Chapter15-The Key? A Brand New Side Quest!

"Lord, have you considered why Miss Phoebe left Calia and why she appeared nearly forty kilometers to the east in Monster Cave?"

"After her birthday, she expressed a desire to see the world outside, so I... equipped her with an elite guard and let her go. If I had known this would happen, I wouldn't have..."

"It seems, Lord, that it was your consent that led to Miss Phoebe's misfortune. You are aware of how dangerous Monster Cave is. Given Miss Phoebe's character, it's not impossible that she became interested in Monster Cave and insisted on entering despite her guards' objections."

"Phoebe is usually so sensible and obedient, how could she do something so reckless?"

"Do you really know Miss Phoebe that well, Lord?"

"She is my daughter, of course I know her!"

"I'm not so sure about that."

John said, pulling out a standard set of armor from the player's backpack and laying it out in front of him.

"This is... this is Calia's standard armor!"

"Yes, and I also found this in Monster Cave. At first, I thought it odd, but now it can be clearly explained. Lord, don't you find this armor a bit strange?"

"Strange? What's strange about it?"

Lord Calia stood up and walked down the lengthy stairs, scrutinizing the armor that shimmered with a silvery glow, and said solemnly, "I see nothing amiss."

"Lord, wouldn't you say Miss Phoebe's build is similar to that of my friend?"

John pointed to Lily, and Lord Calia, following his gesture, scrutinized her for a moment before conceding, "Indeed, there is a resemblance."

"This armor, my friend can barely fit into it, but I cannot. If you do not believe me, Lord, feel free to summon some guards to try it on."

Hearing this, Lord Calia also suddenly realized.

Lord Calia himself had been involved in the design of the standard Calia armor, and he was intimately familiar with its dimensions. Prompted by John, he too found it strange that the armor was unusually small.

Even John, who was not particularly robust, couldn't fit into the armor, and considering that Calia's guards were selected through strict standards, how could such a frail young man have slipped through?

"You mean to say, this is my daughter Phoebe's armor?"

"I merely suggest it as a possibility. So, Lord, did you know that Miss Phoebe had this armor made secretly?"

"I..."

"It appears you were unaware. Do you know how long it takes to craft a suit of quality armor? I do not know, but surely, Lord, you must. Perhaps Miss Phoebe had planned this even before she asked to leave.

Why then did Miss Phoebe wish to venture into the outside world?

Perhaps she was not happy living here, her nature such that she yearns for freedom and the open sky. Yet she was forcibly changed by certain people, certain events.

What do you think, Lord?"

"Is it... because of the betrothal?"

At the mention of the betrothal, John had a realization.

"So, Miss Phoebe disliked her betrothal. She must have resisted you, Lord, but failed. You found a reason, forcing Miss Phoebe to accept.

Therefore, Miss Phoebe chose to secretly craft armor and used her birthday as a pretext, preparing to leave Calia forever. Alas, she ultimately perished in Monster Cave, and her belongings ended up with me.

It seems everything makes sense now, Lord. I am an innocent party."

"How could this be? Phoebe has always been so well-behaved, and Delvia is Calia's most valiant general. What is so bad about marrying him?"

"It's that very attitude that made Miss Phoebe give up on arguing with you."

"But I am her father! I just want her to be happy. How could she defy her father like this?"

"From the moment of birth, each person is an independent individual. She has her own thoughts, her own freedom.

Why must Phoebe listen to you? Just because you are older, because you are her father?

You will always be her father, always older than her—that can never change. Based solely on that, to erase a person's free thinking, is that really fair?

Do you really wish to control Miss Phoebe forever, turning her into your puppet? Is that truly love?"

At this, John sighed softly, "This is the justice I seek, Lord."

Hearing these words, Lord Calia staggered back a few steps and collapsed on the stairs, his hands covering his somewhat wrinkled face, his breathing heavy.

"May I leave now?"

"...Go, call back Delvia. There's no need to head to Monster Cave."

"Thank you, Lord," said John as he turned to leave, but Lord Calia suddenly called out to him.

"Please wait."

Lord Calia stood up, hesitated, and then sighed lightly.

"Helena, I know you've always wanted to conquer the underground city, but it has long been sealed by my people with mithril stone, and only this key can unlock it. I've hesitated to give it to you before because I was worried that if the monsters from the underground city were to overflow, you wouldn't be able to handle them and would just walk away."

"But now I believe that you are capable of dealing with this issue."

"Damn! I was wondering why the progress on the underground city had stalled. So, this was the issue!" Exiled Immortal muttered under his breath, his gaze growing more fervent as he looked at the key.

With this key, they could finally open the passage deeper into the underground city, and perhaps even achieve the first clear of the dungeon!

"Lord, thank you."

"There's no need, consider it a thank-you for John's wake-up call. Phoebe... died because of my pride, and only today have I realized that."

"You are a lord worthy of respect, but not a father. I hope this serves as a wake-up call for you after this matter."

John stepped forward to take the key, pondered for a moment, then stashed it in his player's backpack, ignoring Exiled Immortal's eager gaze.

Just kidding, this was a key earned through his own eloquence; he certainly couldn't just hand it over easily.

Helena might crave the dungeon's first clear reward, but how could John not desire it too?

The reward for the dungeon's first clear is at least three times greater than that for subsequent clears. Plus, with John's SSS-tier talent, [Kiss of Luck], it's no exaggeration to say that clearing the dungeon could elevate John's combat ability to a whole new level!

At this thought, John grew eager. After parting with Lord Calia, he made plans to head immediately to the underground city.

"Boss, you gotta say something! John's already taken the key. If he enters the underground city, all our efforts so far will have been in vain!"

...

Meanwhile, outside Adra Village, at Monster Cave.

A pale, delicate hand emerged from the pool, fingertips clutching desperately at the soil. Accompanied by a soft groan, a frail figure completely drenched by the pond water finally climbed out and collapsed on the ground, gasping for air.

"I'm finally free!"

The girl removed the pendant from her right ear. Despite its considerable value, she tossed it into the pond without a second thought.

"From today on, the Calia surname has nothing to do with me! I am Phoebe, Phoebe Freeman!"

The girl rested for a long while before struggling to sit up. She moved slowly toward the faint light, step by step, and at last, she saw the exit.

Her joyful heart caused her to stumble and fall, but rather than brace herself, she protected her body with her arms and landed squarely on her bottom. Her eyes suddenly misted with tears.

"Ouch, ouch, ouch... I hope I didn't break anything."

The girl rubbed her sore behind, then pulled an ancient dark red leather-bound book from her undergarments, gently wiping off the dust that clung to it.

Opening the cover, a mysterious and exquisite magical circle caught her eye, lighting up her face.

"So beautiful..."