The Cloud-Raised Brave Man's Travels

Oh no, the Hestia family is going to be in debt again! Hestia thought.

The development of events was just as she expected. Problems were found in Koya's level. The guild used special means to check Koya's level and attribute values. It was clearly Lv. 4 and each attribute was over points. What did this mean... Aegina and the people in the guild understood that Koya had indeed leveled up again in more than ten days, and it definitely did not happen in the past two days, because the growth of attribute values showed that Koya had at least been trained for a period of time after the upgrade.

So, while the guild members looked at a rare animal, the Hestia family had another debt. The punishment for deliberately concealing the level was quite severe. For example, Koya concealed the fact that he had upgraded from Lv.3 to Lv.4 and had to pay a fine of million Faris to the guild.

Naturally, the Hestia Familia couldn't come up with this amount. The guild members also knew that the Hestia Familia still owed the Dean Kate Familia a debt, so Hestia had to issue another IOU for 40 million faris, payable within six months, interest-free...

"Tsk, tsk, tsk, Hestia, what was the maximum amount of savings for your Familia?"

Ishtar smiled and teased Hestia. She was very familiar with the environment of the Hestia family. After all, after merging with this body, she also had the experience of living in debt. Now the Hestia family was also like this, which made her feel like "going home".

"Money is actually a small matter... After all, the shops left to us by the Apollo Familia are quite profitable, so the outstanding debt won't affect us. It's just that Koya's level has been exposed... The fact that he went from Lv.3 to Lv.4 in just over ten days has completely put our Familia in the spotlight."

"Will anyone suspect cheating using divine power?"

"That won't happen. The other clan members will at most wonder if we've found a perfect leveling place in the dungeon."

"We don't really need to be too embarrassed. We can just do what we usually do in the future. We have a clear conscience anyway."

"Hatsune is right. Don't pay attention to what the outside world says. But you have to be careful of the dark faction. Although they are not as rampant as they were in previous years, these guys are like rats in the sewer. They are impossible to kill. Being targeted by them is also a troublesome thing."

"understood."

·Dividing line·

In the afternoon, Koya was teaching Albion how to fight with a wooden sword in the courtyard. Although she came from a dungeon, Albion knew nothing about fighting. Unlike her compatriots who were able to fight skillfully and use their skills from the moment they were born, it would be a shame for Albion not to become an adventurer with such skills. Therefore, in addition to the cultural classes of Hatsune Miku and Haruhime every night, Koya and Albion also added combat classes in the afternoon.

After Scathach's tutelage, Koya had some real talent for teaching. In just one afternoon, he'd transformed Albion from a novice who couldn't even hold a sword into a capable swordsman. He'd gotten started, and with Albion's physique, he could easily hold his own against a Level 4 enemy, let alone a Level 3. Koya actually wanted to take Albion to his mentors in Orario, Takemiya Raijin and Ais, but considering they were from other Families, he decided against it.

"Come on, Al! Swing another hundred times!"

"Yes! Master!"

The greatest strength Koya had discovered about Albion was her obedience. As long as she was given a training mission, she would strive to complete it, no matter how exhausted she was. However, this obedience only extended to Koya and Tiamat. She would do her best to complete the orders given by Koya and Tiamat, but as for everyone else...

Whether the fear of humans is etched in her body or an instinctive rejection, Albion is deeply afraid of interacting with others, prone to social anxiety. For example, yesterday, a seamstress from Aphrodite's family came to measure Albion's body so she could make her some new clothes. During the measurements, Albion stood there like a puppet, letting the seamstress manipulate her. She said nothing, her whole body sweating as if she were being tortured.

The tailor kept trying to find topics to talk about while measuring, but Albion remained silent. Finally, as the tailor emerged from the room, she spoke to Tiamat, who was waiting at the door.

"This child may be socially anxious."

However, Albion just kept silent and did not show any aggressive tendencies, or perhaps she was still afraid of the human group; the reason why she was close to Koya and Tiamat was probably because they both had the smell of "monsters".

Koya felt a little distressed as he watched the girl before him struggling to swing the door-sized sword. He only hoped that Hatsune and Haruhime could teach Albion well. After all, she was no longer a monster, but a human. She needed to integrate into this group, otherwise her future would be difficult, even with Koya and the others' support. Her difficulties did not come from others, but from her own heart.

·Dividing line·

"Incredible, absolutely incredible! Turning monsters into humans and allowing them to freely use their divine powers in the netherworld, this is definitely a great discovery by God Uranus!"

In the temple with only a faint firelight, the black shadow excitedly spoke to the tall god on the throne.

For the past few days, Koya and his Hestia family had been under constant surveillance by the guild. This was unnoticed by Koya, Hestia, or even Tiamat and the others, who had retained their divine powers. The heritage of the gods, spanning hundreds of millions of years, was beyond the comprehension of ordinary people. With a little manipulation, everything that happened to the Hestia family was under their control. However, this surveillance only covered the courtyard outside the annex. Uranus had no intention of harming the Hestia family; he simply wanted to see what they would do after bringing the Dragon Girl back.

They just didn't expect that the Hestia family would give them such a big surprise.

"Calm down, Firth. But...yeah, what an incredible existence, the goddess Tiamat. Well, if I remember correctly, she's the creator goddess of the Mesopotamian pantheon. But why did she suddenly appear?"

"The God of Creation? But?"

"We don't need to think too much, Fels. The Hestia Familia have made some mistakes recently. Let's assign them some tasks. They'll be qualified to get involved in some things."

"I understand."

The next day, while processing some documents in the guild, Aegina heard someone calling her.

"Zul."

"Team leader? What's wrong?"

The dog-man, who wore glasses like Aina and had a delicate face, had a look of lethargy... or perhaps guilt, and stated his intention:

"The Guild Master is calling you to the Executive Office immediately."

"Eh……"

Upon hearing her boss's instructions, Aina froze on the spot.

"Oh~" Misha beside him also showed a sympathetic smile.

(——Did I do something wrong?)

Aegina thought so while trying to hold down her glasses that had slipped down.

“…Excuse me.”

Aegina knocked on the heavy oak door on the top floor of the guild headquarters.

After hearing a gruff "Come in," Aina opened the double doors and walked into the room.

The room was spacious, its walls entirely occupied by massive bookcases. Luxurious carpets, jars, paintings, velvet couches, and alabaster magic stone lamps filled the room with a plethora of extravagant items and furnishings. Even in Orario, home to the many extravagant gods, few could compare.

Aegina bowed, walked to the center of the room, and approached the owner of the room with some nervousness.

Behind a huge desk piled with stacks of documents, the Guild Master sat in a luxurious chair.

"Too slow, Aegina Zul."

The man looked up from the desk where he was working on paperwork, his green eyes glaring at Aegina.

The pointed ears sticking out from his face clearly showed his elf identity.

However, their appearance was far from that of the race known for its beautiful appearance.

His belly fat supported a suit that was more refined than that of an average employee. His horizontally developed physique couldn't be described as solid, no matter how politely described. As one waitress sarcastically put it, he was as fat as a "pig." His arms and legs were thick and short, and his chin was saggy.

Paired with fine clothing, he looks like a wealthy businessman.

Guild Master Loiman Madir.

He has the final say in city management and is the de facto supreme authority of the guild.

"How many minutes do you think have passed since I called you? You dared to keep me waiting? That's quite impressive."

"terribly sorry……"

She was verbally attacked right away, but Aina said nothing and just apologized.

Roiman was a long-lived elf who had served the guild for over a century. Since assuming his current position, he had led a dissolute lifestyle, which contributed to his overweight figure.

[Pigs of the Guild].

All the elves in Orario despised and rejected him.

The elves said that he had forgotten the pride and dignity of his race and was shameless, and fiercely criticized him for being decadent because of money and becoming fat and ugly.

Perhaps because he is so hated, coupled with the unique tendency of those in power, even when facing his own people with a stronger sense of camaraderie, Loiman still adopts an arrogant attitude. He only bows down to the gods who are particularly high in status in Orario.

What's more, he is a half-elf.

He must be looking down on himself as a "half-baked" person in his heart now.

(Alas, I knew this would happen when I heard him call me...)

Aegina had a hard time dealing with Loiman. But honestly, there were probably few guild members who could handle him, or who didn't resent him. However, while he was a spendthrift, he was a very capable worker.

Over a century of service in the Guild was no mere show. Although his desires often hindered those around him, overall, Loiman had made an indelible contribution to the Guild's operations. Otherwise, he wouldn't have been able to secure the support of others—let alone receive the permission of the Guild's "true master" to serve as an officer.

Aina is essentially a kind and honest person. When she hears her boss's lecture, she only comforts herself in her heart, but her body remains at attention.

After giving Aegina a good lesson, the guild master finally told her the purpose of summoning Aegina this time.

"Do you understand where you're working? You're hiding information about Koya Constantine, the person you're in charge of!"

(Woo…)

Aegina wailed in her heart—

The guild master really wronged her about this matter. It was not that she deliberately concealed it. The main reason was that Koya did not provide his own information. Every time he asked for the level, Koya would just simply mention the level and then say nothing else. Even if she wanted to write a report, she didn't know how to write it.

But in fact, she was indeed helping Koya hide the real information. After all, the guild had the right to ask for details about adventurers with particularly outstanding performances. This was to set an example among adventurers. Of course, this disclosure was voluntary, and the guild would not force it if the adventurer disagreed.

When she reported, she always said seriously that the conversations between her and the responsible adventurer were based on the confidentiality obligations of the [Family]... But after reading the report, Loiman probably had some thoughts in his mind.

Hearing his criticism, Aegina tried hard to control her shoulders and prevent them from shaking.

"I think you probably don't want the adventurers you're responsible for to become toys of God!"

"No, no! Nothing like that..."

"Don't lie! You always sided with the adventurers when you first joined the guild, didn't you?! If there's a secret to Koya's 'growth', and the guild can't grasp it, it's not just a loss!"

Faced with Loiman slamming his fist on the table and squealing like a pig, Aegina could only patiently wait for the insults to subside. Actually, this incident wasn't a violation of guild rules. It was mainly because Koya's leveling speed was so abnormal, so abnormal that the guild wanted to understand his methods and whether they could be widely adopted. The guild leader thought it was within the rules, but Aegina, didn't you know how to fight for it?

After a while, I finally vented all my anger and could only say that my boss was unreasonable sometimes.

A thin film of sweat accumulated on Loiman's forehead and slack jaw, and he exhaled.

“…Let’s get to the point.”

Seeing the Guild Master speaking while wiping his face with a cloth, Aina perked up.

"Give this to the Hestia Familia..."

"what?"

What was brought to the desk was a white sealed letter.

Aegina was greatly surprised, but under the urging of Loiman's gaze, she picked it up cautiously.

"Guild Master, may I ask what exactly is this..."

The envelope was stamped with guild wax and looked like some kind of notice.

Is this a letter of commission from an adventurer?

Before Aina could ask, Loiman seemed to anticipate her thoughts and said:

"First of all, let me tell you, this isn't an adventurer's commission, it's a 'compulsory mission'."

Chapter 198: Guild's Mandatory Mission

·My condition is a bit bad today. I only wrote 1,500 words. I suggest you subscribe to it tomorrow to read it thoroughly. ·

Mandatory task.

This is an absolute order issued by the guild, and all the [Families] and adventurers affiliated with Orario must obey this order.

"You are the advisor to that adventurer, so you are the most suitable person to take this job."

Ignoring Aina's astonishment, Loiman said arrogantly as he sat on the chair.

"Listen carefully, you must give it to them. Don't refuse."

"President, this is from a high-level—"

"You, a small clerk, don't need to know. Go! I'm busy."

Loiman refused outright and stopped her from asking further questions.

Leuman simply gave various instructions unilaterally, asking Aegina to hand the envelope to the goddess Hestia, and then kicked her out of the ruling room without any explanation.

(Top secret mandatory mission... How could this happen, why...)

After being kicked out of the room, Aina stood in front of the closed door.

She looked down at the sealed letter in one hand, a hint of confusion in her eyes.

(Is this the order from the higher-ups? But if that's the case, there's no reason for the guild master to personally summon me here... Is this just his own decision?)

Thinking of this, a negative voice of "no" came from the corner of my mind.

(He was also following orders——)

——Could it be…

Aina felt a suspicion growing in her heart.

She thought of the existence of the "Dominator" who was higher than the upper echelons and sat at the top of the King's Landing Guild organization.

There are certain movements in places that I don’t know about.