Kase immediately said, "Nasty-tasting herbal soup."

’No, the problem can’t be this simple.’

Tea in this world came from the East, as did other valuables like porcelain and silk.

Besides, that Guard during the welcoming ceremony was also muttering about silk. ’Could it be...’

Colin said, "Could it be that the Cultists plan to attack the trade routes to the East, hype up the demand for Eastern goods, and then use the cargo they plunder to make a huge profit, all to fund their evil plan to destroy the world?"

"Not quite. You two really are complete opposites..."

Edwin muttered under his breath before continuing, "What I mean is, just like the shadow beneath this teacup, where there is light, there must be darkness. In the past, world-threatening disasters were not at all uncommon.

Demon Lords from the Abyss, Dukes of the Devil from Hell, and Evil Deities of the Mortal World—they are all creators of disaster. They have their own logic and interests. Although they usually fight among themselves, alliances are not unheard of."

Colin nodded. Edwin had been quite subtle.

The answer to his question was yes.

In other words, the recent unnatural winter disaster and the northern monsters moving south were just the tip of the iceberg. The Cultists were also starting to make their move in the shadows.

’So, are similar things happening in other corners of the world?’

His original body’s knowledge of the world was woefully inadequate. All Colin knew now was what happened in the immediate vicinity of Thousand Masts City.

He then asked, "Is there a library or a similar place in the city? I want to look up past history and information about various monsters."

Edwin nodded in satisfaction.

As was his custom, he opened a drawer, took out a piece of paper, and began to write and draw on it.

"The Divine Hall of the Deity of Knowledge is just such a place. Take this note and you can get paper and a pen from them," Edwin said. "This is a wise decision. No matter the situation, knowledge is always a useful weapon."

After speaking, he opened another drawer, took out two rings, and placed them on the table.

The two rings were identical to the City Guard ring in Colin’s hand, except they were inlaid with a gold trim, and Colin’s and Kase’s names were engraved on them.

"These are Seal Rings that only the better-performing New Blood can receive. They will prove your identity within Thousand Masts City’s sphere of influence. Please keep them safe."

Edwin then took out a money pouch and placed it on the desk.

This was the reward for the mission: thirty Gold Coins.

"By the way, a Priest named Orelia helped us a great deal this time," Colin said.

’Should I give her ten Gold Coins?’

"I will report this to the Priests at the House of the Morninglord. As for the reward money, you don’t need to split it with her. She will receive her own reward." Edwin had keenly perceived Colin’s thoughts.

"Okay, that’s all I wanted to ask." Colin breathed a sigh of relief.

"One more thing, Colin."

Edwin continued, "I’m hesitant to assign you any tasks recently. Things around Thousand Masts City have gotten troublesome, and the situation is deteriorating so quickly that our past experience in judging a commission’s difficulty has become somewhat unreliable.

Even a few Gray Squads have ’capsized in the gutter’ lately, so I suggest you lay low for a while. For example, rest in the city for a few days, collect yourselves. After all, if Mr. Kase were to die, our Orc settlement plan would be ruined."

Kase said, "But we still have to pay back that money."

"There’s no rush on that. The Weston Clan doesn’t care about such a small amount of Gold Coins. The trouble they’re in now can’t be solved with a few hundred Gold Coins," Edwin said patiently, as if coaxing a child. "But don’t just not pay it back. You have to give the nobles some face, right?"

The two nodded silently, said their goodbyes, and left the office.

They had talked with Edwin for quite a while, and it was now completely dark outside.

Because Thousand Masts City had no curfew and most streets were lined with public lamps, the city itself was still brightly lit. The two could clearly see the road beneath their feet and the endless stream of people on the distant trade street.

You could say the nightlife here was pretty vibrant.

The mission was now considered complete.

He was quite tired, so Colin decided to check out the "Hideous Laughter" spell he’d just obtained later. For now, he just wanted to wrap things up and go to sleep.

"We’re not really going to be idle, are we? We’re short on cash," Kase complained as he walked, his hands clasped behind his head.

"It can’t be helped. Think about all our missions. Something goes wrong with every single one. That’s definitely not normal. The whole situation is the problem, but you still blame it on my luck," Colin said.

’Judging by Edwin’s expression, he probably ran into some trouble on his last trip, too.’

’Speaking of which, I wonder how strong that Paladin really is. I think I heard something about him being a Legendary Paladin last time, but I have no idea what that really means.’

’Besides, Edwin went out to deal with a White Dragon last time. Did he run into an opponent even worse than a dragon?’

’It seems there really has been a lot of chaos lately.’

Kase suggested, "Why don’t we head further south and take a look? It can’t be as much trouble down there, right?"

"Hmm... that’s worth considering." Colin glanced at the map for the special mission. The marked spot was indeed south of Thousand Masts City.

’So, should I go south and take care of this mission? But there’s no way to know if that decision will get me killed. Who knows what’s lurking around that mission area?’

’I’ll decide after I’ve done some reading in the next couple of days.’

’Speaking of reading, now that I think about it...’

’If some major event is really about to happen, then a savior-like figure is bound to appear and save the world. In that case, the most important thing for me is to not get swept away and killed by the tide of refugees before the world is saved.’

’So, earning money, studying, and improving myself—I can’t slack on any of these things. In fact, I need to do more.’

’I’m so busy.’

Colin sighed, handing half the reward money to Kase. "Let’s go find the Dwarves and give them that heart first. Seriously, I don’t want to carry this damn thing overnight. We’ll have the Dwarves see what it’s worth later, and I’ll make up the difference to you."

"The Longbow I got is more expensive than what you got, so don’t worry about all that. And you’d better not say things like that in the future. You think my promise is just hot air?!" Kase waved his hand dismissively, his expression showing the matter was not up for discussion.

The two of them left Thousand Masts City and made their way to a sewer outfall.

However, the iron grate of the outfall was locked tight.

Colin knocked with his Hand Half Sword for a long time before Dorn, the gatekeeper, finally came.

The bald, white-bearded Dwarf rubbed his eyes and walked to the gate, complaining, "Honestly, I have half a mind to punch you. I told you not to come too early, and now you show up at bedtime. Are you trying to cause trouble on purpose, you little bastard?"

"Alright, alright. I’m quite afraid of people punching my thigh," Colin said with a laugh.

"Hmph, you glib-tongued human brat." With a CLANK, CLANK, Dorn opened the gate, yawned, and walked away.

Colin and Kase headed toward Donkexes’s herb shop, following the familiar path.

The old Dwarf’s place was brightly lit. Inside the herb shop were two other Dwarves they didn’t recognize. Both were wearing blacksmith’s aprons, looking as if they had just finished working.

However, the two Dwarves left quickly after seeing Colin and the others arrive.

"Why so late? Even if a Dwarf is made of iron, he still needs to sleep!" Donkexes complained as he wiped his table with a rag.

Colin took the cloth-wrapped heart from his bag and tossed it on the table. "I don’t want to hold onto this thing any longer. I feel like I’ll get hit with some weird Curse."

"What is it?"

Donkexes gave him a suspicious look, then silently lifted a corner of the cloth.

The moment he saw what was inside, his eyes shot wide open.