When Luna Belle's group returned to the Adventurers Guild, the sun was already starting to dip toward the west. Led by Sayu, they didn't linger in the noisy hall but instead passed directly through the side corridor to the door of the guild master's office on the second floor.
Sayu raised her hand and knocked three times with moderate force on the heavy wooden door.
"Come in." Katerina's voice, tinged with a bit of laziness and vitality, immediately came from inside.
Sayu pushed the door open and stepped aside to gesture for Luna Belle and Ellen to enter first. As the two stepped into the office, they saw the guild master of the Adventurers Guild, Katerina, leaning back comfortably in a large leather chair.
"Oh? You're back?" Katerina's gaze swept quickly over Belle and Ellen before finally landing on Sayu, a playful smile curling the corners of her mouth. "It seems our little Sayu did quite well on her mission. Not only did she successfully 'observe,' but she even brought them back directly." She teased.
Sayu walked to the front side of the desk and stood still, her tone flat and emotionless. "Guild Master, the situation is more complex than you anticipated. The Slime threat was a misjudgment; the root cause lies with the black-robed cultists occupying Clear Water Lake."
She concisely recounted what they had seen in the cave and Tineva's statement once more. Compared to her report via the communicator in the cave, she added some details about the current state of the Slime colony and Tineva's words. As Katerina listened, the smile on her face was gradually replaced by a look of seriousness. She gently tapped her fingers on the smooth desktop, creating a rhythmic clicking sound.
"Water Spirit... a contaminated Clear Water Lake... black-robed people in bird beak masks who command monsters..." she murmured to herself, a sharp light flashing in her red eyes. "Sayu, don't you think their style of operation is very similar to the potential controllers behind those monsters that have been like rats, constantly trying to infiltrate the city lately?"
Sayu nodded slightly; she had been thinking the same thing as Katerina. "The suspected targets are consistent. Methods and objectives overlap. It's highly probable they belong to the same faction."
"..."
Katerina leaned forward, her elbows on the desk and her fingers interlaced in front of her chin. "I thought it was strange how those low-level monsters have been acting organized lately, as if they're on drugs. It turns out these guys are the ones pulling the strings! Clear Water Lake... what do they want by occupying that place? Aside from being rich in water elements, there doesn't seem to be anything special about it..."
She pondered for a moment, then suddenly reached into a drawer and pulled out a magic communicator that was more exquisite than the one Sayu had used, inlaid with a blue crystal. She skillfully activated the device. The crystal emitted a soft glow, and a clear light screen unfolded in the air.
After a brief wait, a clear image appeared on the light screen. It was a young woman with silver hair like a waterfall. Her skin was as white as fresh snow, and her ice-blue eyes were clear, carrying a hint of unquestionable authority. She was the City Lord of White Thorn City, Cecilia Vista.
She seemed to be processing documents in her study and looked up after noticing the communication request.
"Guild Master Katerina..." Cecilia's voice came through the communicator, clear and steady. "Contacting me at this time... is there some new development?" Her gaze then noticed Luna Belle and Ellen beside Katerina, and she sized them up.
"City Lord, excuse the interruption." Katerina reined in her usual casualness, her tone becoming formal. "There is indeed a significant development. These two beside me are Miss Belle and Miss Ellen, whom Captain Roy reported about this morning. They just completed a commissioned investigation, and the situation they discovered might be related to the root cause of recent city defense security issues."
She signaled Sayu to explain the situation to Cecilia once more. Sayu took a step forward and, in her emotionless tone, clearly articulated the findings in the Gloomy Forest cave again.
Cecilia listened quietly, her ice-blue eyes focused and deep. When she heard that the black-robed cultists might have contaminated Clear Water Lake and established an altar, her brow furrowed slightly. After Sayu finished, Cecilia turned her gaze toward Luna Belle and Ellen and gave a slight nod of acknowledgment.
"Hello, Miss Belle, Miss Ellen. I am the City Lord of White Thorn City, Cecilia Vista. First, I would like to thank you both for your righteous intervention at the city gate this morning, which prevented potential casualties. Captain Sterling speaks very highly of you." Her tone was gentle and sincere, carrying a natural noble air without being overbearing. "I didn't expect our paths to cross again so soon in this manner. Even less did I expect that as newcomers, you would help us reach the core of a problem that has plagued White Thorn City for a long time."
Luna Belle waved her hands hurriedly and said, "Miss Cecilia, you're far too kind. We just happened to be there at the right time."
Ellen gave a lazy nod as a greeting, her attention seemingly more focused on the lollipop in her mouth.
Cecilia smiled slightly, a smile like a snow lotus blooming on an ice field, cold and beautiful. She then sighed softly, a hint of solemnity coloring her ice-blue eyes. "Just as Guild Master Katerina speculated, White Thorn City has indeed been suffering from monster infiltrations recently. This group at Clear Water Lake, whether in terms of attire or behavior, matches our suspected target perfectly."
Her gaze focused on Luna Belle and Ellen again, her tone becoming solemn. "You two have seen their actions with your own eyes and know the threat they may pose. I, Cecilia Vista, in the name of the City Lord of White Thorn City, solemnly propose a commission to you both... I hope you can assist us in investigating and dealing with the cultists at Clear Water Lake, as well as the monster infiltration issues arising from it."
She paused, her voice slowing down to provide ample room for choice. "Of course, I am well aware of the danger involved. You are not citizens of White Thorn City and have no obligation to get involved in our conflicts. If you are unwilling to take the risk, I completely understand and respect your choice; I will not force you. Regardless of whether you accept, White Thorn City will provide an appropriate reward for the valuable intelligence you have already provided."
The office fell silent. The gazes of Katerina and Sayu, along with Cecilia's eyes on the light screen, all fell upon Luna Belle and Ellen.
Luna Belle hardly hesitated; she turned her head to look at Ellen, asking with her eyes. Ellen gave a small yawn, her red eyes half-lidded as she spoke vaguely. "Why are you looking at me? You decide... I'm free anyway."
Luna Belle turned back to face Cecilia, straightening her back, a firm light shining in her dark green eyes. "City Lord Cecilia, we accept this commission."