"Add… a personality?"
Kurose Akira stared at the hidden prompt that had popped up on the Saintess portrait, a flicker of doubt flashing through his eyes.
He began to think it through.
If sacrificing one recruitment scroll could add two Authorities and one Personality to the [Saintess] trait—then what if he sacrificed two scrolls? Would it add even more Authorities and an additional Personality?
And beyond that—
The [Saintess] was an ultra-rare trait. From that alone, it could be inferred that once the sacrifice was complete, the recruited adventurer would be Legendary-tier or higher.
Then if new Authorities and a new Personality were added on top of that…Would it guarantee a Mythical-quality adventurer?
This chain of speculation filled Kurose Akira with a growing sense of excitement and anticipation.
"Confirm."
He finally made up his mind, choosing to consume one recruitment scroll to strengthen the [Saintess] trait.
A Mythical adventurer was worth the gamble.
[Recruitment Scroll (Green) -1]
[Please choose two Authorities from the following six: Generosity, Promiscuity, Melancholy, Liveliness, Tsundere, Wealthy.]
Kurose Akira frowned deeply, falling into serious contemplation.
A Saintess who was both lively and promiscuous?
Or one who embodied generosity and wealth at the same time?
Or perhaps a Saintess woven from tsundere pride and melancholy gloom?
Naturally, he ruled out the combination of melancholy and liveliness. Emotional whiplash like that felt far too extreme.
After thinking it over for a while, Kurose Akira finally made his decision.
He chose Generosity and Wealthy.
Who wouldn't like a Saintess who was both generous and absurdly rich?
[You have selected: Generosity, Wealthy.]
[Wealthy: Her wealth rivals that of nations! Quest rewards increased by 50%.]
[Generosity: She is willing to share everything with you! Grants immunity to disease and curses.]
[Adventurer Recruitment Scroll (Green) -1]
[Do you wish to continue consuming recruitment scrolls to add Authorities and Personalities?]
[Tip: Using higher-tier Adventurer Recruitment Scrolls will increase the number of Authorities selectable per attempt.]
"So higher-tier scrolls let me add more Authorities and Personalities?" Kurose Akira muttered, brows knit."If that's the case… does that mean Authorities switch along with the Personality?"
Although he hadn't officially recruited the Saintess yet, judging from the existing [Saintess] trait, it seemed that Authorities were bound to Personalities.
In other words, he could stack multiple Authorities onto the [Saintess] trait—but depending on which Personality was active, the corresponding Authorities would change with it.
"A multi-personality Saintess…?"
Kurose Akira stroked his chin thoughtfully. Could he really end up recruiting an adventurer with multiple personalities?
Just as he was lost in thought, the two little cuties—Bea Fuli and Bea Flora—appeared in front of him, looking up at him with bright, expectant eyes, brimming with enthusiasm for work.
"Guildmaster~ more~"
"Alright, let me see what kind of tasks are suitable for you two."
Kurose Akira glanced at them, then at the task list. He noticed that the number of E+ rank quests had increased to twenty, though the difficulty hadn't risen noticeably.
Combat-type and lifestyle-type quests were evenly split—perfect for letting Fuli and Flora start with the lifestyle ones.
"Here."
He handed them a commission quest.
"Thank you, Guildmaster~" the sisters chirped happily.
...
Two days later, thanks to the guild members' hard work, Kurose Akira's guild had completed eight E+ rank commissions, accumulating 40,000 experience points and five gold coins in rewards.
He used the experience to raise the elven sisters to Level 17, Alice to Level 18, consuming 32,800 EXP in total. With the remaining experience, he leveled Loserine up once, spending 6,000 EXP.
Additionally, during one of the missions, they stumbled upon a hidden discovery—a damaged staff. Using the Witch Gem he had on hand, Kurose Akira skillfully repaired it, crafting a Rare Witch Staff.
[Witch Staff (Rare): Embedded with a Witch Gem. Reduces mana consumption by 10% when casting spells.]
Considering the elven sisters' aptitude for magic, Kurose Akira decided to gift them both the Witch Staff and the Witch Hat, hoping to further enhance their combat capabilities.
"By the way… why haven't the sisters come today?"
Near noon, Kurose Akira realized that Bea Fuli and Bea Flora still hadn't shown up at the guild. Under normal circumstances, they would've been eagerly waiting for tasks at least two hours ago.
As he was puzzling over it, he suddenly spotted Ivsha walking past—carrying a peculiar metal collar.
Curious, he stopped her."Wait, Ivsha. What strange new thing did you bring back this time?"
"This?" Ivsha gently patted the collar in her hands and explained with a smile, "It's an instrument used to punish nuns who don't follow the rules. Don't worry, Kurose Akira-san—this one is brand new. Never used."
"..."
Kurose Akira frowned slightly. What he really wanted to know was why Ivsha was bringing punishment devices into the guild.
But Ivsha clearly had no intention of explaining. She merely hummed softly to herself and walked into the guild's prayer room.
Kurose Akira let out a quiet sigh. Ever since he had agreed to let Ivsha set up a prayer room inside the guild, the plot seemed to be heading in a dangerously uncontrollable direction.
He had just sat down, ready to relax with a cup of maid-blended coffee meticulously prepared by Alice—
When suddenly, the teleportation array flashed white.
The elven sisters Bea Fuli and Bea Flora rushed into the guild, faces pale with panic.
"Guildmaster! This is bad!"
Kurose Akira immediately set down his coffee."What happened?"
"Guildmaster! They—they're going to lock Mom in the Umbral Prison!" The sisters clutched tightly onto his arms, helpless fear filling their eyes.
"Lock her in the Umbral Prison?" Kurose Akira's brow furrowed sharply.
"Yes!" Bea Flora wiped away her tears, sobbing. "There are only three days left until the Queen awakens. They're planning to imprison Mother in the Umbral Prison until the day of judgment. Guildmaster, please—please help her!"
"Please, Guildmaster!" Bea Fuli tugged gently at his sleeve, pleading.
"We leave immediately."
Kurose Akira stood up without hesitation.
Even if his voice carried little weight among the elves, there was no way he could stand by at a time like this.
"That's great! Guildmaster, hurry!" Bea Fuli and Bea Flora each grabbed one of his hands, urgently pulling him toward the teleportation array.
In the blink of an eye, they arrived in the Elven Kingdom.
At that moment, the wooden cottage where the Bea family lived was surrounded by elves, tension thick in the air.
The elves were divided into two factions—one insisting that Bea Relara be thrown into the Umbral Prison, the other vehemently opposing it. The standoff teetered on the brink of violence.
"Bea Relara has violated the taboos of our people and must receive due punishment!" an elven elder stepped forward and declared solemnly."According to elven law, those awaiting trial must be confined in the Umbral Prison for three days. Even if she is a princess, Bea Relara is no exception!"
"Guards! Escort Bea Relara to the Umbral Prison!"
At the elder's command, a group of elven soldiers moved forward to carry out the order.
"I'd like to see who dares!"