Legacy of the Betelgeuse

Chapter 34 - Episode 34: Unexpected.

I removed all the equipment on me and went to the coordinate that Avriel gave me. It's a small town at the border between Eluna Empire and Aarus Empire called Perth. It took me four days to reach this town and there are so many players who visited this town and saved their respawn point here before they continue on their journey. I got inside of a small shop based on the coordinates.

"What can I do for you today? A new item has arrived this morning. Would you like to check it out?"

A woman NPC is smiling at me. I approach her and then buy some ingredients and potions. The clerk is still looking at me and then I realized something. I grab the paper that Avriel gave me. There's a hidden message on it. I look at the clerk.

"Can you show me the item that arrived a few days ago?"

The clerk smiles.

"Definitely. Please follow me."

The clerk walked to the door behind her. I followed her and when we entered the room, Avriel was sitting on the chair with a dozen people around her. Avriel turned around and smiled.

"You finally came."

I smile.

"Yeah, sorry I took so long."

Avriel is crossing her arms and legs. Then lifts her hand towards the people behind her.

"I have gathered all my men that will follow me wherever I go."

Like father like daughter I guess. I smile and Avriel is looking at me with confusion. Avriel sighs and rests her elbow and rests her head on her hand.

"We went to the Aarus Empire a few days ago. There is bad news for you. So come sit with me.

I sit beside her and she shows a scroll to me. I read it and it's about Krestan's arm. The Aarus Empire got a letter from Eluna Empire and said that they lost Krestan's leg and suggested the Aarus Empire to transferred Krestan's arm to somewhere else that is safer and more secured place. The Aarus Empire responded to the letter and they already transferred Krestan's arm somewhere safe.

I sigh in disappointment. The plan that I made so carefully is now a waste. I'm rubbing my face and have no idea what to do. I look at Avriel.

"Do you know where they transferred Krestan's arm?"

Avriel smirks and looks at me.

"We do. But, as the letter said that they transferred it to a safer place is not a lie. I'm not confident that you will be able to get it. Of course, we can help you, but I don't want to risk my life and my men's lives for someone else's purpose."

I'm rubbing my chin while thinking. I exhale deeply and look at Avriel.

"I'm not planning to ask for your help to retrieve it from the beginning. I only need your information. You're doubting me that I won't be able to get it on my own? I'll prove that you're wrong."

Avriel laughs and stands up.

"I cannot wait for that to happen. So, shall we go to the Aarus Empire? I will tell you the details when we are at the capital city of Aarus Empire, Algebar."

I nodded.

Avriel ordered her men to lurk around Algebar and gather more information. After that, Avriel and I left the shop and teleported to Algebar using a teleportation device. If we didn't use the teleportation device, we are going to take a week to reach the center of Aarus Empire territory and another 3 days to reach Algebar. So it will be a waste of time.

Avriel covers her face with a hooded robe and walks beside me. I look around and wonder where are they transferred Krestan's arm since Avriel said earlier that they moved it to somewhere else. Avriel is pointing at the pub.

"Let's go there, it's the safest place to talk about this matter."

We enter the pub and sit somewhere far from the crowd. Avriel is sitting next to the wall. The waitress comes and asks for our orders. I order ale and Avriel orders a ploughman's lunch and ale. The waitress then leaves. She's observing the surroundings and looks at me.

"The place where they put Krestan's arm is quite far from Algebar. We have no idea for how long they are going to keep it there."

I look at Avriel.

"So, where is it exactly?"

Avriel raises her eyebrows and clicks her tongue.

"At the last defense of Aarus Empire's capital city. The Alenbeliard Fortress..."

Alenbeliard is the strongest fortress in the game. Back then, the Alenbeliard fortress is the only fortress that survived the world boss' attacks. It's not only the strongest but also the NPCs that are ordered by the emperor to guard Krestan's arm. The same NPCs that a part of the team that defeated Krestan, a mage called Ardalec, and a swordsman called Diadre. Not just that, the Supremacist Clan base is near the Alenbeliard fortress. So basically it's going to be a bloodbath battle.

Based on the book I read back then, Diadre has been searching Avriel's whereabouts. Until Avriel gets betrayed by her informant and ambushed by Diadre. They fought and Avriel get injured badly, but she managed to escape. In this timeline, both Avriel and Diadre haven't met with each other yet. Both of them only know of each other based on the information they both gathered. Unfortunately, Diadre is way stronger than Avriel. So I'm a bit concerned about this situation because Avriel might die there since Diadre is with Ardalec. If both of them noticed that Avriel is there, they will hunt her down.

I exhale deeply and lean on the chair.

"That's unfortunate..."

Avriel is smiling and raises her eyebrow.

"I told you that I'm not confident that you can get Krestan's arm from there."

I raise my eyebrow and smirk.

"Who said that it's a problem for me? I only said that it's unfortunate because I have to work harder to get Krestan's arm."

Avriel is chuckling and nods with understanding. Then the waitress comes with our food and drinks. Avriel immediately grabs her food and eats it. I'm rubbing my chin while thinking of a plan.

Avriel is chewing the bread and cheese. She grabs something from her bag. A scroll and then drops it in front of me. I tilt my head and grab it.

[Alenbeliard's blueprints obtained!]

I smile and sigh with relief.

"Thank you."

Avriel smirks and continues eating her food.

I open the blueprints and look at the structure of the fortress. There are so many secret passages under and above the fortress. This is nice. I have no idea where did Avriel get the blueprints, but I'm very grateful for this. I still remember the fortress clearly, so I only need to remember the secret passages. Suddenly a screen appears in front of me.

[Affinity towards Trevor increased by 5%]

[Avriel Scarlettblood (15%)]

Avriel is observing me and clears her throat.

"It seems that this isn't the first time you do this kind of job. The way you are looking at the blueprints and the secret passages remind me of myself."

I smirk and shrug.

"Well, I guess you can say that. I do have some experience."

I look at Avriel and clear my throat.

"Are you really going to come with me?"

Avriel drinks her ale and furrows her forehead while staring at me. Then she tilts her head.

"Of course, I want to see you in action. Is there a reason why I shouldn't?"

I shake my head.

"No, it's just I don't want you to get dragged into this on accident."

Avriel is squinting her eyes and starting to understand what I'm talking about. She chuckles.

"You don't have to worry about me. Nobody can defeat me even if I'm surrounded."

Yes, there is. Right now, he's waiting in the Alenbeliard fortress. If I have to choose between Krestan's arm and Avriel, I will be prioritizing Avriel's safety. She's holding an important role and if she died, then I will fail all the hidden quests. So, I'm not just going to take Krestan's arm, but I also have to keep an eye on her. I hope nothing is going to happen to her.

I chug the ale and stretch my arm. I look at Avriel and she's done with her food.

"Shall we go now? It will take us two days to go to the Alenbeliard fortress."

Avriel nods.

"Let's go."

2 days have passed. We stood on top of a cliff not far from the Alenbeliard fortress. We could everything from up here and what surprised me was that there were a lot of players around the fortress. Then I checked the forum to get some kind of information. Turned out, there was an event for Aarus Empire's faction to escorted out a carriage that is transferring a precious item to the Alenbeliard fortress. All the players who were participated in the event got so much gold and EXP. All the players stayed near the fortress because they all curious about the item and hope to see the item.

"How smart..."

Avriel is looking in the distance.

"There are a lot of people than I expected."

Avriel looks at me.

"Still confident in yourself?"

I smirk.

"It doesn't matter how many people are there. It won't change the fact that I'm going to get Krestan's arm."

I look at the sky.

"All I have to do now is to wait for the nighttime to come."