Chapter 54: The Fool's Task

Chapter 54: The Fool's Task

At this moment, Alger sneered, "I heard that this Beckland ambassador is also the head of intelligence for the Republic of Intis in the kingdom. He secretly supports bloody parades, orchestrates events to disrupt the relationships between nobles and the wealthy, and spreads rumors to incite opposition between the public and the government."

As Alger spoke, he gave Alice a meaningful glance, making her pause and wonder what "The Hanged Man" had imagined this time.

*Blessed One... Beckland... Pritz Harbor... Does he think I'm that Blessed One? But even if I were, that wouldn't explain my attitude towards Klein...*

While Alice was lost in thought, Alger continued, "I don't know if this ambassador is an Extraordinary, but many clues suggest he might be.

"He is surrounded by several Extraordinary individuals who belong to the Intis intelligence agency. This department has long been influenced by the former royal family, the Soren family, and controls the early sequences of the 'Hunter' pathway.

"Moreover, whether the two countries go to war depends solely on the desires of their upper echelons, not on the life or death of a diplomat."

The concept of war, which was quite foreign to Alice, suddenly entered her mind. She realized Audrey's previous concerns: as a Ruen noble, she was worried about her country going to war.

But... war?

Having recently escaped illiteracy, Alice had read a bit of history. She knew that Emperor Roselle had invented the steam engine, initiating the first industrial revolution in this world. But what came after the first industrial revolution?

The First World War... Germany, Britain, Russia, Italy... The history of another world resurfaced in Alice's memory. Realizing she was in the "Fog City" of a different world, Alice suddenly shared Audrey's concern about war.

—With Emperor Roselle as the scapegoat, Alice still hadn't realized the high degree of overlap between the histories and customs of the two worlds.

With Alger's persuasion, Audrey quickly accepted the situation and began looking for a way out: "In recent years, the Feysac Empire has been expanding aggressively, defeating the kingdom and the Republic of Intis on the eastern coast of Bayam and the Star Highlands. As long as we blame them afterward, it will be acceptable and believable to the high-ranking officials and the public of the Republic of Intis."

It seemed she was ready to accept the task... Although she realized that suggesting murder was beyond her capability, Alice accepted the situation well—she just couldn't bring herself to kill someone proactively.

*Ha, if I could do such a thing, I would have already posted a bounty to assassinate that KING Charlie and obtained a main ingredient for a potion...*

This self-mocking thought turned into a tempting idea for Alice.

"Mr. Fool, I can try to complete this task, but I can't guarantee success," Audrey's words interrupted Alice's thoughts.

Klein nodded slightly, "What reward do you want?"

"The formula for 'Psychiatrist.'"

Audrey blurted out, then hesitantly added, "And the corresponding Extraordinary materials. Hmm... we can discuss this after the task is completed. If I fail, I'll bear the costs myself. I still owe your Blessed One a bounty."

*...Where did he get a Blessed One?*

At this moment, Alger also spoke up, "I'll take on this task as well. We can determine the reward after it's completed."

"Aren't you back at sea?" Alice asked curiously.

"Just because I'm not in Beckland doesn't mean I can't assassinate the Beckland ambassador," Alger smiled, changing the topic, "But you, Miss 'Destiny,' if I'm not mistaken, you should be in Beckland, right? Aren't you going to take on the task?"

As the one being probed, Alice raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "I'm not in a position to do such things right now."

Alger then gave a meaningful smile, "That's a pity."

Spectator Derrick had not found an opportunity to join the conversation.

Klein nodded and said, "Alright, you can start trading or communicating freely now."

To avoid being tempted and corrupted, Alice immediately stated her request, "I need clues about the Calamity Banshee and the Manowa Snake."

These were the two monsters involved in the main ingredients for the "Calamity Priest" potion.

Since the auxiliary materials also involved these two monsters, and Alice didn't have enough money, she chose to seek clues about the monsters first.

As for how to hunt them down after finding them... Ha, there will always be a way!

Sighing deeply due to her difficult life, Alice began to introduce the two monsters to the others:

"Calamity Banshees are considered symbols of disaster. They are usually found near areas where disasters have occurred. In fact, these monsters can sense impending disasters and absorb power from them to grow.

"These monsters aren't very strong in combat. The main thing to watch out for is their ability to sense disasters, which they might use to lead you to a disaster site to defeat you.

"Manowa Snakes are sea-dwelling serpents. Mr. 'Hanged Man' might have heard of them. They are snakes that like to cause shipwrecks—though this doesn't mean they can't cause other disasters or live on land; they just prefer the sea.

"These snakes aren't very strong in combat either. The main thing to be wary of is their disaster-causing ability—especially if you encounter them at sea.

"Given their characteristics, you might find them together."

"I do know about the Manowa Snake," Alger didn't disappoint Alice, "To be precise, I know of a sea area where Manowa Snakes gather—can you imagine that?"

Alice's expression twisted. She didn't need Alger to describe it to know what such a sea area would be like—not a single passing ship would survive!

Alice thought she should ask Alger for the coordinates of the sea area, but she knew very well that until those snakes moved, that sea area would be very famous, and no ship would pass through it.

...And she had no desire to fight such creatures on the sea!

"I think I've seen the Calamity Banshee you mentioned..." Little Sun also raised his hand quietly.

*When I realized I had to invent the potion and acting method for the monster pathway myself, and even the abilities of high sequences, I was at a loss.*