บท 16: Chapter 16: A Plan
Chapter 16: A Plan
Vaughn, Genie, and Moon were escorted to a disheveled office room, where Garry had spent the entire day, indulging in peaceful slumber and enjoying his meals. The room was cluttered with scattered wooden tables and chairs, but the presence of numerous flowers attempted to mask the unpleasant odor that emanated from the aging man.
With a wave of his hand, Garry dismissed the guards, instructing them to restrain the knight who had seemingly lost his sanity and failed to protect the princess. As Vaughn stood in bewilderment, his gaze fixated on Garry, the old man broke the silence with a startling request.
"Take all the blame, boy," Garry uttered with a grave tone.
Vaughn was acutely aware of the gravity of the situation that loomed over him. It felt as though a death sentence had been pronounced, and he couldn't shake off the guilt that weighed heavily on his conscience. While it was true that his actions had played a part in the tragic demise of the princess, he refused to shoulder the entire blame. Garry's recklessness had contributed significantly, and Vaughn was not about to let himself be made a scapegoat.
"I refuse," Vaughn asserted, his voice laced with determination and defiance.
"You were the one who killed him, and now you expect me to bear the consequences? To be sentenced to death?" he continued, his tone rising with each word.
"Silence!" Garry snapped, brandishing the command stone with a tight grip, using its power to force Vaughn into submission, effectively sealing his lips.
"No matter the circumstances, you will obey my every command," Garry declared, a steely resolve in his eyes as he maintained his hold on the powerful artifact.
Garry's head was filled with conflicting thoughts as he held the command stones of Moon and Genie in his hand. Although they wanted to retort, they couldn't take any actions against him, as they were currently bound to be his slaves. Scratching his head in frustration, Garry glanced at the few papers lying in front of him.
'I must resolve this chaotic situation swiftly and ensure that no one speaks out,' he muttered to himself. With no time to waste, he immediately began writing a letter intended for the king.
Meanwhile, Vaughn, bewildered by his predicament, turned to the system for answers.
'What is this? Wasn't I reincarnated by the goddess for prosperity? Why am I being sentenced to death so hastily? It hasn't even been 24 hours yet.'
The system responded matter-of-factly, [It's your own doing. The goddess provided you with assistance, but you managed to botch the situation.]
'So, you won't help me? Everything should be done by me?', Vaughn asked.
[Yes, you must. You must complete all the missions. And accordingly, you will get rewards. You can't expect me to spoon feed you every detail!]
Vaughn merely nodded at the bitter realization.
Vaughn's frown deepened as he absorbed the gravity of the mission presented before him.
[Mission: Survive the death penalty.]
[Reward: Skill: Heal.]
The realization settled within him—surviving the death penalty wasn't a choice but a necessary condition for his continued existence. The system framed it as a mission, emphasizing the urgency and significance of the task.
With a sense of urgency, Vaughn observed Garry engrossed in writing a letter to the king. The contents of the letter seemed to express condolences and apologies, likely for his failure in controlling the enslaved individual.
Seizing the opportunity, Vaughn employed his intellect to manipulate Garry's thoughts. "Do you truly believe that the king would spare you simply by eliminating me?" he questioned, attempting to sow seeds of doubt within Garry's mind.
"Shut up," Garry snapped, lacking the command stone that would suppress Vaughn's ability to speak freely.
Undeterred, Vaughn pressed on, hoping to sway Garry's perspective. "Think about it logically. A mere slave trader holds little value in the eyes of the king. In a fit of rage, he would likely dispose of you as well!"
The words lingered in the air, their weight meant to provoke a realization within Garry, highlighting the potential consequences he might face if he were to carry out his intentions.
Garry, succumbing to the seed of doubt planted by Vaughn, inquired, "So, what do you propose I should do then?"
Vaughn couldn't help but smirk at the opportunity to influence Garry's decision. "I have a rather clever idea. Care to hear it?" he suggested.
Garry, intrigued by the prospect, responded eagerly, "Yes, tell me."
With a mischievous chuckle, Vaughn continued, "What if we were to stage this incident as an unfortunate accident? Let's make it appear as if the princess never arrived here at all, but rather perished at the hands of bandits or a wild creature in the wilderness. Wouldn't that be more advantageous for us?"
Genie and Moon, witnessing the conversation, were taken aback by Vaughn's sudden display of wit. It was unexpected, as the previous Vaughn had proven to be a skilled fighter but lacked such strategic acumen.
Vaughn responded with a sly wink as he observed Genie and Moon pondering the matter, their eyes filled with awe.
Garry, the portly man, approached Vaughn and enveloped him in a hug. "My boy, that's a splendid idea," he exclaimed, his enthusiasm evident. "Let's proceed with it."
The notion of evading any suspicion altogether resonated deeply with Garry. Given that the princess had ventured into the territory of a slave trader, her association with him would undoubtedly tarnish her name. Consequently, the king would have every incentive to keep the incident under wraps, even upon discovering the truth.
"So, what should our first step be?", Garry asked, thinking.
He must take the princess body and throw it using a wagon, but would that be alright? Garry thought.
However, Vaughn, upon hearing the question, replied, "The first step is to kill the knight who accompanied the princess."
"What!?", Garry stood up from his chair upon hearing this.
"Yes. Otherwise, he will end up spreading the news. And even if only rumours, they could end up destroying us."
"…"
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