Chapter 18: Payment Required.
(Selenia’s POV)
After fiddling with it a bit, I found out how to use it. Which was Mana. It seems that everyone has Mana, maybe? At the very least, it felt like I used some kind of magical energy, which flowed into the contact crystal. After it flashed for a bit, I heard Sana’s voice.
Sana: “Hello? Who is this?” She asked.
Selenia: “It’s Selenia.” I reply.
Sana: “Ah, little Selenia! I didn’t expect to hear from you so soon.” She replied.
Selenia: “Yes, well, I need some information. Could you perhaps give me some?” I ask.
Sana: “I do owe you one for getting me out of that estate with ease, so sure, what do you want to know? Ah, on top of being an assassin group, we’re also an information broker. So whatever you want to know, we should know about it.” She answered.
It’s a little weird, but this contact crystal somewhat works like a phone… It makes me wonder about other magical things in this world. Going by the fort, and assuming that Sooven isn’t backwards, I would say that such magical things are somewhat limited. I mean, they did send a letter about me, and they didn’t use a contact crystal. Is this thing actually worth a lot?…
Selenia: “I plan to take over the kingdoms surrounding Sooven. I would like information that would aid me in doing so.” I reply with a serious tone.
Sana: “Are you crazy?… You only got lucky with Albert. Please remember that.” She said with a stern tone.
Selenia: “I know, but now it is different.” I reply.
Sana: “How so?” She asked.
Selenia: “I’ve been blessed by the Goddess of War, Marika.” I answer.
Sana: “…”
Selenia: “Why are you quiet?” I ask with a confused tone.
Sana: “Ah, so you’re still alive? Then your words are the truth…” She said with a surprised tone.
Selenia: “Why would I be dead? You didn’t put out a hit on me, right?…” I ask with a nervous tone.
Sana: “Not at all! It’s just that if you claim to be blessed by a God or Goddess, but actually aren’t, you would be killed on the spot.” She replied with a laugh.
Selenia: “…”
Marika didn’t mention that! Why did she make it a whole point about me proving it? All I have to do is say that I am blessed by her, and since I am, I won’t die, which will prove my words… What a whimsical Goddess…
If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.
Sana: “As for the information you want, frankly, it is far too much for what I owe you.” She said with a sigh.
Selenia: “How much will it cost?” I ask.
Sana: “Selenia, what are your plans? I mean, why take over the kingdoms surrounding Sooven?” She asked with a curious tone.
Selenia: “I’ll answer, but only if you keep the information a secret.” I reply.
Sana: “My lips are sealed!” She replied.
Selenia: “Fine… I want to take over the Alwessal Empire.” I answer.
Sana: “…”
Selenia: “Sana?” I say.
Sana: “Can I tell this to my boss? I swear that she won’t leak it.” She asked.
Selenia: “Huh? Sure, I guess? I mean, I don’t know if I can actually achieve such a thing, so this information is probably useless.” I reply.
Sana put me on hold for a while, which was a feature that I didn’t know existed for this contact crystal… Now I think that it is even more like a phone… Why doesn’t everyone use these contact crystals? It will be far easier than writing a letter. Not to mention, it would also be safer, as anyone could intercept the letter…
Sana: “Selenia, for now, I have permission to give you information about Tarina.” She said.
Selenia: “Why for only one kingdom?” I ask.
Sana: “The boss wants to see if it is worth it to invest in you. So, first, she wants to see if you can take over one kingdom before we give you any other information.” She answered.
Selenia: “I guess that makes sense… How will I receive it?” I ask with a curious tone.
Sana: “Someone already delivered it, Selenia.” She replied with a giggle.
Selenia: “…”
Looking around the room, my window was now open, and there were documents on my table that weren’t there before. I didn’t even notice someone enter my room, let alone just casually place the documents down. Is this a roundabout threat?…
Sana: “Found them yet?” She asked.
Selenia: “Yeah, they’re on my table.” I reply with a sigh.
Sana: “Great! Then just read all of those documents, and then came up with a plan to take Tarina over.” She said with an excited tone.
Selenia: “Yeah…” I reply.
Sana: “What’s wrong?” She asked.
Selenia: “I cannot read, Sana...” I answer with an embarrassed tone.
Sana: “…”
My answer caused Sana to laugh for a long time. Eventually, after ten minutes of her laughing, I figured out how to hang up the call. With a sigh, I ventured out of my room and went to Radahn’s room. Rana can’t read either, so Radahn was my only choice.
Selenia: “Radahn, it’s me, Selenia.” I say after knocking on his door.
Radahn: “Ah, Selenia. It is nice to be able to talk to you once more. Why are you awake so early?” He said after opening his door.
Selenia: “Likewise. Ah, and my conversation with Marika left me unable to sleep.” I answer.
Radahn: “Talking to a Goddess, huh?… I understand. Now then, what are those documents you have?” He asked with a curious tone while looking at the documents that I am carrying.
Selenia: “Information about Tarina. I can’t read, so I need your help.” I answer.
Radahn look surprised by my answer, but he let me in his room, regardless. Once we sat down, I handed him the documents and Radahn started to pour over them. It was kinda fun seeing his reactions change every few seconds. Were these documents that shocking?
Radahn: “Where… where did you get these?” He asked.
Selenia: “Do you really want to know?” I reply.
Radahn: “…I never thought that a child would give me the “If I answer your question, then I will have to kill you.” look…” He said with a nervous tone.
Selenia: “Right… Is there anything useful in these documents?” I ask with a curious tone.
Radahn: “Useful? Selenia, there is enough information in these documents to easily take over Tarina in less than a month…” He answered.
Selenia: “Really? Do tell.” I urged.
As I couldn’t read, Radahn explained to me what was in the documents. Even I was surprised that I was given such information so easily… I guess that Sana’s boss is betting a lot on me? Who knows… What I do know, is that I can take over Tarina soon!