My Gacha System: Starting with a Divine Talent Tree.-Chapter 19: Mission [1]

[The Next Day]

[Royal Palace’s waiting room.]

Eden let out a sigh as he leaned back on the sofa he was sitting on.

His legs kept banging on the edge of the sofa, making a sound that echoed within the room.

Evelynn and Abel sat with him, lost in their own thoughts as well.

’....How the fuck did this happen?’

Eden couldn’t help but wonder as he looked up at the ceiling.

Even though it’s barely been half a day, the news of the Knight Commander’s death has spread around the city.

His treason and attempt to murder the king was a big reason for it.

’....Why would someone so loyal do such a thing?’

Eden wondered, his eyes still on the ceiling.

’Was he blackmailed to do so?’

That was Eden’s first thought when he heard about it.

Paired with his daughter’s absence, it made things even more obvious.

’...Because of all these problems, I haven’t gotten a good look at my class.’

"Tch! Can you stop doing that?"

An annoyed voice from Abel made Eden stop his leg.

He turned to look at the boy glaring at him.

’....I really don’t like his face.’

Eden thought, looking away.

’Still, how long are we going to wait here?’

His father was having a meeting with the king along with the members of the council.

Why were they called? Eden had no idea.

Eden sank deeper into the sofa, crossing his arms.

Even the servants outside were whispering instead of talking.

Abel sat stiffly, back straight, eyes forward like a statue.

Evelynn had her hands folded neatly on her lap, but she didn’t look tense even a bit.

Eden tapped his foot again out of boredom but stopped when he felt Abel glaring.

"...If you keep shaking the sofa, I will cut your leg off," Abel muttered.

"You can try," Eden said, looking at him. "Though, I wonder if you can even touch me."

Abel clicked his tongue and looked away.

Evelynn sighed. "Can you two... just not fight for one day?"

"No," both brothers replied at the same time.

Eden sighed, rubbing his face. ’Why is Osmund even involved in all this?’

His eyes went to the large double doors ahead.

’What are they even talking about in there?’

He leaned his head back and stared at the ceiling again.

’And why do I feel like whatever comes next is going to be a pain in the ass?’

[<Because it will be.>]

’Nobody asked you.’

[<You’re welcome.>]

Before Eden could reply, the door suddenly opened.

Eden, Abel, and Evelynn all sat up straight.

A knight stepped out and bowed slightly.

"Baron Osmund’s family," he announced. "You may enter. His Majesty is waiting."

Eden blinked.

’Us? Why? What did we do?’

Abel stood up first, calm but guarded.

Eden followed, already annoyed, and Evelynn walked behind him.

The three of them walked toward the meeting hall and the moment the doors closed behind them, the atmosphere changed.

Because inside the room, sitting at the table... were not just the king and Osmund.

There were seven high-ranking council members, all staring at them.

And in the middle of the table... was a large sheet of parchment.

With Eden’s name written at the top.

’...Oh hell no.’

Eden’s eye twitched. ’That is never a good sign.’

The king sat at the head of the table, fingers interlocked, looking far more serious than usual.

Osmund stood beside him, back to his fat self.

Eden, Abel, and Evelynn stopped a few steps away from the table.

No one said anything.

The silence was heavy enough to crush lungs.

Finally, one of the old council members cleared his throat.

"I believe you guys have already heard about Sir Tosin’s betrayal," he began, voice formal and cold.

Eden nodded as, for some reason, their eyes were on him completely.

"...The situation is severe." Another spoke softly. "The slave traders have gone too far this time."

Eden blinked innocently. "What does that have to do with me?"

He didn’t understand why they were telling all this to him.

’...Why am I getting lectured here?’

"..."

A silence lingered before the king chuckled.

"You have the highest potential to be a powerhouse in this kingdom," he spoke, his voice grunty. "Of course, you should be involved in this."

Eden stared at the king, then at the council, and back at the king.

"...You want me to deal with slave traders?"

The king nodded.

Eden blinked again. "...I’m sixteen."

Kayan shrugged. "And?"

Eden opened his mouth, then slowly closed it.

’...Is this kingdom okay in the head?’

One of the councilmen leaned forward, fingers steepled.

"You don’t need to fight," another spoke, looking at him. "All you need to do is infiltrate their base."

Eden rubbed his temples. "Why the fuck would I do that?" he asked. "I am a noble’s son—"

"You are slightly higher than a commoner, Eden," Kayan said, his voice cold. "Having a divine class doesn’t mean you are above the kingdom."

"...."

Eden turned silent as he kept looking at the king.

’Do they really think I would help them if they behave like this?’

Eden, being a person of modern times, was really accustomed to the idea of freedom.

He was still having a hard time dealing with monarchy.

Eden took a deep breath as he said, "Why can’t anyone else do that instead of me?"

"Because your father suggested you," the king said. "He wanted you to be part of it."

Eden’s brain malfunctioned for a full three seconds.

"...I’m sorry. He what?"

Osmund calmly looked away, as if the ceiling suddenly became more interesting.

Eden slowly turned to his father.

"You... you suggested me?"

"Yes," he said.

Eden stared at him in disbelief.

’This fat Buddha sold me out.’

Eden dragged a hand down his face.

"Why would you do that?"

Osmund met his gaze. "Because you need experience."

"...Experience in WHAT? Illegal slavery missions!?"

"Yes."

Eden looked at the king again, then back at Osmund.

"...Father, I don’t know if you’ve noticed, but I’m not a spy."

"You will accept the mission, Eden," Osmund said gruffly. "That’s the king’s order."

One of the council members spoke next.

"The target location is still unknown, but we’ve narrowed activity to the western trade district. You will act as a peasant child and I bet they will take you as slaves."

Eden pointed at himself. "I literally blew up a holy crystal yesterday."

"Yes," the councilman nodded. "Which means no one expects you to go undercover."

"...That is the worst logic I’ve ever heard."

Kayan leaned forward, elbows on the table.

"You infiltrate, you gather information and you return. Nothing more."

Eden exhaled slowly.

He looked at his father one more time.

"Why me," he asked, quieter this time. "Why not Abel?"

Abel’s head snapped toward Osmund.

Osmund didn’t hesitate. "Oh, Abel will be going with you."

Eden froze.

"...Come again?"

Abel’s eyes widened too, but unlike Eden, he didn’t speak.

Osmund repeated calmly, "Abel will accompany you."

’Ah, fuck me already.’

[<A quest has been generated!>]

’...Fuck you too.’

Eden could already tell it’s a quest related to the mission without even looking.

Taking a deep breath, Eden looked at the king again.

"...I have a request before I consider accepting the mission."

Kayan looked at him and gestured for him to speak.

Eden stared dead into his eyes.

"I want to see Sir Tosin’s dead body," he said calmly. "Alone."