Fantasy Realm – Infinite Worlds Adventure-Chapter 241: Rishi’s Trap, Jewel’s Decisiveness
Rishi immediately tells Alex: “Ask the following question: ‘Would you be fine, letting us see your system window, with your current missions open?’”
That’s against the rules, isn’t it? Also, I wouldn’t be fine with doing that myself….
Alex sees Rishi smile as he continues to communicate with him mentally: “Exactly, and that’s the trap. This isn’t about actions; this is merely about questions… for now!”
Dearest Soulmate, this plan will likely work. Friend Rishi is a rather insidious and manipulative individual who knows how to manipulate peasants, be it with his questions, actions, or his mind. You’ll likely get the exact opposite results you expect, which in turn will solve this situation to our benefit once and for all.
Sure… whatever. Let me see how this plays out then.
“Okay, Ben, everyone, just to make sure you don’t misunderstand. This is merely a question, with no strings attached. I just want you to answer the question,” Alex clarifies with an ambiguous smile, immediately confusing the other teams.
“Would you be fine, letting us see your system window, with your current missions open? That is my question,” Alex faithfully repeats his question.
Immediately, the others look at him. Stefanie curses: “I’m not showing you any part of my system screen. Forget it.”
Alex sighs. “What did I just say? This is just my question. It’s simply that. A question. There’s no reason to veto it; just answer the question, and we’ll be fine.”
“I’m not understanding, but fine. Just answering, right? Sure, let’s go with that then,” Ben says, not understanding but looking at Alex with interest, seemingly realizing that this question has a clear purpose.
Alex then goes on and suggests a proposal: “Since nobody disagrees, let’s go with it then. How about this? The group leader and two random group members drink the spiked juice. The other two remaining members make sure nothing else is answered. If even a single question besides those we just agreed on is asked, this is interpreted as an attack.”
Alex goes on to explain: “So, no communication between group members to exchange previously learned things. The two—or, in our case, the one remaining group member—will be the only one asking the questions in a separate room. We can use one of the many backrooms in the hall here.”
“Since our group is smaller, we volunteer to go in first, and Menchi will act as a judge as well. Also, we can only let two of us drink the juice since we only have three players left. To balance that, we’ll answer the questions first. How about it?” Alex asks them, thinking his proposal is fair.
My dearest Soulmate is so smart and fair. Your Princess Jewel pledges to protect you from any attempts at foul play.
I… have the feeling that Jewel is beginning to look down on me, being totally smitten if I suggest something that’s actually just barely intelligent.
Alex looks at the other players for a response, not bothering to ask Rishi since that would be a bit suspicious. His long pauses already annoyed some other players like Stefanie, who complained earlier.
The other teams discuss among themselves and then look at each other. Without saying anything, they all agree.
Alex takes a total of 14 cups of pumpkin juice and puts 10 drops of Veritaserum inside each of them, forcefully throwing the other cups to the ground and spilling their contents, not allowing for any tricks.
I can’t just take three and then demand others take more…
“Three drops are enough, but with ten, there should be no surprises or tricks to deceive the others,” Alex states.
So, Alex takes out a Galleon and hands it to Stefanie, saying: “Throw a coin. Heads, Tereza; tails, Rishi.”
Stefanie quickly throws it into the air and catches it, revealing tails.
Not bad. I bet even ten drops won’t be enough for Rishi… however, if they later find out, this might be a problem. Is that okay?
He then hears Rishi again in his mind: “They won’t. Even if they do, it’s fine. I’ll answer honestly anyway. Let’s go ahead with it.”
The process repeats for the other teams. After two groups are now formed, Menchi, Tereza, along with two members of each team, carefully place the spiked cups of pumpkin juice on a tray and carefully walk into a neighboring room, not a single one making any suspicious movements.
A minute later, Alex and Rishi follow after them, entering the same room.
Alex and Rishi both grab one cup of juice from the tray and drink it in front of the members chosen to ask the questions. Tereza immediately warns the others: “One wrong question, and your team will be assumed traitorous!”
“You know, players aren’t allowed to attack others, but if you mess with us, I’ll ask Snape to expel you from the premises,” Menchi says in a sweet, teasing voice. This immediately scares the other teams, who can’t deny that there’s a small chance Menchi may indeed be able to sabotage their reputation with Snape and, by extension, the headmaster himself.
Stefanie repeats the question she suggested earlier: “Are you a traitor, actively working against the other teams?”
“No,” Alex and Rishi say at the same time.
“Were there Hidden Objectives in the mission objectives? If yes, how many?”
Alex and Rishi nod at each other: “Two!”
“Your own question—how about you read it out?” one member suggests, looking at Tereza.
“Would you be fine, letting us see your system window, with your current missions open?” Tereza asks stoically.
“No!” Alex and Rishi both answer at the same time again.
“...What does this mean? No?” The other players asking the questions look at each other.
Alex stands up and says: “We’ll send in the other teams.”
He and Rishi leave, returning to the Great Hall. Rishi immediately orders: “Don’t ask us ANY question. You should know why. Anyway, next team!”
One after another, the teams enter the backroom where the others just questioned Alex and Rishi.
Five minutes later, with 2 other teams retreating Alex himself tests the influence of the serum with Jewel.
Ask me something I’m fine with answering, Jewel. Don’t abuse that trust, okay?
My dearest Soulmate, I would never stoop so low. How about you just confirm something very easy for me? Do you love me?
You! Jewel, what did I say about… I… yes, I do.
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
…Yes, I regret everything. She’s really a spoiled princess now. I love her… like I love a pet and friend. Thankfully, she doesn’t seem to realize this obvious difference. This silly spider. Alex thinks, making sure Jewel doesn’t notice his thoughts.
Just 15 minutes later, everyone is sitting back in the Great Hall, every single player who has been questioned curiously looking at the group who asked the questions.
Jewel, do it again. Same question.
Do you love me, dearest Soulmate? ❤️
No!
The serum no longer works! What a cruel and vicious lie, Soulmate! Enough lies, okay? Always be honest with your Princess Jewel, okay?
Sure…. Alex tells her, obviously lying again.
“The serum doesn’t work any longer, I think. Let’s test it, okay? Ben, what’s the most embarrassing thing that happened to you during basic training?” Alex asks casually.
“Not like I’m telling you, huh! If you really want to know, it’s nothing that bad though, and I could tell you,” he says with a smile.
They all ask each other questions and confirm the effects of the serum did indeed disappear.
All of them look confused, but instead of saying anything, all members who were questioning the members under the influence of the serum stare at Mayoi’s team.
Alex suppresses a grin as Menchi begins to speak: “You all answered the very same. No to the first question, two for the second question. However, one team answered the last question differently. It’s your team, Mayoi. You all claimed that you would be fine with showing us your status screen.”
Rishi talks to Alex and Jewel: “Alex, and especially you, Jewel, prepare for combat. You all should know where this is going by now, right?”
I still don’t really get…! I see! Yes, I see where this is going… It will prove something entirely different, but it will be enough to prove it for everyone else as well.
At the same time, Jewel uses Zetsu and slowly climbs down Alex’s back, disappearing under the table and walking towards the exit.
“So? We are obviously the only honest team, while you are not. I’m honestly quite disappointed with your selfishness,” Mayoi says, remaining calm.
The other teams also look at Alex and Rishi, for it was them who suggested this question.
“Now tell us what you were thinking when you chose this question!” Ben demands, clearly intrigued to find out the answer.
Suddenly, Alicia giggles and unleashes a nasty grin, saying, “Let me do the honor. Dear Mayoi, please show me your system screen with your current main quest on it!”
Mayoi looks at Alicia in shock: “We just said this was about questions only; why should I show it to you? Do you think I’m stupid?”
Alex responds: “You just said under the influence of Veritaserum that you would be totally fine showing it to us! Now do it.”
Mayoi and her teammates suddenly display various shocked looks. They all stare at each other, some looking like they just made a fatal blunder. Mayoi begins to stammer a little, and her teammates accuse Alex: “You are a scammer; this is unfair! Why only us?! This is a trick!”
Rishi then says: “Obviously, you and your group are totally unwilling to share your system screen, especially your current quest. Yet you were able to claim otherwise under the influence of Veritaserum. Everyone else answered ‘No’ for the last question, obviously being honest. However, you managed to lie! Which is exposed now. The sheer fact that multiple members of your team managed to lie under Veritaserum is clearly suspicious!”
As soon as Rishi says that, Mayoi unleashes a metallic round object, and smoke fills the room. She acts so fast that even Alex and Rishi, who was prepared for this exact thing, gets surprised.
Follow curr𝒆nt nov𝒆ls on fɾeeweɓnѳveɭ.com.
He uses En and sees them all fleeing, desperately trying to cast Blizzard lvl 4 on one of them, barely hitting her.
You have dealt 33 damage to Erica
You have slowed Erica
Alex notices one of her teammates quickly grabbing her. However, before they can flee, they both run into a nearly invisible net, obviously hidden with In. As one of the players uses a knife to cut open the net, Alex notices a small beast lying on top of the door. Her mouth is wide open as she jumps onto the player named Erica and unleashes a vicious bite onto the slowed player.
Jewel has dealt 67 x 3 = 201 damage to Erica
Jewel has killed Erica
