Does this work?
Hailuot couldn't help marveling at how complicated his father's network of connections was.
He looked again at the gray elf sitting on the prison cell floor and sent the Soul Eater a message: "Mage Laem is Dorothea's prisoner, apparently for a serious crime. Are you still on good terms with this gray elf?"
"I took on many quests to level up quickly, and that's how I met Mage Laem. He's a senior member of the Azure Society, and I've provided him with intelligence many times."
Hailuot asked, "What is the Azure Society?"
The Soul Eater explained to Hailuot: "The Undead Faction is split into two major factions, one is the Undead, and the other is the Living Beings who have faith in Death. The Azure Society is a secret organization of the Living Faction. They've launched multiple rebellions before, trying to gain a piece of territory belonging to the Living Faction within the Land of Death.
Naturally, this wasn't accepted by the Undead faction, which held an absolute advantage in power, so all of the Azure Society's rebellions failed. But their hidden strength is still considerable, and the Undead have been trying to find a way to wipe them out."
Hailuot couldn't help exclaiming, "While serving the Sorrow King, you're also passing intelligence to the Azure Society?"
"Yeah, otherwise how would I maintain my level advantage?"
Grinding mobs while juggling all sorts of quests—truly living up to the name "Human-Shaped Liver."
Hailuot considered the suspicious circumstances surrounding this task and said to the Soul Eater, "Dorothea had me earn Laem's trust, but then threw me straight into a prison cell. There must be another purpose, right?"
"Her main purpose in having you complete this task is probably to test me—to see whether I have ties to the Azure Society."
"What should I do?"
"Whatever she tells you to do, just do it. First, earn Laem's trust."
Hailuot was somewhat confused. "If I earn Laem's trust too easily, won't that deepen Dorothea's suspicion of you?"
"You just got into the game, so you don't understand the situation here yet. The Sorrow King is facing Decay, and the Lords beneath him all have their eyes on his seat among the Seven Regents. Dorothea captured Laem but didn't kill him right away—she must want something from him."
This is a Story Quest with a lot of potential, and it's also connected to the task I gave you. There might be a big surprise in store."
Hailuot recalled the invitation his father had given him: "Is this the quest for 63 Tibia Street?"
"I investigated 63 Tibia Street. It's an important stronghold of the Azure Society, and I've more or less guessed why they wanted to invite me back then."
"Why?"
"Back then, it was me. Now, it's you—you are probably the only Living Being Lord in the entire Land of Death. Show Laem your Ring of the Old Dominator, and the Azure Society will do whatever it takes to win you over."
Hailuot couldn't help but ask, "When you gave me the invitation, why didn't you tell me any of this?"
"Knowing all this would have taken away much of the fun of exploring. But now that you've encountered the turbulence shrouding the Rotten Wasteland, I have to make sure you understand the environment you're in..."
A Thousand-Legged Earth Dragon has spawned!
I'm not chatting with you anymore... head home early, don't get too absorbed in this."
Who knows who's the one getting too absorbed!
Hailuot closed the chat with his father and took out the Token Monte had given him. It was shield-shaped and forged from unidentified black metal. A Rift ran down its middle, with a row of eyeball-like objects embedded inside.
Hailuot noticed there was a similar rift on the prison cell's door, so he pressed the token against it.
The door pulled the Token against it and held it fast. Amid a series of clicks, rings of Magic Runes spread outward, unlocking the Restriction on the door layer by layer.
Hailuot gave it a gentle push, and the door opened.
Sensing someone enter, the gray elf lifted his head slightly. A cold gaze glinted beneath the disheveled hair covering his eyes.
"A human?"
Hailuot walked up to Laem, crouched down in front of him, and whispered in his ear: "My elder brother, Spirit Eater."
Laem roared, "I don't know any Spirit Eater. Go tell Dorothea to kill me quickly, or I'll seize Scorched Earth City as soon as I get out."
Hailuot took a handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the Ring of the Old Dominator on his finger. "My elder brother, Spirit Eater."
Laem said in warning, "There are bats everywhere here. Don't talk nonsense — I don't know any Spirit Eater at all."
Hailuot looked up, and sure enough, a few small bats hung upside down in the corners above the prison cell.
"Lord Marquis Dorothea sent me to look after you. Whatever you want to eat, whatever you want, you can tell me. As long as it's not letting you go, I'll try my best to satisfy you."
Laem studied Hailuot's ring before asking, "What would I have to give in return?"
Hailuot stared at Laem. "You only need to trust me."
Laem stared back at Hailuot, trying to see through his eyes to discern his true intentions and what the Spirit Eater was planning.
After a moment, Laem said, "Fine. If you want me to trust you, then I'll trust you."
"Is there anything you need me to do for you?"
Laem said, "I want to read some books."
"What books? I'll go prepare them."
"《Logic of Death》《Introduction to the Soul》《Fundamentals of Summoning》. Start with these three. And prepare paper and a pen for me — I'm used to taking notes while I read."
Hailuot noted down the names of the three books: "All right, I'll go find them right now."
Hailuot turned and left the prison cell. He closed the door, took back the Token, and retraced his steps to the castle's great hall.
In the empty great hall, Dorothea was still seated on her high throne.
Before Hailuot could speak, Dorothea waved her hand, sending the three books, along with paper and pens, flying into his hands.
"You finished the task faster than I expected. It seems the Spirit Eater's nerve is bolder than I thought, and he really does understand me well.
Did the Spirit Eater tell you about the Azure Society?"
Hailuot replied, "He mentioned a bit — that the Azure Society is a group of rebels."
Dorothea nodded: "The gray elf Laem is one of the original founders of the Azure Society. Since you've earned his trust, keep watching him for me. Whatever he wants, satisfy him as much as you can.
Whatever he asks you to do, you're to tell me all of it.
Do you understand what I mean?"
At this moment, Hailuot had more or less figured out his role.
Dorothea and Laem didn't trust each other, so they needed an Intermediary to bridge their communication. The Spirit Eater, who was on good terms with both sides, was unquestionably the best candidate.
If that was the case... then it was time to squeeze some profit out of this.
Hailuot replied to Dorothea: "I understand, Lord Marquis. How much I tell you depends on how much you can give me."
Dorothea sneered, "Are you threatening me?"
Hailuot said with a smile, "I should be cheaper than the Spirit Eater, at least."
Seeing Hailuot mention the Spirit Eater, Dorothea's expression changed subtly, and her tone softened: "You make a good point..."