The first day quietly passed by just like that, and Liam continued to mingle with the elves without any break, even for resting at night. This impressed even some of the veteran elves that an outsider was willing to work so hard for them.
However, that was it. There was no other development. After sinking almost 48 hours in this quest that was going nowhere, even Liam began to doubt if what he was doing was the right thing.
But thankfully, he did not have to wonder about this for too long. The next day morning, when the sun peeked out of the thick clouds, he saw a familiar figure walking toward him.
And an unexpected notification also popped up.
<Ding. Quest: Find the secret behind the barbarians' strength>
<Ding. Reward: Return of Lyana's lost memories>
<Ding. Quest Completed>
<Ding. Lady Lyana now considers you her friend>
Liam stared at this sudden notification and broke into a smile. It looked like he was going in the right direction after all. Perhaps this was simply a reputation grind, and he was overthinking things.
Though he was not outright being awarded any reputation points, he could visibly notice some change in the behavior of the elves around him. Maybe if he kept this up for longer or…
Liam looked at the elf named Lyana walking toward him. Perhaps this elf was the key to his success here.
"I am glad you are doing better, my lady." He shamelessly smiled at the elf and addressed her in a formal tone which was completely opposite to how he had treated her all these days.
"Ahem." The elf noticed this and smiled awkwardly. "I am sorry I am only able to visit you now." She tucked her hair behind her ear and clutched her robe nervously. "I should properly thank you for helping us back there. If it wasn't for you…"
Liam immediately waved his hand and stopped her with a gentlemanly smile, "We don't have to talk about the things in the past. You are now here, and you are safe." He reminded her as he could see some painful memories flash past the elf's clear eyes.
Lyana smiled in response and nodded. "You must be tired after working so hard. Would you care to join me for a meal?"
"It would be my honor." Liam gave another shameless smile, all the while celebrating inwardly. It looked like his quest was going to be easily achieved.
The two of them walked over to one of the restaurants, and once again, a grand feast of different types of vegetables and mushrooms was served. Some of the mushroom items were even tastier than roasted meat which pleasantly surprised Liam.
As the two of them dug into the meal, Lyana surprisingly broached the important topic even before Liam could talk about it.
"Ummm… I also just learned about what happened when you visited the royal palace. I will apologize on their behalf. We just have a bad history with the human kingdoms in general."
Liam was inwardly surprised, but he kept calm and smiled again, "Yes, don't worry about that. I understood that much. I only wish…" He sighed gently.
"Mmm… I heard about that too… Elder Haldir is… ahem… very busy. He is also very strict and has a bad temper, I should say. It will be very difficult to even talk to him, let alone ask for help or convince him to do something."
"Oh?"
"Even if we approach the elder, we will be treated in the same manner. It's just impossible to even meet with him. So don't feel bad."
Seeing that the elf was trying her hardest to console him, Liam gave a small smile, but he didn't like the fact that his work here just became ten times harder.
He was hoping that at least Lyana would be of some help because of her noble family connections, and now even that didn't seem to be the case. Was this really going to be a long and hard reputation grind?
While he was silently thinking about this and emptying another glass of wine, Lyana looked at his eyes in worry. The man seemed to be sad and burdened despite always smiling.
"Ummm… I know I said that it's impossible, but I can try to help." She spoke up once again.
Liam instantly perked up. I knew it! Rescuing these elves had to give something in return! "Oh? I would greatly appreciate any help I can get." He quickly replied to her.
Lyana did not want him to get over-excited and explained. "Ah~ We shouldn't get our hopes up, though. My mother is an old acquaintance of the elder. So maybe she can help. I am not too sure."
Liam, however, shook his head, "Please don't worry about that. I am already grateful that you are willing to help."
Unlike the elf, he knew how the chain quests in the game worked, so he was pretty sure that the old elf was going to agree this time around. This was going to work!
An hour later…
"Ba ha ha ha! Ba ha ha ha!"
"Me training this pathetic brat? Ba ha ha ha! Ba ha ha ha! Good one!"
A large old hulking elf laughed hysterically at the three individuals in front of him, two graceful feminine elves and one human, filling the room with a loud burst of laughter and saliva spilling everywhere.
When he scowled in contempt, his icy gaze focused especially on the human being.
The old guy then, yet again got up and rudely left the room without even giving Lyana or her mother a chance to respond. The two elven women could only helplessly shake their heads at Liam.
And naturally, right before the old guy left, he also made sure to give Liam another taste of his power as tremendous pressure consumed him and him alone, causing the man to buckle and wheeze on the ground once more.
"Motherfucker!" Liam cursed the damned elf under his breath as he was now once again back to square one.
