"Someone, come in."
Cecilia's voice wasn't loud, yet it carried clearly outside the door. The study door was pushed open gently, and a capable-looking female captain of the guard clad in light armor walked in quickly, bowing in salute.
"City Lord, what are your orders?"
Cecilia handed her the sealed letter. "Aira, deliver this letter to the Adventurers Guild immediately. It must be delivered personally into President Katerina's hands."
"As you command, my Lady."
Captain Aira took the letter with both hands, tucked it securely against her person without hesitation, and after saluting once more, exited the study quickly and silently. Cecilia let out a soft breath and slowly walked to the window again.
At this moment, the streets of White Thorn City were teeming with people and bustling with noise. Beneath the surface prosperity of this city, which she had poured her heart and soul into protecting, undercurrents were surging. A trace of worry flashed in her ice-blue eyes, but it was overshadowed by a firm sense of determination.
"Belle... Ellen... are you just travelers who were caught up by chance, or are you variables that can change the situation?" she murmured to herself, her gaze seemingly piercing through the city's buildings to land in the direction of that small Silver Oak Inn...
The Adventurers Guild was located on the east side of White Thorn City's central plaza, a rather grand stone building. A giant shield-shaped emblem hung above the main entrance, featuring a crossed sword and staff, symbolizing the guild's mission to embrace both warriors and spellcasters.
In the afternoon, the place was exceptionally noisy with people coming and going. Adventurers wearing various types of armor and carrying all sorts of weapons moved in and out, and a long line had formed in front of the counter for turning in tasks.
Captain Aira avoided the main entrance, skillfully circling to a relatively quiet alley behind the building, and knocked on an inconspicuous wooden door. The old man who opened the door clearly recognized her; he nodded silently and let her in. The interior was a narrow corridor leading directly to the second-floor area of the guild building.
President Katerina's office was at the end of the corridor. Aira knocked on the door, and a vibrant female voice came from inside.
"Come in."
Aira pushed the door open and entered. Even though she had seen it many times, Aira couldn't help but marvel. The scene inside this office was a stark contrast to the rugged style of the hall downstairs. The room was furnished comfortably, even somewhat luxuriously, with thick carpets on the floor and exquisite tapestries and weapon decorations hanging on the walls.
Behind the massive desk, Katerina, the President of the Adventurers Guild, had her booted feet propped casually on the tabletop, leaning back into a wide leather chair. She looked to be in her twenties, with long fiery-red hair tied loosely behind her head, a few unruly strands falling beside her cheeks. Her skin was a healthy wheat color, her features bright and bold, and a hint of a cynical smile seemed to always linger at the corners of her mouth.
A well-tailored suit of leather armor outlined a mature and powerful figure; even sitting in such a relaxed posture, one could feel a sense of lithe wildness about her, like that of a leopard. Seeing Aira, Katerina raised an eyebrow and lowered her legs to sit up straight.
"Oh? Cecilia actually sent her right-hand woman to deliver a letter personally? It seems something interesting has happened."
Aira didn't waste time with pleasantries, placing the sealed letter directly on the desk. "President Katerina, a letter from the City Lord. Please have a look."
Katerina picked up the letter, skillfully broke the wax seal, and quickly scanned the contents. As she read, the playful smile on her face was gradually replaced by a look of intrigue, her red eyes sparkling with curiosity.
"Whoa... A maid with a shark tail? Using giant scissors as a weapon? Swatting away Goblins in an instant?" She whistled, placed the letter on the desk, and tapped her fingers lightly against the surface. "Doesn't sound like characters you run into every day. Does Cecilia want me to help see if these two are fierce dragons crossing the river or just harmless little kittens?"
Aira quickly shook her head; if Katerina were to go and test them, it would likely go against the secrecy Cecilia desired. "The City Lord hopes the Guild can assist in discreet observation and gather basic information. Do not alert them."
"Understood, understood. Just watch from a distance and don't go up looking for a fight, right?" Katerina laughed, revealing a row of white teeth. "Don't worry, tell Cecilia I've got this covered. I'm quite curious about these two ladies myself."
She stood up and walked to the window, casting her gaze toward the bustling plaza below, as if she had already begun searching for her targets in the crowd. "Silver Oak Inn, was it... I'll arrange for the adventurers best at tailing and intelligence gathering to handle it. As soon as there's news, I'll notify the City Lord's manor immediately."
"I appreciate your help, President." Aira nodded in acknowledgment; her task complete, she didn't stay any longer and turned to leave the office.
Katerina sat back in her chair, picked up the letter, and read it carefully once more, a meaningful smile curling her lips. "Interesting visitors... perhaps they can bring some different ripples to this increasingly murky water?" she murmured to herself, then looked toward the screen at the side of the room and spoke.
"Sayu, what do you think?"
From behind the screen, a slender figure emerged silently, as if she had been standing there all along, with the light simply having skillfully avoided her. The petite girl called Sayu had short, neat silver hair with slightly upturned tips, making her skin appear even fairer. Her violet eyes were clear and deep, yet carried a near-mechanical calmness.
Her frame was indeed petite, even appearing somewhat frail, but no experienced warrior would overlook the dangerous aura she exuded—like a hidden, poisoned dagger. Sayu leaned against the edge of the screen with her arms crossed.
"I'm watching while standing." Sayu's voice was cold and carried a hint of perfunctoriness. "President, you know very well that right now I only want to take commissions regarding the 'The Cult'."
She placed extra emphasis on the words "The Cult," her gaze sweeping over the letter from the City Lord on the desk. "As for tailing? Observing two girls of unknown origin? Don't come to me for such trifles that even a novice adventurer could do."
Katerina was already used to Sayu's attitude; far from being annoyed, she stood up, walked around the large desk, and approached the silver-haired girl with an incredibly radiant smile.
"Don't be like that, Sayu~ You know this is very important! Cecilia wrote personally; it concerns the security of White Thorn City!"
Sayu looked at her president expressionlessly as she instantly switched to a coaxing mode. Her violet eyes showed no sign of wavering, instead faintly revealing the helplessness of "here we go again."
"City security is the business of the guard; it has nothing to do with me." She coldly averted her gaze and said with absolute finality, "I'm not going."
"Oh, but I won't feel at ease if anyone else goes!" Katerina reached out, attempting to grab Sayu's arm, but was deftly avoided by the other party...