Chapter 61: Investment
"You can’t imagine how magnificent the Imperial City is..."
"The high stone walls. The powerful guards. The enormous Imperial Palace."
Mia spoke enthusiastically, describing her journey to Aurelius, who would nod from time to time while gesturing to her to continue.
To be honest, he was faintly surprised.
Mia and Homer had traveled to many places, ranging from the Dawn Kingdom’s capital to the nearby tribes of the Amazon Jungle.
It was quite shocking that they were able to do so in a few days—and return alive to tell the tale.
But Aurelius quickly understood.
Homer was a powerful Awakener.
Although he hid his identity for some reason, apparently keeping it a secret even from his own daughter, he was far from an ordinary person.
"How is Blood Sun City? Did anything interesting happen while I was gone?"
Finished with her own part of the story, Mia switched the topic of conversation.
With a smile on her face, she asked Aurelius about his last few days too.
Remembering the Sunless Sect’s events that had nearly destroyed the city, Aurelius felt somewhat awkward.
But against his conscience, he simply shook his head.
"No. It’s the same as always. You know how Blood Sun City is."
"What interesting thing could possibly happen here?"
Mia chuckled, having expected such an answer.
Satisfied with the answer, Mia smoothly moved on.
What she failed to notice was that as Aurelius and she were conversing, the third person in the room was quietly listening to every single one of their words.
TheoryMaster69’s expression was calm on the surface, nervously refilling their cups whenever they emptied them.
But in reality, her focus was entirely on the two people in front of her.
More precisely, on the interfaces hovering above their heads.
[Aurelius Sol. Level ???]
[Mia Marrow. Level 0]
As she concentrated on Aurelius’ face, a small panel appeared.
...
[Name: Aurelius Sol]
[Template: ???]
[Rank: ??? / Level: ???]
[Base Stats:] ???
[Skills: ???]
[Talents: ???]
[Description: A formidable Awakener of unknown strength. It is recommended that the Player stay away from them.]
...
The panel was utterly empty.
Only the description revealed some basic information, warning TheoryMaster69 to stay away from him.
However, TheoryMaster69 did exactly the opposite. She couldn’t help but take half a step closer to him, the excitement in her eyes apparent.
This man was worthy of his reputation as a Hidden NPC.
The difference between them was so massive that she was unable to detect anything about him.
TheoryMaster69 had already tested it.
When this ability was cast on Mia and the visiting customers, she had been able to see their full information.
This meant that the blank spaces in Aurelius’ panel were not a result of this ability’s failure.
Rather, she was simply not qualified to see them.
’What incredible luck!’
’I was thinking how to get close to the Protagonist, only for him to appear right at my doorstep!’
TheoryMaster69 praised Lady Luck.
She knew that once her starting point was revealed, the other Players would turn green with envy!
Imagining the deflated expression of her archenemy, who had most likely not even received a beta invitation, she nearly burst into laughter.
Mia failed to notice anything.
But Aurelius knew "Emma’s" true identity and had been paying close attention to her.
Therefore, he immediately became aware of it when her gaze locked onto him and she began smirking smugly on her own.
TheoryMaster69 hid it the next second, but her thoughts were clear to him.
He didn’t point it out, but continued his conversation with Mia.
Time slowly passed.
Like old friends catching up after a long separation, the two continued chatting.
Half an hour later, Emma had already refilled their cups several times.
Catching Mia glancing anxiously at the clock hanging on the wall, Aurelius understood it was time for him to leave.
He smiled as he rose to his feet.
"That’s it. I have some other matters to attend to."
"Thank you for the drink. If we have a chance in the future, I’ll treat you to coffee next time."
Mia briefly blushed upon these words. It was as though Aurelius suggested they go on a date alone.
But after looking into his eyes and seeing the pure intentions within them, she quickly relaxed.
She nodded.
"That’s for certain," she said, and added:
"Perhaps we can even invite Selene over. The three of us will have a lot of fun..."
Aurelius’ eye twitched.
Would the three of them go on a date?
He strongly believed that Selene would attempt to kill him if she were to receive such an invitation.
Perhaps the Blood Temple would receive another assassination request. One targeting a certain bastard noble.
While he was having these inexplicable thoughts, they reached the shop’s entrance.
After exchanging a few more words with Mia, he intended to leave.
But just then, a soft voice reached his ears.
For the first time in some time, TheoryMaster69 made her existence known.
"I was very happy to meet you."
"If you happen to need anything, you may visit the Alchemy Shop again."
"Even if Lady Mia is not here, I’ll serve you to the best of my ability, "Emma" said.
Then, she spoke no further.
Like an ordinary employee who was working hard, she went back to the shop, prepared to resume her training under Mia.
Aurelius’ eyes narrowed as he watched her leave.
This Player... was quite different.
Unlike World_Builder, who had rushed to ask for tasks in order to trigger System Missions, TheoryMaster69 had taken a completely different route.
’Do you want to use my relationship with Mia as a bridge to forge a closer relationship between us? Is this a way to increase my Favorability?’
Aurelius was not naive enough to think that TheoryMaster69 had been enamored by his handsome appearance.
For Players, this was just a game after all.
Aside from the strange ones, whose decisions led them into the churches’ dungeons, most Players put benefit above everything else.
’This person is worth investing in.’
’She doesn’t lose sight of the future for some petty short-term gains. Once I’ve confirmed her personality, teaching her the Sun Knight Class is possible,’ Aurelius judged, satisfied with this woman.
TheoryMaster69 had demonstrated patience and restraint—qualities that her archenemy World_Builder lacked.
...The fact that she was much more pleasant to the eyes than the fat, greasy World_Builder was also an additional bonus.
If he had to choose whom to invest in, the choice Aurelius would make was obvious.
Even though he was thinking of the future, Aurelius’ footsteps never paused. He wandered through the crowded streets of Blood Sun City, hoping to encounter more Players.
Having already met two of them in such a short time, he believed it would not take him long to meet the third.
Unfortunately, reality proved otherwise. Even half an hour later, he had not seen the familiar Player interface on anyone.
With disappointment, he chose to give up, intending to return to the Sol mansion.
But just then, his expression changed.
A shrill cry reached his ears from the street just ahead.