[A brand new alliance guild, 'Camelot' has been created. 'Artoria' has been elected as the lord via invitation. As the requirement for the quest 'Transfer' has been achieved, it will be updated 3 hours later from now on. Any users currently not in the safe area, please take notice.]
A system announcement rang out loud. The Shining guild, Chaos guild, and several temporary enemy factions for this war would realize this as well.
However, the word 'Transfer' made me feel anxious. I was certain that no such mechanic originally existed in the game, so the developers must have slipped it in as a quiet update.
My face instinctively scowled at the thought of having another fresh problem to worry about.
"Transfer, huh. I wonder whether it is a positive thing or a negative one..."
Katalina tapped her temple with her index finger as if a headache was coming on.
"For now, I'll manage all alliance-related inquiries with the guilds under our umbrella and update the titles of our forum posts, but you should prepare yourself as well, Ellie. Purchase plenty of potions beforehand, as procuring them during active warfare will be difficult."
"I will," I said.
Mindful of the massive quantity of potions and consumables I still had stored in my sky castle, I answered without much concern. Even so, telling her the whole truth might invite unnecessary complications, so I decided to keep quiet.
After setting a timer for three hours, I stepped inside from the balcony. Katalina waved goodbye as she headed toward her private study to coordinate strategy with her officers.
[Artoria, congratulations! I heard you became the supreme leader of a grand alliance!]
A whisper notification popped up. It was the very first time I had received a private message from someone other than Katalina. Since only two players had my contact details, it was naturally Esther. Or rather, Eva.
[Yes, thank you, Eva.]
The general custom in the game was to address players by their character handle. Katalina and I used terms of endearment because of our special relationship, but using a person's real name wasn't something you did unless you were particularly intimate.
Thinking back, I had only befriended Eva through Katalina's introduction. Considering we hadn't known each other long, claiming we were exceptionally close was a stretch. Eva likely realized this as well, which explained why she addressed me by my character handle instead of my real name.
[Wow. Not only did you reveal your identity during the investiture, you completely unmasked yourself through that system broadcast too. You really abandoned your mysterious lone-wolf persona, didn't you?]
[Heh. Yes, I started feeling like I was fading into a lonely figure hidden away from everyone forever, so I made a change.]
[You made the right choice! It's not like you committed a crime or had reason to stay totally shrouded in mystery. Honestly, going public offers far more advantages. Someone like you wouldn't even need a sponsor to make a grand Hollywood debut.]
Wait, what? Hollywood?
[What do you mean, debuting in Hollywood?]
As I sent a perplexed reply, Eva elaborated on her statement.
[You really are out of the loop, aren't you? Lately, there's been a massive boom in producing films set within Blue Sky, showcasing fantastical virtual scenes that blow standard special effects out of the water. Skipping the chance to cast you as a lead in one of those movies would be insane. You possess the looks, the noble title, the skills, and everything required of a star, so film studios will undoubtedly flood you with recruitment offers.]
Listening to her explanation, her reasoning made a certain amount of sense. The fundamental problem, however, was obvious.
[Why would I even want a Hollywood debut? I've never acted a day in my life.]
[I'm just saying you'd be natural at it~ Anyway, I expect a massive influx of players adopting two-handed weapons because of you, I've felt sidelined for ages being part of such a tiny minority of two-handed sword wielders...]
[And you aren't secretly bitter about having your spot as the top two-handed sword specialist taken away?]
[Oh come on,... If my skill were anywhere close to yours, I might feel terrible about losing my ranking, but the gap is so vast that I only feel admiration instead.]
Without seeing her expression, I couldn't be entirely certain, but her words sounded genuine.
[I'll take your word for it then. But why did you message me in the first place?]
[Ah~ Well, I wanted to send a friendly greeting! You'll be my superior from now on, so I figured I should try getting closer to you. Hehe.]
[So you decided to bring your guild into the alliance.]
[Well, Katalina practically pressured me into joining anyway. Though in the end, I only agreed because you're leading the coalition.]
Leveraging personal ties for tactical advantage was classic Katalina behavior. Did she bring the other member guilds under our banner using similar methods?
[With all the war preparations underway, shouldn't you be far too busy to chat with me like this?]
[Fufu. I'm actually right in the middle of a guild meeting. I was getting bored and thought of you, which is why I messaged. Oh right, once the server update completes, all the alliance guild masters and officers want to invite you to a gathering, so you have to come, okay? Though I'm sure Katalina will inform you about it later anyway.]
[Sure, of course.]
Recognizing the obligations that came with my position, I accepted the invitation without resisting.
[Then I'll see you later!]
With that final note, the messages ceased. But Hollywood, huh? Reflecting on it, top-tier Blue Sky players occasionally made special guest appearances on television broadcasts.
It wasn't impossible to imagine one starring in a movie someday. In my former life, I certainly would have jumped at such a chance. Yes, absolutely.
Since it was a trivial matter not worth my time, I shook my head side to side to clear it from my mind.
"Actually..."
A sudden thought surfaced. I adjusted my messaging settings and sent a private message to a player named Jasmine.
[Are you available?]
[Who is this? Oh, is it truly you, Miss Artoria?]
I was fortunate to catch her online. Due to how the system worked, my handle was displayed to Jasmine, and she recognized me instantly.
[Yes. As you can see, I am Artoria.]
[I never expected a direct message from the most famous figure on the entire server. It is an honor.]
The most famous figure, huh...
[No need for formalities. We have little time, so I will get straight to the point regarding why I messaged you.]
[Is this regarding the gear commission?]
I hoped she wouldn't say it was already made or that she no longer had the crafting materials. I desperately wanted to believe that.
[Yes. You mentioned earlier that you could forge a full armor set out of Orichalcum. Is that still possible?]
[It is possible, but please understand you were not the first person to inquire about crafting the set.]
Her tone turned cold and professional. She didn't want to waste time with small talk. Her sharp business focus wasn't off-putting at all. Making full use of your advantages is a skill, after all.
[Can I assume you haven't actually started forging the suit yet?]
[For now, no.]
She left room for negotiation, hinting that I still had an opportunity.
[I have no intention of deceiving you by quitting the game after placing the order, nor will I try to haggle over your price.]
[Do you mean...]
[Yes, I will pay 3 billion gold.]
I was deeply curious about Jasmine's expression right now. How was she reacting? Could she maintain her composure upon learning that I would provide such an astronomical sum immediately? Hehe.
[...Quite surprising.]
Her long delay before replying showed she needed a moment to recover from her shock. The deal was practically settled.
[Can we complete the trade right now?]
[I would prefer to be accompanied by a legal representative and a game manager first.]
Considering the massive sum involved, her caution was completely reasonable. Accepting her request was the best way to guarantee a seamless transaction.
[Very well. In two hours, I will meet you at a location of your choice, Miss Jasmine. Two hours should be sufficient.]
[Yes. Let us gather at my private estate. I will see you in two hours.]
With that, our private message exchange concluded. I felt it wise to have my own legal counsel present for the transaction, so I logged off for a brief period.
Two hours vanished before I knew it. Immediately upon disconnecting, I contacted an attorney from my family's legal firm, gave a brief overview of the situation, and asked him to log into Blue Sky right away.
"I shall personally handle all statutory procedures, including video recording," he stated, "so you need only concentrate on the exchange itself."
"Many thanks," I replied.
The distinguished older gentleman possessed an incredible record of victories across the entire legal community. Under ordinary circumstances, an online virtual transaction would never warrant his personal attention, yet he agreed to assist due to my direct request and the massive fortune involved.
Amusingly enough, even this remarkably traditional man held an active account within the game.
"Haha, do not look so astonished. I am merely another passionate player who adores Blue Sky like anyone else."
Observing my stunned reaction, he let out a warm laugh and smiled broadly.
"Forgive my impoliteness," I said.
"It is quite all right."
He graciously brushed off my apology without hesitation.
"In truth, considering the absurd price of real estate and how rare those opportunities are, it is truly magnificent that you managed to secure an estate right in central London, Miss Elizabeth. Though considering you hold the highest quantity of properties on the server, it was probably to be expected."
I wondered if he realized that the floating palace in the clouds, infinitely more breathtaking than a London residence, belonged to me as well. Had he known, he wouldn't have spoken of a mere mansion in such a tone.
Regardless, I simply offered a faint smile in response to his obvious envy.
"Miss Artoria? We are fully prepared. Shall we proceed?"
The anticipated private message finally arrived. Checking the system clock showed over an hour remaining before our appointed meeting. I found myself forming a very positive impression of her efficiency after coordinating everything so rapidly within sixty minutes.
"Wonderful. My side is completely ready too. Could you provide the estate coordinates?"
"Certainly. The location coordinates are X: 56,476,744 and Y: 54,556,733. Kindly send another message once you reach the front gates."
"Understood."
Judging roughly by those figures, it pointed squarely to the heart of London. Since my own property sat right in the central sector, we were practically adjacent.
"Now then, we ought to step out and execute this deal. I shall equip the Robe of Concealment."
"Very well."
To avoid leaking the detail that this manor belonged to me, I donned the high-grade customized disguise mantle, hiding both my facial features and character name. Though it conferred zero combat statistics, it was unquestionably the finest item available for maintaining complete anonymity.
Exiting the estate, the attorney and I headed toward the designated spot just down the road. It was so close that utilizing the Teleportation network felt utterly unnecessary.
"Oh? It was situated right here?"
A short two-minute stroll brought us directly to the property Jasmine specified. Our residences were practically side by side.
It really highlighted how tiny this virtual realm could feel. I wondered why I hadn't realized her proximity earlier, though given that property ownership details remained hidden from public view, it made perfect sense. This district didn't reflect reality, and nobody wandered around knocking on random doors. Even if Jasmine lived right beside my doorstep, I would never have noticed.
"I have arrived at the gates."
Standing before her entrance, I dispatched another message to Jasmine.
"Ah, you reached the destination already? You must have been nearby."
"Heh, as it happens, yes."
The entry permission arrived almost instantly. I confirmed it, forming a group with the lawyer beforehand, which allowed him entry alongside me as party leader.
The grand doors swung wide, and we stepped inside.
"Welcome!"
Jasmine greeted us with an exceptionally warm countenance. From her perspective, the most lucrative client of her lifetime had just walked through her door, so her intense gratitude was entirely understandable.
"Thank you for receiving us," I said.
"Oh, please do not mention it. Beyond the financial aspect, meeting the legendary Artoria in person is an immense privilege."
Observing her up close, I realized she was quite beautiful despite wearing simple worker's robes, unlike the rough appearance she had presented in blacksmith garb. Though somewhat mature, she possessed a refined, voluptuous charm characteristic of women in their thirties.
Not that I held a preference for older women, though her bust size clearly exceeded a D-cup.
"Still, you are truly breathtaking! I caught your broadcast on television, yet your avatar possesses equal grace. Combining wealth, beauty, and unmatched skill—I must confess my envy!"
In essence, she viewed me as some flawless fictional heroine.
"Ahaha..."
I could only offer an embarrassed chuckle.
"Pardon my interruption of this delightful conversation, ladies, but time is pressing. I would appreciate finalizing the transaction without delay."
A figure clad in a dark cloak, who had remained silent in the corner, suddenly cut in. Given his full concealment, guessing his role was trivial.
"Ah, you must be the system transaction manager."
Generally, managers and game masters focused on technical maintenance or error monitoring rather than direct gameplay interventions. They lacked the authority to alter physical parameters, which remained exclusive to system administrators.
Consequently, managers acted primarily as official witnesses. Still, they weren't entirely powerable; they could flag legal violations to administrators or apply specific sanctions within their designated mandates.
"Indeed. It is a pleasure to meet you face-to-face. I wished to ask many things, but regrettably time does not allow it. I must oversee over thirty-six high-value exchanges today alone."
Hearing him lament his heavy workload softened my impression of system managers slightly.
Perhaps I received courtesy due to my status as Artoria, but managers often behaved coldly toward average users owing to constant stress. It wasn't a lack of staff, but rather an overwhelming player population.
Without a dedicated customer support department, player frustration naturally fell upon the managers, fueling mutual friction. Were it not for the substantial compensation, most would have opted for digital design careers elsewhere.
Because of this environment, Blue Sky's parent company stopped enforcing customer service etiquette on managers. With explosive user growth, losing a few disgruntled players mattered very little.
"Very well. Miss Jasmine, shall we proceed with the transaction?"
"Certainly."
Jasmine nodded, agreeing to initiate the process. Seated in the estate's reception room, Jasmine and I sat opposite each other with attorneys flanking us.
The manager took the head seat to supervise the official procedure.
As legal documents passed between the attorneys, Jasmine and I reviewed the specific terms once more.
"So you agree to forge the complete Orichalcum armor set for 3 billion gold?"
"I agree. Let us clarify the terms: the market value for Orichalcum and secondary materials totals 2 billion gold, with the remaining 1 billion covering my commission fee. Do you acknowledge that I bear zero financial liability should the forging process fail?"
"What is the true success rate? Please speak honestly."
Jasmine pondered deeply before answering.
"It is forty percent."
The likelihood exceeded my expectations. I would have been content with twenty-five percent, yet it stood at forty. Though failure remained more likely than success, four out of ten attempts would succeed mathematically.
Naturally, six failures were possible, but I could absorb that loss.
"...Truthfully, I will not hold it against you if you withdraw right now. Numerous guilds backed out at this stage previously. If you simply cover the legal fees, we can annul this transaction without penalty."
Assuming my hesitation indicated reluctance, Jasmine spoke with a bitter undertone.
"No, I shall proceed."
"Pardon?"
"?!"
My prompt acceptance left Jasmine, the attorneys, and even the system manager staring in sheer disbelief.
"I fully weighed the risks beforehand. Honestly, I arrived prepared for a twenty-five percent success chance."
"Is this simply because you possess endless wealth?" Jasmine asked, eyes wide with wonder.
"Consider it a calculated investment."
"..."
Jasmine fell silent. The lawyers stood to earn extra fees upon completion, so they offered no objections. The manager resumed his impassive demeanor, treating the matter as a settled affair.
"You will not regret this, correct? Even if the forging fails, you promise not to hold resentment toward me?"
"Well, I cannot guarantee complete freedom from disappointment," I said.
Losing such a massive sum would naturally sting.
"Pfft."
Jasmine chuckled at my honesty and smiled warmly.
"Very well. Regardless of the crafting result, I shall enlist in your guild, Miss Artoria."
"Will you join my guild?"
"Indeed, I mean Camelot."
Her sudden offer sent me calculating the advantages, but gaining a Master Blacksmith held zero downsides. Providing raw materials and salary was trivial next to my fortune, and having a personal master crafter brought incredible utility. Repairing high-tier gear via NPCs usually costs an absolute fortune.
Jasmine remained the sole unaligned Master Blacksmith across the server.
"That would be fantastic for me."
"Heh, you won't regret it."
Before I could ask what she meant, Jasmine stood up and headed toward the forging area, with us following closely behind.
The vast subterranean workshop beneath the estate was truly breathtaking. Though I knew crafters often converted basement levels into personal smithies, seeing one in person was a stunning experience.
The glowing furnace and array of tools immediately commanded my attention.
Approaching the central anvil, Jasmine accessed her inventory and placed the primary materials upon the bench.
The Orichalcum ore radiated a brilliant light that illuminated the entire space. Mythril and rare catalysts followed in rapid succession.
"Please select your preferred specification: light armor, medium plate, or full plate suit."
"Mmh..."
Though I paused briefly, the answer was obvious. As a two-handed sword user, donning a complete full plate set was the ultimate fantasy.
"I chose the full plate suit."
"Understood."
With that, she commenced the forging ritual.