The profits accumulated in ten weeks from the two investments were 610 gold coins. Jack felt rich again. A feeling that seemed to have left him when he last left this city with just a few coins in his bag.
Ellie even apologized, saying that the first few weeks had fewer profits because she had been spending the coins to hire more workers as well as buying accessory goods to dress up the restaurant to make it more palatable. Jack replied by saying that he was more than satisfied with the coins he received.
Amy's Bakery had closed already at this time, so he knocked on the door. It was Amy who opened the door. The girl hugged him once she saw him. Jack was rather surprised by the hug. He only patted her head with a laugh.
Jack went inside and chatted with her for a long time. Samantha had to force her to end the talk to have her go to bed. Jack told the two that it was time to upgrade their shop. He would do that tomorrow morning since he wanted to spend the night here.
The next morning, after spending 500 gold coins, a translucent fabric covered Amy's Bakery. Amy was grinning seeing it. Jack was happy too, he had fulfilled his promise to the girl.
He bid the mother and daughter goodbye. Amy told him to come often, Jack said he would when he was free.
Jack spent the morning going around the city buying up ores before entering the noble district. He went directly to Commander Quintus' residence.
When he knocked, it was Lindsey who opened. "Mister Storm!" She exclaimed. Hearing her passionate exclamation, Jack thought for a second there that she was going to hug him as well, which was not unwelcomed. Sadly, she only said, "My father had been looking for you for quite some time."
"Yes, I heard. That's why I come here today," Jack said.
"He is in the palace, discussing the matter in which he needs you for. Come, I will bring you there," Lindsey said.
The two of them rode towards the castle.
Aside from being the commander's daughter, Lindsey was also a good friend to Prince Alonzo and had been frequenting the palace often, so the guards didn't make things difficult even when they entered through the main gate. They still threw Jack some suspicious glares though.
There was a courtier who welcomed Lindsey and Jack, he ushered them inside the palace.
Jack saw they continued to walk through the main hallway. "We are not going to the third prince's quarter?" Jack asked.
"The princes were discussing in the throne room," the courtier answered.
"All three princes?" Jack asked again.
"Yes," the courtier confirmed.
'Then why are we brought into a meeting between the three princes?' Jack wanted to ask, but he doubted this courtier had the answer.
They came upon a very large door that was guarded by two high-level knights. They stopped in front of this door while the courtier announced their visit. The knight opened the large door slightly before whispering to someone behind the door. Afterward, they waited.
The door opened some time after, another knight from the inside gestured for Jack to enter. "Only the outworlder," he said.
Lindsey waved to Jack, "See you later."
Jack waved back and entered the throne room.
The throne room was larger and more extravagant than he imagined. The ceiling was probably four-story in height. Stone pillars around two meters in diameter lined up the side. Behind them were walls with wide and very tall stained-glass windows, their heights almost reached the ceiling.
At the end of the room was an elevated platform with an oversized throne made of wood and stone and was adorned with some gold and jewel decorations. It must be very uncomfortable sitting on that oversized chair, Jack thought.
Before the elevated platform, luxurious chairs lined up the two sides. The people that were already in this room, however, were not sitting on these seemingly comfortable chairs. They were standing and speaking in the middle of the hall. The discussion appeared rather heated.
Jack saw the three princes, royal advisor Mason, Garland Thunderhand behind Prince Therribus, Red Death and a native with a cloak stood behind Prince Rhemos, while behind Prince Alonzo were Commander Quintus and Duchess Isabelle.
'The duchess was cured already?' Jack thought as he walked over.
Although Jack had known Red Death to associate with Prince Rhemos, he was still surprised by her presence. When her eyes met Jack's, Jack waved at her with a smile. She turned away.
'Still so cold?' Jack thought. But she did save him yesterday, he would go over and thanked her once this meeting was over, and probably ask her again if she mind adding him to her Friend list.
"Another outworlder?" Prince Therribus' voice boomed with displeasure. "Since when did we keep allowing vermins to pollute this royal chamber?"
Jack acted as if he didn't hear and came to Prince Alonzo's side. He bowed and said, "My prince."
He also greeted Royal Advisor Mason and Duchess Elizabeth with a bow. To Prince Therribus and Prince Rhemos, he simply said to them, "Hi and hi."
Therribus was clearly vexed by Jack's casual greeting. What did he think this was? A meeting between equals?
Therribus might be angry but he didn't let it show. The man behind him, on the other hand, couldn't stand his liege being treated that way. "How dare you lowly outworlder shows such disrespect! I can fry? you where you stand!" Garland thundered. Yellow lightning sparks appeared around him in an intimidating display.
"No, you can't," a sweet voice came from behind Jack as he sensed an invisible force enveloping him. Jack turned back and saw it was the Duchess who spoke. Jack used Inspect on her.
*
Isabelle (Mythical Human, Duchess), level 70
HP: 1,500,000
*
Jack almost jumped after reading the data. This Duchess was at the same power level as the gold dragon, Syndrillis, in her weakened condition. No wonder the Duke said she was more powerful than him if cured. He was not kidding about it.
Knowing such a powerful being was backing him, Jack looked back at Garland with a grin. "Yeah, you can't," he said.
"Whelp!" Garland uttered furiously. His lightning sparks danced uncontrollably around the room.
"Garland, control yourself!" Therribus ordered.
The lightning receded after the reprimand. Garland bowed and said, "My apology, your highness."
Jack also didn't agitate the big guy any further. The man was still too powerful for him, after all. He turned to Prince Alonzo, "I heard you need me for something?"
"Yes, we need you to represent our country," the prince said.
"Represent for what?" Jack asked.
"A world tournament between outworlders."
"World tournament?"
Prince Alonzo nodded, "there is a tradition among the seven countries to hold a world tournament every three years, where we sent our finest champions to compete for glory. That tournament was still half a year ahead. However, since the appearance of outworlders, the council in charge of this tournament had arranged for a preceding tournament that was exclusive for outworlders. Most of the countries had agreed and will send their outworlder champions to join."
"That's right. Since the king had been unavailable, I've taken the liberty to accept the invitation," Royal Advisor Mason said. "Winning this tournament will bring glory and prestige to our kingdom."
"So you want me to participate in this tournament?" Jack said.
"One of the participants. Yes," Prince Alonzo said.
"How many outworlders are required to join?"
"Total ten. Five for team battle. Another five for individual battles."
"I see… Are you discussing who to send for the rests?" Jack asked.
"No, we are discussing how many slots for the three of us," Prince Alonzo said.
"What is there to discuss?! I am the eldest. I should have the most slots. Five of the outworlders should come from my camp! You two can discuss the remaining slots," Therribus announced.
"Big brother, please be reasonable. Everyone knows you hate outworlders. You don't even know any of them, how will you be able to send proper candidates?" Rhemos countered. "I have the most connections amongst the outworlders. I know who are the best combatants and thus, I should be provided the most slots."
"Brother, I beg to differ," Prince Alonzo uttered. "Although I admit you might have better connections, the outworlder guild I associated with is the number one in this country. They have clashed multiple times with the guilds from your side and came out on top. The top combatants are surely in this guild. I demand more or at least an equal amount of slots."
The three continued to bicker. Jack roughly had the idea after listening to them. The three were competing for slots of how many outworlders under their banner to join this competition. It was another battle for influence. If the outworlders under them secured victory or performed well in the tournament, the glory would also be theirs in turn.
He whispered to Commander Quintus, "When will this world tournament take place?"
"Three weeks from now," the commander whispered back.
'Plenty of time then,' Jack thought.
Jack continued hearing the princes argue. When he saw there was a pause in their argument, he lifted his hand and spoke, "May I offer a suggestion?"
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