Hahahaha!!!
"Hahahaha!!!"
The ever-composed Duke Zahal suddenly burst into booming laughter.
Zahal Trimdel gains favor toward you.
Zahal Trimdel's reputation toward you has shifted from hostile to slightly hostile.
But even I couldn't help feeling a bit puzzled by Zahal's assessment.
'Hostile from the start? Well... I guess even I'd have a hard time thinking friendly in his shoes.'
Considering the Zahal family's situation, it made perfect sense. But starting with an NPC's favorability at hostile meant they were on high alert. In other words, they were tough to win over.
"Fascinating. I knew outsiders could be bold, but a man like you is a first. So, friendship with Obela aside—alliance with the Zahal Ducal House... Does that mean you want to come under my banner?"
"No."
"Hm? Then?"
"I want to form an alliance."
"……!!"
"……!!!"
At that moment, Lisa Kim and Pasha couldn't hide their shock.
'What the hell is this idiot babbling about?!'
'Alliance with a ducal house? He's insane...!!'
Obviously, an alliance meant equals pooling their strength. Even the Eight Great Clans were currently subordinate to continental royal families or houses, borrowing their power to grow their characters and clans. Even if that dynamic flipped later, for now, players had no choice but to operate under NPC authority.
'Meaning NPCs still hold the advantage over players.'
Gaining the backing of a major NPC power like this was tantamount to securing superior influence compared to other players.
"Fascinating."
Zahal smiled at me.
"You do seem worth talking to."
"Then how about we send the extras packing and let the leads chat? A big audience is great, but no need for distractions stealing the stars' spotlight."
"Sharp tongue you've got."
Lisa Kim and Pasha looked flustered by Zahal's reaction, unsure what to do.
'No way an absurd alliance is actually happening, right?'
'The Eight Great Clans haven't even taken full control of their houses or tribes yet, and Kim Do-hyun's building his own force?'
Their minds reeled.
'Too fast.'
'Kim Do-hyun's ties to Obela's forces are bad enough, but adding the Zahal family's power... This is getting serious.'
Even in their head-spinning confusion—like they'd been clubbed—they couldn't act without their clan master's orders.
'Gotta report to Master ASAP.'
'Every second counts.'
With things unfolding this way, their priority shifted from pressuring Duke Zahal to stopping Kim Do-hyun's growing influence.
'If these two join forces, all our pressure so far goes up in smoke.'
Worse, Zahal might even start a war first.
'I can hear the boulders rolling.'
I smirked at their paling faces while Baek Yiheon stifled giggles behind his hand.
"Hear that?" Duke Zahal said to them. "I've got your message. We'll consider the mine opening. If you have nothing more, please leave."
"……Understood."
"It's late. We'll take our leave, but please make the wise choice for your territory."
Lisa Kim tacked on one last jab to salvage her pride before shooting me a glare and storming out of the hall.
"Whew, see that? She looked ready to devour you. Kingdom and Owner are gonna flip out tonight. Word'll hit the Eight Great Clans fast—is that cool?"
Baek Yiheon bounded over, eyes sparkling. I shoved his forehead with my palm.
"Didn't hear? Extras exit stage left."
"……Eek?!"
Baek Yiheon pouted like a kicked puppy.
"Me too?! Hey, how'd you even get this far! Man... that's cold."
"Shut it. Wait outside. Won't take long."
"H-Hey...!"
I shoved the yelling Baek Yiheon out the door like tossing trash. Zahal watched us with amused eyes.
"Good. Distractions gone... Forming ties with you means taking a real gamble. Wonder if you're worth it."
I nodded. The player-less Zahal Ducal House was indeed threatened by the other two duchies, but they hadn't launched any overt attacks.
Obela was a free city, after all—a haven for murderers, escaped slaves, and trash nobility mingling with the lowly dregs.
Teaming with Obela would just give those duchies an excuse to hit Zahal.
"I know Obela's reputation sucks. But ironically, the Night Auction House's top clients are nobles from powerhouses like the Iron Kingdom."
"Hm. And?"
"Auctions trade more info than you'd think. And the one who knows it all? The Red Tomb. Their weaknesses too."
Zahal eyed me.
"So Obela's no issue. The problem's me? Stuck between two duchies, playing it safe."
"The Zahal House has power that doesn't even need comparing to those two. It's just been thrown off-balance by outsider meddling. Obela might look like a lawless dump, but that freedom suits outsiders best."
I stepped closer.
"Excluding the North, among non-Northern forces, the city with the most outsiders after the Iron Kingdom's capital Amslanding is the duchy capital Lisal—then Obela."
"So?"
"But Lisal's jointly run by the three ducal houses, so not really one city. That makes Obela second on the continent for outsider forces."
I flashed a faint smile.
"You can't tame outsiders. They're wild, but easy to handle. Give them autonomy and move together—that's the fastest way to build strength. Outsiders will cheer your decision. No one's ever tried standing shoulder-to-shoulder with us before."
"Hm..."
"And that's not all."
I pointed to Red Sickle behind me.
"The Red Cat Mercenaries overwhelm current outsiders. Even if accepting Obela's outsiders lights the fuse for war with the duchies... they won't rush in recklessly with the mercenaries around."
"Seeing him, the mercenaries' strength is promising. But... that doesn't prove your value."
I grinned. The moment I'd waited for.
"Want my friendship? Forget Obela or the mercenaries—show your worth."
"Fair point."
"Then grant me one favor? Solve my headache, and allying with you won't make me lose face with the other dukes."
"What is it?"
"Simple. There's a ship at the harbor—I'll lend you one. Half a day's sail upriver, there's a small castle."
Castle Muhar
Difficulty: B-S Rank
Reward: Alliance with the Zahal House
Castle Muhar, one of Duke Zahal's territories, was long managed by his great-uncle. But after the lord's death, it sat empty, drawing in vagrants. Rumors of strange happenings soon followed.
'Muhar...?'
I was mildly surprised by the unexpected quest, but the description offered little detail.
"Muhar's no strategic hub—practically abandoned."
'Like an exile post? Sending his great-uncle there... Something must've happened.'
To an outsider, it might seem trivial, but from our talks, I knew Zahal wouldn't banish family without reason.
"Lately, weird rumors surfaced."
"What kind?"
"The lord's returned."
"……Pardon?"
"Impossible, I know. Probably drifters stirring ghost stories. Not tough. Go to Muhar, uncover the truth. Can't spare troops right now."
Perfect chance. I already knew about Castle Muhar and needed an excuse to go—now Zahal handed it to me.
Do you accept the quest?
Caution: Abandoning after acceptance will greatly lower Zahal House favorability.
I hit accept without hesitation.
"What'd you talk about?"
Baek Yiheon grumbled from outside the hall.
"Baek Yiheon, ever heard of Castle Muhar?"
I asked without turning as we walked the corridor. He hustled to match my stride.
"Muhar? Yeah. Total lawless zone. No lord, no guards. Way worse than Obela—a ruin."
"Hm... That's it?"
"Pretty much? Nothing special."
He tilted his head, puzzled.
'If he doesn't know, the Eight Great Clans probably don't either.'
I nodded.
"Why there?"
"That merchant guild we met before boarding the train."
"Kasar?"
"You know the owner too?"
"Sure. That's why we're meeting there. Weird guy for an NPC. I use 'em often—friendly enough. Easy affinity grind. Good personality."
"What's your affinity now?"
"Uh... slightly friendly?"
I nodded again.
"Perfect."
"What the—? You got a quest from Zahal, right? Why drag Kasar into Muhar talk?"
Thwack—
Right then. Baek Yiheon stared at my outstretched hand. I grabbed it tight.
⊳ Kim Do-hyun invites you to the party.
"……?!"
I grinned at his baffled face.