Genesis Code: The Genetic Awakening-Chapter 138: Let’s Talk Business (2)

Ding!

A system prompt confirmed Caleb’s suspicion. ’The quests are based on what the Royal family wants completed.’ His eyes shifted to the updated quest window.

[3. Investigate the nobles of the kingdom and gather information on their betrayals.]

[4....]

’Is it just me, or is the system pushing me to become the king’s subordinate...?’ Caleb wondered with a slight frown. However, thinking back to how the proposal was made to him, he doubted it. ’It should be fine. It’s not like it’s forcing me to complete the quest.

’But there’s still one more left...’ Caleb already had a guess at what this would cover. ’Now the main question is, how do these quests benefit me?’

He already got his reward for the first two objectives. That left objectives three and four.

"Excellent."

King Gray smiled and retrieved a folder from his storage ring, placing the bulky material on the altar. He had already gathered some preliminary information, but nothing substantial.

"In there are a few things to note about the nobles and their capabilities." As the king explained, Caleb grabbed the folder and retrieved the files in there. "It also contains the list of nobles we suspect had a hand in the crisis that hit the city."

"How exactly do you want to deal with the nobles found guilty?" Caleb raised his head and asked.

"That’s for me to take care of." The king replied. "For now, I want you to investigate deeper. I want undeniable proof of their involvement, shady deals, connections shared with other nobles, outside forces, and what they plan to do next."

"So, as long as they remain alive, I can do what I want?" Gathering information on the nobles would be an easy task for him, given the system’s set of skills.

"Are you referring to what you did with that Baron and goons?" Commander Lance asked with raised brows.

"Something like that..."

"We prefer if you only seal their magic." King Gray stated. "And if possible, try to keep everything quiet; panicking nobles could be a recipe for disaster."

"In that case, I have something better." Caleb replied with a knowing grin. "That way, no one will be able to tell what’s going on until it’s too late."

"..."

The king and commander were not sure what he meant by that. But as long as the nobles didn’t end up dying, then it should be all good, hopefully.

"There’s something that’s been boggling me." His words snapped them out of their thoughts. "From what I heard and gathered, all this mess began when you passed that decree to restrict the nobles, correct?"

"I believe that’s the trigger." King Gray replied.

"Believe, huh..." Caleb echoed, receiving a nod in return. "Isn’t that too flimsy a reason for the nobles to turn traitor?"

"It is..." The king nodded, agreeing with Caleb. "But like we said before, we need intel. There are pieces of the puzzle we’re missing."

"I see... So, there’s more to their actions." Caleb pondered out loud. "But what could possibly drive your own people to act in this manner...?"

Even if the demons had something to do with this, there had to be something that was more appealing for nobles with their power to turn and act against their kingdom, their very home.

"Things seem to point to removing the current Royal family from power." The commander spoke his mind. "Then again, to what end?"

"Indeed..." Caleb muttered with a hand on his chin. "You don’t think the Growian Kingdom is in on this, do you?"

"Oh, they’re most likely involved in this." King Gray sneered. "That brings me to my next assignment, if you’ll accept. This might be more troublesome than the last."

A slight smirk graced Caleb’s features. The last part of the quest was coming. "Please..." Caleb urged the king to go ahead.

"The Growian Kingdom is growing more arrogant by the day." King Gray said with anger evident in his tone. "Every messenger we sent to negotiate was never heard of again. You’re the strongest being I’ve ever met. If anyone can achieve this, it’s you..."

Caleb remained silent, waiting for the king to complete his request.

"Is it possible to take back the land those bastards took from under us?" The king swallowed imperceptibly. He knew he was asking a lot, but he couldn’t afford to fight on two fronts.

The kingdom was stretched thin as it was; anymore and they could collapse.

"You know you’re asking for a lot, right?" Caleb pointed out. freewёbnoνel.com

"I know..." King Gray nodded with a serious expression. "I may not know how strong you really are, but something tells me you’re more capable than an army."

Commander Lance turned to the king. Even he was shocked to hear what the king said. ’I didn’t know His Majesty thought so highly of this man...’ He glanced at Caleb, taking another hard look at him.

Just like the commander, Caleb was surprised. He was not sure about an army, but he had all the mana he could possibly use in his attacks. ’I guess that’s another way of seeing things...’

Caleb didn’t immediately give his reply, and the king expected as much. He needed to think things through before making a decision. This entire situation could go deeper than what they were currently aware of.

He couldn’t afford to just walk in without knowing anything about the other side. ’But it also gives me the chance to broaden my horizons.’ The king was basically asking him to take on an entire kingdom by himself.

’And if this is the fourth objective, then the system believes it’s doable.’ This was the final point he needed to make his decision.

"I’ll see what I can do..."

Ding!

The moment he replied, the fourth objective came to light, proving his thoughts correct once again.

[4. Take back what has been seized by the Growian Kingdom]

[Reward: Unlock a new skill (passive)]

[Penalty: None]

[Time Limit: Depends on situation]

’Interesting...’ Caleb revealed a slight smile that quickly disappeared.

"Thank you, Caleb." King Gray expressed his heartfelt gratitude. With Caleb on the case, he could rest easy.

"Of course," Caleb accepted and then asked. "I can add whomever I want to this investigatory body, right?"

"That’s up to you, Caleb."

"Good."

Afterwards, the king disclosed all the information he had on their enemy kingdom, the region seized, and the forces stationed there.