Settle Up

Orlando and Changhe City were practically worlds apart.

The broad, clean-swept stone streets were wide enough for four carriages to ride abreast.

The streets were lined with shops and homes, their architecture varied: ancient Gothic buildings with pointed roofs and intricate stone carvings stood alongside modern houses painted in bright colors and boasting spacious balconies.

The air carried the aroma of freshly baked bread, the fishy smell wafting from the harbor district, and the mingled scents of perfume and sweat from countless passersby.

Carriages streamed by, and voices filled the air.

Dwarves drove carts loaded with ore, Elves strode briskly in elegant robes, and Halflings pushed little pie carts along the streets, calling out their wares. Most numerous of all were humans hurrying about.

The patrolling city guards wore gleaming armor, their swords clanking at their sides as they marched. With stern expressions, they kept order.

In the distance, at the heart of the city, a white tower pierced the clouds like a sword. It was the famous Orlando Mage Tower, a holy site coveted by countless seekers of knowledge and ambitious souls.

"Wow, no wonder it's the provincial capital." Xia Lin gazed at the bustling scene and couldn't help marveling. "Sera, see that? This is where people are meant to live! Once I make it big, I'll take you around to see the best spots in Orlando!"

He looked just like the old young master Toremo, who used to spend money like water, pointing things out with animated enthusiasm. "See that tavern with the sign that says 'Drunken Dragon's Nest'? It's got the strongest ale in the whole city! And over there, the 'Moulin Rouge'—the dancers' skirts are thinner than cicada wings! I guarantee your eyes will pop out! If you're looking for a thrill, the 'Under the Goddess of Luck's Skirt' casino will make your heart stop..."

Sera folded her arms and gazed quietly at Xia Lin with her dark red eyes hidden behind her veil. She looked at him as if he were a child showing off his glass marbles.

"Taverns, dance halls, casinos..." She cut off Xia Lin's "guided tour," her tone dripping with undisguised scorn. "Human, are these so-called 'best spots' of yours just money pits where people waste their time getting drunk?"

"Uh..." Xia Lin was left speechless. He felt like a nouveau riche showing off his possessions, only to discover the other person couldn't care less. His pride took a hit.

"Relax, relax!" he insisted, trying to bluff his way through. "Adventurers risk their lives out there. Of course they should enjoy themselves once they've earned some money! It's called balancing work and leisure, get it? Besides, getting to know these places is an important way to understand a city. We might even pick up some useful information!"

"Heh." Sera gave an inscrutable chuckle and stopped arguing. "Information? I'm only interested in when we'll get that 'compensation' we're owed. Come on. Let's go to the Adventurer's Guild."

The Orlando Adventurer's Guild headquarters stood in one of the city's busiest Commercial Districts.

Unlike the Changhe City branch, which looked like a run-down warehouse, this place could only be described as "opulent."

The entrance was made of polished white oak inlaid with brass carvings. Before it stood a broad flight of steps and two lifelike griffin statues carved from stone.

Inside, the polished marble floor reflected the soft light of crystal magic lamps hanging from the vaulted ceiling.

The hall was spacious enough to ride a horse through. Giant monster heads adorned the walls, alongside exquisite tapestries depicting the kingdom's map and banners embroidered with the crests of famous adventuring parties in gold and silver thread.

There was no smell of sweat or cheap liquor in the air, only a faint fragrance of incense and the scent of paper and ink.

The adventurers coming and going seemed far more "professional," with fine equipment, haughty expressions, and hurried steps. They were clearly all on business.

The notice board was no longer crowded. Mission information seemed to scroll across some sort of magical device, and clerks stood nearby to answer questions and register requests.

The entire Guild hall felt less like a gathering place for adventurers and more like a large, efficiently run business, full of order, wealth, and an impersonal sense of rules.

Xia Lin walked up to an empty counter. The receptionist wasn't the sleepy middle-aged man from the Changhe City branch, but a truly "dazzling" young woman.

She had soft features and fair skin that seemed to glow faintly. Her long golden hair flowed down like molten gold.

Most striking of all, a faint, almost invisible golden rune seemed to shimmer on her forehead, surrounding her with a sacred radiance.

An Asima—or, more precisely, a Divine Descendant.

A descendant of the Heavenly Bloodline, born with a sacred mark.

"Hello. How may I help you?" the Divine Descendant said with a smile. Her voice flowed like a clear spring, warm and soothing.

Her gaze fell on Xia Lin with professional courtesy and scrutiny.

Sera stood a few steps behind Xia Lin, seeming to deliberately avoid the light from the counter. Behind her veil, her eyes were cold, and her disgust was almost impossible to hide.

The Divine Descendant seemed to notice Sera's mood, but her smile and professional demeanor didn't change. She simply turned her attention back to Xia Lin.

"Hello," Xia Lin said, steadying himself and trying not to look like a country bumpkin who'd just crawled out of a stable. "I'm here to turn in my quest credentials. I escorted the 'Golden Wheat Ear' caravan to Orlando."

He handed over the crumpled quest credential.

The Divine Descendant took it and quickly tapped a few times on the magic crystal screen beside her, pulling up the relevant information.

As she reviewed the records, her brow furrowed almost imperceptibly.

"Mr. Xia Lin · Tolemo, is that right?" She looked up, still wearing a polite smile, but her tone was regretful. "I'm sorry, but according to our records, the escort mission for the 'Golden Wheat Ear' caravan was completed by Captain Leon Chris. You didn't escort the caravan safely to its destination as required, so according to Guild regulations, the mission has been deemed a failure."

"Failure?!" Xia Lin's eyes widened. "Are you kidding me? We were attacked by those damn Orcs on the way! So many people died! If we hadn't fought with everything we had..."

"Mr. Tolemo, please stay calm." The Divine Descendant's voice remained gentle, but her professional tone left no room for argument. "The Guild's records are very clear. The main cargo and the person in charge, Master Borin, were safely brought back to Orlando by Captain Leon and his team. Captain Leon is registered as the one who completed the mission. The Guild sincerely sympathizes with the hardships you encountered along the way, but they don't meet the criteria for mission completion."

"Then... after everything we sacrificed, why doesn't it count as completing the mission?" Xia Lin tried to argue.

"According to Captain Leon's report, the two of you were 'survivors' of the Orc attack, whom his team rescued and brought back along the way." The Divine Descendant patiently explained the loophole in the rules—or rather, the rules themselves.

"Those bastards..." Xia Lin was so angry he nearly swore aloud.

Rules! Those damn rules again! He finally understood. The Guild cared about connections, not reason! Whatever the Gold rank big shot said went, while no one gave a damn whether low-ranking cannon fodder like them lived or died!

"See, human?" Sera's cold voice came from behind him, full of mockery. "That's what 'order' and 'rules' are. They'll always serve the people who make them."

Xia Lin gritted his teeth and swallowed the curse on his tongue, muttering bitterly, "Damn it, the Guild's full of bloodsuckers... That guy looks like a decent person, but he sure doesn't hesitate to steal credit..."

"Exactly. A hypocrite wrapped in gold..." Sera murmured in agreement.

Just then, the Divine Descendant seemed to notice something on the magic crystal screen. She checked Xia Lin's name again.

"Wait... Mr. Xia Lin · Tolemo?" Her voice held a note of surprise. "There's another record here concerning you."

"Hm?" Xia Lin looked up.

The Divine Descendant looked at him with sincere admiration and praise. The faint glow around her seemed to brighten. "The records show that Captain Leon submitted an additional report specifically about you, describing in detail your courageous performance when you encountered an elite Orc strike team. It says that despite your teammates suffering heavy losses, you stayed calm in the face of danger and, with remarkable courage and quick thinking, managed to slay the Orc leader. This bought valuable time for the subsequent rescue and prevented even greater losses."

She met Xia Lin's eyes, her tone solemn. "Captain Leon described you as 'courageous and full of potential,' and specifically put you forward for credit for eliminating the Orc raiding party. After evaluating the report, the Guild has decided to award you a special bounty of one gold coin!"

She took a heavy gold coin gleaming with a pure luster from the cash box beneath the counter and set it down.

You know, Leon's always been my brother.