Chapter 590 - V54C5P1- Quest Crossroad (2/2)
Birds of a feather flock together, and they would have much better conversation.
“Hmm-hmm. It is at least several hundred years of collected treasure. It will not be easy to obtain. There are two ways to stop Kaybern from attacking the humans.”
“Two ways, you say?”
“One is the sharp sword that you wield and the other is compromise.”
“Compromise…”
“One thing Kaybern holds dear is treasure. A treasure rare enough to please him will save the continent from danger this time around.”
Blink!
A crossroad of decision has appeared.
Black Dragon Kaybern is a being that is difficult to overcome with human power.
To save the world, will you confront him or offer precious treasure and beg for your life?
Upon your decision, the quest progression will change.
‘Hmm. I have to choose between fighting or offering treasure and making a decent compromise.’
Weed reflected on economic efficiency and figured that offering treasure to ensure no more destruction of cities was worth it.
Calming Kaybern and conquering the Haven territories would bring him the benefit, the Emperor of Unification.
That being said, if he were to decide on offering treasure, he will plan for revenge in the future.
‘I could slay Kaybern later and take the dragon treasure. That would be in my best scenario and interest…’
Kaybern was extremely powerful, and the choice to avoid a battle against it was a huge allurement.
“I am curious about something.”
“What do you wish to learn about?”
“What kind of treasure will satisfy Kaybern?”
Brio groomed his beard and turned his gaze to the beautiful garden.
“To fulfill the dragon’s greed, you will have to fill a garden with stacks of gold.”
“Stacks?”
“Mountains of them, so to speak.”
“…”
“If not, you will need to offer 200 of your most precious possessions. Gems, artwork, magical items. The armor or sword that your majesty is wearing will be accepted by Kaybern.”
He had just come from the brisk of battle through Yurin’s Paint Transportation Skill.
He was wearing casual adventure attire, but inside he was wearing the Sky Ruler’s Armor that had been reduced in size by Fabio and Herman.
On top of that, the Loa Sword, considered the best sword that ever existed.
‘I have to give away all of these?’
From the list of Weed’s equipment and treasures, the ones that could satisfy the dragon were approximately 20 items.
‘Even if I do give these away, that’s nowhere enough.’
He could add the sculpture masterpieces from the art gallery in Morata and could also tax adventurers and merchants in the name of peace.
However, none of that will come without a cost.
In the trade with Mapan, the calculations were right down to a single percent.
‘Taking into consideration the Arpen Empire’s tax income, I would recuperate somehow in the future… Though, this is not a matter of taking a spoonful of someone else’s meal.’
This was like feasting on the entire meal, then demanding to order crispy fried pork and a whole chicken on top!
‘The dragon is one big bully, and this sage… He’s suggesting compromise like a mediator, which is suspicious. There’s not one person I can trust.’
The sages of Versailles Continent were knowledgeable and intelligent beings, but not all of them were good-natured.
‘In the real world too, the smart buggars rip people off a whole lot better.’
Not one was trustworthy, and so he even accounted for the possibility of a delivery fraud.
If Sage Brio had a conscience, one or two items. If he was a total thief with nothing but dirty intentions, he could take up to half.
‘Now I am unsure. All the information we collected on Kaybern… They were all about Kaybern loving to force humans into a trap.’
Weed contemplated a moment and decided.
“We shed too much blood already. I am not certain if I can slay Kaybern with this very sword, but I will not back down.”
“Think wisely. A dragon is too much to handle for humans. Bowing down your head won’t put flaw in your high reputation.”
“There is no reason for humans to be mistreated. If we succ.u.mb to Kaybern here and now, it doesn’t guarantee an end to his greed. We will be exploited endlessly like the Dwarves in Thor.”
Blink!
< You have completed the important decision in the quest.
You have sworn to fight against the Black Dragon Kaybern in order to save the world. >
< Kaybern is a dangerous being that cannot be trusted.
Based on gathered intel, you have made the correct decision.
Insight increased permanently by 15. >
“Mmm.”
It was fortunate that he did not fall for it.
‘Seriously, not one can be trusted’.’
Sage Brio spoke in a tone of regret.
“Combat is not always the answer. I have confidence in calming Kaybern down if I step up…”
“…”
Weed thought for a moment.
‘Why don’t I just kill this guy right now? I bet I could find a lot of treasures he ripped off if I search the bas.e.m.e.nt of this building.’
The difference between a thief and a sage was a fraction.
Fortunately, Brio began speaking about a story related to the quest.
“A sharp sword dulls the warrior’s eyes and mind. It is a reckless path, but there was one who also chose to wield her sword against Kaybern in the past. It was the half-elf Vishur. However, she left for the maze Zode and no one ever saw her again.”
“She didn’t come back?”
“Yes. She vanished. If you can save her somehow, she will be a great a.s.set in defeating Kaybern.”
Half-elf Vishur.
Long ago, there was the half-elf Vishur who drew her sword against the Black Dragon Kaybern.
She was a half-breed of human and elf, a hero who mastered the ultimate spirits and sword techniques simultaneously.
“The flowers and trees are screaming due to Kaybern’s brutality. He must be stopped before a greater threat is imposed on us.”
Travel to maze Zode and find the vanished Vishur.
Difficulty: S
Quest Requirements: Hero Saving the Continent
Highest adventure reputation.
< This quest cannot be forfeited under any circ.u.mstances. >
< Quest has been accepted. >
(To be continued…)