"That’s because the Adventurers' Guild’s Rank C assessment is quite troublesome."

  Hulim explained.

  "Exactly exactly!"

  Miko echoed casually.

  "Troublesome?"

  "Yes. Simply put, most of the Adventurers' Guild’s Rank C assessments are either escort missions or group expedition missions. Not only are they very time-consuming, but the process is also highly uncertain. At least during our time at the academy, this assessment method is very inconvenient for us. Many academy students who register as adventurers are still Rank D when they graduate."

  "I see. Indeed, if there’s no specific reason, academy students wouldn’t go out to do escort or expedition missions...... I saw a lot of Rank C adventurers before and thought it was easy to become Rank C. I didn’t expect advancing as an adventurer to be so troublesome."

  Hulim shook her head.

  "It’s not all that troublesome."

  "At least the Rank B promotion assessment is said to be less cumbersome, usually completed within a day. But high-rank adventurer assessments must be conducted personally by the headquarters in the Adventurer’s Capital...... Hmm, come to think of it, that’s also quite troublesome......"

  "Alright, since this dungeon has been conquered, let’s head back for today."

  After packing up the loot, the three of them returned to the surface together.

  ......

  Near the dungeon entrance.

  "Your Highness, are you unharmed?"

  Seeing Alicia come out, the knights waiting outside immediately stepped forward.

  "Don’t worry, I’m fine."

  Alicia replied with a smile.

  "Also, thank you for your hard work!"

  "It’s our duty!!!"

  The knights replied solemnly.

  Alicia turned to look at Hulim and Miko: "Then today, let’s take our leave——"

  "Oh my, oh my! Isn’t this Her Highness Alicia?"

  A sudden voice interrupted Alicia.

  Alicia’s expression turned cold instantly, and the surrounding knight guards also looked at the newcomer with unfriendly eyes.

  "Count Bart, what do you want with me?"

  The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement.

  The newcomer was a middle-aged noble dressed in luxury, potbellied, wearing various expensive ornaments. His words seemed respectful to Alicia, but his expression and movements carried a hint of provocation.

  "Why, Her Highness Alicia, as the Captain of the Royal Capital City Guard, I’m merely fulfilling my duties, patrolling to ensure the safety of the royal capital—lest some people of unknown origin mislead the noble existences of our empire~!"

  As he spoke, his small eyes glanced at Miko and Hulim.

  "Meeting Your Highness here is purely a coincidence, but such a coincidence truly fills me with gratitude~!"

  The provocation in Bart’s words made Alicia furious, but she still maintained a calm expression and said:

  "So it’s a coincidence. I understand. But since Count Bart is on duty, please don’t let me distract you. Continue with your security patrol."

  "Oh my......"

  Count Bart narrowed his eyes, then smiled and said:

  "As you wish, I, Bart, will continue my patrol immediately! However, before leaving, I want to remind Your Highness not to be absent from the dinner party tonight! As a member of the royal family, many people are watching Your Highness’s words and deeds. It wouldn’t be pleasant if you were criticized for this......"

  "Are you lecturing me, Lord Bart?"

  "Dare not, dare not!"

  "......I will attend the dinner party. Do you have anything else to say?"

  "No, no~! If that’s the case, please allow me to take my leave to continue patrolling."

  After that, Count Bart swaggered away.

  Once he was gone, Alicia glanced at the surrounding knights: "You go fetch the carriage first. I have something to say."

  "Yes!"

  The knights left temporarily.

  "I’m sorry for getting you involved!"

  As soon as the knights left, Alicia apologized to Hulim and Miko.

  "Why is Alicia apologizing? That guy was in the wrong! By the way, what’s wrong with that guy? Who is he referring to as ‘people of unknown origin’! That’s so annoying!"

  Miko was quite angry at Count Bart’s attitude just now. Not to mention that they were not of unknown origin—their Manacos student uniforms already clearly indicated their identities. No normal person would call a Manacos student "of unknown origin." This was an unveiled provocation.

  "Alicia, is that person from the opposing faction?"

  Hulim understood the situation better than Miko and remained calm.

  "Yes. That man’s full name is Ferno Bart, a core member of the third prince’s faction. He not only holds real power as the Captain of the Royal Capital City Guard but is also the main funder of his faction. Additionally...... there are many unpleasant rumors about him."

  "......It seems the dinner party you’re attending isn’t going to be a good one."

  Alicia smiled helplessly: "Good things at such events are extremely rare......"

  "......"

  "Your Highness!"

  At that moment, the knights returned with the royal carriage pulled by an Earth Dragon.

  "Then that’s it for today. Alicia, don’t lose to that kind of guy."

  "Thanks for your kind words!"

  Alicia said with a smile, then turned and walked toward the dragon-drawn carriage.

  As Alicia left, Hulim looked at Miko, who still seemed angry about the man just now.

  "Miko, I’m going to the blacksmith shop to pick up my repaired sword. Do you have any plans?"

  "Hmm, plans?"

  Miko thought for a moment.

  "I do have a plan. I want to visit that orphanage that’s struggling again to see if I can help with anything......"

  "Heh......"

  If Arthur knew that a certain righteous thief cared so much about the orphanage, would he cry tears of joy?

  "Alright then, let’s part ways here. Remember not to come back too late tonight."

  "Got it, don’t worry. I won’t do anything extra today and will be back soon."

  ......

  After parting with Miko, Hulim arrived at Charkin’s Blacksmith Shop.

  Clang! Clang! Clang......

  The familiar sound of forging iron.

  "Charkin, I’m here to pick up my sword."

  "It’s in the usual place, get it yourself!"

  Charkin didn’t even look up, focusing intently on forging iron.

  Hmm...... It looks like iron, but what exactly is it? Hulim had never figured that out.

  She walked straight to the shelf against the wall and found her sword.

  But looking at the sword, Hulim fell into deep thought.

  ......It feels like the color of the sword has become darker, and its weight seems to have increased too.

  Come to think of it, this is almost a full mithril steel sword now!

  "Charkin——"

  "Grab the sword and get out of here. Don’t get in the way!"

  "......"