[Ding! Congratulations for triggering an Epic mission, The Revival of the Phoenix.
Quest objective: Investigate and resolve the dangers that Sulfur Mountain City will encounter. Groom Annie Layde to become a capable leader-like figure before Adam's demise.
Quest rewards: Epic-class discount voucher (Using this, you can purchase any merchandise up to the Epic-level from the System's merchant at half price), the right to start quests of the main storyline.
(At least… before leaving your hometown, pass it down to someone reliable. After all, you shouldn't hope to see only rubble when you come back.)
Quest failure penalty: Would turning you into skull with a mushroom growing on it be good? Or would a skull growing from a mushroom be better? Both of them aren't good? Then let's make it a mushroom skull growing from a skeleton."]
Initially, when I just received this mission, I didn't expect so many things to happen.
Right now, starting from the moment when I received this mission, the situation in the Underground World had changed vastly. Without this troublesome mission, I wouldn't have taken the initiative to create trouble during the Alliance Conference. In the end, no matter what happened during the Conference, whether the Conference would result in the solidifying of their alliance and elect a leader as expected or them responding to Shou's calling to gather together to attack Sulfur Mountain City, if it wasn't for the mission, many things would be different from how they currently were.
"I want to finish the quest. Hey, System, stop feigning dead!"
[Requirements for the completion of the Epic Mission: 1. Sulfur Mountain City averted the crisis; 2. Adam didn't die and won't seek death in the short run; 3, Annie Layde became a leader-like Hero. To think you would succeed in all of them! Congratulations, you actually succeeded in seeing through all of the traps and completed all of the hidden missions. The rewards this time should be extremely satisfying for you.]
This cold notice was actually telling me the fact that I had nearly been tricked once again. The goal of the third mission was to groom Annie as a passable City Lord and that was the expected outcome I had been working towards. As for the other two requirements, I really didn't expect them.
The part where the mission spoke about resolving dangers, I thought it just meant dealing with those traitors and the invading army. Who could have known that this darned System would actually want me to investigate the mastermind and destroy the danger at its root? As for the time limit 'before Adam's death', it was actually expecting me to stop his death?
However, even if I hadn't known of these requirements earlier, I somehow still managed to complete all of them. The system might be screwed up, but it could be trusted to pay an amount equal to how much one achieved. I was starting to anticipate the rewards I would receive this time.
[The triggering of the main storyline has revealed that your soul does not tend towards any of the Factions. The System has evolved into its complete form — Fate System. From now on, all Evil Points and Justice Points will be converted into Fate Points and you will gain power from actions that reverse the despairing fate.]
Fate System? Obtaining power through changing fate? Wasn't this my greatest wish? Looks like the theory that the System was a part of my soul might just turned out to be true.
[The missions from now on shall be a choice between justice and evil. The calculation for the rewards for the Epic Mission will be triggered now.]
[Mission Objective 1: To track the mastermind and remove the dangers threatening Sulfur Mountain City. The mastermind Shou is dead while Molly has lost her position as the Dragon Empress and Underground Autarch and thus, she's unable to pose a threat to Sulfur Mountain City. Also, the seal of the Ancient Fire Elemental God had been released, causing the Demons and Chaos Abyss to lose their interest in Sulfur Mountain City. Sulfur Mountain City has become the land of origin for the Power of Law and a true God. Countless Practitioners of Law will traverse and be station here, improving its security significantly. All in all, the mission objectives have been accomplished perfectly. 5000 Fate Points awarded.]
The rewards may be very attractive but at this moment, what I was more focused on was the important message hidden within the notice.
"The seal of the Ancient Fire Elemental God has been released? Who released it? Although we had agreed on to release the seal eventually so that the Chaos Faction would give up on it, releasing the seal so casually may result in vast amount of trouble. We would have had to at least weaken it for a decade or so first. But, judging from the fact there was no Fire Elementals rampaging around, is the seal really released?"
I didn't receive any answers to my question. The System only systematically calculated my next mission objective.
[Mission Objective 2 (Hidden); Reverse Adam's fated demise. By replacing the Phoenix Heart with the Titan Heart, his physical death has been avoided. Currently, he's busy stopping the rumours from spreading, preparing his betrothal gifts and his honeymoon tour. All of his suicidal thoughts have disappeared. This mission has been completed excellently. 3000 Fate Points awarded.]
Looks like the System was really getting used to scamming me. To think that saving Adam and preventing him from dying was actually a hidden objective…
[Mission Objective 3 (Main): Groom Annie into a leader-like figure and an acceptable City Lord. The System shall total up all of the Fate Points accrued through the main storyline and a final evaluation will be made.]
Hearing this, I felt like I had been scammed again. The System was requesting for a leader-like figure from the very start. If I had only interpreted the phrase leader-like figure as a City Lord, the reward I would be awarded would have probably been only be the basic one. The Fate Points that I accrued probably only took into consideration how much I had achieved in the mission. If I had only stayed in Sulfur Mountain City to wait for Annie to take over as the next City Lord, I probably wouldn't even have earnt a single point.
[Secret Mission: 'The Secret of Queen Victoria' has been completed. Under your influence, Victoria has started on her path as the Queen of the Dark Elves. She might have started out slower, preventing her from becoming the absolute monarch of the Dark Elf society, but she will at least become one of the most influential leaders of the Dark Elves. Her friendly relationship with Sulfur Mountain City will bring benefits to Annie. 3000 Fate Points awarded.]
In Morsblight City, the newly-appointed Syfan Matriarch, Victoria, was lecturing everyone from the stage. After gaining control of the Syfan family's influence, she immediately purged the 2nd Family who had been about to usurp their place. At this current moment, she, who had just achieved the ultimate victory in making all of the other Matriarchs of the other families of Morsblight City submit to 'her', had her eyes fixed upon the remainder of Kajah's influence.
[Secret Mission: 'The rise of the Centaur clan' has been completed. Due to your actions, the power behind the Beastman Sovereign Shou Nuya has fallen apart. The Centaurs under Minial made use of this opportunity to rise up. Due to several circumstances, his niece, Anya, has been inaugurated as the Beastman Sovereign and became the newly-appointed Underground Autarch. She will become one of the most powerful allies of Annie Layde. 5000 Fate Points awarded.]
In the tents on the grassy plains, old Minial could only watch helplessly over the newly-appointed Beastman Sovereign rolling around the entire ground. 'I don't want to go to the meetings, those old geezers are really scary', 'I want to go to Sulfur Mountain City to play with Big Sister Annie and buy new clothes', 'Ah, when's my delivery package coming? I already said that I don't want to live in the countryside, look at how inconvenient it is.'
There wasn't a single trace left of the viciousness of the old Minial from a month ago when he had suppressed the ambitious crowds to snatch the position of the Beastman Sovereign. At this current moment, in order to protect the dignity of the new Beastman Sovereign, he could only strictly order the guards to prevent anyone from entering while looking helplessly at his own grandniece, at a loss of whether to laugh or cry.
(Couldn't fit in somehow due to limitations of my grammar and vocabulary abilities but Minial had taken control of Vance)
At this moment, the wrinkled face of his was not one of the Chieftain of the Centaur tribe but rather, an elder who wanted to discipline a spoiled child yet being unable to muster the will to be harsh with her. In the end, he could only nod his head and give in. "Fine, we shall move to Vance two days later. Let's all go together. We'll all live in mansions instead of tents."
[Secret Mission: 'The return of the Dragon Princess' has been completed. After news that Molly had been converted into a Chaos Demon Dragon leaked out, the Underground Dragon City stripped her of her position as a Dragon Empress as well as her identity as one of the Dragon Tribe without hesitation. Furthermore, as the one who defeated the previous Dragon Empress and the sole survivor of the bloodline of the Dragon Emperor, Einz Mezus had been chosen as the new Dragon Empress. However, as Einz Mezus insisted on staying at Sulfur Mountain City, the Dragon Tribe had constructed a new Dragon City in its vicinity. From now on, Sulfur Mountain City will come under the protection of the Dragon Tribe. Even though Einz Mezus took over the crown to become the new Dragon Empress and is one of the newly-appointed Underground Autarch, since she looks upon Annie Layde as her daughter and dotes on her as such, she will become the most reliable backing of Annie Layde. 5000 Fate Points awarded.]
Sulfur Mountain City. Little Red squinted to look at the countless giant Dragons in the sky and the gigantic Dragon Palace being built at a distance not too far away while yawning. She had absolutely no interest in the position of the Dragon Empress. On the other hand, she was extremely interested in how she could exploit her position as the Dragon Empress to steal the fortunes of other giant Dragons legitimately. After rising to the position, she was currently looking for a reason to settle old scores with a few of her old 'friends', making use of the opportunity to clear their treasure vault.
"Hehe, even if it's an Ancient Dragon, there is no way they can disobey the words of a Dragon Empress. After losing contact with the Dragon City for so many years, it's time for you all to pay 200 years of tax. No money? You can use God Equipment in exchange as well. You don't even have God Equipment? How the hell were you able to become an Ancient Dragon? Fine, then a dozen of Epic-class treasures."
Seems like under the control of this powerful Dragon Empress, there was hope for the Underground Dragon City to regain its previous glory.
[Secret Mission: 'The origin of Law' has been completed. At the moment you ascended to Godhood, the news that Sulfur Mountain City has become a sacred land for Law has spread to each and every corner of the world. At this moment, countless Adventurers are heading here to study the Power of Law. The Spatial Distortion to Vance, which is just next to the surface world, gave this city extremely high commercial value. It will become one of the renowned cities in the world. Being a city governed by law, its new system of splitting the power between the governor and judiciary and the unique way how different races interact will become the role model for many other cities and its City Lord Annie Layde will gain fame because of this. 10000 Fate Points awarded.]
"Why is it me?! I don't wanted to become the Supreme Judge!!!"
At Sulfur Mountain City's Supreme Court, after sending away a guest who came to congratulate him on becoming the Supreme Judge with a calm face, the moment after he closed the door and turned around, the old cow immediately lashed out and roared at his colleagues who were looking at the commotion.
He had been so busy recently, so busy that he was unable to engage in his favorite hobby, so busy that he felt that his little partner hadn't felt the breeze of the wind for too long, leaving him weak spiritually.
"Cough cough, I'm too old. I won't be able to withstand such a heavy responsibility. If my physical condition were to deteriorate such that I became unable to carry out the heavy responsibilities that our Lord had left behind, wouldn't I become a sinner?"
While faking a cough, Kale Diya glanced at his other colleagues. It seemed that this pure old man was really lacking in strength physically. In reality, everyone was thinking 'you already had this looked when we saw you a few decades ago. As a High Elf, even after we all die of old age, you will probably still be living on with this old dying look of yours.'
"Furthermore, there's a need for me to remain at the Hall of Legislation. I'm probably the only one who can keep those powerful people, who came here to study the Power of Law, in check. Not to mention, the mission of creating new Law Incantations. I'm really unable to leave my current post."
As the #1 expert of the 4 Halls 1 Court, there was indeed a need for the presence of a powerful one to keep the situation under control. Also, as the strongest Law Incantationer, the responsibility of studying and creating new Law Incantations lied upon him.
Lilith looked helplessly at the silly cow who was panting heavily.
"I don't really mind it either way but right now, Lady Margaret is preparing for her honeymoon trip and her successor, the Silver Rose, Lady Elisa, suddenly shirked off all her responsibilities and quit her job. Are you willing to go in my place to handle the Internal Affairs Bureau?"
Alright, he understood that he was definitely unable to deal with all those documents which were sufficient to drown even an entire room. Xueti shifted his gaze towards the last of the Four Heavenly Kings of Law. In response, Kevin, who just got promoted to the Supreme Judge of Chrome City, tried his best to squeeze his body together to make his existence less noticeable.
"Kevin, let me swap with you. I shall go to Chrome City to continue your work. You can serve as the Supreme Judge."
"Fine, then the first thing I will do after I come into power will be to create a law that rules nude running as a heavy crime. At the same time, I shall get rid of the 'Gentlemen Alliance' and 'Wild Bull Alliance' which are filled with perverts and gays, hanging them up on the flag poles three stories high to dry them."
With the current weather, being hanged three stories high up would cause sweat to drip down like rainwater. They would probably die of dehydration in less than two hours. Drying them on the flagpoles? That was crazy unless one was intending to make jerky out of them after drying them.
The honest looking middle-aged man laughed heartily as a glint of cold light flashed through both of his eyes. It seemed like it was true that the dogs who bite people were the ones who never barked. The ones with the darkest stomach and heart were often those who seemed friendly and honest. Xueti immediately backed down in response to Kevin's laughter.
"Cough cough, since everyone trusts me so much, I shall try my best to become an excellent Supreme Judge!"
Alright, under several threats, Xueti carried the God Equipment Origin of Codex and the SemiGod-class Gavel with a teary face to deal with the guests who consistently came knocking on the door. Behind him, his colleagues were celebrating over the fact that they had managed to avoid this heavy responsibility.
However, from another perspective, after the original successor, Elisa, chose to resign, the one who had had the most prestige of all was him, making him the most suitable successor. It could be said that him taking over as the Supreme Judge was also the wish of the public.
[Main Storyline Mission: 'The Underground's True Empress' has been completed. Annie Layde has already stepped into the realm of Saints. After receiving the full support of the newly ascended Dragon Empress and Beastman Sovereign, the influence of Sulfur Mountain City grew together as a whole. Furthermore, with a portion of the Elves supporting it, Sulfur Mountain City is backed by 4 out of 5 of the Underground Autarchs. Going by the System's calculations, there is a 70% chance that the entire Underground World can be united under Annie within 10 years. The Main Storyline Mission has been completed perfectly! 20000 Fate Points awarded.]
If I still had a chin, this was definitely a situation for my chin to fall off. After all that I had done, another Emperor was about to appear in the Underground World? Based on what happened in history, it was definitely an extremely big disaster for the surface world.
[Due to your amiable relationship with Annie Layde, when the Underground World is about to invade the surface, you can try to use diplomacy to remove the possibility of war. Congratulations, you have done very well. You have managed to change the future for the happening of one calamity that was fated to happen.]
To think that it would actually praise me? Was this still that darned system who always tricked me? However, its reminder made me open up my eyes. A Queen like Annie was totally different from those other ambitious fools who crave to build their kingdoms on the surface world.
The dwellers of the Underground World craved for sunlight and clean air, so the invasion couldn't be avoided. The countless wars that occurred in history had proven this point. However, compared to Shou, who had sworn allegiance to the Demons, Eduar, who swore allegiance to the Devils, and the arrogant Dragon Empress Molly, if we were to gain control over the proceedings of the invasion, then perhaps, we would be able to make this war into one which wouldn't destroy everything.
Immediately, I thought of a few countries which I had grudges with and a few deserted lands where populations were sparse.
"Un, as long as we invest sufficiently, those deserts and barren land can be made suitable for living. It looks like I will have to make a trip to the Human countries who have access to the tunnels to the Underground World. Also, I have to figure out a method to make these Human Kingdoms accept new neighbors. It may seem highly implausible, but there's still hope."
Just when I thought the notices had ended, the System rang out once again.
[From now on, we shall start to calculate the Fate Points derived from the individual heroes. Moon Knight Diana has hardened her determination to seek her own path. She has conducted a Moonlight Ritual to change her own skin colour and will head to the Surface soon. Friendly notice from the System: You are recommended to accompany her on the journey, she will be an effective nanny and meat shield.]
[Eaglestorm has brought a portion of his tribesman back to the Surface. He felt that he has found a new faith in Sulfur Mountain City and not too far in the future, a Druid Faction which seeks neutrality and balance as their goal, hoping to fulfill it through laws to realize the possibility of harmonious cohabitation will rise up. 1000 Fate Points awarded.]
[In Sulfur Mountain City, collaborations between projects of Goblins and Dwarves have started. Not too far in the future, an entirely new engineering study will arise. The Wise Roland's name will be scripted on the annals of history as the founder of the new direction. The Roland series robots will also pave the way for daily-use, night-use, water-type, air-type and many other types of robots. 1000 Fate Points awarded.]
[Beifeng Herault, under your influence, has finally understood the equality of all beings. Thus, he started on his legendary path… Alright, he's really too disgusting, even the System doesn't want to elaborate more on it. You only have to know that his title is 'The man who single-handedly created multiple races'! 10000 Fate Points awarded!]
Looking at that scary 10000 points, I didn't even dare to question on.
"To found a new Druid Faction only gives 1000 points… 10000 points??? What exactly did that pervert Beifeng do?! Single-handedly created multiple races? He isn't a Mage, so how did he did it?!"
I had roughly guessed a few things here and there but had chosen rationally to refuse to continue this line of thought and thinking about it entirely.
After a series of notices, I was already numb to it. Finally, it was time to tally the total amount of Fate Points I have.
[Fate Points:124587]
Looking at this scary number, I sucked in a large breath of cold air. That darned System wasn't lying when it said that this Epic Storyline would award me generously.
Of course, given the changes that occurred with the Underground World's new Ruler and other related powers, this was sufficient to change the entire path of what Fate had in store for the Underground World, so naturally, the amount of Fate Points I was awarded wouldn't be little. However, the only thing that continued to baffle me was Beifeng Herault.
The shining golden discount voucher appeared in my hand. It looked like I had enough points even without using it for my revival.
"Alright, let me revive!! Right, there's still Elisa! What happened to her?!"
—————
When the Four Heavenly Kings of Law were still pushing around the position of power to each other and stabbing each other in the knees, in the Undead District of the exact same city, another Four Heavenly Kings were having a joyous reunion.
Even counting the battle that occurred not too long ago, [The Infallible Diffindor] had only appeared in history twice. Furthermore, all of the people who had witnessed it the first time had already left this world entirely. However, the vast and powerful military might still had shocked the entire Underground World. At this moment, all of the brave Undead warriors were living life as they usually did. The dancing Banshees continued dancing and the divining Liches continued divining. It was just that due to the Undead Army who had protected the city and all of its citizens that day, the relationship between the two had improved significantly. There were quite a few customers for the Undead Royale Theme Park.
Of course, there were bound to be troubles. However, the Red Hunting Hounds had never been afraid of trouble, especially when there was a true God protecting them now. Even though all of the enemies who had seen that Soul World had vanished, but those who were on the same side and seen it before followed the clues and came knocking.
At this moment, seated on side in a secret chamber in a shabby old tower were Ghoul King Decars, Spider Marquis Lionheart, Bone Dragon Queen Gria and on the other side, Demonic Spatial Hellhound Bastian and the Abomination Ah Dang, who was snoring away. The Four Heavenly Kings under Emperor Yongye (Someone had mysteriously insisted that a Four Heavenly King formation had to have a fifth personnel) had all gathered together and their secret talks went on for several days.
"…This was our Emperor's plans. Of course, this's just a portion of it. If you all're willing to join in, I shall tell you the rest of it. The Emperor wanted me to remind you you all are free to join, and he won't force you into it."
In the face of these shocking revelations, even Lionheart, who was known as the best strategist of the Xiluo Empire was caught off-guard. However, just as he was still hesitating, his comrades had already made their decisions.
"This means that our Emperor is still in the mortal world! This's great, I want to look for him." Alright, Gria didn't pay any heed to what scheme or plans were put in motion, she was just happy over the fact that Roland was still in the mortal world.
"Whatever Ah Pa wants Ah Dang to do, Ah Dang will do." Within the Four Heavenly Kings, Ah Dang and Bastian were part of the Seven Deadly Sins, creations of Emperor Yongye. Indubitably, they were the most loyal among the Royal Faction.
After hesitating for a brief moment, Lionheart nodded his head in the end.
"I also believe in the Emperor's wisdom and decisions. We, the Royal Faction, have always been loyal to the Emperor and looked forward to the day of his return."
All of the gazes settled upon the final one of the Four Heavenly Kings, Decars. He had joined the Council Faction, and if not for the letter from Emperor Yongye in his hands which proved that he was trustworthy, Bastian would have long gotten rid of him.
"I have long returned to the commands of our Emperor. I have results from the investigation of the secrets that our Emperor had tasked me to uncover. 6 large-scale Dimensions of Death including Skeleton, Frost and Blasphemy have been opened since 15 years ago. Feyman had been traversing through these dimensions in these past few days."
Hearing news about the Dimension of Death, everyone was dumbfounded. After all, the Undead Emperor and Undead Lords in these Dimensions could be said to be the seniors of everyone here.
"However, the Undead Emperors of the other Dimensions aeen't that easy to negotiate with. With just Feyman and his Council of Dark Night, he would just be eaten up by the other party. Based on his progress, a few of the Dimensions have agreed to work together with him and this's only because of the First Senator Gricasio stepping out to conduct these negotiations. I'm afraid that the large-scale Undead Calamity that our Emperor predicted will come, it's only a matter of time at this point. Feyman analyzed that the time these Undead Lords and Emperors will require for the preparations of war won't exceed 30 years. Boss, help me send this news to our Emperor."
Yes, Decars, whose appearance was that of a large-built man right now, had been tasked by Roland to serve as a spy in the Council. Despite spending more than 10 years in there, he wasn't able to gain sufficient trust to access important information but through tracing trails and bribing spies, he managed to gain quite a bit of information.
The emergence of the collusion between the 1st Senator and 2nd Senator as well as the military intelligence about the intention of many Undead Dimensions to invade Eich made them fell into despair.
"Darn it, if the 3rd Senator was still alive, things wouldn't have progressed to such a state."
Lionheart immediately understood how new experts were appearing one after another in the Council Faction. When the 1st Senator and 2nd Senator collaborated together with the support of the Dimensions of Death, coupled with the death of two neutral Senators with one more severely injured, the tilting of the power scale of Xiluo Empire towards them was just a matter of time.
Fine, due to someone's interference, the disappearance of the Queen of Banshees Harloys had become a case without any leads. Without her keeping the powers in Xiluo in check, the Council Faction was without any equals, allowing them to gain control over the full authority at an even quicker pace.
However, Bastian simply smiled. All of the proceedings had been within the expectations of the Emperor.
"Then, since everyone decided to stand on the same boat, then let's listen to the words that our Emperor left behind. This is what he said…"