Chapter 64: The Queen's Storyline, Rings 3-5, Favorability System
Plantagenet is a massive city, the largest in the game.
Located at the confluence of the fertile Tanzanian plains and multiple rivers, the city is rectangular, longer from east to west, and narrower from north to south. According to surveys conducted in previous lives, the city stretches 9,721 meters from east to west, and 8,651 meters from north to south. Its walls rise 12 meters high, and it houses approximately 600,000 civilians.
In its prime, Plantagenet City was the bustling political, cultural, and commercial center of the Plantagenet Empire. However, as Su Yu rode his mare Tima down the streets, he noticed the stark contrast between past glory and the current state. The residents on both sides of the road seemed gloomy, their faces etched with sadness, as if the city had lost its soul.
The oppressive atmosphere stemmed from the looming threat. The northern Calet rebels were drawing closer to the city, and no one believed the royal family would be able to defend against them. A disaster was looming for everyone living within these walls.
Su Yu could feel the tension and unease. However, being a traveler from another world, he didn't carry the same emotional burden as the citizens. His mind remained focused on one goal: completing the mission and claiming his reward.
Arriving at 19 Burglett Street, he found a three-story villa surrounded by a well-maintained garden. It was the residence of the Queen's bodyguard, Kelderon, during his off-duty hours.
"Hello! I'm an adventurer, and I'd like to speak with Kelderon," Su Yu announced, as he put Tima's badge back into his backpack and addressed the two guards standing by the gate.
"Greetings, sir!" One of the guards, dressed in white full-body armor, saluted Su Yu respectfully. "Our master is currently overwhelmed with official duties and has ordered not to receive any visitors during this time. We apologize for the inconvenience."
Su Yu's world reputation had reached 2 points, which put him on par with a baron. Thus, the guards treated him with the utmost respect.
"I'm from Nolan Village," Su Yu explained as he pulled out a letter from his backpack. "This is a letter written by the village chief, addressed to Kelderon. I'd appreciate it if you could pass this along."
"Nolan Village?!" The guards exchanged a surprised glance, clearly shaken by the mention of that name. They knew well that Nolan Village had ties to adventurers from another world.
"Very well, I will deliver the letter to the master right away," the white-armored guard replied, taking the letter from Su Yu with both hands. He then hurried inside the villa.
…
Five minutes later, the same guard returned, looking even more respectful than before.
"My lord, Master Kelderon is waiting for you inside the hall," the guard said with a deep bow, his body bent nearly at a right angle.
Su Yu nodded and followed the guard inside.
In the grand hall of the villa's first floor, Su Yu met Kelderon, a middle-aged man with a strong, square face and a calm, dignified demeanor. He wasn't wearing his armor, instead dressed in a simple blue silk robe due to his time off duty.
"Greetings, adventurer! I am Kelderon, the princess's guard," he said, rising to meet Su Yu.
"Hello, I'm Nemesis, just an ordinary adventurer," Su Yu responded, shaking his hand.
"I've read the letter from your village chief." Kelderon motioned for Su Yu to take a seat, his tone turning serious as he continued. "The Dragon King of Casting Stars is a formidable force in the Wind Chime Empire, and within our Gorse Empire, there are no more than five people capable of matching its power."
Su Yu nodded, listening attentively.
"If times were different, both Her Royal Highness and the Emperor would undoubtedly value such a powerful being. But given the current state of the empire..." Kelderon sighed heavily. "You're aware of the situation. The rebels are nearing the capital, and with the empire's internal strife, the royal family is struggling. It's highly unlikely they will summon you for this matter."
"What should I do, then?" Su Yu asked, sensing that Kelderon had an ulterior motive.
As expected, Kelderon smiled slyly. "If you can help me with a few tasks, I'll introduce you to Her Royal Highness myself. I'll even put in a good word for you so that she takes notice of your abilities."
"For the sake of the empire, I'd be happy to assist," Su Yu replied, rising from his seat.
Kelderon quickly waved his hand. "No, no, these aren't matters of the empire. Just some personal favors of mine." His expression turned slightly awkward, though he quickly hid it.
"Adventurer, the empire is falling apart. The royal family won't be able to defend Plantagenet City. Even the children playing in the streets know this," Kelderon said grimly.
Su Yu remained silent, letting Kelderon continue.
"Since the city is about to fall, many of the capable nobles and officials have already moved their assets elsewhere, myself included," Kelderon explained. "I've relocated my family and possessions to Forest City in the west, leaving only this house behind. But the roads leading west are overrun with bandits, and I've lost contact with my family."
"Adventurer, would you be willing to travel to Forest City and deliver a message to my family?" Kelderon asked, handing Su Yu a handwritten letter.
"Ding! Your main storyline has been updated! [Glory of the Plantagenet Empire (3/100)]."
"Task requirements: Deliver Kelderon's letter to Millie Kelderon at 24 Merck Street, Forest City."
"Quest reward: 2,000 EXP, +1 favorability with Millie Kelderon, 100 psionic coins."
"Favorability?" Su Yu thought, intrigued.
[NPC Favorability] wasn't a feature that was meant to launch until the second expansion, but it seemed the developers were using the main plot to introduce it early.
Raising an NPC's favorability would allow players to build closer relationships with them, potentially even leading to friendship, marriage, and even children. These children could then be developed through their own systems, learning, working, and even fighting monsters—a complex gameplay mechanic.
"I'll deliver the letter," Su Yu promised, bidding Kelderon farewell.
"Thank you, adventurer," Kelderon replied, bowing slightly.
For the next several hours, Su Yu completed Kelderon's tasks, handling the third to fifth rings of the [Glory of the Plantagenet Empire] questline.
After escaping bandit ambushes and delivering the letter to Millie Kelderon in Forest City, Su Yu returned to Plantagenet City, where he continued to assist Kelderon by spying on the rebels, collecting hidden funds, and eliminating dissenters. It took him about four hours to complete the entire chain of missions.
As for Millie Kelderon, she had a side quest for favorability growth. However, Su Yu chose not to pursue it.
The reason was simple—she was ugly.
"She's like the real-life version of 'Ruhua.' No wonder no one married her in my previous life," Su Yu thought with a smirk.
(End of Chapter)