Chapter 543: The Road to Platinum

The arrival of Valeria and her mercenary company had caused quite a stir throughout the Adventurer Guild Headquarters, particularly among the older Warriors who remembered the Blood Queen’s reputation in Kingsford.

By the following morning, rumors of her return had already spread through the Guild District. Some Adventurers were curious about the famous Mercenary Queen, while others wondered whether her presence had anything to do with the Guild’s recent expansion.

Valeria, however, had little interest in the rumors.

She was currently standing before the high-ranking mission boards, examining the numerous assignments available to Gold-ranked and higher Adventurers.

Beside her stood Vanthrice, who appeared equally interested in the opportunities displayed before them.

"Well, this is certainly different from Evergreen," Vanthrice remarked, examining a mission involving the extermination of a dangerous Magical Beast. "We could spend an entire month accepting assignments here without exhausting the available work."

Valeria nodded thoughtfully as she examined another notice. "Evergreen has become too peaceful for someone of my strength. Most of the missions available there barely qualify as proper training anymore."

Vanthrice chuckled. "That’s because your definition of proper training usually involves fighting something capable of killing an entire squad of ordinary Knights."

"What’s wrong with that?" Valeria asked, looking genuinely puzzled.

Vanthrice sighed dramatically. "Nothing, Your Majesty. Absolutely nothing."

Valeria ignored the teasing and continued studying the mission board.

As a 6-Star Grandmaster Knight, she possessed strength that placed her among Westmark’s most formidable Warriors. However, strength alone wasn’t sufficient to advance through the Adventurer Guild’s ranking system.

An Adventurer needed completed missions, demonstrated competence, and a record of successfully handling assignments appropriate to their rank.

And Evergreen simply hadn’t offered enough opportunities for someone of her abilities.

"Still looking for something interesting?"

The familiar voice came from behind them.

Valeria turned and found Leon Drakar approaching with an amused expression. The captain of the Ardent Sun Knight Order wore his usual Adventurer attire, although his bearing remained unmistakably that of an experienced Knight.

For a moment, the two Grandmasters regarded one another.

Then Valeria glance at him. "Leon Drakar. I heard you were working with the Adventurer Guild, but I didn’t expect you to become its first Platinum Adventurer."

Leon laughed as he stopped before her. "And I heard the Blood Queen had finally returned to Kingsford. I was beginning to think you’d decided to spend the rest of your life hiding in Evergreen."

Valeria raised an eyebrow. "Hiding? That’s an interesting accusation coming from someone who spent years following military orders."

"Someone had to maintain a respectable reputation while you were terrifying half the mercenary companies in the capital," Leon replied with a grin.

Vanthrice laughed at the exchange.

Although Leon and Valeria had never been particularly close, their paths had crossed several times during the years when Valeria’s mercenary company operated in Kingsford.

Both had established formidable reputations through their strength, and neither had forgotten the other.

Valeria folded her arms. "So, tell me. How did you reach Platinum so quickly?"

Leon glanced toward the mission boards before answering. "By taking assignments that most Adventurers wouldn’t even consider attempting. Greyfen provided several opportunities, and the Guild has been receiving increasingly dangerous requests since establishing itself in Kingsford."

"Greyfen?" Valeria repeated with interest.

"The S-Rank Dungeon," Leon explained. "It’s considerably more dangerous than the ordinary dungeons surrounding the capital. The Guild’s expeditions there have already produced valuable discoveries, although we’ve barely explored a fraction of its depths."

Valeria’s eyes brightened.

An S-Rank Dungeon containing hundreds of floors was precisely the sort of challenge she had been hoping to find.

Leon noticed her expression and chuckled. "I should warn you that Greyfen isn’t somewhere you can simply charge into because you’re bored. Even powerful Warriors need proper preparation."

Valeria gave him an unimpressed look. "Are you worried about me, Leon?"

"I’m worried about whoever has to accompany you," Leon replied without hesitation.

Vanthrice burst into laughter.

Valeria rolled her eyes, although a faint smile appeared upon her lips.

"Very amusing. Now explain the ranking requirements."

Leon nodded and gestured toward the nearby registration counters. "Platinum isn’t awarded simply because someone possesses the strength of a Grandmaster Knight. The Guild evaluates an Adventurer’s completed missions, their difficulty, reliability, and overall achievements. You need a record demonstrating that you can consistently handle assignments beyond the capabilities of ordinary high-ranking Adventurers."

Valeria listened attentively.

"That means completing high-level missions, then?" she asked.

"Among other things," Leon answered. "Your combat strength already gives you an advantage, but you’ll still need to satisfy the Guild’s advancement requirements. Fortunately, Kingsford offers considerably more opportunities than Evergreen."

Valeria glanced toward the mission board again.

She had completed numerous assignments over the years, but many had been relatively modest compared to her actual strength.

Had she remained in Kingsford, her advancement might have been considerably faster.

However, she couldn’t bring herself to regret the decision that had taken her to Evergreen.

After all, that was where Mina had become involved with the Adventurer Guild, and Valeria had gained companions she now considered important.

Still, there was no reason to continue limiting herself.

"Then I suppose I’ll have to start accepting more difficult assignments," Valeria remarked.

Leon smiled. "I’d be disappointed if you didn’t."

Their conversation was interrupted by a familiar voice.

"Well, well! Look at this! Two Grandmasters discussing how impressive they are!"

Gregor approached with Lucan beside him, both wearing expressions that suggested they had already been arguing about something.

Valeria glanced toward them. "Gregor, shouldn’t you be finding yourself a mission instead of bothering people?"

Gregor placed a hand against his chest. "Valeria, I’m wounded. Is that any way to greet the world’s first Adventurer?"

Lucan immediately chuckled. "There he goes again. I’m beginning to think Gregor introduces himself that way even when ordering breakfast."

Gregor turned toward him indignantly. "And why shouldn’t I? It’s an important historical achievement!"

"Of course," Lucan replied with a perfectly serious expression. "Perhaps we should commission a statue of you standing outside Headquarters, holding your first Adventurer Badge."

Gregor’s eyes brightened. "Now that’s actually a wonderful idea!"

Vanthrice shook her head while laughing. "Please don’t encourage him, Lucan. His ego is already large enough."

Leon watched the exchange with considerable amusement.

"So you’re Gregor," he remarked. "I’ve heard about you."

Gregor immediately straightened. "Good things, I hope."

Leon smiled. "Mostly that you never stop reminding people you registered first."

Lucan burst into laughter.

Gregor stared at Leon before shaking his head. "Unbelievable. I’ve been here less than two days, and everyone’s already conspiring against me."

Valeria smirked. "Perhaps you should focus on reaching Platinum instead of demanding statues."

Gregor pointed toward her. "Don’t think I haven’t considered it! I’ll reach Platinum eventually, and then you’ll all have to acknowledge my greatness."

Lucan folded his arms. "You’ll have to get there before me."

Gregor turned toward him with a competitive grin. "Oh, it’s on."

Leon chuckled as the two began arguing about which of them would advance first.

Watching them, Valeria couldn’t help finding the atmosphere strangely familiar.

Despite the enormous scale of the Royal Capital Headquarters, the people who had helped establish the Guild still behaved much as they had in Evergreen.

Their surroundings had changed, but their relationships hadn’t.

A short distance away, Sage had been observing the gathering alongside Boren and Lyana.

The two administrators had spent much of the morning discussing the differences between Evergreen’s operations and the considerably larger system established in Kingsford.

Lyana was particularly interested in the Guild’s expanded administrative departments.

"I have to admit, Sage, you’ve created quite a monster here," Lyana remarked, examining the crowded registration hall. "I thought managing Evergreen was complicated, but this place makes our Headquarters look like a village office."

Sage grinned. "A very successful monster, thank you."

Boren chuckled. "One that requires an unreasonable amount of paperwork to keep alive."

Lyana laughed. "Then it’s fortunate you have Boren. Otherwise, you’d probably be buried beneath those reports by now."

Sage looked offended. "I’ll have you know I’m an exceptionally hardworking Guildmaster."

Boren and Lyana exchanged amused glances.

"Of course you are," Boren replied with suspicious sincerity.

Sage decided not to pursue the matter.

Instead, his attention returned to Valeria.

As a 6-Star Grandmaster Knight, she possessed the strength and experience necessary to become one of the Guild’s most valuable high-ranking Adventurers.

Her mercenary company also represented an established fighting force, with members accustomed to working together under her leadership.

However, Sage had been considering another possibility.

The Guild’s registered Adventurer Teams were designed to allow compatible Adventurers to undertake difficult assignments together, share responsibilities, and establish reputations through collective achievements.

Valeria could potentially form a powerful team of her own.

Such an arrangement wouldn’t require her to abandon her mercenary company. The two organizations served different purposes, and she could continue commanding her existing subordinates while establishing a registered Adventurer Team for specialized missions.

More importantly, experienced teams would become increasingly valuable as the Guild expanded into additional regions.

"You’re thinking about something again," Lyana observed, noticing Sage’s expression.

Sage smiled. "Just considering how useful it would be to have another powerful Adventurer Team operating out of Kingsford."

Boren followed his gaze toward Valeria. "Lady Valeria?"

"She already commands experienced fighters," Sage replied. "And with the right companions, she could undertake assignments that would be difficult even for ordinary high-ranking Adventurers."

Lyana considered the suggestion before nodding. "It would certainly make sense. Although knowing Valeria, I suspect she’d prefer to choose her own teammates."

"Naturally," Sage answered. "I have no intention of choosing them for her."

Meanwhile, Valeria had finished examining another set of missions.

Several assignments required considerable combat strength, while others involved dungeon exploration, dangerous escort operations, and the elimination of powerful Magical Beasts.

For the first time in months, she found herself genuinely excited about the available work.

Leon noticed her expression.

"Found something interesting?" he asked.

Valeria turned toward him with a confident smile.

"Several things, actually."

Leon nodded approvingly. "Then I look forward to seeing what you accomplish."

Valeria glanced toward the Platinum Adventurer insignia displayed upon his badge.

For a moment, she studied it silently.

Then her smile widened.

"Enjoy being the only Platinum Adventurer while you can, Leon," Valeria declared, her voice carrying unmistakable determination. "Because I’ve decided something."

Gregor stopped arguing with Lucan and turned toward her.

Vanthrice raised an eyebrow, already suspecting what was coming.

Valeria rested one hand upon her sword and looked directly at Leon.

"I’m going to become the world’s second Platinum Adventurer."