【(Quest】
[Job Change 3] Find the Hidden Lord
・Find the true Lord of Rivera among the people in the Great Hall…….. [Complete (√)]
- [Special conditions apply.]
[Complete (√)]
※ Hint. The Creator receives a separate hint.
[System]
- Quest complete!
- Special condition achieved!
- Rewards doubled!
Experience +600, Divine Power +20P
[Level Up!]
[Creator Level: 7 → 8]
[Divine Power: 470/470 → 480/480]
[System]
- With the Creator Level increased, the reproduction rate of offerings from believers becomes more refined.
- Thanks to meeting the special condition, the reward doubled, granting a hefty 600 experience points.
- As expected, the level-up proceeded smoothly, raising the Creator Level by one.
But.
‘…………I never imagined she’d actually manage it alone.’
Jeanne d’Arc had never expected Jan to find Viscount Gilbert by her own strength.
- Ding!
[New message received!]
…….Message?’
It seemed Jan had prayed to me and sent this.
I immediately checked Jan’s message.
O Lord, I am truly sorry.
As I advanced to the table, although You began to speak to me, my body moved forward before I realized it.
I do not know how to apologize for this rude and arrogant behavior of mine…………..
Truly………… I am sincerely sorry.
- Jeanne d’Arc –
It was an apology from Jan.
Apparently, it was for moving forward without hearing me out completely.
Looking at Jan kneeling before the Lord, worry flickered in her eyes.
‘But well. She was heading to the table even before I said anything…?
Just a coincidental timing.’
Nonetheless, Jan deeply reflected on her actions.
Since she earnestly contemplated and observed the test given to her and overcame it brilliantly, it wasn’t something to apologize for.
From my perspective, there was no reason to be upset.
“It’s alright. In fact, I want to praise you. You easily passed the first test of the Lord.”
Jan lowered her head slightly, showing her gratitude while still kneeling.
At that moment, Viscount Gilbert suddenly burst out laughing heartily.
“Hahaha!”
He looked down at Jan and spoke.
“You guessed correctly. I am Gilbert, Lord of Rivera. But how did you find me?
It doesn’t seem like we’ve met before.”
Jan slowly rose and pointed at the men sitting at the table.
“This is my first time seeing the Lord in person. Yet I was able to find you because I saw clues among the others in the Great Hall that distinguished the true Lord.”
“Oh? Clues, you say…?”
Gilbert looked at Jan with interest.
Then Jan began answering clearly and confidently.
“The first man’s forearms bore large and small burn scars. Beyond his clothes, there was a strong scent of spices. So, I thought he was a cook.”
“Hmm, indeed there’s a faint scent of spices. Then what about the man sitting second?”
“The second man had a solid, well-trained build. His face bore tan marks shaped like a helmet. The skin exposed beyond the helmet was sunburned. I guessed he was either a guard or a knight.”
“Sounds plausible. Continue.”
Gilbert nodded with growing interest as he listened attentively.
Jan continued.
“And the man sitting in the Lord’s seat maintained a courteous posture throughout, frequently watching those around him. Also, his habit of folding his hands politely suggests he was a butler or servant accustomed to proper etiquette. As for the man next to him…”
Jan pointed to each man at the table, explaining why they were not the Lord.
Honestly, I was amazed by Jan’s sharp observation skills.
She identified each person’s occupation almost perfectly.
………… I often thought she’s really capable.’
Gilbert, quietly listening, finally spoke.
“Hmm…….. Indeed. But what if I wasn’t even at this table? Did you just guess correctly by chance as you eliminated one by one?”
Jan lightly shook her head.
“Unlike the others, the Lord never took his eyes off me from the moment I entered the Great Hall. He must have been an observer testing my actions. Secondly, I looked at your hands.”
“My hands…?”
Jan then showed her own hands as an example and continued.
“You handle long hours of administrative work and must hold a pen for extended periods. So calluses inevitably form on your index and middle fingers where you grip the pen, and on the side of your hand that rests on the desk. But the most decisive clue was something else.”
Jan paused briefly before speaking again.
“Those born above others, and who die above others, have a different gaze, spirit, and aura. Even if you wore a butler’s outfit, those could not be hidden.”
The Lord looked steadily at Jan.
Then he smiled and nodded.
Indeed, the extraordinary insight written on Shylock’s introduction letter was no exaggeration.
“Well then, that concludes our first greeting. Everyone else, please leave the Great Hall!”
At his command, the men at the table filed out one by one.
Only three or four Guardian Knights quietly stood in a corner, guarding the Lord.
Seated in the seat of honor, Viscount Gilbert scanned Jan with a serious expression.
“Your name is Janet, right?”
“Yes, my Lord.”
“I’ve heard rumors about you—the ‘Saint,’ the ‘Miracle-Working Girl,’ the ‘Leader of the Sanctuary,’ and so on. I hear you created a small village called the Sanctuary in the forest east of Rivera. They say you took in the residents of the shantytown and the poor within Rivera Castle.”
“All I have done was possible because God was with me. Creating the Sanctuary was only possible thanks not only to God’s help but also to the support of all the villagers.”
Jan spoke calmly and peacefully.
Viscount Gilbert smiled gently at first but then hardened his expression and spoke.
“Do you know? That forest is officially Rivera’s territory. Therefore, a portion of the income generated must be paid as tax. I also hear that a Market and Trade Route have recently been established there, generating significant revenue. So why have you not paid taxes on it?”
Hearing this, something felt off.
They gathered the abandoned people from the shantytown, built a village, and now demand taxes?
I wanted to correct his arrogant remark but held back.
For Jan’s sake.
Gilbert stared intently at Jan’s face.
But Jan showed no sign of embarrassment and spoke clearly.
“As a matter of fact, Shylock from the Venice Merchant Guild advised me on this. We plan to pay a portion of the income generated starting from the day the Market and Trade Route in the Sanctuary are established. I will soon submit the Sanctuary’s taxes through Shylock’s office.”
“Hmm, that answer is unexpected. I thought you would insist the Sanctuary is God’s domain and refuse to pay taxes… But we live in a land of humans, not gods. It is only right to follow human laws.”
“When in Rome, do as the Romans do.”
Gilbert tapped the table lightly with his fingers, clearly pleased with Jan’s answer.
“Well then, enough small talk. Let’s get to the main point.”
Returning to a serious expression, Gilbert pointed at Jan and said,
“To receive my recommendation and become a Knight means I will also be responsible for all your actions. I will not lightly give a recommendation to just anyone.”
He continued,
“Therefore, you must prove yourself worthy of being a Knight.”
“…What must I do?”
Jan looked at Viscount Gilbert with determination.
He rested his chin on his hand and said in a serious tone,
“Every matter requires a valid reason. There must be an undeniable justification for recommending a commoner as a Knight. Of course, I will provide that method.
If you are truly the Saint favored by God, you should pass this test as well.”
“God is still with me. I will carry out any test without issue.”
A faint smile appeared at the corner of Jan’s lips.
Pleased with her spirited answer, Viscount Gilbert nodded.
He then presented Jan with the second test.
“Farmer’s daughter Janet, go and conquer the ‘Greenwood Dungeon’ at the foot of the northern Rivera Mountains.”
At that, the Guardian Knights listening nearby began whispering quietly.
“To clear the Greenwood Dungeon alone? That monster-infested den…”
“Impossible. The Greenwood Dungeon requires at least thirty knights to cleanse it.”
“Looks like the Lord has no intention of recommending a commoner.”
“If she goes alone, she’ll most likely die. If she values her life, it’s time to back off.”
Hearing the knights’ murmurs, I couldn’t help but smile faintly.
Then Jan looked at the Lord calmly and spoke slowly.
“My Lord, the Greenwood Dungeon is……”
“Why? Afraid you can’t do it? You want to be a Knight but don’t want to risk danger? Then this ends here. You should step back.”
But Jan shook her head firmly.
She looked Gilbert straight in the eye and said,
“………I’m already on my way back from clearing the Greenwood Dungeon.”
The mouths of everyone in the Great Hall, including Viscount Gilbert, fell wide open.