Schemer

Leon's decision to recruit adventurers as mercenaries for his orc subjugation shook not only the world of Aron but also the world after him. But what came more was critiques than whatever was the opposite of it.

"I can't believe the newly appointed Duke is recruiting people to fight ordinary orcs. Orcs are one of the low-level monsters found in different areas. I mean even if he is a weak player, can't he just use his soldiers, they are just NPCs after all"

"Hmm, I agree with you Mr Jeremiah, but we are talking about the effect this is going to cause, whether or not he is weak, the fact that his decision might influence the whole world of Aron despite not being a quest, as an RPG specialist acknowledged by even the chairman of Morkgol. What do you think about this?" The news reporter asked the invited man, who was dark-haired with a wrinkled face that proved he was quite old, in at least his late sixties to aid your imagination.

"Okay, so what I think is that his decision will affect the world of Aron on a large-scale, however, if he cannot handle the consequences of his action it will come to affect it because you see, in gaming, there's something will call ceteris paribus, it's a French word that coins all things being equal. And you see it is used as a balancing force in games especially in massive open-world RPGs, because a side of the game cannot fall towards a player it would cause imbalances it is not even possible because it would come back to affect the developers."

"I see, so you are saying that even though this player's decision will affect the world, it would still come to backfire on him because it was made out of his weakness."

"You get the point now" Mr Jeremiah responded.

"Thank you for listening to us and we will be back with more after this short commercial..."

"...that is what is being said about you, don't you watch the news when you log out of the game?" Tessa asked worriedly.

"Who cares about the news, I have to enjoy the game," Leon responded while sitting lazily on the couch. His simple white beginner's shirt was dirty and his breathing pattern was very irregular and his replies were slow-paced.

"I am impressed with your abilities to want to stay in the game only but having information from the news will give you an edge." She replied.

"Sure, I too will love to have an edge."

"Then why don't you watch the news?"

"Because nature Tess, is a very wicked concept of existence."

"I don't like how you call my name"

"And I shouldn't be wasting my saliva on two syllables when I can just simply say one"

"You call Gretas Greee-tas and you call your other servants by their name."

"...they are worth the stress, you are a parasite"

Tessa's expression couldn't condone what Leon had said but she exhaled and calmed down.

"See? parasitic reasons why you can't dare to take out your anger on me," Leon replied and grinned even though he was very tired.

"So will you share with this parasite the true reason why you are recruiting players?" She said cunningly.

"...ah...you have no shame on top of being a parasite. It is exactly as they have said..."

*fuuu*

[You have used fire breathing]

[You have gained 5 Stamina stat points]

"...same reason as the news say, I can't handle the orcs on my own." He said after his short steamy exhale.

'His talking got better after he exhaled...' Tessa noticed but managed to make it unnoticeable to Leon that she noticed. "You do realise that I know you and Knight Finduilas snuck out of the castle to scout on the Ungar orcs and almost got yourselves killed."

Leon sat upright, glared at her and smacked his lips after a few seconds, "I should teach these guys the art and act of controlling tongues."

"It's natural that if your Affinity with NPCs rises, they will share information with you." She replied to him, "So are you going to speak or should I just go ahead and spread rumours of the strength of the soldiers you have and tell them how that it might be a scam? let's see if you will be able to still recruit as many mercenaries."

Leon grinned, rested his elbows on his thighs, locked his fingers and gently placed his chin above it, he then said: "And let's see if you will be able to meet Akant or whatever it is called."

"You have a nasty attitude, it will lead you nowhere." She replied in frustration.

"At least I know ruining my plan will not lead you to Akant"

"It's Akar" she responded.

"I don't care, he replied and leaned back on his couch, stared at her and moved his eyeballs to the door.

She looked towards the door and looked back, he nodded and smiled. She immediately stormed out of his office and slammed the door hard while she was at it.

Moments later, Leon was already beginning to doze off when Oweyn entered.

He naturally was awakened by the footsteps, 'Oh damn, the sleep of this game is so good' He thought and belatedly looked around to find the reason why he was woken. Upon looking back he saw Oweyn look at him from behind while resting on his office table.

"Do you have something to report? Sir Oweyn"

Oweyn bowed as he replied, "I am not worthy to be addressed with honorifics your grace."

"Just accept it and say the reason you are here," Leon replied while squinting his eyes towards the bowed Oweyn.

"Your Grace, I came to report that I have successfully used the funds you gave me for the creation of high-grade pieces of equipment worth a thousand soldiers. But your grace, I must remind you that even though we lost no soldiers during the last subjugation, we still have wounded soldiers that are still in the medic, sending them to war again would be ruthless."

"It's fine, Sir Oweyn. I have a plan" Leon responded.

"Does it have to do with the reason for the mercenaries your grace? Because I've been trying to rack my head around it, I can't seem to get why. The soldiers are also thinking that you are doubting their abilities."

"Isn't it normal that I doubt their abilities after their failure?"

"Sir?" Leon's reply shocked him that he couldn't hide his expression.

Leon smiled, "But I'm not doing that. Meatshields"

"Sir?" He was surprised yet again but instead of a shocked expression, he had an awed one, with a dropped jaw.

"Sacrificial lambs, what I mean is, the orc chief is very strong, a monster named by a god. He fought Knight Finduilas who is a continental Knight, one of the sword gods and didn't use his skills, yet survived. I can't send my soldiers to him, they'll die, but think about it players can resurrect when they die, I need especially players to wear him out as much as possible while dying, afterwards, I will take care of everything. Our soldiers can easily take care of the orcs if they butt in, Knight Finduilas and Knight Daryon will lead them, don't worry I already know you suck at fighting."

"Ah ah..." Oweyn giggled, "...I am sorry your grace, I'm more of a management person."

"It's fine" Leon tapped his shoulder.

He looked at Leon with amazement in his eyes, "I am gratified by your care for the soldiers." He said.

[Your Affinity with Knight Oweyn has increased by 100 points]

"Do spread the word amongst the soldiers so they don't think I don't believe in their abilities. And tell them if it gets out, it will lead to the failure of our subjugation. I didn't want to tell them originally because I don't want them to relent in their training."

"I see" Oweyn replied still awe-fully gazing at him.

Leon got uncomfortable with his stare, "...you can leave now."

"Ah yes," Oweyn responded and walked outside.

Leon sat down on the chair of his office table and gazed down at the notification in front of him letting out a soft grin and laughter.

[Territory Management Quest]

> Create an image of you (that you desire) in the mind of your citizens

> Quest rank: unranked

> Quest reward: Increase your Affinity with the people, Next management Quest unlocks.

> Quest failure: Decrease in Affinity with the people