Putting Clara in the passenger seat, they sped down the open road towards the ruins.
Only Rohan could see the alarm that popped up.
[A quest has appeared.]
[Broken Crown Act 3]
◇ Quest Details: You’ve finally found a clue. To see what lies at the end of the thread, you can enter the ruins and dig into the truth. Alternatively, if you prefer caution, returning to the academy city is also a good option.
◇ Category: Main Story
◇ Success Reward: 2 Random Point Pouches, 10 Dining Hall Reservation Tickets
◇ Failure Penalty: None
“The rewards are a bit unusual this time, huh?”
Dining Hall Reservation Tickets are items sold at the Shop for 50P. Rohan has never actually bought one before.
This feels like a reward saying, “Go grab a meal after this.”
“10 tickets would be 500P.”
Compared to the transcendent rewards, it’s a bit disappointing. But it’s something he would’ve done even without the reward.
Getting 2 Point Pouches as a bonus, he decided to consider it a freebie.
Rohan took his eyes off the quest and sorted out the situation.
“Now, even the main story is nearing its end.”
Broken Crown can either conclude at Act 3 or go up to Act 4, depending on the player’s choice.
In Abyss City, experiencing both Act 3 and Act 4 endings to reap all the rewards and currency is the most efficient.
But.
Rohan has no intention of going to Act 4.
Rewards? Of course, they’re tempting. Even if it’s just a hefty amount of points without any special items, he’d be satisfied.
However, the more his greed grows, the more Sion suffers in reality.
“I’ll wrap it up at Act 3.”
Rohan decided. He’ll finish before the morning sun rises.
So, he tries this method.
“Grand Elder Levin Maxwell!”
The real name of the Grand Elder, known only to a select few among the elders and unknown to Sion.
He could feel the attention of the crowd inside the building gathering.
“Come out immediately and obey the orders of the Reverse Flow Choir!”
Rohan is aiming for an overwhelming impersonation based on insider information.
If someone who knows information that shouldn’t be exposed appears, the other side can’t act recklessly.
The old folks over there only receive one-sided notifications from the Reverse Flow Choir. They have no means to contact them.
Thud. Thud. Thud.
An elf, presumed to be middle-aged, walked out.
He showed courtesy to Rohan and Clara but was clearly on guard.
“…Who are you?”
“We are messengers of Lord Hex.”
“!!!”
“Even ignorance is no excuse for insolence. I called for the Grand Elder, not you.”
*Swoosh!*
Rohan drew the sword from his back.
The elf stiffened with tension, exuding a killing intent that could slice off a neck at any moment.
Rohan, with an annoyed expression, strode confidently toward the entrance, sword in hand, while Clara quietly followed behind.
Fortunately, no traps or defensive skills were activated, so Rohan, inwardly relieved, grabbed the elf’s neck with a force that could snap it.
“I personally mentioned the Reflux Praise Society. And you dare act like this after hearing that name?”
“Guh! I’m sorry…!”
“Is this something that can be resolved with just a simple apology?”
The apology naturally spilled out under Rohan’s imposing demeanor. There wasn’t even a hint of resistance.
Power is so sweet that it drives everyone mad.
As Rohan visibly channeled mana into his sword, signaling his intent to kill, a frantic voice called out from the entrance.
“Forgive us. This old man is slow, so I sent someone ahead. Will you pardon us…?”
Rohan’s head moved with feigned indifference.
‘He’s here.’
In sight was an old elf who looked like he could turn into a withered tree at any moment.
The elderly man, hunched over and accompanied by elders, emerged wearing a lavish robe that dragged on the floor and a staff adorned with dangling jewels.
Rohan, having encountered his target, steadied his mind to avoid showing any agitation.
He continued his act calmly, not hiding his displeasure at the elves before him.
“Are you Levin Maxwell?”
“Yes. I am Grand Elder Levin Maxwell.”
Perhaps he had already determined it was the real deal based on the Reflux Praise Society, coins, and real names.
His attitude was exceedingly polite.
“Tch.”
Rohan, tossing the elf aside irritably, clicked his tongue and sheathed his weapon.
“I will relay Hex’s message. Lead us inside.”
“Yes.”
The elders lowered their eyes and opened a path on either side.
Rohan strode in confidently, while Clara, baffled by the situation, silently followed, keeping her eyes on his back.
Unable to comprehend, she simply kept her gaze on Rohan.
“…”
They walked through the abandoned building in silence.
Rohan didn’t adjust his pace to match the Grand Elder’s, instead ordering one of the elders to guide him as he moved ahead.
The idea that a member of the Reflux Praise Society would show etiquette or respect to another group was absurd. He was convinced these actions were the right ones.
“Please come in. This is the conference room.”
Rohan, without a word, confidently took the head seat.
He pulled a chair next to him for Clara.
‘Good. Now I just need to put in a bit more effort.’
The situation was practically a bloodless conquest. The quest was as good as completed.
Now, all that was left was to use this situation to fulfill Rohan’s personal desires.
“Hey, pointy-ears.”
“Yes!”
“The moldy stench is unbearable. Clean it up.”
“Are you doing it?”
“Sorry…!”
Rohan, who had taken on the role of guide, stirred up the elder.
He sprawled out in a comfortable position.
While waiting for the slow-moving Grand Elder to arrive at the conference room,
Rohan scribbled “It’s okay” on the back of Clara’s hand with his finger.
“*Giggle*.”
Clara, relieved by Rohan’s consideration and with the corners of her mouth raised,
sent a reply on the back of Rohan’s hand, which, unlike hers, had bulging veins.
‘Your hand is really big…’
Even after finishing writing, Clara didn’t let go of Rohan’s hand.
Being in contact like this, she felt a definite sense of calm.
Without much thought, Clara placed Rohan’s hand on her thigh and clasped it with both hands.
The girl felt Rohan, who was confidently looking ahead, flinch and become flustered.
When Rohan subtly tried to pull his hand away, Clara held on tighter. Seeing his reaction, she didn’t want to let go even more.
“I apologize again for my slow pace…”
“No need. Sit down and listen.”
Just then, the Grand Elder and the elders came pouring in. Rohan gave up on pulling his hand away and continued the act.
Clara, knowing it was an act, focused on watching Rohan, feeling a sense of mystery.
“Levin Maxwell. Do you have the silver coin of Judas that Lord Hex bestowed?”
The exact name. The Grand Elder nodded and rummaged through his robe,
placing a pitch-black coin on the table for Rohan to see.
Rohan, with his arms crossed and leaning back in his chair, continued the briefing.
“Here’s the main point. Lord Hex has found a new vessel. Today, we will decide whether to discard the vessel you have nurtured.”
At those words, the Grand Elder’s wrinkled eyes widened.
He looked as if he had been struck by lightning.
“Wh-why is that…?”
“Because he found a more certain lineage than Testarossa to kill Lord Seolho. Lord Hex dislikes paying attention to low probabilities.”
“…”
“You were just a part of the possibilities. Merely one of many alternatives.”
As Rohan delivered the fabricated words indifferently, the Grand Elder’s hand holding the cane trembled.
“Then what about the promise I was given? What happens to us? We trusted Lord Hex’s words and Tigroba…!”
“Shut up and listen. That’s also why I’m here today.”
With that one word, the Grand Elder quickly fell silent.
Not because he was suppressing his rising emotions, but because the awaited answer had come, so he listened.
Just looking at his attitude, it felt utterly rotten.
*Thud!*
Rohan placed two silver coins of Judas, obtained by killing Doverman, on the table.
Combined with the one the Grand Elder currently had, that made three.
A massive underground organization.
One of the conditions for officially joining the Reverse Flow Praise Association or the Black Hand and receiving their protection.
“If I give you two here, you’ll have a total of three Judas silver coins. Things will work out on their own.”
“…But as you initially commanded, we placed a request with one silver coin. Some have already left for the academy city.”
“Those guys will fail anyway. I saw who they picked. The selection was pathetic.”
At Rohan’s firm answer, the Grand Elder falls silent.
One of the elf elders, who had recommended Doverman, cautiously opens his mouth.
“The results… haven’t come out yet.”
“Huh, really? Am I wrong?”
Rohan stands up abruptly with a look of disbelief.
The Grand Elder avoids his gaze with a resigned expression.
The elder who spoke is just one of the expendable pawns, not even receiving proper information. He doesn’t know who helped the Grand Elder or what the Reverse Flow Praise Association really is.
He just ended up here by riding the chaos in Tigroba like a bat.
As Rohan strides forward, the elders who know about the Reverse Flow Praise Association quickly step aside.
A fist flies through the open path.
**──Crack!** The elder’s white teeth scatter from his mouth.
“Cough…!”
“Don’t argue with me.”
No one helps the elder, who is now crawling on the floor after one punch.
Everyone is just watching cautiously.
“Fine. Now’s the time to judge. Where’s the Testarossa bloodline? Let’s check the blade you’ve raised.”
Rohan glances at the Grand Elder.
The Grand Elder sighs and speaks in a subdued voice.
“Elder, go and bring her as quickly as possible.”
“Ah, understood…!”
With that, one elder quickly moves to bring Sion.
—
A moment later.
Sion, with a bewildered expression, enters the conference room with the elder.
“!?”
She freezes upon seeing Rohan and Clara seated at the head of the table.
