Chapter 28: The Old Gentleman

Everything was calm and as usual, EeDeChi was preparing to go to the Adventurer's Guild to pick up a mission. However, one of the twin sisters, Ureirika, suddenly developed a high fever and fell into a coma. Their health had always been frail, and the adverse reaction from using the teleportation array hadn't worn off yet.

Kind-hearted Stella was frantic with worry, and Sean was also anxious but helpless. Eventually, they called in a professional healer from the city, and Ureirika's condition finally stabilized.

This delay lasted for several days. Once Ureirika's fever subsided, EeDeChi decided to resume her adventuring career. So, Barrett led her to the local Adventurer's Guild hall.

Regardless of whether they operated openly or covertly, they were an adventuring team. Although they weren't short on money right now, every adventurer needed to be registered at the local Adventurer's Guild to enjoy a range of services.

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Inside the Adventurer's Guild hall.

"Captain, I'm telling you, we should avoid talking about taking down the King of Sorcerer Kingdom. It's too dangerous."

"What's so dangerous about that?" EeDeChi casually glanced at the mission board's postings and asked.

Barrett stood in front of the mission board in the adventurer hall, advising his reckless captain in a low, serious tone:

"I've confirmed the rumors. That Magic Caster King named Ainz Ooal Gown did indeed release an unprecedentedly powerful spell! He wiped out over a hundred thousand soldiers of the Re-Estize Kingdom in one blow! The story sounds like a legend, but it's true! We can't afford to mess with such a terrifying undead."

"You guys can't handle it, but I can!" EeDeChi put her hands on her hips, stood tall, and spoke confidently.

"You..." Barrett was at a loss for words.

In late autumn, the weather was cooling down. It was early morning, and the adventurer hall was almost empty, with only a few people around. Some broke adventurers, who couldn't afford lodging, were still sleeping on the benches in the hall, wrapped in blankets. A counter lady in a black vest stood behind the desk, looking tired and occasionally yawning.

Barrett stared at the messy black handwriting on a mission notice, carefully considering his words before speaking, "Even if you plan to provoke him, you should be more cautious and not go around shouting that you want to take him down. Think about it, he's a king, and he definitely has spies. If they catch wind of your intentions, they'll be prepared to deal with you ahead of time."

EeDeChi rested her chin on her hand, thought for a moment, and nodded, "You have a point. We're in the shadows while they're in the light. They don't know about me, but I know about them, which makes things easier. Alright, I'll follow your advice. I'll gather more information first and then act when the time is right."

The guild hall doors suddenly swung open, letting in a gust of cold autumn wind that made the thinly dressed receptionist shiver. She was about to scold the adventurer for not closing the door when she stopped, noticing a handsome old gentleman entering.

This old gentleman had white hair and a beard, both meticulously groomed. He had very few wrinkles, a high-bridged nose, and sharp eyes, making him exceptionally handsome.

The old gentleman stood tall, about the same height as Barrett, dressed in a well-fitted black tailcoat, looking both classical and dignified. Time had not marked him with the signs of aging; instead, it had deepened his masculine charm.

He walked into the Adventurer's Guild hall with a measured pace, politely closed the door, and his eyes, sharp as a hawk's, swept over the few adventurers in the hall, pausing briefly on EeDeChi before striding toward the receptionist.

Despite knowing that this old gentleman was old enough to be her father, the receptionist's heart fluttered like a deer. She raised her slightly blushing face and asked softly, "Sir, how may I help you?"

"Hello, miss. I need to post a mission that requires at least one orichalcum-level adventurer, preferably not local," the tall, distinguished old man said as he leaned closer to the counter.

"You can choose from here…" The receptionist hurriedly pulled out a roster, "These are the adventurer teams that have been in the area recently."

The old gentleman opened the parchment-bound roster and began to carefully examine it.

"This old man is quite something," EeDeChi said, looking at the back of the tailcoat-clad figure at the counter, "His Justice Value is a solid 300, he's a truly good person."

"He must be some high-ranking noble, so dignified and refined," Barrett said enviously.

Such a charming old man, despite his age, still exuded an elegant and masculine aura that could make many young women fall for him.

Barrett was now a somewhat sleazy middle-aged adventurer. By the time he reached the old gentleman's age, he would probably just be an old man sunning himself against a wall.

The old gentleman said something more to the receptionist and then walked out of the Adventurer's Guild hall.

For some reason, EeDeChi felt that he had glanced at her intentionally. But she didn't pay much attention to it. She had always been unguarded around people with a high Justice Value.

Everyone's eyes followed the old gentleman as he left the Adventurer's Guild hall. Then they went back to their business. The receptionist flipped through a book, and adventurers trickled in.

EeDeChi pointed at a piece of old yellow parchment at the top of the mission board and said, "How about this mission? The reward is pretty high."

The slightly worn mission info read: Clear out the umber hulks in the Summers Town mine, approximately 3; Reward: 80 gold coins; Requirement: mithril-level.

Barrett took one look and shook his head. "Summers Town's iron mine is about the same size as Mistwood underground. Finding umber hulks in those tunnels could take two or three months. They all look pretty much the same, humans can't really tell them apart. It says three, but there are definitely more than that. Look at the timestamp, it's been up for four months. No one wants to take it."

"What about the one next to it?" EeDeChi asked, pointing to another parchment.

The info read: Destroy the rogue iron golem in the Emerald Forest, Quantity: one, large Constructs. Reward: 50 gold coins; Requirement: mithril-level or higher.

"A rogue Constructs… probably another mage who messed up," Barrett said, crossing his arms.

"It looks like a good gig, but the Emerald Forest is really far from here. Travel expenses, food, lodging, plus gear, would probably run us about ten gold coins. The employer's casting a wide net, posting the same job in guilds in multiple cities. Stingy employers won't cover travel costs. These jobs are meant for adventurers who are already heading that way."

"I see…" EeDeChi nodded thoughtfully. She patted Barrett on the shoulder, praising, "You really know your stuff. Promoting you to vice-captain was a wise decision. I have a good eye for people."

Is she complimenting me? Barrett wondered.

Just then, the receptionist walked over. She looked a bit nervous, glancing repeatedly at a magical portrait in a roster in her hands and then at EeDeChi's face. After several comparisons, she tentatively asked, "Excuse me, are you the captain of the adventuring team 'The Last Defender of the Way'?"

"Yes, that's me." EeDeChi moved her gaze from the mission board to the receptionist in the black vest and white shirt.

"There's a client who specifically requested your team for a mission. They've offered a very high reward and hope you won't refuse," the receptionist said.