I am the Enchantress!

Chapter 157 Joffrey's Mission

Cyrion and Martha stared at Talia's pupils for a moment, stunned.

They then looked at Maeve, who was standing to the side. She seemed to sense their confusion but simply shook her head.

Maeve had, of course, noticed the unusual color of Talia's pupils long ago.

However, neither Talia nor Wilder brought it up, and she didn't intend to ask. Perhaps there was some secret they couldn't tell.

Seeing Talia's evasive and confused look when Martha asked her question just now, she became even more determined in her opinion.

There must be some unspeakable reason behind it, right?

Compared to Maeve, Cyrion and Martha were more straightforward, but they didn't press the injured Talia for more information.

They decided to ask Wilder directly.

This includes details about what kind of monster attacked Talia and how he accurately located her in the vast border forest.

We need to ask clearly and thoroughly about everything.

Yes, although they heard from Maeve that Talia had suffered sword wounds and frostbite, they didn't connect it at all with the red dragon in that battle.

Because they lack the preconceived notion that "dragons could potentially become humans."

Their instinct to investigate the cause and effect of the incident stemmed primarily from their concern for their two partners and their natural curiosity.

However, when they went next door to ask Wilder for answers to their questions, they found him still asleep.

His breathing was even and deep, carrying a sense of complete relaxation after exhaustion, occasionally interspersed with a very soft whimper.

Cyrion was about to wake him up to go downstairs for dinner when Maeve stopped him.

"He didn't sleep all night, and spent the whole morning buying medicine for Talia. He didn't close his eyes at all."

She said softly, "Let him sleep a little longer. When he wakes up and sees no one next door, he'll come downstairs on his own."

"Hmm... okay."

Cyrion nodded, agreeing with Maeve's opinion.

Talia's injuries had improved considerably with Maeve's treatment and the aid of medicine, and she was able to go downstairs for a meal without any problem, so she sat down with them at the tavern on the first floor.

Gru and Lyle arrived shortly afterward.

Next, time rewinds to the moment Wilder and Joffrey sat down at the table.

Before they could even voice their questions about Talia and Wilde, Cyrion and his companions noticed Joffrey's unusual behavior.

This is the second strange thing that happened today.

Moreover, compared to Wilder and Talia's perilous situation and eventual safety, Joffrey's worried expression at this moment is clearly more noteworthy.

"Joffrey, you don't look well. What happened?"

In the end, it was Cyrion, as the captain, who asked the question directly.

"Um----"

Joffrey looked up, first staring blankly at Cyril, then glancing around at the others at the table.

Aside from Talia, who was focused on eating her grilled beef ribs, everyone else's attention was on him.

He took a deep breath, picked up the fresh mead that Ella had just brought, and took a big gulp.

"Okay, something bad has indeed happened."

He finally spoke.

Perhaps it was the alcohol in the beer that took effect quickly, or perhaps it was the cool taste that soothed his mind.

The composure that belongs to wanderers has returned to at least eight-tenths of its former self.

"You may not know this, but in addition to being a registered adventurer with the Adventurers' Guild, I am also a member of the Wanderers' Guild, which is a separate organization independent of the Adventurers' Guild."

The others were indeed hearing about this for the first time, because warriors and rangers did not actually have separate associations.

Maeve does go to church twice a week, but it's not part of the association, and they don't get assigned tasks there.

Only Wilder wasn't too surprised.

After all, he currently has the Mage Guild's silver badge in his pocket.

He had always assumed that every profession had such an independent organization.

"Unlike the Adventurers' Guild, which allows members to freely accept missions, the Wanderers' Guild periodically assigns missions to designated members."

Joffrey continued, "Guild members must accept missions unconditionally, or they will be severely punished by the guild. That's why I don't go to the Adventurers' Guild often, because I have to spend some time completing missions there."

This reminded Wilder of the last time the team was preparing to rest for a few days. When asked about his plans, he simply smiled and didn't give a direct answer.

They must have gone to do a mission for the Wanderers' Guild.

"What kind of bullshit rule is this?"

Gru said, slightly angrily, "Then why join this kind of association?"

"Because the association provides free training and guidance to newly hired nomads in the early stages."

Joffrey gave a bitter smile. "Most people who choose the profession of a wanderer didn't have a good life before, and some even couldn't afford to eat. The Wanderers' Association will provide them with free meals and lodging."

No one spoke, but they all nodded in unison.

He was right.

Valiant warriors, magnificent mages, holy priests —

With so many desirable professions described in positive terms, who would willingly choose to become a wanderer, where even finding teammates for quests is difficult?

Unless, of course, there is no other choice.

Thinking about it this way, perhaps behind Joffrey's calm and gentlemanly face, he also experienced an extremely unfortunate past.

The faces of the people at the table couldn't help but show an unusual expression.

"Of course, I'm an exception."

With a hint of self-deprecation and barely perceptible pride, Joffrey continued, "I chose to become a wanderer because of my interest, and I joined the Wanderer's Guild to gain more opportunities for training."

'

""

The unusual feelings vanished in an instant.

The corners of everyone's mouths twitched.

Believe it or not, there are actually people whose ideal is to become a wanderer who walks the gray area.

"So, is the problem with the task the association gave you today?" Lyle asked.

You're right.

Joffrey nodded to the equally astute ranger in respect.

"This morning at noon I was summoned to the association to receive a task, but the task was completely beyond my expectations."

As he said this, the unease about the mission seemed to resurface in Joffrey's mind, causing his face, which had just calmed down, to waver again.

Is this beyond the imagination of an intermediate-level wanderer?

What kind of mission will it be?

"So—what is the mission?" Wilder asked.

Joffrey didn't answer immediately; his ears, hidden under his hat brim, twitched slightly, as if checking to see if anyone was eavesdropping in the noisy surroundings.

A few seconds later, after making sure there were no eavesdroppers, he slowly spoke: "They want me to assassinate someone."

"Who?"

Wilder pressed for an answer.

"A member of the investigation team sent from the headquarters of the Danube City Association."

Joffrey narrowed his eyes to slits and continued with a grim expression, "High-ranking mage."

"Monk Dresden".