Back to Alex's location, he woke up and sat on his bed, rubbing his eyes.
''Seriously, to think that something ridiculous is in that forest, she has a total grasp of the forest, how unlucky.''
The moment Alex set foot in the forest, he sensed something abnormal, and by the time he would move, he was already swarmed by a group of monsters. No matter how much he killed, he was soon overwhelmed by them, and he died from a sneak attack from the big boss.
''Sigh! I will try later.'' Alex said as he started thinking about his plans for the future.
Soon, the sun rays come as nature's easel, giving brilliant color to what was hidden even under the passing starlit night.
After his morning routine, Alex disguised as Sam joined the other two as they took their breakfast before leaving for the guild.
In the morning, as usual, the guild was crowded no matter where it is; Sam and his group walked toward a counter.
The receptionist, a bunny girl, welcomed them.
''Welcome, Mr. Sam, Ms. Elsa, and Ms. Mio. The guild master wishes to see you.'' The receptionist said.
''Oh? I see. Can you please lead the way?" Although curious as to why the guild master wished to see them, he knew this receptionist wouldn't necessarily know all the answers, so better stay silent until he sees the guild to get all answers.
''Sure.'' The bunny girl receptionist called another receptionist over before leading Sam's group toward the guild master's office.
When they arrived, she knocked on the door.
''Who is it?"
Surprisingly, it was a woman's voice coming from behind the door.
''It's me, Shella, I have-"
Before Shella could finish, she was interrupted by the guild master, who knew the reason for her arrival.
''Coming.''
As they entered, Sam saw a simple table with many papers stacked on top of it, and a small woman wearing glasses, she was reading an old parchment.
''Eh? A legal Loli." Sam exclaimed; Mio was surprised as well, only Elsa showed no reaction.
''What? Shocked to see a dwarf for the first time?"
Still busy looking through the parchment inside her small hands, the guild master said.
''Yeah, it's my first time seeing an actual dwarf. Excuse my lack of manner.
''No, I don't mind. Please take a seat. Most people that see me for the first time react the same way. Except for the legal Loli thing. I have the feeling that I wouldn't like the meaning behind, so I shall not ask.''
''Ugh!"
Sam averted his eyes; Mio chuckled as she was the only one who understands the meaning behind Sam's words.
''Well, welcome, I'm Stella, the acting guild master in Elesim. I don't particularly appreciate beating around the bush, so I shall go straight to the point. The reason I called your group is to assign you a mission.'' Stella said.
Sam's expression became severe; he waited for Stella to continue.
''It's Garan who recommended you.''
''Garan?" Sam was surprised when coming here this morning; he had expected to see him. Unfortunately, he didn't see him.
''Yeah, he and his party are gone, already on another mission, another escort mission. Coming back to our topic. Garan recommended you. Currently, there is a little situation in the west side of Elesim.''
Stella took a deep breath before she continued.
''A noble rebelled; he illegally occupied his brother's mansion. His goal is simple, overturn his brother in charge of the Westside. As you know, because of Elesim side, although not big as the outer capital, to help manage the city, the Duke has three nobles overseeing the west side, East and North Side. Baron Clemens is in charge of the west where the slums are, and his brother Randall rebelled. Your mission is simple, help Clemens recover his domain.''
''Please, excuse me.'' Sam raised his hand.
''Please do speak,'' Stella said.
''The guards solve problems like that, so why is adventurer called to resolve it now?"
Facing Sam's question, Stella sighed.
''Normally, yes. However, the situation changes when most of the force used by the rebel are adventurers.'' She explained.
''What?" Mio exclaimed; it was customary to be surprised because adventurers are forbidden to participate in such situations because their license would be revoked when caught.
''Yeah, Randall rallied many adventurers (mostly Rank 5 and 6) to take over his brother's mansion. These adventurers were probably tired of living. Maybe he promised to make them his knights, which means a monthly salary, less risk of dying for these fools to help him. So, it became our problem, besides the guards went to subdue a drake outside of the city with some adventurers and the Duke.'' Stella explained to the group.
''I see that is why. How much are the rewards for completing this mission?" Sam inquired.
''20 gold coins per adventurer captured or incapacitated. From the information we got, there are more than ten adventurers involved. Three mercenaries. As for the mercenaries, 15 gold coins per head. Randall is worth 1 White gold coin.''
''Interesting! We shall take this mission.'' Sam accepted after exchanging glances with the girls, although it was not many mornings compared to his fortune, as they act like someone else; this money would be used as travel expenses.
''Good, here is the map of the location to where Clemens's mansion is. Be aware that they are likely expecting your arrival. Because Clemens flees with his seal, Randall couldn't take his position yet; he is holding some hostages to threaten his brother.'' Stella gave Sam's group another piece of information.
''I see. I bet you will say if possible not to kill anybody?"
Because Sam (Alex) could see that there was still something Stella wishes to say, he said.
''Yes, If it's possible, please try not to kill anybody,'' Stella confirmed Sam's question.
''I understand. We will try not to kill anybody.'' Sam promised.
''Thank you.''
Sam waved his hand before standing; Mio and Elsa followed him as the trio left the room.
Alone, Stella, like Elves, Dwarves are sensible to mana. When Stella looked at Sam, she was almost frightened; the man possessed a terrific amount of mana she ever saw; she couldn't see through any of them even with her strength, Rank 10.
''Well, whatever, I shall not pry into their secret,'' Stella mumbled as she slumped into the big chair.
•••••
Outside of the Guild, Sam's group could be seen stopping at a stall selling pancake.
''Um! So, what is your plan until sunset?" Mio inquired as she took a bit of her pancake.
While handing over Elsa her pancake, Sam responded.
''We will see that noble and talk with him.''
''I see. Elsa, what do you think about those adventurers that are working with that noble young brother?'' Mio decided to make Elsa join the conversation.
Elsa (Lilith) stayed silent for a moment before saying.
''Well, they are foolish, but greed can turn one foolish. They have made their choice; now it's time to suffer the consequences.''
''An answer like you. Well, you are not wrong, though.'' Mio said and finished her pancake.
After Sam and Elsa finished, the group went to meet Baron Clemens, the baron was happy to see three Rank 7, and from the information he gathered, this group has numerous accomplishments under their belt; with them he was sure to regain his mansion back.
The group decided to move after sunset. Sam's group went back to the Inn to rest until it was time to begin the operation.
•••••
Late in the night.
Because Sam's group could handle the situation at Clemen's mansion and because Clemens still has some knights with him, no other adventurers were added to the group.
''Don't worry, Mr. Clemens, tonight you will take back what is yours,'' Sam said to the chubby man walking beside him, dressed in Noble attire; behind them were seven guards and the two girls.
''That's fine. I'll be relying on you.'' Clemens responded.
As they talked and walked along the main street in the upper-class district, even though it was into the night, a brightly illuminated mansion came into view.
''That's surprisingly extravagant, how to put it, it's like they are not worried at all. Mio said that while looking at the mansion in amazement.
Clemens spoke with a bitter smile.
''Usually, the lights aren't all turned on. Perhaps they're wary of us today.''
''I feel there are more people.''
Elsa also muttered as she looked at Clemen's mansion as they gradually approached.
Certainly, the number of people who could be seen in the mansion's yard was well over 30. Considering that they were likely there to guard the mansion, Sam could see that it was quite different from what he had heard beforehand from Stella and Clemens.
''Perhaps they gathered the nearby thugs. I don't know if they're there to fight or to intimidate us.''
Alex muttered that as they got closer to the entrance to Clemen's mansion, protected by the adventurers.