Chapter 63 : Worst Warrior (2)

Of course, Adventurers’ Guilds exist in other nations.

However, the Adventurers’ Guild in the Kingdom of Mines was particularly special.

This was because it was the origin of all Adventurers’ Guilds.

The profession of adventurer itself was modeled after the journey of the first heroes who set out to defeat the Demon King.

Naturally, its origin could only be the Kingdom of Mines.

As a result, the Adventurers’ Guild became a proud institution with a long history in the Kingdom of Mines.

Even in an era filled with low-quality adventurers, the Kingdom’s Adventurers’ Guild still maintained its recognition.

This meant that, at least within the Kingdom, they had extensive geographical knowledge.

For instance, places like legendary ruins or dungeons.

“Are you planning to go on an adventure?”

“Something like that. A date, perhaps?”

“This person must be insane. Then again, that explains why they came all the way here from the Empire.”

Lorenzo, familiar with the infamous reputation of the Vendetta Corps, never imagined things would be taken to such extremes.

At the very least, he thought they understood basic human decency.

Unfortunately, Lorenzo had few options in the moment.

He could either hand over the information peacefully or have it taken by force.

In the end, Lorenzo had no choice but to share the information he knew with Galina.

If he didn’t, the worst-case scenario could involve casualties.

Besides, he had some confidence in this outcome.

The Kingdom’s dungeons and ruins were not easy places to explore.

Hidden guardians protected their domains, dwelling in the shadows.

They would surely humble anyone with excessive pride.

“Hehe, the captain will praise me for this!”

Unaware of Lorenzo’s thoughts, Galina only imagined the captain’s praise as she smiled in delight.

In any case, Galina had fulfilled her mission.

Who would have thought she’d storm into the Adventurers’ Guild so brazenly?

Wolfgang, upon hearing the report, felt a headache brewing.

However, spilled water could not be scooped back.

More importantly, the mission was a success, so Wolfgang decided not to reprimand her further.

Instead, she smiled and said, “Well done, Galina. I’m proud to call you my lieutenant.”

“C-Captain! I’d give my life for you!”

“Tch.”

Milina, annoyed by Galina’s blatant flattery, refrained from demeaning her achievement.

After all, the Kingdom’s Adventurers’ Guild was formidable.

The fact that Galina managed to handle it alone was proof of her strength, even if she didn’t look the part.

At the very least, it was clear that she was beyond Milina’s current ability to handle.

“See that? I’m not like you.”

“What?”

The conversation would have escalated further if Wolfgang hadn’t stepped in to prevent a fight.

As the captain, she couldn’t allow internal conflicts to fester.

“We don’t have much time. The Saintess faction won’t sit idle forever. Before they strike back, we must eliminate at least one of the heroes.”

“Understood, Captain.”

“So, what’s the plan, sister?”

With her mouth full of food, Milina tried to answer.

“Eat first, then talk.”

Wolfgang, stopping Milina from responding mid-bite, used the information Galina brought to formulate a plan.

Time was short.

The Royalist faction was successfully pressuring the Saintess faction for now, but the stronger Saintess faction would inevitably counterattack.

Thus, they had to make full use of the remaining time to quickly locate a hero.

For efficiency, the group split into three teams instead of traveling together.

Milina and Galina were assigned to work together, sparking immediate protests.

“Captain, please reconsider.”

“Yeah, sister, I don’t want to go with her!”

“This is an order, Galina.”

“Understood.”

Galina nodded and obeyed immediately, while Milina offered no further resistance, knowing the weight of an order.

As the two began glaring at each other, Wolfgang sighed.

“Maybe spending time together will help them bond.”

The Kingdom of Mines was steeped in the history of heroes.

This meant it had far more ruins and dungeons than other nations.

Among these, there was bound to be a resting place for a hero.

As it turned out, Wolfgang’s hunch was correct.

The location she chose, the Nameless Hall, was the place.

Surprisingly, the Nameless Hall was open to anyone.

Though classified as a dungeon, its monsters were weak, and its layout simple.

The guild even used it as a training ground for newcomers.

“Are you really going there? There’s probably nothing of value.”

“I trust the captain’s judgment, but I have my doubts.”

“I believe in the captain. There must be a reason.”

Even Milina and the fanatically loyal Vendetta Corps were skeptical.

However, Wolfgang decided instantly upon seeing the place.

She felt she absolutely had to go there.

She didn’t know why—perhaps it was more instinct than thought.

Thus, Wolfgang ventured alone into the Nameless Hall, a forgotten hall of glory.

Her choice turned out to be a stroke of genius.

The moment she stepped inside, the hall reacted.

At first glance, the Nameless Hall appeared decrepit, befitting its name.

It lacked statues or any indication of its purpose, filled only with dust and debris.

But as soon as Wolfgang entered, a white light began to radiate.

When she came to, she found herself in a glowing space.

In front of her was a path shining with white light.

“Is this a space designed to react to a suitable individual?”

She had experienced similar things during the Winter War.

The Winter King enjoyed scattering people and consuming them one by one.

Wolfgang had been one of those victims.

To survive and return, she had fought desperately, losing comrades and watching hope turn to despair.

In the end, she realized the world she was in wasn’t her own but one created by the Winter King to instill despair.

An ordinary human would have died horrifically.

Having lived through that, Wolfgang easily understood she was in an entirely different space.

However, this one was far more comforting than the Winter King’s world.

“You’ve returned, Saintess chosen by the old era.”

“…Who are you?”

A solemn voice echoed, brimming with power but also trembling with uncertainty.

“To answer your question first… I am the one who walks in the kingdom’s darkness. The one who eliminates its enemies in the shadows. The kingdom’s filthy dagger.”

A man emerged, wearing a tricorn hat and a tattered mask.

Clad in a black cloak and mask, he looked more like a thief than anything noble.

“So, you’re a hero? A dagger hero, perhaps?” Wolfgang said.

“No. I am a hero of the shadows.”

“That’s convenient. In that case—”

“Saintess chosen by the old era, I bear you no ill will. But relics of the past must be eradicated to pave the way for a new age.”

“Relic of the past? What do you mean?”

She had no time to ponder the meaning.

The voice came from behind her, not in front.

“Disappear. For the sake of our new age.”

Not leaving even the slightest opening, the hero’s dagger lunged toward Wolfgang’s throat.

The chilling sound of a blade slicing through the air echoed in the pristine hall.