Chapter 93 - Leo's Request 1
Rynold ducked.
As the furniture started to float all on its own, Rynold didn't want to be in the shot. No matter what.
Because of what happened the last time he tried to wake her up, Rynold certainly didn't want to feel the wrath of the elf. It wasn't something he ever wanted to experience again. The last time ended with him a chair so far up a sensitive area.
The sound of crashing furniture was heard as Rynold ducked and protected his head. There was no way that Jack would have survived something like that unscathed. Which, in this case, he partly deserved.
After a few moments of loud banging and crashing, Rynold stood up when the room fell silent.
"That was a bit overkill, don't you think?" Rynold asked the recently awoken Margareth.
With disheveled hair, Margareth responded with a low grunt. It was truly something that anybody should never do. Waking Margareth up in the middle of her sleep was essentially taboo at this point. If they wanted to live another day, that is.
"You alright?" Rynold asked the rumbling hill of furniture where Jack was buried under.
Jack slowly rose from underneath all the desks and chairs to give a thumbs up signaling he was alright. He found it funny that the normally cold and uncaring elf would react so dangerously when someone woke her up.
Rynold breathed a sigh of relief. It would've been quite a problem if anything bad had happened to Jack due to Margareth's actions.
"Are you actually awake now," Rynold turned to the blonde elf who was fixing her hair, "or do you want to sleep some more?"
While straightening her desk, the Librarian shook her head. It wasn't often that the two interacted, but whenever they did, it was always straightforward. Rynold always talked shop whenever he was around Margareth, and the elf didn't seem to care for small talk either.
"I'll get straight down to business then," Rynold continued, "We've successfully cleansed the Central Mana Core of dark Mana in that dimension."
Margareth shuffled some documents around and nodded, "I see" she said with her normal, cold tone. "I'll signal the dimension for cleaning and subjugation. Good work, My Lord."
Rynold nodded and the window for completing the quest appeared. But, before Rynold could check the rewards, Jack interrupted.
"What do you mean by subjugation?" he asked as he approached the table with some bruises on him.
The two stared at Jack with utter confusion. Rynold was surprised that Jack didn't know what the mission was. It took a few seconds of hesitation and confusion before Rynold realized that Jack never took part in the meeting where they discussed it.
"Basically," Rynold started to explain, "there are dimensions scattered around the place that are influenced by dark Mana, for reasons unknown. The dimensions, therefore, need to be cleansed of dark Mana to restore them to their former glory. Thing is, the subjugation part was actually implemented so that these dimensions won't fall to the dark Mana again."
Jack understood what Rynold meant but came with a somewhat shocking realization.
"Doesn't that mean that other parties are doing the same thing?" Jack asked with a serious expression on his face.
Rynold's expression change to a serious one too. He had thought about this in the past, even though there weren't any reports that indicate the presence of other parties. However, he had a strange feeling that they were there, they just haven't come across any yet.
"Yeah," Rynold nodded in agreement, "Even if we haven't seen any yet, it's undeniable that they're there. Let's just hope that they aren't hostile to us. Otherwise, it'll be a gigantic pain in the ass."
The three discussed whatever plans would come up if other parties interfere. It wasn't necessary, for now, but whenever they do appear, it would be wise to set up plans before then.
Discussions took most of the afternoon.
Bidding Jack and Margareth goodbye as Rynold headed to his quarters, he couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. It had been a productive 8 months since Oliver and Chris left. Seeing them come back alive from the mission was a good thing.
Standing on the floating platform, Rynold opened the windows that popped up from the quest rewards.
[
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
[Level Up!]
'Just experience, huh?' Rynold acknowledged the fact that the quest rewards for him weren't much. Well, to be fair, he didn't really do much in the end. Most of the rewards should at least go to Oliver for being the one with the most contribution. So, it didn't necessarily matter to Rynold.
That was because, aside from helping Oliver and Chris out, Rynold had another mission.
And it went perfectly.
'The Accord Spheres worked out perfectly!' he thought as a smile on his face formed.
As insignificant as it may seem, Rynold wanted to test out his creations out on the field. It wasn't necessary to test it out under very drastic conditions. But, at the very least, he knew what the limitations and capabilities of his Accord Spheres were. To Rynold, that was a win.
The floating platform hummed in a low vibration as it reached its destination.
Rynold alighted as soon as he reached his home. Since it was getting dark, there wasn't really anybody around. Rynold decided not to look for anyone and headed to his workshop first. There were still projects that he hasn't finished.
Upon opening the door, there was already somebody inside. Someone that he hasn't expected to show himself to Rynold.
"You know, you ought to lock this place when you leave. You can't believe how easy it is to break into here," the man said with an arrogant tone while checking a Mech that Rynold hasn't completed.
"Leo," Rynold narrowed his eyes and readied for combat, "what the hell are you doing here?"
Leo turned around and raised his hands in utter surrender. "Calm down," he said with the same arrogant tone, "I'm not here for a fight."
Rynold slightly lowered his guard, but not completely. "Then, what are you here for?" he asked while slightly clenching his knuckles.
The last time that Rynold saw Leo was when he left for whatever mission he requested with Margareth. The details of which were still hidden from him to this day. Margareth was weirdly secretive about it too, which raised Rynold's suspicions.
"Alright," Leo walked forward to meet Rynold eye-to-eye before speaking. "I need your help."
Rynold raised an eyebrow. He thought that the request seemed to be genuine and coming from a good place. But, then again, Leo was the one asking for help. His definition of good may not be the same as Rynold's.
With a serious look, Rynold pushed for more details. "Explain," he said without even blinking.
"I need help with things back home," Leo explained with a somewhat sincere tone, "Things aren't going well over there. With the appearance of the New World, things are much worse than before."
"Back home?" Rynold asked, curiously. It was the first time that he had heard Leo mentioned something like this. It seemed personal.
Leo sighed and slumped to the nearest chair, obviously defeated.
"You see," his voice sounded somewhat depressed, "the city-state I live in isn't a place that most people know. The entire place is in shambles, and the aristocratic government doesn't seem to know what it's doing. And-"
"Let me guess," Rynold interrupted as he crossed his arms in disbelief, "you want to change things?"
"In a word, yes," Leo nodded in confirmation, "It seems like a long shot, but my people need me over there. I know that we've had our differences in the past, but I really need your help on this one. Even if you won't do it for me, can you at least do it for the people who need help?"
Rynold couldn't believe what he was hearing. On the one side, he was curious to actually go check things out. But, on the other...
"Then why come to me?" Rynold asked, "I'm sure you can upheave the entire government on your own. You don't really need my help on this one."
Leo slightly chuckled before sighing. "You were right," he answered, "I can only punch and break things without thinking stuff through. I need help from the smartest person I know."
Clicking his tongue in disappointment, Rynold still didn't believe what Leo was saying. "You think flattering me would help?" Rynold antagonized Leo's request for help once more.
Leo sighed, speechless. He truly didn't know what to say in order to persuade Rynold. Leo knew that he was asking too much, considering Rynold's impression of him and all. It was a really long shot for Rynold to agree to risk his life for a bunch of strangers that he hasn't met before.
Rynold stared at Leo who was looking at the ground. He wasn't trying to be intimidating in the slightest. No, Rynold was treating Leo like this because something didn't add up.