Chương 38: Scrutiny

Kyle walked behind Celia, curiously looking around at the legendary stairs. Many low-level adventurers romanticize these stairs, considering only those who walk them up as successful adventurers or even big shots. He didn't feel that they were anything impressive, though.

'Maybe it's because I didn't walk up based on my achievements?' Kyle wondered. However, when they reached the second floor, Kyle's expression finally changed. What came into his sight was a large, nicely decorated floor, covered with a massive red cashmere carpet that looked incredibly soft. Groups of plush sofas surrounded elegant wooden tables, with what appeared to be a magic tablet resting on top.

Beside the stairs stood an elegant wooden cabinet filled with soft indoor footwear, and further away was a long open space leading to several counters. There were counters selling drinks, snacks, books, and even magic potions and magic items at the edge of the open space. Kyle immediately noticed several combat skill manuals and even a few spellbooks displayed at the bookstore counter.

'Is this even the same adventure guild that I know?' Kyle's eyes twitched at the thought of the boisterous, dust-filled, sweat-and-blood-smelling hall below. Compared to this elegantly decorated, comfortable-looking place filled with the fragrance of rosewood, they didn't even seem to belong to the same world.

'No wonder only copper-grade adventurers can be truly considered members of the guild. The difference in treatment is staggering,' Kyle thought. Celia looked at the dumbfounded Kyle and smiled triumphantly.

"Totally different, right, Mr. Kyle? But don't worry, you'll definitely become a regular member of this place in the future." Celia said with a confident look on her face.

"Okay, let's go. We can't keep the president waiting." Celia said as she pulled him to the stairs leading to the third floor. The third floor was quite different from the second floor. It was mainly a long, elegant hallway, with many doors on each side, a bit like an inn. Celia led him to the room at the end of the hallway and knocked on the door.

"Come in," a deep, mature voice said. Celia respectfully opened the door and waved for Kyle to get in before closing it and walking away. Kyle entered an elegantly decorated office, but before he could carefully examine it, a man with an overwhelming sense of presence attracted his attention. A majestic middle-aged man with gray and black slicked-back hair was sitting behind a rosewood desk, writing on some documents. He exuded a sense of presence and majesty that Kyle had never seen in anyone else.

'He might be even more powerful than Miss Hearth,' Kyle mused internally. This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report. Seemingly sensing his gaze, the middle-aged man gently placed his pen down and raised his head to look at Kyle, his golden-brown eyes exuding dignity, but Kyle had subtly sensed a trace of exhaustion hidden beneath the surface. The scene fell silent as the two looked at each other.

After a few moments, Kyle, unable to bear the increasingly oppressive atmosphere, was the first to break the silence.

"Greetings, President Richard." Kyle glanced at the nameplate sitting on the desk and greeted. Raising his eyebrows, President Richard's serious expression cracked.

"Greetings, young man." He said with an amused smile on his face. He gestured toward one of the chairs in front of his desk.

"Take a seat." After waiting for Kyle to take his seat, President Richard gently placed the documents in his hands and said.

"I heard about your encounter during your quest yesterday." He paused for a moment before continuing.

"Please recount the entire incident from your perspective. This incident is too serious; I need all involved parties' points of view." Richard crossed his arms and solemnly said. Kyle nodded and recounted the entire process of the quest. From when he took it to the meeting with Doyle's party, to the battle with the abomination and aftermath. Richard silently listened with a thoughtful expression on his face.

"It matches up. It's basically now confirmed," Richard muttered. Although the team he sent to investigate hadn't returned yet, the situation was already mostly confirmed. Snapping out of his thoughts, Richard appreciatively looked at the young man in front of him.

"Kyle, you're undeniably one of the most promising young adventurers in Mirevale. I admire your courage and am thankful for your contributions." He nodded with a look of admiration before continuing to speak.

"This quest has undoubtedly surpassed the range of E-rank, involving dangerous elements that are beyond the capabilities of iron-class adventurers. This was a huge oversight on our part. Therefore, you're entitled to compensation." To this point, Richard spoke gently, with an amiable smile on his face.

"However…" Richard's expression slowly changed, turning stern. Kyle was a bit dumbfounded at this.

"Before we go there, we need to confirm something…" Richard said as he pulled out a black and white scale from one of his desk drawers.

"You see, cultists are like rats. They can infiltrate any organization or institution from unexpected angles. Any being that had any involvement with a cult needs to face scrutiny." Richard paused upon seeing the nervous expression on Kyle's face.

"If you aren't a cult member, you don't need to be nervous. I'll just ask a few simple questions, and this magic tool will confirm whether what you said is true or a lie." Richard pointed to the scale and said.

"Without further ado, let's start." Richard placed the magic scale in front of Kyle and looked at him right in the eye.

"First of all, are you a member of the Old Imperial Cult?" Richard sharply asked. Kyle simply shook his head, "No, I'm not a member of any cult." The white half of the scale rose. Richard glanced down before raising his head and asking his second question.

"Beyond the story that you've just told me, are you involved in any shape or form with this ritual?"

"No, I'm not," Kyle calmly answered.

"Is there any other information you concealed about the cult or the ritual?" Richard sharply asked.

"No, I've told you everything I know," Kyle replied promptly; he had long since stopped feeling nervous.

"Hmm, finally. Have you lied about any of the questions I've just asked?"

"No." Kyle shook his head. The room fell silent for a few seconds as Richard kept an eye on the magic scale. Seeing that the white side was still raised, indicating that Kyle hadn't lied, the stern expression on his face gradually dissolved.

"Well, that's all. Thank you for cooperating, young man, and sorry about that. Any events concerning cults need to be taken extremely seriously." Richard smiled apologetically and said.

"It's fine; I understand the necessity." Kyle calmly waved his hand and said.

"Thank you for your understanding." Richard nodded appreciatively and pulled a small leather pouch from under his desk.

"Here's the guild's compensation for the quest's intelligence error." He said as he placed the pouch in front of Kyle.

"This…" Kyle's eyes widened as a faint golden light came into his sight from the small opening in the pouch.

'There had to be more than 10 gold coins here.' Kyle felt his heartbeat kicking up. It was the largest sum of money he had ever seen.

"Don't worry, this is all yours. I've already compensated the Stormwind party. They came to Mirevale at my call after all. Besides, their captain suffered such a serious injury..." Richard gently said, a trace of exhaustion and sadness on his face. Kyle silently looked at this and couldn't help but wonder if these were his true emotions or if it were just an act.