In the bustling central market of Tepno, carts trundled by, voices clamored, and dust from the grimy ground dispersed into the air. Old farmers carried their loads through the streets, while vendors of all kinds shouted at the top of their lungs to hawk their wares. Stalls lined the streets from end to end, displaying a dazzling array of colorful goods.
A peculiar adventurer group weaved through the market, stopping now and then at stalls to browse merchandise. Leading the way was a solemn-faced girl in black with short hair, incongruously carrying a giant sword on her back.
Beside her walked a tall, muscular middle-aged man with a longsword at his waist, his sharp eyes and steady gait marking him as an elite adventurer. Following behind was a young man with a bow and arrow, his cheerful demeanor occasionally punctuated by witty remarks as he glanced at the cleric girl beside him.
The cleric girl, with her beautiful features and dressed in a lovely white cleric uniform, held the hands of two adorable blonde girls. The twins were so alike in appearance they could have been carved from the same mold.
"Did the princess issue some kind of secret task?" Barrett turned his head towards EeDeChi and asked.
"Someone might be planning to assassinate her, so she hopes to hire us for protection," EeDeChi replied nonchalantly, strolling through the market.
"And you agreed to this?" Barrett exclaimed.
"Of course I did."
"Good grief, couldn't you have consulted us first?" Barrett sighed, "Not to mention Sean and Stella, the two from the Baharuth Empire."
"It's not a bad thing," EeDeChi glanced at Barrett, "Besides, if someone's out to harm Princess Renner, I can't just stand idly by!"
A carriage temporarily blocked their path. Barrett halted and shook his head. "Princess Renner may be kind-hearted, but she clearly wants to win you over and make you work for her.
"I was drinking at the Adventurer's Guild tavern yesterday, and word has it that the old king's health is failing, worsened by the tragic death of the eldest prince on the battlefield a few years ago. After a serious illness, his health has deteriorated greatly. It wouldn't be surprising if he kicks the bucket in a couple of years.
"Although the second prince is the designated heir to the throne, Princess Renner's influence is deeply rooted and she holds significant sway in the people's eyes. This greatly affects the second prince's power and status. Don't forget, just two days ago a suicide assassin attempted to kill Princess Renner. In my opinion, we shouldn't wade into this murky water."
The bustling market was crowded with people coming and going. EeDeChi glanced around and asked, puzzled, "You openly criticize the Kingdom and comment on current political affairs, yet no knights have arrested you?"
"What do you mean?" Barrett scratched his head. "Adventurers should try to stay out of mainstream disputes, especially power struggles among the elite. It's a consensus among all adventurers. This could spell trouble, and once you're involved, it's hard to get out. We should steer clear of this mission."
"I've already sorted things out with Princess Renner," EeDeChi waved a hand, signaling an end to the discussion.
"But," Barrett persisted, "we're adventurers who battle monsters, not..."
"She's paying each of us three gold coins per day."
"Well, actually, this mission isn't too bad. We'll work for a hundred days and then leave, how about that? Just three months," Barrett looked at EeDeChi with a hopeful expression.
This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it
EeDeChi glared at the money-loving guy who'd do anything for a buck, then turned away, ignoring him. She strode forward a few steps and stopped at an apple stall, beginning to pick out the bright red apples on display.
Barrett caught up with her in a few strides, changing the subject. "What did you talk about with that genius swordsman named Brain? When you both came out of the room, he looked completely hollow-eyed, his face as if he had narrowly escaped severe torture."
After the last banquet, Brain was eager to leave, but EeDeChi stopped him and spoke with him privately for a while.
Shaking her head lightly, EeDeChi said, "Brain is not a bad boy, just a bit arrogant. He couldn't handle a little criticism from me. He actually thought I was going to kill him, couldn't even stand steady on his legs. Maybe he already had some shadows in his mind. I just asked him where he got that sword in his hand."
The adventurer captain weighed an apple in her hand, her expression unusually serious. In this world, there circulated a semi-legendary tale known as the "Eight Greed Kings."
Through the oral traditions of wandering poets and tavern patrons, the Eight Greed Kings were depicted as eight immensely evil demons who suddenly appeared in the world, wielding unrivaled supernatural powers. They began their conquest with fire and blood, subjugating all corners and establishing a mighty empire that spanned the entire continent.
They were vicious and ruthless, indulging in their personal desires and implementing brutal, terrifying reigns. All races on the continent trembled under their feet. Countless heroes and brave souls rose up to resist the tyranny of the Eight Greed Kings, sacrificing themselves in a series of tragic battles.
The Eight Greed Kings were invincible, with no rivals in the entire world. Legend has it that they eventually turned on each other in a deadly internal conflict, leading to the downfall of their empire and the demise of each king.
Under the final horrific magic unleashed by the Eight Greed Kings, the vast forest in the southern part of the continent overnight turned into a desolate desert. It's rumored that their last city was located here, where they buried their amassed wealth and the power they wielded over the world.
However, the ruins of the city of the Eight Greed Kings were extremely harsh, with strange magic twisting and restless, few dared to set foot in this desert.
Brain told EeDeChi that this treasured sword in his hand was obtained in his youth during travels and martial training, on the edge of a desert that resembled an ancient battlefield from the Eight Greed Kings.
Apart from this sword, there were many strange items of all shapes and sizes scattered on the ground at that time, but most of them were damaged. He only found this indestructible sharp katana, which he has been using ever since.
This sword undoubtedly did not belong to this world.
Combining those vague and real legends and histories, EeDeChi could deduce that the Eight Greed Kings were by no means natives of this world. Just like Ainz Ooal Gown and his rule over the Great Tomb of Nazarick, they were players who crossed over from a game.
At this thought, EeDeChi's originally solemn face became even more serious. She picked up the apple in her hand, took a big bite, and as her upper and lower sparkling white teeth touched, the sweet flesh with its fresh juice swirled and flowed between her lips and teeth.
"Hey! You haven't paid yet!" The stubbled apple seller glared at the adventurer who had picked up an apple from his fruit stall and started munching on it.
"Oh." EeDeChi chewed on the flesh, glancing at Barrett.
Beside her, Barrett shook his head helplessly, took out four copper coins from his pocket, and handed them to the vendor.
.........
In the distant northern border, the clouds were thick and heavy, and the massive dragon wings spread out, obscuring the sky. A deep and majestic voice echoed through the sky: "Dark elf, how dare you enslave my people!"
Beneath the black dragon wings, a slender figure stood at the peak of the mountain, looking up at the colossal presence in the sky, One pupil is red, the other is blue, both shining brightly: "It's my good companion. I haven't enslaved it. Would you like to join my ranks too? Supreme Overlord Ainz-sama would surely appreciate meeting a true wild dragon!"
image [https://pm1.aminoapps.com/7108/941830269d65258434f8c55997af09f651f6a0d0r1-474-950v2_uhq.jpg]
The dark elf's tone was lively and cheerful, without any fear.
Behind her, a massive and gentle figure crouched on the boulders of the mountain peak.
"Ridiculous! The dignity of the dragon race cannot be profaned!" The black figure in the sky roared, opening its huge mouth, and the dragon exhaled. The green body on the mountaintop spread its wings and stood tall, its crimson vertical pupils shining brightly like lamps, releasing a wild dragon roar into the sky.
Flames covered the sky, the sea of fire spread, the lingering sound of destruction, the whisper of annihilation tore the earth apart...