Wallace's eyes widened with excitement as he saw Butler Mendez approaching him, with a smile on his face, carrying a shiny tray decorated with a tempting delicious looking meat.
He noticed that the butler didn't have the face he had earlier anymore. A surge of acknowledgement filled him, so he expressed it to the butler.
"Old man, you don't look pathetic anymore," Wallace said with a smile. "Thanks for bringing me my food."
To his surprise, however, the butler remained calm, and smiled back with warmth, "thank you, my lord… And you are most welcome."
Over the course of these three days, Butler Mendez managed to get a sense of Wallace's character.
While not completely certain, Mendez concluded that Wallace is generally friendly and kind-hearted. However, Mendez also observed that Wallace can be tough when necessary or if someone behaves inappropriately around him.
Far different from other rude, entitled and shallow late Toraz family members he served.
After that, Mendez handed the food to Wallace, and Wallace happily received it. Suddenly, he took something out from his back and asked, "Wine perhaps, my lord?"
Wallace looked at the wine and then thought, 'Wait, I am not a rich fella back on Earth. Why would I want wine?'
"Just fetch me water. I don't drink alcohol," he added.
Although he wasn't a fitness enthusiast or someone whose entire personality relied on it, he still took care of himself as if it were instinctual, that's why he said this to his butler and then he added, "Besides, provide food for our soldiers and guests, please… don't deny my request. Thank you…"
Mendez was shocked. This young Baron, sir, was truly something.
Soon, Wallace fixed his eyes on the futuristic hologram projected from the sleek bracelet around his wrist.
Intrigued, he did the same, giving in to the mysterious suggestion conveyed by Butler Mendez.
The mysterious phrase danced on the screen, echoing in Wallace's mind like a puzzling riddle.
True Beasts?
What were they?
Were they different from Radioactive Beasts and Magical Beasts?
This creature was unknown to him, but for now, he set aside the curiosity that tugged at his core and focused solely on the task at hand.
Wallace wrote down what Butler Mendez had suggested in the hologram from the futuristic bracelet on his wrist.
After all, although he didn't know about the creature called 'True Beasts' or whatever it was, he wasn't interested in it for now.
[ Mission: Bring a 'True Beast' core of kill a 'True Beast' ]
He needed to write down everything that came to his mind or any ideas he received from elsewhere, just like instinctively writing an essay back on Earth where he would look for answers on the internet using his phone.
A very, very useful skill.
As he finished his essay with a sense of nervousness, a wave of uncertainty briefly gripped Wallace's heart.
Would his brave words be rejected, just like the first and second?
Or should he have the same feeling when Wallace was in every exam, just let it be. However, he realized that this is not like a test back on Earth.
This is a mission!
The system's very first mission!
Should he fail, there would be harder consequences!
Yet, before hopelessness could consume him, a loud bell broke the silence, and the hologram came to life, illuminating his surroundings with a heavenly glow.
The words that appeared before Wallace sent an exciting shock through his body, dispelling all uncertainty in his head.
[ Ding!
[ You have completed the mission! ]
The voice echoed, filled with a victorious melody.
[ Congratulations! ]
Exclaimed, showering him with a cascade of rewards.
[ Five food stands around every corner of Toraz territory.
[ Starting tomorrow, the host can play the dungeon game:[ Predator vs Alien ] anytime, anywhere… ]
The magnitude of his careless essay left him breathless, his mind spinning in disbelief.
How could it be that his impulsive expression of thoughts had brought such plentiful rewards?
Well, that would be knowing 'True Beasts' are, what are they?
With eagerness, Wallace's gaze moved from the holographic text to the spinning wheel that replaced it.
A single word carved beneath the mesmerizing display beckoned him forward.
[ Spin, please…
[ After the spin, the mission will be sent to the applicants… ]
Wallace stared at the hologram, completely absorbed by its magical glow.
With a quick movement of his fingers, he made it spin, the arrow gracefully twirling until it landed on the words:
[ Fries food stand ]
He furrowed his brow, a hint of confusion appearing on his face.
Although he did enjoy fries from time to time, this particular choice didn't excite him much.
"What the heck," he mumbled, his voice trailing off as he tried to make sense of this strange twist of fate. However, he quickly shrugged it off.
"Ah, who cares," he admitted, his curiosity fading into indifference.
Just as he resigned himself to the hologram's whims, a new message appeared right before his eyes, accompanied by a loud chime.
[ Ding!
[ Application for knighthood submitted!
[ Five food stands will be sent in a random places around the Toraz territory… ]
Watching Wallace, the soldiers and Mana Knight Rederic, Alistair, Cedric, Eldric, Gideon, Ivander, Jasper, and Mage Marcus felt their bodies covered in sweat, their brows wrinkled with a mixture of disbelief and fear.
What they had initially brushed off as mere curiosity on Wallace's part now revealed itself as a horrifying truth.
The pieces of the puzzle started fitting together, creating a sinister image of a man consumed by ambition.
The question that had lingered in their minds since their encounter with Wallace now found a disturbing answer.
How could a man be so unaware of his own family's deaths?
How could he be unaware of magical beasts, radioactive beasts and true beasts?
The truth hit them like a sudden realization:
Wallace had planned their deaths, a cold and calculated act to secure his claim to the coveted title of Baron.
A shiver ran down their spines as they understood the depths of his deceit.
Though his Dungeon appeared kind, they now saw it as a disguise, a mask to hide its master's true nature.
Wallace took pleasure in others' suffering, a sadistic joy hidden behind a friendly facade.
Just like when they got out, Mage Marcus and the rest of the Mana Knights mind's a mess!
The chill of horror swept over them as they contemplated the monstrous extent of his wickedness.
But why did they think he was cunning?
Their minds raced back to an earlier encounter, where Wallace pretended to be ignorant about radioactive beasts and magical creatures.
It had all been an act, carefully planned to encourage them to hunt the rare "True Beasts," a rare breed with immense power.
Wallace's true motives became clear—he wanted a 'True Magic Crystal!'
Even though it seemed the Butler suggested it, they believed that Wallace did it intentionally.
Even though his dungeon doesn't take life, his dungeon is greedy of magic crystals!
So it means that the Noble—which is young Baron Wallace is naturally greedy!
However, they don't have proof yet; that was their only speculation. If a proof were to show up, they would then know that Wallace is indeed greedy.
Amid their troubled thoughts, a sudden symphony of beeps and vibrations erupted from the futuristic bracelets on their wrists.
The sound filled the air, breaking the tension like a sharp blade.
Intrigued and worried, they glanced at each other, their eyes filled with a mix of curiosity and unease.
What is it now?