Logically, Fafner would be able to change back into men's clothes tomorrow morning, but he still had long hair tonight.
Although he didn't know what he was going to do, he was still full of excitement…
Mil was very satisfied; this state, where he was sold but still helped count the money, was the best.
Fafner, who was already prepared, changed into men's clothes, tied up his hair, and left the Holy Dragon Kingdom Embassy with Mil.
Only when they arrived in the alley outside did he slightly relax:
"What are we going to do?"
"Clean out the Goblin cave."
"Ah? Won't that get my clothes dirty?"
"It's fine, there's magic to clean clothes."
Saying that, Mil and Fafner walked to a nearby elm tree.
Lilith, meanwhile, was idly crushing dead leaves with the tip of her shoe. Her dark purple, cinched wizard's robe accentuated her graceful curves. When she glimpsed Mil walking over with his arm around Fafner's shoulder, she sneered and whispered, "The little Prince of the Saint Dragon Kingdom is quite well-kept."
Seeing the young man beside Mil, Diana, who was sitting nearby, also gasped:
"You… you really brought the Saint Dragon Kingdom Prince out?"
"Otherwise? Hmm… This is Her Royal Highness, Holy Sword User Diana, the Fourth Princess of the Holy Armania Empire."
Mil introduced her casually, but it seemed the two had met before. Fafner also trembled all over and suddenly widened his eyes:
"Her Royal Highness Diana?!"
Subsequently, the two engaged in another series of elaborate bows and greetings. Mil quickly interrupted, saying,
"Alright, let's go quickly… We still need to take Fafner to register his identity first."
"Just the four of us?"
"No, there are also four members of the Iron Lily Adventure Team, plus one… outside helper, a Fifth-Tier Mage, Aserville."
Mil walked with his arm around Fafner's shoulder, explaining his arrangements to him as they went…
Honestly, as long as Fafner hadn't cut his hair, Mil found it very difficult to visually perceive him as male.
He had too much of a girlish feel.
Hooking arms like brothers was just him trying his best to convince himself that he was a man.
...
The Adventurers' Association was lit up 24 hours a day…
The main building was a fortress, with a hall and a tavern built at the front, and the sides were enclosed by wooden fences, like a large freight station, full of parked carriages.
Teams departing and returning were endless, lanterns hung on the carriages, and the wheels repeatedly ground the ground into mud, leaving tracks.
The Iron Lily Adventure Team was waiting in the hall. After the nine people met, Mil had Fafner go register first.
And the Adventurers' Association had recruited a thirty-person logistics team for them, who also began preparations before departure.
While waiting, everyone sat in the tavern, discussing the specific details.
The Iron Lily Captain, Isotta, looked at Mil's teammates and asked with some confusion,
"Mr. Just, your team is really mysterious…"
Except for Lilith, who was purely disguised, Mil, Fafner, and Diana did not show their faces.
Mil smiled awkwardly and began to introduce them:
"I and this… Mrs. Mil, are both Elemental Mages. This Mr. Mil… his profession is a Paladin. The young man who just went to register is a Magic Knight."
To maintain her professional identity at the Adventurers' Association, Diana's helmet was originally a magical item used for transformation. She waved her hand and spoke in a low voice:
"Hello everyone, I am Mil, an adventurer from the Capital."
Everyone nodded thoughtfully, but Lilith crossed her arms, clearly displeased:
"Pure coincidence, this Mr. Mil and I are not acquainted. I am from the Paradise Duchy."
The Iron Lily Captain, Isotta, chuckled,
"It seems… there are quite a few people named Mil? A few days ago, we also met a Mil, and to tell you the truth, it was that famous person from the Holy City, His Excellency Mirfak of the Tribunal!"
At the mention of this, the previously silent members of the Iron Lily Squad suddenly became interested:
"That's right! His fiancée, Miss Lilith, was also there! She was so beautiful!"
"But I remember Miss Lilith was a bit unhappy that day? It seemed like she was jealous then, what were her exact words again?"
"Ahem… 'That's only in the Holy City; there's an even more beautiful one in the Capital who has my great hero completely infatuated?' Wasn't that what she said?"
The four members of the Iron Lily were all three or four years older, but they were all excitedly chatting.
Captain Isotta suddenly noticed the strange silence of the three people opposite her:
"Are you… alright?"
Lilith, meanwhile, turned her head away, propped her hand on the table to support her forehead, clutched her hair tightly, and gritted her teeth.
Diana lowered her head, remaining silent.
Mil cleared his throat awkwardly:
"Ahem, it's nothing. We'll go to Lainier Village first, then prepare to search for the Goblin's new cave."
"No need, we've already found it!"
The Iron Lily's captain, Isotta, said this while taking out a parchment scroll and spreading it on the table:
"It's not far from the cave the Paladins went to yesterday."
"Heh… that efficient?"
A moment later…
Fafner completed his registration at the Adventurers' Association, using his title—Platinum Wings—as his name.
With everything ready, everyone prepared to depart.
The Church had already sent the Knights to Lainier Village. Although they couldn't help, Mil still made symbolic arrangements.
...
In less than an hour, they arrived near the target lair. The logistics team set up a temporary camp 500 meters away.
The forest was silent, pitch black, with only the occasional cry of a night owl tearing through the stagnant darkness.
The bonfire crackled in the tent, and there was the crunching sound of logistics personnel stepping on twigs as they moved about.
Generally speaking, clearing a Goblin nest would not be chosen at night.
Because Goblins are nocturnal, each one is a little expert at catching mice…
However, no one questioned Mil as to why he set the time for dawn.
After the camp was set up, the reconnaissance officer, an uncle responsible for logistics, returned from a scout and said,
"Is this really a Goblin nest then? There's no movement at all. Generally, Goblins should be out foraging at this time."
"Judging by the footprints left behind and the smell at the cave entrance, it should be correct."
The retired old demon hunter opened a pot of beer and spoke as he drank.
Mil stood up and clapped his hands:
"Alright! I've prepared magic potions for everyone, one bottle each. They can enhance magic circulation."
Saying that, he distributed thumb-thick test tubes to everyone.
What he used this time was a sleeping potion, combined with Black Magic. Mil could choose when the potion would take effect!
Diana took it, but seemed a bit confused:
"Do I have to drink it too?"
"Of course you do!"
Mil was a bit nervous, afraid that her Holy Sword would detect something. He watched Diana open the bottle and drink it all in one gulp, only then feeling a little relieved.
Fafner had been very excited all night. His fingertips trembled slightly as he took the magic potion, the glass tube reflecting the flickering bonfire beneath his silver lashes. He tilted his head back, drank the potion, and his throat moved.
Seeing that everyone had finished drinking, Mil tore open the silver chain on his collar, his black and gold uniform pulling taut at his waist with sharp creases:
"It's time to go."
