Chapter 135
Chapter Seventy-Six: The Beginning of Chaos
There was an uproar.
It felt as if a giant noise bomb had been dropped in the assembly, with everyone discussing in a flurry, their expressions varied, turning the dignified and solemn meeting hall into a noisy vegetable market.
The reason?
It’s simple.
Although anyone can register as an adventurer, it’s actually a profession that is very serious and adheres to strict rules.
Just because you have sky-level strength doesn’t automatically qualify you to become an adventurer of the same level; one must undergo rigorous assessments in terms of ability, responsibility, and character.
Adventurers are a symbol of the United Kingdom, and those at the sky level are part of the upper echelon, capable of taking on over 99% of the commissions available, interacting with all sorts of people.
If someone with great strength but poor character causes a scene, it would be a significant blow to the entire guild.
Like that incident a few years back with Nickles, who brutally attacked a nobleman and escaped justice, putting intense pressure on President Herbert.
Although, to be fair… there were extenuating circumstances; that noble was too arrogant and was bound to get what’s coming to him sooner or later, with or without Nickles’ intervention.
And I’ve heard recently that Princess Liliya has forgiven his transgressions, allowing him a chance for redemption, but the majority of the public would never know such details.
They would only see a top-tier sky-level adventurer, enjoying great perks and privileges, disregarding laws and resorting to violence over a minor conflict, blaming the guild for lax scrutiny.
It’s a harsh truth, but that’s how things are.
Thus, the qualification for sky-level adventurers cannot be granted lightly. As for Miss Edwina, she’d earned it; she had indeed performed a great deed and was originally an earth-level adventurer, with both character and ability proven.
But those two ink-steel level adventurers, Vilyric and Xiao Guang…
To be honest, most people present had little to no awareness of what these two girls had done, and they hadn’t interacted with them much.
Furthermore, what the president said felt somewhat dubious, an excuse for promoting them.
There’s definitely some insider info here!
Adventurers are a group of highly autonomous and capable individuals; even with the presence of three legendary figures and Princess Liliya listening in, the confusion and dissatisfaction on the faces of these high-ranking adventurers couldn’t be concealed.
President Herbert clearly noticed this issue, sneaking a resigned glance at Princess Liliya.
But irrespective of that, Liliya is the future queen; one can’t just disregard her wishes, right?
“Cough, cough, silence! I understand that such exceptional promotions are rare, and I can vouch for the two with the support of the other legendary figures, bearing all subsequent responsibility. Conversely, anyone caught gossiping behind closed doors will face consequences, hmph!”
With a mix of firmness and softness, along with Herbert’s standing as the guild leader and the accumulated prestige of the three legendary adventurers, he managed to quell the uproar among the adventurers.
And so, it was tacitly consented.
After all, they only felt displeased that they had worked hard to rise in adventurer ranks, only to see others leap ahead of them; no one genuinely cared about the collective’s principles or rules.
“Miss Vilyric and Miss Xiao Guang, what do you both wish to say?”
The president’s tone noticeably softened.
Given Princess Liliya’s attitude, this black-haired girl must be close to her; she might even be the future queen. Although old Herbert couldn’t quite wrap his head around the concept of female-female relationships, it didn’t stop him from attempting to build rapport.
Little Dragon Daughter pouted, ignoring Herbert, clearly uninterested, while Vilyric finally managed to respond, forcing a smile and nodding.
“As long as the rules are fine, we would be happy to accept.”
It was probably all Liliya’s doing. If I had known, I wouldn’t have been so quick to reveal my identity to her—she attracts so much envy that it could bring about annoying troubles…
But quips aside, leveling up to sky-level is beneficial for Vilyric too. At least she wouldn’t face a bottleneck when accepting tasks, right?
“Alright, it’s settled then. A dedicated person will discuss subsequent matters with both of you. Let’s move on to the next agenda.”
Herbert paused, his expression gradually turning serious.
“Regarding the second prince, Ban Meikailande, colluding with a cult organization and using a large number of innocent citizens for cruel experiments, what are your thoughts?”
“!?”
A sudden silence fell over the assembly, the sound of a needle dropping could be heard.
Many people even discreetly glanced at the composed figure of Princess Liliya, smiling at the head table.
This wasn’t just a casual inquiry… By openly using such critical language to describe the second prince, President Herbert was signaling something significant.
It should be noted that since the return from the western frontier, the adventurer’s guild had already begun to covertly support Princess Liliya, but as an influential public organization, they had not publicly demonstrated a clear bias towards any of the princes.
And without a doubt, today marked a public stance.
Such an act would entirely detonate the fragile balance between several princes.
Are we starting now?
With a week left until the ceremony, does Princess Liliya already have absolute confidence, deciding to seize victory’s crown?
After a moment of silence, it was the usually frivolous Furnal Stephens who stood up first, his face notably devoid of its usual playfulness, solemnly expressing his stance.
“As members of the royal family and nobles, we must diligently fulfill our duties. While enjoying the support of the populace, we must protect our people. The second prince’s actions, in my belief, are severely derelict.”
Holding the title of a legendary adventurer, Furnal is also the son of a duke, equating to the highest noble just under the royal family, making his criticism of Prince Ban Meikailande quite reasonable.
Though he appeared carefree, he had collaborated with President Herbert for over ten years, clearly understanding what was most needed at this moment.
And this declaration represented…
The legendary adventurer, the kingdom’s first prodigy, Furnal Stephens, siding with Princess Liliya Meikailande!
“I believe this matter should be proposed by Princess Liliya, convening the Supreme Proxy Council to publicly disclose the second prince Ban Meikailande’s crimes and impose punishment.”
On the other side, the closest to Liliya, Miss Hua, also stated plainly, directly suggesting a clear course of action.
The legendary adventurer, Fiery Blossom, siding with Princess Liliya Meikailande!
Thus, under the guidance of the three legends, others began to chime in.
“Indeed! The second prince has gone too far and must not be allowed to continue!”
“I agree, we cannot let such a prince who treats lives as worthless become a national leader.”
“Punishment! Punishment!”
These statements not only signaled clear stances but also solidified their alignment; from this moment forth, the elite earth-level adventurers present were fully bound to Liliya’s cause, sharing in their fates.
Smart individuals quickly figured out why the meeting coincided with the eradication of that large cult stronghold, and why the three legendary figures, normally elusive, were present, with the princess herself attending.
It was all to ensure that the greatest force, the adventurer’s guild, with its immense influence throughout the United Kingdom, remained securely in the princess’s grasp.
Perhaps even before the purge of the cult began, Princess Liliya had already anticipated this move, promoting Vilyric and Xiao Guang’s adventurer ranks as a mere distraction tactic.
The adventurer’s guild openly supports Princess Liliya Meikailande.
Which means, from this moment on.
The political upheaval in the capital has begun.