"This quest is a jackpot, Miss Chang Long!"
The young GM said with a wide smile.
"Huh?"
Chang Long exclaid in surprise. What did GM 009 an by jackpot? Judging from the expressions on the two GMs' faces, it did not seem to an sothing good.
"This quest has a reputation as the quest that has never been completed. No matter who ends up with it, no player has ever managed to complete it,"
GM 010 explained.
"Never been completed? Does that an there'll a penalty for failing the quest?"
Chang Long asked, concerned. If no one had ever succeeded before, Chang Long wondered if she could manage it.
"If a player manages to progress two-thirds of the way, they won't receive a penalty. However, getting even one-third of the way through is considered impressive. The quest is essentially a journey. The player has to overco various obstacles to reach the Heavenly Avian Temple, inscribe their na on a large stone slab at the base of the avian humanoid statue, and that will complete the quest. But the path to the sanctuary is long and perilous, making it extrely difficult for players to succeed. Even though we allow players to bring friends along to help as a special exception, it's still a monuntal challenge,"
the GM explained. Her expression made it clear just how grueling the quest really was.
"As for the penalties, they differ depending on whether a player refuses to accept the quest or fails to complete it. Players who refuse the quest will have every beast within a 100-ter radius automatically attack them. Additionally, a bounty will be placed on their heads, incentivizing other players to hunt them down. The bounty value depends on the severity of the offense they've committed. For those who accept the quest but fail to complete it, their character's stats will be reduced proportionally based on how far they managed to progress. This stat reduction will last for one in-ga month."
Chang Long's jaw dropped upon hearing the penalties. Siegfreid's reaction was not much different. While one month in the ga might not seem long, for players it was significant. Given how incredibly hard it was to level up in this ga, having one's stats reduced for a month would make it nearly impossible to face beasts of comparable strength, let alone make any progress in leveling up.
"The reason the penalties are so harsh is that we want to encourage players to play the ga respectfully and with good sportsmanship. However, if soone does make a mistake, we aim to ensure they don't repeat it. The severity of the punishnt is intended to serve as a lesson they won't soon forget from the first punishnt,"
the GM explained with a serious tone.
The two GMs bid farewell to Chang Long and Siegfried before quickly departing. Left alone, the two exchanged uncertain glances, unsure how to proceed with the two quests they had received. Chang Long decided to tackle the quest from Queen Anna first and then separate to complete her redemption quest. However, Siegfried objected, offering to help her with the quest, since it seed overly difficult to accomplish on her own. His offer brought a smile to Chang Long's face, though she did not even realize it herself.
"So, it's settled—we'll handle Queen Anna's quest first, then move on to the Heavenly Avian Temple quest,"
Chang Long confird with Siegfried, who was engrossed in studying the map they had received. Since Chang Long was notoriously bad at reading maps, letting her navigate would undoubtedly lead them far off course.
"Yes, this quest seems easier and shorter,"
Siegfried replied, glancing up from the map before heading westward from Ark City.
"Do you really think we'll find those two swans that easily?"
Chang Long asked. Siegfried seed overly confident that the quest would not take long.
"It shouldn't be too hard. If we both search, we'll find them soon enough. Or do you want to look for them alone?"
He turned and flashed her a good-natured smile as he spoke. Chang Long replied with a pout,
"Of course, I'll help. I already promised to."
Her reply prompted Siegfried to chuckle softly.
The two set off along the path indicated on the map. Although they were occasionally ambushed by beasts, the journey was smooth overall. With Siegfried, who was over level 80, along with their powerful pets—Lycanth, Kitsune, and the reluctant Little Jade, who begrudgingly helped in battles despite her recent sulking—they had no trouble fending off attacks. Eventually, they arrived at the entrance to the Dunne Royal Conservatory.
"Dunne Royal Conservatory is a restricted area. Entry is strictly prohibited unless you're here on official quest business,"
A guard announced, blocking their way as they approached.
"We're here on a quest from Queen Anna,"
Siegfried replied politely, pulling back his coat to reveal the duck-shaped badge pinned to his chest.
"Oh, in that case, my apologies. However, entry to Dunne Royal Conservatory is only permitted in pairs, and pets are strictly prohibited. If you can comply with these conditions, you may proceed,"
the guard explained the rules for entering Dunne Royal Conservatory to the two visitors.
"So, we'll need to seal them temporarily to enter,"
Chang Long concluded with a nod of understanding.
"You can leave them here. I assure you, no one would dare steal your pets,"
the guard reassured them.
"By the way, this includes the one disguised as a bracelet on your wrist."
"Oh… you heard that, Little Jade. You'll have to stay here with Kitsune,"
Chang Long said, lifting her wrist to speak to the bracelet. It blinked its eyes sleepily before unwinding itself from her arm.
"Will you be long?"
Little Jade asked in a drowsy voice. Chang Long assud the dragon had been dormant for so long that she had forgotten how poorly they got along.
"Until we find the two swans. In the anti, keep Kitsune company,"
Chang Long replied. She fed her pets until they were satisfied before leaving them behind and entering Dunne Royal Conservatory with Siegfried.
The park was serene, filled with large trees providing ample shade. The paths were paved with smooth, gray stone slabs, and the area was vast. To Chang Long's surprise, the park was teeming with creatures, most of which were in a pair. The two ca upon a crossroads with four branching paths, each marked by a sign. Chang Long turned to Siegfried for guidance. He decided they should start their search for the swans at the central lake, which featured a luxurious, beautifully decorated pavilion.
The area around the central lake was much like the rest of Dunne Royal Conservatory, filled with pairs of animals. The two searched the area thoroughly but found no trace of the two swans. They eventually entered a pavilion near a small dock where a white-painted wooden rowboat was tied up.
"Shall we take the boat out and search the lake?"
Siegfried suggested, glancing at Chang Long, who was looking drowsy, lulled by the park's serene, cool atmosphere.
"Huh, what did you say?"
Chang Long asked in a daze. She had not heard his question. Siegfried smiled softly and repeated himself, his tone lighthearted.
"I asked if we should take the boat out to search for the swans. While I row, you can take a nap if you want."
"Oh, rowing a boat. Sure. The lake is huge, so maybe we missed them earlier,"
she replied, slightly embarrassed, realizing his comnt stemd from her drowsy deanor.
With her agreent, Siegfried stepped into the boat, helping her aboard as well. He picked up the oars while Chang Long untied the rope securing the boat to the dock.
Siegfried began rowing along the shoreline, where the trees cast their shade. Leaves and branches swayed gently in the breeze, and the cool wind was refreshing. The soft chirping of birds filled the air and made Chang Long succumb to the calm. She reclined and drifted off to sleep, completely unconcerned that her head had found a resting place on Siegfried's broad chest. Startled, Siegfried almost lost grip of the oars, his heart racing with a mix of shock and joy.
The little white boat glided silently across the lake. The peacefulness of Dunne Royal Conservatory felt otherworldly, as though they had left the ga behind and entered a tranquil paradise—a world where it was just him and the woman he cherished.
Siegfried looked down at the slender figure resting peacefully against him. He had never imagined a mont like this with Chang Long. Every ti he tried to get closer to her or confess the feelings that had been weighing his mind, sothing always got in the way. But now, everything seed perfect—the setting, the mood, and the absence of interruptions.
He realized, though, that rushing would not help. His happiness did not depend on confessing his love but on loving her and seeing her happy. And right now, she was here beside him sleeping peacefully. She breathed softly, her eyes gently closed beneath long lashes. This mont was everything to him—a happiness so profound it was unmatched by anything he had ever known.
Regardless of why she had leaned on him, it made him feel trusted. Siegfried rowed gently, a faint smile on his lips, savoring the contentnt that filled him. It was as if nothing in the world could disturb his peace.
The small white boat floated gently across the clear lake, its passage watched by the animals in the park. Their eyes seed to follow the boat as if they sensed the happiness radiating from it, silently offering their blessings for its journey—whatever that might entail.
anwhile, at the entrance to Dunne Royal Conservatory, the pets left behind waited patiently. Alongside them were four spirits floating back and forth in confusion and frustration. No matter how hard they tried, they could not follow the one carrying their spirit tablets through the park's fence.
'What's going on? Why can't we follow missy inside?' Devi-chan complained, his voice tense after failed attempts to follow Chang Long into Dunne Royal Conservatory.
'Maybe she hasn't gone beyond fifty ters yet,'
Hisa-chan suggested, trying to rationalize the situation to ease his concern.
'That's not the point, Hisa-chan. The problem is we can't follow her at all. I'm afraid that once she does go beyond fifty ters, we'll still be stuck here,'
Devi-chan replied, turning to the samurai spirit with a serious expression.
'Are you worried your heir is going to abandon you here, Devi Jones?'
Heaven, the spirit of Siegfried's pirate king, teased, his tone laced with amusent at Devi-chan's concern.
'Missy would never abandon us. I'm just worried that if she's in danger, we won't be able to help her. You don't seem the least bit worried, though. If that boy abandoned you right now, you probably wouldn't even care, would you?'
Devi-chan retorted, causing Heaven to freeze. The smirk vanished from his face in an instant.
'Siegfried would never abandon ,'
Heaven replied firmly, though a flicker of doubt crept into his thoughts. He knew Siegfried was infatuated with Chang Long, and despite Heaven's many attempts to dissuade him, his efforts had been in vain. The elven spirit feared that if their love grew, Siegfried would beco Chang Long's pawn, obeying her every whim without hesitation—even to the extent of relinquishing his title as the Pirate King.
This thought left Heaven restless. He had to prevent their love from blossoming, no matter what. It was tied to battles yet to co and the title he had coveted but never attained in life. He could not allow his only heir to et the sa fate. Determined, Heaven attempted to pass through the park's barrier again, only to be repelled by an invisible force.
'Hah! And here I thought you weren't afraid of being abandoned. You're all talk, Heaven,'
Devi-chan jibed, laughing at Heaven's efforts.
'I'm not afraid of being abandoned. I'm afraid of what might happen if your heir and mine are left alone together in there.'
Heaven snapped back, his voice rising. His words made Devi-chan pause, the sa concern beginning to sink in.
The two spirits resud their desperate attempts to break into the park, their sole aim now to prevent their heirs' love from flourishing.
'Devi-chan's acting like an overprotective father guarding his daughter. Does he think the world will end if master falls for that boy?' Alice-chan remarked with a laugh to Hisa-chan, observing the spectacle from a distance.
'It does seem that way. Devi-chan's starting to act like Chang Long's father more and more,'
Hisa-chan chuckled, watching the forr pirate kings' antics with amusent and no intention of intervening.
'Now that you ntion it, we're no longer being forced to call our master My Lord like we were in the Land of the Dead,'
Alice-chan mused aloud.
'You're right. I've been wondering about that, too. Maybe that title is only required there,'
Hisa-chan agreed, though Alice-chan shook her head, uncertain. The two spirits turned their attention back to the pirate kings, who had now resorted to bickering and scuffling with each other after yet another failed attempt to enter Dunne Royal Conservatory.
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