Gamers of the Underworld

Chapter 461: Delivery Runs

Sherlock didn’t return after coming out of the bedroom. Nicholas had arranged another new room for him, so Sherlock went to look for him.

Nicholas didn’t expect Sherlock to come out so soon. It wouldn’t be that easy for Sherlock to solve the problem with Lilo.

Lord Sherlock was indeed a resourceful Devil.

Sherlock was nonchalant about Nicholas’ admiration for him. He asked Nicholas about the Northern Dukedom’s involvement in the Merchant Alliance’s Ball.

“There weren’t many representatives from the Northern Dukedom. Besides the killed Sludge Monster, there were only ordinary staff members. I checked, there was no high-ranking official.”

Nicholas was puzzled about why Sherlock was interested in the Northern Dukedom’s involvement in the Ball. Regardless, he told Sherlock whatever he knew to Sherlock.

“It’s strange that the Northern Dukedom sent so few people when it’s a large collaborating partner of the Merchant Alliance. I think the highest-ranking official was the killed Sludge Monster. Didn’t the Merchant Alliance ask about or investigate this matter?”

Sherlock looked curiously at Nicholas, who sighed and said, “It has been investigated. The high-ranking officials of the Merchant Alliance wrote letters to the Duke of the Northern Dukedom, but I’m not sure of the replies.”

“I understand. Can you provide a list of the raw materials merchants related to the Northern Dukedom? If it’s convenient, I’d like to have their room numbers,” Sherlock said to Nicholas as he nodded.

“Ah, this isn’t a problem, as it’s not confidential. If you want it, I can provide you the details immediately. But why is Lord Sherlock interested in this? Do you suspect that a creature from the Northern Dukedom is hidden in the raw materials merchants?”

Nicholas hit the nail on the head. Sherlock nodded and revealed his thoughts.

“Due to some unclear reasons, the dead Sludge Monster had some special thoughts about my dance partner. I have to investigate. If it’s an action taken by the Northern Dukedom, I can’t allow my staff to be in danger.”

Nicholas nodded in agreement.

As the Winterfell Dungeon Lord, Nicholas had great influence within the Merchant Alliance. He didn’t need much time to investigate the staff of the Northern Dukedom.

While Sherlock was drinking his tea, Nicholas had already returned.

After Sherlock examined the name list provided by Nicholas, he stood up and said to Nicholas, “If you don’t mind, can you make arrangements for some staff members? We can capture the perpetrator who killed the Sludge Monster.”

“Lord Sherlock, you already know?”

Nicholas found it hard to believe that Sherlock would know who killed the Sludge Monster just by examining the name list.

However, Lord Sherlock had always been a man of his words, so Nicholas had faith in Sherlock. Nicholas gathered his staff and the guards of the Merchant Alliance before following Sherlock to the room that was indicated on the name list.

When they arrived at the room, there were two Gnomes and an Orc. They all looked sad and were mourning the Sludge Monster’s death.

When they saw Nicholas and his guards, they asked in surprise, “Lord Nicholas, why did you bring so many guards? Is there anything we can do?”

Nicholas looked at Sherlock, seeking advice on what to do next. As a Winterfell Dungeon Lord, he couldn’t arrest the representatives of the Northern Dukedom without any evidence.

“Apologies, I forgot to introduce myself. I’m Dungeon Lord Sherlock from Eternal Kingdom. It’s my intention to look for you, not Nicholas’.”

Sherlock smiled politely and looked at the three of them as he said, “I would like to discuss your master. If possible, can you arrange for us to meet?”

“Are you looking to discuss business? I heard that Eternal Kingdom is developing very fast. If you require raw materials, my master will be very happy to do that,” one of the Gnome said happily.

“Apologies, I think you’re mistaken. If it was about raw materials, the Merchant Alliance could provide contacts for the merchants. I would like to ask about the master who ordered you to attack my staff member,” Sherlock said with a smile.

“Sorry, Lord Sherlock, I don’t understand...”

The Orc was befuddled. Before he finished, Sherlock extended his hand, strangled his throat, and lifted him high up.

The Orc groaned in pain, but he was strangled and couldn’t articulate clearly. Even his breathing was labored.

“I think it’s better to be honest in our communication. Don’t you think so?” Sherlock said to the three of them.

...

Peasant rode on his Darting Bird that was pulling a small cart. He was on his way to the crossroad intersection outpost from Eternal Kingdom.

He was completing his Daily Mission of transporting raw materials. After various compensations, Eternal Kingdom gained hundreds of Beetlemon. To the gamers, the hundreds of Beetlemon weren’t sufficient for their transportation missions and outings.

Most of the Beetlemons were reserved by Lord Sherlock to transport the raw materials.

The crossroad intersection outpost was a newly built one-month-old Stronghold. Besides housing factories, it was a neutral city that allowed gamers from Eternal Kingdom and Victoria City to live in peace.

The gamers from the two factions could engage in commerce. There were also Teleport Portals that facilitated transportation to both Eternal Kingdom and Victoria City. Hence, gamers would proceed to the crossroad intersection outpost after finishing their Daily Missions.

Many gamers were diverted from Eternal Kingdom and Victoria City.

The speed of the Darting Bird wasn’t slow, but with a heavy load of goods, Peasant took several hours to arrive at the crossroad intersection outpost.

He received a handsome reward due to the long period of travel. Besides the Daily Mission Reputation Points and coins, there were also Reputation Points for the crossroad intersection outpost.

When a certain number of points were reached, they could be exchanged for equipment, even Legendary Equipment.

Not many gamers had Superior Equipment, so the temptation of Legendary Equipment was strong. The gamers would go to the crossroad intersection outpost to work in the factories or to transport goods in order to gain outpost Reputation Points.

When Peasant arrived at the crossroad intersection outpost, Arthur and his companions were at the outpost mining ore while waiting for him.

“Why are you so slow? Peasant, we waited for you for a long time,” Sylvanas looked at Peasant and complained.

“Sister Vanas, I have to ride on my Darting Bird to come here. I can’t possibly fly,” Peasant said as he dismounted from the Darting Bird and started unloading the goods. Arthur and the rest went forward to help him.

“Are you serious? You actually used the Darting Bird for transporting the goods? Don’t you know you can buy the transported goods at the crossroad intersection outpost? It’s much more convenient for completing the Daily Mission.”

BurningChestHair looked bewildered at Peasant.

“I don’t understand the gaming methods of the rich gamers, and I don’t have more than ten silver coins in the game. The expenses in the game are high. You are using Renminbi to purchase game currency, but I can’t afford it,” Peasant said as he smiled in embarrassment.

With the help of his comrades, Peasant unloaded the goods very fast. They transported the goods to the designated location before Peasant confirmed the submission of his mission. He had completed one delivery run.

Whether it was Reputation Points or game currency, they were stored like virtual currency in the game interface. The Beta Gamers had spent the gold coin distributed during the First Beta Test. Since then, the game had undergone many refinements and updates.

“Have you heard the latest news? Victoria City had a huge Strange Encounter Mission. Dragonborn encountered a young Wyvern,” NotWearingPants informed the other gamers.

“I read the post. Not only does he have a young Wyvern, but an NPC called Tomato is teaching him swordsmanship. Why are there so many Strange Mission Encounters in Victoria City? Previously, there was Hoodlum, who attained Weapon Level 10, and now there’s Dragonborn. I’m guessing he’ll reach Level 10 very soon,” Peasant said with envy.