Archer's Adventure Manual

In the pouring rain, a tall, hulking kobold stood in the shadows of the forest; it was Carlos, who had escaped from Clamshell Town.

The elderly butler Jasper carried the child into the woods. His hair was wet and hung down his face, but it could not hide his weathered appearance.

"I brought the child with me," Jasper said.

Carlos exhaled and smiled, "Let's go. The Lord has always remembered your contributions. It was because of you that we were able to more easily destroy Rice Paddy Village by hindering the vital forces of Clam Town."

"You...successfully?" Jasper asked suspiciously.

"Most of the people in Inada Village are dead. Even if some survive, the village will never be the same again..." Carlos said sarcastically.

The two figures gradually disappeared into the woods and vanished into the darkness.

...

The morning bells of Hamo Town echoed through the town, waking people from their sleep with each chime.

Working at sunrise and resting at sunset has been the rule followed on this land for many years.

Loran stretched, having further refined his Focused Cooking skill in his dream, and believed he would soon be able to cook food with considerable positive buffs.

After waking up, Loran gathered with his friends. Today, the adventurers would be gathering in front of the Adventurers' Guild to protest the lord's actions.

Cohen, the manager of the Adventurers' Guild, felt particularly troubled after seeing the gathered adventurers.

Because these adventurers weren't there for him at all, but for his guild master—Villie.

Cohen didn't think he had the same leadership qualities as the guild leader, and he seemed a little overwhelmed by the sight of so many adventurers gathered in front of the guild.

"Um, everyone, please be quiet. I know what you're asking for, but I can't get in touch with Guild Leader Violet right now. She might have a special mission and isn't with the guild for the time being!" Cohen explained loudly.

The adventurers naturally refused to believe it, shouting, "What? How could that be? Guild Master Violet just said yesterday that she would lead us together; she wouldn't lie!"

"Yes, President Violet, come out quickly! You're not afraid of the Lord of Clam Town's authority, are you?"

The adventurers, who had not seen Vili for a long time, were getting quite restless. After all, Vili had given a very confident speech yesterday, but she was nowhere to be seen today.

This led them to speculate whether Violet had abandoned the collective protest because she feared the lord's authority.

As the adventurers' clamor grew louder, Cohen realized he was losing control of the situation and had no choice but to have the guild members work together to close the doors of the Adventurers' Guild.

The adventurers didn't do anything drastic. Instead, someone stepped forward and said, "Adventurers from all over, now is not the time to discuss Vicky!"

"Justice isn't just manifested because of Violet's presence; the source of justice is every adventurer present! It won't disappear just because Violet is gone!"

"Now that we're gathered here, that's enough. We don't need some so-called impartial leader; we are the ones advocating for fairness!"

The adventurer's shout resonated with all the other adventurers, who echoed, "Yes, even without Violet, we'll demand an explanation from the lord!"

"While it's Violet's choice to yield to power, that's her freedom, but we will never yield!"

Soon, the adventurer party set off in a grand procession, their destination the manor in Clam Town!

Such a number of people would have been enough to force their way out of Hamel Town, but they did not do so. Instead, they chose to come to the castle of Hamel Town.

What they really need is an explanation from the lord, not just to be told to leave; it involves a matter of respect.

The guards who were standing guard at the manor were dumbfounded when they saw this scene. How did so many people gather here!

They could manage to stop a few adventurers, but how could they possibly stop so many?

The sensible adventurers made way, allowing a large number of adventurers to enter the manor and reach the castle, where they shouted loudly from below.

"Lord of Clam Town, come out! We need an explanation!"

"Yes, you must provide a reasonable explanation for this!"

Hearing the commotion below the castle, the Zeya nobles were all thrown into a panic.

"Your Excellency, the group of adventurers has gathered beneath the castle. They seem very angry. These people come from all over the country, and it would probably not be wise to confront them head-on."

A loyal knight spoke earnestly to Baron Zeya.

Baron Zeya calmly observed everything outside the window. His brow furrowed, he asked indifferently, "Butler Jasper, did you see him today?"

"Your Excellency, through the guards' investigation, we learned that Butler Jasper left the town in the middle of the night, and the river guards also reported that a shipment of goods was transported from the river that night," the knight explained.

"In addition, Cohen, the current manager of the Adventurers' Guild, came to report this morning that the giant kobold they were holding in their guild had been stolen, and asked if we had any relevant clues."

"I think... for goods to be transported out via the river, a sufficiently high level of authorization is required. Add to that the loss of the monsters imprisoned by the Adventurers' Guild, the goods, the river, the disappearance of Butler Jasper, Lord, don't you think all of this is subtly connected?"

Baron Zeya listened slowly, swirling the glass in his hand and shaking his head. "Butler Jasper may have betrayed the Zeya family. You know, he was once my most trusted butler. With him around, I didn't have to worry about many things."

"Even trouble like today, he handles it with ease... I've given him everything I can, but I can tell he seems to want something else, something I can't give him. He may have found the answer. If so, let him be."

"Now, let me quell the adventurers' anger. The Zeya nobles are not lacking in tolerance," Baron Zeya said unhurriedly.

"Yes, Your Excellency!"

The adventurers stood outside the castle shouting, but they didn't get too close, because several mages in robes and carrying staffs were already guarding the castle below.

Although they outnumbered the enemy, the nail that sticks out gets hammered down, and no one wanted to be foolish enough to rush forward and get attacked by the mage's magic.

So they just stood at the castle gate shouting, making the most of their crowd, believing that a self-proclaimed elegant lord couldn't tolerate such noise.

As expected, Baron Zeya soon appeared on the high platform of the castle.