T0 Gaming Guild Saves the World.

Chapter 638, 637. Sigh, can I take it back?
Kurien does not demand that all her children be outstanding or dazzling.

He doesn't even require them to become successful.

If they were willing to behave themselves and grasp the essence of "living a carefree life," Kurien would have at least a third less of the troublesome things to worry about.

In Wick's view, Kurien's demands for offspring were so humble as to be beneath contempt.

Even so, his precious children seemed unable to even maintain this minimum level of obedience.

Kurien could understand the underlying profit logic behind the sale of normal prisoners of war and slaves.

They plundered ordinary civilians on the empire's borders and sold them...

What is this picture?
Just because they think the interests of border lords are irrelevant to the empire as a whole, does that give them the right to trample on them at will?

If his son really thinks that way, then his vision is far too short-sighted and chillingly foolish!

Kurien was so angry that his head ached. He rubbed his temples and remained silent for a long time, the air in the study thick with tension.

“Wick,” Kurien finally raised his bloodshot eyes after a long silence, his voice tired and hoarse, “tell me, to whom can the future of the Empire be entrusted…?”

At this moment, he was no longer the emperor who had ruled the empire for decades, but merely a helpless father.

For decades, they were soulmates, and there were some things that only Wick could hear and say.

"The Empire's current state cannot withstand too much turmoil. We have only managed to maintain stability for several decades. The reforms that His Majesty desires are unlikely to come in his lifetime..."

Kurien let out a deep sigh.

He always wanted to resolve all the long-standing problems that could be solved, clearing obstacles for his successor and preventing him from facing a mess that was beyond his ability to fix.

Rather than placing his hopes on unknown successors, he had more faith in his own abilities and determination.

But... reality doesn't always go as planned.

"Let me think about it again."

"Let me think about it again..."

Kurien waved wearily, muttered something, and slumped back into the large chair.

In an instant, the faces of his sons appeared in his mind one after another, his thoughts were in turmoil, yet somehow, he seemed to have grasped a faint thread.

The study was knocked on again, and this time it was the maid who answered, not the guard.

"Your Majesty," the head maid reported in a steady tone as she expertly added tea and water, "the master jailer has returned to Fragrant Breeze City."

"Huh?" Kurien snapped out of his heavy, chaotic thoughts. "When did this happen?"

"Just now."

Kurien looked at Wick thoughtfully, their eyes conveying a silent bewilderment.

To leave and then return?
Their speculation is most likely correct. So why did the jailer master return?
The reports were more comprehensive at night.

Upon returning to Fragrant Breeze City, the master jailer immediately threw himself into taking on manuscripts.

He secured commissions from 10 nobles in one go, and then closed his doors to visitors.

Although they are noticeably more selective than in the past, their efficiency remains amazing, promising to complete the drawings in no more than 20 days.

“I don’t understand.” Kurien shook his head. “If he became famous before to find his companions faster, and then came back to continue painting those revealing pictures after finding his companions…”

He hesitated before giving a conclusion.

"Perhaps, he truly loves what he does and is incredibly passionate about it."

Wick brought up the suggestion again.

"Should I visit him directly?"

Kurien shook his head again: "My intuition tells me they're focused on their own things and don't seem like ambitious people. Let's leave them alone for now."

“I have always trusted your intuition, but you have consistently misjudged the children.”

Only Wick could utter such hurtful words.

Kurien looked up, lost in thought.

"Love can blind people... I actually hope I can always be wrong, so that at least it proves that I am still willing to acknowledge them as my children."

……

……

At the Jailer's Manor, Elaeva was holding a bucket of fries, soaking in the pool, and stuffing them into her mouth.

Summer comes exceptionally early in the southwest of the empire, and spring is unusually hot and humid by mid-spring.

The rising summer heat forced Rainbow Rain, which had been resting and recuperating, to all enter a heat-avoidance mode.

Seeing everyone splashing and playing in the pool, the proud dragon Arela, who was used to being alone, stopped pretending to be aloof and joined in, leaning against the poolside, enjoying what might be the last bit of comfort and leisure before the end of the world.

"Hey potato... do you even have any effect with your weird, roundabout way of doing things?"

Seeing Jiang Heyi come over to drink juice to replenish her energy, she immediately handed over his wife's "true form" and invited her to eat some with him.

"what do you mean?"

“It’s just a show, all for show.” Elera Vie flicked her tail, splashing water everywhere. “The jailer has returned to Fragrant Wind City to resume his old ways as planned. It seems that things aren’t going according to your script at all with the Anna royal family.”

Upon hearing this, the Rainbow Rain members, who were soaking in the water, also moved aside to express their doubts.

According to Jiang Heyi's plan, after Rainbow Rain gained fame through a series of commissioned actions, he could easily spread his reputation to the imperial ruling center by capturing a spectator who witnessed the scene of defeating the Mad Blood Clan.

They were very lucky; the Black Herons who stumbled upon the scene were from a family of staunch Kurien supporters.

Black Heron reports on the battle situation of Rainbow Rain, revealing that "someone" is behind it, and then uses Elena to escalate the situation.

At this point, regardless of the circumstances, Kurien should have sent people to thoroughly investigate Rainbow Rain's background. They could also use this incident to establish an initial impression among the nobles of Anna. The plan was good, but progress suddenly stalled at Kurien's investigation.

No one suspected to be an internal guard appeared around the jailer's manor.

Judging from the traces left at the boundary between reality and illusion along the way, as long as Kurien integrates the information, it is not difficult for him to suspect the prison guard.

Henilakai stroked his wet fur: "Looks like the plan has changed and failed. Do you have a backup plan?"

"No." Jiang Heyi couldn't help but let out a soft hum as the French fries massaged his shoulders. "It's already a success."

"what?"

Gloria and Elsa were both stunned.

They've been reviewing the situation these past few days, and they feel that the Anna royal family's lack of action is due to their inadequate demeanor; they need to step up their game.

"It's already successful?" Gloria asked, puzzled. "But Kurien hasn't shown any signs of investigating."

Jiang Heyi's lips curled up: "You don't understand Kurien. He must have noticed the relationship between the four original bodies and the jailer. Considering their respective performances, he chose to turn a blind eye."

"We have already made a perfect first impression."

Plata muttered to himself, expressing his doubt: "Really...perfect? ​​Sigh, jailer."

Apart from Gloria, Elsa, King Slime (Deep Green), and Insect Mist (who was only fit to sit at a table for children), everyone present received the "gift" from the jailer.

It is truly a work of art, breathtakingly beautiful.

As far as she knew, even Vanassis, the team's intellectual leader, couldn't stay rational; he had already stuffed the portrait under his pillow...

If you were to ask people how powerful the prison guard is, the answer would undoubtedly be second only to the potato.

But if asked in front of outsiders, he would have to be at the bottom of the food chain at the jailer's manor, even the cattle he raises are of a higher status than him.

With him around, the impression can hardly be described as pleasant.

Jiang Heyi smiled without saying a word, and quietly asked the fries beside her.

"The letters have already been sent out?"

"One letter was sent to the inner guards hidden in Fragrant Wind City, and the other was sent directly to the Star Speaker Academy. If nothing unexpected happens, they should both have arrived."

He stretched lazily.

Before summer, when everything is about to begin, Jiang Heyi needs to try to bring two things forward.

"What, Renee?"

After finding Mint at the Potions Workshop and explaining her intentions, she almost jumped onto the table upon hearing Renee's name.

She looked like a mother who had seen her child do something wrong and was excitedly ready to teach the child a lesson.

Mint gritted her teeth: "You all know what she did to me at the academy..."

"Don't get so worked up. There's been some misunderstanding between you and her, but I promise it can be cleared up," Jiang Heyi said. "As long as she's willing to show up."

The process of unlocking Renee through a competition is too cumbersome and the process is too far in the future.

In order to eliminate Dussel more efficiently and without any worries, and also to provide support to Renee should the Empire and the Fallen Star Sea clash, Jiang Heyi decided to accelerate the new plan.

Since the world's consciousness is powerless to interfere, how to skip plot points and how to trigger events are entirely up to him.

Ah, so good~~~
The matter between Renee and Mint could really be resolved by sitting down and talking it out. However, according to the information provided by the Overlord, it was only after dragging things out until the Great Chaos of Anna that the two sides had no possibility of communication anymore.

After much persuasion, Mint finally nodded, still pouting.

"I've been calling you 'Mom' for so long, I'll believe you unfilial children this once."

In real life, Mint accepted the new identity smoothly and naturally, and began to use it.

At the boundary between the virtual and the real, everyone was eager to "complete the game" and show her their amazing performance in the Proof of the Stars.

Just imagining her expression makes me grin from ear to ear.

Mint remained defiant: "Hmph, I don't believe she'll agree."

What if you agree?

"I would eat a salted fish doll made of French fries all day long."

In my spare time, French fries have also broadened my interests and hobbies.

She was very good at making handmade dolls, and now the pillow the two of them sleep on is a huge handmade potato pillow.

Early the next morning...

Mint's hands trembled as she clutched the envelope.

“Seven days from now, the Star Speaker will take a three-day holiday, and I will visit on time – Renee.”

Looking at the handwriting and signature on the letter, Mint felt a wave of dizziness wash over her.

French Fries suppressed a laugh, forcing a reluctant expression.

"I don't know why you're requesting such punishment... but since you want to, here you go~~~"

As he said that, he immediately picked up the salted fish plush toy and stuffed it straight into Mint's mouth.

"Hey, can I still back out now?" Mint swallowed.

French Fries said righteously, "No, no, as parents, it's untrustworthy to make promises to your children and then go back on them. You need to set a good example in educating them!"

"Woo!"

(End of this chapter)