〖Prison Star Calendar〗
〖Year 187, May 8〗
〖8:16 AM〗
〖Countdown to Confession Death: 26 days〗
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(Tyler: It’s quite simple, really. There’s not much to explain.)
(Silly Nissen: Oh please, Professor Tyler, please tell me~ Please, please, please,please~~~~!)
Tyler had rarely been taken aback since his arrival in this Prison Star world, but now he was genuinely shocked by this silly loli’s playfulness.
Oh heavens, was this silly loli willing to lose all face???
Tyler finally confirmed that this silly loli was definitely not the same as that self-proclaimed deity, the “humanoid luminescent figure”. The humanoid luminescent figure would never stoop so low!
(Tyler: Let me tell you something, Silly Nissen.)
(Silly Nissen: Yes! Please go ahead-o, Professor Tyler!)
(Tyler: If Avril were to act cute with me, that could be considered as being coquettish, but when you do it, it’s just wild.)
Eagerly anticipating Tyler’s words, Silly Nissen was hit by a devastating blow, and immediately exploded.
(Silly Nissen: Ahhh! I begged you and you still make fun of me!! Tyler, you big jerk-o!! Forever a virgin!! Remember this ahhh!!!)
After that, Silly Nissen was like an agitated cat in Tyler’s mind, hissing and spitting for quite some time. Tyler began to think he might be sick because why else would he feel happier as Silly Nissen got angrier? Even Silly Nissen’s unclear loli voice started to sound as pleasant as the ringing of silver bells, becoming a source of joy for Tyler. 𝗈𝒱𝗅xt.𝗰𝐎𝓂
Back to the point, after seeing Rhode’s age and “Production Occupation: Fruit Farmer – Lv1”, Tyler pretty much understood the situation. Rhode could be considered Avril’s childhood friend, but not a romantic interest, otherwise Avril wouldn’t have those shy reactions towards Banning (Tyler).
If Tyler hadn’t appeared, Rhode might have ended up with Avril in two or three years’ time. But now, with Tyler appearing as an “unexpected encounter”, Rhode, as a “childhood sweetheart”, was nowhere near Tyler’s level in terms of romantic prowess. Thus, confessing his love to Avril at this point would be akin to seeking his own doom.
Once Rhode confesses his feelings to Avril, it would activate the concept of “confession” in Avril’s mind. All that would be left is to wait for Avril to superimpose the concepts of “confession” and “Banning” together, and Tyler could reap the fruits of victory. And if Avril, due to shyness and restraint, hesitates to make a move, Tyler still has a final card to play.
·
Having dealt with Rod, Tyler started searching for the Deed and Becken brothers in the village.
During his search, Tyler noticed a rare sight outside the Ira village: a cavalry unit of about fifteen men. Judging from their uniform equipment and formation, they appeared to be regular soldiers.
=====
Laidell, Male, 36 years old, Captain of the Gudetown Cavalry
Production Occupation: Gardener – Lv3
Manufacturing Occupation: None
Combat Occupation: Light Cavalier – Lv24
=====
The leading light cavalier, who also serves as the captain, is presently engaged in negotiations with the village chief, Woodall. Tyler glanced at his information, then proceeded to peruse the information of the entire cavalry troop. This particular cavalry troop not only had a high-level captain but also boasted members all above level 10, which explained why the Crimson Cloud Bandits decided to flee a year prior. Encountering this cavalry troop would spell nothing but defeat. “Alright, take whatever is available, and be quick about it.”
“Very well, please wait here, esteemed cavaliers, the supplies will be brought forth immediately.”
Chief Woodall humbly attended to the cavalry members, careful not to offend in any way. From a safe distance, Tyler observed, not wishing to stir any trouble, but he stealthily employed his mind-reading ability to probe their thoughts.
——Cavalry Captain: (Damn, this is the third time this year we’ve been sent to exterminate the rock demon, and we haven’t even caught a glimpse of it. It sure knows how to hide, shit!)
——Cavalry Member A: (Sigh, Ira Village never has anything good, but I also don’t want to take the long way to Luca Village… We heard rumors that Luca Village was wiped out, but who knows if it’s true.)
——Cavalry Member B: (The higher-ups are really something, not sending us to deal with the bandits, but always obsessing over this rock demon. Is this demon really that important?)
In a short while, Chief Woodall brought forth a significant amount of meat and dry rations to present to the cavalry troop, which also included the wild boar meat that Tyler had temporarily stored with the chief. Upon locking eyes with Tyler, the chief’s face was a portrait of apology. In response, Tyler gave a forgiving wave of his hand, indicating his understanding of the chief’s predicament.
Once the Gudetown cavalry had received their supplies, they promptly departed, providing Tyler with the opportunity to inquire about the situation from the village chief.
“Hm? You’ve never seen a cavalry troop before? Oh right, Luca Village isn’t on the route to the Sandrift Gorge.”
The chief informed Tyler that the cavalry who had just visited was from Gudetown, and they were on their third trip this year to the Sandrift Gorge to deal with a demon known as the “Rock Shadow Demon”. Each time the cavalry passed by Ira Village on their return trip, they would demand supplies from the chief, who, for the safety of Ira Village, could only acquiesce. Back when the Crimson Cloud Bandits were still active, they were kept in check by the cavalry’s regular patrols.
“Chief, isn’t our Wester Kingdom far from the war front, and typically we don’t encounter many demons, right?”
“Indeed, for precise details, one must inquire with the cavalry unit. All I am aware of is that the ‘Rock Shadow Demon’ has been ensconced within Sandrift Gorge for a considerable time, purportedly claiming numerous lives.”
The village chief’s intelligence was limited, so Tyler did not press further. However, there was another matter he felt it was time to address with the village chief.
“By the way, Chief, could we keep the matter of the Crimson Cloud Bandits confidential? I worry that if the cavalry learns that the bandits have been exterminated, they may cease their patrols in this vicinity.”
“A sound point, one I had myself considered. I refrained from informing Captain Laidell earlier. I will ensure to communicate this to the villagers later.”
“Furthermore, Chief, if this matter is eventually discovered, we should say that the chief and the villagers together vanquished the bandits. This would grant you greater influence in Gudetown.”
——”Combat Occupation Skill ‘Deceiver – Lv1’ activated, persistently in effect…”
Upon hearing Banning’s words, the village chief was taken aback. He initially thought that Banning would leverage this achievement as a springboard to seek an official position in Gudetown. He was surprised by his noble act of renunciation.
“But… Banning, it was you who vanquished the bandits…”
“It’s fine, Chief. I owe Ira Village my life. This is the best for the village.”
“Then… alright, Banning, you truly are our village’s great benefactor.”
——”Combat Occupation Skill ‘Deceiver – Lv1’ deactivated.”
·
Ira Village was small. After parting with the village chief, Tyler quickly found Daed and Beeken. The two were the village stonemasons, currently processing stones in their workshop.
“Are you uncles Daed and Beeken? The village chief asked me to summon you to the orchard to lend a hand. It seems related to the ‘Rain Praise Festival.'”
Upon their first encounter, Tyler put forth his meticulously fabricated lie, believing that he could glean clues from the psychological activities of Daed and Beeken.
“The orchard? Don’t you know we don’t go to the orchard during the day?”
Daed responded in a disgruntled tone. However, when he saw that it was Banning, he sighed in resignation.
“So it’s you, the newcomer. It’s one thing for you not to know, but the chief has become forgetful… Anyway, we won’t be going to the orchard, not even at night. Be on your way!”
Daed brusquely waved his hand, signaling for Tyler to leave. However, after observing his inner thoughts, Tyler no longer intended to leave.
——Daed: (Orchard, orchard, like hell I’ll go! …I don’t want to encounter that madwoman, Elle! Who knows, she might even kill me!)