Girl Hero: Revenge on Goblins!-Chapter 341: D124. Presenting a Treasure

Outside the Chocobo Cart, in the Noble’s Reception Hall of the Border City, the old man—who hadn’t left his birthplace for most of his life—looked around with a mix of unease and curiosity.

What was written on paper could never match personal experience. Although, as a scholar, he had long understood the border; making the decision to leave his homeland and come to this strange yet familiar Border City made the usually stern old man’s face show an unmistakable nervousness.

Yet when the crisp and joyous call reached his ears, the tension on the old man’s face transformed into a smile.

He turned his head to see his granddaughter, whom he hadn’t seen for some time, jump off the luxurious bird carriage, her face beaming as she ran toward him.

Just as she had written in her letters, she was still healthy and lively, her voice ringing like a wind chime, and her magic power had indeed grown significantly since her departure.

The emblem on the carriage matched the one on the letter she had sent and those described in the book detailing noble heraldry—it was the symbol of the local ruler, the Border Count.

It had been just a brief departure from home, yet the hero had accomplished feats unattainable to most in their lifetime, making him both proud and gratified, tinged with a bit of fear.

Though the letters from the Count contained only brief descriptions, the dangers hinted within were evident. Had he known of the perils the hero would face, he wasn’t sure if he would still have allowed her to come to the border.

"As long as you’re okay, as long as you’re okay..." No matter what, seeing the hero still lively, the grandfather couldn’t help but show a slight gentle smile.

Until the hero came before him, presenting a crystal ball like a treasured artifact.

"Grandpa! You finally came. Look what I caught!"

[Grandfather’s Expression (Calm—Amazing) (80+ without prior knowledge)]

D100=d100(88)=88

The reason this old man, who had spent nearly his entire life on the estate, left his homeland and journeyed to the border could not have been solely due to the hero’s conferment ceremony.

The solution to Hunting Knowledge—the Count’s tactful mention of it in his letter stirred waves within the old man’s heart that no one could comprehend.

As a scholar, he did not arrogantly believe that he was the only one in the world troubled by Hunting Knowledge.

In the Knowledge Hall, the existence of Hunting Knowledge was an open secret, one few would willingly discuss or reveal publicly, though no one prevented or hindered others from learning about it.

It was a sort of mutual choice; every scholar under the gaze of Hunting Knowledge quickly recognized what it was.

A bit of thinking would clarify that those legendary strongmen who were both great scholars and great mages couldn’t possibly fail to escape the gaze of Hunting Knowledge.

So, in reality, freeing oneself from Hunting Knowledge was simple. If he wished, he could at any time use his connections, or reach out to the village chief grandma to locate those powerful legends. Once he imparted knowledge to them, the gaze of Hunting Knowledge would naturally disappear.

Yet, it was this very simplicity that caused the old man to spend half his life in turmoil and struggle.

A taboo is so labeled precisely because it can wreak enormous damage in the hands of the weak and bring endless ruin in the hands of the strong.

Each scholar determined to keep secrets under the watch of Hunting Knowledge possesses such awareness.

It is precisely because of this that the existence of Hunting Knowledge has never been voluntarily revealed within the Knowledge Hall.

These smart people understood that what they needed to be wary of wasn’t just Hunting Knowledge itself—but those who desired its forbidden nature—those among their own kind, perhaps even colleagues.

Simply letting it be known that one was "targeted by Hunting Knowledge" could become a source of danger for scholars without self-protection, as countless people crave that madness and forbidden knowledge, seeking that hidden power no matter the cost.

Thus, the existence of Hunting Knowledge became a secret but one that could be easily learned by those who cared; scholars had a tacit understanding to obscure its existence behind a thin veil—a gesture of both assistance and self-preservation.

Having read the Count’s letter, the old man spent a sleepless day pondering over innumerable possibilities, prepared for the worst, even drafting a will. He discussed extensively with his confidante before finally deciding to leave the village and come to the border.

"Okay, okay, is this a treasure? Let grandpa take a look—hmm?"

However, the long hours of mental preparation suddenly turned into bewildering emptiness the moment the hero handed over the crystal ball.

[Distance of the Great Hunter]

D100=d100(70)=70

[Reaction of the Little Hunter (100+ Alarm)]

D100+30=d100(85)+30=115

As the crystal ball neared the old man, the calm black mist within suddenly surged.

The scent of knowledge captured the attention of the hunter, but realizing the mark that already existed on the old man, the black mist calmed down again.

"Behave, it’s not even thirty days yet," the hero, having made three agreements with it, complained, eagerly waiting for the old man’s reaction.

Amazing—

Upon realizing the true nature of the crystal ball, the old man’s expression changed rapidly and could only be described as such.

His mouth fell slightly open, yet he was speechless, the first time in his life realizing how shallow his knowledge was, unable to utter even a word in response.

Was the thing in his granddaughter’s hand a Hunting Knowledge? Had she sealed a Hunting Knowledge?

What was going on? There was nothing about this in the letters!

Feeling his beliefs from decades wobble precariously, the old man opened his mouth again, but no words came out.

"Grandpa?" The hero tilted her head in confusion.

"—You child, hurry and move that... move that away!"

Suddenly, a chiding voice came from the side. The grandmother, who was just returning from the restroom, saw the scene and, understanding what transpired, hurriedly spoke without even greeting.

"Village chief grandma, you’re here too!" The hero eagerly looked up, then confusedly stowed the crystal ball back into her backpack.

Although the little Hunter had been put away, the faint sound of pages turning remained vaguely audible, making the hero cast a puzzled glance around.

[Attitude of the Great Hunter (Cautious—Unmoved)]

D100=d100(75)=75

Finding nothing unusual, the hero once more cast expectant eyes at her grandfather.

"Alright, alright, Miss Hero... this is quite a shock for the elderly,"

said the Count, who had just disembarked, with a wry smile.

It wasn’t until the crystal ball disappeared from view that the old man with similar eye color to the hero slowly let out a breath, as if he had forgotten to breathe before.

"Since both esteemed elders are here, let’s return to the mansion first."

The Count’s greeting prompted both elders to respectfully bow, and the Count waved it off with a smile.

After some pleasantries, he invited the two elders to board the Chocobo Cart, signaling the coachman to head back to the Count Mansion.

"Moreover, Miss Hero, your other request should just about be completed now, so we can take you both to see it as well."

Realizing what the Count referred to, the hero’s eyes widened in delight.

"Is the Human Transformation Potion ready?"

The Ancient Magic Medicine targeted by the Nightmare, although the hero only had a rudimentary understanding and couldn’t craft it herself, upon the Count asking, she realized she had better sources to rely on and thus conveniently made the request.

Although the formula held tremendous value, the hero saw no harm in gifting it to the Count, who had been so helpful to her, trusting that he would use it appropriately.

As the contributor of the formula, she—or rather her familiar—naturally enjoyed the privilege of free crafting services.

Like her equipment, the magic potion of the Gleaming Scale Serpent had also been completed. Now, this loyal familiar awaited the moment of human transformation; the only thing lacking was the Queen’s permission.

The village chief grandma had once been a scholar of some fame in the academic circles of the Capital, and while grandfather lived in relative seclusion, he wasn’t an ignorant rural noble.

Although both initially showed some respect and trepidation in the Count’s presence, as the Count displayed goodwill, the two elders quickly relaxed and began conversing freely on the cart.

"I’ve only ever known about the border from books. Today I see that reality surpasses the reputation. Most written descriptions tend to be exaggerated, but compared to what’s in books, the real Border City is even more prosperous, which must be credited to you, Count."

Not mere flattery, the grandfather sincerely remarked.

The village chief grandma nodded in agreement. Though the Count was not a typical scholar, his knowledge and wisdom were well-known in the academic circles of the Capital.

[Atmosphere of the Royal Capital Nobles (Literary—Logical—Martial)]

D100=d100(46)=46

If it weren’t for that, the King wouldn’t have asked for aid from this remote border Count concerning the Fourteenth Princess’s ailment.

Although the Count’s family held a trace of royal blood in its lineage, successive generations of dilution had nearly rendered it negligible.

"Thank you both for the recognition, but it’s not much," the Count shook his head.

"If not for Miss Hero’s tireless support, this city wouldn’t maintain its current splendor. We have a long path ahead."

Hearing this, grandfather looked at the hero beside him with a complex expression.

This granddaughter, who was never content with peace, truly accomplished significant achievements, earning commendable honorable deeds, but turning one curse into two... sigh.

"Regardless, Count, your governance is undoubtedly correct, and many in the Capital have come to recognize its worth."

Responding to the Count’s somewhat sighing words, the village chief grandma spoke seriously.

"Though I’ve been away from the Capital for a while, before my departure, many newly enacted policies reflected influences from the border, and seeing this city firsthand now only reconfirms that belief."

In the distant past, during the rampant Arcane Surge, humankind could barely resist the Sovereign of the Arcane Surge without relying on the fleeting heroes.

With the establishment of the Professional Guild, more strongmen emerged, and individuals could even drive back or slay the Sovereign of the Arcane Surge.

But as widespread peace arrived, they gradually realized that to make the entire kingdom powerful, owning strong individuals, even a thousand, was insufficient.

Creating more guilds, enabling more people to wield extraordinary power, and focusing on economic and various technological industry developments made magic power the cornerstone of societal operation...

Although advancing such enterprises wasn’t easy, the benefits were evident to all.

Due to the loss of a beloved one, the Count, initiating this reform at the border, not only secured the first slice of the pie, enriching himself and his domain generously, but also turned him into a notable figure amongst nobles and scholars in the distant Capital.

"Is that so... to hear such an evaluation makes my noble title feel more deserved." The Count’s expression relaxed slightly, revealing a smile.

Surely, she who is no longer here would feel pleased, too.

The three engaged in lively conversation, while the hero beside—

How much did you understand?

D100=d100(80)=80

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