Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
Chapter 208: Karari’s Banquet (3)
“I have a proposal.”
Arin, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
“I suggest we proceed with both Plan One and Plan Two simultaneously. Plan One will select the top thousand players with the highest levels, ensuring a balanced and complementary selection of professions.
The remaining players will execute Plan Two. This way, no matter what happens, it will be foolproof.”
Nobody Does Human Things pondered for a moment upon hearing this and then nodded.
“I think it’s feasible. Let’s do it.”
After the plan was finalized, a thousand players were selected to act as peddlers. Most of them were serious combat players, especially those with warrior professions.
They exuded a formidable aura, giving off the air of mercenaries just by standing there. Mages and priests were chosen to portray merchants and nobles, their gentle demeanor fitting the identity of typical aristocrats.
“Ms., can you blend in? We’re counting on you for this one.”
Nobody Does Human Things, carrying his spear, walked alongside Ms.
They didn’t have any carriages for transporting goods. Instead, they took out monster materials from their backpacks and put them into convenient pockets, carrying them by hand.
“Don’t worry. My identity now is Jennifer, an ordinary minor noble from the Medon Empire, with a merchant caravan called [Wool Gathering]. We’re here in Karari to sell monster materials.”
Ms. had traveled extensively and was proficient in various noble etiquette. The way she curtsied now, lowering her skirt, made her look like a genuine noble lady, utterly convincing.
“Perfect.”
Nobody Does Human Things smiled slightly, then his expression immediately turned cold and fierce. He had already entered the role-playing state of a mercenary.
Although the other players couldn’t switch personas as smoothly as Nobody Does Human Things, they all did their best to maintain blank expressions. As long as they had no expression, they had no flaws!
“Who are you people? This is the capital of Karari, and the city gates are not open for entry or exit at this time. Retreat immediately!”
As the “merchant caravan” approached the city gates, a group of knights galloped over on horseback. One of them was tall, and his warhorse was extraordinary. Although his face was hidden by his helmet, his eyes were full of arrogance.
This was a Great Knight. As the highest-ranking official in the city guard system, he indeed had the capital for such pride.
“Greetings, most noble Great Knight Sir.”
Ms. stepped forward a couple of paces, directly addressing the knight’s strength. She knew that among nobles, only those of equal standing had the basis for negotiation, so she established her importance and strength first.
Indeed, upon hearing this, the arrogance in the Great Knight’s eyes disappeared, replaced by seriousness and curiosity. Anyone who could see through his strength at a glance was certainly not ordinary. This female mage, dressed in noble attire, likely had a significant background. He dared not delay; in these times, it was easy to offend a major figure by a slight oversight. Having reached the rank of Great Knight, he was quite careful and cautious.
“Greetings, beautiful lady. Please state your origins.”
The Great Knight’s attitude made a 180-degree turn, and the players breathed a sigh of relief. They were even more impressed with Ms., thinking, “Who says players focused on scenery are useless? Emotional intelligence and knowledge are also very important!”
“I am the legitimate daughter of the Magnesium Ion family. You can call me Jennifer. These are my merchant caravan members. We are traveling here to sell some monster materials.”
“I see.” The Great Knight nodded. “Then, may I have my subordinates inspect your goods?”
“Of course, no problem.” Ms. readily agreed. She also knew that since the Great Knight had said this, the infiltration plan was already halfway complete.
The Great Knight signaled to the knights behind him, and several knights immediately approached the players to inspect the contents of their pockets. The players didn’t mind; they had no contraband, only materials, so they willingly opened them for the knights to see.
A moment later, the inspection was complete. The Great Knight’s expression became even milder. Based on the reports from his subordinates, it could be deduced that this was indeed a merchant caravan, and the monster materials they were selling were of excellent quality and very fresh, likely hunted recently. The only peculiar thing was that the caravan had no carriages. However, considering the identity of Mage Jennifer, it wasn’t impossible to use Windwalk spells instead of carriages to save some expenses. This was the Great Knight’s own unwarranted speculation.
“I am aware of your identities. Although it is not currently the time when the city gates are open, merchant caravans are vital to the city’s operations. Furthermore, your goods are excellent, with many high-grade materials that we in Karari need. Therefore, I will grant you passage.”
“However, your caravan has many members, and I hope you will properly restrain your mercenaries once you enter the city. If they violate Karari’s laws, the punishment they receive is unavoidable.”
“Please rest assured, Sir. We are merely traveling merchants. These mercenaries are all warriors from my family, and they have received a good education. They will absolutely not disturb the city’s peace.”
Ms. smiled so sincerely that even Nobody Does Human Things next to her was almost convinced.
With the Great Knight’s clearance, the players, disguised as a merchant caravan, successfully entered the city. However, it was not yet time to relax their vigilance, as the Great Knight had sent two Sky Knights to follow the “caravan” from a distance.
“What’s going on?”
“Didn’t they already let us pass?”
“Why are they still following us?”
Leisurely Moment was somewhat perplexed.
“It’s normal. Relax. After all, over a thousand people are entering the city, and some of them are professionals. Even if they believe our identities, a city guard must have some degree of vigilance.” Speaking of which, Nobody Does Human Things couldn’t help but shake his head and chuckle. “Frankly, this Great Knight is quite lax, only sending two Sky Knights to monitor us. If this were Winter City, would you believe that at least a whole outpost’s worth of soldiers would be following us? And the leader would be at least a Great Knight, possibly even a Sky Knight.”
The players were discussing in their team chat, looking outwardly silent and as well-behaved as possible, until they followed the mission prompt to the vicinity of Karari’s largest market.
“Such a large market… How do we know where the slave dealers are? It would take too much time to ask one by one,” Ms. frowned, looking at the chaotic market before her. It was a scene of utter pandemonium, with a cacophony of noise. In the brief scan she had made, with the keen observation skills of a Star Mage, she had already spotted seven or eight pickpockets successfully at work.
“Do you remember the mission prompt?” Nobody Does Human Things moved closer and quietly put his coin purse into his backpack. A dirty, five-fingered imprint had appeared on the purse at some point. “What we need to find now is ‘the one-fingered profiteer’.”
