Общий файл / Does Force Bind to Responsibility?: Глава 6

Chapter 6

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 15:49

***Talok***

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 15:49

Talik was sitting at his desk, looking at the map Illadrya had unfolded. The elfess herself was standing over his shoulder, leaning slightly over his ear. Talik felt some discomfort at having a beautiful woman standing beside him as he sat by himself, but he had to fight himself. His 'vassals' found this state of affairs quite natural and even honorable. Illadria at first tried to kneel down in front of the table.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 15:51

He could not see the almost palpable sparks between Illadria and Draga, standing on the other shoulder. She glared murderously at Illadria's profile as she touched the Prophet's shoulder, as if casually. The elfess herself ignored the creature of darkness with the magnificent condescension that only women can.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 15:52

"You say there are only humans in the caravan. And they're armed only with cold steel?" Talik stretched out with puzzled doubt.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 15:57

"That's right, Prophet. Swords, sabers, and crossbows are all the weapons observed. Also, I should note that the equipment on these men matches their weapons. Mail armor and brigandines, only five magic items were spotted, all on one person. No use of magic was seen. More than half of the caravan rides in tent wagons in the middle, and do not leave the cover."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:01

"Yeah, well, if there were real weapons here, no one would have used any of this a long time ago," Talik said thoughtfully. "The Middle Ages, then. We're lucky, I guess."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:03

"Please forgive your servant, I did not fully understand..."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:13

"Never mind. You can't know these words. What can you say about their levels?"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:18

"The level of people in the caravan ranges from first to tenth. The highest, apparently, is the leader - the twenty-seventh. He is also the owner of all detected magical items. Also, this person begins to show anxiety when a scout gets too close."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:35

"You mean the lowest rank?"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:36

"Yes, level 30. Stalkers 70 and above stay back, just like you told me to."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:37

"Hmm..." Talik leaned back in his chair and thought.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:37

The levels were not impressive, to put it mildly. If there's any consistency with Yggdrassil's level system here, these guys are very, very weak. What are they even doing outside the walls of big cities? We had to make sure somehow, but the easiest way was to get confrontational. It's not very decent, attacking people just to find out how strong they are. Besides, if the local twenty-seven isn't identical to the usual level system, there could be some trouble.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:41

He looked at the map again.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 16:45

"All right, let's leave it as it is. What about the villages?" Talik pointed to the line of symbols on the map.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:12

"The settlements are in a chain along the edge of the forest that surrounds our mountains. They are extremely poorly fortified the usual wooden paling. The population is between a hundred and two. The level of inhabitants is no more than a sixth, very likely living off hunting, gathering, and primitive farming. Tools, clothing, and buildings... In general, it does not appear that these people are capable of producing swords and chainmail, Prophet."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:13

"Curiouser and curiouser, yeah? Level 6, they're all so fucking risky. In the woods, you said there were beasts and monsters up to 20?"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:17

"That's right, Prophet. There is reason to believe that this is not the limit. You did not specify to seek such a thing."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:19

"Somehow this caravan with level 27 at its head and with weapons that the locals can't produce doesn't really fit in. Merchants? By the way, what's that notation?" Talik tapped the cross next to one of the villages on the map.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:21

"This... All the inhabitants of this village have been killed, Prophet. It looks ruined, comparatively recently. This village is the reason I assumed the possible urgency with which you would want to know this news."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:23

"Well, I'm sad to hear that a bunch of people was killed somewhere, but should that mean we have to rush out and save everyone? We don't know anything about the reasons for what happened, although your initiative pleases me. By the way, the movement of this caravan, is it directed toward this village, or away from it?"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:36

"The caravan moves away from it."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:36

"Oh."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:36

Talik pondered. The hypothesis that it was a trade caravan, already not very plausible, was off the table. Reasonable businessmen would have left the dangerous area by now, no matter what era it was. That left two assumptions - either they were some kind of rescuers, or they were the bad guys. Both easily explained the passengers not leaving the wagons.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 17:43

"How far is the caravan from the nearest village?"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:14

"Apparently, they' re going to leave it. They spent the night there."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:15

"All right, let's leave it at that for now, the point is... How many of your people are in the area? Elves, sorry. How long will it take to gather them near that village where these guys go in?"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:18

"Seven, within ten minutes can group at that point."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:20

"Gather them there, and let them ... Just watch for now. If they... Start killing people, then have them intervene, make it look like a raid or something. Keep them from risking their lives, but take the attention to themselves if possible. No unnecessary deaths."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:24

"I understand, Prophet. It will be done."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:39

Talik thought again. On the one hand, he didn't want to interfere in other people's affairs. For now, he didn't know who had what kind of relationships in this world, and why they were the way they were. On the other hand, he could not sit here, in this office forever. And in some things, it is better to see everything and make conclusions in person, rather than rely on testimonies from creatures he had never even seen. Well, or saw, maybe, but never talked to. With NPCs in the game, there was usually no heart-to-heart talk.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:43

Illadria, judging by her closed eyes and distant appearance, was communicating with her subordinates through [message]. Talik waited for her to finish.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:44

"Illadria, how long does it take to get to the destroyed settlement?"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:44

"About half an hour on the griffons,."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 18:52

"The griffons..."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:05

Talik chewed his lips. The Gryphons were a common flying transport, one of the services provided by the guild system. It was quite handy in the game because you could fly to the right point in the location. Stationary portals were much faster, but they had a fixed exit point that still had to be opened. He would definitely have to take a ride later.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:08

"No, the griffons won't suit, it's too noticeable."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:09

"Then only Lord Kazuchi-sama's flying carpets, or riding mounts, remain. In that case, the trip would take at least three hours. Would it be permissible to set up a two-way portal there?"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:13

"I don't like portals, to be honest. No, no, that applies to all portals, not just yours." He hastened to reassure the pale elf. "I guess we don't have much choice... Well. Set up a portal from the General Chambers to the outer cemetery, and from there to this destroyed village. Prepare some of the toughest watchers you've got, they'll go too."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:15

"Understood Prophet. I'll get right on it."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:16

Illadria bowed deeply and swiftly strode out of the office. Talik tried not to stare at her back and down, but it wasn't going well. Finally, she stepped out and Talik was able to shift his gaze to Draga. Sure, Drega was not inferior to the elfess in terms of figure, but Talik had slept with her before and had to admit that that time had put all interest away. And when did he start to be so picking?

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:17

Drega stood at a standstill, gloomy as a cloud.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:19

What is it, I wonder?

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:20

"Draga, I'm going to go to that village in person. And... I'm going to need someone to protect me in case there's an ambush. Is that all right with you?"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:20

The Creature of Darkness knelt.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:22

"Prophet, I will take all the hits of the world to protect you! I will justify your trust, I swear!"

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:22

"Um..." Talik felt embarrassed again. "Let's go then."

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:23

The oval of transition was already curling in General Chambers. Talik made an inviting gesture, and Draga stepped into the portal, and he followed.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:24

The cemetery was virtually the same as the one in the game - a grim, solemn necropolis. Except that the weather was far more detailed and bleak than he was used to. Dusty snowdrifts and leaden clouds, coming so low you could seem to reach out with your hand, had certainly not been here before.

Camrad_RIP 11.06.21 в 19:25