Zongman: The wrong person on the ground, double Shenwei at the beginning

Alicia was truly taken aback, her eyes widening in surprise.

"Faster than your sword, Ais?"

Upon hearing this, Ais thought about it seriously for a moment.

"No."

Alicia had just breathed a sigh of relief when she heard Ais speak softly.

"But if he can maintain this inexplicable rate of progress, the next time we meet... he will be even stronger than me."

"?!!"

Alicia's eyes widened, and she shook her head frantically.

"How is that possible... He just joined the clan, and you're already a second-level adventurer!"

Nine years older than Ais, but not yet at level 2, Alicia understood better than anyone the terrifying potential of the doll princess before her!

Furthermore, because Riveria doted on Aisna like a mother, Alicia, out of love for her, also refused to believe that the girl she cherished would lose to someone else.

Compared to Alicia, who was unwilling to accept reality, Ais seemed less disappointed; rather, she seemed to have a hint of anticipation and excitement in her heart.

If only I could become stronger as quickly as Rhode...

Alicia took a deep breath with mixed feelings. Although she still had some doubts about Ais's statement, she couldn't help but also become somewhat concerned about this boy named Rod.

"Let's discuss his strength later... But what is he here for this time?"

what!

Ais's eyes widened.

Pum!

The fist holding the potato ball punches the palm of the hand.

"Oh no, I have to go tell Finn!"

After saying that, Ais rarely showed a flustered and disheveled appearance. Her whole body burst out with raging air currents and disappeared from the spot with a bang.

"cough cough..."

Alicia pressed her wind-blown blonde hair, which was disheveled by the strong wind, and shook her head helplessly.

"It seems like Ais has lost her composure ever since she met that guy... Never mind, I'll go find Lady Rivera first."

Chapter 31 Rivera is worried about Rhodes (Please give flowers and votes)

Within the complex of towers known as the "Long Residence," the leader's office is located atop one of the spires.

There was a carpet resembling a floral crown, a white stone fireplace, and a long, straight grandfather clock.

The interior, furnished with elegantly crafted furniture, is spacious enough, and the walls are adorned with mural-style textile tapestries—portraits of goddesses adorned with spears and armor.

That is Fenyana, the goddess of the Lilliputian legends.

Finn idolized her and used her as a constant source of inspiration.

He was sitting in a chair at the time, working on factional reports and documents at his ebony desk.

"Information from the Hermes Familia indicates that the Dark Faction has been making increasingly frequent unusual moves in several cities outside the main city, but their motives remain unclear..."

"The last time we attacked a dark faction stronghold by chance, the Ganesha Familia's siege failed, and all three of their officers escaped..."

Finn pinched the bridge of his nose, a hint of worry showing in his blue eyes.

Finn's gaze swept over another document on the table, and he stopped looking.

"The legendary newcomer, Rhodes, has joined the Astrea Familia... He's someone Rivera knew, but there's something strange about him..."

Boom——

The door was violently kicked open, startling Finn. He breathed a sigh of relief after seeing that it was Ais. He looked at the shattered door with heartache and spoke helplessly.

"Ais, I've told you several times, don't be so impulsive."

Ais took a bite of the fried potato ball and mumbled something indistinctly.

"Rhodes...find...."

Upon hearing the name, Finn narrowed his blue eyes slightly, then immediately smiled.

"You're looking for Riveria, right? There's no need to notify me specifically. After all, she's from the Familia of Justice and is trustworthy."

Ais shook her head and pointed her index finger at Finn.

Finn paused for a moment, then stopped smiling and slowly stood up.

"Interesting. They actually specifically asked for me by name. It just so happens that I'm also very interested in this legendary reincarnation of an ancient hero."

When Finn arrived at the reception room, it was already quite full of people.

Rivera and Grace, who were the right-hand women of the team, probably thought that Rhodes had come to discuss important matters concerning the Dark Faction, so they naturally came to meet him.

Of course, Riveria herself is probably more concerned about Rhodes's current situation.

She sat opposite Rhodes, glaring at him angrily, and said through gritted teeth, each word distinct.

"I heard you only rested for one day before exploring the dungeon with your clan members. Don't you care about your health at all?!"

Rhodes looked at Grace beside him, signaling for him to save him.

But Grace just stroked his beard, pretending not to see Rhodes's cries for help.

While cursing the other party for being dishonest in his heart, Rhodes had no choice but to reluctantly accept Riveria's concern.

"...I had no choice, I also wanted to gain power in this era as soon as possible."

There's nothing I can do; he just responds better to gentle persuasion than force...

As the first truly kind person to him since he came into this world, Rhodes held the other person in high esteem.

Rivera couldn't help but sigh helplessly when she saw Rhodes's feigned obedience.

She couldn't deny Rhodes' answer.

Riveria was not an overly maternal kind-hearted person, and she knew very well that overstepping one's bounds and interfering in other people's lives would not be appreciated.

If Rhodes had shown even the slightest aversion or impatience during this process, she probably would have simply kept her distance long ago.

However...

At that time, Rhodes looked bewildered, flustered and helpless after being rejected because of the Loki Familia's current policies.

Rivera was returning home when she happened to brush past him, who was in a dejected state. In the instant their eyes met, she had an inexplicable intuition.

We absolutely cannot let this child leave like this, otherwise unimaginable consequences will occur!

So, under the surprised gaze of her companions, she somewhat rashly stopped Rod and offered to introduce him to a job.

When Riveria saw a smile return to Rhodes' eyes, she felt a barely perceptible sense of relief.

Taking this opportunity, two people who would never have crossed paths began to get to know each other.

If Riveria's initial inability to let go of Rhodes was merely due to a premonition, she later found herself unconsciously taking on the role of his guardian after learning that Rhodes had been an orphan since childhood and could never return to his hometown.

So when Rhodes suddenly and inexplicably went missing last time, she searched for him for a long time and asked many of her friends for help.

Perhaps she has some PTSD, but whether it's Ais or Rhodes, Riveria always wants to protect them under her wing.

Paradoxically, while Rivia felt gratified to see them gradually grow up and perhaps one day no longer need her, she also couldn't help but feel a little lost.

"Hmm, did I arrive at the wrong time?"

Finn's entrance broke the somewhat tense atmosphere.

Rhodes instantly showed a relieved expression. Lyra noticed this and covered her mouth to chuckle. Riveria gave him a reproachful look, but that was enough to move on from the previous topic.

Finn glanced at Riveria, who was still somewhat sullen, and seemed to be thinking about something. Then he took the initiative to walk towards Rhodes and extended his hand with a smile.

"Welcome, Rhodes. Your name has been making waves lately."

Rhodes shook Finn's hand briefly before letting go, reverting to his usual calm demeanor.

"Compared to the [Hero], my reputation is nothing more than idle gossip from busybodies."

"Let's skip the mutual flattery; I'm here on serious business."

Finn was a little uncomfortable with the pace of the conversation and glanced at Lyra sitting next to Rhodes.

Leila shrugged and gestured towards Rodnu with her lips.

"Don't look at me like that, I'll obediently listen to this old man too~"

kindness? !

A wave of emotion surged within Finn.

Although they don't interact much normally, Lyra is one of the few wise members of his clan whom he acknowledges, and she also plays the role of strategist within the Astrea Familia.

How did you achieve a key position in just two days after joining the clan?

This guy seems even more mysterious than I imagined...

"Haha, I didn't expect Rhodes to have the same habit as me. Actually, I also hate communicating with those bureaucratic people in the guild."

After Finn laughed loudly, he walked to the seat directly opposite Rhodes, rested his chin on his hands, and stared sharply at Rhodes with his blue eyes.

"Then I'll be frank... Although Riveria and Grace's rescue efforts disrupted my plans, I acknowledge that it was worthwhile because the people they rescued were 'Justice'."

"We are partners in maintaining order in the city, and we should support each other. Therefore, the Astrea Familia owes us nothing, but..."

Finn changed the subject, his calm tone revealing wisdom.

"Although I personally admire the goddess Astraea, the Loki Familia is not subordinate to the Astraea Familia, and we have our own plans."

"If your trip does not yield the desired response, I hope it will not cause any estrangement between us."

Rhodes narrowed his eyes slightly.

Finn knew the temperament of the Astrea Familia members well, so it was impossible for them to misunderstand over something like this.

So, I said this specifically to him.

Perhaps they saw the special feelings between him and Riveria; they really went to great lengths.

but...

Rhodes gave a subtle smile.

Even the most resourceful and courageous can be wrong. I am not here on official business, but for personal matters.

Finn paused for a moment.

"Your private matters?"

Rhodes shook his head, pointed at Finn, and spoke with conviction.

"It's your private matter...and it's something you have to take responsibility for."

Chapter 32 Lily's A-Rank Wish (Seeking flowers and votes)

[Level A prayer has been released.]

[Content: Rescue Lily from despair and help her escape the Soma Familia.]

[Failure: Lily still cannot escape the shadow of the Soma Familia.]

[Success Reward: One of Lily's abilities, and Wishing Points based on the achieved effect.]

After the conflict between the dungeon and the Soma Familia, where monsters offered gifts, this wish automatically popped into Rhodes' mind.

It was only then that Rhodes realized...

You don't necessarily have to meet the person making the wish in person to trigger the wish.

According to the system, the maximum number of wishes an individual can generate is A-level, which is already related to their own life and safety.