When they returned to town, the Four Sages still felt as if they were dreaming. Along the way, they didn't dare to strike up a conversation with this Astrea daughter as they used to, because her identity was no longer just the successor of the Sword Saint or a noble lady, but a Sword Saint with the strength to slay a Demon Lord like the Goblin King!
It was like a figure previously regarded as a mythological character suddenly jumping out and running in front of you. Facing such a person, they naturally had no way to remain calm and continue interacting with her with their former attitude.
Moreover, they also had misgivings in their hearts because Astrea had tried to persuade them before the mission. She told them it was dangerous, but they had self-righteously dismissed her warning and recklessly chose to continue the mission. The final result proved they were wrong; if Astrea hadn't followed them, they would have likely been wiped out this time.
They arrived at the Adventurers Guild.
The receptionist at the front desk was very happy to see them return safely and asked about the mission status.
"I am very happy to see you all safe. May I ask if your mission objectives have been completed?"
The expressions of the Four Sages were not very good.
Although the receptionist's attitude was very good, that wasn't the problem! When they were invited to accept this mission before, these fellows had also given them the wrong information with such a gentle appearance. The nature of this matter was extremely serious. One must know that for missions like this, if the intelligence cannot be confirmed as true or false, it must be noted and informed in advance.
But because the Guild had vowed to them this time that the mission intelligence was 100% correct, they had run into a territory hiding a Demon Lord-class monster without any suspicion.
They really almost didn't make it back!
Herculean said with a cold face:
"Tell that merchant to come out."
The branch head of the Adventurers Guild in this town also held a part-time position in the Chamber of Commerce, using the convenience of both professions to collect a large amount of resources from Adventurers to earn a profit.
However, because the prices he gave were generally very fair, to some extent, the Adventurers and workers in this city also obtained higher mission rewards because of this merchant.
He was a character that people both loved and hated, because at his core, he was still a black-hearted merchant. If there was an opportunity and the timing was right, that merchant really wouldn't mind piting you once to let you know despair.
In fact, most of the workers in this city were doing things for him, and many shady dealings within were closely related to this merchant.
"Very well."
Because the Four Sages had the qualification to directly request a meeting, the receptionist did not hesitate at all.
She had been in this line of work for quite a while, and seeing the Four Sages' expressions, she knew that a major problem had occurred in this mission. This was not something a small front-desk receptionist like her could handle; it was better to let the branch head himself deal with it.
Let's deal with this headache.
Not long after, a thin man wearing glasses came down from upstairs and approached the Four Sages with a smile; his attire was quite aristocratic.
"Herculean, I knew you guys would definitely be able to complete this mission."
As soon as he spoke, one could tell he was no ordinary person.
"Tell me, what happened? How much do you want to raise the bounty? Just give me a number."
An imposing aura overwhelmed the Four Sages; their Wrath was insignificant in the face of the word "bounty."
Moreover, since things had already happened, what mattered was the present and the future. They couldn't go back in time to beat this guy up, and since they wanted a higher bounty now, they couldn't afford to offend this benefactor.
The young lady watching them from the side shook her head.
Although the Four Sages were somewhat special among the Worker, it seemed their essence was no different; they were all just a group of commoners working for money.
So-called face and pride were utterly meaningless in the face of enough money. She could even imagine that if someone offered enough, they probably wouldn't mind selling their bodies to earn it.
She didn't look down on them.
She was just more certain of one thing.
That she and they were not the same kind of people.
To her, money, status, and fame—these external things existed only to serve oneself. If she had to sell her pride and dignity to trade for these things, she would rather die.
But she was in no position to look down on the Four Sages' methods, because she used to be just like them—it was just that she had now obtained power.
"Your intel was wrong!"
Herculean shouted aggressively, but it was just an act to fight for more benefits; his heart had already compromised with the other party, and they both knew it.
However, that Guild Master highly valued the Four Sages as an excellent Worker team, so his attitude was very good. He had no intention of lowballing them and indicated they could name any price, as long as it was reasonable, he would pay—he just hoped this wouldn't affect their friendship.
"Intel error?" After asking this, he said to the receptionist, "Bring that guy here."
Soon, an Adventurer was brought over. The moment he saw the Four Sages, his expression changed instantly. He pushed past the crowd to flee, but Ropatik, who was prepared, blocked him with a shield. Herculean then punched him in the face. He fell miserably to the ground, spitting out a bloody tooth, and was crushed under Herculean's foot.
"You bastard, how dare you provide false intel!"
The receptionist wanted to stop them because fighting wasn't allowed here, but she was held back by the Guild Master. He knew Herculean well and knew he wouldn't lie about this, and the informant's reaction was clearly suspicious. If he didn't let Herculean and the others vent, it would only damage the relationship between the Guild and the Four Sages.
This was not what he wanted to see.
As for that Adventurer...
A guy who dared to provide false intel would be dealt with by him later even if Herculean hadn't acted. Some rules cannot be broken; someone who doesn't understand that is a waste of life.
"Ugh!"
Under Herculean's assault.
The Adventurer was quickly beaten into a pulp.
Even if he wanted to fight back.
One person was no match for four.
Only when the Adventurer was nearly beaten to death did the Guild Master speak: "Alright, Herculean. If you keep hitting him, we won't be able to get any information out of him. Do me a favor and leave him to me, how about it?"
"Hmph!"
Herculean heard the old fox's plea.
He knew the old fox's methods.
So he let go.
"You must give a reasonable explanation for this, because what appeared this time wasn't a normal monster, but a Goblin King! Do you know what that means? If the Sword Saint hadn't been traveling with us, we would have been killed by this guy's intel!"
He shouted loudly.
Letting everyone in the Guild hear his words.
Instantly.
The previously bustling Guild, because of his words,
became completely silent.
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