Chapter 62 : Worst Warrior (1)

“When the tide comes in, row the boat.”

As the saying goes, the Royalist faction did not miss the rare opportunity for a counterattack they had gained.

Of course, in terms of quality, they still fell short compared to the Saintess faction.

One could say they lacked substance.

The Saintess faction was backed by powerful organizations such as the Royal Guard, the Border Defense Corps, and the Goddess’s Order, all boasting immense military and political power.

In contrast, the Royalist faction had not yet reached that level of influence.

However, the Royalist faction wielded a weapon that the Saintess faction did not have—legitimacy.

With a growing number of nobles joining their ranks, they were gradually reaching a point where they could effectively leverage that weapon.

While the political struggle between the Royalist and Saintess factions deepened, Wolfgang was not in the royal palace but exploring ruins in the outskirts.

Frowning, Wolfgang spoke.

“It seems this place is a bust as well.”

The clear, cloudless sky signified the arrival of early summer, with its scorching heat making their journey arduous.

Despite their efforts, they found little to show for it.

“Sister!!!”

“How undignified. Show some respect to the captain.”

“Family should be warm to each other. What? Are you jealous or something?”

“I feel like tearing that filthy mouth of yours apart.”

“There they go fighting again.”

Watching the bickering between Galina and Milina, Wolfgang let out a deep sigh.

Yet, it was awkward to reprimand them since both excelled in their duties.

If their quarrels affected their work, Wolfgang might have had cause to scold them, but they always completed their tasks perfectly before fighting.

As a result, Wolfgang found herself awkwardly stuck in the middle.

“Enough. Just give your report. Did you find anything?”

“Apologies, Captain.”

“It was a bust. We only managed to recover a few artifacts.”

“At least we made some money.”

Magical artifacts were extremely valuable, with even the simplest ones commanding high prices due to their versatility.

Moreover, resources were necessary to continue these activities.

Since this was a personal endeavor, there was no justification for using public funds.

Up to this point, Wolfgang had been covering the costs from her own pocket.

She had no intention of refusing additional income and was more than willing to welcome it, especially since expenses were far higher than expected.

“Obtaining human flesh isn’t easy.”

The ideal method was to negotiate with the royal palace for the bodies of executed criminals.

Unfortunately, the Saintess faction blocked this approach, citing that even criminals were human beings.

Wolfgang couldn’t help but think such a stance would align well with human rights organizations.

If they refused, there was no choice but to source it independently, which naturally incurred significant costs.

Most criminal organizations didn’t deal in human flesh, and Wolfgang had no intention of paying them to acquire it.

Doing so would mean innocent people might be sacrificed, making her no different from a true monster.

It wasn’t out of moral conviction but because she didn’t want to become a monster like them.

“I guess the Adventurers’ Guild is the only option left.”

“It seems so.”

“I’ve heard of the Adventurers’ Guild but never visited it.”

“Surprising. You seem like someone who would love adventurers.”

“Most adventurers are low-grade scum.”

If knights symbolized honor in fairy tales, adventurers represented the dark side of those stories.

They would do anything for money, but without payment, they did nothing.

While there were once great adventurers like the Silver Blade or the Crimson Reaper, Wolfgang remarked that modern adventurers seemed more like parasites hoping to strike it rich in the kingdom.

“But there’s no better place to gather information than the Adventurers’ Guild. It’s a hub where countless people and stories converge.”

“Then it’s decided.”

The reason Wolfgang and the Vendetta Corps were moving this way was simple:

They were searching for the ruins where the legendary hero was said to rest.

However, one thing bothered her.

“Does this not trouble you at all?”

“What do you mean, sister?”

“You’re still a citizen of this kingdom.”

“Yes.”

“And yet you have no hesitation about killing the hero?”

Milina smiled and answered.

“The hero is standing right before me.”

“So, I no longer need another hero.”

The Adventurers’ Guild was a sanctuary for adventurers to come and go, and a hub of information.

Every country, except the Empire, had at least one Adventurers’ Guild.

The guilds exchanged information and coordinated operations across borders.

The kingdom’s Adventurers’ Guild, of course, had a clear understanding of the kingdom’s current state.

They knew Wolfgang Leonhardt, the hero who led the kingdom to victory in the Winter War, was, in fact, Lana Frost—the villainess exiled from the kingdom ten years ago.

She had returned for revenge.

Surprisingly, few fully understood this truth.

Aside from some nobles, who were sworn to secrecy, most were unaware of the deeper story.

Even the Adventurers’ Guild adhered to this silence, ensuring that the majority believed Wolfgang Leonhardt had simply returned as an envoy.

Beyond that, the details were unknown.

Thus, the guild master, Lorenzo, was pondering how to handle the current situation.

“It was just a normal day, starting with a cup of coffee, welcoming newcomers, and conducting training… everything was going smoothly.”

Despite the kingdom’s grim circumstances, the guild continued to thrive.

They had recently completed a large-scale commission, boosting both profits and reputation.

As a result, many adventurers had flocked to the guild, making it a period of prosperity.

But that was before now.

Lorenzo rubbed his throbbing temples as he observed the chaos before him.

The guild’s tavern provided cheap food and drinks for adventurers, a policy meant to support newcomers.

However, it also had its downsides, such as drunken brawls among unruly adventurers.

Lorenzo had mitigated this by hiring retired A-rank adventurers to maintain order.

These experienced adventurers enjoyed the pay and mentoring younger guild members, creating a mutually beneficial relationship.

“What kind of monsters are these…?”

“Can I meet the guild master now?”

The reliable A-rank adventurers had been utterly defeated by a single individual.

Though not S-rank, A-rank adventurers were immensely powerful.

In the kingdom, those who could subdue mid-level monsters alone were considered knights.

A-rank adventurers were similarly superhuman.

Even in retirement, their abilities remained extraordinary.

And yet, one individual had subdued three of them single-handedly.

“I am the guild master.”

“I see. Nice to meet you. I’m Galina of the Vendetta Corps.”

“Lorenzo.”

Galina, whose presence resembled a ferocious beast, extended her hand with a smile.

As a former S-rank adventurer, Lorenzo had faced countless monsters and survived countless adventures.

But why was it that this woman, standing before him, seemed like the most dangerous monster of them all?