Gregory raised an eyebrow at his disbelief. Wasn't the existence of a library… normal?
"Of course! Any establishment worth its salt would be incomplete without one, but this is the United Inn, so ours evidently needed to be that much more impressive."
As they walked past the two magnificent doors, an enormous room came into view, and it was one that instantly dazed the scientist. There were books... everywhere. There was not a place in sight where he could not see literature of all sorts. The shelves housing these treasures were also showcases themselves, fashioned from well-preserved, aged wood that exuded a sense of timeless wisdom. A hint of magic could also be felt in the air, a mystical resonance that added an extra layer of allure to the scene. As for the room's architecture, it was oval and had remnants of the Gothic influence he had seen previously. It was nothing short of spectacular.
"This library is home to 10 million pieces covering whatever you can imagine! There's also a restricted section only VIPs can access, but since we've invited you, you'll be free to leisurely browse it. However, I still have to remind you that you cannot take the books out of this room."
Gregory was beaming after his presentation, and so was Lloyd. He had expected to be severely limited because of his initial lack of knowledge, but this was a game changer.
"Thank you very much, Manager Gregory! I am a huge bookworm, and seeing this collection excites me to no end."
He was nearly drooling on the floor, something Alexander especially noticed. Wasn't this 'just' a library?
"Another enthusiast! I'm thrilled that you like it! It's a project in which I've devoted a lot of my energy, and seeing it appreciated always makes my day. But let's continue the tour for now, since you'll be able to come back afterward if you want."
They then moved on and began exploring other facilities — fine restaurants, rejuvenating spas, exclusive boutique shops. It wasn't long before they realized that the United Inn wasn't just an accommodation, but a self-sustained microcosm catering to the elites' every whim and fancy. Even Alexander, a man known for his stoic demeanor, was taken aback by such opulence. It was a spectacle that far dwarfed the grandeur he had experienced during his era.
After about an hour, they were finally led to their respective and adjacent rooms. As soon as the engineer stepped inside, he was met with another sight he had never encountered before, which was filthy, filthy lavishness. He had been assigned a room that was located at the building's corner, meaning that two of its four walls were just big French windows that offered a beautiful view of Gruzia and its mountains. They were also adorned with beautifully patterned drapes that appeared to have been hand-sewn by expert artisans, each stitch a testament to their skill and dedication. When it came to the room's theme, it was dominated by gold, yet tastefully contrasted with various elements that allowed its color to burst forth vibrantly, lending it an air of refined elegance. Everything, from the plush carpets to the ornate furniture, screamed of top-tier quality. Just how much money were they losing by lodging them here?! It was glaringly obvious that they were all-in in prying away Alexander from his grasp, a possibility that was starting to make him feel anxious. This was not something he could compete with, at least not right now. Of course, and given time, he believed he could do so, but Alexander's wavering loyalty was a pressing concern. What if he received an offer he couldn't refuse?
As his mind whirred with grim possibilities, a feeling of nausea began to creep in, as he recognized that losing him at this stage was equivalent to signing his own death warrant. After tormenting himself with these thoughts for a few more agonizing minutes, he decided it was time to act and offer the General something that'd make him seriously consider his allegiance.
"System, is it possible to communicate with Alexander through you?"
[It is possible since he is your 'direct' subordinate. Note that this feature only works due to this immediate link, meaning it will not be possible to do so otherwise. Would you like to initiate contact with subordinate
He was ecstatic. He was certain that their rooms were under heavy surveillance, meaning this tool had become invaluable.
"Yes."
[Contact initiated. You can now discuss.]
"Alexander, can you hear me? If you do, do not react. I'm certain we're being watched right now."
"Huh??? How can I hear you inside my head? Is it another feature from the system?"
"Yes."
"How amazing…"
The connection was crystal clear, making it truly seem like a phone call.
"Anyway, I think we need to discuss a few things."
"Oh? Is it about your reaction at the library?"
Lloyd tensed up. The General's intuition was truly frightening, but it also reinforced his earlier decision.
"You're right. I reacted that way because of one of my skills."
It was Alexander's turn to be very interested. This revelation abruptly reminded him that he wasn't the only one who possessed extraordinary abilities. But what could the little man have that'd make him react in such a way?
"It's called
The former King nearly choked. Wasn't this insanely powerful?! If the little man was really telling the truth, then no technological marvel, no matter how sophisticated, could escape his grasp. It simply sounded too absurd to be true.
"I know what you're thinking, but there's a catch. For it to properly work, I need to obtain knowledge in relation to what I'm trying to analyze."
But this restriction, albeit major, did little to dampen Alexander's excitement. Such an ability was beyond the realm of imagination, its potential certain to incite a maelstrom of wars for its control. As a tactician, the strategic implications were simply unfathomable. Lloyd's earlier reaction now made perfect sense, since that space was a giant treasure trove that'd make him insanely powerful if fully utilized.
"Hahaha, to think you held such an invaluable ace up your sleeve…"
But his laugh became short-lived.
"Why are you telling me this?"
His voice had turned cold and heavy, with Christopher discerning the underlying implication. Nobody of sane mind would reveal such a trump card without expecting something in return.
"Your loyalty. Without it, I can't freely work towards our goal. I know you're only staying by my side out of necessity right now, and it's something that we, no I, have to rectify. This is my way of doing it."
Alexander's mouth curled into a vicious smile. The little man was good. He had quickly observed that this place was doing everything to show its wealth, with the promise of more should he join their side. He was also under no illusion that their partnership was unbreakable, meaning this was his answer to balance out any attempt they'd try at swaying him over.
"Well done... You've piqued my interest once again."