Volume 7, Chapter 24 – Dominic’s Request

“So the treasure of the twelfth floor was a God-Forged Angel. This is interesting. I once heard from a bard that a God-Forged Angel is a treasure left by the gods, and that the one who obtains her can gain inexhaustible wealth and power. The last time one appeared was hundreds of years ago, and that time, the angel and her master went on a crusade against demons. In the end, it took a Demon Lord to finally defeat the angel.”

“A bard’s words are definitely exaggerated.”

“But it’s a legend based on something.”

Listening to the whispers of the adventurers in the hall, Yisi glanced at the angel, who was still in a state of shock, and turned to follow Edith.

“Don’t you think you were a little too harsh, Pepe?”

“The fact that I didn’t dismantle her is my greatest mercy.”

“That’s because a puppet feels no pain and won’t cry out from your abuse, so you have no interest in dismantling it.”

Camilla added coldly from behind Edith.

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Edith gave a noncommittal chuckle.

“In any case, this is an accident you created, so you should be the one to handle it in the end. Let me and Refina handle the adventurer registration. You’d better prepare yourself to receive the guests who will come looking for you.”

As soon as Edith’s words fell, Dominic’s party, who had been waiting for a long time and couldn’t find an opportunity, finally pushed through the crowd. Perhaps because he hadn’t slept all night, Dominic’s eyes were filled with fatigue, and he had deep, dark circles under them. But more than sleepiness, his entire being radiated an atmosphere of joy and excitement. He walked up to Yisi in a few steps, just short of taking her hands.

“I’ve finally found you, Cardinal Yisi!”

“Finally? Is there something you need, Dominic?”

“Ah, I must thank you properly. If you hadn’t reminded us before we left, our group would surely not have made it back to the surface alive. The credit for our safe return this time is almost entirely due to you.”

The reminder must have been about the oilcloths soaked in kerosene that she told them to take before they left. But at the time, she hadn’t specified when to use them. If she hadn’t appeared later as Viel, the adventurers would have surely forgotten about the oilcloths. She didn’t really deserve that much credit.

However, it was clear that Dominic didn’t care about such details. His righteous face was filled with nothing but enthusiasm. This also caused the surrounding adventurers to shift their focus from the angel to Yisi, especially those whose lives had been saved by the oilcloths. Their eyes were full of gratitude and awe.

“Is there something you need at the adventurer’s guild, Miss Yisi?”

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“Yes, my companions and I would like to register for an adventurer’s certificate.”

“Leave such a small matter to me. I’m good friends with the guild master, and he’s upstairs right now. You saved so many of our adventurers this time; besides me, he also wants to express his gratitude to you. Also…” Dominic looked at the angel still kneeling on the ground with a wry smile. “I’d also like to discuss something with you. As a member of the Church, Cardinal Yisi, you are the perfect person to solve the problem before us.”

Is it about the angel?

Since the angel was a creation of the gods, the Church would sooner or later get involved. Nominally, she held the power of a cardinal and could naturally make some decisions on behalf of the Church. Dominic was probably worried about the Church’s intervention, which was why he was inviting her.

…

Leaving her companions on the first floor, Yisi accepted Dominic’s invitation and went up to the second floor of the adventurer’s guild. It was markedly different from the first floor; the second floor was cleaner, and there were far fewer people. Not only were there oil paintings on the walls, but there were also flower pots on the low cabinets in the corners of the room. Furniture such as sofas and coffee tables could be seen everywhere. It would have been no problem for adventurers to use this place to hold strategy meetings.

Now, seated together were Yisi and Dominic, as well as a middle-aged man with short-cropped hair, a serious expression, and sharp, angular features. The angel, who had been in a daze, was now standing listlessly behind Dominic at his call.

“So this is the Cardinal Yisi who gave you the advice before you left, Dominic, and saved a large number of our core adventurers in Gota?”

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Dominic nodded. Before Yisi could introduce herself, the middle-aged man stood up from the sofa. His towering frame of over two meters and his muscular build gave off a physically imposing pressure. An ordinary person standing before such a man would probably only dare to speak cautiously. Yisi quietly snarked in her heart.

The man bowed to Yisi with sincerity.

“If it weren’t for your timely reminder, Cardinal Yisi, Gota would have lost a third of its core adventurers. This is a loss we cannot afford. On behalf of all the adventurers of Gota, I express my gratitude to you.”

This must be the guild master Dominic had mentioned. Yisi returned his bow with an embarrassed smile.

“Ahaha… I was just sharing a legend I knew. I didn’t do anything particularly special. You don’t have to take it to heart, Guild Master.”

“How can we not take it to heart! If we had lost that third of our adventurers, who knows how long it would have taken to clear the thirteenth floor. The Marquis of Taris has given a strict order: if the fifteenth floor is not cleared within this year, Dominic must go back and inherit the family business. Dominic’s talent as an adventurer is far greater than his talent as a noble. I cannot stand by and watch the guild lose such a talent.”

Is it really okay to say that right in front of Dominic…

Dominic shyly touched his nose.

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“Just as Guild Master Marc says, if it weren’t for your instructions, Cardinal Yisi, and the timely rescue from that Blood Clan lady last night, we would not have been able to return alive. I would rather be an adventurer than inherit my father’s business.”

“But I heard that you used the power granted to you by the Marquis of Taris, Dominic, so you still have to go back.”

“Ah, it’s shameful to admit, but that is also why I have brought you here to speak privately, away from my companions. I wonder, what are your thoughts on the angel, Cardinal Yisi?”

What is he getting at?

Yisi didn’t understand at first. Dominic continued to explain.

“You’ve only just arrived in Gota, Cardinal Yisi, so you may not know. My father has a rule: all treasures found in the labyrinth that are protected by a guardian belong to him. Of course, this confiscation of treasures is not without compensation. My father will exchange the treasure for an equivalent amount of gold coins for the adventurers. And that’s where the problem lies.”

The guild master took over the conversation in a low voice.

“Although according to the agreement, as long as Dominic uses the power granted by the Marquis, he must return home to inherit the family business, there are exceptions to every rule. If Dominic can produce a treasure that the Marquis deems worthy—for example, Dominic could fabricate an excuse that he used his power to secure a priceless treasure for the Marquis—the Marquis might let him off. Therefore, we would like to discuss this with you, Cardinal Yisi, as you hold a position in the Church. We will give the angel to you, and you will give us an item of sufficient value in return.”