“We are not interested,” Wong replied.
“If that is your wish. It’s fine, we won’t compel,” Callan said. He then called one of the priests that stood by the side. “Follow him to the teleportation chamber. He will help you activate the portal device.”
Wong and Ronald followed the priest. A few of the ethereal native representatives followed the two, while the rest remained. Jack figured the one who left and the one who stayed must be from the two opposing forces in the current civil war of Liguritudum, just as Prince Alonzo and prince Rhemos here.
Spring Crown came to speak with Domon before leaving, “I can see where this elite force you people asked for will be sent. It seemed that I will have to stay by that crazy man’s side for a little longer.”
“You can always break your words,” Domon said to him.
“Hahaha,” Spring Crown simply laughed. “Well, see you around, old man.”
“See you around, youngster,” Domon replied.
The number one gamer then went away following his fellow Heavenly Enforcers.
“Now, let’s get back to you lots,” Callan said to the two individual champions and the team. “Who amongst you will be the spokesperson?”
Most turned to Jack. Jack came forward and said, “It will be me.”
Callan nodded. “About your request for elite force aid. Where do you want us to send this force? The elite force will stay inside the country for half a year, helping with whatever the country ruler required.”
Callan had asked this question because there was an ethereal race amongst these six humans. Otherwise, he would just assume the force to be sent to Themisphere. He still thought so, considering there were more humans present. What made him wonder was why different race champions requested this aid. This aid was usually requested by representatives from the same race, considering that only one country would get the benefit. That’s why this aid was so rarely requested. The chance of one race winning so many sections was low.
“We would like you to send the elite force to the Liguritudum realm,” Jack uttered. “To assist its rightful ruler, Galva, from the attempt of his son, Igneos, in seizing his throne.”
Most of the crowds, except for the natives and ethereal outworlders, were lost on what Jack was asking. But almost all of them were confused about why this group of outworlder champions would forfeit their rewards for the matter of a native country’s conflict. Almost all of these champions were not even living in that said country.
The most bewildered one was the Liguritudum’s native representative that was still present there. He was shocked and awed after hearing Jack’s request.
“If that is your will, so be it. We will make the arrangement,” Callan informed. “Our elite force will leave for that country first thing tomorrow.”
“Yes!” Handsome Joe uttered within the crowd.
Anotherday was similarly relieved. He thought for sure they had failed when they lost in the tournament. He looked over to Jack. He thought maybe Wilted had made the right choice in asking for this man’s aid.
<br/>Callan continued, “Well, then. As I said, we have a special event after this ceremony. We hope to invite everyone back to the arena where the tournament took place before. Especially the champions who have placed first in the tournament. You might get additional rewards in this event.”
“What reward? I didn’t get anything!” Princess Purple was still pouting.
“Well, you will have another chance then,” Callan said. Not at all bothered by Princess Purple’s tone. “The rewards that you get in this event, if you are successful, were not any less than the main prizes of the tournament. We will wait for you over at the arena.”
That might be the special event Paytowin mentioned, Jack thought. So, he was not talking about this prize-giving ceremony. Jack wondered what the event was about. Callan mentioned they could get a reward equal to the tournament’s first prizes? Jack became excited about it.
As everyone started walking, Jack saw Blackhole and the others walking the other way. Jack called Anotherday and asked. Anotherday said their only interest was to get the Draconic Revival Blood. Since they got one even better, their task here was done, they needed to get back to aid the war effort.
Jack didn’t stop them. He wished them luck and Anotherday thanked him before leaving.
As they left, another person came to him. Jack didn’t recognize the person. The person was a native and an ethereal.
“Greetings, young outworlder. My name is Geod,” The native ethereal introduced himself. “I was tasked by our great ruler, Galva, as his representative in this tournament since he cannot join. For a reason that I am sure you are aware of.”
“What can I do for you, sir Geod?” Jack asked politely.
“I would like to express my deepest gratitude for the assistance you have offered my country today. I won’t deny how badly we need that aid. But I must admit that I am extremely shocked to find a human, a race with which our country had traditionally been at odds, to be the one that provides such assistance. Nevertheless, I am very grateful. If you don’t mind, on behalf of my ruler, I want to offer you and the other humans who have forfeited your rewards here an official title as the Liguritudum’s honored guest.”
Jack and the others received the system notification of the title. Jack checked the title. It was basically similar to the Sangrod honored guest title he had received from Horatio.
Yellow Death and Princess Purple were still scowling. They lost super rare weapons and set equipment for a friggin title that had no use whatsoever to them?
Jack, on the other hand, understands this title better. ‘Hey, Peniel. Does this mean I am free to walk around Liguritudum now?’
‘You are,’ Peniel replied, before hurriedly adding, ‘Unless you are planning to go traipsing around the ethereal prince’s territory.’
Geod continued speaking, “If any of you find your way into the Liguritudum Realm, please come find me in our capital, Dritzuut. I will try to give you something in exchange for what you have done for us. Now, if you will excuse me, I will need to leave and give this news to our great ruler. We will need to adjust our forces to accommodate the elite force from this council.”
Jack was about to bid him farewell when he thought of something. “If you don’t mind, I’ll like to introduce you to someone first.”
Geod was puzzled but he was not going to deny the request from someone who had done his country such a huge favor, so he followed Jack.
After wading through the traveling crowd, Jack found the one he was looking for. “There you are! My prince, I would like to introduce you to someone.”
Prince Alonzo, Duchess Isabelle, and Gruff stopped walking after hearing Jack’s call.
“My prince, this is Sir Geod, representative of the great ruler of Liguritudum realm. Sir Geod, this is Prince Alonzo, the third prince of Themisphere, I serve under him,” Jack introduced the two.
Hearing that, Geod gave Prince Alonzo a polite bow, “Prince Alonzo, I’ve heard of you. I thank you for the aid that your subject had granted us. Our Liguritudum realm is in your debt.”
Prince Alonzo himself was actually rather surprised by Jack’s request to aid the Liguritudum realm just now. He had heard Jack mention the outworlder guild, World Maker, who meddled in Liguritudum’s politics and the possibility of that country coming to invade if the World Maker won, but he could not afford to concern himself in those foreign matters yet. He had enough issues to deal with in his own kingdom. He could only presume Jack’s action just now had something to do with that guild Jack had mentioned. He didn’t mind what Jack had done, the fact that Jack and Domon had become the champions was already a boon to him. He couldn’t wait to go back and used this momentum to gather more supporters.
“I am glad that our country can be of help,” Prince Alonzo replied politely to Geod. “I have heard the report about your country. I hope the civil war can be resolved soon.”
“With the help your champion has just given us, it might be,” Geod said. He then sighed, “our two countries had always been on bad terms for something our ancestors did. If we somehow settle the tribulation my country is experiencing now, I will try to persuade our great ruler to open communication with Themisphere. I think it’s time for our two countries to mend our relationship. At that time, I hope you can be our go-to-noble for such an endeavor.”
“I will look forward to that. Cooperation is always more productive than conflict. I will also strive for peace between us if that is what your country wishes.”
“I’m glad to hear that.” Geod then turned to Jack. “I’m happy that you introduce me to your prince. I am now looking forward to the future once we settle our civil war.”
Jack heard a notification again. He was informed that he had again completed a hidden part of his chain quest. He was awarded 800 merit points. The merit points were less than when he gained the support of Healer Society, but he thought probably because this relationship built with Liguritudum was not something that give much effect to Themisphere’s politics. After all, not many parties in Themisphere had dealings with the Liguridutum realm.
Geod excused himself again. He looked very eager to return to his country. Jack didn’t stop him this time.
Jack walked with Prince Alonzo, Duchess Isabelle, and Gruff. Prince Rhemos and Garland Thunderhand were nowhere in sight. Garland had probably stormed off back to Themisphere after the tournament ended since none of the first prince’s representatives become a champion. In Rhemos’ case, he didn’t consider Red Death and the others as victorious considering they died in the match and Jack had single-handedly turned the situation around.
“Do any of you know what this special event is about?” Jack asked the three natives.
The three shook their heads.
