While the old guild leader and those around him were still in shock, the bald man loaded with weapons behind him suddenly widened his eyes.
His gaze toward Franlot was somewhat intense.
“Are you really the Duke’s son? Then will your family join the counterattack against the Foreign Race this time?”
The bald man asked somewhat excitedly at first, but when he saw Franlot’s somewhat bewildered yet scrutinizing gaze on him, he realized he was being a bit rude.
“Auspicious Joy.”
He tucked the saber that seemed even longer than Xue’er’s height behind him, pressed his palms together, and slowly bowed to Franlot.
Auspicious… Joy?
Franlot was slightly stunned, feeling like he had heard those words somewhere before.
This should be something an NPC or villain said in the “Dark Continent”…
“Hm? You’re a Guide?” The old guild leader raised an eyebrow and turned his gaze to the bald giant beside him.
The bald man remained polite,
“Heh heh, yes… Respected Guild Leader lay practitioner, I am a Guide of the [Eight-Faced Bodhisattva], my dharma name is Lian Jieti.”
Eight-Faced Bodhisattva?
Some of the people around looked quite confused, but others looked at the bald man and the weapons behind him with sudden realization.
Then… some people actually bowed deeply toward this bald man they had just been avoiding, a hint of fervor flashing in their eyes!
The Eight-Faced Bodhisattva, much like the legendary [Ancient Rock Dragon King], is one of the few [Supreme Beings] widely known by many people.
The most common legends about them involve compassion and power on the side of righteousness, claiming the ability to redeem all evil and lead everyone to a pure land of ultimate bliss.
Back then… such teachings were naturally亲和 to humans who had short lifespans and frail bodies, so there were quite a few believers.
But… whether it was deliberate suppression by the Holy See, or the Eight-Faced Bodhisattva intentionally fading their presence in recent decades.
The group of Guides who were their Followers had become rarely seen.
This time… many people were seeing one for the first time.
So everyone instinctively bowed respectfully to this envoy of the “good” supreme being in the general sense.
“This time I came here wanting to do my part for the Kingdom, for humanity. If you truly are the Second Son of a Duke, could you allow me to follow Grand Duke Kelvidi’s forces to the front lines?”
The big bald man… or rather Lian Jieti, pressed his palms together and bowed once more to Franlot.
This…
Franlot was momentarily stunned, and the next second, a semi-transparent quest panel appeared before him!
Ding!
Quest issued: [Guide’s Request]
Quest objective: Have Lian Jieti join your party
Hiss… I was just lamenting my bad luck, but… who knew the tables would turn now!
Is the title of Second Son of a Duke really this useful?
Just by saying it out loud, a powerhouse like this willingly pledges himself?
Although Xue’er hadn’t entered her berserk state, anyone who could steadily suppress Xue’er in her normal state with raw power—even without opening his panel, Franlot knew this big monk was definitely a rare powerhouse!
And most importantly… the other party appeared to be in a completely normal mental state.
He was exactly the kind of bodyguard-type character Franlot needed right now—someone who wouldn’t cause random trouble!
“Uh… haha, Brother Lian Jieti is joking. You are so righteous and understanding, how could I…”
Just as he was halfway through his sentence…
The crowd to the side suddenly parted!
“Truly worthy of a Guide. Master, your heart encompasses the world—truly admirable.”
A voice that was extremely familiar to Franlot, yet utterly detestable, rang out!
“Lady Bateos…”
The old guild leader looked at Ileya walking out from the crowd, also somewhat bewildered.
What kind of day is it today.
Not only does someone claim to be the Second Son of a Duke, but even this “Bloodblossom Demon” has come running to his small Mercenary Guild.
Whoosh—!
Hearing the old guild leader’s words, the crowd still immersed in paying respects to the Guide suddenly snapped awake and instinctively began moving away from Ileya.
Within just a few seconds, a large empty zone had formed around the smiling young lady.
“This one… who claims to be the Second Son of a Duke, heh heh, of course I’m not doubting his identity.”
Ileya first glanced at Franlot and said this with a meaningful tone.
Instantly, everyone looked at the young man claiming to be the Second Son of a Duke with strange expressions.
Many people knew that Grand Duke Kelvidi had a good relationship with Marquis Groset, so… could this “Bloodblossom Demon” possibly not recognize Franlot, the Duke’s second son?
Think about it carefully—the so-called Second Son of a Duke was indeed just this kid’s one-sided claim.
But before giving everyone time to think, Ileya continued speaking.
Except she didn’t target Franlot, but looked at Lian Jieti again.
“Master, if you don’t mind, I can arrange lodging for you. For the upcoming counterattack against the Foreign Race, our family is also one of the main forces, after all, the main battlefield is right around the East Capital…”
Ileya said while putting on a compassionate expression, her red eyes sweeping over the crowd in the Adventurers Guild.
“Of course, not just Master Lian Jieti here—any other righteous warriors who want to join the front line! Regardless of their strength… the Bateos Marquis Mansion will host you all!”
The young lady’s words were like a stone thrown into still water, stirring a thousand waves!
At this time of national crisis, there were indeed many righteous heroes standing up for humanity!
Not just Transcendents…
Mercenaries, Soldiers, and even ordinary people with ideals all wanted to carve out a place for themselves in this war.
They wanted to protect everything behind them.
And now… the young lady seemed to want to give them such a stage!
“Re… really! Young Lady!” More and more people gathered here…
And at the edge of the crowd, someone shouted this.
These ordinary mercenaries who usually didn’t even dare meet the young lady’s eyes or come within ten meters of her seemed to have exhausted all their courage just by asking that question.
But that single question seemed to flip a switch.
It stirred up everyone around them.
“Of course! Although I’m just a poor, weak, and helpless noble young lady, adrift like duckweed with nothing to rely on in the face of this war…”
Ileya gently wiped the tear stains from the corner of her eye, then lightly leaped and quite naturally stood on a clean table.
She turned to face everyone in the Mercenary Guild. Her beautiful features and snow-white hair fully lived up to the title of [Pearl of the Eastern Capital].
It was only at this moment that some people realized the “Bloodblossom Demon” they had feared was actually this stunning!
“But even someone as weak as I understands… no race can take away humanity’s honor! Our ancestors once raised their longswords and slew Supreme Beings! They carved out this sacred era for us…”
“But now! Vile Foreign Races want to destroy this glorious civilization, want to trample on humanity’s glory, want to crush our families, our friends, everything we hold dear under their feet!!”
“Can we… really just sit and wait for death?!”
The moment Ileya finished speaking, the entire venue was silent for one second, followed by an earth-shattering response!
“No!!”
“No!!!”
Whether they were powerful Transcendents, steady Mercenaries, or even ordinary people just watching the excitement!
Everyone felt hot blood rush straight to their heads!
“In this time of crisis, there should be one—no! a group of heroes stepping forward! They might be as simple as those of you sitting here, but they will shine like the Heroic King in the times to come!”
“Heroes who protect humanity—history will carve their names firmly into the glory they deserve!”
“Them… us! We will illuminate the next era!!”
Boom!!!
More and more people gathered outside, emotions spreading like wildfire across a plain, completely sweeping through everyone’s hearts!
Igniting the fighting spirit buried deep within them!
Whoosh! The young lady standing on the high spot suddenly raised both hands!
“So! I promise here! Anyone who wants to join the front-line war! Anyone willing to fight for the homeland behind them, for their beloved families, for the revival of humanity! The Marquis Castle will cover all your food, clothing, housing, and travel!”
“Your wives and children will receive the best protection during the war! Even if you tragically fall in battle, I will take responsibility for them to the very end!”
“I! Ileya Bateos! Swear to you here in my father’s name and my family’s honor!!”
The moment those words left Ileya’s mouth!
Everyone stirred once again! Countless mercenaries, commoners, and even Transcendents with boiling blood expressed their willingness to follow this young lady and contribute their strength to the coming war against the Foreign Race!
“Eight-Faced Joy and Great Freedom Auspicious… This female lay practitioner is deeply righteous. With your presence, it is truly humanity’s blessing!”
Lian Jieti was the first to react, immediately bowing to Ileya and loudly chanting the auspicious Bodhisattva’s name.
The old guild leader stood there dumbfounded for a moment.
The young lady’s speech just now had even stirred a boiling sensation in his heart, which had been as still as an ancient withered well.
He had originally thought this young lady was just a qualified noble heir who knew how to hide herself, but now it seemed… he had indeed been shortsighted.
This young lady was definitely no ordinary fish swimming in a pond…
Cheers and sounds of agreement kept erupting from all around.
Among them, the most excited was Ileya’s number one fangirl, Miss Jenny.
As the Queen Bee who stood above ten thousand, she was now shouting and roaring like an ordinary commoner, her hands flailing wildly in the air! Working herself into a sweaty mess!
Except everyone else was shouting “Drive out the Foreign Race!” “Eternal glory to humanity!”
While she was shouting “Long live the Young Lady!” “Young Lady, I love you!”
The Young Lady was truly amazing! Jenny even felt… she was the real leader, she… was the one who should truly rule the Kingdom!
And at this moment…
Completely out of place with this scene of everyone boiling over and chanting long live…
Was a certain “Destined Protagonist” gentleman standing there awkwardly, his face full of bewilderment.
No one was paying attention to him at all.
Even the question of whether his identity as the Second Son of a Duke was real or fake had been completely forgotten by everyone!
He swept his gaze over the people present—reflected in everyone’s eyes was… all of them fixed on that white-haired girl standing on the dining table, arms spread wide.
No matter where she went, she seemed to become the focus of everyone. Wherever she stood was the center of the stage.
And as for himself… in front of her, he was completely like a background prop. No matter where… it was always like this.
Am… am I really the damn protagonist? Am I really the heaven-destined Transmigrator with the System?
Why… why is it that when I face this native, I feel like I have absolutely no chance of winning?!
“Damn it… damn it damn it!!” Franlot, whose Dao heart was cracking, stared at the quest panel in front of him with veins bulging on his forehead!
[Ding! Teres affection points -5]
Huh? Before he could suppress the dissatisfaction in his heart, he suddenly received another notification like this.
Turning around in bewilderment, Franlot saw that the “Demon Eye Sage” young lady who had been sitting in the corner reading had now stood up.
What was reflected in those eyes… was also the figure of that young lady.