The Hero Becomes the Duke’s Eldest Son

Chapter 84

They parked the carriage in the designated storage area and walked to the guild.

While moving, they naturally enjoyed the view of Kartan City’s streets.

Elise pointed at a street stall with a face full of curiosity.

“What’s that fluffy-looking thing? It looks delicious.”

“It’s an ice treat, a specialty of Kartan City. It’s made by mixing honey with frozen milk and topped with fruit. Do you want to try it?”

“Yes! I want to eat it!”

After tasting the ice treat, Elise experienced a whole new world.

She said it was the best food she had ever had in her ten years of life.

Since they were already buying it, everyone got an ice treat and tasted it.

Aden stopped Elise from buying another one and then resumed walking.

Kartan City had another name besides being known as the dungeon city.

The City of Quick Riches.

It was because one could find valuable artifacts or treasures in the dungeon or gain fame and wealth by conquering it.

People aiming for such a life-changing fortune gathered to form guilds.

Kartan City had many guilds, but there were only two leading ones dominating the Free City.

The Maedala Guild and the Umbra Guild.

Kartan City was divided around these two major guilds.

Aden’s party chose the Maedala Guild.

The reason was simple.

‘The Umbra Guild has been infamous for its shady dealings for a long time.’

It was a guild with rumors of extortion, blackmail, and even murder.

They had suspicions but no evidence, and even if there was, they used their power to cover it up.

Although they weren’t openly pointed out, they were almost like a dark guild.

‘There’s no need to choose such a guild when there’s a decent one available.’

Unless he was planning to wipe them out, he had no intention of getting close to such people.

When Aden opened the door and stepped inside, the place was filled with noisy chatter.

“Hahaha! So I single-handedly dealt with dozens of goblins!”

“Oh, come on! Stop exaggerating.”

“I heard the Kobold Dungeon was conquered this time! Truly remarkable.”

“Hey! Another round of drinks here!”

Various people were gathered in groups, filling the wide first-floor hall.

Seeing this, Aden couldn’t help but smile.

‘It’s a scene I haven’t seen in a while.’

Having been a mercenary in his past life, he felt nostalgic since it was a sight he was tired of seeing every day.

On the other hand, Elise, Lowe, and others looked around in amazement.

Priest Bali, who had little experience in such places, seemed unfamiliar and uneasy.

Only Cassie, who had a background as a wanderer, smoked a pipe with a relaxed expression.

A female staff member standing at the guild reception desk greeted them with a smile.

“Welcome to the Maedala Guild. What brings you here?”

“We’re here to register as a group of mercenaries.”

“I see. Do all five of you have no previous affiliations with other mercenary guilds?”

“Yes, that’s correct.”

“Understood. Please fill out this form with the personal information of all group members.”

Aden skillfully filled out the form with the fake identities of all five members.

His hand was quick and confident as he filled out the application.

In no time, the group’s collective application was completed.

The female receptionist checked the application and nodded.

“Yes, it’s confirmed. The guild registration fee is 5 gold per person…”

Aden interrupted her.

“There’s a 10% discount for group registrations of four or more members, making it 22 gold and 5 silver in total. Is that correct?”

“Yes? Oh, yes. That’s right. You seem well-informed.”

Aden handed over fourteen gold coins as the registration fee, and the receptionist gave him the change after confirming it.

-Isn’t it too expensive to pay three gold coins just to join?

Curse, who had learned about human currency concepts from staying with Aden, expressed dissatisfaction.

Indeed, it was a significant amount by ordinary standards.

But the guild wasn’t a charitable organization, so there was no choice.

‘And this is a kind of promise.’

-A promise? What do you mean?

‘A promise not to pry into one’s past.’

Many who registered as mercenaries had criminal records or disreputable pasts.

By allowing mercenary registration, it subtly overlooked that past.

Considering it as a kind of indulgence, it was quite cheap.

“Confirmed. Please wait a moment for the registration.”

“Sure.”

The female staff member went inside the building for a moment.

During that time, Aden turned around to check on his party and felt puzzled.

The expressions of the four watching him were quite peculiar.

“Why do you all look like that?”

Elise clenched her fists tightly and her eyes sparkled.

“Aden oppa, you’re so skillful! So cool!”

-Woof!

Cassie took the pipe from her mouth and asked teasingly.

“Handsome Young Master, are you really a noble? You looked very familiar with this.”

Priest Bali nodded in agreement.

“It seemed so natural, as if you’ve done it several times. Honestly, it’s surprising.”

“Aden-nim is proficient in everything, as expected. I respect you.”

Lowe looked at Aden with eyes full of admiration, as if it were only natural.

Aden, feeling a bit embarrassed, shrugged indifferently.

“What’s there to be surprised about? Anyone can do this with a little research.”

Soon after, the female staff member returned with five metal plates.

These were identity tags indicating membership in the mercenary guild.

All five metal plates were made of copper.

“According to the principle, new registrations start at E-rank. Do you agree?”

“Of course.”

In fact, showing that he could use Sword Aura would have earned him an A-rank or higher.

But Aden didn’t bother.

‘The ranks will rise soon enough according to the plan.’

In this place, the guild leader of a large guild was almost like a city mayor.

So, to meet Marcus, it was important first to attract his attention.

Which would be more intriguing? A mercenary starting with a high rank, or one rapidly rising through the ranks?

After receiving the identity tags, the female staff member smiled brightly.

“Registration is complete. May your path be filled with gold coins and good fortune!”

It was indeed a welcome befitting a mercenary guild.

—

The next day, as planned, Aden chose one of the low-difficulty dungeons.

Leaving Cassie, who was not a combatant, at the inn, the four of them entered the dungeon.

-‘You have entered the Rabbit Hole Dungeon.’

As expected, Aden’s system responded and sent a notification.

The dungeon they chose was shaped like a pit leading underground.

Priest Bali looked around and exclaimed.

“It’s my first time entering a dungeon, but it’s quite a unique place.”

Although there were no light sources inside the dungeon, a mysterious light illuminated the interior softly.

Elise, with a flushed face, clenched her fists.

“A rabbit hole dungeon. The name sounds so cute.”

“Well…”

Aden made a subtle expression.

She was truly a child filled with innocence.

In reality, nothing was less fitting than calling a dungeon cute.

Aden recalled the warning given by the female staff member at the guild.

-People have been disappearing in the dungeon lately. So please be careful.

### Chapter 84 (continued)

Unexpected accidents or mistakes leading to death or disappearance were common occurrences in dungeons.

Dungeons were incredibly dangerous places.

However, Aden didn’t bother to correct this. They would soon realize it themselves.

Lowe asked Aden.

“Aden-nim, I’ve heard that dungeon creatures can’t come outside the dungeon.”

“That’s right. Why?”

“Then how can rabbits survive in this burrow without any grass?”

“Lowe, I think you’ve misunderstood something.”

Once they had gone deep enough, a fairly large cavity appeared.

They could see the silhouettes of dozens of rabbits hopping around.

“There’s no way ordinary rabbits could live in a place like this.”

-Kirrk…

-Kyurrr…

A chilling cry, unlike anything a rabbit should make, echoed out.

As they got closer, the silhouettes came into view properly.

Protruding ribs, sharp front teeth dripping with blood, and hook-like claws extending from their fluffy forepaws.

Thud, thud.

Each hop caused chunks of flesh to fall off their bodies.

“Unless they are undead.”

-Kyaaaak!

-Kyurrrk!

Dozens of ‘Rabbit Ghouls’ hissed with their red, glowing eyes.

This was a dungeon of undead rabbits.

Elise, in a daze, muttered with a blank expression.

“These aren’t the rabbits I know…”

It felt as if the pure heart of a child was shattering somewhere.

Priest Bali, with a serious expression, nodded.

“You’re right, Elise-nim. The rabbits I know are much more terrifying, ferocious, and gigantic.”

“Priest Bali, what kind of rabbits are you confusing them with?”

Aden looked at Bali in disbelief.

In the meantime, the rabbit ghouls crawled out from somewhere and gathered in an instant.

Over a hundred ghouls radiated a menacing aura.

-Kyukyuuuk!

-Kyuuung!

Opening their horrific jaws, the rabbit ghouls lunged at the party.

Their bodies, several times larger than ordinary rabbits, seemed quite threatening.

But none of them were nervous.

“Priest Bali, there are a lot of them, so please hold them back. Oh, and don’t use holy power.”

They were there for training, not to clear the dungeon.

“Haha! Alright!”

He pulled out a thick, long wooden staff from behind him…

Whoooosh!

The tremendous force was enough to sweep the entire floor of the cavity like a storm.

-Kyuuu!

-Kyueeek!

The rabbit ghouls struck by the staff screamed like dust being swept away by a broom.

Just one swing sent over ten rabbit ghouls flying.

The sheer force caused the rabbits to roll around, and those hit directly were completely crushed, meeting a second death.

It was a ridiculous show of brute strength that would make an ogre call him “brother.”

But they were undead.

Without fear of death, they charged at the living with hatred.

Whether their comrades were swept away or not, they leaped forward.

“Lowe, you go help too.”

“Understood.”

Lowe raised his sword and charged into the swarm of rabbit ghouls.

Swish, swish. Slash!

With each swing of Lowe’s sword, half-rotted rabbit heads flew off.

The rabbit ghouls, even more excited, lunged at Lowe.

They tried to sink their sharp teeth into the bare flesh of the human before them.

Grabbing his arm with all their might, they bit down…

Crack!

Their front teeth broke off as if they had bitten into a hard stone.

It was the effect of Lowe’s unique technique, White Stone Transformation.

-Kyu?

Despite being ghouls with minimal intelligence, they looked bewildered…

Slash!

Lowe’s sword pierced the skull, and the rabbit ghoul went limp.

Lowe, wearing partial plate armor with only his arms exposed, naturally attracted the rabbit ghouls to bite his seemingly unprotected arms.

Even if they accidentally bit other parts, it didn’t matter.

The little saintess was in the back, ready to heal him at any time.

Thanks to that, it was easier to fight, and Lowe’s movements were swift and vigorous.

Lowe and Priest Bali handled the rabbit ghouls with ease.

Seeing this, Aden was pleased.

“Good. You’re doing well.”

They were fighting so well that Aden didn’t need to step in.

Of course, if he did, he could end the situation with a few swings of his Aura Threads.

Aden called out to them.

“Now, send one over here!”

He intended to use it as a training opponent for Elise.

Following Aden’s request, they sent a rabbit ghoul towards Aden and Elise.

-Kyuuuk!

The rabbit ghoul drooled greedily as it looked at Elise.

Its undead instincts made it stronger when facing a young, tasty-looking human.

Elise gulped and showed a tense expression.

Aden emphasized again.

“Elise, if you don’t want to do this, you don’t have to. This isn’t an obligation, nor is it something you must do.”

Considering their future journey, gaining combat experience was beneficial.

However, it was only meaningful if done willingly.

Forcing her to fight or putting her in a situation she wasn’t ready for would only burden the child.

In fact, if the party protected her well, Elise would rarely need to step in.

So Aden spoke, hoping she wouldn’t feel pressured.

But his worry was unnecessary.

Elise shook her head firmly.

“No, it’s okay. I want to try.”

Elise had unwavering faith in Aden and the party, believing they would protect her.

‘But I don’t want to just be protected.’

Elise wanted to give back as much as she received.

However, she knew she needed enough strength to protect herself.

She understood well that without strength, everything could be taken away.

Although a little scared, she wasn’t too afraid because Aden was right next to her, ensuring no harm would come to her.

That’s why Elise was filled with the desire to train.

Aden sensed her strong will and was satisfied.

“Good. Just do what you’ve practiced, and you’ll handle it easily. Remember that.”

“Okay!”

Elise clenched her small fist with determination.

-Kyuuut…

Unable to control its instincts, the rabbit ghoul leaped at Elise.

Its sharp teeth and long claws aimed at Elise.

Elise didn’t dodge and stared straight at it.

As her eyes narrowed, her usually cute face emitted a chilling aura that could make even adults flinch.

Watching the airborne rabbit ghoul…

Thump!

She firmly stepped forward.

“Hiiiyaah!”

With a spirited shout, she thrust her small, plum-sized fist towards the rabbit.

Elise’s fist, quick as an arrow, struck the rabbit’s body.

Boom!

The rabbit ghoul burst into pieces without even having time for a death cry.

The rabbit ghoul’s flesh scattered everywhere.

However, even that turned to ashes and disappeared.

A phenomenon seen when an undead was purified by holy power.

A gentle golden light flickered from Elise’s fist.

“Kyaah, I did it!”

Elise cheered and clapped her hands upon succeeding.

“Great. Let’s try two next. Can you do it?”

“Yeah, I’ll do it!”

Feeling confident, Elise nodded with an excited expression.

Aden chuckled as he watched her.

‘She really succeeded.’

Elise’s newly acquired ability, the first of its kind, ‘Holy Martial Arts,’ had shone brightly.