Chương 24: A Place of My Own

Ch 24 - A Place of My Own Level 150! Jester swallowed hard when he heard that number. That was an incredibly high level. Unbelievable.

"Your level is even higher than that idiot Caelan's." Elora let out a small gasp when she heard that. She still didn't seem used to hearing someone speak about a prince so casually, let alone call him an idiot. Maybe Jester should also start watching his mouth when talking about Caelan. If he ever said something like that in front of Igrio, it would probably cause all kinds of trouble. Jester knew that the average level for Eternal Legacy players was somewhere around 150.

There were a small number of players who had already passed level 200, but even so, level 150 was still considered exceptionally high.

"At level 150, you shouldn't be just anybody. Yet somehow you ended up here," he said. The girl lowered her gaze.

"What happened to you?" He added. Elora hesitated for a moment before finally speaking.

"My tribe was attacked some time ago," she said quietly.

"Most of my family... my friends... Almost everyone died during the attack. Only a few of us managed to escape."

"Was it another group of players?" She slowly shook her head.

"No, Your Highness. It was another Beastkin tribe." Jester gave a slow nod.

"Even for a Beastkin tribe, where the average level is usually much higher than most races, something like that shouldn't have happened so easily. There had to be something much bigger behind that attack." He continued, "And that's how you ended up here?" Elora lowered her head once again.

"Sir Igrio bought me from a slave market, Your Highness. He told me I would be assigned as the personal attendant of the Eighth Prince." Jester let out a quiet sigh after hearing that explanation. At this point, he honestly didn't know how he should feel about Igrio. He understood that the man had only been carrying out Caelan's orders, but it still left a bitter taste in his mouth.

"What about your class?"

"Your Highness, I specialize in nature magic," Elora replied before pausing for a moment.

"Unfortunately, I can only perform at my best when I'm surrounded by nature, especially forests. I'm mainly a support mage, though I do have a few offensive spells." Jester gave a slow nod. At level 150, Elora was someone who could become a huge advantage for him. Whether it was helping him level up or supporting him in whatever lay ahead, her strength would be incredibly valuable. Besides, she had already been assigned to serve him.

Well, technically she had been assigned to serve Caelan, but that idiot was gone now.

"I have a feeling we'll accomplish a lot together from now on," he said with a faint smile.

"I'm especially looking forward to having your help while I work on raising my level." Jester climbed out of the bath and sat on the edge of the pool, making Elora instinctively gasp in surprise. Even in his normal form, he still had the bright red clown nose, along with his crimson hair and pale skin. There was nothing he could do about it. He was a Clown-class player, after all.

"I'm sorry for saying you might be able to see your family again. I didn't know what had really happened." Elora immediately bowed her head.

"Please don't apologize, Your Highness. You had no way of knowing. Your words alone were already more kindness than I've received in a very long time." A small smile appeared on Jester's face. If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it's taken without the author's consent. Report it.

"I'm really not used to being treated like some noble. I'd honestly feel more comfortable if you could act a little more naturally around me. Think of me as your employer, not some arrogant prince who expects everyone to bow every second." He stood up, and Elora quickly followed. As he did, his equipment gradually reappeared over his body. Elora lowered her head once more.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Your Highness. I would never dare. No matter what form you take, you are now the one who holds the position of the Eighth Prince. Whether you stand before me in your Player form or in Prince Caelan's form, you are still my prince. I will continue to serve and respect you exactly as I should."

"Alright then," Jester said with a smile. The two of them left the bath together. Elora followed half a step behind him, but the stiffness in her movements had eased. The fear and uncertainty she had carried since arriving at the palace were no longer as overwhelming as before. No one had ever asked about her past. No one had apologized for unknowingly reopening an old wound. And certainly no prince had ever spoken to her as though she were simply another person instead of a servant.

She had believed serving the Eighth Prince would be nothing more than another duty forced upon her. But after speaking with Jester, that thought quietly began to change. [Elora's trust in you has increased significantly. She has silently vowed to protect your secrets, support you without hesitation, and remain loyal to your side, believing that you are someone genuinely worthy of her trust.] [Chaos +15] Another Chaos Recognition. Once again, Jester had earned Chaos from a simple conversation.

The amusing part was that he had never intended to gain anything from it. He had simply treated Elora the way he believed anyone deserved to be treated. There was no reason for him to imitate Caelan or look down on someone just because they were his attendant. He had gained Chaos through all kinds of interactions with the people around him, though it was never easy to earn. Yet Chaos seemed capable of granting benefits far beyond ordinary rewards. Levels made him stronger.

Resources improved his equipment and abilities. But Chaos... Chaos felt like something entirely different. With only 220 Chaos, he could already unleash a devastating attack with his scythe. Then what about 1, 000 Chaos? 10, 000? A million? The thought alone was enough to make his imagination run wild. This was a Divine-grade artifact that had once belonged to the Goddess of Chaos herself.

If its potential weren't worthy of a goddess, it would never have deserved to be called a Divine-grade artifact in the first place. Once his Stamina had fully recovered after bathing in the luxurious noble bathhouse, Jester summoned Igrio into the room to discuss his next move. By then, he had already returned to Caelan's appearance. Standing behind a large wooden desk, Jester faced Igrio, who stood before him with his usual composed expression.

Elora remained quietly at the side of the room, waiting for instructions.

"That damned Rania... and those idiotic princes and princesses," Jester spat. The atmosphere instantly grew tense. He slammed his fist onto the desk, sending several scrolls and documents scattering across its surface. Elora flinched before immediately stepping forward, kneeling to gather the scattered documents.

"We can't let them keep treating me like this. I've had enough of being looked down on." His eyes narrowed.

"I'll make that foolish elf kneel before me. And I mean every word of it." Igrio bowed respectfully.

"I have never doubted Your Highness's abilities. If that is your wish, then I believe the day will surely come. However, such a goal will require careful preparation, loyal allies, and flawless execution. With sufficient planning, I have complete faith that Your Highness can achieve it." Caelan clicked his tongue.

"I don't want to hear even the slightest hint of doubt from you, Igrio." Without waiting for a reply, he walked toward a massive map hanging on the wall. It displayed the territories of the Kingdom of Valtherion.

"The King only granted me this barren, forgotten land." His finger stopped over one of the kingdom's remote cities. He turned back toward Igrio.

"We're relocating here. Gather every knight assigned to me, bring every resource under my authority, and have the palace blacksmith, alchemists, tailors, craftsmen, and every skilled worker responsible for production transferred to my territory. I want everyone and everything that belongs to my estate to come with us." Igrio's expression never changed, even though the order was significant. Jester had his reasons for leaving the capital. There were simply too many eyes watching him here.

More importantly, he was a player. Unlike the NPCs, he couldn't grow stronger through years of training or experience alone. He needed to hunt monsters, complete quests, and level up. He also needed the freedom to switch between Caelan's identity and his true identity as the Clown without constantly worrying about being recognized.

That was why, even though the city given to Caelan was considered the poorest and most barren territory in the kingdom, Jester believed it would become the perfect place to build his own foundation. At the very least... he was confident he was smarter and far more competent than Caelan had ever been. Igrio lowered his head once more.

"As you command, Your Highness. Preparations will begin immediately, and every order will be carried out as swiftly as possible. I firmly believe this decision will become the foundation of Your Highness's future greatness, and I shall devote everything I have to seeing it through." He paused before continuing.

"However, I should inform Your Highness that not every palace craftsman or worker can be transferred. Many of them are directly appointed to serve the Crown and are bound to their royal duties. Even so, I can recruit skilled workers from outside the palace. There are capable blacksmiths, alchemists, tailors, craftsmen, and apprentices seeking opportunities. With sufficient funding, we should be able to assemble the workforce Your Highness requires." Jester turned away from him once more.

"Then do it. I want us ready to depart within the next one or two days."