The name “Frederica” was written on the pendant in graceful, delicate handwriting.
Out of curiosity, Irene walked over and unconsciously read the name aloud.
The girl who had been lost in thought snapped out of it instantly.
She hurriedly stood up and bowed.
“My lady!”
Irene waved her hand and chuckled awkwardly.
“No need to be so formal, just relax. This pendant—?”
She regretted the question as soon as it left her mouth.
Judging by the serious expression on the girl’s face, it was probably some sort of memento from a loved one!
What kind of insensitive question was that?
However, Clarette shook her head in confusion. “…I don’t know what it is either.
It’s been on me since I woke up. Actually…”
She lowered her voice, her expression becoming faintly melancholic.
“My lady, I only have memories from a few months ago. Everything before that is a complete blank. But I have this gut feeling that this pendant is connected to my past, so—”
Huh? Amnesia?
Irene’s heart softened.
She stepped forward and gently took Clarette’s soft, supple hands in her own, smiling with a touch of tenderness.
“I’ll help you get your memories back, Clarette. And if we can’t, then we’ll just make new ones together.”
Tears sparkled in Clarette’s eyes.
Irene was caught completely off guard.
All she did was hold her hand—she hadn’t even tried anything yet!
Why was the girl tearing up like this?
Clarette clutched Irene’s hand tightly and nodded earnestly.
“Thank you, my lady. It seems I misunderstood you before. I’m so, so sorry!”
“Uh, it’s… it’s fine, really, no need to apologize.”
Irene mumbled under her breath, thinking she could guess what that misunderstanding was about.
Probably those rumors again—calling her some kind of terrifying villainess, a classic “ojou-sama” antagonist.
She didn’t mind.
Way too many people had been misled by those stories.
Clarette didn’t even have her past memories—of course she would’ve been influenced by gossip!
But now that she looked at her up close… this girl was seriously cute!!
Especially those emerald-green eyes—so clear, so mesmerizing—it made Irene’s heart skip a beat.
‘Hmph. Since Serena and the others hate me so much, then we’re done. I need new teammates to cuddle with! You’ll be the one, Clarette!’
A rookie full of potential, and apparently already fond of her?
Irene would guide her, train her with her own methods—and if that didn’t work, a financial offensive would surely win her heart.
With that thought, Irene grasped her hand tighter and pulled her along.
“Come on, Clarette. Accompany me to the Adventurers’ Guild.”
Leila had gone out that morning to purchase supplies for their upcoming journey.
“Ah, yes, my lady!”
Clarette was pulled along by Irene into the streets.
In a hushed voice, she asked, “Are you heading to the guild at this hour to form a new party?”
Irene held up the letter labeled ‘Revocation of Irene’s Adventurer Status’ and nodded.
“Exactly!”
Adventurers were required to form a party of at least four members—this was a strict rule enforced by the Adventurers’ Guild!
Solo commissions were only permitted for adventurers ranked B or higher, as a way to protect beginners from undue danger.
Once a party dropped below four members, it entered a “dissolution period” that lasted around two weeks.
During this time, the group couldn’t take any commissions but could recruit new members to prevent disbandment.
Since Irene was currently ranked F, she couldn’t work as an adventurer unless she registered a new party with four or more members.
Fortunately, she already had three—including herself.
She only needed to rope in one more girl, and the team would be good to go!
She figured she might as well submit the paperwork first and then try her luck at the guild.
Maybe she’d solve the whole problem today!
*****
Irene and Clarette spent nearly the entire afternoon sitting in the guild hall, but not a single suitable candidate had turned up.
Though Rimu Town was small, it served as a central hub linking the royal capital to major cities in the northern regions, so merchants and adventurers passed through frequently.
Even so, Irene hadn’t found anyone she liked. Some were passable in strength—but male.
Others met both the gender and strength criteria, but their appearances were… less than appealing.
That was just how it was—most female adventurers were battle-hardened and muscular.
Where was she supposed to find sweet, soft, and cuddly girls?
And then there were those who, upon hearing that the infamous Irene was looking for teammates, immediately noped out:
“Sorry, not messing with that. I’m out.”
“Looks like finding a teammate to my taste won’t be so easy after all.”
Clarette, who had spent the whole afternoon sipping tea with Irene, whispered softly, “There’s no need to rush, my lady. We have plenty of time.”
In truth, she was thoroughly enjoying her one-on-one time with Irene.
Now that the villainess filter had shattered, the more Clarette looked at Irene, the more she liked her.
Just staring at Irene’s face… she could do that all day.
Ah, that dainty little nose… the porcelain-white, silky-smooth skin… those golden eyes tinged with worry—so cute, so adorable!
Even though her chest was a bit smaller than her own, the shape was perfect!
And that shimmering silver-white hair—under the sunlight streaming in through the window, it sparkled like crushed diamonds.
To Clarette, it felt as though her vision had a soft-focus pink filter layered over it.
As she continued staring, her cheeks began to redden.
Just then, a young girl entered the guild, and the sound of her voice snapped Clarette out of her rosy daydream.
“Reward for the quest is 5,000 gold coins! We need a guide who has been to Endymion City, the Eternal Capital! There will be an additional bonus upon completion!”
Clarette raised an eyebrow.
Five thousand gold coins was no small sum—comparable to several S-rank commissions!
But the destination… Endymion City?
That kind of money probably came with a death flag—you might not live long enough to spend it.
As expected, the moment the adventurers present heard the offer, their eyes lit up… only to dim just as quickly.
Seeing the lack of response, the girl’s expression grew desperate.
“Isn’t there anyone? The reward is negotiable!”
My lady, let’s just ignore her…
Clarette was about to whisper that, but then she saw Irene suddenly rise from her seat.
Not only that, Irene’s eyes were fixed on the girl, staring intensely like she was about to drool.
What the heck!?
Clarette glanced at the girl again—long chestnut hair twisted into a bun, and a striking pair of heterochromatic eyes: one red, one green.
An unusual but captivating look.
Okay, she was… decent-looking.
Still not as pretty as me!
Why won’t the young lady just look at me more!?
Clarette puffed out her cheeks in mild displeasure.
Truthfully, Irene was staring, but not simply because of the girl’s looks—though yeah, she was cute!
No, what truly caught Irene’s attention was the crest on the girl’s forehead. Irene had read countless books and instantly recognized what that symbol meant.
Her heart skipped a beat—this girl wasn’t human!
And that meant: she was the perfect person to help a weak little F-rank like Irene finally become combat-capable!
*****
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