins (Completed)]
[Eliminate them! (Completed)]
[Quest Reward: Choose any three items from Saphir's collection.]
Saphir didn't decline John's gesture, continuing to indulge in his drink.
Meanwhile, John sipped his beverage, perusing through the treasures laid out before him.
Undeniably, having held a high position in the Mercenary Guild for so many years and being a Level 300 fire Grand Archmage, Saphir's collection was impressive.
At a cursory glance, John found several enticing items.
Among all of Saphir's treasures, the most precious was a crimson-red robe.
[Flame Surge (Epic Equipment): Forged by a mighty being, harnessing the fundamental elements of fire and refined through the power of ORDER without the inclusion of any other materials. This item possesses the ability to grow, capable of absorbing fire energy gems of any grade, with limitless potential.]
[Level: No level requirement]
[Attributes: +100 mana, +100% Elemental Affinity, +150 magical resistance, +30% casting speed, +70% fire magic damage...]
[Additional Skill 1: Flame Scorch (Passive) - When casting fire-elemental skills, add 1% continuous burn damage for 60 seconds...]
[Additional Skill 2: Veil of Fire - Upon activation, envelops the equipment bearer in a protective fire veil, deflecting a lethal strike from enemies below the Demigod Level...]
[Class: Fire Magus]
...
New novel 𝓬hapters are published on (f)reeweb(n)ovel.com