Chapter 60
Chapter 60
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 60
Chapter Title: Fate Tends to Be More Bad Than Good (1)
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Fate tends to bring more misfortune than fortune.
Jenny Harkur's registration as an adventurer spread like wildfire throughout Hasler.
"Hey, did you hear? Jenny Harkur, the hero who wiped out that troll horde!"
"She quit being a hero and became an adventurer?"
"They say she registered right here in Hasler."
Jenny, the hero who had risen like a comet.
And with her incredible feat of sweeping away those trolls just recently, she was naturally the talk of the town.
Of course, the news reached Viscount Strau, the lord of the territory.
"What?! J-Jenny Harkur... You mean the daughter of Marquis Harkur?!"
No noble of the Carr Empire—no human in the empire—could possibly be unaware of her.
The daughter of Marquis Harkur, who was called the strongest hero in history even after his death.
And the daughter herself had inherited that name, known as a powerful hero in her own right.
For such an extraordinary figure to become an adventurer in Hasler of all places.
He felt stunned, yet joyful at the same time.
There was no guarantee she'd stay active in Hasler forever, but at least while she did, it would be an tremendous boon for the city.
"Wh-What on earth could have driven a thriving hero like her to..."
Of course, his joy and his questions were separate matters.
Why had Jenny Harkur, who was at the peak of fame even among the empire's elites, quit being a hero to become an adventurer?
And why choose Hasler specifically?
"...It must be because of Instructor Kane and Miss Scarlett."
No matter how he thought about it, that was the only explanation.
Her relative Scarlett was active as an adventurer.
And Kane—who seemed to share an extremely close bond with her, judging by the troll incident—was working at the Adventurer's Guild as an adventurer instructor.
She had probably been influenced by the two and switched to becoming a Hasler adventurer.
"Whether adventurer or otherwise, anything that brings prosperity to Hasler is good."
Adventurers typically carried a rough, barbaric image.
But thanks to Scarlett Harkur's presence and the adventurers' exploits in the recent troll lord incident, adventurers enjoyed a highly positive reputation in Hasler.
Even Viscount Strau himself had come to view them more favorably than heroes.
Now, with a former hero like Lin and Jenny joining their ranks.
Not only in perception, but in terms of cost and combat power, the Adventurer's Guild had surpassed the Hero Administration.
'They demand twice the fee for sending just a handful of heroes compared to mobilizing our entire branch.'
Yet now, issuing an emergency full-branch mobilization to the Adventurer's Guild would cost only half of the Hero Administration's price—and include heroes to boot.
They took massive fees and still fell short on power?
There was no reason to go through the Hero Administration anymore.
In the past, even mobilizing every adventurer only yielded a few A-rankers as top firepower, with no S-ranks in sight.
Paying extra for heroes from the administration had been the better deal.
But things had changed completely.
'This is going to hit them hard.'
Jenny's switch to adventurer was bound to spread across the empire soon.
Requests would pour into the Adventurer's Guild side, no doubt.
Scarlett alone was hugely popular for offering hero-level power at bargain prices.
For a renowned hero—no, the renowned hero—dignitaries from every nation would lose their minds rushing over.
Would the Hero Administration just sit idly by?
They'd surely impose sanctions on the Adventurer's Guild.
Or send agents to Hasler to drag Jenny back.
'Hasler could be in danger.'
Viscount Strau wasn't particularly powerful, but he was no fool.
He could roughly foresee the storm Jenny Harkur would bring.
Interference from the Hero Administration. The entire continent's eyes on Hasler's Adventurer's Guild branch.
A relentless barrage of tempests would soon strike Hasler.
"We must prepare."
Of course, that didn't mean he'd chase away Jenny or Lin.
He lacked the authority to meddle that deeply in guild affairs anyway—and even if he could, having heroes and a top hero remain in his territory as adventurers was far more beneficial.
Especially because...
"Heroes and top heroes are supposed to save the world... or so they say. But they seem too chained to the state for that."
Seeing those meant to protect people and the world shackled by national duties, handling only assigned missions.
It had never sat well with him.
"They need freedom to save the world at large. Isn't that right, Teacher Kane?"
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "For the time being, you're not free."
"Why?"
Why do you think?
"Sure, you've become an adventurer, but the empire's not going to let a hero go that easily. They'll pull something."
Jenny had made quitting the heroes sound simple.
But the world didn't work that way.
The Hero Administration would definitely make a move.
Whether sending agents in person or pressuring the guild with some pretext.
"So we need to prepare for that. Who knows what tricks they'll try."
They might demand the guild expel her.
Or, unlikely as it was, send assassins with a "if we can't have her, no one can" mindset.
Hmm, what to do... The Hero Administration was a powerhouse even within the empire.
The Adventurer's Guild was a global giant, but it couldn't ignore imperial might.
Even if Jenny quit adventuring, emphasize she had no intention of returning as a hero, and propose ways she could contribute to the empire through guild activities...
"Doesn't matter. I'll handle it all."
"......"
Jenny just kept smiling brightly and repeating that.
That she'd take care of everything.
She certainly had the power to back those words, but brute force alone couldn't solve everything.
...Or could it?
A top hero on par with Lin, an A-rank aptitude hero, and the strongest hero.
With that lineup, maybe bulldozing with raw power wasn't a bad idea...?
"No, no. What am I even thinking...?"
Had a few days with Scarlett rubbed off on me?
Thinking such bluntly brutish thoughts.
Well, adding another hero on Lin's level might let us stand up to the administration...
But heroes like that don't just pop out of nowhere.
Impossible.
Still, stressing the guild's own solid firepower might force a compromise. Worth keeping in mind.
"Uh, um... Miss Jenny?"
"Yes?"
Just then, a guild staffer entered the reception room with a troubled look and called for Jenny.
What's wrong?
No way the administration already sent someone...?
"Someone's here to see you... You should come out."
Sure enough.
That troubled expression while asking for Jenny? Definitely administration.
Probably barking demands to hand her over.
"Got it. I'll handle it."
But Jenny sprang up and strode out confidently.
Wait, that girl?
Anyone could see she was heading out to fight.
How did the once so gentle girl turn into this?
She looks just like Scarlett.
...Well, Scarlett's even more fiery.
If annoyed, she'd smash the door first and beat the intruder senseless.
"......"
B-Better check just in case.
Rushing out of the reception room, he saw a crowd gathered, watching something.
At the center stood Jenny facing a platinum blond handsome man in pristine white armor.
Wait, that's...
The emblem on his chestplate... That's a hero.
Among active heroes, the one man in pure white armor... Could it be the 'Light Hero' Mersenne Remnant?
Born with the rare 'Light Mana' ability among heroes.
Known for devastating power against demons or darkness-attribute foes.
A hugely famous hero.
And naturally, his skills matched his fame.
Sending such a powerhouse... Did the administration send him to drag Jenny back by force?
No, probably not.
No matter how strong Mersenne was, Jenny was on another level.
If they meant force, they'd have sent a whole team of heroes.
Then... maybe to persuade her?
Rumors said the Light Hero Mersenne had an intense sense of duty as a hero due to his light powers.
Nicknamed the 'Most Hero-Like Hero.'
Sending their most heroic hero to convince her to return to hero duties?
As he pondered Mersenne's purpose...
"Why are you here?"
Jenny snapped at him.
They must know each other.
But something was off about Mersenne.
"O-Oh..."
Suddenly, he wore the world's saddest expression and started crying.
Wh-What? Is he insane?
"Sob...! For the goddess to be trapped among these barbaric, trash-like humans... How heartbreaking."
...??
G-Goddess...? Out of nowhere...?
Glancing at Jenny in confusion...
"???"
She looked just as baffled and lost.
Ignoring them, Mersenne plunged deeper into his own world, rambling on.
"Or perhaps the goddess extends her mercy even to these savage humans?"
He'd get emotional on his own.
"But the goddess is a fated being destined to save the world...! We cannot let her rot here! Come with me!"
Firm his resolve alone.
"These pathetic fools don't even know the goddess's gracious mercy—they'll just live ordinary lives!"
Rage by himself.
"Only I understand your grace and can aid it! I, who wield the light power you bestowed, your apostle—only I!"
He even squeezed in some self-praise.
"......"
But no matter what he said.
Jenny just stared in utter confusion, saying nothing.
Now her expression bordered on disgust.
"Only I can comprehend and accept you, the goddess. Abandon these ignorant lowly masses and return with me."
With that, he dramatically extended his hand like a theatrical lead.
...Uh, yeah.
That's pretty cringy.
"...Sorry, but please leave."
Her face screamed revulsion, but her polite tone was pure Jenny.
Yet even her courteous words didn't faze Mersenne.
"Goddess! Why reject me?! I am the hero fated to save the world with you! You cannot cast aside your apostle!"
...Ugh, that tone, those gestures.
Really makes you want to smack him.
As this bizarre play unfolded...
"I'm ba... Huh?"
Lin returned from her request, opening the guild door.
And spotted the standoff between Jenny and Mersenne.
"Whoa! You?"
"...Eh?!"
Both Jenny and Mersenne jolted upon seeing Lin, pointing at her in shock.
Huh? Jenny makes sense—she'd met Lin before and been told to come to Hasler.
But why Mersenne...?
Did the three of them have some history?