Chapter 1281: Mixing into the Research Institute, Picking a Side is Very Important

"Of course you can."

Regarding Xia Duo's desire to know the mission first, Yilisi did not deliberately make things difficult for him, but instead agreed quite readily:

"This mission is related to the Underground Passage, and since the intelligence on the Underground Passage was discovered and reported by you, there is no reason why I cannot tell you in advance!

"The higher-ups are preparing to send a group of people to the Underdark to survey the environment there, to see if it is possible for ordinary people to survive and reproduce normally. If it is suitable, the higher-ups may establish a survival base in the Underdark.

"In addition, this group also needs to survey Drow society and evaluate its reliability as an ally. This mission will be led by Great Arcanist Xisi, who visited the Underdark not long ago.

"If you choose this option, after the mission ends and you return, you will enter the Imperial Inspectorate to work!"

"The Inspectorate?" Xia Duo asked, puzzled.

In Maikade's persona, he does not know of the existence of (this current) Inspectorate; his entire world is the Vengeance Tribunal, and of course, the concept of the "Empire"—a hollow yet truly existing concept.

"Yes, the Inspectorate."

Yilisi tapped her knuckles lightly on the tabletop, seemingly reminding Xia Duo that what she was about to say would be subversive news:

"When the Empire fell, the Inspectorate was nearly wiped out, but with the support of a group of Great Arcanists, a brand-new Inspectorate was quickly established.

"Previously, your Permission Level was insufficient, but now I can tell you that Lord Xisi is a member of the Inspectorate. If you choose the second reward, barring any accidents, you will be working under him in the future."

After hearing Yilisi's explanation, Xia Duo was lost in thought. If he were truly Maikade, the Inspectorate would likely be a good choice.

At least for the trip to the Underdark, with a Great Arcanist accompanying and providing personal guidance, it might not be impossible to successfully advance to an Arcanist during the mission.

However, for Xia Duo, the Inspectorate was only slightly better than staying in the field department of the Vengeance Tribunal, and it was not even as good as working at the Tribunal Headquarters!

The Tribunal Headquarters must have facilities or mechanisms related to resurrection; by coming into contact with them often, he might be able to discover something.

As for the Inspectorate, he might have to face internal supervision at all times, which would be too inconvenient for someone with ulterior motives like Xia Duo.

"Are there any other reward options?"

"There is one more, similar to the second one: it is also a Resurrection Point + Arcane Fire Secret Scroll, plus an additional mission, but I do not recommend you choose this one."

Yilisi looked at Xia Duo, her eyes revealing a trace of pity and regret.

Seeing this, Xia Duo roughly guessed that it was either a bad development path or a mission that was very difficult—one that would be almost impossible for Maikade to complete. But he was not really Maikade; he couldn't just give up without even asking what the mission was.

"What is the mission? Lady Yilisi, can you reveal it?"

"Of course I can, but you must be mentally prepared."

"I am ready!"

"The mission requires you to improve the current Magic Web Background Fluctuation Positioning technology. As long as you choose this third reward, regardless of whether you can complete the mission, you will be able to join the Research Institute. The only difference is whether you will be a full-time Researcher or a marginal figure. But I must remind you that once you join the Research Institute, you will lose the vast majority of your freedom until you become a Great Arcanist."

This is good!

Xia Duo almost shouted out loud. Magic technology is the primary productive force. Maikade certainly would not have such awareness; in his view, killing more Elves would be more conducive to the resurgence of the Empire.

But in Xia Duo's view, killing no matter how many Elves is not as important as a key technological breakthrough. As for the so-called loss of freedom, is he really free now?

Isn't there still Yilisi managing him!

Without Yilisi, Maikade wouldn't even be able to find where the base is while outside. He might be able to let himself go while outside, but once away from his own kind, how much value would an individual's existence have left?

What's more, there are Elves constantly searching outside; who knows if he might run into them one day and just be finished off.

As for the difference between a full-time Researcher and a marginal figure that Yilisi mentioned, Xia Duo did not believe that the higher-ups would use an extremely difficult problem to make things hard for an ordinary High Mage.

According to Xia Duo's previous experience in the Arcane Empire, barring any accidents, this mission was likely just to let "Maikade" demonstrate his research ability, or perhaps just his potential; the result itself was not important at all.

Thinking of this, Xia Duo immediately made his decision: "My Lady, I am willing to try the third one!"

"Try? Once you try, you cannot regret it! Have you thought it through?"

"I have thought it through!"

Xia Duo's expression turned solemn, and he said righteously: "I have been taught since childhood to be prepared at all times for the great resurgence of the Empire. Rather than killing a few insignificant Elves outside, it would be better to join the Research Institute and strive for the progress of everyone!"

"Oh? To have such thoughts, I suddenly believe you a little."

After a moment of silence, Yilisi rose from behind her desk and walked to Xia Duo, "I will ask you one last time, are you sure you want to choose to enter the Research Institute?"

"Yes, I am sure!"

"Very well, come with me!"

Saying this, Yilisi walked straight toward the door, and Xia Duo hurriedly followed behind.

"Maikade, before I send you to the Research Institute, I still have some things I want to say to you!"

"My Lady, please speak!"

"The real Research Institute may be different from what you understand. The Vengeance Tribunal and the Research Institute have no subordinate relationship; to a certain extent, the Research Institute is higher than the Tribunal. In the future, if possible, under equal conditions, I hope you will lean more toward the Tribunal."

"My Lady, what aspect are you referring to?"

"Every aspect!"

Yilisi's words caused Xia Duo to inevitably have some associations. If the status of the current Research Institute were truly as high as Yilisi said, perhaps he could easily find resurrection spells there.

With almost no hesitation, Xia Duo immediately agreed to Yilisi's request. In any case, it was just an informal verbal promise; what harm could there be in agreeing to more!

He could not see any downsides to this matter. The Research Institute was not necessarily an ivory tower; "Maikade" came from the Tribunal, so it was only natural for him to stick with the Tribunal.

In the event that he needed certain special resources or technologies during his research that the Research Institute did not have or would not allocate to him, the Tribunal would be a good source.

Xia Duo had no reason to refuse Yilisi, not to mention that he still had to rely on Yilisi to send him to the Research Institute!

Even if he didn't want to agree, there was no need to go against her at this critical juncture!

Soon, the teleportation was complete.

The familiar scene before his eyes made Xia Duo exclaim inwardly that it was a close call!

Yilisi had sent him to the Vengeance Tribunal's survival base. There was also a Research Institute here, and previously "Maikade" only thought this Research Institute was subordinate to the Tribunal.

But in fact, the Research Institute here was only the 【Vengeance Tribunal Branch】 subordinate to the true Research Institute!

It is conceivable that most of the people in this Research Institute must have come from the Tribunal. If Xia Duo had just refused Yilisi within the branch base, coming here would surely have been difficult at every step.

Of course, Yilisi's request was not wrong, it was just that she was gambling on some conveniences for Maikade after he entered the true Research Institute.

"It is fortunate that no mistakes were made, otherwise the resurrection Spell would be difficult!"