They clamored one after the other, all opposing the idea and filled with disbelief. After all, they knew for a fact that the old potion lady would side with her crush. This was 100% a lost cause!
Faced with their objections, Jack chuckled.
Wait, even now, he was still training while laughing!! What was up with his level of composure?! It was insane!
What gave him such confidence? —> Shitload of research about the village.
At this moment, he was freaking thanking Bubblegum internally. This was all thanks to her recent information-gathering efforts.
He just had to convince them to help real quick. He pointed at each of them:
"He screwed us both big time." (Igor)
"I'll show you incredible magic." (Florist)
"I know your sausage business is not popular with I.R.L." (Butcher)
"He went out of his way to undermine you, calling your work sub-par." (Blacksmith)
"He's slowly increasing the discount you have to give his faction and is raising the tax on your shop." (Steven)
With Jack reminding them, they felt their blood boil in anger. Alas, they were utterly helpless.
"It won't matter as long as that bitch supports him!" The Blacksmith reminded him. It was very tough to fire a village chief!
"Our only choice is to write a letter to the Empire and ask them to redress our grievance. But that will likely—" Igor proposed.
"Too long!" Jack cut him off instantly. "I have another alternative. I'm going to get her on board with my plan. I just need to tempt her." He winked.
Many suddenly felt like vomiting. Was he really going to honey trap the wrinkly old bat?! They weren't sure whether to praise his courage or be downright disgusted!
"But for this to work, I'll need your help with something." He had their complete attention. "You all agree that no power is intrinsically evil, right?" He asked with a smile.
They couldn't help but glance at the necromancer tome in the man's hand. True, this thing really felt so freaking demonic!
"Naw, worse than that, haha." He chuckled, seeing their looks.
"What?!"
"How's that possible?!"
"Just what the hell are you planning?!"
They uttered in shock. Why did his plan sound more and more calamitous by the second?!
But then he gazed at each of them, and they faltered. This guy was a bastard for sure, but he treated his allies well.
"Tch— You're really the devil. You already know that we'll agree. Why don't you spill the beans already?!" The Blacksmith grumbled.
That made them chuckle. Yep, that summarized the situation pretty well. Fuck, this guy was so damn scheming! He had only called them after analyzing the whole situation! Even then, this was only possible thanks to his high affinity with them and reputation.
"Hehe, alright." Jack turned toward the Butcher. "It's easy. We'll need to use that thing in your basement."
"That thing?" The Butcher seemed confused for a second. But then it finally clicked. "Nonononno! No freaking way! Impossible! I'm out!" He screamed in fright.
His face was pale, his breathing rough, and cold sweat already covered his body. But then he slowly forced himself to calm down.
"In any case, it's broken! It's missing some of the words and—"
"I'm aware." Jack was still freaking smiling!
The Butcher couldn't help but shiver, seeing his steady appearance. Was this all part of his plan too?! All according to keikaku, right?!
The others were all staring with their mouth open in astonishment and their eyes glowing with curiosity. What the fuck were they talking about?!
"Steven, I'll need some materials."
"I'll need a blacksmith to forge some core components."
"Florist guy, you'll be helping me with rewriting the missing magical runes."
"Igor, you'll be in charge of generating mana, just like with the mana engulfing technique."
"We'll need blood, lots of blood. I'm counting on your for that." He looked at the Butcher, then all of them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, believe me, this is going to be lots of fun! Alright, it's already too late to back down since I've already shared confidential information with you."
"There's no way that I'm—" The Butcher was still complaining.
"Look into my eyes. I know what I'm doing. I know not only how to use the thing but also how to contain it. Trust in Demonic Legion!" Jack reassured.
Gazing into Jack's confident eyes, the Butcher finally calmed down and grumbled that he'd participate.
This whole operation had about a thousand red flags, yet they somehow were all dragged into his pace.
This was the same trick he had used to convince the NPCs in the Wolf Den and the guard at the shopping mall IRL. It was 100% body language! (+Years of actual practice)
CPR dude on the side had his mouth open in shock. What the hell were they up to as a faction?! He couldn't help but feel his entire body shake as he remembered Jack's words from back then: he was getting rid of the prison entirely.
How would the NPCs react if they knew they were about to doom their entire village? Would they despair, would they panic? They would definitely revolt! He would conscientiously keep his mouth shut for now.
But just when the crowd was ready to leave, a beautiful girl and a raisin appeared. Bubblegum was coming just in time, following his message.
"You wanted to meet me? Make it short. I don't have all day!" The old potion lady sneered.
"I'm taking the village chief down, and you're going to help me." Jack calmly stated.
What the fuck?! Why was he so freaking blunt?!
The NPCs couldn't believe it. What was wrong with him?! What had happened to the honey pot?! Setting the mood should have been super important!
"You're delusional, kid. I can't believe I wasted my time with you!" She snorted, ready to take her leave.
"All the others can leave, but you shouldn't. If you hear me for 1 minute, I'll give you one gold." He shamelessly tried bribing her.
"I should give you a chance. After all, I am magnanimous." She shamelessly uttered as she came closer.
Her palm was already outstretched, and she was waiting for her payment. What kind of circus act were the two playing at?!
One minute later:
Jack —> -1 gold
Old Raisin —> Leaving
She was going away with a spring in her step. She couldn't wait to blabber about Jack's plan to the chief!
The others were extremely confused. He was just going to watch her leave?! Her intentions were obvious!
"No need to go after her." Jack waved. "I've done all I can. The rest will depend on her." He murmured cryptically.
He wouldn't have any more control over the outcome from now on.
He could only pray…..
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[A/N] Hype! Feb Mass Release Time! 🔥
Day 1: #Last PRIV Tier #BlameRAJ 🐲 (5/6)