Volume 1 Chapter 523

Chapter 523: Adventure in the Forbidden Area: Starting as a Light Priest

Within the depths of Black Lake Marsh, a sizable mercenary group welcomed two new guests.

Miss "Doyle Candice," an Elite Level missionary from The Church of Light, and her sister "Paqi Candice," who is not a Superoperator.

This group of fifteen mercenaries is not referred to as the Giant Mercenary Group due to its size.

Rather, its official name upon registration is "Giant Mercenary Group."

This reflects the ambitious aspirations of the group’s leader and founding members, alongside their lack of education and aesthetic sense.

Nevertheless, despite the peculiar and unsophisticated name, and the leader’s lack of education, this mercenary group is indeed one of the more reputable in South Sotua.

While it may not be as renowned as the orderly mercenary groups like Fish Eye and Victory, which only accept the most official assignments, it also boasts very few serious criminal records, with most members having undergone some form of vetting.

There are those who indulge in drinking and gambling, those drawn to beauty, and those who steal, but there are no truly malevolent individuals.

Its rating is bronze, with aspirations to rise to silver in the future.

It can be said that, both in character and strength, it is an above-average mercenary group.

Of course, another way to put it is that they are stuck in a limbo, unable to rise or fall.

But in any case… they are not the type to harm sisters in need of assistance, even by chance.

Even if Lolth’s identity is not that of a priest from The Church of Light, this remains true.

Lolth also observed that while the other party could not be described as friendly, they harbored no ill intentions.

Seated beside the campfire with Dorothy, surrounded by mercenaries exuding a faint odor of sweat, the uneven pot simmering over the fire contained the dinner worth ten copper coins for all the mercenaries.

A stew of grains and meat, in terms of flavor, might rival the culinary mishaps of the Demon King Castle’s chef.

However, Lolth had no intention of showcasing her culinary skills.

After all, her current persona is that of an envoy priest from The Church of Light…

These individuals can be considered as reserve ascetic monks.

It would be somewhat suspicious for an envoy priest from The Church of Light, who values "abstinence" above all, to cook out of dissatisfaction with the taste of the food.

Thus, Lolth chose not to do so.

No matter how unpalatable the food may be, it cannot be worse than the meals served in the Demon King Castle’s cafeteria or the "Mortal Body, Equal to the Abyss" dish she sampled during the Skill Trial.

Lolth simply has high standards for food, but that does not mean she must dine well at every meal.

Moreover, it’s perfectly acceptable to have a few bites here and later prepare something special just for Dorothy and herself before bed!

While awaiting the distribution of food, Lolth seized the opportunity to engage in conversation with the captain of the large mercenary group beside her.

"Black Lake Marsh is not a tranquil place… What led you to accept a mission here?"

Lolth inquired, toying with the Rod of Eden, which had masked the aura of the Divine Artifact and resembled an ordinary staff.

The captain of the large mercenary group was a man standing just under one and a half meters tall, resembling a Hobbit, but undoubtedly human based on his aura. Upon hearing Lolth’s words, a trace of melancholy appeared on his weathered, bearded face.

"Lately, the situation has been less than favorable. There was a half-plane uprising at Wild Boar Mountain, and the number of missions in the east has significantly decreased, even though it has just concluded… But as you mentioned, war has erupted once again in the west."

"The majority of mercenaries have been dispatched to the west, and the noble lords are also focusing their attention westward. There are fewer ‘lucrative jobs’ in the east, leaving only some public tasks that are either of great importance or peril, such as exploring forbidden areas, gathering materials, or hunting monsters, and yet we are compelled to undertake them."

Mercenary groups with silver badges and below are required to complete a certain quota of "public tasks" each year.

Although these tasks offer substantial rewards, they are often dirty and laborious.

Clearly, the large mercenary group has no desire to venture into the Black Lake Marsh.

"Oh—would it be possible to share what your task entails?"

Lolth’s interest was piqued.

"We need to collect fifty ‘Greater Crawling Monster Tentacles’ from the Black Lake Marsh… Supposedly, it’s to gauge the general size and strength level of the monsters there, but in reality, it’s probably for some noble who wants to concoct a special Magic Potion…"

The leader of the large mercenary group sighed as he spoke.

"It doesn’t sound too difficult. A ‘Marsh Crawling Squid’ has six to ten tentacles," Lolth quickly calculated, "With a bit of luck, defeating five should suffice."

Hearing Lolth’s words, the leader of the large mercenary group sighed even more deeply.

"If only it were that simple. The issue is that with the decrease in mercenary activity, the Orc shamans residing in the swamp and the witches lurking around have become more active. Most of the high-level monsters on the outskirts have already been slain," the leader of the large mercenary group expressed with a troubled look. "We’ll have to venture a bit further in."

"Oh—then we might be traveling together for a short distance."

As Lolth said this, the leader of the large mercenary group’s face lit up with joy.

Although Lolth appears to be only at the Elite Level, in such a perilous and eerie forbidden land, the role of a priest from The Church of Light far surpasses her own strength.

A priest from The Church of Light, until her power is depleted, is akin to a mobile small hospital!

Ordinary injuries and difficult-to-manage negative conditions can all be swiftly resolved!

"I will compensate you with the usual reward!"

The leader of the large mercenary group stated earnestly.

"There’s no need for that, just guide us in the right direction when the time comes, and I can head to a city with The Church of Light."

Lolth smiled, her face radiating a pure and noble expression, with her hands clasped in front of her chest.

The leader of the large mercenary group looked moved and continuously rubbed his hands together.

"Oh dear, I’m so sorry… I really am so sorry."

As the leader spoke, the pot happened to boil.

He stood up, took a large bowl, and scooped two generous spoonfuls of mushy boiled grain and meat soup, filling the bowl to the brim.

"Here, Her Excellency Doyle, eat more! Your sister is unwell… She needs plenty of nourishment!"

This mercenary group leader has made a name for himself by being grateful and knowing how to treat people well.

But Lolth’s face instantly turned pale.

She hadn’t planned to fill up on this fare!

Moreover, this peculiar misunderstanding led to an awkward situation where she didn’t really want it and had no way to refuse…

It felt somewhat familiar…

"Thank you, then I won’t hold back."

Lolth accepted the bowl of food and forced a smile.

The more she observed the leader of the mercenary group, the more he seemed… somewhat like the Lord of the Demon King.