Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 164: Chapter 162: A Huge Wave of Rewards Has Arrived

When Jon heard Reya say her father had arrived in Birch Town, he felt a sense of relief.

It seemed the task he had entrusted to Pascal had been completed successfully.

With Yed Xavier still alive, the future had already been changed.

Reya would still have to shoulder some of the responsibility for the commerce association, but she wouldn’t be alone.

As for the slight shyness she displayed, that was only normal.

’But, does this count as meeting the parents, in a way?’

Jon shifted his gaze to Rosalind, who was kneeling at his side, then back to Reya’s soft expression. An inexplicable sense of guilt pricked at him.

’I wonder what Viscount Yed would think if he saw this scene.’

’Oh well, I’ll have to face it eventually.’

After an inward sigh, he spoke with Reya a bit more, mainly asking about the events following the battle with the Eternal Frost Sect and the current situation.

”So, various parts of Heta County have fallen into chaos, and only Birch Town remains stable? And many fleeing nobles and refugees are gathering here...”

”It seems this is far from over.”

”Yes, but Viscount Paris is the one handling most of it. He’s very good at this sort of thing...”

As Reya spoke, she seemed to want to keep Jon from worrying, so she changed the subject.

”Oh, speaking of Viscount Paris, he mentioned to me and Rosalind that he’ll have a generous gift delivered once you’ve recovered, to thank you, Mr. Jon, for saving Birch Town.”

”A generous gift?”

Jon had been wondering when the old emperor, Hein Benest, would finally kick the bucket and which way the political winds would blow once he was dead. But his groggy mind slowed his thoughts to a crawl, and Reya’s words inevitably diverted his attention.

”Yes, Master. That ’Grent Manor’ we originally planned to visit—Viscount Paris has gifted it to you. He also had all the furniture and workshop supplies inside replaced with new ones.”

”Furthermore, after hearing that you wanted to establish a workshop, he also sponsored a shipment of materials and funds, which will be arriving over the next few days.”

Rosalind chimed in at the perfect moment, succinctly explaining the matter that had been at the top of their to-do list.

”Also, regarding recruitment... we might not need to go to Heta City to find people...”

”Because of the refugees gathering in Birch Town, right? There must be plenty of young people among them...”

”Mhm.”

”That’s not a bad idea. We can at least get the basic framework set up...”

Jon was about to say more, but Pastor Alison, who was standing nearby, cut him off.

”Ladies, even if you’re discussing important business, you must consider the patient’s condition. Can’t you see that Mr. Jon’s responses are delayed?”

”Now, please let him get some proper rest.”

Her tone was gentle, but she exuded an indescribable authority unique to medical staff.

Reya immediately apologized profusely. Rosalind’s expression didn’t change, but she also bowed respectfully in apology.

Jon spoke up as well, giving them an easy way out of the awkward situation.

”Rosalind, go get the Yellow Gemstone I was wearing... It will help me recover faster.”

”Reya, you should go rest, too. You look like you haven’t slept well at all these past few days. That won’t do.”

The two women were, of course, completely obedient. After lingering for another moment, they reluctantly and dutifully departed.

After performing another ”Hymn of Life” ritual, Ingram and Alison also departed.

And so, the recovery room returned to its quiet state.

Jon could finally quiet his mind and begin to take stock of his gains from the great battle.

First, there was a huge influx of experience.

He had already gained a considerable amount of Experience Points from wiping out the resentful spirits in Meis Town. Although he spent 42,000 points to upgrade the Divine Technique [Seal of Light’s Protection], he still had over 70,000 points remaining.

After returning to Birch Town and killing a group of High Tier Eternal Frost Cultists, he gained another 40,000-plus combat Experience Points, bringing his total back into the six digits.

Next were the quest rewards.

First was the rescue mission, [The Eternal Frost Conspiracy]. The quest was marked as complete the moment Paris returned safely to Birch Town.

——

[The Eternal Frost Conspiracy (Rare · Ordinary Quest), Completed]

[You captured the Eternal Frost Cultist hiding in the Lord’s Mansion, precipitating a joint rescue operation between multiple factions. During the rescue, you fearlessly led the charge into blizzard-swept Meis Town. You disrupted the Eternal Frost Sect’s ritual, saving Viscount Paris and his vassals. With your masterful Divine Techniques, you saved the viscount’s daughter, Emily, who had been possessed by a resentful spirit.]

[Completion Grade: S, reward multiplier 6.0]

[Completion Reward: 18,000 Universal Experience Points (3,000 base x 6.0), 1,800 Birch Fief reputation (300 base x 6.0), Random ”Sun” Domain Skill (Minimum Rarity: Rare) x1 (Awaiting Selection)]

[Your reputation has changed. Your reputation with the Eternal Frost Sect has dropped to Hated (0 / -50,000).]

[Physical rewards have been delivered to your follower, Rosalind Neivandt Oswald. Please speak with her to confirm the list of rewards.]

——

With an S-grade completion, it went without saying that the rewards were extremely generous.

Besides the base rewards, the additional physical rewards like the manor, materials, and funds were also invaluable. Although Jon hadn’t asked Rosalind for the details, he was certain that if everything were converted into Gold Coins, the total would be a staggering sum.

This made him sigh with emotion.

’I finally have my own house and assets...’

Even for players, having a personal stronghold in a game is an irresistible goal, to say nothing of someone like Jon who was actually living in this world.

It wasn’t that living at the Golden Maple Leaf Trading House was bad, but it was Reya’s domain, after all. He couldn’t just enjoy her hospitality with a clear conscience.

If he stayed at the trading house indefinitely, wouldn’t that make him a man who freeloads off a woman?

How could he, Jon, a man of pride, be content to live under someone else’s roof for long?

So, it was time for him to become independent.

Besides the [The Eternal Frost Conspiracy] quest, there were also the rewards for completing the first phase of [Comprehensive Counterattack] and for the triggered quest, [The Battle of Defense].

——

[Comprehensive Counterattack I (Rare · Regional Quest), Completed]

[Your investigation uncovered the conspiracy between the Blood Eye Association and the Eternal Frost Sect, forcing them to make their move prematurely and expose themselves. In full public view, your follower Rosalind used her rhetorical skills to make an Eternal Frost Sect Priest reveal the Blood Eye Association’s entire scheme. She also killed Damien, the leader of the Blood Eye Association in Birch Town.]

[Contribution: 92%, reward multiplier 6.0]

[Completion Reward: 18,000 Universal Experience Points (3,000 base x 6.0), 3,600 Heta County Noble Union Chamber of Commerce reputation (600 base x 6.0), 1,800 Birch Fief reputation (300 base x 6.0)]

[Physical rewards have been delivered to your follower, Rosalind Neivandt Oswald. Please speak with her to confirm the list of rewards.]

——