As a villain, I really don't want to be pursued by the heroine.

The thieves looked at each other and became a little uneasy.

Cooperating with a cult is inherently risky, and it would be totally not worth it if you end up returning empty-handed.

Honestly, Andy didn't believe that a few Sequence 8s could quietly break through the First Era ruins trap right under his nose, especially since they probably didn't know what was inside the ruins.

But Andy didn't forget that he was not the only one who had his eyes on the bloodstone.

A-rank adventurer, [Sword Ghost]! That's the one you need to be most careful of.

He is probably among those adventurers!

Andy pondered for a moment and finally made a decision.

"Let's do it tonight."

"Make the vampire's relics your top priority, and then kill everyone—including those two brats."

Cults can be said to be the public enemy of mankind.

Anyway, once their collaboration with the cult was exposed, they would be doomed to death, so killing one or two more nobles would be a piece of cake.

It would be better to kill them all to prevent future troubles.

This was not the first time that the thieves had done this kind of work. After hearing this, they showed no fear at all. Instead, they all showed excitement and bloodthirsty looks.

Deputy Captain Angus's eyes turned red. "Brother! That bitch must be left to me! I'm going to fuck her to death!"

Andy nodded slowly, acquiescing to his brother's request.

"But brothers, remember this. We are not working for those cultists."

The leader of the thieves stood up, then swung out a dagger and pierced the dirty fruit.

The cultists are no longer useful.

He looked at the ancient castle in the distance in the dark night, his eyes filled with burning desire.

Even though those lunatics weren't entirely normal, their power was undeniable. How could he just give up the treasure they coveted?

The so-called power should be in your own hands!

From the very beginning, Andy had only one goal!

"Go ahead, boys."

"That treasure can only belong to our bandit group!"

In the dark night, the hungry hyenas followed the bloody temptation and took action.

However, the dark green fruit pierced by the dagger saw all of this and emitted a silent sneer.

--------

That night, the adventurers set up camp in the ruins of the ancient castle.

Everyone gathered around the warm and bright campfire, chewing on barbecued meat and dry food, and cooking vegetable soup.

Reid and the others didn't gain anything extra, but considering the reward from Brother Sword Ghost, this trip wasn't in vain.

The practical test refers to the performance of the two students in the task. Now that the exploration of the castle ruins has been completed, strictly speaking, the practical test has ended.

In fact, judging from the performance of the boys and girls, it would be difficult to find room for deduction of points even if one was very strict.

Putting aside their identities as examiners, Red and the others also became casual and started chatting and laughing with the two men.

Few students, especially girls, were interested in the topic of adventurers, but Konia listened with great interest and even kept asking questions, which really satisfied the boastful adventurers.

But with Nia's next question, the topic suddenly became strange.

"Shouldn't the practical test have an A-rank adventurer as a guarantor? Why don't we see our guarantor?"

Chapter 70: The Legend of Sword Ghost

"Little girl, don't underestimate the A-level adventurer! In fact, he has been following us all the way!" Red smiled and looked proud.

Upon hearing this, the girl subconsciously raised her head and looked around. The tips of her shell-like ears trembled, and it was obvious that she was using her ability to [Listen to the Wind].

Roy drank his hot tea silently. He was right next to her, so any further searching would be in vain.

Nia was not disappointed when she failed to detect the presence of the A-rank adventurer. Instead, she became even more excited.

You know, unless one possesses the ability to conceal their aura, even a normal Sequence 7 would find it difficult to evade detection from [Tingfeng].

Nia stared at Reid across from her and asked curiously, "Which A-rank senior is the guarantor this time?"

Red also cooperated and said mysteriously, "You probably haven't heard of it. Our guarantor is the A-rank adventurer who recently arrived at the Academy, [Sword Ghost]!"

As soon as these words came out, Nia's eyes suddenly lit up.

Now she was really interested.

"Is that the Sword Demon from the Lionheart Kingdom who slew dragons and defeated cults?!"

"You know him?"

This would be Red's turn to be surprised.

"Isn't that right? It's said that Lord Sword Ghost is incredibly powerful, considered the Lionheart Kingdom's strongest adventurer. Even the royal family has to treat him with respect! I've been to Lionheart before, and I've heard his name mentioned many times along the way!"

The girl's words were full of reverence, and Red was horrified.

My goodness, the strongest adventurer in the Lionheart Kingdom?! That guy is definitely no ordinary person!

Although Red had no intention of looking down on the A-rank adventurer, he did not expect that the other party had such a great reputation!

But the girl's next words made Red feel subtly.

"Mr. Red, are you familiar with Master Sword Ghost?"

Faced with the girl's curious eyes, Red found it difficult to resist the urge to brag.

Bragging is a common practice among adventurers, and Red himself is a typical adventurer.

Anyway, Sword Ghost himself is not here, so why not brag about it?

He gulped down his beer and then laughed heartily.

“I wouldn’t say I’m very familiar with him, but I have indeed worked with him a few times!”

"Ohhhhh! So he really is that powerful?!"

"More than amazing! Haven't you heard that the strongest adventurer in the Lionheart Kingdom is a weakling?"

Red coughed twice, put on a gloomy face, and said seriously, "It was a cold, rainy night."

"We were ambushed by a band of thieves, leaving over half of them dead or wounded—they were one of the most notorious factions in the Citadel! Just when we thought we were doomed, Brother [Sword Ghost] stepped forward and, with a single sword strike, decimated the entire bandit group without a single survivor..."

Nia listened with gusto while taking big bites of grilled mushrooms, her eyes sparkling, as if she had seen the figure of a lone adventurer holding a long sword, dancing in the midst of the clash of swords!

Red, who was drunk, spoke even more excitedly, saying things like he single-handedly challenged a gang of thieves, and fought against several great magicians in a row. He spoke in a very exaggerated way, and even had a group of younger brothers who also loved to brag and agreed with him.

Of course, Nia hadn't been drinking this time, and sometimes she would raise reasonable questions.

"Wait, since Mr. Red has seen the Sword Ghost so many times, he must know what his bloodline is, right?"

There was a delicate pause.

"...Oh, you underestimate him! I can't even tell what bloodline he has. That's what makes him so powerful!"

Nia suddenly realized: "So that's it!"

So that's how big it is?! This hastily created setting patch is obviously fake, right?!

We've collaborated a few times before, and this mission isn't even over yet, so it only counts as half a collaboration, right?!

Roy was listening with a frown on his face, complaining a lot in his heart.

Looking at the two people, one who dared to speak and the other who dared to believe, Roy finally understood how the reputation of [Sword Ghost] spread.

However, Red's adventure stories are not all fictional. Occasionally, he tells stories about treasure hunting, hunting monsters, and even helping villagers with disaster relief. It is a good entertainment.

Nia stared at the blazing bonfire in front of her, listening to Red's half-truthful adventure stories, and sighed heartily, "But, adventurers... after all, I want to be one too."

All the adventurers present couldn't help but smile with contentment and warmth.

Not all of them chose this path voluntarily, but they will never regret the adventurous life they live today.

Whether it is Red or Sword Ghost, freedom and unrestrained adventure are exactly what Nia longs for most.

"If you want to be an adventurer, you're always welcome!"

"Little girl, you will definitely be able to do well with this skill in the future!"

"Ah, rather, it's only natural that you surpass us!"

The adventurers were still enthusiastic, but Konia's smile was tinged with a hint of loneliness.

As the daughter of the chief elf and carrying the blood of the Forest Elves, she could not refuse this shackle.

Just like a caged bird that flies out of the cage and into the blue sky and white clouds, one day, she will have to go back.

In the light of the bonfire, the girl's profile was outlined with a hint of melancholy.

Roy opened his mouth, but swallowed the words back.

He knew the dilemma Nia faced, even better than Nia herself, why her mother was so obsessed with keeping her in the Emerald Court.

Staying in the Emerald Court is a form of protection. Moreover, if one can keep a distance from the original heroine and avoid the fate-defying node, it will be safer for oneself.

It’s better not to meddle in other people’s business.

Roy forced himself to look away from Nia.

Fortunately, the melancholy was only momentary and Nia quickly cheered up.

"However, having said so much, I actually have one thing I'd like to ask you..."

"Ask whatever you want!" Red and the others were chatting enthusiastically, and they answered all of Nia's questions.

Nia paused, then with an innocent smile asked the question that had been bothering her for a long time: "Why don't you all have girlfriends?"

As soon as these words were spoken, the scene fell silent.

In the adventure novels Nia read, there was usually a passionate love story, but most of the adventurers she met were bachelors, which made her quite confused.

"It is said that adventurers' love is exciting and romantic. Haven't you ever thought about finding a girlfriend or something?" Nia asked naturally.

The single rough guys who were hit hard twice in a row finally couldn't hold it anymore.

Is this a question you’ve thought about?! This is a question of whether you can find it or not!

The younger brothers burst into tears, while the resolute captain, Red, had a bitter face, lowered his gaze, and said guiltily: "The reasons behind this are very complicated, you won't understand..."

"What?"

"No, you wouldn't understand..."

"Tell me more, tell me more!"

Under Nia's persistent questioning, Red finally couldn't hold it in any longer. He widened his eyes and wailed, "I told you, a girl like you who's already in a relationship wouldn't understand!"

"What the hell are you asking us for advice on? You already have a boyfriend, what else do you have to ask us for advice?!"

As he was talking, Red covered his face and cried along with his younger brothers. The scene was very miserable for a while.

However, Nia was stunned by what she said, her whole body trembled, and she almost threw away the skewers in her hand.

"I, I, we are not..." Halfway through her words, Nia spied on the expression of the boy next to her, shrank her neck like an ostrich chick, and fell silent.

Chapter 71: Are you excited now?

Noticing the gazes coming from beside him, Roy couldn't help but be slightly stunned.

Roy knew very well that although Nia looked carefree, she had the innocence unique to elf girls in her bones.

Being mistaken for a boyfriend and girlfriend must be very distressing for her, right?

So he had no choice but to take over the topic from Nia and explained to Red: "We are not that kind of relationship."

"Isn't it?" Reid touched his chin, looking suspicious.

"Sure, and definitely not." Roy met his gaze and said seriously.

Reid narrowed his eyes, then suddenly, understanding showed on his face, and he grinned: "I understand."