Chapter 202 - Negotiator (1/2)
He got back to the second floor of the prison without a hitch after which he made his way back onto the roof. He had been concerned about someone entering the prison periodically. It is common for the guards to make rounds to deliver food. Even the prisoners who are being starved would be checked upon. So, after hearing the missing guard's words he suspected someone to enter the prison soon. Usually such quests would have a timer to finish them. Luckily, he went out of the prison without any issue.
He quickly got down and made his way towards the coastal guard station. It was already dark, and it is very dangerous to go along the beach at this time. Though he didn't want to use the fireglows to light his path, he could use the nighthawk to check for monsters. He didn't want to kill any monsters but avoid them. So, his nocturnal pet bird was enough for him to get him enough of a look to provide a path to the coastal guard station.
Along the way, he did see that the monsters like crabs were further into the coast and also a few of the coastal guards riding a few boats in an attempt to kill them. They were moving along the waters of the coast and raining spells on the monsters. Even the boats had a few weapons affixed on them that could attack the beasts, but these were mainly trained towards the bay on guard against the beasts in the waters. Only a few were clearing the ones on the coast.
He carefully made his way towards the coastal guard station, where the guard who had previously welcomed him from top of the ladder was also holding a wand and attacking some monsters. ”Get to the lieutenant. He is at the main hall,” said the guard as he noticed him.
Shadow went and delivered the video and the inventory list. The lieutenant seemed to be angry but was also thinking of something else. ”Did vita-nova get stuck or have any serious glitches,” during the starting days thought Balthazar as he saw the NPC was not moving.
”This is ridiculous. We can't have a quarrel with the town guards at this time. I just had received a notice to recruit them in our efforts because the number of monsters are increasing. The town head holds sway over the people of the town. It would only get worse for us, if we escalate this.,” said the lieutenant as he punched on the wall beside him. Apart from him, there were a few other members of the coastal guard in the main hall. There was a healer who was looking after an injured guard and also another one who was continuously receiving transmissions from other guards and managing the forces along with the lieutenant.
”We can't let our man stay there, lieutenant Bloom,” said the guard helping the lieutenant. ”If we neglect this, our men will lose their trust in the military. You would also be blamed by the higher ups,” continued the NPC.
”The deacon supports you. He has a considerable sway over the NPC. You can talk with the town head and come to a compromise. Ask to borrow his forces for a few days in return for not prosecuting his son. You don't need to tell him of the notice, right now,” said Shadow. It was clear to him that the NPCs would have a small conversation or more before getting to a similar result and decided to speed it up.
”That would go against the ethics. The kid should be punished. Usually for unlawfully putting a military man in such a condition, he would be court martialed to death or prison for a long time,” said the guard who was being healed.
”But that would destroy whatever relationship we have with the town. The town head is not a weak man and he loves his son very much and even used to pamper him quite a lot. He is known to be a well-known nuisance of the town. Even his father wants to set him straight but is unable to,” said the healer who was along with them.
”Then, the best option is to let him be treated leniently in return for the services of the town guard,” said Shadow. ”Think about it. You would probably not be just to you man, but you could probably save many others.”
”Fine. This is a hard decision. I have decided to spare the boy and treat him leniently in return for the services that he could provide, but he can't be completely spared,” said the lieutenant. ”We need to decide on a punishment that will satisfy the guards.”
”Make him a trainee,” said Shadow.
”What?”
”It is simple. The kid is a brat and needs discipline. You will find no other place that will teach a man discipline better than the military. So, we ask him to join the force under your supervision. Tell him that the coastal guard had already been informed of his offence and this was a compromise that you have negotiated with your superiors. The town head might even provide more forces once he comes to know about the current situation so that his son is safe. He might even join your efforts if he considers it necessary,” said Shadow.
”But none of that is true,” said the soldier. ”The lieutenant can't say any of that. At most, he can agree to the brat joining the military and train him, but he can't say that he had already sent the information to this superiors.”
”That is why he won't tell it nor will any member of the coastal guard. I will go and negotiate with the town head as a representative of the lieutenant and the temple. I am not subject to the code of the military and with my badge, it will look like the temple is trying to mediate between the pair of you,” said Shadow. ”I will just need a token to represent you in front of the town head and also details of the amount of force that we need from him.”
”Hahahaha, that is the best I can ask for in this situation,” said the lieutenant. ”It really does solve my problem and also helps us to get the town head actively help us, if the kid joins the training. Let us follow your suggestion. Here, take this,” he continued giving him a round metal token having the symbols of a boat and anchor with his name and post writing on its rim. It was clearly the token of the lieutenant signifying his military authority which Shadow put in his bag.
Quest Modified: Missing Supplies.
Quest Description: Negotiate the release of the guard with the town head, retrieve the supplies and secure more forces for the coastal guard.
Quest Item: Lieutenant Bloom's token
”I would also suggest that you write a letter that you know of your man's location in the prison and have sent me to negotiate on your behalf,” said Shadow to which he got a letter from the lieutenant.
”I will go ahead and handle it, then,” said Shadow as he went out of the station and went in the direction of the town head's mansion. He went to the gate of the town head and announced that he had arrived as a representative of the coastal guard station of the town and wanted to talk to town head about something important while he showed the token of the lieutenant.
A couple of minutes later, the guard blocking the gate of the mansion welcomed him inside. The mansion was huge and made of strong basalt like stone. It had three stories with the first floor being the place of residence of most of the security personnel and the servants.
The guard made way made his way up the stairs directly to the third floor and led him to a study where the town head, Theodore was there with a couple of other NPCs and his son, Barnabus. ”Of what service, may I be to you adventurer,” said Theodore as he signaled to Shadow to come closer.
”I would suggest that you get rid on any unnecessary personnel for this discussion, Mr. Theodore,” said Shadow as he handed him the letter that he got from the lieutenant.
”Who do you think you are?” shouted Barnabus from the side as he heard Shadow suggest his father to clear the room. ”Men capture him and throw him in the prison,” he ordered the guards that led Shadow to the study.
”Shut up,” said Theodore to Barnabus as he began to read the letter. ”Everyone, please leave me along with the adventurer, Shadow. Even you Barnabus,” he continued as he folded the letter and got up to return it.
”It might be convenient if young master, Barnabus remains for this conversation,” said Shadow before Barnabus could speak further. As the other went out of the study, Shadow began to indicate his intentions.