"Well, I think that about confirms it."
Hermes said as he clapped his hands.
"Judas Spade did not hide his level... all those accusations are just that... accusations."
Hermes stood up from his seat and stretched.
"Thank you for cooperating, Mr. Spade, and I apologize for ever doubting you."
Rose bowed her head.
"No, you were only doing your job, Miss Rose. From anyone's perspective, I can understand why I'd seem suspicious."
"You don't need to apologize."
Judas waved his hand casually.
"Thank you for your understanding."
Rose replied with a smile, feeling relieved. It was as if a huge burden had finally been lifted from her shoulders.
At the side, Hermes watched their exchange with amusement before shifting his gaze back to Judas.
"I am looking forward to your career with great interest, Judas Spade."
Judas simply nodded.
"It looks like my job here is done... I'm off."
Hermes raised his hat with a grin.
"Thank you for your help, God Hermes."
Rose said, bowing in his direction.
Hermes didn't reply, but he waved a hand as he walked out the door.
"Your level-up will be posted on the announcement board tomorrow."
Rose explained, turning back to Judas.
"So expect the whole city to be in uproar."
"Alright. Thank you for your hard work."
Judas said, then left the room.
Rose stared at his retreating figure for a few moments before a small smile appeared on her lips.
"Eina! Look what I got for today's spoils!"
As Judas made his way toward the guild's exit, his attention was caught by Belle Cranel, who came running with a wide grin and a fairly sizeable bag in hand.
She sprinted straight to Eina's counter, proudly holding the bag filled with drop items.
"Belle? Why are you shouting? People are staring."
The half-elf receptionist scolded, glancing around at the dozen adventurers now looking their way.
"Hehe... sorry, I just got too excited, I couldn't help it."
Belle scratched her cheek sheepishly.
"What could you possibly have gotten that has you so worked up?"
Eina raised an eyebrow, not expecting much.
'During her first time in the dungeon, she only defeated a single goblin, but she reported it to me in such high spirits.'
Belle, after all, was still a fresh Level 1, barely a few days into her adventuring career.
At her stage, she could only explore the first four floors of the dungeon.
'Probably a rare drop from a goblin or a kobold,' Eina thought.
Their drops sold for only a few thousand valis at best.
Unaware of her advisor's skepticism, Belle dug into her pouch and pulled out a golden egg.
"Take a look! I don't know what this is, but it looks valuable."
Nearby adventurers noticed and squinted their eyes.
"B-B-Belle, that's a Jack Bird's golden egg!"
Eina exclaimed in shock.
"Is that what this thing is called?"
Belle asked, tapping the egg curiously.
"Belle, how did you get this? This is a drop item from a Jack Bird!"
Eina adjusted her glasses to inspect it more closely.
"You mean that fluffy yellow-green bird? I caught one, and it dropped this. This must be worth a lot, right?"
Belle's eyes sparkled.
She might not have been the sharpest, but even she could tell from Eina's reaction that her guess was correct.
"Belle, a Jack Bird is an incredibly rare monster. Even seasoned adventurers may never see one. It isn't aggressive, but it's absurdly fast and flees at the first sign of danger. Even a Level 2 would struggle to catch one."
Eina leaned forward.
"I'm not doubting you, but with your current abilities... how did you even manage to catch it? You didn't steal this right?"
Faced with her question, Belle's cheeks flushed with shyness.
"Umm... I don't know. It just stumbled into me. I tripped, and somehow, my dagger killed it."
Belle looked up at the ceiling, scratching the back of her head.
Eina's jaw dropped.
"Are you kidding me?! What kind of luck is that? Were you blessed by the Goddess of Luck or something?"
"N-No... I was blessed by my goddess Hestia."
Belle waved her hands frantically.
"Alright, hand over your spoils. I'll exchange them for valis."
Eina sighed, shaking her head.
"Yes ma'am!"
Belle happily dropped the bag onto the counter.
Eina took it without issue and began tallying the items.
"Okay... after counting everything, including the golden egg, your earnings for today are..."
Belle bit her lip in anticipation as Eina deliberately trailed off.
"One million and twenty thousand valis."
Belle froze.
"Excuse me? Say that again?"
"One million and twenty thousand."
Eina repeated, a smirk tugging at her lips as she watched Belle's reaction.
"One... million?!"
Belle shouted, completely stunned.
From the corner, a group of shady adventurers overheard and exchanged malicious glances.
Eina quickly pinched Belle's cheeks.
"I told you not to cause a commotion! You're practically inviting the entire city to come and rob you."
She scolded sternly.
"Hehe... shworry"
Belle mumbled apologetically.
"Now go, you're holding up the line. And remember what I told you—"
"An adventurer shouldn't go seeking out adventure."
Belle smiled, though it didn't quite reach her eyes, and nodded as if she agreed with Eina's words.
"I understand. Thank you, Miss Eina!"
Belle grabbed her bag full of valis and skipped out with a bright smile.
The group of shady adventurers immediately tailed her.
On the streets of Orario, Belle hummed a cheerful tune as she made her way toward the abandoned church—the Hestia Familia's home.
"Today was a great harvest! I can't wait to tell Aunt Alfia and Goddess Hestia about it!"
She skipped along happily, until she suddenly stopped.
A chill ran down her spine.
'Someone's watching me.'
Her instincts screamed at her.
She didn't look back, instead walking faster.
After a few turns, the sensation never left. She wasn't paranoid.
'Those eyes... filled with greed and malice. I'm being followed.'
Sweat dripped down her forehead.
Maybe her luck had run out, because she turned a corner and hit a dead end.
"Oh no..."
A tall brick wall blocked her path, and when she turned, her pursuers were already there, sealing off her escape.
"Who are you people?"
Belle asked nervously, gripping her dagger as her eyes darted between them.
"Looks like we caught ourselves a little rabbit," sneered a man with an unkempt beard.
"She was parading around with a bag of coins like an idiot. Naive rookie, through and through," said a fat bald man with a crooked grin.
"That slim body, that innocent face... I can't wait to have some fun," added another, eyes gleaming with lust.
"Now, now, calm down everyone," said a thin man with glasses, stepping forward.
From the way the others backed off, Belle immediately knew he was their leader.
"What do you want?"
Belle growled, sweat dripping down her temple as she brandished her dagger.
"Relax, miss. Cooperate with us, and no one has to get hurt."
Belle's gaze hardened.
She never believed a single word that came out of this man's mouth.
The man's smile never faltered.
"I see we've left a poor impression. Then allow me to introduce myself."
He adjusted his glasses, smirking sinisterly.
"My name is Zanis Lustra... captain of the Soma Familia."
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