Chapter 403 403-Candidness
"You can choose to join or return to Breeze City." Antalya paused, her gaze lingering on Howard and Ali's faces for a few seconds each. "I'll still help you with your identity documents, but that's as far as I go. I won't be able to offer you any more assistance. Also, if you decide to disclose this matter..."
Although she didn't spell out the consequences, both could feel a chill from her words.
Antalya's decision to reveal this secret was clearly not intended for them to use as leverage but as an act of openness.
Or perhaps, a trade.
Her secret for theirs.
If they chose to partake in this quest, it was evident they would need to be forthcoming about their own origins, exchanging secrets for secrets.
Otherwise, their relationship with Antalya would not extend beyond that of employer and employee.
For Howard, this was far from good news.
Revealing his identity as the prince of the Oli Kingdom was out of the question; doing so would mean he couldn't leave alive.
Given the Oli Kingdom's offenses against several New World powers during its expansions, his presence was likely to be unwelcome here.
Yet... maintaining this fledgling friendship seemed more beneficial than harmful.
He felt compelled to make some gesture of good faith.
"You have half a day to think it over," Antalya said.
"There's no need to rush your decision, but I hope you consider it carefully. Deciding to join this quest means choosing to become my companion. It's not a decision to be taken lightly; it will affect the rest of your lives."
"Being an adventurer is not a glamorous job, even with a powerful mentor. Casualties are inevitable."
After finishing her statement, Antalya paused, as if she had more to say.
But Howard interrupted her.
Shaking his head, Howard spoke up: "There's no need for consideration, I choose to join this quest."
"There are some things I still can't reveal, but I can assure you that what I have told you is the truth. I am a level 3 magus, my name is genuine, and my countryside origin is real too, just not from Silverwind Kingdom, but a place far away. As for how I got here... I can't say right now."
Level 3 magus!
Not only Greg, but Antalya and Ali were also surprised, looking at Howard.
Although they had sensed that Howard was no ordinary person, they hadn't expected him to be a level 3 magus like Antalya.
And so young, it was truly incredible.
Unable to disclose his royal identity, Howard had to lean on his magus identity instead.
"Do you have any proof?" Antalya asked.
While Howard claimed to be a level 3 magus, words alone were not sufficient.
"This should suffice," Howard said, pulling out a small badge from his person—a bronze object the size of an egg, featuring a towering spire on one side and a circle of three stars on the other, with a mana crystal the size of a soybean set in the center of the stars.
A level 3 magus's badge! As a king, Howard had collected such items before.
On the day he left, thinking it might be useful, he took it with him.
Howard channeled mana into the badge, causing the mana crystal to emit a faint glow.
This was incontrovertible proof; each magus badge was linked to a single magus and could only be activated by the mana crystal on the badge by that magus, preventing anyone who acquired the badge from falsely claiming to be its owner.
Under normal circumstances, this was the case, but Howard was no ordinary individual.
He had ways to erase the original owner's traces from the badge.
"A true level 3 magus!" Greg exclaimed in surprise.
He himself was only a level 3, but significantly older than Howard!
"That will do," Antalya nodded, acknowledging Howard's status.
"Everyone has their own secrets that can't be fully disclosed to others. I'm already surprised that you're willing to reveal this much."
Initially, she had only suspected that Howard was concealing his true strength and decided to test him, never expecting Howard to be so forthright, laying his capabilities out in the open.
Though he still wasn't willing to divulge his origins, that no longer mattered; everyone had secrets they preferred to keep hidden.
"With Howard being so open... I guess I don't have much choice," Ali said, running her hands through her hair.
"Manager Antalya, you must have received that letter." Antalya nodded.
"So, that letter... It was indeed because of you."
"I've already seen the letter."
"Then you must know my background, but let me clarify it anyway," Ali paused, similarly pulling out a level 3 magus badge from her belongings.
"I'm a half-elf, a mix of elf and human, and a level 3 magus."
No further explanation was necessary; such disclosure was more than sufficient.
Any elf bloodline could only originate from the deeper parts of the New World, from the secluded elf kingdoms.
Normally, no mature elf bloodline would appear on the mainland, and even for a half-elf like Ali, this was unusual.
However, Ali did not provide more details about her reasons.
"As for proof of my elf bloodline..." Ali's right hand brushed over her eyes, peeling away a layer of colored disguise to reveal her true pupils.
Golden cross-star pupils, a trait only seen in those of true elf bloodline, signifying that if she was a half-elf, one of her direct relatives must be a pure-blooded elf.
"A golden cross-star," Antalya murmured in amazement.
Although she considered herself well-traveled and knowledgeable, having explored much of the northwestern part of Silverwind Kingdom, she had never encountered a true "golden cross-star" before.
At most, she had seen individuals with a hint of elf lineage, but their elf bloodline was so diluted it was nearly negligible.
In such cases, while still technically half-elves, their abilities were no different from ordinary humans.
Ali, clearly, was not one of those cases.
Possessing a "golden cross-star" meant her potential was no less than that of a pure-blooded elf, with perhaps only her lifespan falling short.
Knowing only that the two harbored secrets, Antalya had not anticipated the depth of those secrets.
"Howard, Ali! You two really know how to keep secrets! All this time, and I had no clue," Greg said, patting their backs and laughing...
He probably intended to pat their shoulders, but height restrictions meant settling for their backs instead.
Howard responded, "Well... it wasn't my intention to hide things... It's just, initially, I hadn't quite sorted out how to approach the subject with you all. But thank you, Manager Antalya."
"You helped me when I first arrived, took me in, and even assisted with my adventurer registration... There might not be much I can do, but whatever I can help with, just command, and I'll do it!"
Ali was recommended to come here, so the biggest element of uncertainty actually fell on Howard.
His declaration now served to alleviate Antalya's concerns and also reflected his genuine desire to assist Antalya.
Although uncertain of what he could offer, Howard was resolved to aid Antalya without hesitation if possible.
"I appreciate your sentiment," Antalya responded.
"Since you've chosen to be open, it means you're willing to become my companion. Mutual assistance is what companions do; there's no need for formalities."
"Of course, I'm not as active as I used to be, even though I still maintain the structure of an adventure group... but in reality, it's rarely utilized. Thus, I plan to invest my main efforts into training you."
You might become the successors of the adventure group.
Antalya didn't voice this thought, but her intent was quite clear.
While Ali and Howard might not fully grasp its significance, Greg did, his face showing a look of astonishment.
"There's nothing else for today; you're free to do as you please," Antalya said, taking Vivia by the hand.
"Regarding the quest, there will be a formal briefing and task assignment tomorrow. You don't need to worry about these matters for now. Just relax."
Howard and Ali nodded, turning to leave Antalya's room.
Casting a glance at Howard and Ali as they disappeared through the door, Greg stood before Antalya with a serious expression and asked, "Antalya, have you truly decided?"
"Vivia, wait for me on the balcony for a bit. I have something to tell you," Antalya said, squeezing Vivia's hand with a smile.
Though slightly puzzled, Vivia nodded and left the room.
Once Vivia was out of range, Antalya casually waved her hand, mana spreading from her fingertips.
A thin soundproof barrier quickly formed, enveloping the two of them.
"You've decided to let them inherit the adventure group?" Greg asked, his tone grave.
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