Chapter 327 They Can Divide Themselves Too?

[Searching ancient ruins: Elven SIN (Synchronized Intellect Nation)]

[Quest: Three thousand years ago, the high elves who were still ruling all land were suddenly wiped out, the Mysteries in their legacies lost. Now, however, you have inadvertently stumbled upon certain secrets they once held, just as you had determined that an ancient ruin belonging to the high elves is present near Crookes.

Find that lost world for a glimpse into the nation where the elves integrated all sentient beings. Under the guidance of your wise and powerful god, you shall embark on the journey in search of those ruins.]

(Quest objectives: (This quest will be shared to all Players) Search and confirm the location of the entrance to the ancient ruins the high elves had left behind.]

(Quest rewards: Certain amount of EXP]

[Note 1: It is recommended to have a wood elf as a strategist in search of the entrance due to the cultural difference between high elves and humans]

[Note 2: Event ‘Ancient Arcanum: Elven SIN’ will be unlocked upon quest completion]

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“Looks like we really hit the jackpot this time…” Marni muttered quietly even as he read the System page and left a comment that read ‘Thanks for the invite, I’m already present on the scene’ on the Player forums which was already in an uproar.

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In the first place, he had only come to try getting better equipment, especially since the ones he had at the moment were falling behind in level. In fact, he would have sold them off if each item wasn’t kept relevant thanks to their +7 stats.

He certainly didn’t expect to stumble into such a mystery and start a large-scale side quest.

Even though the quest reward appeared measly since it only gives EXP for rewards, Marni knew that the real rewards wouldn’t be equally poor once the event kicks off.

Moreover, there could well be hidden rewards given in the side quest itself.

Indeed, he could compromise by assuming that there won’t be any rewards in the side quest. Even then, having completed it would definitely secure him an advantage of some extent in the subsequent event.

Meanwhile, the elven queen watched as the Players fell silent at the same time, and then vaguely realized something.

“Ultimately, the high elves are the precursors to us wood elves—if you don’t mind, would you allow Trinia to join you in your effort?” She offered.

Pausing, she then added, “You may set your minds at ease, as I would only be sending some of our people to observe and collect information. They would not interfere as long as your side does not blaspheme against the Moon God.”

Edward, who was hesitating how he should request assistance couldn’t help breathing a sigh of relief at the elven queen’s offer. “Thank you. I was just thinking that we need your strength in helping to accomplish our goal.”

Beside him, Marni’s merchant instincts almost made him barter to see if he could get more out of it. He was naturally left upset as his words were stuck in his throat after Edward agreed to the elven queen’s offer before he could.

Still, he knew that Edward wasn’t doing anything wrong when he thought about it.

Given the difference in mindset between humans and elves, the Players need to be much more direct and less crafty, especially when the other humans were so deceitful. If Marni really did try to barter like it was another business deal and drag out his bartering, the negotiations might have broken down directly because he was looking at a gift horse in the mouth, he might be reduced to an eternal criminal, with other Players taking turns to PK him…

***

The magistrate’s office in Crookes.

Magistrate Lloyd could feel strands of his hair shedding when he received the report.

“So what you’re saying here is after the followers of that mysterious church had killed another swampman, one of their companions was kidnapped by unknown individuals… before they themselves vanished in the ensuing pursuit?” “That is correct, my lord.” The soldier who submitted the report was sweating buckets, his stomach and feet twitching. “There’s only a broken rock left when we reached the scene…”

Lloyd flung the report in his face. “Are every last one of you corpses?! Forget not having any progress with finding the swampmen, you’ve lost the very people who came willingly to help and work with us despite all the trouble! Anyone who would kidnap their companions is most likely the mastermind behind the swampmen, so get to the bottom of it! If you can’t find the killer or those helpful followers, you don’t have to report to me again!”

“Yes, my lord!”

The soldier clutched his report and fled the office with a pale face.

After he vanished beyond the door, the infuriated Lloyd slumped into his chair.

Early on, the swampmen were not exactly a problem. However, every citizen in Crookes started to panic when that mysterious church scrounged out a whole bunch of them in such a short time, leaving them in fear that their friends and family were swampmen impersonations.

The already unfriendly opinion of Lloyd amongst the citizens hence turned worse.

But that was not all doom and gloom, however. All Lloyd needed for his reputation to recover was to let the mysterious church continue exposing more hidden swampmen, and he might even earn a majority support-after all, resolving the swampmen crisis was a great feat for the citizens to talk about.

The problem was that the followers of the mysterious church were gone, and the situation was extremely terrible for him.

But even as Lloyd scowled over the matter, another soldier rushed inside his office.

“My lord! I have something to report.”

“What is it?” Lloyd asked by reflex, being still a little distracted. “Did you get the mastermind behind the swampmen?”

“Uh, no.” The soldier did a double take, shook his head before reporting the latest development. “A large group of people had suddenly entered town.” “More crystal washers? Is there another crystal rush lately?” Lloyd asked in bemusement.

After all, what drew people to Crookes was the Illum crystal veins on Mount Meredith.

Even though those veins were already claimed, it was said that brushings of rain and mountain springs throughout the year washed many Illum specks of dust into the mud beneath the river. So-called crystal washing was to use specialized tools to extract the minerals from sand, and rumors of how some got rich overnight would lead to crystal rushes here, attracting many others to settle down in Crookes.

However, there hadn’t been anyone who got rich by making a living out of crystal washing. Indeed, some now consider that getting rich through crystal washing was a rumor that the mayor spread in order to increase the city’s population…

“No, it’s the followers of that mysterious church.”

“Oh? They’ve returned!” Lloyd was beside himself in joy.

“Not only have they returned, there are more of them!” The soldier then added in shock. “In fact, they number up to the hundreds!”

Lloyd became a little confused at that.

Perhaps the believers of that mysterious church were capable of dividing themselves?