Chapter 80: Fair Talk
Footsteps rang out on the marble floors of the sixth floor as the group made way towards the ballroom. Besides the noise of footsteps, there was no other sound being made.
"..." Without any word, Shinto, Ethaniel and Frey followed behind the group. Whilst they did so, Shinto observed the surrounding area, noticing that were many knights and players standing by within the vicinity.
'... there are so many knights here, what's up with that?' he thought to himself. The knight was a job in which they were tasked to protect a noble or instead guard the town against danger. To see many knights in the same place, it meant that there was a noble of high importance. 'Just who else is the co-founder of this place?'
Lavida was in a somewhat weird position. At one time, it seemed to be a normal hotel, but, if looked further into, it seemed to hold a lot of power, allowing them to do anything that they wanted like in this situation.
'...just how far does this extend to?' He couldn't gauge the power of Lavida, though, he knew very well that Lavida monopolized on the newbies, in turn increasing their manpower. 'No... the real question would be, just what kind of plans do they even have?'
Despite meeting with Zavir and speaking to him, Shinto knew next to nothing about their intentions whatsoever. He had originally figured that they were just trying to pluck the annoying weeds away, but there seemed to be an underlying meaning behind all this.
While letting his thoughts run loose, he noticed that the footsteps in front of him had stopped, looking up, he saw that Zavir had turned around.
"Now, the two you have come for in the first place is sitting over there," Zavir pointed over to an occupied seat.
Turning over towards the direction in which Zavir pointed, the group quickly made out who the people were by the distance, Raina and Greld.
"...they are just sitting there?" Shinto raised his brow in suspicion.
"Huh? What part of this is being taken captive?" Frey blinked at the sight.
"This is pissing me off... what that guy said was true?" Ethaniel frowned.
"I told you, all I said was the truth," Zavir said calmly. "Now, shall we head there and greet them?" Smiling, without waiting for the group to say anything, he made his way to the table where Raina and Greld sat at
"..." The group stood there without moving.
"...um, guys? Do we go too?" Frey asked.
"..." Shinto and Ethaniel looked at one another in the eye as they sighed.
"Bah. Whatever. Let's just go, we'll get whatever answered anyways," Ethaniel clicked his tongue
"Right..." Shinto nodded his head. Quickly, the group headed to the table.
...
As the group arrived at the table where Raina and Greld sat, the group looked at the two sitting in the eye. To the latter's reply, an awkward laugh.
"...aha... um... sorry you two," Raina said. "Thing's happened and well... I didn't get to inform you."
"Tsk, what?" Ethaniel frowned. "What kind of excuse is that?"
"...it was all sudden, and well..." Raina looked away from Ethaniel. "I didn't expect it to cause that much trouble for you..."
"Hmph, so you say."
"...and what about you Greld?" Shinto asked.
"I was invited here by him... to have a talk. I didn't expect it to cause such a problem as this..." Greld replied.
"Huh? I thought you hated Lavida?" Frey questioned. "Why did you go and willingly follow him to come here..."
"I do... but, what he said to me, I couldn't pass up on it."
"...?" Shinto raised his brow, however before he could question anything, he heard Zavir's voice from the side.
"Now, now, have a sit. Your questions will soon be answered," Zavir gestured at the group to sit.
Without wasting any more time, the group sat down in their own seats as they turned to Zavir. Moments later, he began to explain.
"Now, you may all be wondering. 'Why did I bring you here?', it is simple. I ask of you only one thing; to have a talk with you regarding your goals and ours," he said.
"...regarding our goals and yours?" Shinto asked.
"Yes. The reason why you're here was that you want to restore Greld's reputation no?" Zavir asked. "And the reason why that man is here is to settle loose ends among my people."
"And? You still haven't said anything about your goal in all this," he scoffed. "Your intentions are all over the place. First, you attacked me and then said you wanted a peaceful talk? Bah. Get thing's straight already!"
"Ahem. Like I said it was all a misconception," he replied calmly. "In regards to my goal, I will just say this. We wish to expand far and wide."
"What? You're going to destroy more businesses then?" Greld clicked his tongue. "Do you feel no shame in making my life crumble?"
"My, you say that as if it was my fault that it all came to this? All of the events were due to your own decision. You're the person who refused every single one of our offers, which led to your collapse," Zavir said. "Maybe if you hadn't thrown constant feuds, things wouldn't turn out like this."
"What are you implying with this?" Shinto asked.
"Let us fix our loose ends. We do not need to fight," he smiled. "I will provide you each compensation."
"What?" Frey blinked at the statement. "Why all of a sudden?"
"Like I said. We plan on expanding far and wide, and we do not want to waste manpower on such nuisances. Thus, the simplest and efficient way is to compensate you all."
"On what conditions?" Shinto frowned.
"I'm glad you asked. The condition would; form a peace treaty with us. You do not attempt to attack us and we do not show contempt to you, it is as simple as that."
The moment he stated the offer the players at the table received a quest notification.
[ The Peace Treaty. ]
Difficulty: ???
Zavir has plans on expanding Lavida out of town. For reasons unknown, he has decided to show you the pleasure of offering a peace treaty; in which you may not attack any members from Lavida, likewise, they cannot attack you.
In return for signing the peace treaty, you will receive compensation for your troubles.
Accepting Condition: Upon accepting the quest, the quest 'To prove them all' will be marked as failed, as well as any quests related to Lavida.
Accepting Rewards: Equipment, gold, access to Lavida's facilities for a limited time.
When The Quest Is Active: The NPCs of Lavida will show you goodwill, Lavida's people will not attack you.
Quest Failure Condition: Attacking Lavida's people.
Quest Penalty Upon Failure: You will be banned from stepping into Lavida's Hotel, certain things will occur to you.
"So? What do you say?" Zavir asked, waiting for the response of the players.
"...what kind of bullshitery is this?" Ethaniel frowned.
"Be that as it may, we will stay true to our words. We will give you compensation for the conditions that have been stated."
"For what reason are you doing this?" Shinto frowned. "What if we do not accept it?"
"Hmm... not accepting it? Then I guess, we cannot do anything about that," Zavir shrugged. "Though at that point, we cannot guarantee your safety."
"Is that a threat?" Shinto glared at Zavir.
"Take it however you like. But there is no rush to deciding this," Zavir stood up as he slowly walked away from the table. "For you will be able to decide after tonight's events."
"...tonight's event?" The moment she asked, the doors of the ballroom opened as a crowd of people walked into the room.
"...huh?" The group looked towards the sudden sight in confusion. Among the group of people, they noticed that they consisted of mostly upper-class nobles.
At the front of the ballroom, stood Zavir who said in a loud voice. "Welcome, nobles of Hak. Welcome to tonight's event of Lavida's special event night!"