Chapter 863 - 372: Synchronized Tasks and Roleplaying_3
If it weren’t for the dungeon plane being incorrect, the players would even feel compelled to shout "Loyalty! Honor!" towards Wu Chang with admiration.
Even a ranking player like Divine Tongue hadn’t encountered such a good thing before, and his eyes were filled with excitement as he looked at Peace, secretly feeling indebted to him.
With three tasks assigned, the first collective meeting of the Secret Magic Knight Order was adjourned, allowing True Self to act freely while Wu Chang pulled Raventon aside to begin a small meeting between captains.
Unlike ordinary members, their task was to investigate the cause of the abnormal deaths of a large number of workers in the South Shore Textile District of Hills River, based on the clues provided by Connor.
Connor had pursued this lead himself, and naturally, it couldn’t be shared with other players.
Of course, if their investigation with Raventon reached an impasse and other players had accumulated enough contribution value, this investigation could be shared as a reward to those contributing players.
Raventon was puzzled as to why Wu Chang would discuss the case with him alone. He asked:
"You’ve just recruited so many new members; why didn’t you let them help with this crucial investigation at the meeting?"
Wu Chang replied matter-of-factly:
"Because I don’t trust them. The current lead is exceptionally crucial, and the investigation cannot afford any errors. Among the Secret Magic Knight Order, you are one of the two people I trust the most. Only by investigating personally with you can I be assured."
Raventon took a puff from his pipe and continued: "Then why didn’t you bring along Peace?"
Wu Chang said: "You two are the only ones I trust completely. Previously, during our etiquette training, he helped us connect with Connor and obtained this lead."
"Now he has to keep an eye on that group of foreign Transcendents for me, so I can only rely on you now."
Raventon shrugged, seemingly helpless, and said: "Alright, you’re the captain, after all."
Meanwhile, the Extraordinary gathering at Saint George’s Cathedral was coming to an end.
Most of the Transcendents participating in the gathering had already chosen the factions they wanted to join.
Influenced by the plane rules, although the Alchemy Association, as an indigenous faction, had no recruitment limit, they mysteriously kept the number of players absorbed to under twelve.
Julie, a leader not particularly ambitious for power, only selected six players during the gathering.
The Clock Tower Mage Association preferred players with Energy specialties, selecting a slightly higher number, with only eleven.
As for the Alchemy Association, they only picked ten strong fighters and ceased further selections.
Like the Secret Magic Knight Order, these three factions operated independently.
The remaining players at the venue mostly received invitations from the great nobility and became their security consultants.
They appeared scattered, but the faction prompted for them to join was influenced by the political inclination of their employer.
For instance, players following an Upper House member or an army general belonged to the ’Land Nobility’ faction.
Whereas players following the chairman of the Trade Commission, the permanent deputy minister of finance, or a Lower House member belonged to the ’New Nobility’ faction.
Phantom, who wasn’t selected by Wu Chang, didn’t join the three extraordinary factions but chose to follow the chairman of the Trade Commission.
The situation in Stilan was evident, with the unstoppable trend of industry and free trade, and the New Nobility mastering industry and trade, thus controlling most resources.
Aside from Wu Chang’s Secret Security Department, the ’New Nobility’ faction was unquestionably the superior faction; even if they couldn’t win the final confrontation task, they could still receive considerable rewards.
But for Phantom, who favored perfection, he wasn’t satisfied with this choice.
When leaving the banquet, his expression was very grim.
Peace, that fellow would someday pay for the humiliation he inflicted today.
As he walked through the corridor of Saint George’s Church, a Black Robe stopped him when he passed a patch of shadow.
"If you are dissatisfied with your current situation, then follow me."
Phantom hesitated for a moment, followed the Black Robe, and descended to the underground of Saint George’s Cathedral.
When no one else was around, the Black Robe said:
"I can tell that your ability is exceptionally powerful; the proud within those who are strong have their own pride."
"Listening to the orders of a Cabinet Minister and becoming their security consultant — you surely won’t be content with this. If you want a better future, would you like to work for me?"
Phantom squinted and asked: "Who are you?"
The Black Robe removed the hood, revealing an elegant and noble face, her lips slightly curved with a smile brighter than sunlight.
"I am the Queen of Stilan, Olivia."
"Queen Olivia of Stilan is recruiting you; do you want to change your current faction and join the special faction — the Royal Household."
Phantom froze for a moment; the Secret Security Department has a royal prefix, making him always believe that Wu Chang’s faction belonged to the Queen’s.
But judging by Olivia’s implication, the situation was not as he thought.
He asked: "Then what is the Secret Security Department with Sir Sean?"
Olivia, smiling, said: "Has anyone told you that the Queen has only one minister?"
Phantom seemed to understand something and immediately performed a knightly salute, saying:
"Your Majesty the Queen, I am willing to serve you."
The extraordinary gathering attracted many players, and it wasn’t only the great nobility and extraordinary factions who set their sights on these players.
Nor was it solely Olivia.
Other factions hidden from sight, cloaked in Black Robes for years, also approached the talents they had targeted.
Tonight, the players were destined to be very busy.
The next morning, when Wu Chang’s body got up, he saw Raventon already seated in the dining room as usual, waiting for breakfast.
After having breakfast, Wu Chang and Erin got into the carriage, with Raventon continuing to play the role of coachman, driving them to the East District.
After dropping Erin off in the Gray Church Slums, helping Erin complete the preparation work, Raventon retrieved two police uniforms from the back of the carriage and temporarily borrowed Thomas’s house as a changing room.
"Put these on; we’ll need this attire to blend in openly into the South Shore’s Textile District."