Published at 14th of July 2026 8:06 am

Chapter 1845: Otherworlders

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Esmond Greene wasted no time and urged Adam to depart immediately.

Within an hour of Adam’s arrival, the traveling party had begun making its way along the Trade Road. The party consisted of eight men and two carriages.

Six of them were Esmond’s handymen. Riding on horseback, they surrounded the rear carriage, which was loaded with crates and supplies.

Meanwhile, Adam and Esmond rode together in the front carriage. The elderly man seemed to be in excellent spirits, chatting away as the convoy rolled northward beneath the open sky.

But he wasn’t going to fool Adam’s senses.

Under that mask of mirth, he’s anxious. But why?

Adam thought to himself solemnly, even as he put on a polite smile and chatted with the client.

The information from the Guild didn’t say much about him, except that he’s a retired adventurer, he analyzed.

Judging by the clothes he’s wearing, he seems to have a decent background.

Just how much money could a retired adventurer have made plundering dungeons and ancient ruins?

And then, there’s that...

The youth’s gaze subtly shifted to the small chest placed underneath Esmond’s seat. It was the only piece of luggage that the old man did not want to part with. The rest were in the carriage behind them.

Adam couldn’t help but wonder, What’s so special about this trunk?

I wonder where he’s coming from. Would it be intrusive of me if I asked him?

No, I must! Niceties be damned. Our lives might very well be on the line.

I really don’t have a good feeling about this...

"...Ah, you remind me of the olden days, Magus Constantine," Esmond continued to chat away, unaware of the youth’s inner thoughts.

"Back when I used to travel these magical lands, looking for treasure and the thrill of adventure. Ah, those were the glorious days."

He paused, then added jokingly, "By the way, I must say, you don’t look like a Magus."

The corner of Adam’s lips twitched. "Everyone keeps saying that. What is a Magus supposed to look like, pray tell?"

Esmond arched an eyebrow and gestured at Adam’s attire.

"Definitely not like he’s about to get into a close-quarters fight," he said with a teasing smile.

"Aha!" Adam exclaimed in understanding. "So that’s the reason. Well, I’m also a Cavalier Paladin, so..."

Esmond couldn’t help but frown. "You walk both paths? Quite... ambitious."

Adam simply smiled in response.

He understood the difficulties of walking both paths. He also knew that many arrogant young men had attempted the same thing, convinced they were exceptional enough to overcome the challenges, only to fail and eventually devote themselves to one path or the other.

But Adam was different. He had always lived by a simple philosophy: people didn’t fail; they gave up.

And he had no intention of giving up, no matter how difficult the road ahead became.

His smile gradually faded away, and his expression turned solemn. Time to talk business.

"Master Greene," he called out politely. "There is something we need to discuss in advance."

"Oh?" Sensing the change in the young man’s demeanor, Esmond straightened in his seat. "Go ahead, lad. Tell me."

"We need to discuss my remuneration," Adam said with the same smile.

"Should we encounter dangers along the way, let’s say... dangers beyond the scope of a simple E-rank initiation mission, I hope you will be generous enough to compensate me accordingly."

He quickly added, "Of course, I wouldn’t dare quote a price. I will leave that to your wise judgment. I can only hope that you will be fair to a young and up-and-coming adventurer like me."

Esmond stared for a moment. Though he displayed a poker face on the surface, inwardly, he couldn’t help but wonder, Did he sense something amiss?

A moment later, his lips curled into a wide smile.

"Well, of course, young man!" he said. "That goes without saying."

Adam secretly heaved a sigh of relief.

Although Esmond appeared harmless, the old man was in fact a Paladin. As for the exact rank, he didn’t know.

But he did know this...

Esmond Greene’s rank was greater than his.

Still, if the two of us were to duke it out, I’m certain I’d come out on top, Adam thought.

He’s old and has a limp. Yeah, I can definitely defeat him. Wait... why am I thinking about such things?

"So, Magus Constantine," Esmond began. "What led you to apply for a membership at the Guild?"

Adam answered honestly and politely, "Citizenship, sir."

His heart bled when he recalled he had to pay ten gold pieces as initiation fee. Not to mention, he would have to pay another twenty-five gold, plus a ceremony fee to the government.

Thankfully, he was able to earn some coin from the sale of those horses.

"Oh?" Esmond arched an eyebrow. "So you’re not a Davosian? If you don’t mind my asking, where are you from originally?"

Adam smiled.

"The Outer Universe."

Esmond was truly surprised. "I didn’t expect you to be an otherworldler!"

Adam blinked. "Is it that unusual?"

"Quite." Esmond nodded. "Most otherworlders arrive here with nothing. No connections, no understanding of our customs, and often not even a common language. Many spend years simply trying to establish themselves."

Adam smiled faintly. "Well, it’s been exactly one year since I’ve come here."

"Still, you’ve already obtained your licenses, settled in Davos, and qualified for the Adventurers’ Guild. You’re also a Mana Core Magus and a Cavalier Paladin. Most newcomers aren’t nearly as capable.

"Not to mention they’re often quite arrogant. Which is understandable, in a way. Many of them were at the top of the food chain in their worlds. Then they arrive here and suddenly find themselves at the bottom. That adjustment isn’t easy. It takes time to shed the mindset they brought with them."

Esmond let out a sigh, his gaze distant.

"I’ve met a few over the years," he continued. "Some were kings. Some were mighty heroes. They arrived believing they were destined for greatness. But Centerra has a habit of beating that notion out of people. Most of them spend years learning humility. Others just end up dead."

His eyes gleamed as he intently studied the raven-haired youth before him.

"But you, Magus Constantine," he said, "are surprisingly grounded for an otherworlder."

Adam smiled. "I suppose."

"And humble!" Esmond laughed.

"Well, I hope we reach our destination without too much trouble. After you complete this mission, you will finally receive the adventurer’s badge, and the Guild will help you with all the paperwork for your citizenship..."

As a retired adventurer himself, Esmond knew how the guild operated. So he went on and on about the benefits the youth would receive after becoming an official member.

Adam, however, wasn’t listening anymore. His mind kept replaying a few words the old man had just said.

Reach our destination without too much trouble?

Too much trouble??

Instinctively, he extended his senses further into their surroundings.

And lo and behold...

They were indeed being followed.

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