I woke up early.
The silence of the morning still dominated the mansion, but it was already possible to hear some discreet footsteps of the staff starting their tasks. I got up without rushing, feeling my body light. After so much time dealing with administration, returning to combat routine felt… necessary.
When I went down to the hall, everyone was already there.
Lyannis was sitting at the table, resting her face on her hand. "You take long."
"Not that much."
Rai'kanna was leaning against the wall, as always alert. "We already know where you're going."
Scarlett took a sip of water before speaking. "Guild."
Elara confirmed. "High probability."
Vespera simply said: "Difficult mission."
Liriel smiled slightly. "As always."
I sat with them. "Have you already decided?"
Lyannis answered first. "We never fall behind."
Rai'kanna added: "If you go, we go."
Scarlett nodded. "Unity maintained."
Elara: "Collective strategy."
Vespera: "Maximum efficiency."
Liriel concluded: "We are a group."
I nodded. No need for anything else.
We had a simple, direct coffee. There was no need to prolong it. As soon as we finished, we left the mansion together.
The streets of Vailor were already full. Merchants opening their shops, adventurers walking toward the guild, guards patrolling attentively.
But again, the gazes came.
Lyannis noticed quickly. "Okay… this is still weird."
Rai'kanna analyzed. "You've become a reference."
Scarlett remained calm. "Natural consequence."
Elara said: "Post-war recognition."
Vespera added: "Growing influence."
Liriel looked at me. "You get used to it."
"I don't need to."
I kept walking.
The guild appeared ahead. The building was the same, but the feeling… wasn't.
As soon as we entered, the atmosphere changed.
Conversations decreased.
Eyes turned.
Some adventurers whispered.
Others simply watched in silence.
Lyannis smiled slightly. "Now this is getting interesting."
Rai'kanna kept her gaze firm. "They're measuring you."
Scarlett said: "Constant evaluation."
Elara added: "High expectations."
Vespera analyzed: "Inevitable comparison."
Liriel just stayed beside me. "Don't mind it."
I walked to the counter.
The attendant recognized me immediately and straightened up.
"W-welcome back…"
I nodded. "I want to see the missions."
"Of course."
She quickly took some scrolls and placed them in front of me. Missions of different levels. Most were common.
I ignored them.
I looked straight past the simplest ones.
Nothing there interested me.
I continued until I found the main board.
The high-level missions.
Lyannis approached. "Now that's it."
Rai'kanna crossed her arms. "Show us."
Scarlett observed in silence.
Elara watched every detail.
Vespera stayed focused.
Liriel stood beside me.
Then I found it.
A highlighted mission.
Rank S.
I stayed looking at it for a few seconds.
"This one."
Lyannis tilted her head. "Orcs?"
Rai'kanna answered first. "In groups."
Scarlett read quickly. "Constant attacks on nearby villages."
Elara completed: "High difficulty due to enemy organization."
Vespera analyzed: "They are not common."
Liriel said: "They are operating in packs."
I kept reading.
High reward.
Around 3000 gold coins.
But that wasn't what mattered.
It was the challenge.
"It's been here for a while," the attendant said.
I looked at her. "No one took it?"
"Few tried… but gave up. Large, coordinated groups. It's not easy."
I nodded.
Lyannis smiled. "Then it's perfect."
Rai'kanna agreed. "It works."
Scarlett stated: "Suitable mission."
Elara said: "Acceptable risk."
Vespera added: "High return efficiency."
Liriel just looked at me. "You've already decided."
"Yes."
I took the scroll.
"We accept this mission."
The attendant hesitated for a second, but then nodded.
"Registering Rank S mission… group of the Great Hero."
I ignored the title.
"When you're ready, you can depart."
"Now."
We turned.
Some adventurers were still watching.
One of them spoke quietly: "He's really going…"
Another replied: "If anyone can do it, it's him."
Lyannis laughed lightly. "Pressure, huh."
Rai'kanna replied: "It changes nothing."
Scarlett stayed focused. "Execution is what matters."
Elara stated: "Results above expectations."
Vespera said: "No failures."
Liriel smiled. "Let's go."
We left the guild.
The sun was already higher. The city continued its rhythm, but for us… it no longer mattered.
We walked straight out through the gates.
No rush.
No hesitation.
The road opened ahead of us.
I looked at the path.
Orcs.
In groups.
Organized.
Perfect to test what I needed.
I took a deep breath.
"Let's end this."
And this time…
I knew exactly how to do it.