However, Ileya didn’t have time to analyze why the Foolish Goddess had been so easily pulled down by her next.
Because Jenny had already returned to the residence with the Map of the Divine Era Ruins.
The curious girls immediately spread the map out on the table.
They scrutinized the routes marked on it.
“Hmph, ○. So many lines—it’s dizzying just to look at…” Veil stared at the map on the table, her eyes swirling like a mosquito coil.
“This place… seems pretty far from the Crystal Capital…” Yumina pointed at the direction marked as the Crystal Capital, her finger sliding upward…
Until it reached a roughly drawn cave entrance near the kingdom’s border.
Although it was still in the east,
this location was almost outside the Kingdom… Such a long journey was not comparable to the previous No. 13 Mining Area.
By normal carriage, a round trip would take at least one or two months, right?
“Miss really intends to go there?”
Jenny looked at Ileya with some worry.
“Mm.”
Ileya gave no extra answer, only nodding slowly.
Not just because of the search for ancient ruins…
But because she felt that staying in the Crystal Capital all this time, while comfortable, had indeed slowed her progress significantly.
Living peaceful days with important people by her side was making her gradually lazy.
It was like the unexplored Land of the Dead at this moment.
If she had just awakened, she would have unhesitatingly continued exploring its dangers and opportunities.
But now, she had become somewhat hesitant.
“‘Gentle Land is the home of heroes,’ that saying isn’t so bad~” Ileya muttered subconsciously.
Jenny’s gaze at this moment… was somewhat lonely.
After all, she couldn’t accompany Miss on this long journey.
The affairs here had just begun; if she, as the leader, left, the newly established organization would almost instantly collapse.
So… she had to stay in the Crystal Capital to oversee everything.
That was something that went without saying.
“Then, Miss! Can I—” Yumina blinked, looking at Ileya with great anticipation.
“No~ You can’t come this time either.”
Ileya’s tone was firm, as if there was no room for negotiation.
Hmm… hearing Ileya’s words, Yumina’s expression instantly became deeply desolate.
Makes sense… if she came along, she’d only be a hindrance…
“Sigh~ Don’t worry, Jenny is at home with you… You two help me manage things in the Crystal Capital, and wait for my return~”
Ileya helplessly reached out and pinched the Head Maid’s cheek.
She wasn’t afraid of Yumina dragging them down, but the danger level of this mission—
Even she herself couldn’t predict it.
“Hehe, then I also…” Veil was about to say she would stay in the Crystal Capital to help…
Once this one leaves (●’√’)~ My good days will finally come~
“No~ You have to come with me~” But Miss shattered the Goddess-sama’s beautiful dream in the next second.
Who travels without a Power Bank?
“Ugh…” The Power Bank Miss immediately felt awful.
She wanted to slack off in the Crystal Capital~ She didn’t want to go out (the little person inside her was rolling on the ground)~
(╯>A<)╯╰╰╰
…
In the afternoon…
“So… this is Stream Town?”
Beina, dressed in leather armor and carrying two longswords on her back, looked at the small town with smoke curling up.
By her side stood Reliel Wood, clad in light armor, her eyes cold and expressionless, still silent.
The breeze stirred the girl’s light golden short hair, and combined with her expression of “strangers keep out,” she appeared like a solitary seeker on a lonely path.
Someone who would unconsciously make people stop and stare, then instinctively want to know more… about her story.
Besides them, a few other members of the Hunter Blade Mercenary Group followed behind.
Their mission this time was to guard Stream Town, hoping to prevent any more disappearances.
“Since it’s still early, let’s go to the guild first to arrange lodging and rest.
That way, we can be more focused during the night patrol.”
Originally, they were supposed to find the town’s patrol team.
But in such a small village, having two watchtowers was already good enough, especially so close to the Crystal Capital, with no real dangers nearby…
So the defenses were somewhat loose.
The patrol soldiers all returned home after work.
Rather than bother them, it was better to rent rooms at the Adventurers Guild—it wouldn’t cost much, and later they could claim the expenses from quest clients.
The group nodded.
Together, they headed toward the Mercenary Guild.
The town’s Mercenary Guild wasn’t large—compared to the Crystal Capital’s massive three-story building with a plaza,
here it was just a modest two-story building surrounded by a few low houses.
Just as the Hunter Blades approached the guild’s front desk…
Beina and Reliel were drawn by a somewhat youthful voice.
“I’m willing to take your test! I challenge anyone among you!”
The speaker was a slender black-haired girl, looking about the same age as Reliel.
Perhaps even a little younger…?
At a glance, it was obvious she was a commoner’s child.
Though her voice was clear and bright, and her eyes sharp, her physique was too fragile.
It was clear she was struggling to meet basic needs and had never received proper training.
Opposite her were several mercenaries—not exactly muscular, but all broad-shouldered and stocky.
At this moment, they all wore expressions of helplessness and disdain toward the girl.
Seeing this, Beina shook her head helplessly.
A commoner girl like this—though she didn’t know why she dreamed of becoming a mercenary…
her fate was already sealed.
Just by looking at her stance, it was obvious she was completely unskilled, probably had never been in any real fight.
Thinking this, she lost interest and was about to step inside.
But then she noticed Reliel hadn’t moved; instead, she stayed rooted to the spot, as if wanting to watch this farce to the end.
Hmm?
The little mute rarely showed any concern for her surroundings.
Especially for such trivial matters.
Could it be… that girl really had some outstanding quality that she hadn’t noticed?
Out of curiosity, Beina stopped and followed the mute’s gaze toward the black-haired girl, or rather…
Toward the longsword she slowly pulled from the tattered cloth wrapped around her back…
The sword looked somewhat petite, like a woman’s blade, with a blade less than a meter long.
On the guard of the hilt was a mask carved with an angry face.
This was…
Beina clearly sensed that as the girl gripped the sword tighter, her aura changed noticeably!
Not that there was an obvious surge of fighting spirit, but her expression grew much more confident than before.
However, the mercenaries who clearly looked down on the girl hadn’t noticed this.
Only the mercenary standing furthest back glanced at the blade’s cold gleam…
A flicker of greed flashing through his eyes.