Chapter 35

"Miss Shiona Freeman, congratulations on advancing to the rank of Fifth-Class Warrior. This is your new occupational badge, please keep it well." The attendant of the Warrior Brotherhood handed Shiona a brass badge with two crossed swords, the back of which was imprinted with a large number five, indicating the holder's rank.

The black-haired girl with a neat ponytail took the warrior badge and carefully put it in her pocket.

"This adventure in the Cold Mist Mountains was quite fortunate. Not only did I receive a hundred gold coins as a reward, but I also achieved a breakthrough at a critical moment, advancing to the rank of Fifth-Class Warrior. However, I didn't expect that the Warrior Brotherhood's rank test would cost ten gold coins, which is enough for my brother and me to live on for two months." Shiona, who had learned to be frugal due to long-term household management, weighed the leather money bag in her hand, which still contained ninety gold coins.

The girl, while walking towards the main gate of the Warrior Brotherhood, muttered to herself: "There is about a month and a half until winter arrives and the mountains are sealed by heavy snow. This time is enough for me to complete another short-term mission. Travel rations and necessary living supplies will cost two gold coins. After deducting fifteen gold coins for winter, I still have seventy-three gold coins left!"

In an instant, the girl's face lit up with a happy smile, her beautiful smile causing two young men passing by to be momentarily stunned.

However, Shiona quickly fell back into a state of dejection: "But compared to the three thousand gold coins we owe, these seventy-three gold coins are nothing."

Shiona couldn't help but touch the scabbard on her back.

She was a dual-wielder, using two long swords, one of which was named 'Dragon's Voice,' a family heirloom of the Freeman family. Over forty years ago, the seventh emperor of Ferelden, Tiber Anduin, to honor the thirty warriors who defeated the Nosgoth invaders in the Long Summer Plains, ordered eight dwarven master craftsmen to forge thirty magical long swords. Shiona's grandfather, Gordon, received one of them, which was 'Dragon's Voice.'

This sword passed from her grandfather to her father and finally became Shiona's weapon.

With 'Dragon's Voice,' Shiona, who had shown a talent for swordsmanship from a young age, quickly gained a reputation in the Bluewater City Warrior Brotherhood. However, as a dual-wielder, she lacked a matching long sword for 'Dragon's Voice.' During this adventure, the fine steel long sword she had saved up to buy was broken by an ogre's club.

Now, Shiona Freeman, the 'Swordlight Maiden' praised by the Warrior Brotherhood, found herself in an awkward situation without a complete set of weapons.

"A fine steel long sword costs twenty gold coins... No, that's too expensive! I'll just buy a cheap iron sword for now. Maybe in the next mission, I'll get another magical weapon."

The girl consoled herself as she walked to the door.

The conversation of two adventurers beside her inadvertently reached her ears.

"Hey, did you see the mage duel at the Platinum Square yesterday? Tsk tsk, it was really exciting."

"You, you stinking fish, don't you know I just came back from the Cold Mist Mountains? Don't be mysterious, or I'll make you pay for the drinks!"

"Alright, alright, I'll tell you. The duel was between a Second-Circle Mage named Gordon Freeman and a Third-Circle Mage named Harlin Heidelberg. Guess who won?"

"Of course, it was the guy named Gordon. If it wasn't an upset, would you come to me to brag?"

"Alright, you guessed right. But did you know that Gordon only cast two spells to end the duel? And the spell he used to defeat Harlin was one he created himself! After the duel, I heard a Sixth-Circle senior mage exclaim that Bluewater City has another genius mage."

Hearing the familiar name in the adventurers' conversation, Shiona couldn't help but feel a bit strange: "Are they talking about my brother? No! He's only a First-Circle Mage, when did he advance to Second-Circle? And why would he be in a duel?"

She lightly patted her face, self-mocking: "I must be too tired, hearing things."

Shiona walked out of the Warrior Brotherhood, and a bright girl with a longbow and short green hair waved at her: "Shiona!"

The girl, dressed as a ranger, was named Shelley, a companion Shiona had met during this adventure. Since they were both young and attractive female adventurers, they often faced similar issues—such as dealing with male adventurers' harassment and flattery.

Similar situations brought them common topics, and Shelley's outgoing personality quickly made the two girls close friends. They even agreed to form a fixed two-person team to complete various adventure tasks together.

"Shelley." Shiona nodded to the green-haired girl, her eyes involuntarily sliding to the other girl's ample chest, which was covered by a chest plate.

"I wonder what she eats to develop so perfectly. Why am I so different?"

Teenage girls are always very sensitive about such things.

"Shiona, you advanced to Fifth-Class Warrior?" Shelley affectionately linked her arm with the black-haired girl.

Even among the same sex, the presence of Shelley's chest made Shiona feel uncomfortable. She had to distract herself by talking: "Yes."

"I really envy you. I've been stuck at Fourth-Class Ranger for a long time. I wanted to learn arcane magic and become a magic archer, but the cost is too high. I tried to find a mage as a teacher, but either they looked down on me or only saw my body..." Shelley laughed self-mockingly.

Shiona lightly pinched the soft flesh on her friend's waist, causing the beautiful ranger to scream. Spending time with Shelley, who was lively and outgoing, made Shiona more relaxed, and they often joked and played around.

"Isn't Knight Koyan Gribrass pursuing you? If you become a noble lady, wouldn't everything be solved?"

In Shelley's mind, the image of a tall, heavily armored figure appeared. The Knight Koyan Gribrass, whom Shiona mentioned, came from the south and was the second son of the Gribrass family. To hone his martial skills, he came to the north and joined the adventure group that the two girls were part of, thus getting to know each other.

To be honest, this handsome young knight indeed possessed many commendable virtues. He always charged forward in battle, using his shield to protect the ladies in the group. His generosity and humility were also impressive. During the final distribution of spoils, the knight voluntarily gave up his share and gifted it to an adventurer who had lost a leg in battle and had three children to support.

Of course, in dealing with women, the knight also had his own set of skills. Shelley admitted that she enjoyed her time with Koyan. However, she knew that Koyan's true goal was to use her as a stepping stone to get closer to Shiona.

After all, while Shelley was confident in her beauty, she knew that Shiona, who was more beautiful and had a natural ice queen aura, was more attractive to men.

Moreover, Shelley was just a half-elf not accepted by her family, while Shiona had a higher status.

However, Shelley didn't say what she was thinking. She gently hugged her friend's slim waist and skillfully changed the subject: "Shiona, the Harvest Festival is coming soon. Why don't you invite me to your home? I've always wanted to see the home of the Baron's daughter."

Shiona forced a smile: "My brother is a mage, and he doesn't like crowds. But I'll try to persuade him."

In fact, she didn't want others to know about her nominal noble lady status. If others found out about her family's difficult situation, it would only bring malicious laughter and ill-intentioned covetousness.

Shelley wanting to visit her home, Shiona naturally didn't want to. Her shabby and dilapidated home was not suitable for entertaining guests.

After using various excuses to fend off Shelley, Shiona parted ways with her friend and walked home with a heavy heart.

"Passing by the home of the Anluman Viscount, crossing three blocks, and turning at the crossroads, I'm almost there..."

Shiona walked the familiar route home.

Turning the last corner and standing at her doorstep, Shiona was stunned by the scene before her.

The familiar three-story mansion had been completely renovated, restored to the image she remembered from her childhood when she first came here. The small garden in front of the house had clearly been meticulously cared for, with the trees and flowers neatly trimmed. Even in autumn, the clean stone path was free of leaves.

"Did I take a wrong turn? Or did my brother sell this house?" Shiona stood at the doorstep, at a loss. The brave warrior who faced winter wolves and trolls was now like a lost kitten.

Two cute little maids in maid uniforms ran towards her, the lace on their skirts fluttering gently in the wind.

"Miss is back!" The two little maids exclaimed excitedly.

"Miss? Me?" Shiona glanced at the emblem on the door, "Yes, this is indeed the Freeman family's residence."

Having been away from Bluewater City for only a little over half a month, such a drastic change at home left Shiona in a daze, unable to understand the situation.

"Yes, the eldest daughter of the Freeman family, of course, it's you." Ira and Ileana led Shiona towards the mansion, "The master said you might return in the next two days, so he asked us to wait outside. You are indeed as beautiful as the master said..."

"That idiot brother, what nonsense!" Shiona's cheeks turned slightly red as she walked into the house she no longer recognized.

Ira lifted the hem of her skirt and bowed slightly to Shiona: "The master is in the living room talking to Sir Esemude. Please wait a moment, Miss."

Ira ran off, leaving Ileana to lead Shiona to a newly renovated luxurious bedroom.

"Since no one has visited in recent years, why did the haughty Baron Esemude suddenly come to visit today?" Shiona was increasingly confused.

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Shiona's confusion deepened as she walked through the newly renovated house.