Re-Estize Kingdom Ri Yestize, Royal Capital, Adventurers' Guild.
Higashino Makoto leaned against a pillar next to the counter, casually flipping through the mission document about "Eight Fingers" in his hand.
Illya stood beside him, her long, silvery-white hair gleaming faintly in the dim light, her purple dress standing out starkly in the drab hall.
Its bright red eyes looked around curiously, like a cat that had entered unfamiliar territory.
When I received the suitcase from Kurumi this morning, I couldn't suppress the smile on my face.
She practically jogged back to the carriage, her long, silvery-white hair flowing behind her, her purple dress fluttering in the morning breeze.
"Big brother! From today onwards, I'll be with you!"
She sat next to Higashino Makoto, close to him, her crimson eyes filled with joy.
Higashino Makoto glanced at her, said nothing, but simply reached out and patted her head.
At this moment, they stood in the hall of the Adventurers' Guild, waiting.
"Big brother, who are we waiting for?"
"Waiting for a group of people."
Who is it?
Higashino Makoto turned a page of the mission briefing, his tone indifferent.
"The strongest adventurers in this country. The Steel-class squad— Blue Rose."
Illya tilted her head, a hint of curiosity flashing in her crimson eyes.
Are they strong?
"Among humans in this world, they are considered strong."
"How does it compare to your older brother?"
Higashino Makoto paused for a moment, then closed the mission manual.
There's no comparison.
Illya blinked but didn't ask any further questions.
She understood the meaning behind her older brother's words.
It's not about being humble or arrogant, but about stating the facts.
The doors to the lobby were pushed open.
It wasn't a sudden push, but a slow, unhurried push.
The door hinges creaked softly, and sunlight streamed in through the cracks, casting a golden ribbon across the floor.
Five people walked in.
Leading the way was a young woman with blonde hair and blue eyes.
She wore a full suit of white and gold armor, adorned with unicorn motifs that gleamed softly in the sunlight.
A large black sword hung at his waist, its blade gleaming with a light reminiscent of stars in the night sky. The huge blue-black gemstone embedded in the hilt shimmered with a flame-like radiance.
Six silver-white longswords floated behind her, slowly rotating around her as if they were alive.
Her face was delicate and healthy, her long golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, her emerald green eyes were clear and bright, and a faint smile played on her lips.
That smile wasn't a forced politeness, but a genuine smile that came from the heart, full of curiosity and goodwill towards the world.
But Higashino Makoto noticed that a sharp glint flashed in those emerald green eyes the instant they looked at him.
Lakyus Yarbein Til Eindola.
The captain of Blue Rose, a priestess warrior who entered the realm of Hero at the age of nineteen, and a rare being capable of using fifth-tier Resurrection Magic.
And patients with severe chuunibyou (middle school syndrome).
Four people followed behind her.
A tall woman, almost masculine in stature, dressed in full crimson armor, wielding a massive iron hammer, her face cold and stern.
That was Gagaran, the vanguard of the Blue Rose, said to possess superhuman strength comparable to that of Troll.
A slender young girl, dressed in light leather armor, with two short swords hanging at her waist, her brown hair tied in a ponytail, and her eyes sharp and alert.
That was Tia, one of the assassins of the Blue Rose, skilled in infiltration and intelligence gathering.
Another girl who looked exactly like her wore the same leather armor and carried the same short sword, except that her ponytail was tied on her left side.
That's Tina, Tia's twin sister, who is also skilled in assassination and intelligence gathering.
Finally, there was a woman wearing a red cloak and a white magic mask inlaid with rubies.
Short in stature, flat-chested, and blonde, that's Evileye, the strongest mage in the squad.
Higashino Makoto learned from the anime that she was a vampire.
Five people, each with a different temperament, yet when they stand together, there is a wonderful sense of harmony.
Higashino Makoto looked at them, and they looked at Higashino Makoto.
The air in the hall seemed to freeze for a moment.
"Are you the Silver Paladin, Mr. Higashino Makoto?"
Lakyus stepped forward and stopped in front of Higashino Makoto. She was half a head shorter than him and had to look up slightly to see his eyes.
Her emerald green eyes stared directly at him, without fear or fawning, only with an equal gaze, devoid of any servility.
"I am."
Higashino Makoto nodded, his dark eyes also fixed on her.
Lakyus's lips curled up slightly.
"We have long admired your name. We have all heard of your exploits in the Holy Kingdom and the legends in the Elf Kingdom."
"Oh?"
Higashino Makoto raised an eyebrow.
"Your intelligence network is quite efficient."
"Although the Blue Rose isn't a large organization, it still has some intelligence channels."
Lakyus's tone was calm and confident.
"Moreover, your name has spread throughout all the surrounding countries in recent months; it's hard not to know about you."
Higashino Makoto did not respond.
He simply looked at her, at the light gleaming in those emerald green eyes—
It's a ray of light that's seeking confirmation.
"Mr. Higashino."
Lakyus spoke, his voice more serious than before.
I have a request.
"Explain."
"I'd like to have a friendly competition with you."
The hall fell silent. Gagaran's brow furrowed slightly, Tia and Tina exchanged a glance, and Evileye's lips twitched slightly.
Higashino Makoto looked at her for two seconds.
"Why?"
"Because I want to know just how strong the legendary 'Silver Paladin' really is."
Lakyus's answer was crisp and direct, without any pretense or politeness.
"Furthermore, if we are to cooperate in dealing with 'Eight Fingers,' I need to know your strength. Not to test you, but to ensure our cooperation."
Higashino Makoto was silent for a moment.
"You're quite direct."
I don't like beating around the bush.
Lakyus tilted his head, his smile deepening.
"Besides, I don't think you're the kind of person who likes to hear polite words."
Higashino Makoto chuckled softly.
"Alright, a friendly exchange is fine, but let's stop short of it."
"Certainly."
Lakyus turned and walked toward the back of the hall.
"There's a training ground behind here. Follow me."
Five people walked in front, with Higashino Makoto and Illya following behind.
After passing through a corridor and pushing open a heavy wooden door, a spacious training ground came into view.
The training ground wasn't large, but it was big enough for two people to spar.
The ground was paved with stone slabs, various weapons and shields hung on the walls, and several old scarecrows were piled up in the corner.
Sunlight streamed in through the skylight, casting bright patches of light on the stone floor.
Lakyus walked to the center of the training field, turned around, and faced Higashino Makoto.
Her hand rested on the demonic sword at her waist, her emerald green eyes gleaming with fighting spirit.
"Mr. Higashino, please."
Higashino Makoto strode into the training field and stood opposite her.
He was not wearing armor or carrying any weapons; he was simply wearing a dark robe, and his long black hair was casually tied back.
Lakyus frowned slightly.
"You don't use weapons?"
"If you want me to use it."
Higashino Makoto spoke calmly, golden light condensing in his hand, transforming into a long spear, which he lightly swung twice before speaking.
"Go ahead and do it."
Lakyus stared at him for two seconds. Then she nodded.
"Good."
She drew the demon sword.
The jet-black blade slid out of its sheath, gleaming with a cold luster in the sunlight.
The huge blue-black gemstone set in the handle shimmered with a flame-like brilliance.
Six floating swords flew out from behind her, slowly rotating around her, their tips pointing at Higashino Makoto.
"Mr. Higashino."
Lakyus's voice became low and solemn.
"My demonic sword, Kilineiram, is one of the four demonic swords wielded by the 'Dark Knight' among the Thirteen Heroes. Be careful."