Chapter 1317: Hidden Chain Quest
Chapter 1317: Hidden Chain Quest
Seeing Mithron’s reaction, Argenthea had no choice but to back down.
"I apologize if I overstepped, Family Head." Argenthea said.
Mithron withdrew his pressure and replied, "Then, the matter is settled. Now, announce the results of your test."
Argenthea seemed reluctant to do so; however, she could not find any reasonable fault with Izroth’s diagnosis or his treatment of the Medicine Birds. Therefore, she had no choice but to utter her next few words.
"The Supreme Elder has passed. Here, take it." Argenthea mildly scowled as a book appeared in her hands before she tossed it at Izroth.
Izroth caught the book and briefly examined it.
’Oh? This is the skill book from the quest reward list. I figured its effect was something along these lines. I know it’s in the name itself, but still—to think it can also share the effects of elixirs.’
Skill Name: Shared Elixirs
Skill Level: MAXED
Skill Rank: Unique*
Requirements: ???
Mana Cost: 5,500
Active: Within 10 seconds of this skill’s activation, for the next potion or elixir consumed, the user will share 20% of its positive effects with all allies in a range of 20 meters.
Cooldown: 1 minute
’Although the cooldown time is short, the mana cost is somewhat expensive with my current pool of mana. It’s a shame it only shares 20% of the effectiveness. But, seeing as how it has no limit on the number of people it can affect as long as they’re within range, it’s a good tradeoff.’
Izroth set the skill book into his inventory. He decided not to immediately use it since there was no particular rush. More importantly, he possessed the Master of Skills. While he could not directly turn Shared Elixirs into another skill book since it was unique, he could still eventually add it to his Skill Archive after using Skill Analysis. In this way, Izroth could find a more suitable owner for the Shared Elixirs skill book, while still retaining the skill for his own potential uses in the future.
Meanwhile, right as Izroth passed Argenthea’s test, a stream of system alerts sounded in his head.
〈System Alert: 1/1 Pass «Argenthea Kroma» test.〉
〈System Alert: Congratulations, you have completed the quest «Approval of the Kroma Family Elders»!〉
〈System Alert: You have received x1 «Skill Book: Shared Elixirs»!〉
〈System Alert: Some quest rewards have already been added to your inventory!〉
〈System Alert: Your favor with «Head of the Kroma Family, Mithron Kroma» has increased by 500 points!〉
〈System Alert: Your fame with the «Kroma Family» has increased by 500 points!〉
〈System Alert: You have met the requirements for the hidden chain quest «Curing The Grand Duke’s Daughter»!〉
〈System Alert: You have received the quest «Curing The Grand Duke’s Daughter». The quest has been automatically accepted!〉
Quest Name: Curing The Grand Duke’s Daughter
Quest Difficulty: SS
Recommended Level: None
Recommended Party Size: 1
Objective: The «Head of the Kroma Family, Mithron Kroma» has decided to entrust you with a task that can potentially decide the fates of the «Kroma Family» and «Danaharpe City». Cure «Grand Duke of Harpe, Aurelius Harpe» only child «Amelia Harpe», before his arrival.
Time Limit: 10 hours
-0/1 Cure «Amelia Harpe».
Reward:
-Max favor with «Amelia Harpe»
-Max favor with «Grand Duke of Harpe, Aurelius Harpe»
-Max favor with «Head of the Kroma Family, Mithron Kroma»
-Max fame with the «Kroma Family»
-[+1,500 Contribution Points]
-Title: ???
Failure:
-Kicked out of the «Kroma Family Estate»
-Lose all fame with the «Kroma Family»
-Lose all favor with «Head of the Kroma Family, Mithron Kroma»
-??? Negative Status Affliction(Permanent)
-???
Special Note: This quest cannot be shared.
’Contribution points? How strange. I haven’t heard of normal quest giving contribution points. If that’s the case, then—is this hidden quest considered to be part of a war objective?’
After Izroth read over the new quest information, he discovered a interesting points. Besides the matter of the contribution points, he found out that the Grand Duke of Harpe would be arriving in Danaharpe in roughly ten hours. However, this was too much to be considered a coincidence as it lined up perfectly with the time limit for his other quest, Deadly Plot of Ignorance. There was also the fact that Amelia Harpe’s name was mentioned in both quest.
Of course, the most important fact was that the system itself mentioned that Izroth had met the requirements for a hidden chain quest.
’Targeting the Grand Duke of Harpe’s daughter, but not eliminating her... Is it because they were unable to get rid of her in time? Or, is there a deeper reason behind it? Could it be that they want to lure the Grand Duke of Harpe here to Danaharpe? The League of the Eidolon, the Undying Desolate Valley, the Duvelle family... What are they hoping to accomplish?’
Even though Izroth did not completely rule out the possibility, he did not believe that they were trying to assassinate the Grand Duke. After all, the Grand Duke was considered a special war power. His strength had probably already reached at least the late stage of the legendary realm. And, assassinating anyone in the legendary realm would not be an easy task, let alone one with the standing of the Grand Duke.
’If it’s not an assassination attempt that they’re after, then their goal must be to lure the Grand Duke away from something. It’s a well known fact that the Grand Duke treasures his daughter. If he received news of her injuries, he would rush to her side as fast as possible. He also has the resources to use long range teleportation magic, which means he would have been here already if it were possible. Then, is he not anywhere in Amaharpe? No, rather—is he not currently within the Seven Kingdoms?’
Izroth could only roughly speculate until he had more details.
"I will excuse myself." Argenthea said as she collected the Medicine Birds and took her leave from the reception hall.
"Since the tests have been concluded, the elder’s council will no longer doubt the Supreme Elder’s abilities. I wish you success—for all our sakes." Ferron stated as he stood his feet and cupped his hand into his fist respectfully before he left the reception hall.
When Ferron departed, the stone table lowered back into the floor before vanishing without a trace.
"I’m sure you’ve already been informed of my request. I would like to hear the details behind the attack that happened on that day." Izroth stated calmly.
Mithron released a heavy sigh as he shook his head.
"I am not sure what the Supreme Elder hopes to find, but I will tell you everything that my Kroma Family has found over the course of our investigation." Mithron started.
He then continued, "Several days ago, in the west area of the Noble District, Lady Harpe was attacked and injured by a group of assailants. The twelve escorts in charge of her protection that day were either killed or severely injured. As for the identity of her attackers, we haven’t been able to find a single trace of them. Once reinforcements arrived on the scene and detained them, the attackers self destructed without leaving any evidence behind. I have seen and heard my fair share of bloodshed on the battlefield. But, this is different. I do not know where to point my blade when an enemy is hidden so deeply within the shadows."
’Hyper fixation on an objective and self destruction upon getting caught? It sounds similar to the Death Squads back in the Seven Realms.’
In the Seven Realms, Death Squads were a group of individuals trained from birth or kidnapped and brainwashed by sects, families or organizations whose sole purpose was to accomplish their mission whatever the cost. And, failure meant guaranteed death.
’If it’s a Death Squad or something similar, then a group like the League of the Eidolon is more than capable.’
Although Izroth believed that the League of the Eidolon was at the heart of the attack, he did not have any solid evidence to back up his claims. It was the same for the Duvelle family and their ties to the League of the Eidolon. Without any evidence, Izroth’s words would be no different than insulting a noble’s honor. If handled carelessly, he could end up losing many of the benefits granted to him in the Amaharpe kingdom despite his previous accomplishments.
"Ever since the attack, we have been investigating without rest. However, on the surface, it seems to be an isolated incident. Considering Lady Harpe is the daughter of the Grand Duke, we are still leaning toward the possibilities of either assassination or kidnapping for ransom. A man on the Grand Duke’s position is not short of enemies, after all." Mithron commented.
"Since it’s come to a point where an outsider’s intervention is necessary, I assume you’ve tried all the conventional healing methods?" Izroth mentioned.
"From potions to pills and treasures, we have had no success. In truth, we learned through some channels that there is a Holy Saintess of the O’Tohelm kingdom currently in Danaharpe City. We planned to seek her assistance; however, we are unable to locate her." Mithron responded.