Chapter 406: 220% Exceeding the Task
Chapter 406: 220% Exceeding the Task
The grain storage area was filled with cylindrical stone granaries, each topped with a rounded dome.
Each granary had rectangular ventilation ports on its walls to ensure proper air circulation and prevent the grain from becoming damp and spoiling.
Su Yu and his companions entered through a side entrance, not the main gate, which was located on the south side of the grain storage area.
Now, General Meiklon was leading Su Yu and his group from the south toward the main gate in the north.
As they walked, Meiklon chatted amiably with Su Yu and his companions, trying to curry favor.
Occasionally, a squad of elite soldiers clad in gray armor would pass by, saluting Meiklon as they went.
“General Meiklon, greetings!”
Meiklon ignored the soldiers, keeping his focus on Su Yu and his group.
Anduin was the primary target of Meiklon's efforts to ingratiate himself. As they walked, Anduin casually responded to Meiklon while observing the surroundings.
However, after a while, Anduin noticed something was amiss. They had already passed dozens of granaries, but Meiklon showed no signs of stopping and continued leading them toward the main gate.
Anduin asked curiously, “General Meiklon, can't we take the grain from the granaries around us? Do we really have to walk this far?”
“Of course, Lord Chancellor,” Meiklon replied with a respectful smile. “All the grain entering the granaries must undergo strict quarantine and drying procedures. The granaries in the back mostly store old grain, and we certainly can't give the Chosen One spoiled grain, can we?”
Anduin nodded, accepting the explanation without further comment.
Meiklon breathed a sigh of relief, glad that Anduin had been easily convinced.
The real reason he wasn't taking grain from the back granaries had nothing to do with the quality of the old grain. The contract didn't specify that the grain couldn't be old or spoiled, and if he could give the Golden Fleur-de-lis people old grain, he would have been more than happy to do so.
The real issue was that he didn't dare.
On the surface, the back granaries appeared full, but in reality, only a thin layer of grain covered the top.
For example, the standard granary beside them was 13.5 meters tall and was supposed to hold 10 meters of grain.
In truth, only the top 1 to 2 meters were filled with grain, while the bottom 8 to 9 meters were filled with straw and stones.
The 8 to 9 meters of missing grain had been embezzled by the officers.
If an inspection were to occur, they could simply set the granary on fire and claim it was an accident. This way, the officers' embezzlement would remain undiscovered.
If he opened these granaries now and Su Yu and his companions saw the stones and straw below, everything would be exposed.
So, even if it cost him his life, Meiklon dared not open those granaries.
...
Anduin, though the Chancellor of the Imperial Parliament, was unaware of the underhanded dealings and simply nodded without giving it much thought.
Su Yu, however, knew the truth about the granaries. In his previous life, he had completed a mission to “Investigate the Frequent Fires in the Granaries” and discovered that the system in Lyon was riddled with corruption.
But this was not his concern, and he had no interest in exposing it. As long as he received the grain he needed, he didn't care about Lyon's internal affairs.
The group continued on, eventually reaching a granary near the main gate.
General Meiklon smiled and opened the door, turning to Su Yu. “Chosen One, this granary and the dozen or so nearby ones are filled with this season's new grain. I guarantee it's in perfect condition and will meet your satisfaction!”
Internally, Meiklon was relieved and grateful.
Fortunately, the aliens hadn't touched the new batch of grain, or Su Yu might not have been able to gather enough to meet the demand.
"Thank you for your efforts," Su Yu said kindly to Meiklon, nodding as he stepped into the granary.
Meiklon was right; the granary was indeed filled with fresh grain. Without hesitation, Su Yu opened his necklace and began storing the grain inside.
General Meiklon stood beside Su Yu, diligently recording the amount of grain he collected.
As bag after bag of grain was stored in the necklace, Su Yu's mission log rapidly updated.
"Rare Mission: [Collect Grain], Mission Progress +1%."
"Rare Mission: [Collect Grain], Mission Progress +1%."
"Rare Mission: [Collect Grain]..."
The mission progress climbed visibly.
After emptying an entire granary, Su Yu's mission progress had reached 22%!
However, he had only collected 6,000 tons of grain, which was just one-tenth of the 60,000-ton goal.
It looked like he would be able to complete this mission with more than just the minimum required!
Su Yu's enthusiasm surged, and he urged General Meiklon to take him to other granaries.
...
Finally, after emptying a total of 10 granaries, Su Yu had collected the full 60,000 tons of grain. The mission progress bar now read 220%, meaning he had exceeded the goal by 120%!
"I wonder what kind of reward Alizette will give me for such a high completion rate?" Su Yu thought to himself, feeling quite pleased.
But now that he had finished his task, it was time for him to leave.
In the last granary he had emptied, Su Yu bowed to Anduin and the others. "Gentlemen, now that the grain has been collected, I will return to my country."
Anduin opened his mouth as if he wanted to say something but didn't. Instead, he nodded. "Farewell, Bane of Aliens."
At that moment, the usually aloof and silent Sylvanas finally spoke. "I almost forgot to ask. Bane, when will we go to the Hall of the Afterlife? And when will we visit the Soul Shepherd Joric in the Windchime Empire?"
"Let me think," Su Yu said, considering the question.
He checked the game interface and saw that he had used up most of his game time for the day.
"I propose we go to the Hall of the Afterlife in half a month. I need some time to prepare. As for visiting the Soul Shepherd Joric, I think it would be best to wait until our armies have officially invaded the Windchime Empire and drawn the attention of their main forces."
"Agreed. I'll find you in the Golden Rose Empire in half a month," Sylvanas said coolly.
At that moment, Su Yu received a new mission notification.
"Ding! Triggered Epic Scene Campaign Mission: [Secret Invasion of the Hall of the Afterlife]."
"Mission Requirements: Secretly invade the Hall of the Afterlife with Sylvanas and assist her in plundering the high-quality, cursed souls within. Mission Progress: 0%."
"Mission Rewards: Random rewards based on mission completion."
Sylvanas then transformed into a cloud of black mist and flew out of the granary. "Farewell, gentlemen. Bane, I look forward to our collaboration."
Without waiting for a response, Sylvanas' black mist vanished into the horizon.
(End of Chapter)
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