Chapter 363: Not far
[Main quest: Escort Mary to the royal capital within thirty days, 0/30] (Note 1: Key quest item discovered. Rating greatly increased.) (Note 2: An additional rating bonus will be awarded if Mary reaches the royal capital unharmed.)
Lines of text appeared across his vision.
Qin Ran looked with mild surprise at the parchment scroll in his hand, sealed with a thick layer of wax.
Although he had guessed that the secret order was important, he had not known it would be a key quest item, or even affect his original main quest.
His curiosity stirred, and he wanted to see what the secret order said.
Still, he knew what he ought to do first.
Holding one end of the scroll, Qin Ran handed the secret order to Mary.
Whether it was her mother's death over it or the burning of the tower where she had lived, everything told Qin Ran that she was the one who should open it.
Besides, the main quest that followed revolved around her.
Qin Ran had no desire to protect a little girl who resented him.
Who knew whether she might do something reckless out of childish impulse?
Even if she had behaved with remarkable maturity from the very beginning.
Mary's small hands trembled slightly, making the scroll shake with them, but that did not stop her from cutting through the sealing wax with a knife.
Mary made no attempt to conceal it.
So, from where Qin Ran stood, he could read the secret order on the scroll perfectly clearly.
Aileen,
My body cannot hold out any longer.
Every night, when I close my eyes, I cannot be certain I will see the next day's sun.
So I need you to bring Mary back to the royal capital,