Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended [Part One]

CHAPTER 189: Triple Whammy

"Are you sure you can even afford fifteen of these potions, even at twenty-five gold each?"

Lyndoria's expression darkened, her patience visibly fraying at the insult.

"Si-Silvie," Fay whispered urgently, tugging at her sleeve. "Don't you think... you're going a bit too far?"

At her friend's words, Silvestia's demeanor shifted in an instant, her sharpness giving way to something more measured. "...We've had countless customers come in hoping that the Omni-Remedy could cure pixie crystal addiction. The unfortunate truth is—it doesn't."

Lyndoria's breath hitched, the color draining slightly from her face.

"—But," Silvestia went on, her tone softening, "our apothecary has developed an elixir specifically formulated to counteract the drug's effects... and we don't sell it for profit."

Lyndoria's eyes widened in astonishment.

"It's just two gold per vial."

"...Th-That's wonderful! Thank you so much," Lyndoria breathed, visible relief washing over her features. "That's exactly what I need."

"I'm sorry for earlier," Silvestia bowed her head politely. "I just needed to gauge your reaction. It's how we verify whether someone is a user. The last thing we want is for someone in need to walk away without the help they deserve."

"Ah, that explains it."

Fay smiled softly, her expression warm. While Silvestia's delivery could have been more graceful, she was simply glad they had been able to help in the end.

"I'll be sure to inform Her Highness and His Majesty of everything you've done for us today. Thank you again."

As the woman left, Silvestia's head turned toward Fay with a slow, almost comical creak, like a rusted door. "H-His Majesty? I-I didn't just patronize a servant of the royal family, did I?"

Fay broke into a cold sweat.

"We're all going to get hanged, aren't we?"

***

Lumielle stifled a sneeze, drawing a concerned neigh from her horse and a whine from Zephyr.

"I'm okay," she reassured them with a warm smile, tenderly combing her fingers through the steed's mane before shifting her gaze to the pup hanging off her shoulder. "Everyone is working hard to fulfill their roles. I must do the same—the future of the kingdom depends on it."

From the concealing shadows of the forest, the princess's jade-green eyes glimmered beneath her hood. In the southern outskirts of Zorno, she silently observed a large number of slaves laboring under the watchful eyes of an infantry of soldiers. Their tasks ranged from toiling in the fields to tending the tranquilids—anything that eased the burdens of the farmers.

Lumielle's expression darkened as she watched the demi-humans struggle against the biting cold, their threadbare clothing offering little protection against the harsh clime. "Slaves or not, this treatment is beyond cruel. Is this truly something the Chancellor condones? This is absolutely barbaric!"

The princess's delicate eyebrows crinkled as she brainstormed how exactly to proceed in addressing the corruption deeply rooted within the royal court.

She sat motionlessly atop her horse, regal and poised, the very image of grace. Or at least, she had been until an eight-legged terror decided to ruin her day. A spider, plump and oblivious to its crime, bungee-jumped from a branch and dangled directly in front of her face.

Lumielle shrieked.

The horse, startled beyond reason, reared up with a panicked neigh. In the chaos, the princess lost her grip on the reins and with all the grace of a sack of flour, tumbled backward onto the ground.

Her eyes snapped to her horse that was now galloping away as though it, too, wanted no part in this disaster. Dazed and devastated, the princess scrambled to her feet and ungracefully gave chase, ignoring the dirt on her dress and the twigs in her hair.

"P-Please don't leave me behind!" she cried.

Unfortunately, instead of answering to her plea, fate had yet another humiliation in store. The hem of her cloak snagged on a shrub and before she could react—

RIIIP!

With a gasp of horror, she fell flat on her face.

For a moment, all was silent except for the rustling leaves and the distant sound of her horse's retreating hooves. Then, groaning, Lumielle lifted her head, her forehead flushed red from both the impact and sheer indignation.

And that was when she saw him.

Zephyr stood a few paces away, oceanic eyes locked onto her with an expression so deadpan, so thoroughly unimpressed, that it made her want to scream all over again.

Tears welled in her eyes. She sniffled, then burst into a full-blown wail like a spoiled child.

Zephyr sighed as if saying, Before addressing the corruption in the kingdom, perhaps you should consider addressing your own clumsiness first.