Hero Alice was in a foul mood.
Even though she had summoned many adventurer parties for the selection, the assessment results were unexpectedly terrible. Many famed parties failed to meet even the lowest threshold in this underground ruin exploration.
The most representative among them was the Star Moon Adventurer Party.
“A bunch of high-level professionals just half a step away from legend, yet they can’t even spot the most basic traps? Never mind intelligence analysis—their supply management and battle strategies are a complete mess as well?”
Alice could hardly believe her own eyes.
How did they even make it this far, let alone build up such a reputation?
“Is it because of their backgrounds?”
Alice shook her head slightly. “But whether it’s wild monsters, exotic beasts, or underground ruins and secret realms, none of those should lose their danger because of someone’s background…”
Not to mention the Adventurers’ Guild audit.
Although she didn’t think much of that organization which spanned the continent, Alice, who had dealt with them many times, was keenly aware that this mysterious organization—crossing nations and even races—was truly independent.
Or rather—
“The Adventurers’ Guild is an organization on par with any nation or race.”
Just like the Demon King’s Army.
Thinking of this made Alice’s head throb.
“One side is the ever-watchful Iron-Blooded Empress, another is the Demon King who broke the armistice and shattered the seals, not to mention all sorts of mysterious organizations.”
All these burdens weighed upon the shoulders of a girl not yet even twenty—truly too heavy.
But, Alice still managed to quickly lift her spirits.
“I won’t back down.” Alice’s gaze was firm. “Because… I promised Godfather.”
To become the light.
Now, she had perfectly inherited the will of the God of Justice, Kamdo. Upholding Godfather’s principles, Alice remained confident no matter how daunting the challenge.
“If it’s not a problem with external audits, then, the only reason for the Star Moon Adventurer Party—who once had such brilliant achievements—performing so poorly this time must be the sole variable.”
Alice’s eyes flashed, quickly grasping the key to the problem.
“Green.”
Though she knew that this ‘mortal’ could not possibly be the Godfather she sought, Alice’s heart still trembled involuntarily.
What if, just what if?
“In any case, I was planning to meet him—after all, according to Mr. Lawrence, that person’s experience is just too unusual.”
Recalling the intelligence transmitted secretly by His Holiness the Pope, Alice couldn’t help but feel a hint of admiration for Green, who for some reason had never managed to successfully transfer to a new class.
“If it were anyone else, they would have lost all hope by now, wouldn’t they?”
Alice stroked the Evil-Slaying Sword in her hand, remembering the despair she felt back when she trained so hard but could not sense the holy light for so long.
“But he still persisted. Even when his efforts brought no reward, he kept going, even finding a new path.”
For some reason, the image of a kind smile surfaced in Alice’s mind—that figure who, despite misunderstandings and even insults, continued to stand on the frontlines, protecting the common folk.
“Really, what am I daydreaming about?”
But—
The Elf Queen’s prophecy should not be wrong.
Godfather, he must be here!
Alice still remembered what the Queen had said back in the Elven Court.
“Your Majesty Linda.” Alice bowed her head slightly. “It’s an honor to receive your audience.”
“No, it is I who am honored to meet the Heroine famed across the continent.”
Graceful and dignified, the Queen savored the world-tree-scented tea in her hand.
“Thank you very much for eliminating the cultists who tried to steal branches of the World Tree.” The Queen set down her teacup, speaking solemnly, “Miss Alice, your heroic deeds have earned the friendship of our elven race. If there’s anything we can do to help you, please do not hesitate to ask.”
An elf’s promise was absolute.
Though these long-lived folk were arrogant, it was precisely because of this that, at times, their word was more trustworthy than a Human Merchant Guild contract, a national diplomatic document, or even a Royal Decree.
“Hoo.”
Alice’s pupils shrank as she answered without hesitation, “Your Majesty Linda, I heard your kind possesses a secret art to foresee fortune and misfortune in the future.”
“Indeed.” Linda nodded deeply, reaching up to straighten her floral crown. “Does the Heroine have something she needs divined?”
“Yes.” Alice spoke at once, “I’m searching for… for someone.”
“…”
Queen Linda did not answer immediately, instead narrowing her eyes in thought for a moment. “Someone—then, that person must be very important to you, right?”
“He is my everything.” Alice replied so. “Without him, there would be no me.”
“Hoo.”
Her Majesty Linda’s gaze flickered, as if recalling something, and she sighed softly.
“Tell me, young human. What is that person’s name?”
“Green.”
Alice knelt on one knee, sincerely entreating, “Thank you for your generosity, Your Majesty.”
Prophecy was an elven secret art.
But what was difficult was not learning it, but the price for triggering it.
Lifespan.
That was the price required for this art.
Thus, only elves—who could easily live a thousand or two thousand years—could truly wield this secret art across the continent.
“Green?” The Elf Queen paused in surprise, but her hands never stopped moving.
Shua!!!
Vast magical power surged from the World Tree behind the Queen. Countless runes arranged themselves in complex patterns beneath her feet, faint golden energy drifting forth.
Holy Light.
With both Holy Light and the World Tree as blessings, the Elven Queen—already at the pinnacle of the mortal realm, profession level ninety-nine—now seemed even more holy and untouchable, like a descending deity.
Yet, as her kinsfolk around her bowed instinctively before this power, Alice—seated directly before the Queen—did not waver in the slightest.
Bzzz——
A second sacred power, no less than the Queen’s and perhaps even greater, blossomed from within her.
Justice Divinity.
As the inheritor of that fallen deity’s will, Alice naturally possessed a divinity equal to the Queen’s.
“I see it… Within the river of fate, the one you yearn for day and night…”
Boom——
Amid blinding white light, all fell silent once more, leaving only the chirping of insects and birds in the towering woods, and the whispers of elves by the Queen’s side.
“Crow Town.” Linda, utterly drained, slumped back onto her throne. “Go, young human…”
“Yes.”
Once she had the answer, Alice set off at once for Crow Town.
“You will find the one you seek, but… the answer will not be as simple as you think.”
Her Majesty’s last warning still echoed in her ears.
Not that simple?
Alice, making her way toward the Crow Town Adventurers’ Guild branch, suddenly stopped.
After chasing the incompetent failures back to the Life Tavern, leaving those who passed to wait at Guild Square, Alice was heading excitedly to the Adventurers’ Guild branch when she instinctively stepped aside.
Bang.
A surge of black energy erupted by her feet.
“Dark magic.”
Cultists?
Clang——
Alice drew her sword without a hint of fear.
Shua, shua!
Those evil entities that could put even legendary fighters in a tough spot didn’t last two rounds against Alice’s sword.
Pa, pa.
Crisp applause echoed in Alice’s ears.
When?!
Bang.
Alice was slammed to the ground.
“Your skills aren’t bad.” A figure in mage’s robes appeared before Alice’s eyes. It was the genius mage Sophie—the very one who had recently caught Alice’s eye at the tavern, and who also seemed to be searching for ‘Green.’
She really isn’t simple!
This aura—could she really be that so-called Demon King?
“But you’re not qualified to meet Green just yet.”
Hands on hips, the mage’s silhouette was cloaked in the golden glow of the evening sun, dazzling and majestic, with a hint of untouchable authority.
“That’s not for you to decide.”
Alice let out a cold laugh, but caught sight of a face inside the Adventurers’ Guild library—worn out, but unmistakably puzzled.
That—could it be?!
Impossible!
But, but it looked exactly the same!
That face, even from a distance, Alice could tell—it was exactly the same as the Godfather she remembered.
Though the features were slightly changed, making him look younger and his demeanor was now lazier rather than dignified,
But, but!
“Godfather, I—I’ve found you!”
“The answer will not be as simple as I thought?”
The Elf Queen’s warning came true—the genius before her with a suspicious background was her greatest obstacle to meeting Godfather.
But…
Even sensing the boundless magic in her opponent, Alice’s face brimmed with an excited smile.
“If I kill you, does that mean I’ll get to see Godfather?”
Alice let out a low chuckle, though there was not a hint of warmth in that faint smile.
To see that familiar face again…
She was not afraid of anything!