Chapter 907 (2/2)

Xia turned to look at Le, the youngest of the three that were Xiang Le. Le was standing in front of her Throne that was not a Throne, considering it from every angle. Le was a rather bookish and reserved girl who had spent her time before the System arrived obsessively reading Web Novels.

Strangely, that time that so many considered to be a waste ended up being the greatest weapon that Zone Seven possessed. It was Le that taught them about Classes and min-maxing in a fantasy world. She was the one with the grand plans, while Xia injected rationality into their governance. Ann served as the necessary tiebreaker between them.

Xia shook her head at Le’s question. “Nothing that is above Level 61. And generally, the items are Uncommon or Rare. It seems… those three early successes… you were right. A fluke.”

Le nodded absently. “Nothing good comes from relying on others in a world like this… it is your own hard work that you need to rely upon in order to build a future…”

Xia’s gaze sharpened. “So you agree that we shouldn’t take these tools? Do these amount to a threat?”

Ann rolled her eyes. “Whaaat? They are just chairs.”

“They are Thrones.” Xia hissed. Then she sighed. “I’m sorry, it’s just- they fit us perfectly. Too perfectly. That means-”

“That means it might be Protagonist Correction,” Le remarked, still circling her Throne.

Xia’s hands tightened into fists. But she forced her anger down. I thought we were past this. “We performed the experiments. No special power appeared when we left you alone in front of monsters. There exists no Protagonist Correction in the System.”

“You saved me. In a way, you could be considered the correction,” Le pointed out. Ann began to chuckle even as Xia wanted to tear Le’s hair out. This was a conversation they rehashed over and over, every time some chance happened to go their way.

But to Xia’s surprise, Le then sighed. “...but there is another explanation; we aren’t the protagonists. Which means… I think I would quite like to meet this Randidly Ghosthound.”

“He didn’t make the chairs himself,” Xia pointed out waspishly. Then she shook her head and walked over toward a small table. She picked up a teacup filled with hour old tea and took a long sip. The bitter flavor danced across her tongue, calming her immensely. That was how long they had been stuck here, frozen by indecision.

An hour. An hour was a long time for a country.

There is no point in getting angry. Caution is practical. Balance is desirable. Temerity is dangerous in this new world. Like all others, I am flawed and can be mistaken.

Since she was nearby, Xia examined the final Throne given to them by Donnyton, her eyes tracing the curving jade.

The Jade Throne to be Coveted and Never Held (L) Lvl 65: A throne made by combining elemental energy with jade shaped by a master craftsman. This Throne will never have an owner, although all may covet it. Those that view it will be able to partake in its strange and wondrous energies. The more individuals who view it, the more the effect received is diminished. When viewing, individuals can receive +1000 in Health, Stamina, and Mana regeneration. Bones of the Earth III. Object of Desire II. Secrets of the Ancients VI.

Bones of the Earth III: This Throne cannot be ever seized, but it will provide some defensive bonuses to those who grasp at it. +35 Endurance. In addition, it is easier to gain Skill Levels in earth-related Skills.

Object of Desire II: All who view it for a prolonged period of time will come to covet this Throne.

Secrets of the Ancients VI: Hidden within the elemental energies of the throne there lies a powerful secret. After sufficient study, a viewer will unlock Paths that will lead themselves closer to power.

The most confusing and most dangerous of the Thrones, Le’s throne certainly had some very strange functions. Besides opening up Paths for her, it would allow her to train almost constantly. Who wouldn’t desire such a totem when the Regeneration boosts were so ridiculous?

“It’s dangerous,” Le finally said with a sigh, tracing the lines of the throne with her soft fingers. “This… will be a hard cross to bear.”

“So?” Xia prompted. “The attack?”

After a brief hesitation, Le shook her head. “I’m against it. We need more information. We should open an embassy, both in the Peerless Capital and in Donnyton. Use that to find out… how this sort of construction is possible.”

“If its a tie, I vote no attack,” Ann commented.

Xia sighed. “Fine. Then let’s establish the embassy. But I get to pick the personnel. We can’t have any mistakes.

The other two women nodded. Each one of them was consumed by their Throne and the possibilities it opened for them.

Xia hoped they wouldn’t regret this.