"Old Jack, you really have news about that lady!"
Everyone thought that even if he knew the lady's identity, it would take time to investigate. But they didn't expect that Old Jack would already know as soon as the lady had just arrived in the forest town.
This Old Jack was even more resourceful than they imagined. They seemed to need to re-evaluate the abilities of this tavern owner.
"Didn't you all come here to ask about her identity?" Old Jack said casually, as if unaware of the surprise he had caused everyone.
"Then stop beating around the bush and tell us quickly who that lady is!"
Everyone was very curious about the lady at this moment. Since Old Jack knew her identity and mentioned that she lacked guards, they were naturally even more curious.
Old Jack raised his wine glass and smiled.
"Alright, alright. Another mug of ale!" many people called out.
Old Jack immediately had his staff pour them drinks.
After everyone had a mug of ale, Old Jack spoke.
"You must have heard of the 'Rose of the Holy See,' haven't you?" Old Jack no longer beat around the bush.
"You mean, the Holy Maiden of Light?" an adventurer quickly chimed in.
"How is that possible? How could that esteemed person come to such a small place?"
"Yeah, it can't be that esteemed person."
"How could that esteemed person bring only these few people?"
Although these people said it was impossible, with such beauty, it was likely only the Holy Maiden of Light.
"It's the former Holy Maiden of Light," Old Jack stopped his actions. "The news that the Holy Maiden of Light, Angelina, was exiled to the Land of Chaos, reached here days ago.
And that lady, accompanied by well-equipped Knights of Light, but those knights' combat power doesn't match their equipment. Who else do you think she could be?"
"The Holy Maiden was exiled? I didn't know about this news!" a scruffy-bearded man retorted.
"Don't you think about how long you've been in the forest? What could you possibly know!" another person immediately shot back.
"That's why I'm telling you, if you're confident in your abilities, you can go and try your luck," Old Jack ignored the man who had argued with him.
His gaze fell on the man sitting in the corner, who was completely hidden in the shadows, seemingly detached from everyone, and completely uninterested in their conversation.
"Even if that Holy Maiden was exiled, she wouldn't look down on us messy adventurers, would she!" one adventurer said sourly.
"Times are different now. That Holy Maiden must be in great need of people who can escort her safely to the Land of Chaos," Old Jack said with great certainty.
Hearing Old Jack's confident words, the other adventurers were not stupid.
Even though this Angelina was the former Holy Maiden, as a high-ranking member of the Church of Light, how could she possibly lack people to protect her?
It was unlikely she would be reduced to bringing only this few people, so this former Holy Maiden of Light must be in big trouble. They didn't think their abilities could resolve such a big problem.
"Anyway, I've told you the news. Whether you want to go or not is up to you," Old Jack said, then changed the subject.
Others also joined in with some lewd jokes, as if they had put the matter aside.
As for what they were thinking in their hearts, no one knew. Many of them seemed distracted. It seemed the news had still had some impact on them.
On the other side, in the inn, Lin Yan sat by the window, looking at the dense forest.
"Angie, Sir Wil is looking for you," the maid said as she entered.
"Let him in," Lin Yan withdrew her gaze from the outside.
Sir Wil entered quickly, and after saluting Lin Yan, he spoke.
"My lady, we are entering the forest tomorrow. I asked the innkeeper about the forest, and he told me that entering the forest this season is very dangerous."
From the information he gathered, this forest not only harbored many dangerous magical beasts but was also connected to the Elven Forest. A portion of their route would be along the edge of the Elven Forest.
If His Excellency were still the Holy Maiden of Light, she could use that identity to borrow passage from the elves. But now that she no longer had that status, if they truly entered the Elven Forest, they would likely be in great danger.
This was the path Lin Yan had chosen. Although he already knew this path was dangerous, he would protect her safety.
"You can rest assured about this, Your Excellency. We will not be in danger. Please be so kind as to post a notice tomorrow. We need to hire some people, and the price is negotiable. I noticed many adventurers in this town when we entered today. I think we need to hire at least one guide."
Lin Yan did not say she needed to hire guards, only a guide. This was to give Wil and the others some face.
"You have considered it carefully. I will post the notice first thing tomorrow morning," Wil also knew that Lin Yan was giving them face.
He truly resented his talent now. If only his level were higher.
"Yes, we will stay in this town for three days. Hiring people will be up to you. Lisa will prepare everything else. We will enter the forest after three days.
Sir Wil, I know that the path I have chosen is somewhat willful, but this may be our only way to survive. I will do my best to ensure we reach the Land of Chaos alive."
"I understand your considerations and will use all my abilities to ensure your safety. Please rest, and I will go discuss the subsequent itinerary with the others."
"Thank you for your trouble," Lin Yan nodded.
The next morning, Sir Wil found the place to post notices. He came from a common background. Before becoming a Knight of Light, he had also been an adventurer, so he was quite familiar with these matters.
He brought a knight with him. They were both of humble origins, or rather, their team had no nobles at all.
After all, if they were nobles, how could they still be by the side of the exiled Holy Maiden?
They didn't have that arrogant demeanor of other Knights of Light, so no conflicts arose when posting the notices.
Of course, although their abilities might not match those of the adventurers, they believed that Ms. Angelina would certainly trust them more.
After having lunch, Lin Yan left the inn alone. She did not bring any servants or knights with her.
Lin Yan had not shown her abilities in front of these people, so no one knew how capable she was.
However, this town was not very dangerous, so after being unable to dissuade Lin Yan, they let her leave the inn alone.
Lin Yan, cloaked, walked slowly on the cobblestone paths of the town, observing everything. This town had appeared in the original plot. It was the gateway to the forest, and many people who entered the forest to hunt magical beasts rested here.
Right, this forest, being next to the Land of Chaos, was also known as the Chaos Forest.
The Chaos Forest bordered the Elven Forest. However, unlike the dangerous magical beasts within the Chaos Forest, the danger in the Elven Forest came from the beautiful elves.
They disliked outsiders and would drive away anyone who approached their territory.
The path they were taking now would pass through the Elven Forest. Lin Yan was not worried about her safety.
Although she had not yet mastered all the knowledge in her mind, with her current abilities, she could ensure her own safety.
Lin Yan had come out this time to find someone, someone who could help protect her servants.
However, the plot only mentioned that the person lived in this town, and Lin Yan didn't know how to find him. This outing was just a gamble.
But Lin Yan didn't expect her figure to adorn someone's vision.
Morris didn't expect the protagonist he heard about in the tavern last night to appear before him today, and alone at that.
This former Holy Maiden seemed a bit too optimistic, or perhaps she thought too kindly of people. After all, even if he didn't know why she lost her position as Holy Maiden, he knew she would never be safe.
Now she had abandoned her servants and her guarding knights and came out alone. She really didn't take her own life seriously.
Didn't she know what kind of face she had?
But she truly lived up to the title "Rose of the Holy See." Such beauty even an angel would pale in comparison.
She was the most beautiful Holy Maiden since the establishment of the Holy See. With such a Holy Maiden preceding her, he truly felt sorry for her successor.
This lady seemed too bold. It's just that without the protection of the Holy See, what made her so confident?
Although Morris didn't want to interfere with this former Holy Maiden of the Holy See, he still couldn't take his eyes off her.
Finally, as she reached the end of the road and was about to disappear from his sight, he followed.
"Hey, lady! You look like a lost lamb. May I ask if you need my help?" Morris blocked Lin Yan's path.
"Captain, these people?" Knight Sean looked worriedly at the people who came to accept the job.
"They are all here for money. Ms. Angelina's safety still requires us."
"That's not what I mean. It's just that their abilities are higher than ours. What if they..." Sean was very worried.
The strongest among them was only the captain, but these adventurers were all at a considerable level. If they wanted to violate the contract, they wouldn't even be able to resist.
"Don't worry, there's also Ms. Angie. Don't underestimate her abilities. She has the strongest talent for Light Element in nearly a thousand years."
If it weren't for that, how could she have suppressed the Son of God so tightly? Making that esteemed Son of God insist on driving her away from the center of the Holy See.
"Then how powerful is Ms. Angelina?" Sean was very curious.
"I don't know. Few people have seen her make a move. But five years ago, she was already a Level 4 Light Mage," Wil recalled the scene of his first meeting with Lin Yan four years ago.
"Five years ago!" Sean was shocked. Five years ago, the Holy Maiden was still a child, and she was already so powerful.
Now, five years later, Angelina's abilities were probably even more astonishing.
"So we must know that what we are protecting is not Ms. Angelina herself, but her belongings and luggage. As for the lady herself, she will take care of herself," Wil instructed.
"Understood, Captain."
Lin Yan looked up at the person who had called her. His clothes were somewhat old, but they were washed very clean. This man was different from the unkempt adventurers; he was as polite as a gentleman.
"Is there something?"
"I heard that the lady is recruiting some guards. What do you think of me?" he offered himself.
"I still trust your abilities quite a bit, but I don't know what your remuneration would be," Lin Yan did not engage in idle chatter.
"If it's too expensive, I'm afraid I can't afford it. I believe Your Excellency also knows that I am just a pitiful former Holy Maiden, banished by the Holy See."
"One gold coin. Just one gold coin, and I will make it worth your while!"
He didn't know why he had to get involved in this mess, but he didn't regret saying that price.
"You don't even have a single gold coin, do you?"
Seeing Lin Yan's silence, he added.
"Of course, I do. But is the price you're offering too low?"
This price might not be low for other low-level adventurers, but for his abilities, it was indeed too low.
"Does Your Excellency have any other requirements?"
"It's interesting. Do you think you have anything that would make me ask for anything, my lady?" Morris asked with interest.
"After all, you said you were banished by the Holy See."
"Even a sinking ship has three thousand nails. No matter what, I am still a former Holy Maiden of the Holy See, and I have some things on hand." Although this person looked ordinary, Lin Yan felt that he was not simple.
Although she hadn't found the person she was looking for, this person could still do what she required.
She just didn't know who he was and why he was staying in such a small town.
"That sentence seems to have a deep meaning. However, I only ask for one gold coin. I hope my lady can give me this opportunity to protect you to the Land of Chaos."
"Alright," Lin Yan looked into his eyes and saw no calculation, so she agreed.
"I still don't know your name."
"My name is Morris. It's a pleasure to meet you!"
Morris, the black dragon Morris. Lin Yan's mind brought up characters from the original plot concerning this name.
However, this man in front of her was completely different from the black dragon Morris who had been rampant in the plot.
Same name? Lin Yan felt it was unlikely. Then it was the same dragon. She just didn't know what had happened to this esteemed black dragon later to become the way he was in the original plot.
"Then I wish us a pleasant cooperation!"