Playing Both Sides
"Your Highness Kim Tae-hyun! The Great King and Emperor of the Asbian Empire, Ruler of the Undead Legion, Guardian of the Great Capital, Slayer of Dragons, and..."
The noble knight began rattling off Uipoatl's titles one by one. It went on for so long that not only Tae-hyun but the rest of the party began to yawn as they listened.
"...wishes to grant Your Highness Kim Tae-hyun an audience!"
Ashaq, a Noble Knight of the Asbian Empire, praises Emperor Uipoatl!
You may also boast of your own titles.
Huh? Tae-hyun wondered what the point of boasting was, but since the option was there, he decided to go for it.
"Very well. I am the Rabbit Slayer of the Central Continent, the One Who Brought Order to the Caterand Sea, the Bringer of the Church's Resurrection..."
Everyone else yawned, but the noble knight listened in sheer awe.
"...the Instigator of Discord..."
"Pardon?"
"Ah. Scratch that last one."
He couldn't list a dishonorable title while trying to brag.
I wonder if 'The One Who Deceived the Demon' is a good title or a bad one. It's a bit ambiguous.
Carbanog advises you to leave it out if it's ambiguous.
Right. Good idea.
"...welcomes Ashaq!"
"It is an honor, Your Highness!"
"So, what does His Majesty want with me?"
"His Majesty has caught wind of the battle at the Three Skulls' Mine."
"..."
The exact same reason as Alexeos! Tae-hyun felt a sudden chill of foreboding. How on earth had the news of the battle at the Three Skulls' Mine spread so fast that both of them were summoning him?
For now, the attitudes of both Alexeos's subordinate and Uipoatl's subordinate seemed decent enough... but this could easily be a trap!
"Understood. I shall go at once."
He had promised to visit both, but...
I hope I don't end up bleeding out from trying to walk a tightrope between them.
Tae-hyun realized once again just how high-difficulty his playstyle was. While other players simply chose a faction and did normal quests, he was performing a high-wire acrobatic act, bouncing back and forth between rival factions!
"For now, the rest of you head back to the Three Skulls' Mine, gather all the tribes there, and bring them to the harbor. They've all sworn loyalty to the Emperor, so they should be allowed into the city without any issues."
Tae-hyun divided the labor to save time. The rest of the party would round up the rescued tribes and move them to the harbor, while Tae-hyun would visit Alexeos and Uipoatl separately.
This saved time and made it easier to escape if things went south. At the very least, it would prevent his newly acquired subordinates from getting wiped out!
"That is an incredibly good idea!" Cain exclaimed in admiration.
"You're only saying that because you think you won't have to do anything dangerous, aren't you?"
"N-No, of course not," Cain stammered.
How did he know?
Should I drag this guy along? Tae-hyun briefly considered it but decided against it. Running away was always easier when you were alone.
"Are you going to see Alexeos first, or Uipoatl?"
"Hmm..."
Tae-hyun hesitated. Any other player would have chosen randomly without a second thought, but Tae-hyun was cautious. In high-difficulty quests, even the most trivial choice required extreme care! A single wrong step here could cost him dearly.
I should go to Uipoatl first.
Deal with the bad-tempered one first!
"You have arrived, King Kim Tae-hyun."
"I have come at your summons, Your Majesty!"
Tae-hyun prostrated himself flat on the ground. When dealing with a notoriously short-tempered NPC, the best approach was to adopt the lowest possible posture.
Damn it. It's hard to read his expression since he's undead.
Tae-hyun stole a glance at Uipoatl. A skull face was impossible to read! Fortunately, Tae-hyun possessed the Speech skill.
Uipoatl is pleased with your attitude.
Well, at least he didn't summon me out of anger.
"I have heard of what transpired at the mine."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
"To crush those who dared defy my imperial decrees... I am highly pleased."
Ah.
Tae-hyun breathed a sigh of relief. Thank goodness! It wasn't because he was playing double agent with Alexeos, nor was it because he had ignored Uipoatl's quest to go to the Auston Kingdom and retrieve the stolen imperial relic.
Your Contribution Points with the Asbian Empire have increased significantly!
Your affinity with Uipoatl has increased slightly.
"According to my loyal subject Lee Se-yeon, King Kim Tae-hyun's performance was truly magnificent?"
"Haha. I merely did my best, Your Majesty. It was all out of my deepest respect for you."
"If there is anything you desire, speak it."
"Then, without hesitation..."
Tae-hyun answered instantly! Now that he had Contribution Points, he intended to squeeze out as many rewards as possible while the opportunity lasted.
"By the way, when do you plan to retrieve my relic?"
"I intend to set off immediately, Your Majesty! Please grant me just a little more time!"
"Very well. I shall trust you. But if you dare break your promise to me..."
Clack, clack—
Uipoatl's skeletal joints rattled ominously.
"Do not worry, Your Majesty. Ah, and I heard a rumor that a dragon has appeared in the Auston Kingdom..."
"What?!"
"They are truly wicked creatures! To think they would dare challenge a dragon because they have no other worthy opponents!"
Tae-hyun currently had two dragons in his service, but that didn't matter right now. What mattered was badmouthing the enemy!
"They must never be forgiven!"
"Indeed. But to fight such foes, I will require more support..."
You have successfully persuaded Uipoatl.
Your Speech skill has increased significantly.
Uipoatl grants you additional support. A new support list has been unlocked!
Using the dragon's name had successfully unlocked a previously hidden list of rewards.
Hmm... First, I should grab some support items to strengthen myself, and then some things to boost my territory's defenses.
The treasures of the Asbian Empire's imperial treasury were incredibly powerful.
◈ Description: An imperial flag of the Asbian Empire to be placed atop castle walls. Simply fluttering in the wind intimidates enemies, granting special effects when installed on a wall.
◈ Effects: Public Security increases drastically. Wall Durability increases drastically.
◈ Warning: Taking this may displease Uipoatl.
Tae-hyun was slightly concerned about Uipoatl's stinginess, but he didn't care. Once he left this place, he would rarely have to see him again anyway!
Wait. Didn't I say the exact same thing last time?
Last time, thinking he would never meet Uipoatl again, he had used him as a testing ground to grind his Speech skill!
Tae-hyun briefly debated whether he should restrain himself, but quickly dismissed the thought. This time, he really wouldn't have to see him again!
Uipoatl asked, sounding rather displeased. "Why do you require such a flag to go punish those fools?"
"Your Majesty! To capture them, will we not require a fortress of our own?"
"I do not see why that would be necessary..."
Seizing the opportunity, Tae-hyun cried out, "Then allow me to explain why it is absolutely necessary!"
He might as well use this chance to level up his Speech skill even further!
"No. Enough."
Uipoatl refuses to converse with you further!
"..."
It was a relief that things had ended satisfactorily with Uipoatl, but that brought a new worry to mind.
Does that mean Alexeos summoned me out of anger?
If Uipoatl was pleased with what happened at the mine, then Alexeos would surely be furious. As he walked, Tae-hyun racked his brain to come up with a plausible excuse. How could he spin this lie to make himself look good?
However, Alexeos's reaction completely defied his expectations.
"To drive out the tribes from the Emperor's mine and render the entire place unusable... As expected of the Avatar of Archisus. You have exceeded my wildest expectations."
"?"
The Dead Dragon Alexeos is highly satisfied with your actions!
Your affinity with Alexeos has increased.
Your Contribution Points with Alexeos have increased.
An unexpectedly positive reaction! It seemed Alexeos believed the mine's ruin was entirely Tae-hyun's doing. He firmly believed that no one but the Avatar of Archisus could have pulled off such a stunt!
"Why do you look so surprised?"
"...I simply did not think it was an act worthy of such praise!"
"Humility does not suit the Avatar of Archisus."
"..."
"I was worried, but seeing how well you fight against Uipoatl puts my mind at ease. Yes. Do not give up, and continue the fight..."
"Ah, by the way, Lord Alexeos."
"?"
"I have some urgent business in the Central Continent, so I must depart for a short while..."
"What business? Is there anything more important than fighting Uipoatl?"
"The Black Dragon Hakkaras has appeared in the Central Continent and is rampaging with absolute brutality. My kingdom is in danger, so I must go and stop him!"
Tae-hyun subtly slandered Hakkaras, desperately hoping to drag Alexeos into the conflict!
However, Alexeos seemed to have no intention of leaving his tomb.
"Hakkaras? That greedy, lazy fool would never leave his own territory...?"
"No, indeed he has. I heard he is threatening to burn down other kingdoms as well. He is a truly wicked creature, fitting of a Black Dragon."
"Indeed, a vulgar beast, as expected of a Black Dragon."
"..."
Hakkaras had never actually said any of those things, but Hakkaras wasn't here to defend himself. Who cared about badmouthing someone who wasn't in the room! Because of this, Heuk-heuk was the only one looking thoroughly uncomfortable.
"Lord Alexeos, please aid me. If I cannot stop him, it will be difficult for me to continue the fight against Uipoatl."
"Avatar of Archisus. No matter how strong you are, you cannot defeat Hakkaras. Do you underestimate a dragon in his prime? It would be wiser to simply give up..."
"Hmm. Then Uipoatl, who slaughtered a dragon in his prime, must be even more terrifying. Perhaps I should give up on fighting Uipoatl as well..."
"...I believed that was the case, but sometimes, certain battles cannot be avoided. Especially a battle for justice!"
You have won the battle of wits against Alexeos!
Your Speech skill has increased.
Though he talked a big game, Alexeos didn't seem to have any actual solutions. He couldn't go and fight himself, and sending his subordinates would only turn them into sacrificial offerings since Hakkaras surely had his own minions...
"Why not resolve this without fighting?"
"...Are you being serious?" Tae-hyun asked, utterly dumbfounded. A Black Dragon was rampaging and threatening to burn down his kingdom, and he wanted to resolve it without fighting?
"Of course. We dragons are a noble and proud race..."
"?"
Tae-hyun stared at Yong-yong and Heuk-heuk.
"What is it, Master?"
"Master, is there a problem with what he just said?"
It's nothing. I shouldn't insult dragons in front of dragons!
Tae-hyun turned his attention back to Alexeos.
"Since they are a proud race, they will not listen to the words of a mere human. But what if it were another dragon?"
"Ah! Will you speak to him personally, Lord Alexeos?"
"No. Not only am I unable to leave this place, but that fool would not listen to a single word I say." Black Dragons and Red Dragons did not get along. In fact, it was rare for dragons of different colors to get along at all.
"Then what do you expect me to do?"
"Does it have to be me? You have other dragons with you."
"Huh? Is there another dragon in the Asbian Empire?"
"..."
"..."
Yong-yong and Heuk-heuk stared at him in disbelief. Alexeos looked equally dumbfounded.
"...Those dragons you drag around with you..."
"Ahhh!"
"Master..."
"Master..."
The two divine beasts glared at him with stinging gazes, but Tae-hyun pretended not to notice.
"Besides, isn't that one a Black Dragon? He should be able to communicate with Hakkaras."
"Is that true?" Tae-hyun asked, turning to Heuk-heuk.
Heuk-heuk replied awkwardly.
"Well, it has been quite a while since I last spoke with Mr. Hakkaras..."
"What? You two know each other?"
"N-No, I said it's been a while since we last spoke..."
"If you know him, that's all that matters!" Tae-hyun clapped Heuk-heuk on the back in delight. Heuk-heuk's anxiety spiked instantly.
"Master... Mr. Hakkaras has a truly terrible personality... I don't think I can..."
"It's fine. I believe in you."
"..."