"This is my trophy!"
Aaron looked at Grise and said solemnly, "I have the right to dispose of it. Of course, I'll find a chance to grant the paladin souls within it their rest!"
"I hope so!"
Grise hesitated, wanting to speak but stopping herself. After all, the secret incantation he had used in battle was no fake, and it left her deeply suspicious of Aaron's identity.
It also lent the bard's origins a veil of mystery.
[You successfully conducted a negotiation!] [Storytelling +1!]
Aaron glanced at the notification in his status panel and paid it no mind.
He would never admit that so-called "storytelling" was really a combination of the "Intimidation" and "Deception" skills.
"Where does Your Excellency intend to go next?"
Grise asked with a hint of wariness, secretly gripping the nine-section whip that had been broken by nearly half.
"I don't know... Is there anywhere you'd recommend?"
Aaron could tell that this priest was highly wary of him.
After all, his identity was mysterious, and he even knew secret incantations—abilities generally possessed only by devout followers of the Outer Gods.
But he had long prepared an explanation. Smiling, he said, "Don't be fooled by the fact that I know the core abilities of those Outer God priests... In truth, I once had a friend who was a blasphemous priest, and I learned a great deal from him."
Blasphemous priests were the beings most hated by the gods. They could disguise their faith and even swindle divine spells from the gods themselves!
Grise was only half-convinced, but she would sooner die than reveal the secrets of Hot Spring Gorge to him. After thinking it over, she said, "I think that if you wish to learn more about the situation on the continent, you can go