Chapter 44 The TriCobra Society
[The secret society that host has come into contact with is known as the TriCobra Society. It is a society that establishes itself in any kingdom across the world where a section of the populace is oppressed. They operate in 3 stages:
1st Stage: Open a contact point where the society collects information about all the notable people in a city.
2nd Stage: Using these people as the manpower, the society becomes a place where people can give and take contracts for illegal activities.
3rd Stage: Unknown
To answer host's unspoken query, the sack on host's head was designed to prevent any sound from entering, but the system was able to gather this information by analyzing the vibrations in the air felt by the host's skin. This is typically the way the system collects information from host's surroundings.
After host lost consciousness, a sentence spoken by the person whom host was in contact with has also been recorded. Would you like to hear it?], asked the system.
Daneel had always suspected that the system eavesdropped on his thoughts. He had been wondering just how the system collected information from the surroundings, and that question had been answered now.
Besides that, the information about the TriCobra Society was very troubling. From the first 2 stages, it became clear that they had some sort of motive in the city. Sadly, the third stage wasn't known. Daneel couldn't even decide if their motives were sinister or not with the limited information that he had right now.
"Yes", he said, hoping that it was something important that he could use.
The voice of the old man in the room was heard again in Daneel's ears.
"If it weren't for the mage backing you, I wouldn't hesitate to keep you here. Count your lucky stars that we cannot move against any powerful personages right now. Throw him out!", the voice said, making Daneel grind his teeth. Keep him there?!
It seemed that the mishap with the clothes had actually ended up helping him. Yet, Daneel still didn't know exactly what they wanted with the Kingdom of Lanthanor. Regardless, he decided to pay more attention from now on and not let such a stupid action occur again. Daneel had in fact not been in full control of the sensations from his body when he had teleported out, and it was that small lapse of attention that had alerted the Society about his identity.
"System, can you find out who is the one following me?", he asked, hoping that he could somehow identify and evade the person who was apparently keeping an eye on him. He did not like the feeling of being followed at all. He had in fact been looking around in every direction since he had left the alley, but there was no sign of anyone in his vicinity.
[Negative. Please buy the Surveillance Tool-1 in the System Store. Surveillance Tool-1 allows the system to monitor the surroundings of the host up to a radius of 100 feet. Cost: 1500 EXP]
Damn EXP again, thought Daneel, but he wasn't very worried. He had already decided on a plan last night to gain achievements and harvest tons of EXP.
As soon as he got to his house, Daneel looked around once again before teleporting into his room. There were still a few hours before morning, so he lay down on the bed and instantly fell asleep after deactivating the disguise.
A rustling sound woke him up from the dream he had been having of stepping on the arrogant King's face.
Drowsily looking around, he noticed a familiar man with a puzzled expression on his face looking at Daneel's clothes which had torn due to him using the Disguise Tool.
His first reaction was fear, before he recognized that it was Kellor.
Wait, he thought, finally realizing that this was his bedroom. What the hell was the court mage doing in his bedroom in the wee hours of the morning?
"Ah! I see you are up. I was just looking at your clothes because they reminded me of a very difficult spell that only 8th Grade Human Mages are able to cast. Forget it, it just looked familiar.", he said, before quickly letting go of the clothes he had been examining in his hands. With a slightly embarrassed look on his face, he continued without giving Daneel a chance to speak.
"Please don't mind that I appeared here in your room. The Grand Court Mage is greeting some friends and I wanted to use this opportunity to say something to you.
"For years, I have been waiting for someone who has the talent and zeal to become a leader of the people. Since the incident at the library where you brought the actions of the despicable clerk and guard to light, thereby bringing justice to countless commoners, I have been watching you. I even decided to groom you secretly in case you turned out to have at least crimson level potential."
Kellor's expression had been turning more and more serious with each word. Now, Daneel felt a solemness in his tone as he continued, asking, "Tell me the truth Daneel. I asked my master about the time needed for someone training as a paragon to reach your level, and he said that it was impossible that you only have pseudo-legendary potential. Did you hide your potential during the test? And if you did, will you choose to trust me and tell me the truth now?
"It is your choice to make.", he said, before folding his hands and looking expectantly at Daneel.
Kellor's impassioned speech had caused a roller coaster of emotions inside Daneel. First, he had been scared that Kellor would recognize that they were the effects of the Disguise tool. Then, he felt indignation that not one, but two parties had had an eye on him. Finally, he felt happy as he had finally found an ally he could trust. His instinct told him strongly that the man in front of him would never betray him.
As soon as he made the decision in his mind, the system spoke. He fought to control the smile that was spreading to both ends of his face as he had found out already that his judgement was right.:
[Achievement: "First Steadfast Ally" unlocked. 2000 EXP Awarded.
First Steadfast Ally: The court mage of the Kingdom of Lanthanor, Kellor, has been observing you since you were cheered by the people for bringing justice to many. He saw the persistence and determination in you when you trained in the way of the Paragon and when you chose to bleed first rather than kneel in front of the King. Although he still has his doubts about whether you can be the leader that he has been looking for, he will be your ally in the struggles to come. It is now your choice to decide how close of an ally you want him to be.]
Hearing this, Daneel did not dally any more. Without a word, he stood up and spread his arms.
Fire, water, lightning, ice, earth, wind and space. Elementary particles of different types danced around him one by one as he connected with each in quick succession.
To Kellor who was watching, it was as if a brilliant kaleidoscope had come into existence in front of him. With his Elementary Sight, he could see the speed and ease with which Daneel controlled each element.
"This.... this is not possible with just crimson potential!", he thought, as waves and waves of shock and awe washed over him.
Tears of joy streamed down his face, as he realized that he had finally found the one he was looking for all these years.