Leveling Up by Executing Monsters

Balderes had only said it offhandedly, but Lloyd paid it more mind.

It wasn't that he cared why someone was looking for him; he was more interested in the mention of a "Delegation Hall."

He'd had some exposure to places like a Delegation Hall. The trading hall on the second floor of the club served a similar function in part. For example, the silver-tongued manager had previously shown him some commissions related to the Dream Theater.

But that was a public place, so it wasn't very confidential, and its reach was limited to Radiant City.

If he wanted to take on more private commissions, especially those involving other cities, the trading hall's limited functions were clearly insufficient.

In contrast, the motley "Dream Theater" offered greater confidentiality. Its members came from all corners, and some... inconvenient matters could perhaps be handled through it.

For instance, collecting rare and bizarre materials of the Twist family, inquiring about sensitive information, or selling off some hot potatoes—like that wood-colored wax residue Lloyd had scraped off earlier.

'This could be a very useful channel.'

So Lloyd decided that after work tomorrow, he would return to the "Dream Theater" and take a look. He could also consider contacting the people looking for him to learn the "rules of the game" for this "Delegation Hall."

For an Extraordinary Being, cultivation wasn't just about strength and knowledge. Connections and channels were also vital resources.

Tonight's symposium was just about wrapped up.

After Old Zhan announced the end of the meeting, everyone bowed in unison to the "audience" at the side. Then, the game pieces for Jenkins and Goldrinn vanished from the board, but both Balderes and Elolo stayed behind.

It seemed they had more to say to the Supreme One.

"You go first. I won't eavesdrop."

Balderes was rather courteous, hopping back a few spaces on the board.

Then he discovered that his ears were filled with a buzzing static, and he couldn't hear a thing.

It was Lloyd, on the outside, activating the "mute" function on the screen...

Elolo, on the other hand, hopped forward a few spaces. She first mustered her courage to sneak a peek at the "audience's" form, then said timidly:

"Venerable Master, I saved a small cake for you today... No, actually, I save one for you every day. I was waiting for the symposium to offer it to you, but we didn't have a meeting for the past few days. I was afraid the little cake would spoil, so... I secretly ate it myself..."

Her voice grew quieter and quieter as she spoke, sounding less and less confident.

Then, a delicate little cake topped with a cherry materialized before her and dropped into a crack that opened on the surface of the chessboard.

Lloyd immediately felt something soft and squishy appear in his hand. He didn't know whether to laugh or cry, but he waited patiently for her to continue.

"Venerable Master, I feel like Lord Uther, it's gotten stronger, but I still haven't worked up the courage to challenge the rules my father set... I really want to go outside and see the world, but I don't want to make my father angry. What should I do?"

Elolo asked.

How was Lloyd supposed to answer a question like that? He could only ask himself:

'Ugh... anyone know how to handle a rebellious teenage girl? Waiting online, it's urgent!'

Unfortunately, being urgent didn't help. No one could answer him.

He could feel Elolo looking at him with pitiful yet expectant eyes, so he had no choice but to bite the bullet and send a message across the screen:

"You can talk to him."

Elolo saw the reply, paused for a moment, then answered in a low voice:

"My father hasn't been home in a very long time. I'll talk to him the next time he's back, but... *sob*... I'm still a little scared. Venerable Master, can you grant me more courage? I'll save a little cake for you every day!"

After hearing her, Lloyd swiped the screen aside for a moment and jerked his head at the nearby Tentacle Grass, gesturing for it to step up.

The Tentacle Grass immediately raised one of its appendages in a salute, as if to say, 'As you command!'

Then, it inexplicably started to dance, twisting its body into three undulating waves.

After about ten seconds, it stopped and mimicked a human bow, as if to say, 'Mission accomplished!'

Lloyd turned his head to glance at the blood-colored sprout on the other side.

Good grief, it looked even dimmer and more wilted...

He'd sensed a bit of vitality from it when he first came in, but now it was listless again.

"You're just going to keep draining the Advisor dry, aren't you?"

Lloyd asked with amusement.

The Tentacle Grass immediately struck a pose with its appendages on its 'hips,' chest puffed out, as if to say, 'But of course!'

So Lloyd sent another message across the screen:

"I have granted you some power, but 'courage' is something you must still find on your own."

"Okay! Thank you, Venerable Master! You're the best!"

Elolo cheered up, bowed to the "audience," and then vanished from the chessboard.

Next, it was Balderes's turn. Lloyd removed the "mute" on him and waited patiently for him to speak.

Balderes immediately felt the incessant buzzing in his ears vanish. Realizing it was his turn, he quickly hopped to the edge of the chessboard and asked:

"Venerable One, I wish to know what the powerhouses of our City of Serenity have gone off to do. You must know where they went, right?"

'He's asking about *that*?'

Lloyd hadn't expected Balderes's question to be so straightforward.

At the same time, he was curious why this typically arrogant man would be concerned with the movements of the High-ranking Powerhouses.

But Balderes didn't explain. He simply continued:

"If you can answer my question, I am willing to offer you my most outstanding creation of late. While it may be nothing to you, it should be rather interesting, I think? At least, I saw something like it in a pulp novel... Er, no, it's nothing..."

Since he'd put it that way, Lloyd saw no reason to be cryptic and sent a message:

"They are chasing Forgetfulness."

"Huh? Forgetfulness???"

Balderes was stunned. It was clearly the first time he had ever heard the term.

For some reason, however, the word sparked a strong sense of irritation in him—the kind that made him want to chew it to bits and swallow it whole.

Balderes couldn't explain why, but he asked another question:

"Will they be gone for a long time?"

'So what is this guy up to? He sounds like he's plotting something.'

Lloyd thought for a moment, weighed his words, and gave a cryptic response:

"Perhaps."

But he immediately added:

"One of my Beloved wishes to make your acquaintance."

It was a rare chance to speak with Balderes privately, so he decided to advance his "get rich quick" plan.

Balderes saw the two lines of text float before him and was taken aback, replying with a flattered tone:

"Ah... It would be my honor! And thank you for your answer."

With that, two items materialized before him and fell into the crack in the chessboard.

Lloyd reached out to take them. He looked down and saw a business card and an exquisitely crafted revolver slowly materialize in his palm.

It wasn't imbued with any Spiritual Energy, nor was it some kind of futuristic black-box technology. It was a contemporary of the bolt-action rifles that were already standard issue in the Judgment Court.

However, the gun's craftsmanship seemed far superior to the Flintlock Guns Lloyd usually handled. It was also highly artistic; the frame had an elegant bronze finish, and the grip, made of an ivory-like material, was inlaid with decorative golden filigree. It was a pleasure just to look at.

It was fine enough to be displayed as a collector's item at home or in an office, and selling it would certainly fetch a handsome price.

It just went to show that Balderes was worthy of the high regard Lloyd had held for him from the very beginning.

It was just... trading an answer that wasn't much of a secret for such an item made Lloyd feel a bit ashamed. He'd taken advantage of the man yet again without even realizing it...

It made him too embarrassed to keep up his aloof act, so he replied:

"Interesting..."

Balderes was even more flattered and quickly said with the utmost respect:

"Your approval is where its true value lies!"

Saying this, he grew bolder and asked tentatively:

"I am willing to continue offering you such tributes, but I wonder... might I pray for a Blessing of some of your power?"

'This kid's got some nerve. Is he already trying to negotiate terms?'

Lloyd wanted to laugh, but he swiped the screen aside and glanced at the Tentacle Grass.

The Tentacle Grass made a very human-like shrugging gesture, as if to say, 'I've squeezed it dry!'

Fortunately, Balderes wasn't completely tactless. Seeing that the Supreme One didn't reply immediately, he quickly amended his statement:

"Of course, not today. It will probably be a while. I need to pull a big job. When the time comes, I will prepare a tribute to pray for your Blessing."

'This guy... so he *is* plotting something, isn't he?'

Lloyd thought it over for a moment before replying on the screen:

"Very well."

"That's wonderful! If your Beloved wishes to contact me, they need only write me a letter."

Balderes said, overjoyed. He maintained his bow as he slowly vanished from the chessboard.

And with that, the symposium was officially over.

'That guy looks like he's planning to make a splash. Is he going to rob a bank or something?'

Lloyd tried to guess Balderes's plan, but he quickly shook his head.

With Balderes's intellect, his talent in the Extraordinary Realm, his craftsmanship, and all the connections he'd built up—not to mention his relationship with the symposium—Lloyd couldn't think of any reason for him to do something so desperate.

'Whatever he's planning, it probably isn't for money...'

'Then... is it revenge?'