Chapter 23: Hey, It Was My Turn First!
Adeline didn't pay much attention to her appearance, but that doesn't mean she had no expectations for her clothes.
She always liked to organize things in a neat and orderly manner.
For example.
During work, the guildmaster would wear a set of blue tops and white bottoms, accompanied by a guild uniform adorned with a gold trim.
When attending a banquet, she would wear a long trailing dress in predominantly red color, adorned with white lace edges around it.
As for when she went out to battle, she liked to wear a blue and white plaid coat, with shorts that barely reached her thighs and light grey boots.
For no particular reason, this outfit allowed her to better showcase her abilities.
The previous Adeline was not like this.
The three years she spent studying at the sergeant school brought about a tremendous change in her thinking.
She no longer cared if things were beautiful, only if they were useful to her.
However, her mindset had not reached an unhealthy extent. She always remembered her surname and the etiquette of the nobles.
Otherwise, her "combat outfit" would be not shorts, but bloomers. Compared to shorts, bloomers obviously wouldn't hinder her movements.
It was eight o'clock in the evening.
Adeline left home.
She vividly remembered Loria's address, although she had never been there.
This was not because she had any particular thoughts about Loria. In fact, she recorded information about every person working in the association.
She believed that this was necessary preparation for her role as the guildmaster of the Adventurers Management Guild, in order to successfully carry out her duties.
A few minutes later, Adeline dashed through a series of short apartment buildings, approaching Loria's residence.
But she didn't rush out.
She saw Loria gripping a large sword, with a mangled figure lying in front of it.
And not far from Loria stood a somewhat unfamiliar figure.
Vita Orain, a journalist from the Oder Travel Newspaper!
**
How did she end up here?
In that moment when Loria saw Vita, she became instantly wary.
Her body felt hot, but her mind remained clear.
Although they have interacted several times in the simulation, it doesn't mean she would trust Vita the same way she trusted Guildmaster Adeline.
It was only natural.
In the same perfectly fitting bond, she and Guildmaster Adeline were, after all, married and had met each other's parents.
And, even though she was either cheating or on her way to cheat every day, Guildmaster Adeline still gave her utmost trust.
"Even though I am a powerful fighter, meeting Guildmaster Adeline makes me feel incredibly moved. It motivates me to work even harder to defeat the monster girls, making Guildmaster Adeline proud to have me as her brave companion!"
Vita, on the other hand, was different.
In several simulations, this wicked woman would punish her whenever she let her guard down.
That is clearly a potential criminal!
Moreover, after several simulations, Loria still couldn't rule out the possibility that Vita was the mastermind behind the wave of monsters.
"Now there was one more doubt that had to be added about her."
In the middle of the night, why would Vita not rest and instead come to the residential area instead of carousing at a bawdyhouse?
Could it be that she is connected to the mastermind behind that bawdyhouse?
Loria's face changed ever so slightly.
This was not impossible.
Vita was a journalist for Oder Travel Newspaper's special feature on the entertainment industry. She regularly interacted with bawdyhouse owners, geishas, and geisha agents from various places.
For someone like her, being bribed by the wicked slave trader was not an unbelievable thing by any means.
At this moment, Vita hurriedly walked up to Loria and said, "I am Vita Orain, a journalist from Oder Travel Newspaper. You are from the Adventurers Management Guild, aren't you? I saw you when I went to meet Guildmaster Adeline earlier. I witnessed everything that just happened, it was really dangerous. I was completely at a loss on the sidelines, but thankfully you defeated him."
"I'm fine, thank you for your concern."
Loria shook her head; she didn't want to get too close to Vita just yet.
But Vita had no intention of letting her go. "I couldn't see clearly from a distance just now. Are you sure you're okay up close? Let me take you to the hospital to make sure."
"It's alright, I'll find a place to relax."
"Find… sounds good," Vita nodded, "This person probably has accomplices, so it's not safe for you to stay here temporarily. How about this, you can stay at my place for one night. It's near the mayor's office."
Loria continued shaking her head.
Vita stared at Loria for a while and suddenly burst into laughter.
She pushed her red-rimmed glasses, then took out a small notebook.
"Here, this is my press card. I, Vita Orain, am a trustworthy reporter for Oder Travel Newspaper. You don't have to be afraid, I am not a bad person."
You said you're not a bad person, so I would just believe it?
Then, can I say that in the simulation, I am pure and virtuous, upholding my responsibilities as a woman, and never causing discord? Would you believe me?
I won't go, I won't go.
When I hadn't taken the aphrodisiac, you wanted to punish me, but now that I've taken it, you might find it even harder to resist.
Loria just wanted to run away.
But she vividly remembered that in the simulation, Vita could hold her own against Guildmaster Adeline.
She tried to throw out an Insightful Perception.
Name: Vita Orain
Indeed, she was no ordinary person!
"Don't try to be strong, as it's not a good habit." Vita took a step forward and placed her hand on Loria's shoulder. "Come on now, we're both women. Are you really afraid that I would eat you?"
Loria, "…"
Hey, hey, don't pull me! I haven't even completed a full day without indulging in my bad habits yet. I don't want to go back to day zero again!
"Are you afraid that this person will be taken away? Then I will tie a rope to him and take him along, so that we can hand him over directly to the patrol officer when we pass the prison."
Vita stopped.
But Loria knew that all of this was temporary.
Vita would eventually bring her to the hotel, and then, maybe nothing would happen, or perhaps she would grow up and become an adult.
Help, help!
I like driving a big car, but I don't want to drive right now!
Loria's silent cry in her heart ultimately failed to reach Adeline, who was hiding not far away.
She shook her head secretly.
She had always been very confident in her ability to judge people, but this time she made a mistake.
Loria wasn't trying to find an excuse to get close to her, but she really encountered a problem!
Luckily, Loria was quite capable, otherwise, when she arrived, it would have been Loria lying on the ground, right?
Phew, that was close.
However, it seems that the problem has been temporarily resolved now, and she no longer needs to make an appearance.
"Even though Loria wasn't feeling well, Vita would take good care of her."
Just as Vita herself had said, what could happen when two women are together?
Moreover, she is neither Loria's husband nor anything else, so it's already good enough that she can come and check on Loria's condition. There is no need to interfere in other matters.
Go back and rest.
Adeline turned around and walked towards her own home.
But after taking only a few steps, she suddenly came to a stop.
Since her joining the Adventurers Management Guild in Creek Town, was Loria the first person to come to mind and seek her help whenever they encountered trouble?
This made her feel a bit complicated.
Especially when she saw Loria smiling at Vita.
Vita had clearly done nothing, just like her.
Clearly, it was she who took the initiative, whether it was to help Loria, to get to know Loria, or to be asked for help by Loria.
"Loria!"
As Loria followed Vita to the crossroads with a perplexed expression, a chilling voice rang out.
