Guided by the believers, Elza changed into a new set of combat attire.
Perhaps due to her frequent manual labor, her previous clothes were worn and tattered; the believers provided her with a new outfit.
Elza actually didn't want to, feeling that such fine clothes must be expensive, especially after having soiled a previous set. She felt bad about it.
But since she was about to meet the "doctor," wearing such old clothes wouldn't do, so she changed.
"Extermination Hero-sama, we have arrived."
The believer leading the way turned, speaking respectfully to Elza.
They stood before a large training ground; the entrance was massive, capable of accommodating a sizable army.
Elza nodded: "Thank you."
"Creak ——"
Two believers pushed open the heavy doors.
Elza entered.
In the distance, she saw a chair at the far end of the training ground. Seated was a blonde, blue-eyed woman with long, pointed ears.
A woman so beautiful it made Elza feel self-conscious.
「Is she the?」
The question arose in Elza's mind.
As she observed Audrey, Audrey was also assessing her.
Upon first seeing Elza, Audrey was slightly surprised.
「Such intense Killing Intent!」
Even without engaging in combat, it was clear this was a fiercely battle-hardened warrior!
Of course, Audrey's judgment was based on other Heroes.
At her level of strength, she wasn't intimidated by Elza's slight Killing Intent. It was simply that her Killing Intent was heavy compared to other Heroes.
However, whether she could surpass Anyi…
That was questionable.
Because the current [Extermination Hero] clearly couldn't control her Killing Intent, while Anyi wielded his like a naturally sheathed sword.
During the battle with the Sword Demon, Anyi could conceal his Killing Intent so well that even monsters couldn't detect it.
But for this [Extermination Hero], her Killing Intent was blatant.
That's the difference.
Anyi's "sword" was hidden, deeply sheathed. If not for Audrey's profound, soul-deep intuition, she wouldn't have sensed the man's terrifying power.
But the [Extermination Hero's] "terrifying aura" was outward, meaning that someone weaker than her would be intimidated.
Nevertheless, based on her observations of other Heroes, this [Extermination Hero] certainly ranked highly.
Her Killing Intent alone proved that.
As Elza approached, Audrey smiled and spoke:
"Hello, I'm the elf guarding this place. You can call me elf, or elf-sama. For reasons I can't disclose, I can't tell you my name."
Elza nodded.
Understood!
She completely understood!
She, too, couldn't reveal her true name for undisclosed reasons!!
"Doctor, hello, I'm Aisha." Elza bowed slightly.
"Doctor?" Audrey was taken aback.
Whether it was "doctor" or "physician" was worth considering.
She had cloaked herself in a layer of mana, per Anyi's instructions. This prevented the system from identifying her, thus concealing her name.
If the other party used "physician," wouldn't that mean they saw through the mana to her true identity, but used "physician" out of courtesy?
Interesting.
Audrey smiled: "The believers mentioned you wished to see me, but I haven't asked them why.
Because I want to hear it from you."
"I wish to be healed." Elza said honestly.
"Healed?" Audrey chuckled.
So she'd overthought things.
She continued: "Although I don't understand medicine, I know some healing magic.
If it's a curse, I can't dispel it; you'd have to ask your Holy Maiden."
"Healing magic…" Elza pondered, then questioned, "Can it cure my…red hair?"
Audrey: "A?"
A?
Red hair?
What kind of illness is that?
"Your hair…isn't it naturally red?" Audrey asked.
"No." Elza shook her head, "I remember…it changed after I became a Hero."
Though she didn't know what a Hero was, that's what the doctors in Aldrich Theocracy had diagnosed.
Audrey smiled: "Alright, though I don't know if it'll help, let's try."
She raised her hand, chanting in Elvish.
[Intermediate Healing Spell]
Elza felt warmth wash over her, like being enveloped in something comforting. It was indescribably pleasant.
However, the sensation quickly vanished.
"Finished?" Elza asked.
"Yes, finished." Audrey nodded.
Elza lowered her head, touching her long hair, silent for a moment.
Disappointed? Sad?
Not really.
She didn't understand healing magic, nor did she believe some frivolous spell could cure her.
In her experience, healing involved medicine, hospitalization, even surgery. A simple spell? Highly improbable.
"Disappointed?" Audrey asked with a smile.
"No." Elza shook her head, "Previous doctors said I needed the Holy Maiden to cure me.
Since I haven't found her yet, there's nothing that can be done."
Audrey nodded: "Right. Stay here for a while. Your Holy Maiden is dealing with important matters; she might return in a week?"
She'd benefited from Ariana's unreasonable Healing magic, understanding why Elza sought Ariana.
Elza fell silent again, then suddenly remembered something!
"Doctor, I… haven't been able to… use the toilet normally for a very long time," Elza blurted out, summoning her courage.
She hadn't dared mention it to the male doctor and his team, but now, one-on-one, in this vast training ground, she could finally speak without shame!
Audrey: "A…? What are the symptoms?"
Elza stated seriously: "I… haven't gone to the toilet in almost three months.
This must be a serious illness, right?"
Three months! Do you know how I've spent these three months?!
Audrey: 「Wait?」
Your [Gluttony] converts all food into mana, and all bodily waste is automatically processed; you wouldn't need to use the toilet!
Wait… wait a minute!
Audrey covered her forehead.
Why didn't this [Extermination Hero] even know common Hero knowledge?!
"Ahem, may I ask your current level?" Audrey asked.
"Level…?"
Elza's large eyes were filled with immense confusion.
Audrey: "Your Hero level! You don't know?"
Elza shook her head: "No."
Audrey: "A?"
Strange… this isn't right!
How could a Hero not know their own level?!
How did she even defeat monsters?!
Questions flooded Audrey's mind.
Audrey reorganized her thoughts, asking: "You're the first Hero to slay a Goblin Centurion. If you don't even know your own level, why did you dare challenge it?"
"Challenge… battle?" Elza looked up, scratching her head, then back at Audrey, "What's a Goblin Centurion?"
Audrey: "?"
She didn't know from the beginning?!
"It's a large Goblin, bigger than a Hobgoblin." Audrey explained.
"Hmm…" Elza pondered.
She'd heard the name during a meeting, but two months had passed, and she hadn't tried to remember it, so she'd forgotten.
However, mentioning "large Goblins," she recalled something.
Elza nodded: "Like… killing.
Not just one."
"Killing?" Audrey returned to the previous question.
"Like killing slime, very easily killed," Elza said.
Audrey: "…"
The conversation yielded no useful information!
She continued: "So, do you know your attributes?"
Elza: "Attributes… what's that?
Gender?"
Elza didn't seem to mind Audrey continually pointing out her lack of knowledge.
She came from a rural background; not knowing city-folk terminology was normal.
Audrey became increasingly puzzled: "You don't know your level, or your attributes.
…You wouldn't not even know you're a Hero, would you?"
Elza nodded after hearing this: "I don't know, but they call me Extermination Hero.
They've called me that since they saw me."
Audrey: "???"
She really didn't know?!
Audrey suddenly didn't know how to continue the conversation.
How could this person know nothing?!
"Then what do you know?"
Audrey continued, feeling her question was unclear, rephrasing it;
"Um, I mean… why do you kill monsters?"
Heroes are chosen because they have a deep-seated obsession with slaying monsters.
"It's my job." Elza answered honestly.
"Job?"
"Yes, I'm a slime exterminator."
"So you killed the Goblin because… it was convenient?"
"Because it was also a monster that needed to be exterminated."
"…" Audrey was speechless.
Others sought to slay monsters because of deep-seated grudges, or simply to become famous. This girl…
She might kill simply for the sake of killing.
From a human perspective, all monsters needed extermination. Following her logic, anything that needed extermination, she would kill. No special reason; just kill.
「No wonder she was chosen as the Extermination Hero…」
Audrey silently mused.
"Though I can't help you, before you go, may I ask you a favor?" Audrey asked.
"If there's anything I can do, I will." Elza replied.
She still felt indebted to the Aldrich instructor, and despite her lack of knowledge, she'd try her best to help.
Audrey nodded, smiling:
"Let's spar.
Let me see your monster-slaying methods. Being able to kill so many slimes and Goblins, you must have unique techniques?"
"This… I can't." Elza shook her head.
"Why?"
"Because I might hurt you." Elza said.
Audrey smiled and shook her head:
"Such a kind girl.
But…
Don't underestimate me. I'm stronger than any monster or Hero you've ever seen."
"Bang!!"
Audrey flicked her finger. Elza felt a gust of wind, unprepared, she was blown away and fell heavily to the ground.
There was no immediate reaction, no fall-breaking technique, no adjustment of center of gravity.
She was simply blown away and landed heavily on the ground.
Ah…
「She's had absolutely no combat training.」
Audrey immediately drew this conclusion.
Someone with combat training, no matter how they appeared, would instinctively adjust their body to avoid injury.
Elza lay on the ground, staring at the high ceiling, disbelieving her eyes.
Just now…that woman had sent her flying with a flick of her finger?!
It hadn't hurt; strangely, she felt nothing from the fall.
Audrey tilted her head, watching Elza with interest: "Get up, try attacking me.
Don't worry, you can't hurt me."
Elza stood, brushing off her behind: "I… don't understand the reason for your attack.
Though you attacked me suddenly, I didn't feel any pain. But if I strike back, I might hurt you, even injure you.
Let's pretend nothing happened. I must go."
Audrey chuckled helplessly: "Oh, such a good child. But I'm stronger than you think.
…Fine, since you don't want to consider me an opponent, how about this?"
The ground trembled violently. Before Elza, numerous vines erupted from the earth, rapidly forming a humanoid figure.
Audrey pointed at the Vine Golem: "Attack it instead?"
"This… alright." Elza nodded.
Though she didn't understand how she'd developed this combat method, it significantly increased her slime-extermination efficiency, so she continued using it. Others had witnessed her fighting style before, so she didn't refuse.
Elza extended her hand.
A thought, and several slime-mucus projectiles shot towards the Vine Golem——
"Swish swish swish!"
Suddenly, Elza's eyes widened.
Her target had changed!
Not the Vine Golem! But Audrey, who was originally seated!
She stood there, smiling, and Elza hadn't seen her move!
「When did she appear?」
No!
The slime projectiles couldn't be stopped!
Elza instinctively closed her eyes.
But… the expected sound of flesh being pierced didn't come.
"Whew…"
Instead, Audrey's calm voice echoed.
"This is… a slime projectile?" she said curiously, "I know, my disciple also likes using these."
"Huh?" Elza opened her eyes.
The slime-mucus projectiles hovered before Audrey, unable to advance, let alone injure her.
"Whew…"
Elza patted her chest, breathing a sigh of relief.
With another thought, the slime mucus transformed into a pool of water, then vanished.
"Do you know what this is?" Audrey asked, smiling.
Elza shook her head: "No.
Back in my village, I saw someone using slime mucus as a weapon to kill slimes.
Since it was very fast, I wondered if I could also use slime mucus as a weapon.
I just picked up slime from the ground and used it."
Audrey chuckled: "I see.
Completely incomprehensible.
However, I have a disciple who also likes to use weapons like yours. I think you two could exchange techniques.
When he returns, I'll introduce you.
Perhaps he can teach you some combat techniques?"
Elza: "Okay."
…
"What a strange child…"
After parting with Elza, Audrey muttered to herself in her seat.
Elza was strange for two reasons.
First, she knew so little. She knew nothing about levels, attributes...
Second, her intense Killing Intent didn't match her combat experience.
At first glance, she seemed like a creature crawled out of a pile of corpses, a monster who had seen Hell.
Now, whether she was a monster or not was unclear, but she was certainly strange. Strangely innocent.
Her refusal to attack showed she didn't understand Strength.
Like someone who controls their muscles; they may be strong, but they wouldn't break a pen while writing, as long as they didn't try too hard.
But Elza didn't know how much force to use.
It was like suddenly gaining immense muscle mass, fearing she might crush a pen with the slightest movement.
Other Heroes, after attribute upgrades, undergo testing and adaptation training as per the League of Heroes' requirements.
Elza had no such training; she didn't understand strength versus weakness.
Even so… she slew a Goblin Centurion when all other Heroes struggled against them.
Regardless of her current state, she was undoubtedly the strongest Hero back then.
However, she didn't know how to use her abilities.
Elza was like an unused, masterful sword; with a skilled wielder, she would undoubtedly unleash devastating power.
Such a "sword" should be entrusted to her own proud disciple, the Sword Hero!
Besides, she couldn't teach Elza about the system; sending her to Anyi was the best option.
However…
「She doesn't know her level or attributes…」
Before Anyi's return, Audrey planned to assign Elza monster-slaying tasks.
But without knowing her level and attributes, she couldn't make an assignment.
If her level is low, she could slay monsters to gain experience.
If her level is high, even without further slaying, she could guide lower-level Heroes.
But without that information, no assignment could be made.
Essentially, Elza would be idle for a week, doing nothing useful.
As Audrey pondered, a person suddenly came to mind.
[Eyes Hero]
Recently, Karen's team had visited the Silver Moon base.
They weren't there as the main force, but to secure the city and clear out monsters.
Of course, she'd met with the Holy Maiden squad of four.
Anyi had asked her a favor then – an experiment – to check Audrey's attributes.
The result was that Audrey's Prana attribute was too high. Her mana protection prevented her attributes from being clearly seen.
Like other Heroes, her name and HP/MP bars weren't displayed.
Though it was a minor event, Audrey remembered Karen.
Shortly after Elza's departure, believers entered to ask Audrey if she had any further instructions.
She said: "Have the Eyes Hero come see me.
Um… not now, when she's free, have her come.
And have the Extermination Hero come as well."
…
After two days and nights of travel, the Holy Maiden squad of four finally reached their destination.
All four maintained a speed of 10 Agility points. When tired, they stopped at the nearest God's path to eat, then continued their journey.
Ariana seemed unwilling to delay, even a minute. They traveled for two days straight, without sleep, day and night.
Layton had no objections; he couldn't wait to see his family.
Anyi had no objections; he didn't feel tired.
Miruku… dared not object.
However, trouble arose at the city gates.
"Um… I need to use the restroom," Miruku said before entering.
Layton: "Don't we not need to use the restroom?"
Anyi: "She might be trying to escape."
Ariana: "Miruku, don't be a nuisance! We need to enter the city!"
Miruku: "Yes…"
As the four approached the gate, the guards immediately recognized them as the Holy Maiden squad.
"The Holy Maiden?!" The guards excitedly greeted Ariana.
Ariana: "Huh? Have you seen me before?"
"No! But upon seeing Holy Maiden, I instantly understood your identity!"
"It truly is the Holy Maiden!"
"Ah… It's the Holy Maiden sama! She's right in front of me, less than three meters away!
Waaah——!"
The guards knelt before Ariana, moved to tears.
"Ah haha… Please rise…" Ariana awkwardly waved her hand.
Soon, the believers received the news, and another wave of cries erupted——
They had no idea the Holy Maiden would arrive so quickly!
Notice?!
Why was there no notice?!
Originally, they planned a grand welcoming procession, a red carpet from the city gates to the cathedral, welcoming the Holy Maiden amidst the cheers of the populace.
But now, before preparations were complete, before the red carpet was even laid, the Holy Maiden had arrived?!
The messenger…
Was probably still riding.
Heroes were faster than horses!
Unlike horses, Heroes could maintain top speed continuously, carrying rations and eating while traveling.
By the time the believers arrived with their carriages, the squad had already traveled halfway.
After another round of apologies and thanks, the carriages continued, allowing the four to finally rest.
Miruku, after boarding the carriage, immediately leaned on Ariana's shoulder and fell asleep.
Was she truly tired, or intentionally prolonging the trip home?
Layton looked at the bustling square outside, his eyes filled with excitement.
"After months away, I can finally go home!
Holy Maiden, Little Miruku, and Anyi… what are your plans?
Go home? Or stay with Holy Maiden, returning later?" Layton asked.
Ariana quickly waved her hand: "No need to stay with me!"
Anyi: "No, contrary to your expectations, I'm going home too."
Ariana: "So heartless!"
"Right!" Layton suddenly remembered something, "When you're free, would you like to visit my home?"
"I remember Mr. Layton has a daughter, right? I'd like to meet her when I have the chance!" Ariana said expectantly.
"And Anyi? Are you going?" Layton asked with a smile.
"Fine," Anyi replied indifferently.
"Speaking of which, I also want to meet Anyi's family!" Ariana said, "Especially the sister Anyi always talks about!"
"Let's arrange a time to go together," Anyi didn't refuse.
Layton: "I'll go too!"
"Let's do this," Anyi suggested, "First, let's help her with her work, then we'll return.
That way, we don't need to schedule another time."
Ariana: "Didn't you just say you wouldn't stay with me?"
Anyi: "If you don't want me to, forget it."
Ariana: "I want you to!"