novelnext Chapter 844: Nevermore: Miscalculation
Chapter 844: Nevermore: Miscalculation
Chapter 844: Nevermore: Miscalculation
Jake wondered what all the nobles he had been working with were thinking when they saw Jake walk down the stairs. He had just failed all of their Side Jobs, though they clearly didnt know this. These jobs had all been about exposing other factions than themselves and had been mutually exclusive, as each required him to betray everyone else of course, Jake didnt view anything he had done as a betrayal as he never held any loyalty in the first place.
The Duke of Flames had wanted Jake to expose another dukedom for working with PETE and even another country, as PETE was based there. This other dukedom, whom the daughter of the Duke of Flames worked with, wanted Jake to expose the Duke of Flames illegal activities and the damage caused by his incessant desire to consume more elementals. At the same time, they would also expose PETE to make themselves look like they would never have worked with such an organization in the first place.
Lastly, PETE wanted Jake to also expose the Duke of Flames, but also this other dukedom for working with the Duke of Flames daughter, as they had heard she would join this dukedom and thus continue the Lineage of the Duke of Flames. They didnt want to see that happen but wanted them utterly eliminated.
The person they all wanted Jake to do his exposing to was the king of the Human Kingdom. He had the backing of the third dukedom fully, the Lord Protector, and the entire royal army behind him, making him the most influential and powerful person in the kingdom which shouldnt come as a surprise considering he was the king.
From what Jake had gathered, he guessed the king already had a good idea about some of the stuff going on and kind of just wanted everything to be swept under the rug to avoid any open internal conflicts in the Human Kingdom. Any dukedom falling would be bad for the Human Kingdom as their overall power would fall, and with enemy countries on all sides, civil war wasnt recommended.
However, even if the king wanted things to be resolved behind closed doors, the second things were brought forth to the public, he would have to act openly and decisively or risk losing influence and looking like he could be walked all over. This is what all the factions who wanted Jake to expose shit banked on anyway.
Based on the words of the Founder he sent to Jake as they walked down the stairs, he was willing to give the king a chance to right the wrongs in his own kingdom, primarily on account of the Lord Protector. The royal family had never abused the Guild, and what jobs they had commissioned had all been above board. Perhaps because the royal family still held respect for what the Guild stood for or because the Lord Protector had been one of the people fighting alongside the Founder back in the war against the dragon tribe and knew that risking making the Founder an enemy was a horrible idea.
As he and the Founder walked down to the main floor, they naturally attracted some attention. Jake had many friendly gazes land on him from the many factions as they each prepared for him to carry out their wish. Probably because he was the only one who publicly worked with Jake, the Duke of Flames stepped forward without any surprise from the other factions.
Ah, its great of you to finally join us, the Duke of Flames said, entirely ignoring the Founder beside Jake, who was presenting as an early-tier B-grade.
Of course. I am here hired to carry out a job, after all, Jake responded a bit curtly but still keeping it professional.
Indeed you are, the Duke smiled as he turned to address the king and queen sitting on their throne, along with everyone else present. Allow me to introduce someone. This is a Courier I have been working with recently, and that I am certain many of you have also come to know of in recent times. A true rising star of the Guild and a man with an impeccable record.
Jake remained quiet, not saying no to flattery when offered.
I originally hired him with the intent of sniffing out those who have been targetting me recently. You have all heard of them the terrorist organization that has been wreaking havoc in my dukedom and threatened the stability of this very kingdom with their actions, the Duke of Flames continued with a very holier-than-thou tone. This hiring was made with little hope but I had underestimated the expertise and abilities of this Courier, and in less than a year, he managed to uncover those behind the plot targeting our blessed country.
Muttering filled the room as all attention was now on Jake. Many scanned him using different means, with the Founder continually getting ignored despite standing right next to him. Jake especially felt the gazes of a few people present, one of whom walked forward to speak with a magnanimous smile.
The Duke of Flames speaks the truth. Those who have taken actions to hurt this kingdom and its reputation must be punished, no matter who they are! said the man. He was the Duke who opposed the Duke of Flames and another person who believed Jake was actually there as his ally.
He also got a telepathic message from the leader of PETE. Now is the time to strike topple both of these monsters from their high peaks and be the arbiter of justice. Be the harbinger of a new age where elementals can live free from the Dukedom of Flames and all those who dared allow their vile existence.
Jake would lie if he said he felt comfortable as he considered his next words carefully. He briefly threw a glance at the Founder, who nodded before Jake turned to the king and bowed slightly. Your majesty, I have indeed made some discoveries during my work as a Courier I believe are pertinent to share with the court.
Before you proceed, I need to clarify something who are you here working for? Where do your loyalties lie? the king asked, and from the queen sitting at his side, Jake detected a truth-telling skill. Those skills were really pretty damn common in this world, huh?
The kings question also communicated he indeed did know some internal conflict was going on. Luckily, Jake had an easy answer to his question.
I am here as a Courier representing the Guild. As for loyalties I have none but the loyalty I hold toward myself and my dignity. As a Courier, loyalty as a concept isnt something I see the need to consider. I am merely here to carry out a Special Courier Job, nothing less, nothing more, Jake responded. Usually, giving long answers with details and absolutes when faced with a lie-detector skill wasnt recommended unless you were capable of fully telling the truth when doing so. In these cases, it only served to strengthen your voice.
After a second or two, the queen nodded to the king who looked genuinely surprised at the affirmation Jake was being truthful.
So you are not here at the behest of any of the nobles of the Human Kingdom? the Lord Protector, who was sitting a bit off to the side, asked as he directed a sharp gaze at Jake. Yep, he definitely also knows something. Fuck I am happy I didnt try this shit all by myself without any backing
I was given side jobs by three people present to attend and carry out their will, Jake answered truthfully. However, I was also given a Special Courier Job by the Guild, which is the one I am here to carry out.Follow the latest novels on
And youre saying youre not? the king continued questioning.
Most definitely not, the Duke of Blades said in an offended tone. Neither would we work with some horrific terrorist organization who targets the innocents. I believe this may all be a plot by the Duke of Flames to undermine my dukedom using his daughter... or, looking at the Duke, perhaps even his own daughter tricked him?
I what are you talking about!? the Duke of Flames daughter had an outburst. You promised that-
Silence! the king yelled as he slammed his fist into his chair, sending a shockwave of energy out. The room became even more tense than before, and while Jake remained silent, he was honestly pretty confused about something...
Why are they not just using any lie-detector skills on this Duke of Blades?
It made no sense they werent unless
Duke of Flames do you have any defense against these accusations? the king asked, looking at the Duke.
Are you seriously claiming I would have hired a terrorist organization to target my own family and dukedom? That I would willingly commit all sorts of criminal activity simply to acquire some more elementals? Perhaps I have been too zealous in my pursuits, and my subordinates may have taken things too far, and I may even have been blind to the rebellious actions of my daughter, but I am fully willing to submit everything for review, the Duke of Flames also defended himself. I want us to remember I am the injured party here
Jake saw the Lord Protector frown deeply, as the king looked like he was deep in thought. Hm this certainly is a matter that must be investigated further
Perhaps, Your Majesty, this is all a plot by this terrorist organization to cause internal strife within the kingdom? the Duke of Blades chimed in as he looked at the Duke of Flames. While I and the Duke of Flames most definitely have our differences, I am certain they are nothing we cannot solve behind closed doors with the royal family as mediators.
Without any hesitation, the Duke of Flames nodded. No one has any interest in seeing us split more than an enemy country, and I, too, am certain we can reach a satisfactory conclusion through negotiation and following proper legal procedures to find out who is truly behind this plot.
What the fuck is going on? Jake questioned as the entire mood in the hall shifted once more. However, Jake soon realized why things were going so wrong the king was resolute in sweeping things under the rug, and the two Dukes had given him a golden opportunity to. They just had to play theater, and some faux investigation could discover some fall guys to be arrested and executed while maintaining order.
The two Dukes also knew this as Jake received a message from each.
What a pathetic attempt I had high hopes for you, but it seems you are dumber than I thought, the Duke of Flames said. Did you truly think your word was enough? That a mere C-grade could lead to my downfall? You overestimate yourself. Ah, but I must thank you for exposing that I had a snake of a daughter and for getting rid of this annoying pest of an organization that has been bothering me. You have proven most useful despite your idiocy. I would recommend for you to stay and enjoy the rest of the party for this will be your last.
You have proven yourself most unwise. It is sad to see someone I was told was so promising invite his own death through sheer arrogance,the Duke of Blades also sent.
Jake had no idea what to say but he realized his plan had been fucked from the beginning. Even if he had truth and facts on his side, it wouldnt matter in the grand scheme of things, and his strategy of targeting everyone would end with nothing but the death of a C-grade Courier as some fake investigations were carried out, with no one remembering anything about the Courier in a few years.
The king turned to Jake and nodded after the two Dukes had spoken. Thank you for bringing all of this to light, and we will be sure to carry out thorough investigations to uncover the whole truth.
And that was that the king had swept things under the rug. From the looks of it, this didnt sit well with the Lord Protector, but he didnt speak up. They had all made a decision, and Jake could do nothing about it. His protests would be viewed as nothing but contempt toward the kings decision and land him in even more trouble. Jake had entirely miscalculated how all of this would go, perhaps only highlighting his political ignorance...
Now, let us not see the day ruined, but continue to enjoy oursel-
Is this truly your decision? the man who had been standing next to Jake this entire time asked.
The king frowned at getting interrupted as the Duke of Flames stepped forward. Who are you to question His Majestys decision!?
His aura rolled out of him as the temperature in the room increased, and the Duke attempted to pressure the man he believed was an early-tier B-grade only to find his aura rebuffed as he coughed up blood from the backlash and stumbled back as the Founders aura exploded.
Jake, not missing a beat, smiled. Allow me to introduce my client for this job the Guild Founder.