The Imperial Nobility still harbors prejudice against wizards. They need the wizards' power yet fear it. Neither Teresa nor Veronica is certified by the Imperial Royal Wizard Academy.

This is why wizards yearn to become the Royal Chief Grand Wizard, as it symbolizes status and identity and represents the Emperor's trust, along with respect desired by wizards.

The elegant Surya spoke up, with the Countess displaying a captivating smile: "He is a great Emperor. Without him, the Old World would have perished in the Chaos Invasion."

"Glad we agree, Lady Surya." Rudolph smiled understandingly, his eye catching the Demon Hunter Abel standing before the village manor: "Heavens, has the Chaos's minions spread here? I just saw a Demon Hunter!"

"Oh! It's Abel! Long time no see!" Laine, with the sharpest eyes, spotted the Demon Hunter's figure, smiled, dismounted, and approached Abel, patting his shoulder: "Mr. Abel, long time no see."

"Long time no see, Count, a pleasure." The Demon Hunter said straightforwardly, forcing a polite smile and shaking hands with Laine.

"What is the Demon Hunter doing in this village?" Rick Guard Rudolph asked loudly: "Did you discover heresy or did you accept a commission?"

"I accepted a commission." Abel knew the other's prestigious identity; he wasn't a Demon Hunter under the Church's purview. The Justice Church Archbishop Vikma had many Demon Hunters under him, overseeing the Imperial Nobility, but not Abel. He was part of the Demon Hunter Guild—a loosely organized guild.

"Very well, enjoy your task." Wagner was not interested in chatting with a Demon Hunter.

The nobles also dislike Demon Hunters.

"What commission?" Laine, on the other hand, was intrigued.

"Regarding..." Abel was about to discuss the commission when Laine noticed his pale face and rumbling stomach. Clearly, this Legendary Powerhouse was still hungry. Life seemed tough for him, indeed, so Laine suggested with a grin: "This isn't the place to talk. Let's discuss this by a warm fire with good food!"

"I agree!" Rudolph raised his hand, the Rick Guard rookie shouted: "Let's go, let's see if the inn has good food!"

Twenty minutes later, at the Butter Beer Inn in Wicked Smile Village, by the warm hearth, at a simple table, sat Laine, Surya, Rudolph, Abel, and Wagner. The wealth of a Great Noble Knight was obviously incomparable to a Demon Hunter; Laine casually placed about a dozen Silver Coins, prompting the innkeeper to prepare a feast: savory meat stew, a basket of barley bread, delightful stew, and refreshing butter beer.

"So... Beastman Tribe traces were found fifteen kilometers from here in Rickward Forest." Laine rubbed his chin, turning to Abel: "You accepted the villagers' commission? Planning to investigate the Beastman Tribe? But you're alone; it's a perilous task. Where's your companion? That guy named Ju Le?"

"Ju Le returned to Tal's Horn Fortress for winter... The fortress is hidden in a corner on the Gray Mountain Range by Hemgart." Abel added: "Repairing and maintaining my equipment depleted all my savings, so right after Winter Festival, I came out to find commissions; otherwise, I'd starve to death."

"Beastman Tribe then?" Laine considered and continued: "Since we're here, let's help Carl Franz and his Rick Territory a favor!"

"Abel, this task is yours. You venture deep into the forest to investigate the Beastman Tribe and find a way to lure them out."

"Let's net these disgusting Chaos Scraps once and for all!"