After finishing their pastries, they boarded a luxurious carriage adorned with a sapphire-blue noble crest. It proceeded slowly along the street leading to the Adventurers’ Guild.
Their arrival instantly made the already narrow road even more congested. However, those within the carriage remained oblivious to this fact, as pedestrians and other vehicles alike hastily made way for them.
Ordinary folk simply dared not offend Joiy.
****
The carriage came to a halt a short distance from the Adventurers’ Guild. Lilith and Aelin seized the opportunity to go shopping, while Lena disembarked and continued towards the guild alone.
Joiy’s carriage was simply too conspicuous, and she wished to avoid having her identity discovered by the adventurers.
The main hall of the Holy Cell Adventurers’ Guild bore striking resemblance to Vidona’s. Receptionists sat behind the counter, attending to those who came to post quests or inquire about matters.
To the left of the hall was the adventurers’ lounge area. Here, numerous tables and chairs were arranged, alongside a special counter selling drinks exclusively for adventurers.
Many adventurers with nothing to do, yet disinclined to visit a tavern, enjoyed sitting here, chatting and boasting with friends. Lena’s target audience was precisely them; surely, they would possess some information regarding the Silverbloom Sword Princess.
However, before she could even approach, a blue-haired young man in battle attire slowly descended the stairs from the guild’s second floor. The adventurers in the lounge area looked at him with a touch of surprise.
“Isn’t that the renowned Hero Chillwind? You’re usually so busy that not even your shadow can be seen. What brings you back to Holy Cell today?”
In a corner, a tall, slender adventurer leaned back in his chair, legs crossed, a toothpick dangling from his lips. His demeanor was somewhat akin to a street ruffian.
Chillwind was the epithet of the blue-haired youth, a Sixth-tier powerhouse and one of the strongest adventurers in the guild. The tall, slender adventurer seemed to share a good relationship with him.
As soon as he spoke, Chillwind settled into the chair opposite him.
“Don’t even mention it. The mission was half-completed when we were ambushed. Everyone in the squad died.”
Complaining, Chillwind picked up the tall adventurer’s drink. Regardless of whether he had already taken a sip, he drained the cup in one gulp.
The tall adventurer didn’t mind. He waved his hand, signaling the on-duty adventurer to refill their drinks, then stretched his neck, leaning closer to Chillwind, and whispered,
“I heard everyone in your squad returned? Is that true or false?”
“It’s true. The captain and the others are back too. They’re in the guild master’s office right now.”
“Hiss, that’s a big move.”
The tall adventurer inhaled sharply, a premonition stirring within him that something significant was about to unfold in Holy Cell very soon.
He knew Chillwind’s squad well; its members were all Sixth-tier adventurers who had been famous for years, their names recognized in neighboring cities. Moreover, their combat experience was exceptionally rich, making them the true ace squad of the Holy Cell Adventurers’ Guild.
Such an elite squad was constantly out on missions and would not be recalled lightly unless a major crisis threatened the entire city.
“Tell us secretly, what does the guild master want by calling you all back? Are they not going to make a move against that viscount?”
“How would I know that? I’m only responsible for executing missions; I couldn’t care less about anything else.”
Facing the inquiry, Chillwind feigned ignorance, answering with an “I don’t know anything” attitude. He yawned, appearing much more relaxed.
“Compared to planning, I prefer fighting. Besides, the captain and the others might not necessarily want to deal with that viscount. They could also be in the office discussing how to meet that senior.”
‘That senior?’
For a moment, the tall adventurer didn’t understand who Chillwind was referring to. After a brief moment of surprise, he suddenly realized, “Are you talking about Senior Silverbloom?”
“Of course. In Holy Cell, who else could the captain and the others call ‘senior’ besides her?”
Chillwind’s captain was a Sixth-tier adventurer who had been famous for a long time; even the guild master might not be her match. Thus, those she could address as ‘senior’ were few and far between.
Silverbloom Sword Princess was certainly one of them.
Recalling something, Chillwind suddenly chuckled. He reached into his chest pocket and placed a silver badge on the table.
“Let me show you something.”
He lightly touched the badge, pushing it towards the tall adventurer. The latter looked at him with a hint of doubt, then carefully picked up the badge.
The badge was silvery-white, with a six-petaled flower carved into it. A faint floral scent emanated from it, making him instinctively sniff it again.
The badge felt cool in his hand. Its size seemed vaguely familiar, reminding him of adventurer badges, but he quickly dismissed the thought. After all, it lacked the identification number of an adventurer badge and didn’t conform to the traditional appearance of one.
“What is this?” he asked curiously.
His confusion sparked a hint of superiority in Chillwind, who crossed his arms and scoffed, “Heh, never seen it before, have you? You ignorant fool.”
“This is Senior Silverbloom’s adventurer badge. Those truly powerful adventurers all have their own special, exclusive badges.”
Upon hearing that it was Senior Silverbloom’s adventurer badge, the tall adventurer squeezed the badge in his hand twice more. The cool touch, far from calming him, only intensified his curiosity.
“Really? Where did you get this?”
“Of course it’s real, but it’s just a replica.”
Taking the badge back from him, Chillwind admired the patterns on it, a hint of infatuation appearing on his somewhat effeminate face.
“Before I came back, I specifically sought out the old man who carves badges to make this. It was a bit expensive, costing me ten gold coins, but he told me he could perfectly replicate Senior Silverbloom’s badge one-to-one, so I gritted my teeth and agreed.”
Senior Silverbloom had been an adventurer decades ago, and very few people still made her adventurer badges now. Most didn’t even know what her badge looked like.
Thus, Chillwind’s words were undoubtedly a display of showing off to the tall adventurer. After all, given their age, many of them had heard the legends of the Silverbloom Sword Princess in their youth and couldn’t help but feel a certain admiration for her.
“Gritted your teeth? You’re a Sixth-tier adventurer, and you’re short on money?” The tall adventurer snorted with disdain, then sighed with a touch of envy. “But this badge is really great. I wish I could have a special badge someday.”
“Please, only council members are qualified to possess such a badge now. You should first consider how to break into the Sixth-tier. Moreover, the magic tier, besides talent and effort, requires a bit of cunning.”
Looking at the badge in his hand, Chillwind’s lips curved into a smile, his icy blue pupils filled with slyness and calculation.
“You know Senior Silverbloom’s temperament. When I meet her, I’ll take out this badge, then tell her about my admiration, complain a bit, and act pitiful.”
“Seniors are very soft-hearted towards fans and juniors. Knowing that I’m struggling with my strength stagnating, she might even take the time to give me a few pointers. By then, breaking through to the Sixth-tier will be just around the corner.”