Chapter 1099 - 379: Taking Action

"The title ’Storm Cloud’? Rein pondered.

One must understand, a title is not something given carelessly, whether it’s a title, designation, or nickname.

For instance, Rein’s previous nickname ’Meister Siege Hammer’ at least indicated Rein’s proficiency in using the Warhammer, and his Huge Strength, these two traits.

Moreover, Epic-level warriors are all given titles.

Although there’s only a single character difference from a designation, the meaning is vastly different.

"The Dragon Knight Pantoscoke’s mount, a green dragon named Hazas, although just a teenage dragon, has an exceptionally powerful Acidic Breath, even the splattering acid mist has a strong corrosive effect."

"Additionally, it possesses a Talent Ability called ’Drowsy Poison Cloud,’ which is very difficult to deal with. The origin of the title Storm Cloud is also because of this Talent."

"As for other circumstances, I’m not too clear on it," Halowin said with a serious expression.

"I see," Rein nodded.

He knew the things Halowin told him could be considered Empire secrets.

After all, it involved detailed combat strength information about an Imperial Guardian, which if leaked, could be exploited by enemies in specific ways.

Only someone like Halowin, the Duke’s eldest son, with special channels, would know these things.

...

The next morning.

The mission hall of the Sword Holder Headquarters was bustling with people.

"Huh? Beyonce, look, there’s a recruitment notice for a Fine Gold Swordsmen here! That’s great!"

A Blue Robed Witch glanced at the information on the Wisdom Tablet in the center of the hall, then immediately turned to a voluptuous woman in leather armor beside her, speaking with delight.

"Don’t get too excited, Claire. You’re only at the Magic Iron Level; even if you sign up, they might not consider you," the woman named Beyonce in leather armor promptly poured cold water on the Blue Robed Witch, saying.

"Hmph! That’s not necessarily true."

"Hey? It’s been posted since yesterday, how is it that a whole day has passed and no one has signed up?" The Blue Robed Witch Claire approached to find the situation seemed a bit strange.

At this point, a young man in Knight Armor nearby, seemingly acquainted with the two women, whispered, "Haven’t you heard?"

"It’s said that Rein benefited greatly from a mission incidentally, then, through maneuvering his connections, he was able to get promoted to Fine Gold Level."

"Hmm? How could the Headquarters allow such manipulation?" The Blue Robed Witch Claire widened her beautiful eyes, clearly in disbelief.

Both she and Beyonce had been promoted from regional branches.

Though aware that many places in the Empire have under-the-table dealings, they always assumed that in the special combat department like the Sword Holder, such situations should be rare.

"Really, everyone says so. Otherwise, why do you think that not a single person has signed up for a Fine Gold Swordsmen’s recruitment?"

Due to confidentiality regarding their members’ skills and safety, the Sword Holder organization keeps everyone’s specific mission records confidential, so Claire and the others cannot view Rein’s background or mission records.

It’s akin to in Rein’s past life, where an anti-drug officer, even when being commended, would receive a masked award, or would use faceless photos to avoid retaliation.

The same goes for Sword Holders, especially those who have killed cult leaders.

"This..." The issue struck a chord with Claire.

Though she was eager to join a Fine Gold Swordsmen team, the problem was, if as the rumors say, Rein is a person whose own abilities are not up to par and merely got there through connections...

Then in future mission execution, it would be a disaster!

Knowing that even her original captain, so strong...

"However... if it’s a strong Fine Gold Swordsman, once recruiting members, a Magic Iron Level like me basically stands no chance."

"Furthermore, it’s just the two of us here."

"Beyonce, let’s give it a try!" A flash of determination passed through Claire’s beautiful eyes as she said to Beyonce beside her.

...

Time quickly slipped to the third day.

When Rein arrived at a reserved room in the mission hall to meet the Sword Holders interested in joining his team, upon entering, he froze.

Because the number was exceedingly small, not even filling the quota of five people.

"Hmm? Just four people?"

Rein glanced around, his brows slightly furrowed.

Logically, with the crowd he saw in the headquarters mission hall, it would be impossible that in three days, not even five people signed up.

Especially as he heard, recently the losses among Sword Holder Captains at the headquarters have been quite significant.

Meaning, there are fewer captains but many members now.

The situation on his end seemed too unusual.

However... the three women and one man before him were all quite attractive.

Rein inexplicably felt a vibe... reminiscent of a bar recruiting promotional groups from his past life.

"Hey, Beyonce, this Captain Rein looks quite handsome," Claire whispered to Beyonce beside her.

"What good is being handsome? If his skills aren’t strong, it’s better to be ugly and skillful," Beyonce said with exasperation.

For Mia and Chandler, while they initially intended to send Beyonce and Claire away, they decided to let the two women stay after thinking about it.

Because if it were just the two of them attending the recruitment, the flaw might be too obvious.

Moreover, working within the Sword Holder Headquarters, they naturally knew the two women, though not closely, they heard they also advanced from a branch, with no strong background and average abilities, making it easier to handle.