Chapter 114: Optional Quest Three
"Back to the original matter," Illyrio certainly wouldn't discuss 'Aegon' with Ian now. "You're seeking something productive to occupy your time, correct?"
"Yes, is there anything I can do to assist you?" Ian nodded.
"It still concerns Tarobyne. He mentioned a slave ship, but he doesn't own one himself. This means there are other traitors within my guild."
"You want me to help you find the traitor?"
"Indeed, but hunting for traitors is work that can easily make enemies. Several of my most trusted men aren't well-suited for such a task.
You're different—after all, you have no business interests in Pentos and won't be remaining here long-term. You have no need to curry favor with any merchants.
Of course, this is merely my suggestion. The choice is yours."
"You honor me, Magister Illyrio. Your concerns are my concerns," Ian said, placing his hand over his heart. "However, I'm not particularly familiar with either Pentos or your guild. I'm somewhat uncertain where to begin."
"Ha, my steward will brief you on certain matters presently. You may ask him any questions," Illyrio was clearly satisfied with Ian's response.
"Furthermore, considering your limited resources, I'll introduce you to two individuals shortly. One is a sellsword captain who has served me for many years, and the other is the master of my network of informants.
As for this assignment itself, perhaps you can consider it your first lesson in statecraft."
Gods above! Ian was genuinely astounded. Illyrio wasn't just treating him as a confidant—he was practically grooming him as an heir!
But considering it logically, it made sense. A young man like 'Ian Rivers,' with an unblemished background, no living relatives, exceptional talent, and such keen instincts—what powerful lord wouldn't want to take him under his wing?
This was an enormous advantage! With Illyrio's manpower and intelligence resources, Pentos would practically become his personal domain.
As long as he managed to slip in some private inquiries while investigating the informant, would the remaining players hiding in Pentos stand any chance?
"I will not disappoint you," Ian replied immediately. Wait—why didn't the optional quest appear?
Ah, right—it's because there's no stated 'reward.' The optional quest only triggers when an NPC formally requests the player's help and explicitly mentions a 'reward.'
"Your Grace, I have another request... We essentially fled to Pentos with nothing, so I'm currently rather short on funds," Ian said after a moment's consideration.
"That's true—many things are indeed difficult to accomplish without coin," Illyrio acknowledged. "How about this: you may request 200 gold dragons directly from the steward for operational expenses.
If any special circumstances arise during your investigation, you may apply for additional funds through the steward. As long as the justification is sound, there's no ceiling."
"Then," Ian cheered internally while maintaining a grateful expression, "after I find the traitor, may I keep the remaining operational funds?"
"Hahahaha," Illyrio burst into hearty laughter—truly a young man! "Of course! Including any extra portions you requisition, it's all yours once you've found the traitor."
Ding! The optional quest notification appeared the next moment.
[Triggering Quest: The Traitor Within the Illyrio Merchant Guild]
Quest Description: Illyrio suspects there is a traitor within his guild involved in the slave trade and hopes you can help him apprehend this person.
Quest Reward: Remaining funds from your participation in this quest.
Additional Reward: Unknown.
[Accept (Costs 1 point)] [Decline]
Ian instinctively moved to click Accept, but in that instant, a thought flashed through his mind—what if there isn't a traitor?
The traitor and the slave ship had only been mentioned by Tarobyne from start to finish, and Tarobyne's purpose had been to manipulate him into killing the 'Spearbreaker' to frame Illyrio for involvement in the slave trade.
Whether the slave ship actually existed seemed to have no bearing on Tarobyne's scheme!
With this realization, Ian moved his mental cursor away from the "Accept" option.
He'd already been deceived once before. If the optional quest he'd accepted had been "Discover the Truth About the Blackfyre Treasure" or "Eliminate the Ghosts of Whitewalls" instead of simply "Find the Blackfyre Treasure," he wouldn't have lost a quest reward for nothing.
"Magister Illyrio, I've just considered another possibility... Is it possible this traitor doesn't exist at all?" Ian directly voiced his speculation.
"The traitor doesn't exist? That seems... plausible, but we cannot simply assume the traitor doesn't exist, can we?"
"Of course not. What I mean is, if the traitor doesn't exist, how would I earn my reward?"
"Like this: if your investigation concludes that the traitor doesn't exist, as long as no slave ships from my guild appear at Pentos harbor before the Braavosi faction completes its total prohibition of the slave trade by month's end, you'll be considered to have completed the task."
The quest interface in the system immediately updated.
[Triggering Quest: The Traitor Within the Illyrio Merchant Guild]
Quest Description: Illyrio suspects a traitor within his guild is involved in the slave trade and hopes you can help him apprehend this person, or ensure that no slave ships from his guild appear at Pentos harbor by the end of the month.
Quest Reward: Remaining funds from your participation in this quest.
Additional Reward: Unknown.
[Accept (Costs 1 point)] [Decline]
This time, Ian clicked [Accept] without hesitation.
"Then I have no further questions," Ian smiled.
"Wait in the entrance hall. My steward will join you shortly." Illyrio nodded, finally concluding the breakfast that should have ended much earlier.
After arriving at the entrance hall, Ian sat down and accessed the system interface again.
He'd originally intended to review the accepted quest once more, but unexpectedly, he immediately saw this message:
[Completed Optional Quest 3 'The Traitor Within the Illyrio Merchant Guild']
Quest Difficulty Rating: Medium
Quest Reward: After Illyrio's inspection of the results, you will receive all remaining operational funds.
Additional Reward: 3 points, 3 attribute points]
Updated character sheet:
[Ian: Strength 32, Agility 27, Mental 7
Skills: Etiquette Basic, Common Tongue Literacy Basic, Swordsmanship Advanced, Riding Advanced, Lance Intermediate, Skinchanger Basic
Attribute Points: 3
Skill Points: 6
Points: 33
Items: Basic Skill Selection Scroll]
"Thank the gods I was careful!" Ian let out a relieved breath.
He hadn't expected the slave ship to truly be nonexistent! That was why the system had judged the quest complete the moment he'd accepted it.
Ian didn't dare imagine how many wrong turns he would have taken if he hadn't had that flash of insight that prompted Illyrio to modify the quest completion criteria.
(End of Chapter)
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