Because Truth was so stubborn and insisted on challenging a higher-level quest, Karen had no choice but to let her go and find two other teammates first, while she herself went ahead to prepare various tools.
The mission Truth chose was a bit challenging even for Karen—the goal was to explore a recently discovered Ancient Altar at the border, where almost all the monsters were Second-tier Monsters.
Plus, with no knowledge of the altar’s layout or the types of monsters there, the association had made it a rule that only a four-person team, all of whom had to be Second Rank or above, could take on the mission.
After donning a full set of Anti-Magic Armor and packing all the necessary Healing Potions and Bread Rations, Karen, now armed to the teeth, finally slung her “Runic Greatsword”—which served as both a Magic Staff and a heavy sword—across her back, exuding an overwhelming sense of security.
As a Magic Knight, Karen’s specialty was fighting with both swordsmanship and magic.
She could tank and deal damage; as long as the two teammates picked by the little priest weren’t total pushovers, there should be no problem protecting her.
However, as soon as she arrived in the main hall fully equipped, Karen was dumbfounded when she saw the two teammates Truth had chosen…
“I’ve picked my teammates. Can we set off now?”
Truth was still dressed in casual clothes, though now she had a practice Magic Staff in her arms.
Behind her stood Kovado, a First Rank Summoner, and the association’s well-known information broker, “Mole”—both waving at Karen.
“Hey, I heard you’re teaming up with this little priest, so I came along.”
Kovado grinned. Fantastic, I actually got into Karen’s party—doesn’t that mean I’ll be raking in money in no time?
All I have to do is hang back, do some chores, and collect loot. It’s a guaranteed profit!
Mole, the information broker, on the other hand, looked a bit awkward.
Everyone knew he usually only sold information here and almost never joined adventuring parties.
Yet here he was, breaking tradition to join this team!
The main reason was that he’d been caught by Truth. Anderson hadn’t expected to run into an acquaintance even after hiding here…
Yes, even at the Adventurers’ Association, Anderson’s nickname was still “Mole,” and he’d even put on a sloppy, experienced disguise to keep people from recognizing him.
Originally, he’d already had enough trouble dodging inspections from the Enforcers in Deya City due to money laundering.
But then Anderson realized that people from the Sun Family seemed to have their eyes on him too?
He thought about it and was sure he hadn’t messed with them.
So why were they looking for him?
Still, given all the shady things he’d done before, Anderson decided to hide out in the Adventurers’ Association, just in case.
Actually, the Sun Family only wanted to ask him about Reg’s whereabouts.
When they questioned students at the academy, everyone said Reg was often hanging out with a small-time delinquent named Anderson…
But before he could enjoy a few peaceful days at the association, Anderson ran into Truth. The two saw through each other’s disguises immediately, and with just a look, Truth had Anderson completely in her grasp, making him do whatever she wanted.
Tsk, seriously? So what if she’s the heiress of a mysterious noble family and the Ninth Saintess of the Church of the Goddess of Life?
If I can’t afford to provoke her, I can at least afford to obey.
As for Truth’s current disguise, Anderson wasn’t impressed at first. But on second thought, since she was a Saintess now, all she had to do was act like she didn’t want her identity exposed. Even if someone figured her out, they wouldn’t dare say anything. It was pretty convenient.
No wonder she’s a Saintess—she’s smart.
“So you picked these two as teammates?!”
Karen pointed urgently at Anderson and the random Kovado, making no effort to hide her disdain.
How could a First Rank priest have the nerve to bring two more First Rankers to do such a tough mission?
“Yup.” Truth nodded decisively.
It was exactly because these two were weak that Truth picked them.
One was a mere Level 12 Summoner, and the other, Anderson, was already Level 17-18 and still hadn’t settled on a profession—practically a complete weakling! It was perfect!
President Edwin had already secretly arranged for some of the association’s top Adventurers to join her, and they’d all gathered in the main hall, going all out to attract Truth’s attention. But she ignored them all.
“Absolutely not!” Karen refused flatly.
She’d planned for three Second Rank teammates to protect a First Rank Truth.
But now, it was one Second Rank looking after three First Ranks—how was that supposed to work?
And that Second Rank mission wasn’t child’s play.
Karen absolutely wouldn’t accept such an obviously suicidal team configuration; they’d have to switch people!
“Fine, fine, I’ll give you gold coins.”
Seeing Karen cross her arms and turn away, Truth immediately used her superpower, twisting shyly in front of Karen, who blushed furiously:
“This isn’t about gold coins. What matters is—”
“Will five hundred gold coins do?”
“What matters is, uh… Five hundred?! Uh, this… No, no, no! Even if it’s a thousand or ten thousand gold coins, it’s no good! If you die in the Dungeon, who’s going to pay me?”
“Then what if we just hang around the edge of the Dungeon and don’t actually go in?”
“Uh, well…”
Hang around the edge and not go in? Karen thought about it.
Normally, only one monster spawns at the edge at a time; they never appear in groups.
And she could definitely handle a single Second-tier Monster…
In that case, this might actually work!
“Well… I suppose that’s acceptable.” Karen reluctantly agreed to Truth’s request, but added one condition: everyone had to follow her commands!
Truth and Kovado both nodded immediately. Anderson didn’t dare object, either.
After a bit more preparation and a long list of reminders from Karen, the four of them set off in an association carriage, heading straight for the Ancient Altar on the Sylvia Border.
On the way, Karen asked Truth about her background.
Truth replied that she was from the Sun Family and dreamed of becoming a Hero who would defeat the Demon King.
Anderson just turned away, trying not to laugh, and Karen didn’t believe it for a second.
Come on, a priest wanting to be a Hero? Do you even have attack skills? How are you supposed to beat the Demon King? If you don’t want to tell the truth, fine, but don’t be so perfunctory.
Kovado, on the other hand, was wide-eyed.
What? This little priest was actually from Sylvia’s top family, the Sun Family?!
If he managed to cling to her, wouldn’t he be set for life?
There’s no harm in trying, so Kovado immediately started fawning:
“Excuse me, Miss Ariel, I think my introduction in the hall earlier was a bit too plain. Allow me to introduce myself again: I’m Kovado, from the Water Marsh People, registered in Water Marsh City, 1.71 meters tall, weighing sixty kilograms, male, single, with hobbies like fishing and raising small animals…”
“Sorry, I only like people with a Wangdu household registration.”
“Eh?!”
With a single sentence, Truth broke Kovado’s heart. How could anyone be so practical?
“But if you’re really ambitious, I can accept you even without a Wangdu household registration,”
Truth added, instantly making Kovado’s lips curl up in a smile again.
“There’s still hope! Ambition, right? From now on, I’ll do anything for Miss Ariel!”
……
When the sun reached its peak, the four finally arrived at the entrance to the Ancient Altar.
The cracked tiles stretched deep into the Forest, and occasionally the roar of Second-tier Monsters could be heard.
After parking the carriage, Karen began assigning positions:
“I’ll take point. Kovado, you and Mole stay at the back. Ariel, you just stay in the middle… Wait, where’s Ariel?”
Only then did Karen realize Truth had suddenly vanished.
Panicking, she searched the carriage inside and out, but still couldn’t find her.
No way—had she gone missing before they even started the exploration?
Anderson cleared his throat and pointed to the entrance of the altar.
“Ahem.”
With Anderson’s hint, Karen finally spotted Truth, already over two hundred meters deep inside, and getting farther away.
“What the heck? It’s been less than a minute and she’s already dashed over two hundred meters?!”
Is that the stamina of a First Rank priest?! Karen had no idea how Truth managed it, but now wasn’t the time to ponder such things.
“Roar!”
At that moment, a monster’s roar echoed near Truth. Karen bolted toward her in a panic.
Boohoo! My adorable little loli and my five hundred gold coins!
Just like those guys who swear they’ll “just hang around and not go in,” but in the end, they’re the first ones rushing inside…