丰满多水的寡妇

“Oh, by the way, is that rifle on your back the Mosin-Nagant? Is it the 1428 version?”

『Huh?』

‘Even if I ask how you managed to disguise yourself so perfectly during our battle, and how you saw much further than recorded data without a scope, I suppose I’ll get my answers later. There’s nothing to say for now.’

“Ah… I see. It’s too early for that then, I suppose.”

Their intimacy level is merely at 30%.

At present, the only permission Leeha has is not to be attacked by the White Reaper. However, observing the White Reaper’s reaction, Leeha harbored some expectations.

If the intimacy level reached 100%, it could mean that the White Reaper might reveal something that could strengthen Leeha.

“In that case, I’ll be on my way.”

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Taking out a return scroll, Leeha also realized how fortunate he was. He received a quest related to the Shazrashian Federation?

Shouldn’t someone related to the Shazrashian Federation be waiting for Leeha?

“Hehe, I can’t just lie around doing nothing.”

Sending a whisper to Karelin, Leeha warped from Hamina Castle to ‘Phietari’, the Shazrashian capital. The goal was the majestic former royal palace, currently the presidential palace, ‘Remlin Palace’, located in the city square.

“Hmm, but what if ‘I took action. There was no other way’ quest and ‘Resurrected White Reaper’ quest… What will happen? If the linked quest probably leads to a second job confirmation or something like that, and if it fails…:”

Leeha swallowed dryly for a moment. The quest is named ‘Resurrected White Reaper’.

If the outcome indicates that the rights of minority groups are not protected, does it mean the White Reaper’s Ghost will be resurrected, wreaking havoc and destruction everywhere?

“It’s driving me crazy. It might even become a 『National Level Raid Quest』 for Shazrashian users, hehe.”

How will this affect Leeha?

With quests being triggered, Leeha believed it wouldn’t lead to a complete failure.

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“I shouldn’t dwell on failure from the start… This isn’t just the end of failure but the start of a different kind of failure, making it even more suffocating. It’s actually easier when there’s only one choice available.”

Was it the intention of the Middle Earth production team to make players think more? Leeha approached the vicinity of the Remlin Palace, grumbling to himself. The giant guards looked down at him with a proud stance, their chests puffed out.

“Thank you for your hard work. I am Ha Leeha, a musketeer of Fibiel and the lord of Gaza City.”

The giants’ brows twitched, but that was it. They showed no reaction to Ha Leeha.

“Ahem, I have an appointment with Karelin-nim. May I enter?”

“With Karelin-nim?”

The giant guards locked eyes. In that moment, Ha Leeha could sense something in their treatment, a burning discomfort.

“… With Karelin? It seems like I didn’t explain it properly. I am affiliated with Fibiel and am a friendly force of the Shazrashian Federation—”

“That’s why we are showing you this level of courtesy, Ha Leeha-nim.”

“What? This makes no sense… Or does it?”

It made sense.

Finally, Ha Leeha exhaled, raising an eyebrow.

Among the rewards received after clearing the first part of the linked quest, there was: “『Shazrashian Federation National Prestige decreases by 1,000』.”

“This crazy game won’t let people relax!”

The reason they detested Ha Leeha was all too clear.

The 『Dignity』 buff had the power to overwhelm those with a lower common reputation NPCs on the Lope continent. But it didn’t work on everyone. Especially if the target wasn’t affiliated with Fibiel, it was almost natural.

Ha Leeha sighed, once again checking him achievements window.

『Achievement: Medal of Honor – Fibiel(A+)』

Reward:

18 Skill Points, intimacy with Fibiel’s NPCs +30%, Continental Common Reputation +1,000, exceeding 3,000 contribution on Foreign countries and royalties(excluding Ezwen) will decrease intimacy by 10%.』

“Oh… That was also there.”

They were the guardians responsible for overseeing where the highest authority of a country resided. In other words, these Giants themselves were nothing less than Shazrashian ‘Personal Guards’ or something of that sort.

Therefore, their contributions to the Shazrashian Federation would easily exceed 3,000, and Ha Leeha had to add another -20% intimacy bonus effect on top of the basic -10% intimacy with them. That meant, currently, even the high-ranking members of Shazrashian had an intimacy of -30%, and with the Shazrashian having a negative contribution, the additional relationship penalty needed to be applied as well.

“Just roughly… even if I set it low, it’s around -35%, almost close to -40%.”

If Ha Leeha wasn’t a prominent figure of Fibiel… If the common reputation score of Lope Continent was not incredibly high, he wouldn’t have even received such treatment from the Giant Guards.

“Kkuuee. I get it, okay. Then please contact Karelin-nim. I really— huh, no, please contact him.”

While part of me wanted to snap back, “Could I hold you responsible for your rudeness if I were truly his guest?”, what would fighting with NPCs accomplish in the current situation?

It’s good to act tough, but there was a need to choose the right time and place. Above all, the person who was in a hurry was himself.

“Please wait a moment.”

The Giant Guard NPC picked up something with a blank expression. Then, after a moment, he sighed and said, “Karelin-nim will come out here. Please wait a moment.”

“You can’t even let me in? It’s like not trusting someone at all.”

“Consider it fortunate that I’m even letting you in.”

“Fine. Okay. I understand.”

It wasn’t a complete informal tone or complete disregard.

The Giant Guard spoke to Leeha in a manner that barely maintained the minimum formality, and Leeha had to suppress the rising anger and endure it. After a while, Karelin rushed out urgently and escorted Leeha.

“You’ve arrived, Ha Leeha-nim.”

He still had the innocent face of a gorilla, making it hard to determine whether it felt kind or ominous.

“Yes, I’m here. I came at Karelin-nim’s request, but goodness, I want to go back so badly.”

“Yes, yes?”

“No, let’s go.”

Leeha no longer wanted to get into a conflict with NPCs and the like.

There was no need to deliberately lower intimacy with the elite guards and the like.

“First time visiting the Remlin Palace, right? It wouldn’t be a bad idea to take a good look around this time. If Ha Leeha-nim cooperates well, I’ll make sure you’re satisfied with the sightseeing. Oh, by the way, the employee cafeteria has delicious food. There are many places in Fibiel known for good cooking, but the Giant race is naturally talented at cooking.”

Luckily, Karelin was a user, and he carefully handled Leeha levels, who seemed agitated for some reason.

Thoughts of the chef Miyoph, who was promoted to the manager of the Gril Candle Castle with his divine cooking and giants, were coming to mind, and Leeha levels were gradually feeling better.

The splendor of Redulin Palace was by no means inferior to the Royal Palace of Fibiel; if anything, the decorative aspect seemed even more prominent on the Shazeracian side.”It’s very magnificent.”

“Because the surroundings are humble.”

“What do you mean?”

“Shazrashian is all about coldness. Everywhere you go, it’s snowfields, icy lands, snowy mountains, icy plains… So it seems that the architecture has developed to be more splendid. Especially here, even more so.”

“Well, it’s where the king- no, the president resides.”

Leeha quickly corrected the word to president, but Karelin didn’t say anything.

Instead, he slightly nodded him head, as if acknowledging something.

They soon entered the reception room.

“Although it’s a bit tight for receiving guests, it seems like we’ll need to finish our discussion first before meeting the president.”

“Am I someone who needs to see the president? Hehe.”

Leeha hadn’t brought up their own agenda yet, but simply being offered the opportunity to meet the president like scratching an itch made them feel pleased.

Karelin nodded to Leeha and spoke.

“Of course. You are the only one who can communicate and negotiate with the Human Flesh Hunter. So, let me tell you our concerns first.”

“Yes, I can’t make a decision myself, I’ll have to convey it… But let’s hear it first.”

“Please persuade the Human Flesh Hunter to allow Shazrashian users and the NPCs to cross that area.”

Karelin finally revealed his own agenda to Leeha. To this, Leeha hummed, frowned with determination, and wrinkled their forehead.

‘It doesn’t seem like it’s going to be difficult, is it? This should be a great negotiation card.’

Of course, he was just pretending to ‘think’. Karelin’s intention?

Wasn’t it Leeha’s responsibility to know what the Giants would do as they passed through the ruins where the White Reaper’s Ghost resides anyway! Then their intentions are not important to him at all.

‘Instead of drafting a legal document guaranteeing the rights of minority ethnic groups to President of Shazrashian, if we just say ‘let’s move past that place’…’

It was over. Lowering his head as if thinking for a while, Leeha finally spoke with a smile.

“If that’s the case, the White Reaper, no, ‘Shimo,’ wouldn’t have any reason to object.”

“Is that so? Great, then-”

“However…”

“However?”

“It would be nice to have a simple document that prohibits discrimination against minority ethnic groups under the jurisdiction of the Shazrashian Federation, um, what was it called… a rights charter, maybe? Nothing too complicated, just simple. Do you get the idea?”

Leeha shrugged his shoulders nonchalantly, discussing complicated matters as if they were nothing.

“Well, it doesn’t seem too difficult. Very well.”

Observing this, Karelin easily agreed with a nod.

Leeha felt pleased that his performance was well-received but kept his composure, knowing this was a negotiation and not a place to show weakness.

“I will report back to the President. Please wait for a moment.”

“Of course. I will be here waiting, so don’t worry.”

Leeha’s ability to quickly adapt and respond served as both an advantage and a disadvantage.

Kuuuum…

As Karelin closed the door and left the reception room, Leeha burst into laughter.

“Hahaha! That’s right! They’re falling for it! Middle Earth, you little troublemakers! Huh!? You were planning to trick me, right? Stirring up trouble with negative national publicity and negative intimacy – these bastards… if they try to play the negative card on me! I’ll just bring out a scarecrow~ That’s what I’m talking about!”

Leeha even punched the air, voicing his thoughts aloud.

He even had the thought that the Middle Earth production team or NPC might be listening. At least this time, he had successfully avoided the trap set by Middle Earth!