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Chapter 330: A Prodigal God
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Out of all the people here, perhaps it was only him, Scion, and a few others more who have not yet been in this place until today.
The rest spent their moments embedding the big bustling city into their eyes and even he can feel the urge to stroll around the streets of Jeremiah.
“You guys can stroll around yourself. I’m heading towards the Grand Temple. Don’t forget your task while you do so and if something happens, don’t hesitate to contact me.”
After Siva spoke, he floated and pulled Scion and Eleanor’s groups with his two BM-Puppets. They are there to protect Scion at all costs.
Thorn, Volt, and Heller’s groups all went their own ways —all of them aren’t floating since they were only able to do so with the help of Siva.
“Yes mom. See you later, mom.”
“Mom, didn’t you forget to wear your duster?”
“SHUT UP! OFF YOU GO… ALL OF YOU!!!”
Thorn and Volt laughed as they sped their way off towards their designated areas.
Volt’s crew was tasked to canvas where to buy Superconductor Materials that Siva can use for developing a special kind of [Generator], as well as canvassing for machines that has the function of prolonging a material’s freshness —he needed one as soon as possible before the dragon rot in his inventory.
And then there’s Thorn’s crew who was tasked to canvass information on usage for dragon material.
Siva had planned for his Asgard Fortress to be a self-sufficient city-state. In terms of military might, it wasn’t something to consider; but he has the dragon’s corpse and he needed to use it to its limits to not only build his army but also ultimately create a ‘business’ that can become the Asgard’s local specialty.
After all, every nation has something unique to them that make other country want to buy it.
Siva planned to use the dragon as this resource.
“If Pistareen doesn’t buy my proposal, then I will have to approach other capable individuals. If they still decline… then…”
“Leave it to me, boss.”
“Mn.”
Although Siva was optimistic, he already learned his lessons and he wasn’t expecting that his plans will not fail. In fact, he expects them to fail.
“Plans doesn’t always work the way we want it to so for that reason, if plans fail, we wing it.”
“You wing it.”
“I will wing it and you will have to make sure to be able to find and locate the things we needed.”
“Leave it to me boss.”
Siva led Scion’s three women group and Eleanor’s five women group to a tall tower hotel. One look is enough to tell anyone that this was a replica of the Empire Land Building in York New City back in the real world.
Only, it wasn’t alone… this was a formation of four buildings with a floating edifice suspended right in the middle of the four of them.
Siva led them to the one with the “Number 2” on its main entrance.
“What a beautiful place.”
“It feels like the interior of Cesar’s Palace back in Vegas.”
The girls on Scion’s group looked at Siva. Eleanor of course wasn’t aware of such place but she was unperturbed by their commotion and just treated all of their activities as mere passing scenes.
“You’ve been there?” asked FlowerLord.
Siva nodded and looked around, “When I was still a student, I competed in the Tennis US-Open and as part of my entourage; we stopped by in Vegas and stayed here.”
FlowerLord and Kathleen Brew swapped glances and they both saw the “isn’t he just a teenager?” look in their eyes.
Of course, they were still wearing their hoods over their heads.
When they entered, their ghost-like movements attracted attention and their ocean blue-themed robes with red flowing capes made an impression of “not wanting any social interaction or whatever” —feeling on them.
But as weirdly eye-catching their appearances are amongst the crowd of visitors and patrons of the hotel, as long as they don’t cause trouble, there will be no problem even if they were half-naked.
After all, there are many eccentric people walking around the city and many of them had few unique tastes on their own clothes to express their art.
Siva’s group wasn’t that much an exception.
What made people look at them twice was their movements. None of their legs were moving yet they were moving incredibly fast —especially that knight in front of them.
There are three administrators in the lobby’s desk and Siva led their group to the right side lady.
“Hotel accommodations, sir?” she asked with a polite receptionist-like smile.
“Three—“ Siva stopped and turned behind him to check on them but no one spoke, speaking to him to continue with the plan. “—then I’ll take three executive suites, please.”
Those closest to them on the other side looked at their direction, some wearing shocked gazes as they stared at him.
“And for how many nights?”
“Seven.”
“Then that would be 21 Million Zentra.”
It was easy to calculate how fucking expensive a night’s worth of stay in an executive suite in this hotel was.
Seven nights, three executive suites, that’s 1M Zentra per day of stay.
It should be noted that it’s really hard to earn money in RPG: Terroa.
Aside from hunting monsters, the only other ways to earn a living to support your player life is to sell something that is worth money; be it materials for Weapon Building, or equipments themselves, or if you are confident in your Blueprint Designs, you can register your build for a patent so every other players who wanted to re-create your weapon can purchase its blueprint for extra bucks.
Then, if you’re the lawless type, you can always rob other people —or if you’re an extremist, you can always kill people and loot their things.
Either way, making money is really hard.
Even if you sell a still breathing C-Rank Monster you hunted with difficulty directly in the Monster Warehouses, you can only earn as much as a few tens of thousands of Zentra, perhaps a hundred full thousand, and that would only be enough to buy resources to bring you on your road to your next hunt —but who would hunt a 10m-large man-eating monster alone? Most of the players of the game hunt in numbers and so the reward usually gets shared and split five or more ways.
The fastest way to make money is to make Blueprints that actually work while hunting and selling monster materials over and over.
It needed time.
Becoming a rich guy in Terroa is incredibly hard and it needed real ability. And with this ability was the same level of threat that comes when hunting monsters, predators, and even Demons.
Yet, while you make your way up in the ladder of wealth, people tend to get jealous of others’ story of successes so there will always be times when trouble gets in your way.
In order to avoid this, people either build or join a group, or an organization —a Guild— and swallow their rules to their guts, adjust, and build their own way up from there.
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Again, not only this needed time, but a strong organization needed a strong spine to stand tall and mightily across the ocean of the other guilds in Terroa. As the fact remains, maintaining a Guild need money and resources. If one wants to stand on their own, they need it all at the same time.
Such are the problems behind an organization so for the likes of the Blue Card Legion, the Guilds in Warjillis, or even the TOS Guild, they would either be one of the three types of organization out there:
1) Enterprise – business focused organization
2) Adventure – playing the game casually
3) Mercenary – undertaking tasks for money
If there is even a fourth type of them out there, then perhaps those are the very rare types that is a combination of the three of them.
When thinking about all of this, only those whose enterprise market became successful could be able to earn enough money to build warships for their use… imagining how much money is needed to accomplish this task was already a hard task.
For the likes of the Blue Card Legion, to actually have the capacity to build two Battleships with the likes of Rewloola —and this being only a personal property of Kladis— is an example of an excellent management of a Guild and personal expenses.
Regardless of the underlying reasons, it was still a feat for a player to own a castle and two Rewloola Battleships.
Only guilds of their size have the capability to rear people at the level of Kladis… so imagining where Gats stand between those lines was unbelievable.
And Siva… spending 21 Million Zentra for seven nights of rest in the Quad Towers Hotel made the people cringe at the level of his wealth.
“He doesn’t even look like a businessman at all.”
Everyone else currently had that kind of idea as they looked at him.
“Basing only on his clothes, he’s either a Knight of the Orders with extreme wealth, or he’s a Knight of other Knight Orders outside of the Capital.”
“But look at that armor… it looks heavy…”
“He’s obviously the leader of this bunch.”
“Just how are they able to walk without waving?”
“Levitation Spell?”
“Telekinesis more like…”
“But to maintain the spell for this long…”
“Perhaps it was only cast before entering the hotel’s premises…”
Many were curious as to the identity of this group of people. Their leader, Siva, wearing the white-themed armor of the same make as the rest of the group even gained a few inquisitive scrutinizing glances from the other patrons.
Those who were in the know could verify that he is not a Knight of the Orders existing in the other Factions of the Capital.
Because if he was, then he would have been very famous by now.
As to how and why…
It’s because of the presence radiating out from him; those NPCs and a few players who had a bit of experience in the field could clearly tell that he was strong just based alone from his presence.
Here in The Kingdom’s capital, such a person is not able to get out of the patronizing noses of the people who’re watching over the factions’ forces.
Groupies would even flock at him if he actually is someone who came from even just one of the nine factions.
Thus… they were sure that he wasn’t someone who came from Jeremiah.
Perhaps from another country in the continent, or someone from the other continents at that.
They could only take note of him.
Siva checked in and he was given three card keys that had platinum sheen on them. He gave the two to FlowerLord and Eleanor and then kept the last one as his own.
They were led by a NPCs service-boy and they boarded an exclusive arc gate only for use by the customers who had ‘rented’ an executive suite.
After a flash of light, they came into a circular area that had a sunken lobby in the middle.
“Where are we?” asked Kathleen in curiosity.
“This is Executive Platform of the Quad Towers.”
“So this was that platform at the top middle of the four towers.” Even FlowerLord felt astounded by the sight of it.
There were four path ways from the central lobby of the platform with four separate reception desks attended by four beautiful men and women.
Beside the desks were the pathways.
And then on the sides, there’re the wide windows showing the view of the city.
“Hologram projections.” Siva said.
Hearing this, the service-boy explained, “Since we are in the middle of the platform, there is no way for an actual window to display what is outside of the levitating platform so we used technology to deliver the ambient atmosphere of the city for our customers to enjoy.”
As he was talking, he gestured to a direction of the city where the massive-scaled castle was.
The entire structure was different to the Apus Epirus by several magnitudes.
If Apus Epirus is a fortress castle with walls made for war, then the Castle of Jeremiah is a castle that is solely for displaying its massiveness that it, in itself, is its primal source of grandeur.
The Quad Tower Hotel was already tall with 150 stories each tower. Every building in its vicinity and every other skyscraper that wanted to stand tall in the city was dwarfed by the Quad Tower Hotel.
Quad Tower Hotel is one of the nine tallest man-made structures in the capital; eight owned by the noble factions, with this one being controlled by the Bright Light Sword Faction —the organization directly subordinate to the king.
In a few words, it’s like they are in the all-viewing sphere back in Akhenaton, with the difference being the four pathways that led, perhaps, to the four quadrants of the platform.
“Neat.” Siva commented politely and the service boy felt accomplished to have done his job.
“This way, sir.”
He led the ‘floating’ group towards a pathway that led to the northeastern side and at the end of the platform were three doors: their suites.
The service boy then pointed at the door at the end of the path, eyeing the card on Siva’s hand.
“Please keep in mind that the key does not work when it is in your Inventory. All other services you may require can be ordered through the room’s menu panel that you can access anywhere within the platform. Also, the hotel would like to offer our thanks to Sir Knight for choosing our hotel in your trip here in the capital. Please feel free to use this pass when you want to enjoy some of the establishments here in the central region.”
The service boy gave Siva three pieces of paper and Siva took it as he shook the man’s hand.
“Please enjoy your stay.”
After he bid farewell, the man elegantly walked off as Siva faced the two groups and then addressed them courteously, “Lady Eleanor, it’s okay if you want to choose to have another room to enjoy just for yourself. Do you want me to arrange for it?”
Eleanor faced the four escorts and then bowed to Siva, “I thank you for your consideration, My Lord, but we are already fine with this arrangement. My retainers and I have wandered the lands together and spending time with them is also my pleasure.”
“I see.”
Though Siva still felt rather a bit awkward being addressed as ‘My Lord’ by the NPCs (Akhenaton included), he still found an insouciant feeling in it as if the respect and sheer honesty in their ‘intent’ when addressing him as ‘Lord’ was just normal.
—or perhaps to his [memories].
He didn’t press on it since the woman was okay in the current arrangement.
Then, he faced Scion but just as he was about to say something, FlowerLord turned her back from them and opened the door to their own suite.
But just before she entered, followed by Kathleen Brew, she eyed Scion, then Cassiopeia and Niobe, and extending her hands before the latter two could even spring into action.
“Noooo.”
“Masteeeeee~~rrrrr…!!”
“You’ll get your chance. Let the 1st prize winner enjoy her reward first.”
Siva felt lost and honestly considered if he should stop FlowerLord from pulling them by the robe or if he should dismiss Cassiopeia’s pleading and Niobe’s teary-eyed pouting.
In the end, he ignored them.
Eleanor and her escorts entered their room and it was here that Siva and Scion was left on their own devices.
After an awkward silence, Siva urged her, “Why don’t you take a rest with them?”
“I just logged in and you already want to dispose of me?” There was a tinge of embarrassment on her smile and she inched closer to him with her hands behind her back.
Of course, her hood was already pulled back.
When he saw the intoxicating shyness on her, the bones on his body felt like they were going to melt as a very strong urge to dominate her in the bed sprung forth on his chest out of nowhere.
Siva eyed the two guards floating behind her and through them, he could ensure that she would be safe from anyone who wants to kidnap her again.
“It’s not that.” He said, “I’ve been online for more than 8 hours now and I also needed to rest. After I log out, I will sleep. These guys will stay and stick around you to guard you. Although without me, their reactionary responses will be limited, but at least their basic programming will ensure that you will be safe from any physical harm.”
She eyed the two behind her and then pouted, with the blush not subsiding from her face.
A silent sound from the expensive red carpet on their soles sounded as she dragged her feet to take a step to close in to Siva.
Siva felt surprised by her bold action and although he wanted to dodge the hands that were moving to remove his helmet, he froze there and only felt a sense of shame.
When the helmet was removed, Siva’s cursed skin was exposed and the two guards behind her bid a quick move as they spread their cape to cover the 2m-wide pathway.
Siva took the helmet and then she anchored her arms on his neck, planting a kiss on his lips.
“I told you before, I don’t see any curse in you.”
Her gentle voice was really provoking the wild and basic instinct of the male specimen on him. If he was any other man being kissed by this goddess and receiving all her attention, he would have long abandoned his reasoning and eaten her whole.
But she stopped himself because he felt that he didn’t deserve this.
At least not yet…
Not until he actually had the right to feel safe with all of his goals done.
And so, until then, he had take control of his men-labeled instinctual desires.
“I know. I believe you.” Siva said and pulled her to him with a strong and manly left arm. He planted a kiss on her lips and she enjoyed being smoldered by this sensation… for the very first time.
“Rex…” she chased her breath as she looked at his eyes, putting a hand on his cheek, feeling the coldness of the ‘curse’ in it. “I know you feel the shame with y our appearance and the guilt in your heart for still failing to secure Baron. I promise, I will be here for you always. I will never forsake you even if the world turns their backs on you.”
Siva kissed her again and later on, their foreheads rested on each other.
“I’m sorry.” He was closing his eyes as he uttered in a whisper. “I’m sorry that I can’t—”
A sweet-tasting finger was planted on his lips. “I understand. You don’t have to explain anything. I can wait. At least, promise me that when the time comes that you can, you must take me out for a dinner in the real world.”
She kissed him again and then let go of him. She knocked on the door and a click was heard from the other side.
Before entering, she turned around to look at him and wore a bewitching smile, “Promise me.”
“I promise.” He said and with a flip of his hand, his helmet reappeared on his head.
She entered the room and the two guards also entered her quarters.
Siva entered his room as well.
“Cortana.”
“Don’t worry boss, this platform building does not have the ability to block my scanning. Although if you were using only the Auricle as it is then yes, it wouldn’t work.”
“So the defenses are…”
“It’s just as you’ve guessed, the entire capital is a large network in itself and although it looked like it was separated by factions in the outside, it was actually a very large structure in the inside. I have spread my eyes and ears in the city’s local data-network as soon as we arrived and I discovered a few locations that may be of interest with you.”
After she spoke, she ‘fed’ Siva the information that she had and Siva’s face contorted to the pain for a moment but soon relaxed.
“Is this the Elder Council’s doing or the Alliance?”
“The Human-Terran Alliance may perhaps be an entirely independent existence than we have all been informed off.”
.
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The Alliance is an independent existence…?
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