In Re-Estize, the royal capital of the Re-Estize Kingdom, it looked as messy as ever whenever the rain was over. No matter how one looked at it, it wasn't a beautiful sight but instead resembled a muddy rural scene.
Puddles filled the streets, and as carriages raced by, the wheels splashed water and mud everywhere, staining the walls of the buildings on both sides.
Such a sight, no matter how one looked at it, was simply terrible.
Gazef, concerned that it might rain again, had brought a raincoat before heading out.
Even though he wore a raincoat, ironically, instead of keeping him dry from the rain, it shielded him from the splashing mud caused by the carriages, which made it feel like a joke.
Unfortunately, he had things to do and someone to see today, so he didn't have time to dwell on any sadness or regrets. He quickly shook off any complicated thoughts in his mind and immediately headed in a clear direction.
Soon enough, Gazef arrived in front of an inn.
Located on the side of the main street, this was an inn specifically set up for adventurers.
Not only did it have luxurious accommodations, stables, and a wide courtyard perfect for sword training, but the magnificent exterior made it easy to imagine that the interior would be just as splendidly decorated.
Since Gazef rarely had anything to do with adventurers, he didn't come here often, and it could even be said that he had never come here before. But since he had to meet a great adventurer who had finally agreed to his impolite request, he had no other choice but to come.
Gazef passed through the guards standing at the door, who gave him a look over, and stepped into the inn.
As soon as he entered, he immediately saw a spacious hall that resembled some kind of restaurant, with all the furniture inside being high-end—definitely the kind of place that nobles who loved high society would enjoy visiting.
However, for such a luxurious place, there were very few customers inside, with only a few tables occupied.
All of the customers were dressed in high-quality equipment, with metal plates hanging from their necks that showed no signs of material below mithril, clearly indicating they were adventurers—and not just any adventurers, but at least Mithril Adventurers.
Mithril Adventurers, the highest rank possible in E-Rantel, were casually gathered in this inn, making it clear how powerful the adventurers here were.
When Gazef arrived, all the adventurers in the restaurant immediately turned to look at him before making surprised expressions a moment later.
"Hey... isn't that the Warrior Captain?"
"Gazef Stronoff..."
"The strongest warrior?"
"What's he doing here?"
Muttering among themselves, the adventurers exchanged surprised looks, then turned their gazes onto Gazef with a fiery intensity.
Gazef was used to such stares—the kind people gave when they were eager to challenge the so-called 'strongest warrior' to make a name for themselves.
Adventurers, whether low-ranking or high-ranking, all deeply yearned for fame and dreamed of their names echoing throughout the world. Any adventurer understood that this would not only benefit their work but also their future prospects, allowing them to gain a higher status.
Once famous, people would seek them out, either to join their adventurer group or to assign them difficult, high-reward quests or commissions.
Completing difficult, high-reward quests or commissions would naturally build their accomplishments and raise their adventurer rank.
It was a positive cycle, a necessary competition.
As a result, adventurers, without exception, all had a need for fame, and sometimes, in pursuit of good fame, they didn't mind doing things that bordered on danger.
Such a passion, when seen by ordinary people, could certainly be called terrifying.
In front of a group of adventurers like this, Gazef, known as the strongest in the kingdom, suddenly appearing would naturally make those confident in their own abilities want to step on his success to make a name for themselves.
It was precisely because of this that Gazef rarely interacted with adventurers.
However, to say that he completely avoided interacting with adventurers would have been an overstatement since his master had once been an adventurer, and the one who had given him the magic ring that could make him step into the Realm of Heroes was also an adventurer.
In fact, there were quite a few adventurers he had connections with, but they had long since passed the stage of craving fame and now held very high positions among adventurers.
Now, the one he was about to meet was also someone who had recently achieved the highest accomplishments among adventurers.
Ignoring the hot gazes directed at him from all around, Gazef's eyes swept the hall twice, and when he spotted a corner, he finally stopped.
"Who is he looking at?"
Watching Gazef's behavior, the adventurers noticed and followed his gaze.
In the next instant, in a corner near the window, a young man who seemed completely out of place caught everyone's attention.
Different from the other adventurers, the young man wasn't wearing any obvious armor, only some accessories that looked quite extraordinary, making him appear less like an adventurer and more like a young nobleman here to experience life.
He leaned against the window, holding a cup of tea and sipping it absentmindedly, his attention constantly focused on something outside, as if something there was drawing him in.
Seeing the young man, who looked more like a young noble than an adventurer, the adventurers exchanged strange glances.
It couldn't be helped.
Before this, they hadn't even noticed such an out-of-place young man sitting there, and it was only when they followed Gazef's gaze that they finally saw him, which was truly peculiar.
Meanwhile, when Gazef saw the young man, his face instantly lit up with joy, and, in front of everyone, he immediately walked up to him.
"Long time no see, Sir Brynhart."
To everyone's astonishment, Gazef actually bent down and respectfully bowed to the young man, who was none other than Riezel.
Clearly, his attitude didn't seem like one would show to someone of higher status, but more like how one would treat a powerful figure they genuinely admired and looked up to.
In fact, he was indeed greeting Riezel with that very feeling.
If anyone asked him, he would proudly admit that the young man in front of him, who appeared to be much younger than him, was undoubtedly a powerful figure whom he truly admired and respected, as proven by the battle in Carne Village over two months ago.
For this reason, he didn't treat Riezel like his junior, but as someone ahead of him, a pioneer worthy of learning from.
Perhaps it was precisely because of this straightforward attitude that Riezel viewed Gazef in a different light.
"Yeah, long time no see." Riezel responded without taking his eyes off the window, continuing to sip his tea. "So... this is the royal capital you talked about?"
"Yes." Gazef nodded with a smile. "Is this your first time in the royal capital?"
"Obviously... I haven't been to many human cities, and this one's no different." Riezel replied, still gazing out the window.
"I see..." Gazef nodded again before asking in a somewhat cautious tone. "So, how do you feel about it?"
"How do I feel?"
Riezel shifted his gaze and looked at the well-built man before him with a faint smile.
"Terrible."
Upon hearing this blunt answer, Gazef let out a wry smile at the response he had expected.
"Alright, sit down." Riezel continued, no longer looking outside as he gestured to the seat across from him. "You have something to talk to me about, right?"
"Yes."
Gazef immediately sat down in front of Riezel, his expression turning serious.
"Firstly, I want to thank you for agreeing to my impolite request and coming all the way to the royal capital."
Shortly after saying this, Gazef bowed his head to Riezel.
In truth, Gazef hadn't had much hope to begin with.
When they parted ways back in E-Rantel, although he had given Riezel the communication magic item he had always carried with him, he had never expected much from it.
In the first place, the magic item wasn't very effective, as there could be delays or errors when transmitting messages, and its success rate for communication was also highly unreliable.
Because of this, he had no real confidence in being able to contact Riezel through it.
Moreover, the reason he gave Riezel the communication magic item was so that Riezel could reach out to him if he was ever in need, as a way to repay the life-saving favor. Yet, it turned out that before Riezel ever needed anything, he had already caused another trouble for Riezel, which made him feel somewhat ashamed and guilty.
"Nah, don't worry about it." Riezel responded nonchalantly. "You gave me that valuable ring, so I can offer a little after-service once or twice."
"Thank you very much." Gazef nodded, understanding without needing to say more.
"So? What is it?" Riezel asked, getting to the point. "You wanted me to come to the royal capital—what do you want me to do?"
Upon hearing this question, Gazef didn't answer right away but thought carefully about his words, pondering for a while before finally speaking.
"I want you to help someone."
At this unexpected reason, Riezel raised an eyebrow slightly.
"Help someone?" Riezel asked with a puzzled expression. "What? Is someone around you sick or something? You should send them to the temple, not ask for my help."
"Well... yes, he's sick, and it looks like it's pretty serious..." Gazef sighed helplessly. "But I believe this kind of illness... no one but you can cure it."
"Even if you say that, I'm not a priest." Riezel rolled his eyes but didn't outright deny it. "What kind of illness does he have?"
"He has a mental illness..." Gazef replied seriously. "If left untreated, he might even end his life, which is why I want you to meet him."
As soon as Riezel heard this, his eyes narrowed.
"Who is he?"
Riezel, slowly realizing what this was about, asked a crucial question.
Gazef, with a solemn expression, answered in a heavy tone.
"He's Brain Unglaus, a great warrior who once fought me to a draw at the kingdom's tournament—someone who is my equal."