Vision 5 - Handling (1)
Suddenly, I understood the whole thing.
I was angry. I don't like being used. I realized the full situation once I remembered the scene from my dreams.
I did try to connect the situation with all the facts I already knew, but I had seen that dream years ago. It was a human mistake, but I still felt like an idiot.
How was I supposed to remember that this mother-daughter pair was Dianna and Charlotte?
Originally, everything was supposed to go the way it was. Dianne was supposed to be on the brink of death in that arena. Then, she would have been mysteriously rescued and found by Timothy.
The mystery behind the rescue of Dianna and Charlotte? It was Kafzeil. He used his skill to transport both of them to a safe location. He spent a huge amount of points to save them.
This time, that bastard used me to save his points. That's why he was so generous and donated 2000 points. If he had intervened with lower existences like that, he probably would have lost five times the points to do so. And his interest in Dianna would have become palpable.
"Hey, are you alright?"
That was the third time Charlotte had asked me that question. I moved my gaze back to her. I saw her flinch, and then I realized I was frowning. I guess my anger showed on my face.
"What happened, Arthur? Why are you suddenly so angry?"
Persephone also asked a question of her own. I forgot she could sense my feelings because of the contract. She must have felt my anger. I tried to reply as calmly as possible.
"It's nothing."
"You can leave. You don't have to look after us. We might just have to go back."
I looked at Dianna, who spoke those depressing words. Why does she have to be so negative? Can't she have some confidence, like her daughter?
Well, I can't really blame her. Her husband was charged with attempted rape. According to the law, he was sentenced to death, and Dianne was put under a slave contract along with her daughter.
Since then, she had been fighting in the arena I just saved her from. She had to endure too much for her own and her daughter's survival.
Until now, her life had been difficult, but I know her future is bright. She will become stronger and more successful. Once again, I looked at her profile.
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[The Active Skill 'Prescient Description Lvl.1' is activated.]
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[Name: Dianna Fedora
Age: 42 years old
Blessing: None (two are showing interest)
Active Attribute: Jane Foole (General)
Active Skills: Dagger-Wielding Lvl.3, Battle Decision Lvl.1, Absolute Sense Lvl.2, Dual-Blade Lvl.2
Passive Skills: Patience Lvl.2, Cautious Lvl.2, Analyzing Lvl.1
Overall Stats: Strength Lvl 25, Stamina Lvl 41, Agility Lvl 45, Magic Power Lvl 29
Description: Jane Foole, a bud of spark hidden within all. Right now, because of extreme low self-confidence, the growth has been halted.
*Right now, the person is under a Slave Contract.]
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She had an active attribute as 'Jane Foole,' which is a female version of 'Jester.' Her description also stated that she had potential but was too depressed to let herself grow. That will change.
Kafzeil must have had his eyes on her for some time because of her attribute, and when he realized that today she might die facing a stronger opponent, he took action.
I turned around to show that I had no desire to stay any longer. Well, I don't want to wait and let that justice freak find me.
"Since you said I can go, I will go, but you probably don't have to go back. Go meet with the officer inside."
That's right. They don't need to worry about slavery. Timothy's squad will find some people who are kept here illegally. The shed will shut down today, and all slaves will be taken by Timothy.
Dianna and Charlotte looked at me with hesitant eyes. They seemed to think my answer was odd. Who saves people just to leave them? But I am more concerned with getting out of here.
I ignored their gaze. I didn't do anything anyway; that bastard Kafzeil just took advantage of me.
"Don't mention anything about me. Just tell them someone rescued you and left. Got it?"
I don't want a Legion behind me, and knowing that justice freak, he will be after me like a dog. Right now, I just want to get as far from here as possible.
"If you want to leave, I think you should hurry because someone is approaching."
Persephone's voice reached my ears. I subconsciously tried to move fast, but I could only walk a few meters. I forgot that my stats were back to normal.
"Hey! You people over there!"
Shit!
I turned around and saw a tall man with slicked-back brown hair in a military uniform. It was obviously Timothy. I guess he came outside after investigating inside.
Timothy walked toward us. Charlotte was switching her gaze from me to him. Dianne was watching me, as she was trying to analyze me. I know she had the 'Analyzing' passive skill, so it was normal.
"State each of your names."
Timothy reached us and demanded that we introduce ourselves.
"...My name is Dianna Fedora, and she is my daughter."
"Charlotte Fedora."
Dianna stood, stating her name, and Charlotte stated hers. Then all three of them looked toward me.
I could see that the mother-daughter pair was also curious about me. I had just saved their lives, after all. Since I had no intention of telling them about myself, I said whatever nonsense came to my mind.
"I'm just someone who is new to this country, and nobody here knows me."
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[The existence Timothy Sullivan used active skill 'Word Detection Lvl.2'.]
[The 'Word Detection' skill has found no manipulation in your words.]
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This freak is using his skill on me? Although, his skill is really handy. The skill 'Word Detection' is a kind of inferior version of the 'Lie Detection' skill. Instead of directly telling truth from falsehood, it analyzes the words.
"That wasn't the answer to my question."
Technically, I was manipulating my words, but his skill level is still low, and I had experience. I lived with someone whose basic nature was manipulation for my entire life. So some low-level skills wouldn't be able to detect my words.
"I do not wish to disclose my identity, Officer. If you have any questions, you can ask me."
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[The lower existence Timothy Sullivan used active skill 'Word Detection Lvl.2'.]
[The 'Word Detection' skill has found no manipulation in your words.]
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See? Told you. Me: 1, 'Word Detection' skill: 0.
Timothy narrowed his eyes and tried to analyze me. The other two were doing the same. I just ignored them.
Persephone also looked at me and spoke.
"You could become a scammer. You're too calm, like nothing matters."
What is this woman talking about? Me? A scammer? I'm just good at ignoring troublesome people. Persephone was looking at me with an amused smile and closed eyes. She looked like a sly fox.
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[The Nubecula 'Kafzeil' likes your calm attitude.]
[500 points are donated.]
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Suddenly, I got a 500-point donation. What is this bastard even doing here till now? Doesn't he have some other important thing to do? He's an archangel, for God's sake. Go—your favorite woman is saved now. Leave the channel.
Timothy didn't seem convinced by my answer. He had a stoic expression, so it was very hard to read his thoughts.
If only I could read his thoughts.
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[The 2nd-branch skill of ◽◽◽◽ is activating.]
[You can read the thoughts of others to some extent.]
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{This person seems too suspicious.}
Suddenly, another skill activated, and I was able to hear Timothy's thoughts. Its an another skill that had been hidden from me. I couldn't understand why this is happening. I can't use my skills if I don't know about them. It was like someone was trying to hide these skills from me.
{Should I let him go? Or should I arrest him?}
I was pulled out of my thoughts by the echo of his voice in my head. This freak would definitely arrest me if I left things as they are.
I decided not to dwell on the sudden skill activation and focused on the situation in front of me. Since Timothy was originally supposed to find Dianne and Charlotte, I just want him to take them.
"Come with me for a second."
I looked at Timothy with lazy eyes and motioned for him to follow me to the side, a little farther from the mother-daughter pair. I didn't want them to hear what I was about to say.
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[The lower existence Timothy Sullivan is suspicious of you.]
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Although suspicious, he followed me after darting a few glances at Dianna and Charlotte, who themselves looked at us with uncertainty.
After moving far enough to ensure Dianna and Charlotte couldn't hear us, I spoke to Timothy.
"Listen, those two are slaves, but they're an innocent pair and highly capable. Why don't you just take them and leave? There's no obstruction of justice here."
I deliberately used the word justice to incite him, and my words were genuine.
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[The lower existence 'Timothy Sullivan' used active skill 'Word Detection Lvl.2'.]
[The 'Word Detection' skill has found no manipulation in your words.]
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"I also have no relation to slavery whatsoever."
I spoke further to ensure I could leave without any trouble.
{...I still have my doubts.}
{If it's as he says, why is a completely innocent person involved here?...}
This freak is just too damn suspicious, even with his skills. I felt the urge to run, but I knew I couldn't escape that easily.
"How about I help you with something, and in return, you let me go and listen to my request?"
"Help me with something?"
Yes, I remember his description mentioned he is looking for someone. I recall who it is—she was supposed to be found around this time anyway.
"You're looking for the Viscount's eldest daughter, right?"
The Viscount of the demi-human territory was a family of the Tiger tribe. Only the highest position in the demi-human hierarchy was occupied by a human family, and the rest of the titles were given to the demi-human tribes.
Timothy's eyes turned cold. I expected this reaction. A stranger suddenly claiming to know where the Viscount's daughter is—it wasn't very believable, and my current situation don't help.
"Before you do something, I should tell you: I have no connection to the lady, and I've never met her face-to-face. I just know where she is."
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[The existence Timothy Sullivan has used active skill 'Word Detection Lvl.2'.]
[The 'Word Detection' skill has found no manipulation in your words.]
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Does he have to use it every time?
"Why should I believe you?"
What is he talking about? His skill just confirmed that my words have no manipulation.
"Don't you want to find her as soon as possible?"
Well, if he takes Charlotte with him, he'll find her in three weeks' time. Charlotte's Learning skill will aid her growth, and soon she'll become a historian. After that, she'll be able to locate the Viscount's daughter.
I'm just helping him find her three weeks sooner. It wouldn't change much, and as long as he takes Charlotte and Dianne with him and trains them, their skills will grow. It's a win-win situation. Now, if only this freak would agree to it.
"Okay."
To my surprise, he agreed to my terms. I nodded. This person has some potential for growth as well.
"I'll tell you where she is. In return, you let me go without causing any problems. You take those two with you and train them as part of your squad."
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[The lower existence Timothy Sullivan has used active skill 'Word Detection Lvl.2'.]
[The 'Word Detection' skill has found manipulation in your words.]
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Technically, it is manipulation, but that's how negotiation works. However, the person in front of me was too simple-minded. I spoke as soon as I heard his thoughts.
{Arrest...}
"It might seem like I'm trying to manipulate you, but all I want is for them to have a good life. It's not like any of us here are criminals."
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[The lower existence Timothy Sullivan has used active skill 'Word Detection Lvl.2'.]
[The 'Word Detection' skill has found no manipulation in your words.]
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He moved his hand away from the hilt of his sword. He's too simple-minded when it comes to justice. He really needs a 'Common Sense' skill.
"Okay, I accept your deal. So, where is the Viscount's daughter?"
I didn't beat around the bush. The sooner I am out of here, the better.
"You'll find her in Ipritus."
Timothy's eyes widened slightly. It was understandable. The Ipritus Kingdom of the Cloud Continent is special.
"In the country of dragons?"
I nodded. Calling it a country was a stretch. Dragons, as everyone knows, are formidable creatures, but their population is far too small. They're rare, to say the least.
The entire country was given to them despite their rarity because they're extremely proud creatures. They don't like to share and prefer to have large territories. They also don't like associating with others.
They also have the strongest base stats among lower existences.
It certainly was a problem, but it was a problem for him, not me.