Chapter 402: The Demon King Who Plays Along

Time returns to three days ago.

Near the Great Sage's Tower, in an adventurer's tavern called "Glacier's Throat," the noise and heat dispelled the biting cold of the North.

The fire in the fireplace was burning vigorously, reflecting faces flushed with alcohol and boasting, the noisy sound of spitting and boasting accompanied by the sound of clinking glasses.

This was one of the places magic apprentices and adventurers liked to patronize. On the cold Northern Wasteland, there was nothing more warming than a glass of distilled liquor.

At this moment, Kemedier was comfortably stirring his favorite butter beer in his glass, enjoying the brief leisure amidst his busy work.

Just then, a particularly loud "boast" from the neighboring table caught his attention.

Only to see a burly adventurer with a full beard, spitting and boasting to his fox friends sitting around.

"... The magic crystals beaten out of the labyrinth don't count for anything at all; compared to those natural magic crystal mines, they are just trash! When I went to the South to take a job this time, I met a magic crystal mine owner named Baron Guss; the magic crystal mine source in his hands is rich in oil, all high-end goods you've never seen in your life!"

The surrounding adventurers burst into a roar of laughter.

"Forget it, Osa! If you really knew such a big shot, would you still be here freezing in the cold wind with us?"

"That is! If I were you, I would have been lying on the beach by the Vortex Sea long ago!"

"Unless you produce evidence!"

The adventurer named Osa seemed to have been provoked into a competitive spirit; he slammed his glass heavily on the table and shouted at the top of his lungs.

"Evidence, right! Fine, fine, fine, you bunch of ignorant guys! I'll let you open your eyes!"

Saying this, he fished out a crystal the size of a fist from a tattered leather bag in his bosom and slammed it onto the table.

With a dull thud, the noise of the entire tavern seemed to have been sucked away by this crystal.

Everyone's gaze instantly focused on it; Kemedier was no exception. Only to see that magic crystal was deep blue, emitting a pure and charming halo under the dim light, almost without any impurities.

Kemedier's breathing instantly became rapid.

With his eye for detail as a teaching assistant of the Source Magic school, he saw at a glance that the purity of this magic crystal even reached the level that could be used to make Bai Yin-tier magic devices, and its value was at least twenty—no, thirty gold coins!

And the most crucial thing was that this thing wasn't easy to buy!

Even in the Enchanter school, which was the richest in resources, such high-quality magic materials were monopolized by professors with powerful strength.

How did a mere adventurer get this treasure?!

Kemedier, while shocked, couldn't help but ponder in his heart.

His confusion didn't last long, because soon that big-mouthed fool took the initiative to explain the ins and outs of the matter.

Looking at the dumbfounded appearance of his companions, Osa triumphantly took the magic crystal back into his bag: "How about it? This thing, I just picked it up near the mine of that Baron adult!"

The adventurers looked at each other.

The guy who had mocked him earlier spat, cursing this lucky guy, then looked enviously at his pocket.

Some magic apprentices also looked over here with excited eyes.

Although they were not as knowledgeable as Teaching Assistant Kemedier, they also recognized that this magic crystal was no ordinary good.

Can't let him walk away!

Kemedier placed his glass on the bar, pretended to walk over inadvertently, with a gentle smile that was just right on his face.

"This friend, the crystal in your hand is very good, do you mind letting me... take a look?"

Osa glanced at him, saw the teaching assistant badge on his robe, his vigilant attitude softened slightly, and he handed the magic crystal over reluctantly.

"If it's just looking..."

Mage masters, although stingy, rarely do things like taking by force, especially on the territory of the Great Sage's Tower.

Kemedier took the magic crystal, pretended to examine it for a while, his heart already happy, but his face remained calm as he said.

"Hmm, the quality is acceptable. I happen to need some spellcasting materials recently, how about it, 10 gold coins, how about selling it to me?"

"Ten, ten gold coins?!" Osa's eyes instantly widened, as if he had heard an astronomical figure. And the adventurers and mercenaries gathered around were the same, all gasping in cold air.

Although they guessed that this magic crystal was worth a lot, they never expected it could sell for such an outrageous price.

Looking at his appearance of never having seen the world, Kemedier became more and more proud in his heart.

He suppressed his laughter, counted ten golden imperial gold coins from his money bag, and pushed them in front of Osa, as if stuffing a bag of candy into a fool's pocket.

He just wanted to close the deal quickly, to avoid long nights and many dreams.

It was thanks to the fact that he was the only teaching assistant in this tavern, and there were no mentors or professors with higher ranks than him, otherwise this kind of opportunity to pick up a bargain would definitely not have been his turn!

Osa almost snatched the gold coins, then readily stuffed the priceless magic crystal into Kemedier's hand, his face piled with a smile of having taken advantage.

"You are not allowed to go back on your word!"

"Of course, the mages of the Academy have always been credible, besides... if you have other good things like this, you can also sell them to me, my price is absolutely fair."

Kemedier was satisfied, looking like a decent person, as if he had quite a reputation at the Great Sage's Tower.

That adventurer seemed to have really been bluffed by him, rubbed his hands, his face with a shy smile, and his hearty voice also had a hint of flattery.

"Haha, I believe you! The mages of the Academy are all well-known on the Os Continent, if you still need these shiny things, we can cooperate long-term. By the way, my name is Osa! May I ask your honorable name?"

Long-term cooperation?

Kemedier smiled slightly, his heart indifferent to the "arrogance" of this wild adventurer, but his face still hung with an appreciative expression.

He nodded elegantly and took the initiative to reach out his hand.

"Of course. My name is Kemedier, a teaching assistant at the Great Sage's Tower."

Hearing the words "Great Sage's Tower," the awe on Osa's face became even stronger.

Kemedier enjoyed this gaze very much; he pretended to be generous and invited Osa to sit down, ordered a glass of expensive ale for him, and only then did he inadvertently cut into the main topic.

"Brother Osa, the mine owner in the South you mentioned just now... I am very interested. To tell you the truth, we mages have a great demand for high-quality magic crystals for research. If you can introduce this honorable gentleman to me, the reward fee afterward will not be less for you."

While saying this, he also inadvertently shook his money bag.

Although a bit deliberate, he knew very well what could attract these adventurers.

Osa really swallowed his saliva greedily, but in the end, that hint of heat turned into difficulty, and he sighed heavily.

"Mr. Kemedier, I really want to help you, but... this matter is probably not that easy."

"Oh?"

Kemedier looked at Osa calmly, tasted a sip of butter beer, and waited for the adventurer in front of him to continue.

Osa scratched his messy beard, struggled for a good while, and finally lowered his voice, confessing.

"Mage master, to tell you the truth, I... actually don't know that Baron Guss that well. He is a noble of the Campbell Principality, and I am just an adventurer with a cheap life, how would I have the opportunity to climb such a relationship? I just did him a small favor."

Looking at Kemedier, whose expression had turned to disappointment, Osa continued to explain with a flushed face.

"And, that magic crystal mine of his actually has quite a bit of trouble; the place where the mine is richest happens to be on the edge of a mass grave. There are undead everywhere, even the lord of his lord can't handle it, let alone a small Baron like him... The magic crystal in my hand was actually picked up from the periphery of that mine cave when I was completing a commission from the Adventurer's Guild."

These words of Osa, on one hand, hinted that his relationship with that Baron was average, and on the other hand, pointed out that mining had huge difficulties, seemingly trying to persuade Kemedier to retreat.

However, after Kemedier finished listening, his eyes instantly lit up.

Undead?

Unable to mine?

These two words together were like a key, instantly opening a door to fame and fortune in his mind!

A plan to kill two birds with one stone quickly formed in his heart.

If operated well, this would not only allow him to make a fortune, but also become a stepping stone for him to befriend that "Baron Guss"!

No longer able to suppress the excitement in his heart, he grabbed Osa's shoulder, stared at the latter with burning eyes until the latter felt hair-raising in his heart, and then lowered his voice to speak.

"My friend, I have a perfect plan that can allow you and me to 'cooperate for mutual benefit'; you don't have to bear any risk but can share a portion of the proceeds, and if you are lucky, you can even earn money you won't be able to spend in a lifetime... I don't know if you are interested."

Looking at Kemedier's mysterious appearance, Osa swallowed his saliva nervously and said in a low voice.

"... What plan?"

Kemedier beckoned, signaling him to get closer, and then confidently laid out the idea he had thought of.

"Recently, our Great Sage's Tower is preparing for the labyrinth trial of the All Souls Festival, and my mentor is the person in charge of this trial. I, on the other hand, happen to have some connections, and can persuade him to approve a budget to hire adventurers like you to 'introduce' a batch of undead for our trial..."

His plan was very simple.

Just move the undead on Baron Guss's territory to the artificial labyrinth on the Northern Wasteland; anyway, they were all undead, and he thought Mentor Moke wouldn't care where he got them from, or whether there were any unspeakable transactions behind them.

Looking at Osa, who was shocked by his plan, Kemedier's mouth curled into a smile that was unfathomable.

"Think about it, we are equivalent to using the Academy's money to clear the undead in the mine cave for Baron Guss for free; this is a heaven-sized favor. You said your relationship with him is average, I think with this meeting gift, he will definitely treat you as an honored guest, and this is just the first point."

"Second, solving the undead, the Baron can successfully mine the magic crystal mine, and I can also get the magic materials I need. As for the third, and also the most important point—"

He paused, staring at Osa with burning eyes, "As the facilitator of all this, what I require is just three percent of the annual output of that magic crystal mine. Of course, in this three percent, naturally there is a share for you."

He laid out this perfect plan of "killing three birds with one stone," his words filled with pride.

Osa was indeed moved, at least an excited expression appeared on his face.

Only it didn't take long for that excited expression to cool down.

He scratched the back of his head and said hesitantly.

"Three percent? Mage master, you are asking for too much... Baron Guss probably won't agree. After all, even if he leaves it unmined, it doesn't matter; he can leave that magic crystal mine to his sons and grandsons, all those nobles are like that."

"He will."

Kemedier, on the other hand, had a winning appearance, elegantly picked up the butter beer, and took a sip.

"You just go and talk to him. Also, don't forget to remind him that this is not just a business, but an excellent opportunity to befriend a promising mage. I think that Baron gentleman who lives in a corner must be interested in this deal."

"What can be passed down to the grandson generation is not just the magic crystal mine, but also the favor of a mage."

He was only at the Steel tier now, but who could say about things in the future?

Don't bully the middle-aged poor!

Besides, as long as this deal is negotiated, he will soon be rich, and even surpassing his mentor is not a dream!

Looking at Kemedier's confident appearance, Osa struggled for a while, and finally gritted his teeth and nodded heavily.

"Fine! I'll go and try! But the usage fee for the teleportation formation..."

Kemedier smiled and placed a gold coin on the table.

"I think this money should be enough... just treat it as the reward I'm advancing you."

Looking at Osa's departing back, a proud smile appeared on Kemedier's face, as if he had already seen the magic crystals piled up like a small mountain beckoning to him.

At this moment, he was completely unaware that in the deepest shadow of the tavern corner, an "adventurer" wearing a cloak was taking everything in with those bright vertical pupils.

Osa succeeded without accident.

This was originally a trap set for Kemedier; the so-called difficulty was just for show, fearing that if he agreed too easily, it would arouse the other party's suspicion.

As for Baron Guss.

I'm afraid that this Baron gentleman, who was drinking and dreaming in Lei Ming City, didn't even know that there was a magic crystal mine on his territory that had already been turned into a pasture.

On the other side, Kemedier was also pushing his plan forward.

He chose a critical moment to persuade Mentor Moke, who was eager to make a contribution, to introduce undead as monsters in the labyrinth trial, and the name was to increase some "immersive" experience for the apprentices' trial.

As expected, his idea was praised by Mentor Moke and was fully entrusted by the respected mentor to be responsible for this matter.

Everything is ready, only the east wind is missing!

Three days later, it was still the "Glacier's Throat" tavern.

Kemedier almost kicked open the dilapidated wooden door, his face with undisguised excitement and pride.

He walked straight through the noisy crowd, found Osa drinking alone in the corner, and slammed his hand heavily on the other party's shoulder.

"Osa! My friend! Good news!"

Osa was startled by him, looked up and saw it was Kemedier, and a simple and honest smile immediately piled up on his face: "Respected... mage master! Why are you here? Looking at your expression, is the matter settled?"

"That's for sure!"

Kemedier smiled slightly and sat opposite him.

Looking at the bartender walking over, he threw down a silver coin to send him away, ordered the most expensive beer for the two, and then lowered his voice, speaking with excitement.

"Mentor Moke is very satisfied with my proposal; he praised my idea as a genius feat, and now the budget has been approved! How about your side? How did the talk go?"

"Everything is under control, mage master, I had long expected that you would definitely succeed."

Osa's tone was filled with just the right flattery, and he continued to say with a diligent and enthusiastic attitude.

"While contacting Baron Guss, I have already contacted the adventurers in Campbell. In order not to delay your precious time, they have already started acting and are setting up a temporary teleportation magic formation!"

Kemedier was shocked in his heart, but then that surprise turned into complete satisfaction. He looked at this rough-looking but actually "clever" adventurer, and nodded approvingly.

"Not bad, you considered it very thoughtfully!"

He now felt more and more that the fact that he had only used ten gold coins to recruit such a capable guy was simply the most cost-effective deal he had ever made in his life.

Perhaps—

They could really cooperate long-term?

Osa smiled embarrassedly, looking flattered, and then "thoughtfully" reminded him.

"But having said that, master, in order to make everything look seamless, we still need to go through the final process. I suggest you still go to the Adventurer's Guild in the name of the Great Sage's Tower to issue a relevant commission task. Once the task is hung up, I will immediately take it, so that the accounts and processes will be perfect, and no one will ever suspect."

"This is natural! How could I have forgotten such an important thing!"

Kemedier was more and more satisfied with Osa's reliability; this guy was simply a perfect tool man.

At this time, the bartender brought two large mugs of beer.

He raised his glass, preparing to drink with Osa to celebrate their upcoming "huge success." However, this time Osa did not respond to his passion contrary to his usual self, but instead said in a tone of advice.

"Master, I accept your kindness, but the plan is at a critical stage, and we can't drop the chain at this time. This wine... let's drink it after the matter is done."

Kemedier was stunned for a moment, but smiled indifferently and clinked glasses with Osa.

"No matter! A small drink won't get in the way!"

Anyway, he had a sobering potion...

After Kemedier left satisfied, Osa finished the remaining wine in his glass alone and also got up and left the tavern almost buried by heavy snow.

The lights on the street were sparse, the magic apprentices had long since returned home before the curfew, and the rest were vendors closing their stalls and adventurers returning to their nests.

However, he did not return to the inn where he was staying, but vigilantly circled the street a few times, confirmed that no one was following, and finally turned into a deserted alley.

A cloaked figure had long been waiting in the shadows like a statue, her indifferent and bloodthirsty gaze like a cold moon hanging in the cold wind.

And that moonlight seemed to be the only light in the alley.

Osa didn't dare to look at those eyes, just walked forward tremblingly, lowered his head respectfully, and reported the final result of the mission.

"The things you wanted me to handle are all done!"

Kemedier was destined to be disappointed.

He hadn't gone to any Campbell Principality at all, nor did he know any Baron Guss; from that magic crystal at the beginning, everything was just a script carefully woven.

As for why this lady wanted to play with a mage master, he didn't know; perhaps there was also a master standing behind her, and behind all this hid a game he didn't understand.

Sarah didn't say a word, just reached out from under her cloak and threw a heavy bag of gold coins on the ground as the final payment for this mission.

That crisp sound made Osa's heart skip a beat, but when he saw that what was thrown on the ground was a money bag, a happy smile appeared on his face.

"Thank you! It is my honor to serve you."

Sarah said concisely.

"This is the reward you deserve; you know what to do next."

"The little one understands!"

Osa happily stepped forward to pick up the money bag, weighed the satisfying weight, and finally couldn't suppress the curiosity in his heart, asking one more question.

"Speaking of which, where do you plan to find so many undead? Or did you plan to stand that mage up from the beginning?"

Sarah didn't answer.

Her figure began to fade, as if to merge into the night, only leaving behind a light and unquestionable sentence at the end.

"This is not something you need to worry about."

The voice fell, and that graceful and dangerous figure had completely disappeared.

Facing the silence where no one was around, Osa shivered, clutched the money bag tightly, and left the alley hurriedly without looking back.

The friendship of a mage master was indeed tempting, but offending a big shot whose depth was unknown was equally frightening.

Being able to make a powerhouse suspected of being Bai Yin-tier or even Gold-tier become her "dead soldier," the soul level of the master standing behind her must be at least two levels higher than her.

Platinum?

Diamond?

Saint Xisi is above, with that soul level, whether she really masters transcendent power is no longer important; this world is not only transcendent beings who can have the final say.

He didn't want to trip and fall on a night walk one day, and wake up to become an undead.

Osa was satisfied.

In these short three days, he had earned money he couldn't spend in a lifetime; he could completely consider changing places to start a new life.

I heard that the Empire's development of the Janna Continent is in full swing recently, might as well go there...

At the same time, on the uninhabited wilderness far away from the Academy, Luo Yan had just drawn a huge teleportation formation on the snow.

He clapped his hands and stood up, then took out his magic wand, waving it lightly like conducting a symphony.

Surging magic power poured out from the tip of the wand, injected into the core of the formation, and played a prelude to summoning the undead together with the howling cold wind.

"Crack—"

In the flashing magic light, space was torn open a crack.

One by one, pale skeletons walked out slowly from the light, their hollow eye sockets burning with ghostly green soul fire!

How can the All Souls Festival be without undead?

These were all brand-new bodies he had prepared for the "players."

A happy smile appeared on Luo Yan's face, his hands slightly lifted upward.

"Awaken—"