The Path to Lordship Begins in the North

Chapter 298 Performance

Just as Lilith, benefiting from her powerful reputation, began to take control of the situation in an orderly manner, dissenting voices emerged from within the capital.

Rumors began to circulate wildly in the capital, especially among the majority of ordinary people.

For example, the Eastern Realm suffered divine punishment from the goddess. As for why it was divine punishment, it was because someone unworthy of their position had taken a place they shouldn't have, and the goddess was very angry.

Lilith almost laughed out of anger at these rumors. After all, not only could Lilith communicate directly with 550C, but with the promotion of Holy Word, almost no one would believe such an outrageous rumor anymore.

However, Lilith did not expect that someone would actually attack her and spread these rumors at a time of crisis for the kingdom.

Originally, Lilith didn't pay much attention to these rumors, but unexpectedly, for some reason, the information about the Eastern Territory in the rumors was more detailed than what Lilith had, as if it were firsthand experience.

Moreover, as the rumors spread, they somehow began to become logically consistent without anyone realizing it.

......

The renowned adventurer Paul was strolling around the capital at that moment.

Because of Lilith's seemingly relaxed but actually strict policy, Paul, while taking a stroll in the city as usual, noticed that some things in the capital had changed.

Since the advent of muskets, it has become increasingly difficult for adventurers to make a living. At first, this did not have much of an impact on high-level adventurers like Paul, but gradually, Paul stopped getting any big jobs, and the number of tasks on the tavern bulletin board also decreased.

However, Paul didn't really care, because he was still young, only in his early twenties. He had become a professional thanks to his superb talent, and through unorthodox methods and a series of fortuitous encounters, he had reached the fourth rank of professional. He had a very high reputation among adventurers and was rich in combat experience. Even if he didn't become an adventurer, his future would still be bright.

Although he is still very young and comes from an ordinary background, Paul has hardly experienced any setbacks, and all his crises have been narrowly avoided.

It was precisely because of this that Paul's ambitions differed from those of ordinary adventurers who simply drifted through life. Although Paul himself couldn't quite explain it, he certainly couldn't live a life of aimless wandering like an ordinary adventurer. He had to at least become a nobleman, a knight, a hero. If he could catch the eye of a princess or something similar and have a romantic scene unfold like in an opera, that would be even better.

Becoming a nobleman was not difficult for someone as talented as Paul; it just required an opportunity. Moreover, Paul did not want to become a nobleman in such an ordinary way; he needed to achieve something, such as pioneering achievements or military exploits.

Just as Paul was strolling around the outer city, pondering whether he should join the army to serve the Queen in the East after hearing about the strange events that had occurred there, a hooded girl suddenly rushed straight into his arms.

"Sorry, are you okay?"

Although the other person rushed at us directly, it was obvious that she was nervously looking back as she rushed over and didn't notice Paul. Not to mention that the other person looked like a young girl. If it had been a grown man, Paul might have started cursing right away.

"No, it's okay."

As soon as the girl raised her head, Paul was stunned by the face beneath her hood; she was simply too beautiful.

The girl's long hair was slightly disheveled as she ran, with a few strands clinging to her slightly sweaty forehead, making her look somewhat disheveled. However, her undeniable beauty still shone through her tired and nervous expression. Her skin was pale and delicate, with a sickly blush from fear, which only accentuated the girl's fragility and aroused Paul's protective instincts.

Paul felt he had seen this girl somewhere before, otherwise she must be a celebrity.

"Madam, what's wrong? Do you need my help?"

Paul, an adventurer by trade, even softened his words and tone.

The girl was looking Paul up and down, seemingly observing whether he was trustworthy. Paul, on the other hand, keenly sensed that there were many professionals around, and their skill level was not low. It seemed that these professionals were the ones chasing the girl.

The girl seemed to notice that someone was chasing after her, so she looked at Paul with teary eyes and said, "Help me!"

Paul had imagined this scene countless times in his mind, but he never expected it to actually happen to him. So without thinking, he took the girl in front of him and ran away.

Fortunately, the pursuers in the shadows didn't seem to be very persistent, and Paul soon brought the girl to the safe house he had prepared for himself as an adventurer.

Looking at the panting girl, Paul said, "Don't worry, no one should be chasing us. Besides, this is a safe house I prepared for my transactions, so no one will find out."

Actually, it was prepared to bypass the tavern guild and take orders privately, which is not uncommon among high-level adventurers.

"Really?... That's wonderful, thank you so much."

The girl's simple brown-gray linen dress was stained with mud and leaves, her hooded cloak was covered in scratches, and her shoes were worn out. Despite this, her simple attire did not conceal her elegance; rather, the contrast made her appear even more ethereal and refined.

Paul immediately realized that the girl was no ordinary person, just like in chivalric romance novels.

The girl tossed her hair, panting as she looked at Paul.

Looking into the girl's eyes, Paul instantly felt himself falling for her.

"The people chasing you are no ordinary people. Just who are they?"

Although he said the same thing, Paul had already decided what to name the child in his mind.

"No, I can't tell you. It's dangerous enough for you to know. I'll leave after dark. I can't drag you into this!"

The girl's movements were a bit exaggerated, but Paul, who had already thought about where his child would go to school, didn't care about that and said, "I'm a high-level adventurer, I'm in danger every day. Since you can't tell me, why don't you just hire me to protect you?"

Upon hearing Paul claim to be a high-level adventurer, the girl did not doubt him but instead looked delighted. However, she quickly fell silent, seemingly hesitant, before finally saying, "But I don't have any money right now and can't afford to hire a high-level adventurer."

After hearing this, Paul unbuttoned a button on the girl's hooded cloak and said, "Alright, you've paid now."

"This, this can't be, I..."

Just as the girl was about to refuse, Paul said, "I am not only an adventurer, but I also aspire to be a knight. Madam, if you are treated unfairly, I swear I will protect you with my life."

"Really? But what I'm doing is really very dangerous."

Seeing the girl's hesitant expression, Paul felt even more sorry for her and said directly, "It's my duty."

The girl seemed to have made a great decision, and said to Paul, "I am the princess of this country, Claire Augustine."

Claire began her performance.