Translator: CinderTL
Though Galvis was known for his flamboyant exaggeration, his words this time were surprisingly accurate.
The moment the carriage came to a halt and the curtain was drawn back—
"It's the Silverglint Swordsman!"
"Look! The Elven Archer, with her hundred-shot accuracy!"
"Lord Roland, the great hero, has arrived!"
Waves of cheers surged forward, echoing through the crowd.
The guards, who were supposed to be conducting routine checks, snapped to attention, performing solemn knightly salutes. Several young guards trembled with excitement, their spears quivering in their hands.
Merchants on both sides of the street abandoned their business, and children stood on tiptoe, craning their necks to catch a glimpse.
Someone threw the first bouquet of wild roses, and in an instant, a shower of colorful flowers carpeted the cobblestone road in front of the carriage.
Faced with the thronging crowd and their reverent gazes, Roland sighed inwardly, casting a helpless glance at Galvis, who stood beside him, beaming with smug satisfaction.
The exploits of the past month, spent hunting Bear Goblins, should have remained a small-scale affair, known only among adventurers and mercenaries.
But their party happened to include a bard who was a master of "artistic embellishment."
Whenever others were busy with their duties, the poet would unfailingly appear at taverns throughout the town, using his silver tongue to transform their experiences into legendary tales.
The unfinished manuscript of his Epic of Heroes had already spread through the streets like wildfire.
Now, not only seasoned adventurers, mercenaries, and town guards familiar with the Bear Goblin threat, but even street vendors and young children could recite their exploits with practiced ease.
Glancing around, Roland saw a little girl brandishing a wooden stick, her childish voice mimicking Roland's signature sword technique, drawing laughter from the adults nearby.
"Galvis."
Roland smiled as he accepted a wild rose from a brown-haired boy, ruffling his fluffy short hair.
Watching the boy run back to his friends, their eyes shining with admiration, Roland lowered his voice to the bard.
"I don't interfere with your passion for spreading stories, but..."
As the crowd continued to grow, a dull ache began to throb in Roland's temples.
"At least try to retain some truth, and..."
"Artistic embellishment is essential!"
Galvis didn't wait for Roland to finish before puffing out his chest, the harp in his arms ringing out with a clear note.
"How can dry facts ignite the flames in people's hearts?"
"Fine. Suit yourself."
Seeing the crowd had completely surrounded the carriage, Roland had no choice but to lift the curtain and stand beside Galvis.
He took a deep breath, his clear voice cutting through the clamor like a sword.
"My friends!"
The bustling street instantly fell silent.
"Thank you for your warm welcome."
Roland nodded to the guards maintaining order.
"But please don't make things difficult for our guard brothers. We also need to head to the Adventurer's Guild to complete our quest handover, so please clear a path for us."
Before his words had even faded, an excited question erupted from the crowd.
"Lord Roland, did you slay another Bear Goblin this time?"
"Well..."
As Roland considered his response, Galvis, standing beside him, impatiently untied the bloodstained sack.
As the heavy stench of blood filled the air, the bard raised the Bear Goblin's grotesque head high, as if displaying a precious treasure.
The grotesque expression frozen on the head, along with the arrow piercing its eye socket, looked particularly terrifying in the sunlight.
As a wave of cheers surged through the crowd, a plump woman in a crimson dress that resembled a burning flame pushed her way to the front row.
"Lord Roland, come to my 'Golden Oak' tavern tonight! All the ale is on the house! My boy's been practicing that backhanded sword technique you taught him last time every day in the courtyard!"
"Elf girl!"
Several young women in coarse linen dresses waved frantically at Avril.
"Can you teach us archery? We've heard the bards sing about how you shot two goblins with a single arrow beneath the city walls seventeen or eighteen times already!"
"The Rose Tavern will always welcome Miss Theresa!"
A stout tavern owner in an oil-stained apron waved his ladle and shouted, "Last time, you ate our three-day supply of smoked meat in one sitting! The very next day, the hunters brought in five times more game than usual, saying your appetite had inspired their hunting zeal!"
Even the captain of the guards couldn't resist joining the chorus.
"Lord Galvis, my daughter has been plucking away at her broken lute every day, trying to imitate the part of the 'Silver Dawn Ballad' you sang in the square last month!"
Suddenly realizing his lapse in decorum, Roland quickly cleared his throat and straightened his back.
Just then, a childish voice cut through the din.
"Lord Roland!"
The brown-haired boy who had presented the flowers earlier held up his wooden sword, his face flushed crimson.
"I... I want to become a great hero just like you someday!"
The entire street fell silent for a moment before erupting in good-natured laughter and applause.
This lively interlude continued for some time until Roland repeatedly declined further attention, and the enthusiastic crowd reluctantly dispersed.
Watching Galvis still strumming his impassioned tune, Roland playfully patted his shoulder.
"What are you waiting for? We need to head to the Adventurer's Guild to turn in our quest."
"Hey, Roland! What do you know? I'm maintaining the team's image!"
The bard was about to protest when Roland turned to Avril with a knowing smile.
"Avril, you've been working hard on this adventure. Perhaps Galvis could benefit from some training too? Look at his frail frame—he might drag us down at any moment."
The elf girl's eyes lit up, her gaze piercing the bard like an arrow.
"Alright!"
The harp strings let out a mournful "twang."
With astonishing speed, Galvis tossed the harp into the carriage, snatched the reins, and spoke with a solemn expression.
"Roland, I think you're right! Completing the handover is the most urgent matter right now!"
Before his words had even faded, the carriage shot forward like an arrow loosed from a bow, its speed startling a flock of white pigeons by the roadside.
In the blink of an eye, the Adventurer's Guild loomed before them.
"Roland... when do you think training should begin?"
Avril stroked her bowstring, smiling warmly at Galvis.
After a moment of intense throat-bobbing, Galvis suddenly yanked hard on the reins.
"I almost forgot about Roland! The right rear wheel was acting up earlier! To ensure a smooth return journey, I'll go find someone to fix it right away!"
Before his words could finish, the carriage had already vanished around the corner in a cloud of dust, leaving only the startled neighs of the horses echoing in the air.
Seeing this, the three exchanged glances and smiled knowingly. They then entered the Adventurer's Guild hall, carrying the bloodstained sack.
Just as they had been greeted on the street, Roland and his companions were met with cheers upon entering the guild.
After the commotion subsided, Roland pushed through the crowd and approached the counter.
"Laurie..."
As the heavy sack landed on the counter with a dull thud, the handsome receptionist, whom Roland had met several times before, showed little surprise. He simply bowed respectfully to Roland and slid a pre-prepared money pouch across the counter.
"Mr. Roland, as agreed, in addition to your reward, we will also grant you a combat technique as compensation. But before that..."
Laurie leaned forward, lowering his voice.
"A high-ranking figure from the Adventurer's Guild wishes to meet with you. Do you have time?"
(End of the Chapter)
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