Lord of the Myriad Worlds

Chapter 145: Hathaway's Shenanigans

At this point, among the eight members of the family, only Li Wei and Hathaway had not been assigned Monthly Main Tasks.

Li Wei's gaze finally landed on the affectionately gazing Hathaway.

I want to see what kind of shenanigans you have. Last month this woman was practically inseparable from him. This month, tied down by a main task, I don't believe you'll still have time to follow me around?

Right then, Li Wei spoke first, his wording very cautious.

"My dear Hathaway, I must wrong you by having you live in the Tavern for a while longer. Once the castle is built, you won't have to suffer so much hardship. However, this month you won't have to follow me felling wood. Having you do so much heavy labor last month made me feel very guilty, so—"

Before Li Wei's words were finished, Hathaway's expression suddenly changed. She covered her mouth and nose with her hand, looking as if she were about to dry heave!

Eek!

Your grandpa's, what the fuck are you playing at?

Are we still speaking logic here?

Only one hour has passed, and you're already pregnant?Where is the logic? Hurry up and NG (blooper) her! Li Wei shouted in his heart. For an advanced four-star player to make such a low-level mistake, tsk tsk tsk.

As a result, there was no NG. This either meant the rules were going easy on her, or that she had other operations making it conform to the rules.

"I'm sorry, George, I feel a little dizzy. Perhaps it's because I was too tired last month, and concocting the potion consumed too much energy. So I'd like to rest this month, and conveniently look at the scenery around here. George, will you come keep me company?"

Good heavens!

What kind of operation is this?

Other people take the initiative to ask for work, yet you ask to rest.

Warning bells instantly rang in Li Wei's heart, but for a moment, he actually couldn't think of any countermeasures.

Because he could ask family members to do what work or not do what work, but he couldn't forcefully compel them to work when they said they were very tired!

This was a matter of plot logic. In the past, everyone begged him, fighting and scrambling to work; only then could the role of the Head of Household be highlighted.

But as long as someone chose to lie flat, even the Head of Household was helpless!

As for accompanying Hathaway to look at the scenery, fuck, could it be Hathaway also wanted to sweep the bandits' lairs with him?

That was absolutely a no-go.

"Hathaway, I'm very sorry, but the environment here cannot compare to Weir Province. You can go look at the scenery, but the Territory is still under construction. I cannot extract myself to accompany you. I hope you won't go too far from the Camp; it's very dangerous outside."

Li Wei could only say this.

Anyway, it didn't matter. He had already prepared himself as the last-generation Head of Household. Once this month passed, you high-level players can toss and turn however you like; when the time comes, he would directly settle the task and leave. Truly, he also didn't like serving as a foil for others.

Hathaway seemed very reasonable, though she still very weakly held her forehead. "George, I feel much better now. Actually, you don't need to worry. My swordsmanship is not inferior in the slightest; the former you was also defeated by my hand!"

Mm, it seems there are no shenanigans. Li Wei nodded, "Alright, then you absolutely must not go too far. I will instruct Uncle John to look after you."

"There's no need. Uncle John is already very tired. George, if you truly are not at ease, could you have Sister accompany me?"

What?

Li Wei's heart skipped a beat. Good heavens, the shenanigans really came. He flatly refused!

"Hathaway, don't joke around. Sister also has her work to do!"

"George, Sister is also a woman, and she is also very tired. She even suffered a miscarriage not long ago; have you considered her feelings? If the two of us partner up and look at the scenery, our moods will be much better. Besides, with Sister accompanying me, wouldn't you be more at ease? Or, you can go ask Sister; she definitely also wants to rest a bit."

After saying these words, Hathaway quietly looked at Li Wei. Her words did not trigger an NG because her identity had already added the title of 'Mistress of the House,' naturally giving her more weight than the others. Coupled with the fact that Li Wei had only determined Penny's work for this month in advance but had not officially issued it yet, this was also in line with plot logic.

The most important thing was, in the plot, had Penny truly suffered a miscarriage once?

This was just finding trouble!

After locking eyes with Hathaway for a full four or five seconds, Li Wei smiled and turned his head to look at Penny, in whose eyes a ray of radiance had suddenly bloomed. "Sister, neglecting your health condition recently is my fault. But currently, the Territory's construction is indeed very busy. How about this: you can have Mother take care of you. If you go out gathering, take Hathaway along. The three of you together can treat it as relaxing your minds."

Refusing to take face when given, right? Then both of you can follow Fila to gather.

Li Wei made the final decision. He wouldn't fall for it, because if he really asked Penny, that would be the real pit. No matter what Penny said, the initiative would no longer be in his hands.

Right then, he didn't look at Hathaway again. I won't give you the chance to speak; I've directly decided. You don't have Item Cards either; let's see what you can do to me!

"Blergh!"

Hathaway suddenly began vomiting violently, her face deathly pale. With a clatter, she planted herself on the ground.

Holy shit?

You're awesome; you're ruthless!

Li Wei submitted. This was factual logic trumping plot logic. Furthermore, vomiting just by saying it—did you take poison in advance?

Awesome!

Insoluble (no counterplay)!

With things reaching this point, Li Wei also had no way to deal with her. He could only hastily help Fila and Penny send Hathaway back to her room in a flurry.

She won again.

And when they returned to the messy dining table, Penny suddenly spoke up.

"George, Hathaway's condition is truly not optimistic. Just let me spend more time accompanying her this month."

Li Wei looked at Penny in surprise. He wasn't surprised that she dared to speak up at this time—because of what just happened, Penny speaking at this moment wouldn't be considered an NG—but rather... are you a pig or what?

These high-level players have gone through so many schemes, intrigues, and deceptions, carrying three hundred minds full of tricks with them. And you just want to stick your neck out like this? Aren't you afraid of being used and eaten until not even bone dregs remain?

You think just because you're both women she'll have pity on you? Think you're in the same camp?

Wake up, Miss Piggy!

But Li Wei didn't offer any further advice. Instead, he simply nodded and agreed.

"Alright then, Sister, you and Hathaway can rest for a month. But try not to leave a three-li radius of the Camp."

This was stating the ugly truth up front. He had put it on record at the family meeting and given his advice. If you run around recklessly during your rest period and encounter danger, it can't be blamed on me. After all, I warned you.

As for problems occurring within a three-li radius of the Camp, that was of course—Old John's responsibility.

What kind of patrol and alert is this!

Simply perfect.

Following this, Li Wei finally returned to the main topic, because he had not yet arranged his own Monthly Main Task.

But this wasn't a problem at all.

He directly looked at Fila.

"Mother, there should be more Squires coming to seek refuge with us next month. By then, the total number of people in the family will exceed twenty. I want to know if our food and Table Salt reserves will be able to safely get us through this coming winter?"

The reason Li Wei said this was because there was a ninety-nine point nine percent chance Leon would build a One-Star Fortress this month, which would upgrade the family Camp to Level 5. The total population would reach 12 people, and the number of employable Mercenaries would also be 12, adding up to 24 people in total.

This number sounded small, but twenty-four mouths eating three meals a day—just thinking about it showed how terrifying it should be.

The crucial point was they only had six mu of wheat; planting now wouldn't be in time.

The mission plot was developing too fast.

There was fundamentally no time to accumulate a foundation.

What long-term hope could a family without even surplus grain have?

In short, this mission plot was essentially ruined.

In the future, the earlier he extracted himself the better, lest those high-level players go crazy tossing and turning, and he ended up unlucky along with them.

"George, will there really be that many Squires coming? This is a good thing, but it truly isn't a good thing for the family's food reserves."

"Even adding the autumn grain harvest, the existing food will have a very large shortfall. Even if we focus on hunting and fishing starting now, racking our brains to accumulate food—even digging holes to catch rats, catching frogs, capturing snakes, catching grasshoppers—we could only barely maintain it."

"But the Table Salt truly won't do. In the spring, George, you went out to buy some once. It was only enough for the eight of us to eat for half a year. In fact, after adding many Mercenaries this month, the Table Salt is already quite insufficient. At the latest by the beginning of October, the Table Salt will be exhausted. So, the best method is to go out again and purchase Table Salt."

Fila was speaking the truth, and the truth was also what Li Wei wanted. No excuses or plotting needed, just seeking truth from facts.

"Alright, this month I will go purchase Table Salt, and casually see if I can buy back some grain. I will take four Mercenaries, as well as Clyde."

When Li Wei finished speaking these words, Old John and Ron both couldn't help but frown. An ominous feeling began to spread.

Because going out to purchase Table Salt required Standard Gold Coins. What if there were no Standard Gold Coins in the family?

Of course, it would be bartering!

And this way, it meant the majority of the materials in the family could be taken out and sold, and they wouldn't even need a high price, just a base price.

Actually, Li Wei was quite annoyed right now. If Ron had just forged that four-star scale armor right now, it would be great.

While speaking, Li Wei had already consumed 10 Contribution points and issued this month's Monthly Main Tasks.

Rows of information emerged accordingly. There was no information for the Mercenaries because it was merged with their employer.

[Head of Household George (Four Mercenaries) will be responsible for mining and transporting Two-Star stone materials this month. It is estimated that 240 family Contribution points will be obtained by the end of the month.]

[Head of Household George (Four Mercenaries) will execute the special task of foreign trade to purchase Table Salt and grain this month. He needs to purchase at least 15 kilograms of Table Salt and no less than 500 kilograms of grain. Upon completion of the task, he will receive 200 family Contribution points. Because the family internally temporarily lacks Standard Gold Coins for purchasing materials, he will have the right to select materials with a total value of 50 Standard Gold Coins from the Warehouse to take with him. After selling these materials, he will then purchase the corresponding Table Salt and grain. This task can be extended to a maximum of 40 days. If he is unable to return safely by then, it will be deemed a task failure.]

[Friendly Reminder: This task allows carrying a maximum of 150 catties (75 kg) of grain and 20 catties (10 kg) of dried meat. Utensils for transporting grain, tents and cooking utensils used by accompanying Mercenaries, up to a maximum of four wheelbarrows, and a set of replacement parts for repair, etc., can be used free of charge.]

[Friendly Reminder: For this task, the family can provide for free: 200 iron bodkin arrows, 10 refined steel armor-piercing arrows, 20 crossbow bolts, six standard iron shields, and six standard iron spears. If more need to be carried, it will occupy the 50 Standard Gold Coin share of materials.]

[Teacher Ron will serve as the blacksmith on duty this month, responsible for related matters. It is estimated that 60 family Contribution points will be obtained by the end of the month, not including extra Contribution.]

[Uncle John will be responsible for day and night patrol and alert duties, as well as related matters this month. It is estimated that 60 Contribution points will be obtained by the end of the month.]

[Mother Fila will be responsible for three meals a day, warehouse management, gathering, fishing, and related matters this month. It is estimated that 60 Contribution points will be obtained by the end of the month.]

[Younger Brother Leon will be responsible for the construction of the future Lord's Mansion this month. It is estimated that 60 Contribution points will be obtained by the end of the month.]

[Family Servant Clyde will follow the Head of Household to purchase materials this month. It is estimated that 60 Contribution points will be obtained by the end of the month.]

[Mistress Hathaway is slightly unwell this month and needs to rest. But the Head of Household explicitly commands that leaving a three-li radius of the family Camp is not permitted, otherwise she bears all consequences herself.]

[Sister Penny is similarly unwell this month and chooses to rest. Same as above.]

(End of this chapter)