Chapter 166: Chapter 154: Cheers! An Invitation from a Big Shot

Although Galvis was known for his flamboyance, his words this time were surprisingly accurate.

The moment the carriage stopped and the curtain was drawn aside...

"It’s the Silver Radiance Knight!"

"Look! It’s the unerring Elf Archer!"

"The great hero Roland is here!"

Cheers rose and fell, washing over them like a tide.

The Guards, who should have been performing a routine inspection, snapped to attention and performed a solemn Knight’s salute. A few of the younger Guards were so excited that the Long Spears in their hands trembled slightly.

Merchants on both sides of the street stopped their business, and children stood on their tiptoes, desperately trying to get a look.

Someone threw the first wild rose, and in the blink of an eye, flowers of all colors rained down, blanketing the stone path before the carriage.

Facing the adoring crowd and their reverent gazes, Roland shot a helpless glance at the smug Galvis beside him and sighed inwardly.

Their achievements in hunting Bear Goblins over the past month should have only circulated within the small circles of Adventurers and Mercenaries.

But their party just had to have a Minstrel who was an expert at "artistic embellishment."

Whenever the others were busy with actual business, this poet would invariably appear in the town’s various taverns, using his extravagant eloquence to spin their experiences into a Legend.

Handwritten copies of his unfinished Heroic Epic were already circulating throughout the streets and alleys.

Now, it wasn’t just the Adventurers, Mercenaries, and town Guards who were familiar with the threat of the Bear Goblins; even the street vendors and young children could recount their deeds as if they were household tales.

Glancing over, he saw a little girl holding up a stick, imitating Roland’s signature Sword Techniques in a childish voice, which drew a round of laughter from the surrounding adults.

"Galvis..."

Roland smiled as he accepted a wild rose from a brown-haired boy, ruffling his fluffy short hair.

After watching the boy run back to his friends, seeing the adoring glint in the children’s eyes, he lowered his voice and spoke to the Minstrel.

"I won’t interfere with your hobby of spreading stories, but..."

Staring at the ever-growing crowd, Roland’s temples began to throb.

"You could at least retain some semblance of the truth, and also..."

"Artistic embellishment is essential!"

Galvis puffed out his chest before Roland could finish, his Harp letting out a resonant twang.

"How can boring facts ignite the Flame in people’s hearts?"

"Fine... have it your way..."

Seeing that the crowd had completely surrounded the carriage, Roland had no choice but to lift the curtain and stand beside Galvis.

He took a deep breath, his clear voice cutting through the clamor like the edge of a sword.

"Everyone!"

The bustling street instantly fell silent.

"We are grateful for your warm welcome."

Roland nodded to the Guards who were maintaining Order.

"But please don’t cause any trouble for our brothers in the Guard. Besides, we still need to go to the Adventurer’s Guild to report on our quest, so we’d ask you all to clear a path..."

Before he could finish, an excited question rang out from the crowd.

"Lord Roland, did you slay another Bear Goblin this time?"

"Well..."

Just as Roland was choosing his words, Galvis, beside him, eagerly untied a blood-stained sack.

As the thick stench of blood filled the air, the Minstrel held up the Bear Goblin’s ferocious head as if displaying a precious treasure.

The head’s frozen, savage expression and the Arrow-pierced eye socket looked particularly horrifying in the sunlight.

Amidst a wave of cheers, a buxom woman in a red dress that looked like a Burning Flame pushed her way to the front.

"Lord Roland, come to my Golden Oak tavern tonight! All the ale is free! My boy has been practicing that Backhand Sword technique you taught him in the yard every day!"

"Miss Elf!"

A few young girls in homespun dresses waved desperately at Avril.

"Can you teach us archery? We’ve heard the Minstrel sing about you piercing two goblins with one arrow below the city wall at least seventeen or eighteen times!"

"The Rose Tavern will always welcome Miss Teresa!"

A stout owner in a grease-stained apron shouted, waving a ladle.

"Last time, you ate our entire three-day supply of smoked meat all by yourself! But the next day, the hunters brought in five times more game than usual, saying your appetite inspired them to hunt harder!"

Even the Guard Captain maintaining Order couldn’t help but chime in.

"Lord Galvis, my daughter’s been at home every day trying to imitate that ’Silver Dawn Song’ you sang in the square last month on her beat-up Lute..."

He suddenly realized his impropriety, coughed twice, and straightened his back.

Suddenly, a young voice cut through the noise.

"Lord Roland!"

The brown-haired boy who had offered the flower earlier held up a Wooden Sword, his little face flushed red.

"I... I want to become a great hero just like you one day!"

The entire street fell silent for a moment, then erupted in good-natured laughter and applause.

This boisterous interlude continued for some time until, after Roland’s repeated polite refusals, the enthusiastic crowd reluctantly dispersed.

Watching Galvis, who was still strumming a rousing tune, Roland clapped him on the shoulder in annoyance.

"What are you spacing out for? It’s time to go to the Adventurer’s Guild and turn in the quest."

"Hey, Roland! You don’t get it. I’m maintaining the team’s image..."

The Minstrel was about to argue when he saw Roland turn to Avril with a meaningful smile.

"Avril, our adventures have been tough lately. Why don’t we have Galvis undergo some training too? Look at that scrawny frame of his. He might end up dragging us down at some point."

The Elf Maiden’s eyes lit up, her gaze locking onto the Minstrel like an Arrow.

"Great idea!"

The harp string let out a mournful TWANG.

With astonishing speed, Galvis tossed his Harp into the carriage, grabbed the reins, and spoke with a solemn expression.

"Roland, I think you’re right! Turning in the quest is the most important thing right now!"

Before he finished speaking, the carriage shot forward like an arrow released from a bow, its speed startling a flock of doves by the roadside.

In the blink of an eye, the Adventurer’s Guild was just ahead.

"Roland... so when do you think would be a good time to start the training?"

Avril toyed with her Bowstring, smiling as she looked at Galvis.

Galvis’s Adam’s apple bobbed violently for a moment before he suddenly yanked hard on the reins.

"I almost forgot, Roland! The right rear wheel was having some issues earlier! To make sure our return trip is smooth, I’ll go find someone to fix it right now!"

Before his voice faded, the carriage had already disappeared around the corner in an exaggerated cloud of dust, leaving only the echoing whinnies of startled horses.

Seeing this, the three of them looked at each other, shared a smile, and stepped into the Guild hall carrying the blood-stained sack.

Just like on the street earlier, Roland and the others were met with another round of cheers upon entering the Adventurer’s Guild.

After another moment of clamor, Roland finally made his way through the crowded hall to the counter.

"Laurie..."

As the heavy sack landed on the counter with a thud, the refined receptionist, with whom they had dealt several times, showed no particular surprise. He simply bowed respectfully to Roland and pushed a pre-prepared money pouch towards him.

"Mr. Roland, as agreed... in addition to the payment, we will also grant you a Combat Skill as a bonus reward. However, before that..."

Laurie leaned forward and lowered his voice.

"A certain big shot from the Adventurer’s Guild would like to meet with you. I was wondering if you... might have the time?"