Compared to Liss, Sharlene was far more eager to confirm the Silverbloom Sword Princess’s identity. Her heart pounded with excitement, yet a profound nervousness also gnawed at her.
The Silverbloom Sword Princess was not merely her predecessor; she was a councilor of the Hero’s Tribunal, holding a status infinitely higher than Sharlene, a mere guild master.
It wasn’t just Sharlene; even Governor Vidona would tremble uncontrollably if they stood before the Silverbloom Sword Princess.
Beyond that, Sharlene also recalled her conversation with Lena from the previous night.
The sweet-faced florist had sworn that someone would arrive today to serve as Celia’s instructor. Initially, Sharlene hadn’t believed it, but now, it seemed to be true.
‘Could it be that Lena secretly knew the Silverbloom Sword Princess?!’
Upon realizing this truth, Sharlene felt as though her brain had been violently struck, leaving her thoughts in utter disarray.
The seemingly ordinary florist now appeared incredibly mysterious in her eyes.
Perhaps, she had never truly seen through the gentle facade of that woman.
Entering the grand hall, Sharlene immediately spotted Dorothy, who was cloaked in black robes.
Silver-white strands of hair, escaping the confines of her hood, cascaded to her chest. The young woman turned her head, revealing a fair complexion and a pair of warm, golden eyes.
As if remembering something crucial, Sharlene’s expression shifted dramatically, her demeanor betraying a sense of flustered helplessness.
“You, you… are you truly—”
“Shhh, there are quite a few people here.”
Dorothy placed a forefinger to her lips, signaling for silence. Sharlene, belatedly understanding, quickly extended a hand in invitation.
“Ah, please follow me!”
With that, Sharlene turned and headed towards the second floor, her hands unconsciously intertwining before her abdomen, a clear sign of her visible nervousness.
“Eh?”
Liss had intended to seize this opportunity to introduce herself to the black-robed senior, but it seemed the senior had no intention of revealing her identity. Liss could only lament in silence.
The heroes in the hall were not blind. They all noticed Guild Master Sharlene’s palpable tension, and a vague understanding dawned upon them: they might have misjudged the black-robed young woman.
‘Could she truly be a formidable hero after all?’
The uncle-hero who had previously advised Dorothy now approached the front desk. Driven by curiosity, they leaned in and whispered to Liss, who had resumed her work: “Liss, who exactly is she?”
“I don’t know,” Liss replied, “but they seem to be an important figure from another city.”
“From another city? Specially here to be Celia’s squad instructor? Hiss…”
The uncle-hero understood well what it meant to dare to be Celia’s squad instructor. They cleared their throat awkwardly, asking no further questions.
The reactions of the other heroes were much the same. In their eyes, the black-robed young woman had transformed into a mysterious, senior figure unwilling to reveal her true identity.
Dorothy, having been led to the office by Sharlene, was naturally oblivious to these developments.
She accepted the emblem Sharlene handed her, listening as her somewhat reserved junior still asked, a look of disbelief etched on her face:
“Are you truly the Silverbloom Sword Princess, Senior?”
Dorothy knew she had been missing for over twenty years, and her sudden reappearance would be difficult for anyone to immediately accept. Therefore, she simply removed her hood, revealing her true face.
While in the hall, Sharlene had caught only a fleeting glimpse of her appearance. Now, with the hood removed, a wave of familiar memories washed over her.
She would forever remember that year when white petals fell like rain, and Senior Silverbloom had gently bent down to stroke her head, sweetly telling her that she would become formidable in the future.
Even though Senior Silverbloom had lied back then, Sharlene found herself liking her even more.
Seeing Sharlene’s silence, Dorothy assumed her junior didn’t believe her. So, she continued, “If you don’t believe me, I can retrieve the Holy Sword…”
“No, no, no, it’s just that I’m utterly overwhelmed,” Sharlene stammered. “Your sudden appearance before me makes me feel as if I’m dreaming…”
As she spoke, Sharlene pinched her own cheek. Only after feeling a faint sting did she realize this was no dream.
Her previous nervousness and unease gradually dissipated as she interacted with Dorothy. Sharlene knew that while Senior Silverbloom held a noble status, she never used her authority to intimidate others.
Being in her presence brought a comfort as refreshing as a spring breeze.
Once calmed, Sharlene remembered something and asked with considerable curiosity: “But Senior, where have you been all these years? Why was there no news of you at all?”
She distinctly recalled that after the Silverbloom Sword Princess was captured, many heroes ventured into the demon territories, attempting to rescue her. Yet, all returned empty-handed.
After countless failed attempts, people gradually stopped trying to rescue the Silverbloom Sword Princess.
‘So how did Senior escape?’
‘And why was there no news of her after her escape?’
Sharlene’s mind churned with such questions. However, upon seeing her respected senior fall silent, her heart sank. She realized she had asked something she shouldn’t have.
The ordeal of being captured in the Demon Lord’s city must have caused Senior immeasurable pain. Perhaps it was this very experience that led her to keep silent after her escape.
Her questions, without a doubt, would force Senior to relive that desperate period, causing her harm.
Sharlene was consumed by self-reproach, wishing she could slap herself twice on the spot.
Just as she prepared to change the subject, Dorothy spoke first, asking, “Can you help me keep my presence in Vidona a secret?”
“I will naturally fulfill Senior’s request, but… a secret cannot be kept forever. Your friends will know, sooner or later.”
It wasn’t that Sharlene didn’t want to help her senior; it was simply that no one could guarantee that news of the Silverbloom Sword Princess’s escape wouldn’t spread.
Eventually, her old friends would receive the news and come to Vidona to find her.
The thought of numerous councilors potentially appearing in this small city made Sharlene’s heart race, a subtle pressure from her seniors weighing upon her.
Dorothy seemed to have considered this possibility as well. She stared blankly at the floor, utterly silent. Seeing her once gentle and radiant senior in such a state, Sharlene couldn’t help but feel a pang of sorrow.
“Senior, do you wish to become Celia’s squad instructor?” Sharlene quickly redirected the conversation.
“Mm.”
“With Senior’s capabilities, it’s absolutely possible. I’ll process the paperwork for you right away!”
Pulling open a drawer and retrieving a form, Sharlene swiftly completed the procedures for Dorothy, officially making her Celia’s squad instructor.
“If Celia learns her squad has an instructor, I’m sure she’ll have a change of heart and rejoin as a provisional hero.”
Sharlene recalled the arrogant attitude of Orl, the butler. To dare threaten a guild hero with the Fiona family—she would thoroughly humiliate him today!
She couldn’t wait to see Orl’s exasperated expression when he discovered Celia had rejoined as a hero.
To make such an important figure suffer a setback was something she wouldn’t have dared to imagine in the past.
“I’ve already informed Celia and her team of the news. They should be arriving here to meet you shortly.”
After a quick tap of her fingers, sending the instructor’s information to Celia’s squad, Sharlene blinked and cautiously asked, “Senior, may I ask you one last question before they arrive?”
“Mm?”
“Senior, do you know Miss Lena?”
Freezing for a moment, Dorothy averted her gaze, nervously tucking a strand of hair behind her ear.
“I suppose… we could say we know each other.”
Unaware of Dorothy’s subtle gestures, Sharlene’s conviction in her inner speculation only deepened upon hearing the admission.
‘To know the Silverbloom Sword Princess, Lena, the florist, is absolutely no ordinary person!’