Impersonation is Half Boldness -1-
With Clara in the passenger seat, I sped down the wide-open road toward the ruins.
That's when an alert visible only to my eyes popped up.
Broken Crown Act 3
Quest Details: You've finally found a clue. You can head into the ruins to uncover the truth at the end of the thread. Or, if you'd rather play it safe, returning to Academy City as is would be a solid choice.
Type: Main Story
Success Reward: Random Point Pouches x2, Restaurant Reservation Tickets x10
Failure Penalty: None
The rewards are a bit unusual this time.
Restaurant reservation tickets—items sold in the Shop for 50P each. I'd never actually bought any myself.
It's like they're telling me to grab a meal after it's all over.
Ten of them would be 500P.
Lame compared to something like Transcendence. Still, it's something I'd do even without rewards.
Two point pouches as a bonus? Good enough.
I pulled my eyes from the quest and sorted through the situation.
Now even the main storylines are coming to a close.
The Broken Crown storyline can end in Act 3 depending on player choices, or stretch to a maximum of Act 4.
In Abyss City, the max efficiency was to experience both endings for all the rewards and resources.
But.
I had no intention of dragging it to Act 4.
Rewards? Sure, I want them. I'd be happy with just fat stacks of points like always, no fancy items needed.
But the more I indulged my greed, the more a real Sion would suffer.
Wrap it up in Act 3.
That's what I decided. I'd finish before the morning sun rose.
Which is why I was trying this approach.
"Elder Levin Maxwell!"
The true name of the Grand Elder, known only to a tiny few—even among the elders, and not to Sion herself.
I could feel the eyes of the group inside the building turning toward us.
"Come out at once and heed the Reverse Praise Society's command!"
What I was aiming for was impersonation backed by overwhelming information.
If someone showed up knowing info that shouldn't have been exposed to outsiders, they couldn't act recklessly.
Those old folks in there only got one-way orders from the Reverse Praise Society. They had no means to contact them.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
One elf, presumably middle-aged, stepped out.
He was polite toward me and Clara but carried an air of wariness.
"...Who might you be?"
"We are the emissaries of Hex."
"!!!"
"Ignorant and arrogant to boot. I didn't call for you—I called for the Grand Elder."
Shing!
I drew the sword from my back.
As I radiated killing intent like I could lop his head off any second, the elf stiffened in tension.
With an irritated look, I strode toward the entrance, sword in one hand, while Clara quietly followed behind.
Thankfully, no traps or security skills triggered, so I inwardly sighed in relief as I grabbed the elf's throat like I meant to snap it.
"I personally invoked the Reverse Praise Society. And you act like this upon hearing the name?"
"Kgh! Forgive me...!"
"You think a simple 'sorry' covers it?"
Apologies flowed naturally from my sheer audacity. Not even a hint of resistance.
Power must be this sweet—that's why it drives everyone mad.
As I ostentatiously channeled mana into my sword, signaling my intent to kill—
A panicked voice echoed from the entrance.
"Forgive us. This fool was sent ahead because this old one's steps are slow. Will you grant us mercy...?"
My head turned with feigned boredom.
He's here.
What caught my eye was an ancient elf who looked ready to turn into a withered tree trunk any moment.
The old man, stooped and flanked by elders, emerged dragging a lavish robe that trailed on the floor and clutching a staff laden with jewels.
Having made contact with the target, I steadied my heart to avoid any agitation.
I kept up the act with composure.
I didn't hide my dissatisfaction with the elves before me.
"You're Levin Maxwell, then."
"Yes. I am Grand Elder Levin Maxwell."
Did the Reverse Praise Society mentions, the coin, and his real name convince them I was legit?
His attitude was impeccably deferential.
"Tch."
I irritably shoved the elf I'd grabbed aside, sheathed my weapon with a click, and clicked my tongue.
"Hear the words of Hex. Guide us inside."
"Yes."
The elders lowered their eyes and parted to make way.
I strode in boldly, while Clara, baffled by the inexplicable situation, silently followed the back ahead of her.
Unable to comprehend, she just kept her eyes on me.
"... ."
We walked through the dilapidated building in silence.
I didn't match the Grand Elder's pace—instead, I arbitrarily ordered one elder to guide me.
The idea of Reverse Praise Society members showing courtesy or respect to outsiders was absurd. These actions confirmed I was on the right track.
"Please, enter. This is the meeting room."
I claimed the head seat without a word.
I pulled a chair beside me for Clara.
Perfect. Now for the rest—gotta put in some effort.
The situation was a bloodless entry. The quest was as good as cleared.
Now I just needed to leverage this to fulfill my personal wishes.
"You, pointy-ears."
"Yes!"
"The moldy stench is overpowering. Do you even clean?"
"Forgive us...!"
I harangued the self-appointed guide elder.
Then sprawled back comfortably in my seat.
While waiting for the slow-footed Grand Elder to arrive in the meeting room—
I scribbled "it's okay" on the back of Clara's hand with my finger.
"Heehee."
Clara relaxed at my consideration, her lips curving up.
Unlike her smooth skin, my hand was veined and rough—she replied on the back of it.
Oppa’s hand is so big...
Even after finishing her message, Clara didn't let go of my hand.
This contact brought her a sure sense of calm.
Without thinking, Clara placed my hand on her thigh and wrapped both of hers around it.
The girl felt me flinch in surprise while I stared straight ahead with bravado.
As I subtly tried to pull away, Clara gripped tighter. Seeing my reaction only made her want to hold on more.
"I apologize once more for my tardiness... ."
"Save it. Sit and listen."
Right on cue, the Grand Elder and elders filed in. I gave up extracting my hand and continued the performance.
Clara knew it was an act, but she watched me with a sense of mystique, engrossed.
"Levin Maxwell. Do you have the Silver Coin of Judas bestowed by Hex?"
The precise name. The Grand Elder nodded, rummaged in his robes—
And placed the pitch-black coin on the table for me to see.
Arms crossed, back against the chair, I continued my decree.
"To the point. Hex has found a new vessel. Today, we'll judge whether to discard the one you've been raising."
At those words, the Grand Elder's wrinkled eyes flashed wide.
His face was like he'd been struck by lightning.
"Wh-why would...?"
"Because we found blood more certain than Testarosa's for slaying the Snow Tiger Emperor. Hex has no interest in low probabilities."
"... ."
"You were merely one possibility. Just another replaceable option among many."
As I delivered the indifferently fabricated words, the Grand Elder's hand trembled on his staff.
"Then what becomes of the promises I received? Of us? We've trusted Hex's word and aimed for Tigrova...!"
"Shut up and listen. That's why I'm here today."
One word, and the Grand Elder fell silent.
Not suppressing a surge of emotion, but eagerly awaiting the answer he craved.
His attitude alone screamed rot.
Thud!
I slammed down the two Silver Coins of Judas I'd gotten from killing Doberman.
Added to the one the Grand Elder had, that made three.
A massive shadow organization.
One of the conditions to officially join the Reverse Praise Society—or the Black Hand—and receive their protection.
"If I give you these two here, you'll have three Silver Coins of Judas. Your future's sorted."
"...But as initially commanded, we placed the request with one coin. Agents have already left for Academy City."
"They'll fail anyway. I saw who you picked. Pathetic choices."
At my firm declaration, the Grand Elder went quiet.
One elf elder who'd recommended Doberman from the list glanced around nervously before speaking up.
"The results... haven't come in yet."
"Hah, really? Was I wrong?"
With a look of utter exasperation, I shot up from my seat.
The Grand Elder averted his eyes in resignation.
The speaking elder was just a loose end, fed scraps of info and expendable. He didn't know who aided the Grand Elder or the Reverse Praise Society's details.
He'd just ridden the chaos in Tigrova like a bat until now.
As I advanced, the elders who knew of the Society quickly cleared a path.
My fist flew through the opening—
──Crack! White teeth spilled from the elder's mouth.
"Guhk...!"
"Don't contradict me."
No one moved to help the elder crawling on the floor after one punch.
They all just watched warily.
"Fine. Time to judge. Where's the Testarosa bloodline? Let's inspect the blade you've honed."
I shot a glance at the Grand Elder.
He groaned softly, his voice sunken.
"Elder Yi. Fetch her as quickly as possible."
"Y-yes, sir...!"
With that, one elder hurried off to retrieve Sion.
Moments later.
Sion entered the meeting room with the elder, her face a picture of confusion.
And then—
"!?"
She froze at the sight of me and Clara at the head seat.