Post this small episode, Riku filled Lila in on all the developnts that had happened after she lost consciousness - him using a spell to erase the mories of everyone else, the current quest to heal 5000 people, and his plan to make more healing talismans for the people to cure the creep. He also told her about the earlier event at Baron Charles’ residence.
Lila listened eagerly, taking in all the things Riku had been up to in the past few days. On hearing that the healing talisman could help people fight the creep with such effectiveness, she imdiately tried to take the one on her neck off, but RIku reassured her that it was only a matter of ti when they got a lot more of them made.
Later that evening, after Elara had been sufficiently reassured that no actual "perversion" had occurred (though she still gave Riku suspicious glances), and Lila was resting comfortably, Riku initiated a ntal conversation with the System.
First, he was hit by a wave of notifications
Ding!
[300 points consud (Reason - Purchased Buns and Chocolates)
5 points consud (Reason - Spell casts)
300 points acquired (Source - Spread happiness among the kids in the Underbelly)
Current Goodwill points: 775]
However, Riku had a different agenda this ti.
System. You never ntioned that you spoke with Lila
[The system did what it felt was right at that ti, host.]
Well, I am not saying that you did sothing wrong. In fact, you did the best thing, and that probably saved the day that day. However, I am just...surprised. You know, I would never expect a system to be able to communicate with soone other than its host.
[You still do not know all the greatness of this system, Host. Your surprise is natural] the system replied, though RIku could swear that the neutral voice was slightly teasing this ti. However, he continued.
You are right. However, I have one more question, or rather a request for you. Is there any way you can help make my companions stronger? To protect themselves if I... lose control again, or if other threats arise?
The system paused for a second and then continued.
[No one can protect them if you truly lose control and attack them, host. However, for the second part, it can be possible.]
[The System can facilitate access to knowledge and resources. Martial arts manuals, foundational spellbooks, cultivation techniques, and resource procurent for enhancing physical or magical aptitude are within the System’s capabilities to provide, at an appropriate Goodwill Point cost.]
Riku felt a spark of excitent. Really? So I could get techniques for them to learn?
[Affirmative. However, no such upgrade package or resource acquisition module is currently available to the Host. The Host must continue to demonstrate commitnt to the Peaceful Life Mandate and accumulate further goodwill to unlock future updates. Work harder, Host.]
With that, Riku felt the system’s voice disappear.
Riku’s excitent deflated as quickly as it had risen. Of course. Always a catch.
He sighed. Fine. One step at a ti.
-------------------
The next morning, Riku and the girls left for the underbelly once again. RIku wanted Lila to rest, however, Lila shook her head, not wanting to stay in bed anymore. Elara also followed them, lest Riku did more perverted things to Lila.
"Master Riku! Young Misses!" At the Underbelly, Borin greeted them warmly. "We have been busy! As per your request, the forges have not slept!" He led them to Thrain’s forge, where stacks of neatly cut copper blanks lay waiting.
"Five hundred, Master Riku! As fine as we could make them. The gold you provided allowed us to secure a good supply of quality copper. We are preparing the blanks for making the rest of them as we speak."
Riku was impressed. "This is excellent work, Elders. Five hundred is a fantastic start."
He spent the next couple of hours carefully imbuing each of the five hundred talismans with his ’Minor Heal’ spell. The System dutifully deducted the goodwill points.
[Minor Heal x500. Cost: 500 Goodwill Points.
Goodwill Points: 825 - 500 = 325 Remaining.]
Once done, five hundred gently glowing talismans lay before them, a testant to Dwarven craftsmanship and Riku’s magic.
"Now, for distribution," Riku said.
"Elder Borin, please keep one hundred of these for the most afflicted within the Underbelly. This should be more than enough for now, and I will make more when required."
"Bless you, Master Riku," Borin said, slightly bowing
"The remaining four hundred," Riku continued, "we will use for our efforts on the surface. But the door-to-door thod is too slow. We need a more central, yet still discreet thod of distribution."
"Should we give the talismans to the church? A lot of people go there every day," Borin said.
"Nah, I don’t trust them. Besides, my relations with them are not the most cordial at the mont."
"I think we should partner with soone who has a lot of reputation on the surface, and be able to ensure fairness. And I think we both know just the family for that."
"You an, Lord Charles and the Humr family?"
"Yup, they are the perfect people. Being a noble family, they would have strong distribution networks. Once we produce more talismans, we might even distribute them beyond the borders of Luxia with their help. Plus, I think we can be a hundred percent sure that they would not misappropriate the talismans or extort more money from the people."
"Yes, the Old lord and the current Baron have always helped those in need. It can definitely work out." Borin nodded in realization.
"Let us head for their residence, then. We will fine tune the details there along with Lord Gregor and Baron Charles." Riku suggested.
"Okay."
-------------------
Their arrival at Humr Manor was t with far less suspicion this ti. The guards at the gate recognized Elder Borin and Riku, and imdiately respectfully ushered them inside. Soone had already run off to inform the Baron
Baron Charles himself greeted them at the door to the mansion, his face beaming with smiles as he extended his hand. "Mister Riku! Elder Borin! Welco, welco! Father has been asking for you. He is doing remarkably well, thanks to your intervention!"
"Glad to hear that, Lord Charles. Did you find any traces or leads on where the malignant stone ca from?" Riku asked while shaking the Baron’s hand.
Hearing Riku ask on this matter, the Baron’s face imdiately turned angry, with a tinge of frustration.
"About that..."
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