The Dreamer's POV

Chapter 209 - 209: A Sudden Quest

[01 Months: 10 Days: 05 Hours]

"Pfft! How did you know?" I chuckled, finally removed my hood, revealing my face to the smiling Guildmaster.

"Hahaha! I only guessed." Bernard made to rise to his feet, chuckling as he approached me.

"To think that it's really you…"

I nodded, a faint smile playing on my lips. "It's been a long time, Benard."

He rose from his chair and crossed the room to shake my hand vigorously. "By the gods, I never thought I'd be seeing you anytime soon! What brings you to Terance?"

I returned his handshake, the warmth of his greeting washing away some of the tension that had settled in my shoulders.

"I'm here on a matter of utmost importance, Benard. It's about the Lyma Family."

Benard's eyes lit up with genuine pleasure. I knew he'd brighten up once I mentioned that.

"The Lyma Family, huh? That's noble work you're doing, Luke. Always knew you had a kind heart beneath that enigmatic exterior."

After the death of Duke Damien and the fall of the Capital, I had taken it upon myself to support Theo and defend all that was left.

The news had spread to all the Adventurers thanks to the troops I had with me at the time. Pretty much everyone considered me a hero who fought for the Lyma Family till the end.

That sort of reputation had its fair share of hassle, but for the most part it was incredibly useful when it came to getting on the good side of people like Bernard.

I chuckled softly, the memory of our first encounter resurfacing.

"Should you even be saying that, Benard? Didn't you fight me without even hearing me out the first time we met?" I laughed, much to his embarrassment.

"Ahem… mmmh!" Clearing his throat and pretending to cough, he covered his lips and looked away for a moment.

"You haven't forgotten, have you?"

Benard cleared his throat once more, a faint blush coloring his weathered cheeks. "Ah, yes, about that... I suppose I acted a bit rashly back then."

'Haha! This guy…' I laughed internally.

Bernard was one of the few people I could rely on in this world. I didn't mean that he was powerful, like Lucy, and I definitely didn't trust him to a far extent.

However, he had his uses.

'He was the one who introduced me to the Lyma Family, and he's influential enough to maintain a relationship with.'

That was more than enough for me to invest in my time with him.

I waved away his embarrassment. "Well, all of that is in the past. I'm here now because the situation with the Lyma Family has become quite serious."

Benard leaned against his cluttered desk, his expression growing serious. "Serious, you say? I'm guessing the vultures have begun to gather."

I sighed, the weight of our predicament settling over me once more.

"Precisely." Bernard was an experienced man, so he understood how things went.

Which was why I was hoping he would help me.

I leaned forward, my expression earnest as I addressed my dear useful Guildmaster.

"Benard, I need more hands on deck. I've come to Terance in

It felt like I was reading a script at this point, but I didn't care.

'Even this situation with the imperialists seems very ad hoc. Too many things are going on at the same time for them to be just coincidences.'

I didn't know who it was, but there had to be someone in the Lyma Family who was behind this.

'Well, what do you know? They're actually pretty smart.'