Chương 107: Eina's Anger

The familiar voice made Cael turn. Eina Tulle was walking toward him with an expression so calm that it looked dangerous. Her emerald eyes burned behind her glasses. For some reason, Cael immediately felt guilty, as if he had done something wrong.

"Eina? Why are you here?"

"You have the nerve to ask me that?" Eina's voice sharpened.

"I waited and waited, but you never came. So I came to find you." Tengen quietly gave him a thumbs-up.

"Captain, you even managed to charm your advisor?" Kyojuro and Giyu politely stepped away, pretending not to hear. Shinobu watched with a smile that said she found the scene interesting. Lili narrowed her eyes. Just an advisor. Nothing special. She had no right to scold Lord Cael like this.

"Did something happen?" Cael asked.

"You look surprised." Eina folded her arms.

"Did you never think your advisor would worry? You heartless adventurer. I was worried to death. If you do not explain everything today, you are not going anywhere." She grabbed his wrist and started dragging him toward the Guild. Cael blinked, then understood. The rumor he had planted had spread through Orario. Of course Eina would hear about it.

"Everyone in Orario is talking about your group defeating the Monster Rex and using Level-raising Magic," Eina said without slowing down.

"You became an adventurer less than a month ago, and now you are already involved in something this big."

"Eina, can you let go first?"

"Explain first." Stolen novel; please report. Her glasses flashed in the sunlight. Cael let himself be dragged into the Guild. Once inside, Eina took him to a quieter corner and stared at him like an examiner.

"Now. Explain."

"The truth is that a group of Lv. 1 adventurers defeated the Monster Rex," Cael said. Eina stared at him.

"Do you think I am three years old?"

"Fine. The truth is that we only wandered near the Twelfth Floor. The rumors are fake." Eina sighed.

"Then you offended someone. Who?" Cael smiled awkwardly.

"Apollo Familia already came to provoke us. No one else yet."

"Apollo Familia?" Eina's face tightened.

"Familia conflicts can turn the city into a battlefield. Hestia Familia has only a dozen Lv. 1 members. If this becomes a direct conflict, it will be one-sided."

"Sorry for making you worry," Cael said.

"Things happened too quickly. I was busy with new Familia members and forgot to report to my advisor." Eina's anger softened slightly.

"You cannot change what already happened. From now on, pay attention." She looked at him more carefully. He still felt like a rookie in some ways, but he no longer looked lost. There was a steadiness around him now, a faint quality of leadership. That only made Eina more worried.

"Excuse us." Two girls approached. One had short reddish-brown hair and a sharp, capable bearing. The other had long dark-blue hair and a timid expression.

"Who are you?" Eina asked.

"Daphne Lauros of Apollo Familia," the sharp-eyed girl said.

"This is Cassandra Ilion." She handed Cael a white envelope.

"An invitation from Lord Apollo. Please deliver it to your god." Cael accepted it without surprise. Apollo had finally made his move. Daphne turned to leave with Cassandra, then paused.

"Please take care of yourself," she said quietly.

"Those Lord Apollo wants rarely escape. Even if they flee to another country, he chases until he loses interest. This is the first time he has targeted an entire Familia."

"Daphne..." Cassandra tugged at her sleeve.

"Maybe we should not provoke Hestia Familia." Daphne frowned.

"Did you dream again?" Cassandra lowered her head.

"Lions, tigers, a dragon, a butterfly, a white snake, and two black swords... they tore open the sky and bit apart a chariot dragging the sun. Then the beasts devoured the sun. It was terrifying. If Apollo Familia angers Hestia Familia, we will be eaten." Daphne rubbed her forehead.

"No one understands your dreams, Cassandra."

"But..."

"We delivered the invitation. Whether they attend is their business." She lightly knocked Cassandra on the head and dragged her away while Cassandra whined that no one believed her. Eina looked at the sealed envelope in Cael's hand and sighed.

"This is bad. Apollo Familia is famous for being petty. They have ignored Guild rules more than once."

"When trouble comes, we handle it," Cael said.

"Just wait for the good news."

"You can still smile?"

"My future is bright." Eina glared at him.

"Avoid direct Familia conflict if you can. Even Guild punishment may not help after the damage is done."

"I will remember." Cael waved and left the Guild with the others. Eina watched him go, worry still clear in her eyes. Misha appeared behind her with a teasing smile.

"How was it, Eina? Did seeing your adventurer finally make you that happy?"

"Misha!"

"As his advisor, worrying is normal, right?" Misha laughed and ran before Eina could catch her. Eina suddenly realized how she must have looked in front of everyone. Heat rushed to her face.

"This is bad..."