Chapter 205: Shihei's proposal

"Rini?" Shihei was taken aback upon seeing that Wil selected his niece of all the people. He wondered whether it's on purpose.

"So, Siren is Rini-san?" Wil faked his surprise as he turned his head towards Shihei. "According to the information collected by my spies, she's very strong."

Looking at Wil's expression that seemed very sincere at the moment, Shihei didn't even believe him a bit and scoffed inside, 'Who are you, kidding… Ask anyone in the city, they would say her background… And do you think I would give up the future Empress?'

Despite his feelings, he forced a smile, "can you reconsider? I'm sure Scarlet guild doesn't lack experts. Not to mention, she's the princess of Searvale. It would be a huge loss for her if she were to leave with you.

How about this player named Keluar…

Adding to a 90% success rate with more than 1500 informers, he's also ranked 5th in the Searvale kingdom rankings. I can assure you that he's definitely stronger than Rini."

'She's an important pawn for Galaxy-Net, huh! Sorry but, I can't let your organization become too strong under her…' Wil decided to be stubborn about it.

Just when he was about to speak his decision, another thought popped up in his mind. 'But, I didn't know whether she's acquired the legend class or not.' 

He then asked, "Do you have videos of her fighting skills? In-game one, I mean…"

Shihei answered, "You can see her videos on the internet. Rini also loves streaming."

'That girl?' Wil remembered that cold expression on that face. 'Her hobbies doesn't suit her.'

When he opened her channel on the site, Wil was stunned to see she has more than 500K subscribers, which is more than current Bran's.

Each video she uploaded has at least 200K views and goes all the way to 20m.

'It seems she's popular.'

He clicked on the most popular one that was uploaded only two weeks ago.

It was a video where she fights and caught the Phoenix. Tens of thousands of comments are asking where she found such a monster.

Some are mentioning that it's a hidden monster.

Meanwhile, the players that belong to the Searvale kingdom explained that Phoenix is the symbol of the kingdom.

Wil's name also popped up in a few comments like how his mount is also the symbol of Llyne.

'It looks like it's going to be tough to catch them, now. I wonder if there's beast left to catch.'

Then, he played the video.

'Huh!' Wil was taken aback to see something shocking. He saw her using the skills that he thought they are unique to only Bran in the past. The twist here is that she was holding a sword and a shield, instead of Katana.

'Isn't she a legend class user? Then, why is she using the skills that Bran has?' Wil fell into confusion.

As he continued to watch the video, Wil's confusion became deeper, 'she used the thunder steps for every 70 seconds. That's also the cooldown of Bran's thunder steps. Meaning the skill is the same…

If it's just one skill, I can understand they must have picked up the same skill book from somewhere but there are four skills that they have in common. What's going on here?'

The longer Wil thinks, the more likely it seemed to him that she's a magic swordsman.

On the other hand, Shihei was silently observing Wil's expression. Was Wil surprised that she caught the phoenix? Or was he confused about her unique skills?

Even though Shihei didn't confront her about it, he also knows that some of her skills are quite similar to Crimson Sun despite both have different classes.

As he watched other videos of her, Wil realized none of the skills are of Guardian or Paladin that he knew of. 'Perhaps, legend class users don't necessarily have the same equipment? I need to confirm my suspicions with her, later…'

"So, she has a guardian beast. No wonder you refused," Wil made a comment on purpose to test him. Wil wanted to see how he would react. If he would accept Wil's statement, that means, Shihei was refusing for another purpose.

Then, Wil can conclude that either Galaxy Net is laying the groundwork to let her be the Queen to control the Searvale Kingdom.

If he denies, then, that would mean, he must have already figured out the secret of the guardian beast.

But, to his surprise, he received a different reply from his expectations.

"That is true," Shihei nodded in response and confessed the truth, "however, even if she doesn't possess the phoenix, I would still be reluctant about it because she's not just a princess.

She's a crown princess like you. If the Queen dies in the war, she will be the one to rule the kingdom."

At that moment, Wil understood the reason. 'This old man knows about the legend class. People like him reveal the truths to hide the even bigger truth. So, either my guess is correct or he was just stubborn.'

Wil's eyes narrowed as he stared at Shihei for a few seconds, continuing to analyze, 'And it seemed like he didn't know about the guardian beast completely. He probably was thinking that the guardian beasts are only legendary grade beasts with 100 levels above the user.'

"Well, since you are adamant about keeping her at Searvale, I wouldn't drag this topic longer too. Let's settle with this guy, Keluar as the final person…" Wil gave in as he figured out it would be no use even if he offers gold coins or the kingdom.

If he would press further, he would also seem suspicious. So, Wil thought of letting him win this round for now.

After Wil's finished with his proposal, it was Shihei's turn to propose a deal.

"You said something about the alliance with other guilds… What is it?" Wil asked him.

"What I had a plan in mind is a ten-member alliance…" Shihei answered it.

"Ten guilds to control the game?" Wil wondered what guilds they are… Surely, they will be backed by powerful organizations or Corporations.

"Yeah." Shihei then stood up and walked to a desk that was lying in the corner.

He took out some paper from one of the drawers and placed it before Wil.

"This…" Wil looked at the global map, "You printed out the map of the game?"

"Consider me a bit old fashioned." He shrugged his shoulders before he points the marker at the Searvale kingdom, which is in the southwest of Xynnar. "This is where Galaxy Net is operating from."

He drew a line all the way to the Llyne, which is on the southeast border, "This is where the Scarlet guild is, at least for now. If you plan to change your base to Athledon kingdom, then…"

He erased the line and redrew it to the north-west to the islands between the Xynnar and North Zalfari Continent. "Here is Scarlet."

Then, he draws the line from Searvale to the Kingdom of Eska in the utmost northern region. "Here, a strong all-female guild named Fiery Ladies located here." 

Then, he draws a line to an Elven kingdom of Trielor, "Here lies the guild of Felflayers."

"Here is the Conqueror guild in the North Zalfari Continent."

As he drew the lines to different parts of the world with Galaxy Net as the center, Wil pointed at each of them, "these guilds… Conqueror guild has the Griffin. I have the Winged Lion. Galaxy Net has Phoenix… Perhaps, are these guilds the possessors of the guardian beasts?

No, according to my knowledge, a kingdom can only have one guardian beast. So, there's no way the guilds from Aynor continent can have each of them."

Shihei shook his head with a smile, "No, I confirmed the reports.

Apparently, the underworld indeed has not one but three guardian beasts of which the last one hasn't been found yet or maybe was caught but was kept secret."

Wil felt disappointed by his confident answer.