Chapter 9

The city of Vigen, known as the "Flower of the Highlands," is one of the key strongholds in the southeastern part of the Snoton Empire. It is the largest trading hub on the edge of the Whispering Forest. Additionally, it serves as the most important supply station for adventurers heading to the Dawn Mountains, the Whispering Forest, and even the Northern Wastes.

On the Snow Pattern Chrysanthemum Street in the center of Vigen, three adventurers who had just updated their equipment were strolling along.

"Hey, stop loitering around the church entrance. Do you know that's showing off?" Illo grumbled. He had already changed into a well-fitted gray-green hunting outfit, with a new bundle of white-feathered arrows in his quiver. He carried a longbow over his shoulder and a new leather-sheathed short knife at his waist. With his casual ponytail and handsome smile, he was quite charming.

"If the high-ranking priests in the church really notice you, you'll have a lot to deal with," Alegri finally changed out of his patched magic robe. With his short black hair and fair complexion, he had a somewhat refined air.

"There's probably only a mid-level priest in Vigen. I'm not afraid of anything," Diros, who had changed the most, said. He wore a black warrior's outfit covered with hard leather armor, making his strong body look even more robust. The fine steel greatsword and a mixed gold-and-leather shield on his back were his new equipment. With his well-defined features and tall stature, he looked like a highland barbarian out for training. This was why he dared to swagger around the church entrance so confidently.

"If he had done this a few days ago when he was still a skeleton, he would have been blasted to pieces by a holy light spell long ago," Illo grumbled.

"He changed his appearance, but he really thinks others won't recognize him," Alegri said with a smile, telling a story about a turtle and a four-legged snake, which made Illo laugh heartily.

After a burst of laughter, Illo asked, "Decided? Are we really going to the Mercenary Guild?"

"Do we have any other choice?" Diros grumbled.

"True, we're so poor we can't even do small trades..." Illo tossed his empty money bag and smiled bitterly.

"Look at your lack of ambition, a respectable mid-level ranger wanting to do small trades?"

"Don't insult my faith!"

"I've never seen a half-elf who worships the goddess of commerce..."

******

As an important supply station for adventurers, the Vigen branch of the Mercenary Guild occupies one of the most magnificent buildings on Snow Pattern Chrysanthemum Street.

"Wow, a modern government hall," Alegri whispered in admiration.

This is the business hall of the Mercenary Guild, with a floor of blue steel stone, a high dome, and a spacious, bright interior. Adventurers came and went, making it quite busy.

Leaning casually against one of the windows, Alegri gestured for Illo to step forward and negotiate.

After paying the expensive registration fee with a grim face, Illo came out with a stack of parchment.

"How did it go?" Alegri asked.

"We need to register our identity information at the town hall and take a profession level test at the respective guilds... All of which require fees."

"Damn, the whole world is the same," Alegri said resentfully.

"That's not entirely true. There are flocks of white crows perched on the withered trees of the abandoned elven homeland, and white snow crows can also be found in the polar snowfields of the north," a clear voice suddenly came from beside them.

A long-haired girl in a moon-white priestess robe interjected. Seeing the three turn their heads, she smiled and nodded.

"Thank you for the correction," Illo stepped in front of Alegri, who was about to speak, and bowed gracefully. "You must be a follower of the Moon Goddess Arelia, right?"

"May the Moon Goddess be with you!" The girl returned the bow, her face slightly blushing in front of the handsome Illo. "I am a junior priestess of the Moon Goddess, Onisha."

"Is there anything we can do for you?" Ignoring the shocked looks of the other two, Illo maintained his polite and elegant demeanor.

"Well..." The girl hesitated, "I noticed that your group has a respected mage?"

"That's right," Illo pulled Alegri forward, patting his shoulder and smiling. "This is my junior, Alegri, a certified mage."

"Could I boldly invite your team to collaborate on a mission?" The girl seemed a bit embarrassed, pointing to a group of mercenaries drinking at a table in the rest area. "Our team currently has three warriors, a knight, a scout, and two archers."

"That's a good setup. With you, you should be able to handle most missions," Illo nodded.

"However, this mission is expected to involve low-level fire elementals or mid-level fire spirits. Our current setup is mostly physical attacks, and as you know, mages are a rare profession."

Illo smiled and was about to agree, "It would be an honor, um—" but suddenly felt someone tug at his cloak and quickly changed his words, "But our team hasn't registered yet, which makes many things inconvenient. What do you think?"

"I see..." The girl nodded in disappointment, bowed, and said, "I apologize for the disturbance. Farewell."

Taking two steps, she turned back and smiled, "We will be resting at the Eagle Horn Inn next door before setting out tomorrow morning. If you change your mind, feel free to find me."

******

Watching the girl leave with a lecherous gaze, Illo finally returned to his normal state and turned to ask,

"Why didn't you let me agree? The girl seemed nice."

"Who knew you were not only greedy but also a lecher," Diros said with a look of disappointment. Seeing Alegri carefully examining the mage registration form, he thought of his "glorious" promotion and felt a deep sense of sorrow. "My teammates are really top-notch..."

Alegri looked up and saw Diros staring at him, and he grumbled, "What are you looking at? Never seen a handsome guy before?"

Diros felt his fragile heart take another heavy blow.

After a busy period, the three finally gathered again in the business hall of the Mercenary Guild. Illo had already registered his identity, and the mage registration was simple. Diros casually reported his hometown as a highland barbarian and passed the registration. The three went their separate ways to take the profession level tests. Everything went smoothly except for a small setback for Alegri's "glorious" promotion.

"Shall we register then?" Illo asked after all the procedures were completed.

Alegri frowned at the blank form, "What should we name our mercenary team?"

Illo thought for a moment, his eyes brightening, "How about 'Fiery Lips'?"

"Where did you get that from some romance novel?" Alegri sneered. "I suggest 'Three Musketeers.'"

"Do you want to be laughed at? How about 'Golden Rose'?"

"Really俗不可耐, I think..."

...

Diros listened to the increasingly ridiculous suggestions from his teammates, feeling his ribs fracture, one by one, in a crushing manner.

Suddenly, a strange impulse surged within him. He abruptly picked up the quill pen, quickly filled out the remaining blanks on the form, and swiftly handed it to the clerk behind the window.

"What are you doing!" Alegri and Illo were dumbfounded.

"Want to change the name? Pay for it yourself!" Diros grumbled.

"Fine..." Illo said helplessly, "But at least tell us what the name is?"

"Right, if it's a duplicate, we can still change it..." Alegri hoped.

"Thanks for your concern," Diros sneered, "Who would feel 'sad' while happily registering their team with like-minded companions like me?"

This is the origin of the "Sad" Mercenary Team.

(Second update, celebrating the first collection of this book)

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