"Geonia is an important city within the Edaria Kingdom, and the Edaria Kingdom has a valuable strategic point in the theatre of war due to its location on a Peninsula. However, one would never have imagined that so many influential figures would be interested in Geonia. It's only now we've come to realize why."
-Winston Auzzek, Merchant of Edaria
~~~(POV: Justin Xander)~~~
~~~(Location: Inn, Geonia City, Aeternitatem Genesis)~~~
~~~(Day, Date, Time: Tuesday, April 16th, 7:50 AM PST)~~~
~~~(Current Age: 19 Years)~~~
The sounds of Geonia waking up can be heard ever so slightly through the closed window. Players and NPCs alike are getting their day started. My first task today is speaking with Eliza about another quest. Now that I'm done with (Savior of Sisters), I can take the quest she wanted to give me.
I leave my Inn bedroom behind and find myself downstairs. Just like all the days prior, players are sitting at tables, at the bar, and in the booths near the windows. The place is packed. Once I reach the bottom floor, I approach the Innkeeper and return the key for the room.
"Have you heard, man? There is some big shot NPC noble coming to Geonia today. From what I've been told, he's a major player around Edaria."
In my slow exit from the Inn, I capture the conversation between a group of players. Likely all friends.
"Yeah, I've heard. What I don't get is why, ya'know? Sure, Geonia is a nice city, but from what I've read on the player forums, lots of the other cities the playerbase have spawned in are larger and better than Geonia."
"Something is going on in Geonia, guys. We should ask around the city to see if there is anything else happening."
I stop eavesdropping on their conversation as they nod their heads and stand up. I make a quick exit so it's not obvious I was listening in.
Once I'm outside, I start walking in the direction I know to be Eliza's mansion. I can't stop thinking about what I heard in the Inn. It's definitely a wonder why a powerful noble is coming to Geonia. I suspect it has something to do with Garson's sudden disappearance.
However, that assumes people in powerful positions are aware of his disappearance less than 24 hours after it occurred. That's hard to believe, but I'm not a noble, a courtier, or a spy. Who really knows how deep these games go? Even in Geonia.
My thoughts on the subject are interrupted by the regular announcements. I glance at my clock, and it's a little after eight in the morning. Right on schedule, if not off by a few minutes.
[Planetwide Announcement: Two anonymous Players have gained Epic graded classes.]
[Planetwide Announcement: One anonymous Player has gained an Ancient grade class.]
[Planetwide Announcement: One anonymous Player has gained a Legendary grade class.]
[Planetwide Announcement: The Fairy Kingdom has declared war on the Dark Church of Weistar. The Fairy Kingdom has requested all available hands for their new war on the Dark Church of Weistar. Players can go to the Fairy Kingdom capital city, Larzeninma, for more details.]
[Planetwide Announcement: The Dark Church of Weistar has declared war on the Fairy Kingdom. The Darking Church of Weistar has requested all available hands for their new war on the Fairy Kingdom. Players can go to any branch of the Dark Church of Weistar for more details.]
Players and NPCs alike are stopped in the streets. Another player got their hands on a Legendary graded class. That's sure to spark envy in those who are less fortunate at the moment. It's vexing to log in every single day and see the announcements about people having it better than you.
"Wow, just a couple days ago, a bounty was given by both of these groups for the others' heads. Why do you think they've escalated to full-out war?"
"Your guess is as good as mine, bro. Maybe something major happened between the last announcement about the Fairy Kingdom and the Church of Weistar."
Two friends beside me talk about the latest announcements. VRMMORPGs are reactive, ever-shifting environments. One action from a player or NPC could change the future of an entire Kingdom.
The player who freed Yarina Bell has likely done something to spark the war. When the Fairy Queen was freed, those bounty announcements were made.
After a few seconds of rereading the information, I'm satisfied with what I see and dismiss it. Continuing my walk to Eliza's mansion.
There is a valuable piece of information the playerbase did learn today, and that's the capital city of the Fairy Kingdom. Now known as Larzeninma. How to get there, I have no idea. Still, that's sure to motivate players to seek it out.
It doesn't take me much longer to reach the front gate of Eliza's property. The same guards from my last visit are still out here, and I have to wait for them to contact Eliza again. Some minutes pass, and they eventually let me through.
"The Lady Eliza has been awaiting your return, young Zaediel. She was wondering how long your current quest would take. Who would've thought you'd be back so soon?"
There is a sardonic tone in his voice as he turns and motions for me to follow him. I met this butler the last time I was here. I never bothered to learn his name. Not that it matters to me. He takes me on the same route as last time through the house, and we reach Eliza's study.
He signals for me to enter, and I do. Closing the doors behind me rather fast. As I look toward the desk, I see Eliza sitting in her chair. Drinking what I assume to be coffee. The same piercing green eyes I first saw in Rehan's office lock with my blue ones.
"I wasn't expecting you to return from your (Savior of Sisters) quest so quickly. Since you're here, am I right to assume you're ready for the quest I wished to give you before?"
The haughty and almost arrogant tone I've heard before from her isn't present in the slightest. The subtle wrinkles that were around her eyes from before are almost invisible now. There is an almost imperceptible layer of makeup covering the signs of age.
"You're assumpsions are correct, Lady Eliza. I'm here for the quest you wanted me to take before. I finished (Savior of Sisters), and I'm free to focus on the quest you wish to give."
A tiny, upward curve appears on her lips. She indicated with her eyes for me to take a seat across from her, so I do. I watch as she gently stirs the teaspoon in her cup of coffee, looking at me as she does.
There is a vibe coming off of her the longer she stares at me. A mixture of curiosity, sureness, and hunger. She's not making the way she's looking at me subtle, which means she wants me to see it.
"The Lord of House Rennex is on his way here. It seems your actions against Garson have caused a large shift here in Geonia; many powerful figures and smaller nobles are moving on the power vacuum you created."
She stops twirling her spoon and places it on the wooden table. Taking a small sip from the cup before standing. I watch as she slowly moves around the table. She's wearing flattering clothes that suit her still-appealing figure. Emphasizing the womanly parts of her, but remaining in a dignified fashion.
"If I've caused you an inconvenience, Lady Eliza, I apologize. I didn't know that helping put an end to Garson would bring about this chain of events."
But I'm willing to bet Eliza knew it would. She was the one who originally gave me the quest for clearing out (Red's Hold). She knew whoever she sent would find those girls and would be compelled to help them. I assume she also knew of Felicity's state within Garson's mansion. She likely wanted to use Rehan because he's a powerful individual.
Instead, she got something better. A new arrival with an excuse. She can't be blamed for any changes that'll happen to Geonia.
"You haven't caused me any inconvenience, Zaediel. In fact, you've done more for me than anyone else could have in this situation. Which is why I'm giving you the quest you initially didn't take at first glance."
There is a slight admonishing tone to her voice when she speaks about my rejection of the quest at first. Telling me that she didn't appreciate it.
"Normally, that would've been your only chance. Consider this second chance to take it as my thanks for bringing these events to Geonia."
Once she reaches my chair, she sits on the armrest, not unlike Haleen did the last time I visited her. She brings herself closer to me, and I'm able to catch a whiff of the perfume she's wearing.
There would be a good deal of men lacking self-control here, but I'm not one of them. I push the growing desires aside and look into her eyes with determination. For a split second, I see surprise, then it shifts to satisfaction.
After a moment of silence, she brings up her interface. Clicking on the screen a few times. She dismisses it, and I get a notification that I have a new quest.
[You've Received A New Quest.]
As I open my interface to read it, she stands and moves across from me. Sitting on the desk directly opposite me.
"I'm sure you'll find this quest a lot more interesting than the ones you've had so far."
Once I open the quest tab and click on the quest to read the information, I can't help the smile from spreading on my lips.