Chapter 19: Proof of Adventure

Crossroads Market was a mid-sized town with heavy foot traffic.

Roads stretched out from it in all directions like a web, connecting most of the towns within the Echo Territory from east to west.

Merchants from other regions entered the Echo Territory from the north, bringing goods not found locally to sell.

To the south, however, few were willing to set foot ever since a great catastrophe hundreds of years ago.

One could travel perhaps thirty miles south, passing through a few scattered villages, but beyond that, signs of human life vanished.

Passed down through generations, the warnings had dwindled to mere fragments, but most people simply gave the same answer: “That is not a good place.”

As for the truth, perhaps only the old witch in the town’s sole magic tower knew a thing or two.

Adventurers were certainly filled with a desire to explore that land of secrets, yet none dared to venture deep within.

“Please enter, esteemed Mage…”

The gate guards bowed respectfully, their eyes filled with admiration as they watched the carriage piled high with goods slowly roll into town.

Only after the carriage had distanced itself did they dare to whisper among themselves.

“Did they come from the south?”

“What a young Lady Mage.”

“It is hard to judge the age of an Awakened. For all we know, she could be hundreds of years old like that old witch!”

“She said it herself—she has been in seclusion for so long that she lost her Adventurer’s Badge. She is here to get a replacement before leaving town.”

“She even brought a child. Tsk… who is the lucky man? To marry such a beautiful girl.”

“I am jealous…”

“Speaking of beautiful girls, I wonder how Eno is doing now—”

“Shhh!!”

The guards immediately silenced themselves and stood bolt upright.

A small delegation wearing white robes rode through the town on horseback at a leisurely pace, seemingly preparing to depart.

When the group passed the guard who had mentioned Eno, the lead priest’s gaze suddenly snapped toward him.

The guard’s forehead broke into a cold sweat before the priest slowly looked away.

Once the group had passed through the gates, a gentle yet meaningful voice drifted back on the wind.

“The trial of the Saintess candidate began the moment she awakened.”

The sound of galloping hooves quickened, and the delegation soon vanished at the end of the road, leaving the guards staring at one another.

***

The bustling streets were filled with people, and soothing background music flowed quietly into the ear.

A strange horse pulled the carriage at a leisurely pace, its tall and powerful physique drawing gasps of wonder from passersby.

When people looked to see who was driving, they were instantly captivated by the two exquisite figures on the driver’s seat.

The girl driving the carriage, in particular, made people feel an instinctive urge to offer praise and a desire to follow her.

The Bishop leading the holy delegation had unconsciously dropped to one knee the moment he saw Lucia, his eyes filled with absolute reverence.

It was a nearly instinctive act, a display of total worship toward the object of his yearning.

By the time he snapped out of it, the carriage was nowhere to be seen, leaving only the whispers of the crowd.

‘A child of God? Such terrifying power of faith… Who is she?’

The Bishop racked his brain; the Church should not be lacking records of such an existence.

***

The place where the dream began was marked by a wooden sign carved with a crossed sword and staff.

The paradise of adventurers—the Adventurer’s Guild.

The hall was always packed.

Wooden tables were covered with accepted commissions, gold coins, and maps.

The air was thick with the scent of ale and roasted meat.

The bell on the door rang crisply, causing the adventurers in the hall to turn their heads.

Most expected to see someone returning with a massive haul or perhaps someone coming back in disgrace, but instead, they saw a mother and daughter they had never seen before.

It was a pleasant surprise; beautiful things were always easy on the eyes and relaxing for the soul.

The pair was dressed like noble ladies lacking common sense who were trying to travel low-key.

They wore the simplest clothes, yet they were sewn from the most exquisite fabrics.

The girl’s aura alone was not something an ordinary person could possess.

The receptionist was a young woman in a standard guild uniform.

Seeing Lucia approach, she put on a professional smile.

“Welcome, esteemed adventurer! How may I help you?”

“I need to replace my Adventurer’s Badge. It has a [Mage] engraving. Sorry for the trouble.”

“Of course, please wait a moment.”

The receptionist bowed slightly and retrieved a diamond-shaped crystal from a shelf behind her.

“Please inject your mana.”

Lucia took the crystal, and a blend of red and blue mana slowly flowed into it.

The receptionist watched in constant amazement.

If for nothing else, it was because that mana looked incredibly pure.

Beside her, acting like a little ghost, Lucoco felt a spark of doubt: ‘She is only injecting Water and Fire attributes?’

“There.”

Lucia’s forehead was matted with a light sweat as she handed the crystal back.

“Please rest for a moment. This will be finished shortly!”

The receptionist took the crystal solemnly and walked through the door behind her.

“Phew.”

Lucia let out a long breath and wiped the sweat from her brow.

Something was wrong!

Something was very wrong!

Lucoco narrowed her small eyes.

She had a very reasonable suspicion that Lucia was acting and had definitely hidden something just now.

The bell at the door rang again.

Strong men carrying crates entered one after another, placing the goods in the open space before the counter.

“My god, look at those materials!”

“Hiss… just how many monsters did she kill?”

“Hey, isn’t that a Flamingo claw you were looking for?”

“Look at that pile! Those are fins and bones from a Deep Lake Rock-eating Fish!”

“It isn’t just monster parts; there are other things too!”

“Who is this powerhouse?”

The adventurers sitting nearby gathered around to watch, pointing and whispering at the growing mountain of goods.

“Madam, everything you requested has been moved in.”

“Thank you for your hard work. This is your payment.”

“Thank you!”

The men took their pay and hurried off.

There was no longer any need to guess who the goods belonged to.

Dozens of shocked eyes snapped toward Lucia.

“Young lady, you are quite the ruthless one…”

“Sigh… maybe it was her husband who hunted them?”

“Too fierce…”

“Look, what a cute little baby!”

Many people began eyeing the goods as well.

Buying directly from the seller was much cheaper than buying from the guild.

“Miss, would you sell those Flamingo claws to me?”

“That batch of wolf pelts looks great. I can take them all.”

“I want to buy this!”

“This! I happen to need exactly this!”

The atmosphere heated up instantly, and the entire hall became a clamor of voices.

Seeing everyone so enthusiastic, Lucia raised her hand to signal for silence.

“Everyone, please don’t worry! One at a time.”

She then gave a sheepish smile to the receptionist at the other counter.

“Could I trouble you to look after my child for a bit?”

“Of course, it would be my honor,” the receptionist replied with a professional smile, though her eyes were twinkling.

She couldn’t wait to rush to the front of the counter. Squatting down before Lucoco, she spoke in a gentle tone, “Little sister, how about I take you over there to play?”

“Okay~”

Lucoco nodded obediently and followed her.

The adventurers lined up in an orderly fashion.

Such events were not uncommon; many materials and treasures were traded between adventurers before ever being sold to the guild.

The materials and leathers covering the floor were mostly sold off quickly, leaving only a few rarely used items.

At that moment, the receptionist came back out holding two things: an Adventurer’s Badge engraved with runes and a form to be filled out.

Her body was trembling slightly as she stammered, “This… this is your Adventurer’s Badge… Archmage.”

She seemed to want to shout out a specific title, but mindful of the crowd, she forced herself to use the general rank.

Despite that, the moment the title ‘Archmage’ was uttered, the hall fell deathly silent.

The only sounds remaining were gasps of shock and the sound of people swallowing their spit.

“Thank you.”

Lucia didn’t seem to care. She took the [Adventurer’s Badge] with a gentle smile and asked, “Do I need to fill out this form?”

“Yes, yes… yes! Please!”

The receptionist nodded repeatedly, a strange light shimmering in her eyes as she stared at Lucia.

Activity resumed in the hall, but the previously rowdy atmosphere was gone.

Everyone lowered their voices, speaking in hushed whispers.

Lucia stopped her pen, and the receptionist jerked her gaze away as if startled, her cheeks flushing slightly.

She solemnly took back the form.

“Mama… *hic*.”

Lucoco walked back, her face covered in grease from food.

The other receptionist returned to her station, her eyes full of stars as she looked at Lucoco.

Her mind was filled with nothing but the little one’s milky voice calling her things like “Sister, pretty sister.”

As for the other questions the little one had asked—like who those white-robed priests were or what the Saintess candidate mentioned in town was—none of that mattered!

Her attention had been entirely captured by the cute way the little one was stuffing her face.

Her heart had practically melted.

She had no idea how much information she had leaked.

“Um, I would like to register an adventurer identity for her as well. Is that possible?”

Lucia took out a handkerchief to wipe the grease from Lucoco’s face while asking the receptionist gently.

“Huh?” The receptionist froze, a look of disbelief crossing her face.

“Are you… certain?”

“Coco, show them that.”

“Okay~”

Lucoco obediently raised her hand, her small face turning serious.

“Mass… Fortification!”

*Flash! Flash!*

A faint glow covered everyone in the hall.

Their defense, status resistance, and even attack power received a significant boost.

“Mass Fortification! It really is Mass Fortification!”

“As expected of an Archmage’s child…”

“My god, how old is she?”

“A genius! She must be a genius!”

“Hey, you over there! Shut the door! Don’t let those annoying flies from the Church see this!”

The hall erupted into chaos again, and someone actually went and shut the door.

“I… I understand.”

The receptionist swallowed and pulled out another sheet of parchment, carefully placing it on the table.

“Please fill this out…”

“Is no test required?”

“Your status is the best proof. It is no longer necessary.”

“I see… then thank you.”

***

No other incidents occurred during the registration process.

The remaining goods were all purchased by the Adventurer’s Guild.

Lucia led Lucoco out of the hall and drove the carriage to find a place to stay the night.

While Lucoco organized the information she had squeezed out of the receptionist in her mind, she flipped through her Adventurer’s Badge, which had a blank space for her title.

She looked it over repeatedly.

[Adventurer’s Badge: Rank E]

Adventurer Title: To be acquired after evaluation

Adventurer Marking: [Principle Magic C]

Adventurer Talent: Principle Magic, Fortification

Adventurer Race: Aquatic Half-Demon

Adventurer Honor: 0

The content was extremely simple; it didn’t even directly display her name or gender.

‘This is clearly an [Adventurer’s Badge] used by NPCs!!!’

‘Am I not a player? Huh?’

‘Am I a player or not!?’

‘Whatever… but that news about the Saintess candidate is interesting.’

Although she seemed to have discovered something significant, Lucoco didn’t dwell on it too much.

Dwelling on it was useless anyway.

‘The southern forest… I wonder if [Otherworld Ferry] can get through it.’

‘I will try it out tonight…’

Her gaze fell on Lucia’s pocket.

That was what Lucoco wanted to understand most right now. She sneakily stretched out a small hand, her pale finger about to pinch a corner of the [Adventurer’s Badge]… Her heart couldn’t help but race with excitement!

‘Am I finally going to uncover Lucia’s true identity!!’

“Oh my~ whose little puppy paw is this?”

Lucia looked down and playfully caught Lucoco’s hand in her mouth.

“I… I want to see!”

Lucoco giggled and reached out to tickle her.

Lucia let go as she was tickled, twisting her body with a beaming smile.

“If you look, you can’t tell anyone, okay~?”

“Mhm, mhm!”

Lucoco nodded repeatedly.

She snatched the Adventurer’s Badge away in a flash and turned around to peek, terrified that Lucia would regret it and take it back.