That's right, that's what adventure is like!

"My first question is, what is this?"

Ramona picked up the papers from the table, her gaze lingering on the three rings for a moment before she nodded slightly: "You noticed it after all; these are the symbols of the Ring Tower."

The Pagoda Ring?

Roland was slightly taken aback, then heard Ramona continue her explanation.

"This was an extremely powerful and secretive organization that possessed countless resources, including the Black Ash Dungeon. At its peak, it even accomplished the feat of slaying a god, but it has long since perished."

"Based on our assessment, the Shadow Assembly may have once been one of its subordinate organizations. Now that it has been rebuilt, it is natural that it wants to collect all the resources it once had."

So that explains why they've set their sights on the Black Ash Dungeon.

Seeing that he seemed to understand, Ramona snorted coldly: "We have already checked Daphne's memories. Although on the surface she did not organize the theft of the key on her own, the actual situation is hard to say."

"You mean," Roland said after a moment's thought, "that they're using Daphne to test the Association's limits?"

"That's right, you have a good eye."

Ramona first offered a word of praise, then scoffed, "Unfortunately, their tricks are too clumsy. We've already located them, and they'll soon be reduced to dust in history once more."

Roland frowned, a hint of surprise in his voice: "I remember, the association never takes the initiative to take action against specific individuals or organizations?"

"Of course, but this behavior has crossed the president's bottom line, so naturally we can't let him stay any longer."

The president's bottom line, not the association's bottom line.

Noticing this, Roland gained a more accurate understanding of the Broken Rock Town Association's practices. After nodding slightly, he raised his second question: "I would like to know the identity of that Lord Elwin."

This question stemmed purely from curiosity, because he simply couldn't understand why an elf would join the Adventurers' Guild and even hold an important position.

The Whispering Forest, which borders Broken Rock Town, is the home of the elves, and those noble races have never been willing to set foot in human territory.

Ramona shook her head without hesitation at the question: "I know what you want to know, but only after becoming a Silver-rank adventurer are you qualified to ask about such information."

Roland nodded, not dwelling on it. Silver-level adventurers not only need the strength of a formal professional, but also a considerable number of completed commissions, which was still a long way off for him.

Curiosity about others can help him relax his tense nerves, but right now, strength is the most important thing for him.

Strength is closely related to the gains from adventures.

"Here, take these," Roland said, taking out the survey map, the city lord's manuscript, and the puppet crystal. "The first two count as mission completion records, and I'd like to sell you the last one."

"Sell it to me? Why?"

Ramona picked up the multifaceted deep blue crystal, her gaze sweeping over it with a slightly strange expression. This kind of thing could fetch a much higher price if it were sold on the market.

"Because of the danger," Roland explained, "According to you, although the Ring Tower has long since disappeared, it's hard to say whether there are other remnants like the Shadow Assembly. I don't want to be traced back."

That's the truth. Right now, he just wants to stay away from these things and grow up safely so he can protect himself.

His choice of Ramona stemmed from a hunch that this slave trader likely had access to channels capable of handling such troublesome clients.

As expected, Ramona casually stuffed the crystal into her pocket and said nonchalantly, "I'll give you a fair price, 200 gold coins, how about that?"

That high? It even exceeds the rewards from this adventure.

Roland readily agreed.

After that, he asked some questions about supernatural abilities, and Ramona was exceptionally patient with the newcomer who had received the "investment," answering each question one by one.

It wasn't until dusk that Roland finally returned to the streets.

call--

A fierce wind whipped up dust from the other side, mixed with scattered raindrops, which pelted the travelers. The biting cold wind seeped into every crevice, making their warm bodies shiver.

The setting sun still shone brightly in the distance, but dark clouds had quietly arrived overhead, casting large shadows and causing the cold air to condense, turning into a slanting curtain of rain.

The shops along the street had long since closed, with only the magical lights still casting beams of light that illuminated the gray-blue flagstones of the road.

"Judging from this, is the coldest season finally approaching?"

Roland glanced at the dark clouds overhead, tightened his collar, and strode through the cold rain, splashing puddles on the ground.

Don't underestimate the power of a mere rain shower; in this fantastical world, the rain itself carries a certain omen.

—"The first cry of the Frost Goddess, and the cold wind will sweep across the land."

—"The second weeping of the Frost Goddess, the only miracle was the icy rain."

—"The third weeping of the Frost Goddess, listening to the eternal silence of the world."

The proverbs passed down among the residents actually contain the most essential interpretations of the authority of gods in the world, which greatly benefited Roland.

However, he had no interest in experiencing the legendary "Eternal Silence"; he was more interested in solving a long-standing problem.

squeak-

The unlocked door was pushed open, creaking from years of neglect. The cold wind outside ruffled Roland's robes, while the candlelight inside illuminated his face.

This time, he wasn't wearing a mask.

The room temperature was very comfortable. The obese man in the large chair behind the desk stood up the moment he saw him and enthusiastically extended his greasy hand.

"Oh my... Lord Roland Guror? What a coincidence, it seems we've finally found a client who's on the right track."

This is none other than Finn, the town hall clerk who openly declared "GG" on the bulletin board, claiming he could solve any bounty problem.

Roland didn't mince words; he got straight to the point: "It seems you know me quite well, so you know why I'm here, right?"

A grin spread across Finn's fleshy face, making no attempt to hide his greed: "Two gold coins will solve all your problems. Of course, if you want more, there are more options to choose from..."

"A variety of styles?" Roland raised an eyebrow, asking with some surprise, "What other styles could there be to choose from?"

"Ahem... It seems this is your first time doing something like this. As expected."

Finn gestured for Roland to sit down, then slowly said, "Lord Roland, someone like you might not fully understand the meaning behind a bounty. Please allow me to explain it to you."

"Do you know what a bounty means to our esteemed King?"

"The means to uphold the law and authority," Roland succinctly stated.

“That’s right, that’s right,” Finn nodded, his fat face jiggling, before a sly smile appeared on his face. “But that was before. Things are a little different now.”

"Oh? Tell me more."