Chapter 247

Chapter 247: Moat Blade

Culinary Talent…

Since it’s a talent-type skill, does that mean simply cooking could accumulate Experience Value?

Moreover, dishes prepared by Little Liquor after acquiring this skill seemed to have gained enhanced flavor.

An inexplicable sense of unfairness gnawed at me.

After all, I’d devoted one or two years to culinary studies before my rebirth—four or five years counting my current life!

How could I fall behind some novice blonde who only started cooking days ago…

Damn it—the more I dwelled, the more frustrated I became.

Clearly, I needed to intensify my own cooking practice!

Yet this resolution suddenly multiplied my list of tasks.

Cooking drills, consuming Magic Recovery Potions, snacking on red fruits and Blue Face Grass… Wait? Why does everything involve eating or food-related activities…

Well, at least this body won’t accumulate fat. As long as my stomach permits, quantity hardly matters.

…

Returning to our main narrative.

While Red Pupil and Magic Rainbow conducted operations in the forest, Army Lady, Lvzi, and Stealth One reentered Aowenduo Town.

Their arrival sparked murmurs in the entry queue.

"Look! It’s them!"

"The three beauties of Moat Blade Squad! Told you they’d be unharmed!"

"Whew… What relief. We feared they’d chased those goblins deep into Granville Monster Forest. That accursed woodland—even a Class B guildmaster wouldn’t venture there recklessly!"

"Ha! Their beauty matches the rumors. Missed the siege myself during my last quest—are these lovelies truly that formidable?"

"Eyewitnesses don’t lie. Why would I spin tales?"

"Remember Legionnaire Leader Lit’s southern forest campaign against the Goblin Tribe? Without their aid, casualties would’ve been catastrophic!"

"Should… should we greet them?"

Such exchanges rippled through the crowd.

Several adventurers approached the trio, some survivors of the siege offering heartfelt thanks.

Ambitious suitors attempted courtship too, though all met swift rejection.

The three women, initially at the queue’s end, found themselves ushered forward by deferential adventurers.

Gate guards—veterans of the siege—beamed upon recognizing them.

They waived Adventurer ID checks entirely, permitting immediate entry.

This easy victory against the goblin horde owed much to the trio’s efforts. Gratitude enveloped them before they even passed the gates—from soldiers and adventurers alike, many still nursing injuries that prevented pursuit.

If it hadn’t been for Army Lady and her two companions joining the battle, they wouldn’t have merely sustained injuries—they might well have perished in this conflict. Naturally, they felt immense gratitude toward the trio.

"It seems we’re being hailed as heroes."

The irony of an ant tribe member being celebrated as a savior by the human race brought a wry amusement to Army Lady. Yet this outcome aligned with one of her intentions for aiding the humans against the goblins, she mused.

Moreover…

"What’s this ‘Moat Blade Squad’?"

"Likely a moniker given by the townsfolk," answered Lvzi, still clinging to Army Lady’s arm and nuzzling against it. "After all, we’ve saved their walls twice at critical moments."

"This wouldn’t have happened if Army Lady had named our team sooner! Now these humans took liberties with it."

"Aren’t you the captain?"

"Oh right! Since I’m captain… is this my fault?"

Army Lady ignored her.

"Regardless," Stealth One interjected, "doesn’t this bestowed name serve our purpose?"

Understanding flashed through Army Lady and Lvzi’s eyes as they nodded in silent agreement.

"But the appointed hour hasn’t come," Army Lady cautioned. "We proceed with Mother’s assigned mission first."

"Then let’s report back to the guild."

"Report…"

Their previous Class A Commission—"Subjugate the Giant Wolf"—ended in peculiar failure. They’d located the beast, yet refrained from engagement.

"That creature was Mother’s companion in her past life," Stealth One murmured. "Beyond the question of combat viability, harming it would grieve her…"

At the mention of the "Golden Hound," solemnity descended upon the trio—even typically exuberant Lvzi grew somber. Unlike Mother’s true progeny, the yellow-furred beast couldn’t claim equivalent status, leaving Lvzi ambivalent toward it.

"Curse it! If only I possessed such an enormous tongue, I could—"

Mid-rant, Lvzi’s visage transformed. Her scowl melted into vacant leer, a crystalline trail of drool escaping her lips.

Army Lady recoiled, shoving the entranced girl away. "Keep your distance, you maniac!"

"Ehehe… What’s the harm?"

"Sister Red Pupil’s faction will manage the hound," Stealth One interposed, throwing Army Lady a commiserating glance as she struggled against Lvzi’s renewed embrace. "Our current focus remains unchanged."

The shared ant tribe "adversary" had unexpectedly strengthened the sisters’ camaraderie.

Upon reaching the Adventurer’s Guild, they found themselves swarmed by admirers mirroring their earlier reception at the city gates. Extricating themselves, they approached the counter where Elena beamed with unprecedented warmth. The trio’s exploits had significantly burnished the guild’s prestige.

"Welcome back, Miss Army Lady, Miss Lvzi, Miss Stealth One. How may I assist?"

"We need to cancel a commission." Army Lady presented the retrieved Commission Order.

Elena’s eyes widened. In her estimation, the trio’s combined prowess surpassed even the Guild President’s. "Couldn’t you handle the giant wolf?"

"…No." Army Lady maintained composure despite the sting to her pride.

After nullifying the request, they selected several challenging extermination and Collection Commissions from the board. Elena registered these without her customary hesitation—no double-checking required for these proven warriors.

"Best of fortune," the receptionist smiled.

Casually, Army Lady mentioned reaching Class B through recent battles. This elevated Moat Blade to the guild’s sole Adventurer Squad comprising three Class B members—an unprecedented distinction.

Their business concluded, the trio departed—only to be intercepted at the threshold by armored soldiers.

"Honored ones," their leader announced, "Master Simon requests your presence at his estate."