"This is almost like the False Hydra situation, only this time the citizens aren't being hypnotized" [Diana].
"Which makes the whole situation even more difficult" [Kat].
"Given our current lineup, we are more than capable of dealing with it. Heck, even the local adventurers and knights can do it, but the locals are the ones causing trouble... Don't you have any idea, Linda?" [Dana]
"Hard to say. For now, let's question the locals and the coffin turtle itself. We have a witch with us." [Linda]
"I'm still an apprentice witch though..." [Diana]
"Still a witch. Don't sell yourself short" [Linda].
Even though we know what the locals will say, we decided to investigate and talk to them anyway. Hearing things directly is more important than hearing them from someone else. As for talking to the coffin turtle, I'm sure I can help as usual. I just need to talk to the turtles and ask them if anything is wrong.
As we thank the innkeeper for the delicious breakfast she prepared for us, she also shares her opinion on the current situation. Not that she's eavesdropping, since we talked openly about it, and as expected, her opinion is the same.
Once she's finished, we head to the Adventure Guild, and on the way we do the same, asking for their opinion on the coffin turtle. From humans to the occasional dragonewt, lizardmen and fishmen to the very rare angel race, they all seem to agree that they don't want the coffin turtle to disappear, even if they are aware of the threat it will sooner or later be exposed to.
Surprisingly, they knew about us, specifically Dana and me. Of course, they said that we were the Saga and Hero's little sister, but the dragonewt and lizardmen community here actually knew more about me as well. As expected, since I am close to the dragonewt community in Amleth, the community here seems to recognize me immediately and welcome me warmly. That's so nice of them.
At the adventure guild, we go straight to the receptionist to find out more about the coffin turtle situation. They definitely knew more about the current situation, and apparently
"So the zombies and the pseudo-ghost have already spread. As expected" [Linda].
"Although the grieving family wanted to take action, they were stopped by others. In fact, some of them think it's acceptable collateral damage since the overall benefit is much greater. It didn't help that the one who gets their essence sucked is a criminal, but the subsequent victim is not. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. While we are sending out our own adventure, even with the cooperation of the Knights, the citizens quickly found out about our plan and some even used their own bodies to save them. Sooner or later, this will inevitably become a battle between those who want the coffin turtle dead and those who want it alive. That is why we are opening the quest to outsiders. It will be less controversial if outsiders are the ones who wipe out the coffin turtle."
That's the general story of what's happened so far, as told by the male receptionist. As for his last comment, while he laughed it off, we are all sure that the guild is serious. Better an outsider take the blame than their own. HOWEVER
"If they find out that these two are the ones killing those coffin turtles, what do you think will happen, Mr. Receptionist?" [Linda]
"I know. I know. In fact, even the Guild Master wanted to forbid your group from doing this quest, but I overheard that you're going to talk to the coffin turtle, especially since young lady Diana Vars is here, am I right?"
"The innkeeper told you that?" [Kat]
"Naturally"
"Grr... Spying on my little sister " [Dana]
"Calm down now Dana" [Linda]
"Fine" [Dana]
That comes as no surprise. Every organization, even our family, has its own way of getting information. Not that we think it's a secret, so I brush it off.
"If you can kindly find another way to resolve this whole situation, I will talk to the guild master to consider this quest completed. Hell, I'll even talk to the government. Not a bad offer, is it?"
"Instead of escalating this situation to another level, that seems like a better option" [Diana].
"And if you can really do that, can you also increase the rewards, we are looking for some things as well" [Dana].
"I'll do my best, but no promises on that part."
"Meow" [Fie]
"And a very good fish, too! Fie wanted some" [Diana]
"That, I can promise"
From subjugation to finding another way to deal with this situation, this is not what I expected when I first came here.
"This is almost like the False Hydra situation, only this time the citizens aren't being hypnotized" [Diana].
"Which makes the whole situation even more difficult" [Kat].
"Given our current lineup, we are more than capable of dealing with it. Heck, even the local adventurers and knights can do it, but the locals are the ones causing trouble... Don't you have any idea, Linda?" [Dana]
"Hard to say. For now, let's question the locals and the coffin turtle itself. We have a witch with us." [Linda]
"I'm still an apprentice witch though..." [Diana]
"Still a witch. Don't sell yourself short" [Linda].
Even though we know what the locals will say, we decided to investigate and talk to them anyway. Hearing things directly is more important than hearing them from someone else. As for talking to the coffin turtle, I'm sure I can help as usual. I just need to talk to the turtles and ask them if anything is wrong.
As we thank the innkeeper for the delicious breakfast she prepared for us, she also shares her opinion on the current situation. Not that she's eavesdropping, since we talked openly about it, and as expected, her opinion is the same.
Once she's finished, we head to the Adventure Guild, and on the way we do the same, asking for their opinion on the coffin turtle. From humans to the occasional dragonewt, lizardmen and fishmen to the very rare angel race, they all seem to agree that they don't want the coffin turtle to disappear, even if they are aware of the threat it will sooner or later be exposed to.
Surprisingly, they knew about us, specifically Dana and me. Of course, they said that we were the Saga and Hero's little sister, but the dragonewt and lizardmen community here actually knew more about me as well. As expected, since I am close to the dragonewt community in Amleth, the community here seems to recognize me immediately and welcome me warmly. That's so nice of them.
At the adventure guild, we go straight to the receptionist to find out more about the coffin turtle situation. They definitely knew more about the current situation, and apparently
"So the zombies and the pseudo-ghost have already spread. As expected" [Linda].
"Although the grieving family wanted to take action, they were stopped by others. In fact, some of them think it's acceptable collateral damage since the overall benefit is much greater. It didn't help that the one who gets their essence sucked is a criminal, but the subsequent victim is not. Children and the elderly are particularly vulnerable. While we are sending out our own adventure, even with the cooperation of the Knights, the citizens quickly found out about our plan and some even used their own bodies to save them. Sooner or later, this will inevitably become a battle between those who want the coffin turtle dead and those who want it alive. That is why we are opening the quest to outsiders. It will be less controversial if outsiders are the ones who wipe out the coffin turtle."
That's the general story of what's happened so far, as told by the male receptionist. As for his last comment, while he laughed it off, we are all sure that the guild is serious. Better an outsider take the blame than their own. HOWEVER
"If they find out that these two are the ones killing those coffin turtles, what do you think will happen, Mr. Receptionist?" [Linda]
"I know. I know. In fact, even the Guild Master wanted to forbid your group from doing this quest, but I overheard that you're going to talk to the coffin turtle, especially since young lady Diana Vars is here, am I right?"
"The innkeeper told you that?" [Kat]
"Naturally"
"Grr... Spying on my little sister " [Dana]
"Calm down now Dana" [Linda]
"Fine" [Dana]
That comes as no surprise. Every organization, even our family, has its own way of getting information. Not that we think it's a secret, so I brush it off.
"If you can kindly find another way to resolve this whole situation, I will talk to the guild master to consider this quest completed. Hell, I'll even talk to the government. Not a bad offer, is it?"
"Instead of escalating this situation to another level, that seems like a better option" [Diana].
"And if you can really do that, can you also increase the rewards, we are looking for some things as well" [Dana].
"I'll do my best, but no promises on that part."
"Meow" [Fie]
"And a very good fish, too! Fie wanted some" [Diana]
"That, I can promise"
From subjugation to finding another way to deal with this situation, this is not what I expected when I first came here.
