“May I ask where you’re going, Sir Marni?”
Having willingly accepted his loss, taken a long leave of absence from the noblewoman and his knightly duties, Gerald was now following Marni around as an ordinary guardsman.
Marni himself had never imagined that just throwing his weight around a little would get Gerald to submit, and have him around like a lackey.
That was why he didn’t bring Gerald to the Lancaster Hideout since it was shelter where old Vanke and the other refugees of Tierra could pursue their objectives. That was why it mustn’t be revealed on a whim before the Players are able to stand against the authorities of the Valla Empire.
Be that as it may, it was clear that Lancaster wasn’t the place to influence Gerald and broaden his horizons so that he understood his purpose in life.
So, could they head for the Unnamed Town since the Lancaster Hideout was a no go?
The answer was naturally yes.
***
Having experimented, the Players had proven that they didn’t have to stand directly beneath the Lifestone to teleport—they could do so as long as they were within range.
Therefore, some Players who had finished their daily quests and daily farming but were too lazy to go out adventuring had already found their respective spot where they could connect to the Lifestone in the Lancaster Hideout.
“We’re going to the place where I stock up,” Marni replied.
Gerald was surprised-he had investigated Marni, and learned that the unusual traveling merchant had made his name in Lancaster back then because he sold two potions with incredible tastes.
Sales of the potions turned out well: the cheap price and the outstanding effect made it especially well-received, while alchemical potions in the black market dropped without end.
At the time, various factions in the city saw Marni as a bully-able Slime since he had yet to gain a strong reputation. It was as if everyone wanted a piece of him-some of those with bigger appetites even wanted to hog up the source of his wares.
It seemed that Marni Wilf was either assassinated or kidnapped by other factions every other week then. Many had sworn that he had died to their blade, but it was at most three days later when he showed up again unscathed!
Eventually, he gained the moniker ‘The Undying Marni’.
In turn, the factions that made attempts on his life would be discreetly assaulted by another unknown faction. Even if the owner was unaffected, their under-the-table sections would all be wiped out!
Although the city watch was left in an uproar at the time, the atmosphere Lancaster improved immediately after the cleanup.
Come to think of it, that unknown faction would probably be the self-proclaimed ‘Players’ who had strong ties with Marni Wilf.
“Is it alright letting me on the source of your goods?” Gerald asked.
After all, it was important information that the Lancaster factions spend great effort to uncover, but ended up not even getting a whiff
of!
“It’s fine. It’s not like it would matter if you know anyway,” Marni replied nonchalantly.
Even as Gerald thought about what Marni could mean, he did a double take when the sights around him turned.
The old, unhygienic rundown streets were gone, replaced by a road that was wide enough for two carriages to run freely. Red-bricked pedestrian paths were built on both sides of the road as well, along with a variety of shops.
“W-what is this?!”
Gerald had once heard that ancient portals could send a person a thousand miles away, but he was positive he was still in Lancaster just a moment ago.
How did he come to this unfamiliar place in the blink of an eye? What actually happened?
Marni seemed quite satisfied with Gerald’s stunned look. Smiling as if his prank was successful, he softly said: “Welcome to our town.”
“Your… town?”
Gerald frowned. It was not as if he hadn’t seen prosperous city streets, but this was still the first time he saw a street filled with such vigor.
It was crowded here, but there were smiles and hopes on everyone’s faces.
That was a sight which could never be seen in any other town, even in the relaxed district of Lancaster. Everyone would be busy making a living, and aside from a few nobles, the life of the average citizen wasn’t that hopefulsurviving alone was their best hope.
In this town, however, it seemed that everyone had their own hopes and objectives. Their eyes were clear and bright unlike the muddled and jaded ones of peasants from other cities.
It was all so unbelievable.
And then there were the surreal: some citizens here were wearing weird head mask of dolphins and anglerfishes, which appeared rather funny.
That was especially interesting considering that the other peasants around them were neither shooting the head masks looks of disdain or mockery, but were instead admiring and envious.
Could those head masks be a trend around here? Gerald muttered inwardly, remembering the Flatfish Swordsman who had dueled him before.
After the Players’ diligent preaching and recommendations, the Unnamed Town had changed completely-prosperous, even though it could yet compare with major cities.
The town’s population now numbered over two thousand and counting. Although there were just around four hundred Players now, each were true believers with bright futures after getting their System.
And with the Players acting as role models, one could be sure that the remaining sixteen hundred people would all become true believers of the God of Games — the Church of Games never offer empty promises unlike the other churches, because the promise was right there and all the believers had to do was take it…
“Yes. There are many things I would show you, but you should tag along to restock my wares first.”
Marni had intended to bring Gerald to the System Shop and allow him to witness the modern facilities their God of Games had invented thanks to inspiration from vending machines back on earth. However, he soon caught a discussion from some Players discussing, who were something like the ‘Lucky Brothers found a new Boss’ and ‘your news is outdated, that place is a new dungeon now’ and started to head towards the Lifestone.
Marni promptly paused and looked at his guardsman beside him thoughtfully.
‘I wouldn’t die immediately with a guardsman, right?’