The Adventurers' Association.
As an influential force spanning the entire Bauhinia Kingdom, it was a colossal entity initiated by the government and spontaneously organized by the public.
“Regardless of your background or past, as long as you want to make a name for yourself, come to the Adventurers' Association!”
Ever since the first president, Gidi, passionately raised his arms and rallied the crowd, countless talented youths had flocked here, leaving behind one legendary tale after another.
Their experiences were continuously sung and adapted by bards, gradually evolving into fantastical legends.
And so—
“Why is this Adventurers' Association so different from the legends?!”
Lilian tugged at Lynn's sleeve and lowered her voice. “Young Master, Young Master, did we take a wrong turn?”
She stared at the dazzling array of requests on the quest board, looking as if she were questioning her life choices.
[Find Mrs. Kane's lost kitten, E-rank, Reward: 20 silver coins]
[Assist with postpartum care for a sow, E-rank, Reward: 5 silver coins]
[Pose as a boyfriend to meet parents, E-rank, Reward: 5 silver coins]
...
“You silly girl... this is exactly what adventurers are like.”
“But... but... everyone says that adventurers are supposed to slay dragons and exterminate monsters...”
“You really should read fewer storybooks. Don't think I don't know you secretly asked Sena for hero novels last week.”
“Okay...” Lilian reluctantly agreed, then quickly changed the subject as if fleeing. “By the way, Young Master, how much longer do we have to wait here?”
“Has the 'lady' we're waiting for not arrived yet?”
“Don't ask me. I'd rather they didn't show up at all.”
Lynn had a look of utter despair.
To think they set the meeting spot in the association hall where burly, rugged men gathered. In the heat of midsummer, he was practically suffocating from the stench of sweat.
In the crowded hall, a vendor pushed a cart and shouted enthusiastically.
“Come take a look! Absolute breaking news!”
“Frost giants marching south! The Everwinter Barrier is in critical danger! The northern kingdoms are calling for aid, the Bauhinia Central Empire has declared a state of martial law, and the Lanton Empire's stance remains ambiguous!”
The bad news was that in this world of dragons, elves, monsters, and various other fantasy species, the global situation was in a period of friction after a brief peace. No one could say for sure if the next great war would be ignited at any moment.
“The elven delegation has arrived in the Bauhinia royal capital! After a thousand years of estrangement, the Woodsong Forest seeks a trade alliance!”
The good news was that the Bauhinia Empire, where Lynn resided, was one of the preeminent magical superpowers of the human race, with outstanding economic strength. The Windflower gold coins used across the entire continent were minted by the Empire. The minor friction in the northern countries probably wouldn't affect them anytime soon.
However, compared to those major political affairs—
“Young Master, Young Master, look at this section!” Lilian waved the newspaper she had just bought.
Lynn looked up.
The cherry-blossom-haired girl seemed to have endless energy, looking left and right, and now she had taken an interest in the report in her hands.
Just look at the absolute garbage headline of that entertainment tabloid!
[Shocking! Men fall silent, women weep. The untold secrets behind the rising stars of the Empire's new generation!]
“...”
Although the headline was highly sensationalist, the content inside was surprisingly serious.
It detailed a list of talented youths under the age of twenty who had achieved fame in the Empire, crowning them with the title "Stars of the Empire," and briefly introducing their life achievements.
“Let me see...” Lilian read aloud softly, word by word.
“Rank twelve on the list: Lisa Lanfa, a preparatory Holy Knight of the Cathedral. A Tier 3 Warrior at such a young age, her spearplay is exceptionally fluid, and she once single-handedly repelled a Tier 3 magical beast.”
“General Lynn! Can this person be called a talent?”
Who the hell is this? He had no memory of her from the original plot, so she was probably just a random extra.
“Heh, a mere child of shallow learning. Just a nobody by the side of the road.”
“Cough, cough—” A rather deliberate coughing sound came from nearby.
“Rank seven on the list: Salan Ariel, the glory of commoner knights. Exceptionally gifted, highly skilled with a spear...”
“Mere brute force, lacking in magic. Not a talent.”
“Rank two on the list: Her Highness Anna Via, the second princess of the imperial family. Possessing abundant magic power, her ice spells are of astonishing power...”
“I feel... she's not as good as Lilian. Not a talent.”
The deliberate coughing became even more intense.
Lilian read down the list word by word, receiving Lynn's negative response of “not a talent” for every single one.
“Rank one: Veronica, the Saintess Candidate of the Cathedral. She...”
The deliberate coughing nearby finally could no longer be contained. Without waiting to hear Lynn's evaluation of the Saintess, she slammed her hand on a table and marched over aggressively.
The newcomer was encased in heavy armor, revealing only a small head with forest-green hair. Her heroic eyebrows were tightly knit as she spoke with rigid seriousness.
“How can you speak so carelessly of Her Eminence the Saintess!”
Lynn replied without even looking up.
“It seems you were eavesdropping quite intently. I'm merely telling the truth about this ridiculous list.”
He had listened for a long time but hadn't heard the name of the game's protagonist, the super-cheater heroine, “Irene Durandal.”
At first glance, it was clearly a completely bogus list.
Lilian nodded in agreement.
She had searched for so long and couldn't even find her young master's name.
It was definitely a sham list made up blindly!
“How can you say that!”
“Look, sister, who even are you? Do we know each other?”
“I am Lisa Lanfa, a preparatory Holy Knight under the Saintess!”
Seriously, who the hell was this?
A moment of dead silence.
Ultimately, it was the considerate Lilian who broke the ice. “Lisa... that sounds a bit familiar. Ah! I remember now!”
She tapped her small head.
“You're that 'nobody by the side of the road' ranked twelfth!”
...
“I... I am... a... a nobody...”
The heroic girl slumped to the ground in a dejected ORZ pose.
Her despondent mumbling was rudely interrupted.
“Hey, Lisa, look at how pathetic you are!”
A petulant huff came from the side.
“Hmph! Why are you wasting your breath on this guy?”
The newcomer had smooth blonde hair draping by her ears, its color as elegant as early autumn wheat waves.
A pair of crimson eyes hid quietly beneath her long eyelashes.
She raised her head and snorted disdainfully. “Lynn, you've certainly grown a spine this time!”
“To actually have the guts to challenge me. Fine then...”
She bowed slightly, performing a flawless lady's curtsy, though her crimson eyes blazed with raging fury.
“I, Veronica Pera,”
She pointed her left index finger right at Lynn's nose, enunciating each word with absolute clarity.
“Will absolutely crush you completely this time!”
[System detected host's first contact with the featured heroine of the version. Target: Veronica Pera, featured heroine of the 'Cathedral Reform' version.]
[The host has obtained one draw opportunity to randomly copy a trait from Veronica.]
Lynn was instantly wide awake.
There was actually such a good thing?!
Rate on N.U.
