All targeted attacks and schemes are paper tigers in the face of absolute power. Therefore, directly increasing combat power is the most direct method. So, I must get that Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown. Then I won't have to rely on scrolls anymore.
First, I'll try the gentle approach. I'll just ask Ligurit or Snow Elf directly, after all, according to the setting, this is Bai Xia's family's item. And am I not impersonating Bai Xia right now?
If that doesn't work, I'll just take it by force after we leave. As for connecting with the Platinum Dragon Lord, that can wait!
"Ligurit, you're a Necromancer, right? Equipment that reduces MP consumption like this seems more suitable for a Priest or Magic Caster, don't you think?" Ellie asked tentatively.
"Indeed, you're right. Most necromantic spells are continuous magic, only requiring one casting. This Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown is indeed more suitable for Priests and Magic Casters." Ligurit herself admitted it, so it was time to give her a hint.
"Hehe! What a coincidence, I happen to be a Magic Caster with a Priest sub-class..." Ellie didn't explicitly ask for it, she just said it like that! She wanted to hint to Ligurit that she was interested in this item, but it wasn't appropriate to say so directly in front of Snow Elf.
"That is quite a coincidence then." Ligurit smiled and nodded, being very sensible.
Hmph! Talking to smart people is easy. It seems she understood what I meant, and so she could save her own life. A very wise choice, Ellie was very happy inside, but she didn't show it on her face.
"This Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown is fine for a Priest, but a Magic Caster can't use it, can they?" Snow Elf, standing to the side, tilted her head and added this.
"Hmm? Snow Elf? A Magic Caster can't use this Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown? Are there equipment restrictions?" This caught Ellie's attention. Only 'fine' for a Priest? A Magic Caster can't use it? That doesn't seem to make much sense, does it?
If it were an equipment restriction, it wouldn't be a problem, after all, I can even use the Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown directly, so I shouldn't be subject to such restrictions.
"It's not that there are restrictions, it's just unsuitable. Although this Staff of Ainz Ooal Gown has the effect of reducing MP consumption, the reduced portion is compensated by life force, so it's not very compatible with a Magic Caster." Snow Elf replied.
This was a bit awkward. The life force Snow Elf mentioned should refer to HP, not physical life force, right?
If it was that, then it would indeed be too much. Due to level limitations, Ellie knew her total MP was extremely low, and thanks to her special physique, even though she was currently level two, her HP was almost comparable to a level thirty-five Death Knight.
If she were to forcefully use HP to exchange for MP to cast spells, low-tier magic would be fine, but for slightly higher-tier magic, using it once or twice would be okay, but using it too much would require using Holy Healing to restore HP. However, Holy Healing would instantly deplete all her MP. What would happen if she cast magic without MP?
Would she only consume HP to cast spells? Who could endure that!
Uh... now that she mentioned it, this item would indeed be a bit troublesome to use. If I had Shalltear's Spuit Lance to go with it, then this item would be useful. But just this item alone, it's really subtle.
Although I have the protection of the Champion Armor, so far, only Zesshi Zetsumei has been able to damage my HP. But the opponents I'm about to face are likely these two max-level NPCs or the Platinum Dragon Lord with Original Magic. To be safe, I'll pass on equipment that requires self-harm to cast magic!
"In that case, it's a bit of a shame. A Magic Caster with weak life force is indeed not suitable for this!" Ellie gave Ligurit another look, naturally wanting to tell her that she wasn't interested in that trash, and Ligurit could do whatever she wanted with it.
Although for someone at my level, I can already be considered a super tank, for safety's sake, I'll politely decline anything that involves self-harm.
So Ellie wandered around by herself for a while. Since it was all junk, Ellie didn't see anything she liked.
Uncle Ged and Ligurit, however, had each taken an item and were already treasure hunting among the pile of "junk."
Bell, on the other hand, followed Ellie obediently. Although her gaze was on the junk equipment, perhaps it was because she was scared? So she didn't ask for anything, not even daring to touch anything.
However, Bell already had the two imitation kingdom treasures I gave her, which should be enough for her. While certainly not enough for combat, they should be fine for self-preservation.
Finally, Ligurit picked out an accessory that was said to reduce magic damage, and Uncle Ged took another small shield engraved with strange characters.
Naturally... Ellie, the fake owner, naturally agreed to "lend" them. Anyway, they weren't anything too significant, so it was fine if they took them. They were just for building goodwill and favors.
Once everyone had chosen, they came out of the junk pile. Since the items had been borrowed, the first step of my plan was complete. Now it was time to urge Ligurit to take me to see the Platinum Dragon Lord.
After all, the Platinum Dragon Lord's previous request to Ligurit was to collect or find player equipment or information, and now she had it, didn't she?
Moreover, she had also gathered some information about the Eight Greed Kings' NPCs, so it was time to report back, right? I could then stick with Ligurit to see the Platinum Dragon Lord, and perhaps even see Bai Xia in her sealed state. I wanted to see with my own eyes just how much that guy resembled me!
After leaving the treasury, Ligurit clearly gave Ellie a look. Ellie understood immediately that Ligurit wanted Ellie to quickly leave. Is this the "take the equipment and run, how exciting" series?
Last time, she tricked someone out of their Adventurer's Guild weapon and ran off without giving a proper explanation. Does she think she can just run away? I'm afraid these two won't let her off so easily! Ellie was not involved in this matter, so she could slip away at any time.
"Well then, the guests have all received their equipment, so the 'courtesy' part should be over, right?" Chao Lu said something inexplicable, then looked at Ellie, seemingly asking for Ellie's opinion.
Ellie was completely confused. What 'courtesy' part? Was she referring to the initial hospitality? Or the borrowed equipment? Ellie, not quite understanding Chao Lu's meaning, simply nodded, wanting to see what Chao Lu was actually planning to do.
"Then... it's time for the 'force' part. Hey... Old Hag, where is Kerslin Tim now?" Chao Lu asked in her emotionless voice. With her naturally expressionless face, Chao Lu's words sounded even more terrifying.
"Didn't I just say? That weapon wasn't in my possession at the time, so the subsequent..." Ligurit quickly explained. Oh! So it was the 'first courtesy, then force' tactic? But wasn't it a bit out of place to use it here?
"Body temperature is rising, heartbeat is clearly accelerating... Sniff... Sniff... This is the smell of lying!" Chao Lu continued to speak in her emotionless voice, slowly approaching Ligurit.
Ellie, who had read the script, naturally knew that Ligurit knew the whereabouts of the Adventurer's Guild weapon. Wasn't it in the Platinum Dragon Lord's hands?
"The equipment you took from here earlier can be considered a gift to you. However... regarding the whereabouts of Kerslin Tim, you must explain it clearly to me, otherwise no one will leave this door. Of course... except for Lady Ellie." Chao Lu threatened Ligurit, not forgetting Ellie.
The saying 'it's none of my business, so I'll stay out of it' applied. I would just watch the show regarding this matter. Although Ligurit gave me a pleading look, Ellie just pretended to be very troubled and deep in thought as a response.
After all, I still needed Ligurit to connect me with the Platinum Dragon Lord, so showing a clear attitude of abandoning her here wouldn't do. I'd just pretend to be thinking of a solution to fool her for now!
I didn't expect Chao Lu to be so capable! Although she was very effective as a temporary "friendly" NPC now, it would be a headache once she became an enemy later.
Why would I think that?
Let's talk about Chao Lu first.
Chao Lu only wanted to scare her a little.
After all, Chao Lu is someone who can directly understand my little tricks and perfectly cooperate.
Now that the equipment has been given away, throwing a tantrum would only create more opportunities for me to farm Ligurit, wouldn't it?
As for Kerslin Tim's whereabouts?
Chao Lu probably won't consider that anymore.
After all! She should have fully entrusted this matter to me, her "fake" master.
Ahem! Let me explain the specific reasons.
When Chao Lu first made her move, Ellie was still confused, but as soon as she mentioned that Adventurer's Guild weapon, combined with their earlier cooperation in the treasury, Ellie understood Chao Lu's intention.
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