Chapter 861

Chapter 861: Adventurer Messia

After leaving the Maple Leaf Courtyard, Lolan Hill altered her appearance using the pendant Talisman given to her by Tides.

Her eyebrows slightly changed, and her facial contours adjusted. A golden-haired girl appeared in the mirror. She then tied a hairband around her head, gathering her hair into a long ponytail that hung down her back, revealing delicate earlobes and a fair neck.

This made her look much more refreshed.

Lolan Hill looked herself over and then put on light armor suitable for movement. She picked up a long sword and fastened it to her waist.

This should do it. The girl checked again to make sure she hadn’t missed anything and nodded, then walked out of the room.

Voices came from outside the corridor. Descending the stairs, Lolan Hill arrived at the bustling hall on the first floor. This was the Adventurer Affairs Office within the Crimson Empire. People often came here to entrust short-term missions, usually commissioned by local merchants and nobles.

They might be looking for some special materials, or perhaps seeking guards or to hunt demonic beasts.

The adventurers and mercenaries coming to accept tasks were mostly between Sequence 2 and 4. Few were above Sequence 5.

Being at Sequence 5 meant being an elite in one’s region. Most had dedicated organizations, and even those working alone would receive requests and recruitment offers, so they wouldn’t need to find low-quality and poorly compensated tasks here.

Lolan Hill’s purpose wasn’t to earn money but to use the activities of adventurers to gather information about the empire.

Although not a specialized intelligence organization, this was the easiest place for ordinary people to access various information. These adventurers and mercenaries traveled far and wide, completing tasks for various nobles and big merchants. From casual conversations, they could learn news from all corners of the world. In an era without newspapers and television, the channels for obtaining information were always scarce.

“Hello, are you here to take on a task?”

The receptionist girl curiously looked at the girl in front of her. She wore silver metal bracers on her wrists, and her waist and chest fit well, suggesting careful adjustments. She seemed like an experienced adventurer, but the skin exposed on her face and neck was too pale, reminiscent of a sheltered lady.

She must be some rich young lady sneaking out. The receptionist guessed with a smile.

Though life as an adventurer wasn’t particularly good, occasionally nobles sought excitement by trying it out. It wasn’t rare for bored nobles to try various things, such as becoming wandering bards, struggling painters, or even working in taverns to experience the lives of commoners.

However, these experiences rarely lasted long. Once the novelty wore off, there was little new to discover.

“Yes,” Lolan Hill nodded and looked at the various notices posted on the bulletin board behind the counter.

“How strong are you? Have you ever traveled alone?” The receptionist found her curious appearance more interesting.

“I’m around Sequence 4. I’ve traveled alone before but haven’t taken on any tasks.” This shouldn’t draw too much attention; in this city, the highest was Sequence 6, while Sequence 5 were well-known figures. Sequence 4 didn’t attract as much notice.

“You’re quite strong. You must work hard,” the receptionist said in surprise. At first glance, she thought she was around Sequence 2-3.

“Perhaps my teacher taught me well,” the girl replied.

“Alright, let me help you look.” The receptionist turned around and began searching.

“Given you haven’t worked solo before, it’s best to team up with others initially. Someone can help you adapt. Of course, the other person’s character is important. After all, it’s dangerous for such a pretty girl to travel alone.”

She continued scanning the bulletin board.

“These two seem to fit together well.”

She took down two sheets of paper.

“Escort the Renchen Trading Company’s goods to Baron Moroz’s castle, then go and eliminate the spider demonic beasts that have appeared in the northern mountain forests.”

“The leader of the Renchen Trading Company is Miss Sharin. She is the third daughter of the company’s leader, and generally has a good reputation. You should get along well with her. Those spider demonic beasts in the mountains are reportedly twelve to eighteen Sequence 3 spiders. With your Sequence 4 strength and teamwork, you should be safe.”

“She analyzed for Lolan Hill.

“Here are the detailed requirements. See if they suit you.”

She handed over the notices.

“Thank you.” Lolan Hill glanced at the content, analyzing it.

This was a good choice. Besides the Adventurer Hall, trading companies knew more. Building good relations could provide valuable information from their members.

Unfortunately, this was in the empire’s south, where forest elves were rare. If she went east or north, closer to the Emerald Forest, she could learn more from the forest elves.

But the eastern and northern regions of the empire were still under the control of the powerful Dukes, who kept their territories peaceful. She had fewer opportunities there. Coming to the southern part of the empire was due to recent unrest and uprisings, offering more possibilities.

Whether to guide like Pulman did in the past or to act personally, she hadn’t decided yet. She planned to take things step by step. Though time was tight, it wasn’t that urgent.

Rushing into action without proper intelligence gathering was irrational. Moreover, she wanted to keep her identity hidden as long as possible. If her identity and whereabouts were exposed, several witches of this faction in the empire would directly target her.

That day in the high tower, Chris had subtly warned her.

Though she got along well with Chris, the other witches of the empire weren’t familiar with her. They might not show mercy.

“Then these two tasks.” After reading, Lolan Hill nodded.

“Alright, we’ll register first.” The receptionist took out a form from below.

“Name?”

“Messia.”

“Supernatural Sequence?”

“Warrior Sequence 4 · Light Purple Blade”

“Do you have a guarantor? That is, a sponsor for the adventurer.”

“This… seems to be none.”

“Well, I’ll write my name then, but you’d better perform well. If you fail, my rating will drop.”

The receptionist wrote down the details on the form.

“Alright, that’s about it. You also need to pay a Supernatural Gold as a deposit. Don’t worry, it will be returned after the task.”

“Okay.” Lolan Hill nodded and placed a gold coin on the table.

“Alright, here’s your badge. The number recorded on it represents your identity. In the future, completing tasks in the Dragon Wing Province will increase your points. Higher points mean a better rating, indicating good credibility and strength. You’ll then have access to better tasks and richer rewards.”

Afterward, the receptionist handed Lolan Hill a silver badge. The design was a simplified dragon shape, with the dragon’s head raised high and its claws gripping a rectangular plaque, inscribed with a number.

The southern territories were once affiliated with the Red Dragon Duke Basca family. Although the Basca family had fallen, many of their traditions remained.

Anger’s Fire, Desire’s Dragon.

The powerful dukedom family with the black and red dragon flag, after defeat and breaking ties with the royal family, suffered continuous resistance and internal strife, leading to its decline. Now, no descendants of the Basca family were seen openly.

But during Lolan Hill’s stay, rumors persisted about the existence of surviving Basca family members, perhaps hiding in some corner, waiting for their moment.

(End of Chapter)