The God of Liar

Rousseau, the guild master of the 42nd Shield, was blinking out of boredom.

’It was peaceful yesterday, it’s peaceful today, and it will be peaceful tomorrow. I didn’t join the Ironblood guild for this…’

He was currently in the VIP room of the finest inn, closest to the Lord’s manor.

It was only premium by the starter town’s standards, but premium nonetheless, so it was still expensive. However, Baron Bolton was paying for it all.

The member of the 42nd Shield was here as a ”guest” of the lord.

That’s how he was staying in Ilynea despite being a high-level player.

’Should I leave work early today…?’ Rousseau thought to himself, staring out of the window blankly.

He called it ”work”—he wasn’t playing Midgard for fun anymore. He did it for a living. It wasn’t different from a normal job where he’d struggle to just get a little higher. But he’d long since lost all of his motivation.

’They must be having fun, right?’

He was staring at newbies on the street. They were all smiling, perhaps they were excited to see the first proper city in the game.

’I used to be like that, back when I played it for fun. It was better when I still had a job and spent all of my money on this game.’

In fact, he didn’t join Ironblood for fun. He’d just wanted to climb higher and play alongside exceptional players.

But the reality was harsh. Rousseau was mediocre at best, and there were more than enough mediocre people in the Ironblood guild.

”It’s too late to turn back. I wouldn’t be able to put food on my table if I quit. I already left my job to be a full-time gamer.”

He murmured in frustration.

Shaking his head, Rousseau sent a message.

-Reed. Come up here for a second.

-Yes, guild master!

The door to the room burst open as soon as he sent the message.

”Did you call me?”

”I’m going to write a report. Get the materials.”

”Report… didn’t you already send yesterday’s report?”

”And today’s a new day. I’ll do it in advance and leave early.”

This was Rousseau’s most important task: to check up and report on whether the situation changed in Bolton’s estate.

That meant he did not have much to do; it was a starter town at best. The biggest change he saw here was the daily number of visitors.

”Bolton didn’t do anything out of the ordinary, did he?”

”He didn’t.”

”Okay, give me the daily number of visitors for the past week and the last three months. I’ll try and do a rough estimate for the report.”

”…Okay,” Reed replied reluctantly.

He joined the Ironbloods to climb higher, just like Rousseau, and he wasn’t good at all.

Reed seemed uneasy about writing a false report, but it was clear that he would start to act like Rousseau soon enough.

”Oh, Guild Master.”

Reed turned around.

”What?”

”The chief of Berne has just arrived.”

”That old man Gelimer?”

”No, it was his deputy. Mac Gray, I think…”

Rousseau shrugged like it was nothing.

”He must be sick or something. And it’s about time they came.”

”He has… a companion.”

”A player?”

Rousseau’s eyes twinkled for a moment…

”No.”

…only to dull again in disappointment.

”I dunno then. Maybe someone wants to replace the town chief… you don’t have to worry about it. It’s not a big deal.”

”Understood.”

”If that companion of his has any funny thoughts, the stewards will sort him out. Just prepare what I told you.”

”Okay, I’ll hurry.”

The passionate young man left.

Rousseau looked out of the window again.

All he could think of was the glass of beer he’d drink after work, so he didn’t care about the wagon passing right before his eyes, carrying Seojin inside.

* * *

”I guess those adventurers from the shield will stay holed up.”

”I think so, all the money I used to bribe the guards didn’t go to waste.”

Seojin just nodded at Mac. However, he didn’t fully agree.

’They’re too sloppy, even for subcontractors. It’s definitely got something to do with that thing.’

Seojin’s location still showed up as Berne, according to the system message.

It was probably some kind of systematic permission to proceed with the quest, and that was why the 42nd Shield weren’t showing up.

They didn’t know that Seojin was in Ilynea.

”By the way, sir…”

”Go ahead.” Seojin paused and looked at Mac.

Mac Gray, the middle-aged NPC, who had thrown fists at Seojin at first, was now looking at him with eyes full of worry. ”Are you really okay with this?”

”What?”

”We’re talking about a nobleman here. I know you are capable, but… he might not even meet you.”

Although Mac followed Seojin’s orders to prepare blindly, Mac was anxious. The real chief always returned after seeing the steward’s cold face.

After complaining several times, he couldn’t even bring up that he wanted to meet the Baron.

”I’ll find a way somehow.”

”I know that, but…”

Seojin just smiled.

”This steward, Thompson, was it? What kind of person is he again?”

”He’s loyal to that shithea… I mean the Lord, I mean. And he’s cold, especially when talking about work.”

”I guessed as much. He must be a calculative person. He knows his responsibilities and limitations well.”

”That means…”

”I’ll have to let him know that it’s not up to him to decide, then he’ll find a way for us to get to the Baron himself.”

Mac nodded quietly. Theoretically, he understood. However, he couldn’t bring himself to relax when his hometown was at stake.

He stayed silent for a while before brushed a hand over his face.

”I’m counting on you, sir. I’m talking about my home—”

”Mac.”

Seojin cut off Mac’s begging and decided to be realistic.

”I invested a thousand gold here. I maybe not be as desperate as you, but I’m kind of desperate too. Of course, I’ll do my best and beyond.”

”…Come to think of it.”

For a moment, the corners of Mac’s lips lifted. It was a smile of relief.

It was fortunate that his anxiety was relieved, but Seojin couldn’t hold himself back.

”You’re looking at me like a fish on a hook.”

”No way, you know how I feel, don’t you?”

”Let me see… he can’t just leave 1000 Gold behind and skip town?”

”I think I was politer than that.”

Seojin smiled. The heavy atmosphere had eased a little, thankfully.

”How is she doing now? BunnyRabbit.”

”Oh, I was about to…”

Mac stopped speaking as he looked outside.

Entering Landmark: The Lord’s Castle

”It seems like we’ve arrived.”

”Let’s talk about this later. Hold on for a sec.”

Seojin scanned the area quickly. There were antique statues and a well-kept garden. The pond inside the garden was reflecting the sunlight like it was covered in jewels.

’He certainly has tons of money. He must be splitting the income with Robert yet he’s still flexing like this… I guessed when I saw Ilynea, but it must be bigger than I thought.’

Nobles weren’t all the same. Only the rich ones could decorate their castle like this.

In other words, it looked like Robert was treating him well.

Mac, who was still looking out the window, spoke.

”It’s Steward Thompson. What should I do?”

”Get out and greet him first.”

The carriage stopped completely.

Mac stepped out first. Seojin could hear him and Thompson talking through the door.

”Deputy Chief… Mac Gray, wasn’t it? Thank you for coming all this way.”

The steward’s voice was cold in contrast to his kind words. No, not even cold. It was just desolate. Seojin smiled in relief. It wasn’t exactly ideal, but that kind of character was easier to deal with.

”Inventory.”

Seojin took out the item that would save the day. The attire that resembled a noble.

He slipped out of the wagon wearing the purple outfit, the long cloth dragging across the floor.

”And I’ll speak to my Lord… uh.”

Thompson stopped talking.

Mac looked back awkwardly.

Seojin walked out, not paying any attention to him.

”Are you Steward Thompson?”

”That’s right. Do you mind if I ask who you are?”

”I’m Seojin.”

Seojin spoke in an arrogant tone. He was pretending to be someone in a high position, throwing his name out and refusing to elaborate.

However, Thompson didn’t fall for that.

”You are an adventurer. If you have any business with my Lord, please go through the formalities. Mac Gray, why didn’t you report this in advance?”

”Is that the kind of courtesy you show to a guest who visited this castle?”

”I’m not in a position to decide who may be my Lord’s guest. Escort him outsi-!”

”The news I brought here!”

Seojin stopped the soldiers in their tracks with one loud shout.

His eyes were locked on Thompson.

”…is of utmost importance. I don’t have time to waste on such useless procedures.”

”Nevertheless, procedures are important. Soldiers, I said escort them…”

”Even when the procedure itself is skewed? Are you sure you’re loyal to your Lord? It looks like the 42nd Shield is holding your leash to me.”

”…That’s an insult to my professionalism.”

”And you’re insulting me with this treatment. Do you trust these soldiers? Then I’ll gladly speak of my agenda here.”

Thompson’s eyes wavered for a moment. Seojin didn’t miss the quick glance at his attire.

After a brief moment of thought, he beckoned.

”Everyone out. Sir Craig, can you stay here?”

The soldiers backed off and a well-built knight walked closer to them.

Thompson regained his cold composure.

”Go ahead.”

”It’s about Berne. There is a way to revive Berne, just like the other two villages, Ilynea and Altagon.”

”That’s…”

”I also know that the Lord is reluctant to and who made him so.”

”…That means you also brought a solution.”

Seojin just nodded instead of answering.

”…I’ll escort you to the reception room. Mac, I want you to wait here.”

”O-okay!”

Mac Gray stood up straight as he answered. Thompson nodded and looked over at Seojin.

”Please follow me.”

* * *

”I’ll be in the study,” Baron Bolton, the Lord of three towns, spoke to his faithful steward.

The visitor mentioned the 42nd Shield the revival of Berne and had even asked to talk in private. Perhaps the adventurer was just trying to scratch Bolton’s itch.

He wanted to talk comfortably in the study, not in the official hall.

”I see.”

”You told me the deputy chief came along. Treat him well. He must be speaking with that adventurer. Oh, and,” the Baron stopped Thompson, who was about to turn around. ”Close the gates, too. Don’t let anyone in until I give further notice.”

The steward left the office, and the Baron waited in his chair.

A little later, he woke up with a big smile on his face, seeing the adventurer enter through the open door.

”Greetings. I am Manuel Bolton, the Lord of this land.”