Chapter 263: Three Parties

The next day in the underground training hall...

Three adventurer parties could be seen lined up uniformly, seemingly waiting for something.

From the right, they were: Vanta, led by Vanessa; Exemplar, led by Zild; and Gotun, led by Lesfera.

They were none other than the three groups of survivors from the former demonic suicide squad that had chosen to lead a new life as adventurers.

’I wonder how Brother Regis has been... It’s been a long while since I last saw him.’

Zild thought, his heart filled with an overwhelming admiration that bordered on fanaticism.

His dark blue hair fell to the end of his neck while his eyes, which were of the same color, were filled with anticipation.

Zild could still remember how Regis had been saved from the demonic human leader back then, when they had all fused into a grotesque monster.

As if that was not enough, he provided a place for them to spend time as they wished.

And ultimately, he gave them the privilege to live the lives they wanted.

That was right, privilege.

For someone like Zild, such freedom could only be considered a privilege, given what he and the others went through.

’If I can pay back even a fraction of what he did for us, then I’ll gladly offer my life to do so!’

He thought, his eyes brimming with determination.

Meanwhile, right beside his party...

’Even Sister Vanessa is here! I’m so excited!’

The leader of Gotun, Lesfera, used all her strength to prevent her face from showing even the slightest smile.

Although doing so was not really prohibited, she took it upon herself to treat the current situation with as much solemnness as she could muster.

Unlike other girls, Lesfera had a tall and bulky body that was not befitting someone who was in her teenage years.

Besides her standing at around 185 meters tall, with bulging muscles, her orange hair tied into two braids, and her green eyes that seemed as clear as water, she was just like a normal girl.

Of course, this was only true if she had not experienced a cruel past, like everyone in the room.

Nevertheless, her features, among her members, who all looked like normal teenagers, inevitably stuck out like a sore thumb.

Like Zild, Lesfera also appreciated what Regis had done for them throughout all these years and was resolved to make up for it, even by just a little bit.

The leaders of the two parties, and even their party members, standing uniformly behind them, looked like fans waiting in anticipation to catch a glimpse of their favorite idol.

"These kids... they’re already grown-ups." Vanessa sighed with a smile as she shook her head.

As someone who stood up for them as their big sister, she could not help but feel a little emotional as she was now seeing them after quite a long while.

After all, the reason why these two particular groups had reached their ranks today was that they had all put in the effort.

In the three years that they had been adventurers, a major part of their time was spent doing quests out of town with long-duration periods.

Many would see this as unhealthy and depressing, but for them, this was freedom.

In fact, when they first chose to become adventurers, they were also told that, if they wanted, they could be part of the party under the corporation Regis planned to establish in the future.

This was another major reason they had to work even harder.

After a few minutes, the door to the underground training hall opened, followed by the looks of anticipation of everyone— even Vanessa, Perto, and Brutt were no exception.

The first to enter was Aurelia, followed by Pandora, Killian, Regis, and Marzana.

"Leader, these are the three parties who were willing to join our soon-to-be adventurer corporation." Aurelia introduced with a gentle smile.

Regis scratched the back of his head with a shy smile, "Why are you calling me that? It’s just us here, so I don’t think it’s necessary."

However, Aurelia shook her head with a stern expression, "No. We must keep formalities and etiquette whenever we meet as a corporation. Although it may seem like a little thing, it’s really important."

"I agree with what she said." Marzana added as well.

Her unique elven lineage, coupled with her pure black eyes and hair, garnered the attention of the three adventurer parties present.

Of course, not to mention her beauty as a direct descendant of the elven royal lineage.

However, Marzana could not feel even the slightest bit of negativity— just curiosity and awe.

’It turns out...’ She could not help but glance at the people beside her, ’...that it wasn’t just you who were strange...’

To feel not an ounce of disgust or fear, despite the many eyes staring at her, was surreal for Marzana.

At this moment, Killian also chimed in with a cheeky smile, "They’re right, Leader. I think the people gathered here today would also like to hear a speech from you, considering that you will be leading all of us."

Before he could even finish his words, Killian could already feel the piercing gaze from a certain pair of blood red eyes.

Not wanting to hurl him to the wall with this many eyes present, Regis tried his best to calm himself down.

He initially wanted to refuse, but seeing the shining eyes of the youth with whom he shared a dark past— save Vanessa’s teasing smile—he could not help but feel a little emotional.

And thus, Regis cleared his throat, "I won’t keep this long since I’m really not good at speaking. All of us here had difficult, dark pasts we never wanted to dwell on. But I hope that in the past three years, I was able to give you even a fraction of the freedom that you have rightfully deserved."

Clearing his throat, he continued, "Now, I am once again giving you all a choice. You are free to do whatever you want; you can choose not to join this corporation, and I would never blame you."

Seeing that no one moved, Regis could not help but smile, for their silence alone was an answer.

Then, much to the surprise of everyone in the training hall, he bowed deeply.

He held the position for three long seconds before straightening his back as he continued, "I want to thank all of you for trusting me once again. Although I’m not perfect, and just like all of you, I’m still growing... The one thing I can promise is that I will do my very best from this moment on to help you get stronger to the point that we could prevent other children from experiencing what we once went through."

The area fell silent for a few seconds after Regis finished speaking, before a sudden applause resounded in the entire training hall.

Killian could not help but reach out to his shoulder as he sniffed, "Boss, I didn’t know you had that much bottled inside your heart. I’m glad you were able to let it all out... Hic..."

"Oh, don’t worry, I’ll let out some more later when we spar."

Seeing Regis’s smile, which was NOT a happy smile, Killian felt like crying—this time for more reasons than just feeling touched.

Regis then went ahead and approached Vanta.

He chatted with Vanessa, Brutt, and Perto for a bit before walking towards the next party.

As soon as he stood in front of Exemplar, Zild and his members immediately knelt down on one knee with their longswords in front of them.

Regis was startled, "What are you doing—"

""""We promise to dedicate our swords to you, our lord!!!""""

Zild and the other three members shouted with fervor in their eyes as they excitedly awaited their lord’s reply.

Regis glanced at Killian, who was looking at the scene before them solemnly, before sighing with a smile as he ultimately said, "As long as that is what you’re willing to do."

""""We thank our lord!""""

Regis shook hands with Zild and the other members, asking how they had been in the process, which the members of Exemplar answered with much fervor.

And finally, Gotun, the last party.

Regis looked at the towering Lesfera with a calm, happy smile as he shook her head.

"How have you bee—"

Thud—!

The ground trembled a little as the huge Lesfera fainted the moment she touched Regis’s hand.

"..."

Regis was speechless as he could clearly sense that Lesfera was a very healthy young lady.

"Killian, please carry Lesfera to a cushioned bench on the side."

"M-Me?" Killian pointed at himself with a huge question mark over his head, but Regis did not pay him any attention.

Finding it rude to complain, he decided to take it upon himself to carry the huge young woman to a comfortable place.

However, as Regis continued to shake the hands of the remaining members of Gotun, they all fainted as well.

At the end, he could not help but mutter as he looked at his hand, ’Did I gain another gift without me knowing?’

Behind him, Aurelia and Vanessa giggled.

Even Pandora and Marzana could not help it as their lips curled upwards.