Eldrin's eyes lit up when Liam nodded. "Ah, wise choice! You won't regret this, my liege. I assure you, when the time comes, you'll be glad to have me by your side."
"From freak to liege?" Liam looked into Eldrin's eager eyes, searching for any traces of deceit. He found none. Either the elf was an exceptional liar or he was genuinely convinced of their mutual benefit in this arrangement.
Irrespective, he had to take this risk right now. After all, he had bigger fish to fry and more importantly, he needed to find out what happened.
Liam finally said, extending his hand for a shake, "Let's make sure we both live to reap its benefits."
Eldrin shook Liam's hand vigorously, a broad smile forming on his chubby face. "Absolutely! You won't regret this! Shall we celebrate this joyous occasion? How about a drink?"
Liam glared at the elf. "It can wait. I first need you to do something. Access the system shop and find out what happened to my world. I also need you to find a few alchemy recipes for me and procure an item. If you don't do this, then there is no point in our alliance."
Eldrin's enthusiastic smile faltered for a moment but then quickly returned, albeit a bit more subdued. "Ah, yes. Business before pleasure, I see. Very well, let's get to work. See, everything that you just stated can be easily done."
Hmmm? Liam was surprised.
"But… But… the situation is tricky." Eldrin sighed. "To speak more clearly, right now it is near impossible."
Liam's gaze became cold.
"Wait. Wait. Wait. Let me finish. I said it's not possible right now, but it will be possible in three lunar cycles." Eldrin then began to explain, "As you may have figured it out by now, it is very difficult to access a system nexus in our world."
"Trades with the merchants, traveling to other worlds, obtaining items through auctions, new skills, new recipes, new pets, new anything is very difficult."
"Every small transaction is monitored by the royal family and is only allowed under their supervision. There are strict rules put in place for this."
"Hmmm?" Liam then sneered. "Even so, I am sure you have the ability to bypass these rules?"
Liam did not know much about this elf but he knew one thing. The damn guy was extremely crafty.
He was not purely evil like the divine temple high-priestess but Liam knew very well that he would be making a mistake if he underestimated the cunningness of this elf.
Also, Liam knew that this elf had a lot of enemies. He had observed the general dynamics back in the trial space of the elven ancestor. So he should have already done some preparations.
"If accessing the system shop here is difficult, then you should have some method to exit the world and go to some other world, maybe somewhere we can access it? You should perhaps have some disguise otherwise?"
Faced with Liam's questions, the elf quickly became frazzled. "Geez. I am not that amazing okay. I had bribed someone to get out of this hell but now that guy probably would not work out."
"But there is a way. There is a way for everything." The elf grinned. "First, we need to make some preparations. We need to find someone who is talented and train them. We have three lunar cycles so we have to use this time properly and groom a champion."
"A champion?" Liam did not understand.
"The elven royal family suppresses everyone around them. However, they do not completely shut down all doors without leaving any opportunity. This would have led to revolts and resistance."
"This is why they periodically organize recruitment events. Any elf from any part of the empire is free to participate in these events that take place in the empire's capital."
"The recruitment event is a competitive gauntlet, designed to find the most talented and capable individuals in the land. Winners are promised great rewards and opportunities to rise through the ranks
—even to join the royal court itself."
Liam started to see where this was going. "And you think if we groom a champion who wins this competition, we'll have an in with the royal family?"
"Exactly!" Eldrin's face was glowing with excitement. "Once we have someone on the inside, it would be easier to manipulate certain events in our favor. We could gain access to restricted areas, even the system nexus itself."
"Sometimes there is a prize for these events and more often than not this prize is access to the system nexus and perhaps enough tokens to purchase one skill book."
"Of course, this is a risky gamble, but it's the best shot we have."
Liam leaned back, contemplating the idea. It was risky and depended on a lot of uncertain factors. However, he was not convinced.
"Why do all of this? Why not simply just go to another world which is easier to maneuver and which doesn't know we exist? This is too dangerous."
Eldrin nodded. "No. Trust me. There is a reason for me to suggest this. Currently, you are in the forbidden area. Great thinking. As long as you are here, you should be safe. The guardian does not approve of violence in the territory, except if it is for survival."
"Do you know anything about this guardian?" Liam had a feeling as to what it was but he wanted to make sure.
He expected Eldrin to make a big deal about it but the reply came immediately, even sooner than he had expected. "Huh? There is really nothing to know. It's a tree. A giant big tree. Well, a giant big magic tree. That's not the important part."
"It is a very generous and giving ancient tree. Every solar cycle, the tree bestows a blessing. The first person to connect with the tree will receive that blessing."
"Right. World tree. World tree. That's what it is called. Millenia ago when the first elven emperor bonded with the tree, the tree gave him its blessing. I don't know what happened to him or what happened after that."
"But now, it gives its blessing to whoever bows under it on the sacred day. Do you see where I am going with this?"