Chapter 82: Justice

When the wild monsters here dropped gems and similar items, Luo Yong would drink a recovery potion, his face expressionless, and declare, "Team benefit—whoever picks it up, it's theirs!" After a moment of silence, the female team members would erupt in thunderous cheers.

The barbarian priestess no longer called out her love for Luo Yong. The wild hunters stopped tossing their white gloves. Ahem. Though she did throw out all the white gloves she'd collected in one go, as they took up space, and never bothered to pick them up again.

"Captain, I... can't open my storage equipment," said Sally, still young and not suited to become a hero too soon. Luo Yong kept her belongings for her, outfitting her with whatever gear she needed as part of the team. Thus, she possessed storage equipment but couldn't use it herself.

"Just pile it up on the side. Don't worry, your chubby brother and the sisters won't fight you for it," Luo Yong gestured casually.

"Okay," Sally replied, noting Luo Yong seemed preoccupied and too busy to play with her, so she went off to collect gems by herself.

And as she did, she managed to exhaust the entire team, leaving everyone sprawled on the ground. The chubby member's storage equipment was full, so he lay down a bit apart from the girls to rest. Sally, too, tired from running, dove greedily into a pile of gems, her face adorned with a mysterious smile.

“I finally understand… ah, never mind, best not to say,” Lillian sighed deeply, remembering when she first joined the team. She’d argued with Luo Yong over every little item, insisting on merit-based rewards, which created much resentment among the team. Back then, she thought these people were hopeless; if she hadn’t had no other friends, she’d have left in a huff long ago.

Ahem. In fact, she’d secretly asked Mira if she wanted to leave with her, since they were both newcomers and could talk. But Mira had come specifically for Luo Yong and refused to leave. As for Sally… children were just too expensive to raise!

Now, lying on the grass and gazing up at the greyish sky, Lillian muttered to herself, “I was too shallow…”

“Huh? What did you say?” Mira asked, never expecting to tire herself out collecting gems.

“Nothing…” Lillian shook her head and closed her eyes to rest.

“Do you think that rumor from the elves is true?” After a long silence, the barbarian priestess suddenly asked.

“What rumor?”

“You mean… that one?”

“Luo Yong, our captain, has gotten engaged to a female hero from the elves?”

“I think it’s false.”

“I think it’s true.”

Before anyone else could speak, the storm sorceress and the wild hunter voiced their opposing opinions.

“Reason?” Wendy asked.

“The elves never marry outsiders, that’s obvious!” said the storm sorceress.

“But in the Spider Secret Realm, those forest elves spread the news so convincingly, it doesn’t seem fake. And most importantly, Luo Yong’s current state clearly shows he’s troubled!” the wild hunter argued.

“Come to think of it, Luo Yong has elf friends and such a big collaboration… it’s suspicious!” Elia mused, then glanced at her beautiful teammates and sighed, “Ah, what a pity, so many beauties, tsk tsk, such a waste…”

“So snide!” Lillian protested, annoyed that Elia's glance included her. What nonsense! She didn’t harbor any feelings for Luo Yong!

“Don’t overthink it. If you want to know, just ask Luo Yong directly! He’s our captain and our friend. If we ask, he’ll probably tell us… maybe…” Mira said.

…

Such joyful moments are always fleeting.

Luo Yong languished for some time, drank potions for energy and stamina, and finally reached the level of a tenth-tier hero. Counting the days, about a month had passed. If the Hero Association was efficient, his matter should have a conclusion by now.

Leaving the Lion Island Secret Realm, at the stone circle, Luo Yong saw three cloaked figures, each bearing the insignia of the Mage Guild. Among them was the elven lady Yan Bao’er. Even from a distance, even with her cloak and hood, Luo Yong recognized her at once.

“At last, you’re out.”

At this moment, the person beside the elven lady spoke first, quickly approaching and saying, “Luo Yong, commissioned by the Hero Association, we’re here as witnesses. Your matter is about to be resolved. Come with us!”

“Hey, who are you?”

“Why are you taking our captain?!”

“Luo Yong, what’s happened?”

Before Luo Yong could respond, the group crowded around, each shouting questions.

“You’re his teammates?” The other companion of the elven lady stepped forward, saying, “Perfect, come along. All can serve as witnesses.” As he spoke, he opened a teleportation scroll and entered first. The elven lady merely nodded to Luo Yong, then turned and walked into the portal.

“Let’s go. Didn’t you want to know what’s going on?” Luo Yong called everyone to follow.

Stepping through the portal, they appeared in an open space at the Highgarde Camp. Already, crowds had gathered to watch—some with sunflower seeds, some eating watermelon, some waving fans and sipping soda…

Ahem. It had been ages since anything this big happened in the camp; heroes from all over had come.

On one side of the stands sat notable NPCs and camp guards, like Coldface and Bigbeard. Nearby stood familiar faces, like Matthew and Faden.

“Alright, everyone’s here.”

At that moment, the Hero Association’s Light Priest made a silencing gesture, then announced something that sent the crowd into an uproar.

“What?!”

“The key to Bear Island Secret Realm was put up for sale on the black market by him?!”

Everyone turned to Luo Yong, unleashing a barrage of accusations.

“That scoundrel! So many died, and I didn’t even get a chance to buy…”

“Death penalty! Death penalty! Death penalty!”

“No! He must be put on the gallows—because… I’ve never seen it and want to know what it looks like…”

“…”

“Quiet!” The Light Priest cast an amplification spell, waved his hands, and declared, “Today, we’ll uncover the truth, punish the wrongdoer, and ensure justice for the innocent!”

The female team members exchanged strange looks with Luo Yong.

Luo Yong: …

Damn, the Hero Association was definitely stirring up trouble. They released explosive news to attract attention, putting him on the hot seat. Then, bit by bit, they would unravel the story, making it twist and turn, leaving everyone confused—sometimes seeing him as a hero, sometimes as a villain. Finally, they would reveal the truth. Stirring trouble only to resolve it, malicious hype. Who taught them this?

Luo Yong remained calm, and in front of everyone, explained how he was duped by the magic shop, clearing his name completely. He poured out his grievances, nearly losing control and turning his account into the tale of a tragic hero.

“Ahem, Luo Yong, sticking to the facts is enough,” the Truth Priest finally interrupted. While most of what Luo Yong said was true, the part about him being destitute and desperate for money was clearly fabricated. Understandable, perhaps… but there’s a limit!

“That’s how it happened. Because I lost my membership card, the magic shop refused to pay me the proceeds from selling the secret realm key,” Luo Yong concluded, looking to the Light Priest.

The Light Priest responded with a faint smile, then produced a memory crystal and played its contents for all to see.

“You’ve all seen it. This is why we sealed the magic shop. For the inconvenience caused these past weeks, we ask…”

Before he could finish, voices rose from the crowd:

“So that’s why the magic shop was sealed. I thought it just went out of business!”

“Exactly, things were so expensive, nobody could afford them!”

“If you hadn’t mentioned it, I wouldn’t have even noticed!”

“…”

The Light Priest didn’t continue his explanation.

“I confirm that Luo Yong’s account is true,” said the Truth Priest, glancing at Luo Yong, somewhat helplessly, then adding, “Of course, only regarding the secret realm key…”

“And you, Ed Brann, as an employee of the magic shop, broke your work rules, violated the spirit of the contract, attempted to seize Luo Yong’s property, and after being exposed, tried to escape and evade punishment!” The Light Priest pointed angrily at the magic shop clerk, who was bound to a pillar.

“Now I declare: Ed Brann will be handed over to the Mage Guild for trial, and after confession, a verdict will be rendered.”

“As for the matter between the magic shop and Luo Yong, it will be resolved by mutual negotiation.”

“Of course, our Hero Association and Mage Guild will supervise and notarize the process to guarantee fairness and friendliness between both parties.”

…

“Bah, boring—I thought there’d be a hanging…”

“That Luo Yong is really lucky! Even though he was duped, he still ended up with…”

“Hmph, he’s just a fool!”

“That was a secret realm key—a completely new secret realm, never seen before!”

“And he traded it away… tsk tsk!”

“He must be crying now, can’t even find the tune!”

As those onlookers passed by, Luo Yong overheard their endless chatter, stirring up trouble for entertainment. Even with the strongest nerves, he couldn’t help but feel a bit wounded.

“Luo Yong, are you alright?” Wendy patted his shoulder, asking with concern.