Ding-dong—
The morning bell chimed.
Green opened his eyes, waking slowly in the comfortable suite provided by the Adventurer’s Guild. He looked at the yellowed adventurer’s log in his hand with a complex expression.
“Alice…”
The girl in the simulation and the identity he played felt overwhelmingly real, as if a segment of life had been grafted into his soul.
Indeed, it had been.
Green looked at the mountain of books in the suite—writing materials specifically prepared by Branch Manager Betty, along with years of unanalyzed intelligence accumulated by the Guild headquarters. In the past, despite his vast knowledge, there had always been a thin veil between him and the practical experience of a professional adventurer.
Now, with the rich life experience of a veteran Paladin, that veil had vanished. In reality, he might be a “mere mortal,” but his simulated professional intuition was as real as it gets.
“I shouldn’t let Miss Betty’s kindness go to waste.”
He sat back at his desk and began facing the sea of information.
“I have to say, a guild with branches across the entire continent is on another level. This depth of intelligence gathering is something no ordinary company could match.”
Instead of feeling overwhelmed, Green felt a surge of excitement. In the Star-Moon team, he had to handle every tiny detail alone. Here, while the scope was infinitely larger, he had the full institutional weight of the Guild behind him. His efficiency tripled.
Knock, knock.
Just as he rolled up his sleeves, a soft knock came from the door.
“Come in, it’s unlocked.”
A graceful figure entered—it was Miss Betty.
“Mr. Green.” This powerful woman showed no hint of arrogance toward a mortal. Her tone was exceptionally polite as she walked to his side. “Did you sleep well last night?”
“It wasn’t just ‘well,’ it was almost too comfortable…” Green rubbed the back of his head sheepishly.
He felt a bit guilty. He hadn’t even officially agreed to the job yet, but he was already enjoying full service. Since his heart wasn’t made of stone, he was already leaning heavily toward the Guild.
“I’ve reported your situation to the Royal Capital headquarters. The Guild Master takes this very seriously. According to him, he wishes to appoint you as a Senior Consultant.”
Senior Consultant?
Green knew the internal hierarchy. A Senior Consultant was a high-ranking position with status equivalent to a Four-Star executive—equal to Betty herself.
Is this… reasonable?
Green was bewildered. Betty was a retired Level 78 top-tier adventurer who had worked for a decade to earn her current post. He was just a mortal. How could he possibly deserve this?
“However,” Betty said apologetically, “there are many old-fashioned types at headquarters who oppose this. They feel it’s too unconventional for a newcomer to take such a position. So, they plan to send a Special Envoy to evaluate you.”
Phew…
Instead of feeling threatened, Green felt relieved. Honestly, if he weren’t certain he was a penniless mortal, he would have thought he was being lured into some elaborate scam.
“But don’t you worry, Mr. Green!” Betty leaned over the wooden table, looking him straight in the eye. “Our Raven Town branch supports you 100%!”
“Uh, that’s not really necessary…”
“In any case, Miss Betty, I am deeply grateful for your care.” Green wasn’t a spoiled noble like the girls in his old team; he knew how to appreciate a patron. He stood up and bowed slightly.
Clack.
Before he could say more, soft footsteps approached from the hallway.
“Manager, someone is here to see Mr. Green.”
Green looked up curiously. He didn’t have many acquaintances in this town, except—
“Miss Lucy?” Green looked at the figure in the doorway with confusion.
“Phew…” Lucy, the once-in-a-century magic prodigy, took a few breaths as she stared at the luxurious suite. “So you really are staying here, Green. I… I thought it was just someone with the same name.”
She gave a sheepish smile.
“Why are you looking for me…?” Although he didn’t understand her intent, Green was polite enough to invite her in.
” ‘You’?” Lucy’s expression turned hurt. “Green, we haven’t seen each other for one day, and you’re already using such formal, distant language?”
Wait, were we ever that close?
Green looked at the beautiful, smiling girl with utter confusion. He had always kept a respectful distance from this genius mage. Early on, they were on good terms, but as the team’s fame grew and rumors started spreading, he had proactively stayed away. Despite his efforts, the rumors had only worsened, making him want to avoid her entirely.
But I’ve left the team now. His guard relaxed slightly.
“What, Green? We were teammates. Can’t I visit you just to talk?” Lucy walked closer, her voice dripping with grievance. “Or are you blaming me for not stopping Freya?”
Without waiting for a response, she sighed. “Actually, I think she was way out of line this time. You worked so hard for us, and she didn’t appreciate it at all. It must have been so hard for you.”
Lucy’s eyes turned watery. “But Green… I know you’ll forgive me, right? After all, we…”
“Ahem.”
Betty, who had been observing from the side, finally spoke up. “Excuse me, Miss Lucy. What exactly is it that Green needs to ‘forgive’ you for?”
“Hmm…” Lucy narrowed her eyes, as if only just noticing Betty. She toyed with her short black hair, a sharp glint hidden in her eyes. “Forgive me for not standing up for him against Freya, of course.”
“Oh… stand up for him,” Betty echoed. “So you think it was wrong for Freya to kick him out?”
“I… I…” Lucy faltered for a second. “That’s not what I mean. Friends argue sometimes, it’s inevitable…”
“Ah, ‘friends,'” Betty nodded knowingly. “But I seem to recall Green mentioning that he worked as your record keeper for years without a single copper of pay. Is that how friends treat each other?”
“That—that’s because Green never asked! Besides, can friendship really be measured in gold?” Lucy countered sharply.
Betty didn’t argue. She just looked at Green with a mocking smile.
Sigh… these young ladies.
Green wasn’t even angry. He had known his true status in their hearts for a long time; Lucy’s words only confirmed it.
He offered Lucy a polite, apologetic look and shook his head slowly. “Miss Lucy, it was an honor to work with Star-Moon, but I currently have business to discuss with Miss Betty. So…”
He left the rest unsaid. He trusted the genius mage was smart enough to hear the “please leave.”
Lucy’s perfect smile froze. He… he rejected me? How? Whenever Freya acted up in the past, Lucy just had to say a few kind words and Green would “admit his mistakes” like a loyal dog.
Is it because of this woman? Lucy looked at the smiling Betty. She opened her mouth to speak, but Betty cut her off.
“Sorry, Miss Lucy. As a Five-Star adventurer, you have many rights, but this is a private Guild area. It’s not convenient for… well, an outsider to wander in.” Betty emphasized the word “outsider.” “And shouldn’t you be at the Hero’s selection? It’s about to start.”
With that, Betty gently but firmly closed the door. Thud.
“There. The distractions are handled. Don’t worry, Mr. Green, I’ll have security tighten up.”
“No need,” Green waved it off. “I’ve decided, Miss Betty. I’ll join the Guild. After all, I need to pay back that ‘debt’ to the young lady as soon as possible.”
Wait, did she say Hero’s selection? I remember Freya practically worships the Hero… oh well, none of my business.
A corner of Raven Town.
“The Pocket Watch of Fate says Godfather is nearby, but why can’t I pin down his location?”
Alice, hidden under her black cloak, toyed with her watch.
Buzz—
Her communication crystal vibrated.
“Lord Pope?” she answered.
“How is the selection going, Lady Hero?” Lawrence’s warm voice drifted through.
“I’m just about to start,” Alice replied absentmindedly. “Don’t worry, Lawrence, I haven’t forgotten my mission.”
“I see…” Lawrence—now wearing the Triple Crown of the Papacy—hesitated. “Alice… you chose Raven Town for the selection. Is it because of the Elf Queen’s prophecy?”
“…” Alice’s relaxed face turned cold and serious. She didn’t answer.
“Sigh. I know you’re hurting. But if Green were still alive—”
“Godfather IS NOT dead!” Alice interrupted fiercely.
Lawrence sighed. “I’ve approved the motion to canonize Green as a Saint. His sacrifice will be remembered forever. I think Abundance City would be a fitting place for his shrine.”
“No,” Alice said flatly. “Abundance City? Heh. They don’t deserve him.”
She cut the connection.