Back at the dining table, the atmosphere inexplicably grew strange.
Celia and her two companions subtly glanced at Lena and Sharlene, their joint emergence from the restroom stirring a hint of suspicion.
However, with Lena and Sharlene remaining silent, Celia and the others had no way of knowing.
Soon after, Sharlene pulled out her communicator. Her expression shifted upon seeing the message, and she hastily rose, preparing to depart.
“I have something to attend to, so I’ll be leaving first. Enjoy your meal.”
With that, she exited the restaurant directly, hurrying towards the Hero Guild.
It was night, and the sky shimmered with scattered stars. Along the black iron lampposts lining the streets, Sharlene noticed festive pennants wrapped in spirals.
These colorful flags were decorations for a grand celebration ball, which Vidona planned to host in a few days to commemorate the victory over the beast tide.
Elsewhere, amidst the ruins of collapsed buildings, numerous heroes were busy at work.
The task of rebuilding Vidona could not solely fall upon ordinary citizens.
Whether it was due to the Silverbloom Sword Princess’s appearance or the aftermath of the beast tide, Vidona inexplicably exuded a renewed sense of vitality to her.
It was as if a once-stagnant city had regained its energy, now burgeoning towards a brighter future.
A wave of relief washed over Sharlene as she considered this.
Upon reaching the Hero Guild, she ascended to the second floor, where Skyfire awaited her in the corridor.
Skyfire’s ink-blue hair and aloof expression, coupled with the knowledge of her being a Seventh-Tier Hero, filled Sharlene with immense pressure.
Yet, the moment she remembered that Silverbloom was her best friend, that pressure vanished without a trace.
How formidable could Skyfire be compared to Silverbloom?
If she was already best friends with Silverbloom, what was a little pressure from Skyfire?
Without realizing it, Silverbloom had become her wellspring of confidence.
After a composed bow, she inquired, “Senior Skyfire, what urgent matter did you wish to discuss?”
Skyfire had sent the previous message, stating there was an urgent matter to discuss and requesting her immediate return to the Hero Guild.
Now that she had rushed back, however, Skyfire seemed surprisingly unhurried.
With her hands clasped before her, Skyfire spoke with dignity, “Follow me, someone wishes to see you.”
Having spoken, she turned and walked towards the Guild Master’s office.
This action undoubtedly caused Sharlene’s recently calmed heart to race once more. Did Skyfire’s implication mean she was merely an errand runner, and someone else truly wished to see her?
Yet, wasn’t she the one with the highest status among the heroes supporting Vidona? And for a Seventh-Tier Hero like Skyfire to be acting as a messenger…
A twitch worked at the corner of her eye, and a fine sheen of sweat broke out on her forehead.
Excluding Silverbloom, this might be her first encounter with an Eighth-Tier Councilor at such close proximity since becoming a hero.
****
*Knock, knock, knock—*
Skyfire knocked on the office door, then immediately pushed it open and entered.
“Teacher, they have arrived.”
‘Teacher?’
Hearing that address, Sharlene, who was following behind, found her breathing growing even more labored.
To be called ‘Teacher’ by a Seventh-Tier Hero, the individual must undoubtedly be an Eighth-Tier Councilor. Heroes of such caliber are revered guests wherever they go.
After all, they wield power that transcends empires; they are the true hope of humanity.
Swallowing hard, Sharlene entered the office and nervously gazed at the woman seated on the sofa.
With fiery red hair cascading over her shoulders, cool eyes, and a graceful figure, she was a rare beauty.
“You must be Miss Sharlene, the Guild Master of Vidona’s Hero Guild?” The beauty rose, her fiery red skirt flowing down, making her appear like a goddess bathed in the setting sun—both beautiful and regal.
“Yes, and you are…?”
“Councilor Chiling.”
At the sound of that name, Sharlene’s mind buzzed, leaving her utterly stunned.
‘Chiling? Isn’t that Silverbloom’s former teammate?!’
Unlike Silverbloom, who had withdrawn from the Hero Council, Chiling remained a Councilor, one of humanity’s most powerful and influential figures.
Moreover, Sharlene felt she understood why Chiling had come to Vidona.
“Let’s dispense with pleasantries,” Chiling stated, her gaze resting calmly on Sharlene, yet her words made the latter’s heart pound. “I’m simply here to ask if you know the Silverbloom Sword Princess.”
‘She knew Chiling was here for Silverbloom.’
As Silverbloom’s former teammate, Chiling must be eager to meet her. However, Sharlene couldn’t discern what emotions were entwined with that eagerness.
She was unsure of the relationship between Chiling and Silverbloom; they could be close friends or harbor long-standing resentment. Years had passed, and people change, which made her uneasy.
Sharlene genuinely feared Chiling had come to apprehend Silverbloom. After all, having escaped from the Demon King’s city, Silverbloom undoubtedly harbored unknown secrets.
If Silverbloom’s whereabouts were revealed so readily, it might lead to a scenario Sharlene dreaded most.
“Reluctantly… I suppose I do know her,” she replied.
Unaware of Chiling’s true intentions, Sharlene decided to reveal only a portion of what she knew.
“Tell me, where is she?”
“She’s Celia’s squad’s instructor, but I don’t usually know her whereabouts, nor can I contact her…”
Sharlene’s answer plunged Chiling into silence, while Skyfire, frowning, interjected, “If she’s a squad instructor, how could you possibly not know where she is?”
Shrugging, Sharlene maintained an innocent expression.
Had she not discovered Lena was Silverbloom, she truly wouldn’t have known Silverbloom’s location on any given day. Furthermore, when it came to contact, it was always Silverbloom who initiated it.
Seeing this, Skyfire intended to press further, but Chiling stopped her.
“Given Silverbloom’s temperament, she would indeed act this way.”
Chiling seemed to recall something, a hint of sorrow gracing her beautiful face. “If she doesn’t wish to meet us, she would naturally conceal her whereabouts. But this Celia’s squad…”
She glanced at Sharlene, then commanded, “Give me their information.”
Nodding, Sharlene retrieved the squad’s files from a drawer and handed them to Chiling and Skyfire.
After a quick perusal, Skyfire remarked with confusion, “There’s nothing particularly special here. It simply states that the hero named Celia has a slightly better family background.”
To Skyfire, the Fiona family was merely one of the three great noble houses of the Rossi Empire, insignificant in the eyes of a Seventh-Tier Hero.
Aside from that, the only notable achievement was their defeat of a Fourth-Tier Draconic Beast during the Hero Assessment.
Could simply defeating a Fourth-Tier Draconic Beast truly warrant Senior Silverbloom personally serving as their instructor? Such an accomplishment would only place them among the top new recruits at Rune Academy.
Senior Silverbloom was once the strongest hero; would she truly take an interest in new heroes with such talent?
Skyfire remained perplexed.
Noticing their clear disappointment, Sharlene seized the opportunity to add, “Celia and her team also don’t know Senior Silverbloom’s whereabouts.”
Despite this, Chiling remained undeterred. After returning the documents to Sharlene, she still resolved to meet Celia and her team the following day.