Chapter 168: Heavy-Harikes

  The day.

  Dawn had just pierced through the darkness.

  The light of day slowly grew, as bright sunlight began to gently pour down.

  In Bay Town, still bathed in shadows, neeculiar figures appeared at the gates and in the ter of several streets.

  Early risers immediately noticed their presence.

  Standing at normal huma, their chests bore the Bay Tow on their robes.

  The square-shaped chest robes dispyed several lines of text:

  "Patrol Golem: Automatically handles disputes, arguments, and disorderly duct."

  "Reports househistry numbers, answer inquiries about residence, ws, destination points, shops, and products."

  "At the and of patrol soldiers, releases the 'Detect Lies' spell. Viotors will be charged 30 copper s for each spell cast!"

  "Vandalism raffiti will result in a dedu of 50 tribution points and a fine of 20 silver s!"

  Most people were curious about them.

  Some tried asking them questions, but the Patrol Golems did not respond.

  Many began mog them, but soon, they were left speechless.

  Two soldiers approached and, in front of everyone, spoke to the Patrol Golem:

  "Patrol Guard No. 132, posing a question."

  "Patrol Golem No. 6, responding to your query."

  "How do I get to the east gate?"

  "Proceed straight along Street No. 6 to the interse with Street No. 4. Turn right at the crossroads, proceed to the far end of Street No. 4, and follow the wall left for 200 meters to reach the east gate."

  "What is the punishment for insulting someone?"

  "A fine of 50 copper s and three days of street ing!"

  "Fhting..."

  "..."

  Now, everyone quickly uood the significe of these unique s, and some grew eager to test them out.

  The patrol soldiers smiled and enced people to try, though at first, they hesitated.

  However, after repeated attempts that yielded accurate answers, people quickly became bolder.

  But the patrol soldiers soon informed them that each person was only allowed to ask three questions per day, so they shouldn’t waste them.

  The Patrol Golems statio every street er drew rge crowds, as people watched and studied them.

  On their way to work, they engaged in lively discussions about the golems.

  Aside from the Patrol Golems, there were also several rge, t Ros statio the town gates and the Adventurers’ Hall.

  Written in bold letters on the chests of these mighty Ros were descriptions that piqued the curiosity and amazement of many adventurers:

  "Dete Golem: Automatically releases 'Detect Lies' for verifying and issuing tasks."

  "Reports adventurer numbers, reend tasks, settle tasks, and distribute bounties."

  "At the and of patrol soldiers, enter bat mode!"

  "Any vandalism or destru of these golems will result in impriso for han six months, and han three years of hard bor!"

  "Guardian Golem: Automatically releases 'Detect ons' and 'Detect Lies' for security aration."

  "Reports adventurer numbers, register entries into town and store ons."

  "At the and of the captain of the guard, enter bat mode!"

  "Any escape, resistance, or assault will result in the loss of all tribution points, with a minimum of five years' impriso and ten years of hard bor!"

  "Long-term bounty mission: firming aing any spies will earn 50 tribution points and a gold reer spy!"

  The gathered adventurers looked at the t, 4-meter-tall Ros, their glowing red eyes radiating power, and no thoughts of rebellion crossed their minds.

  For most adventurers, Bay Territory’s dispy of power once agaihem both satisfied and deeply curious.

  "So this is what the lord and the Arist were w on?"

  "Seems like it. These must be Ros, right? They look incredibly powerful!"

  "Yeah, they’re Ros, just renamed. I’ve seen them before in Bloodmoon City."

  "I didn’t expect the lord and the Arist to have developed Ros. Bay Town's defenses have really leveled up."

  "Ah, I seem to have fotten my adventurer number..."

  "That’s impossible! Every adventurer gets a number when they arrive ierritory, and you use it every day for tasks. Where’s your adventurer’s badge?"

  "I think... I lost it..."

  "Hey! Guard! I think we’ve got a spy over here. He’s trying to run... Hurry..."

  "Boom!"

  The Ro, which had been standing still, suddenly sprang into a at the word "spy."

  It raised its massive foot and smmed it into the ground, sending a shockwave rippling forward.

  The fleeing spy hadn’t even realized what was happening before the shockwave knocked him down, and a rge hand rose from the ground to grasp him tightly.

  The entire process took only three or four breaths, and many of the surrounding adventurers hadn’t even processed what was happening before the fight was over.

  Quick-reag guards were already approag the captured spy, firmly bound in the golem’s grip.

  The leading guard captain sternly asked:

  "Are you a spy?"

  The adventurer, pale-faced, shook his head vehemently—there was no way he could admit that!

  Unfortunately, denial was futile.

  "Deteg 'Lies'!"

  The golem's deep voice echoed, and the surrounding adventurers erupted in murmurs of awe as they marveled at this clumsy spy.

  "Spy firmed. Adventurer No. 1672, you are awarded 50 tribution points and a 50 gold bounty!"

  After stating this, the imposing Ro returo its position.

  Now, every adventurer’s eyes lit up.

  Especially the one who had half-jokingly reported the spy, now ughing with glee:

  "It’s like gold just fell from the sky!"

  Many adventurers gnced enviously at him.

  Others, with sharper instincts, began eying those around them, assessing who might be suspicious.

  Meanwhile, having withe Ro’s formidable bat prowess, many adventurers suddenly became much more "obedient."

  No one wao be on the receiving end of a punch from those giant fists!

  Even those adventurers harb ill iions now felt their minds going bnk.

  Cautiously eyeing the Ros, they swiftly abandoned any pns they shouldn’t have had.

  Likewise, Bay Territory’s ued deployment mao catch several careless spies.

  Adventurers who reported or captured spies immediately received their rewards and bounties, with everyone eager to hunt down the one.

  Fellow adventurers, instead of feeling any disfort, were growing more excited.

  After all, each spy was worth a walking 50 gold s!

  "Won’t they be upset?"

  Felicity blinked curiously, knowihat adventurers had no true loyalty or position.

  It wasn’t unon for adveo bee assassins, thieves, or bandits.

  Many nobles and lords across the heril Empire enjoyed using these throwaway adventurers.

  Whether for open flict or underhanded schemes, adventurers always had a presence where flict thrived.

  In fact, adventurers weren't particurly well-regarded by most of heril's upper society.

  Over time, adventurers had learo embrace it—living fold, moving from pce to pce.

  If a location became unweling, many adventurers would simply pack up and leave in droves.

  "Haha, the lord put so much effort into drawing these adventurers here for one reason: to make them work for us."

  "If they ’t do that, they’re better off leaving. There’s no she of adventurers willing to e here."

  "After all, where else they earn as much as they do here in Bay Territory?"

  Fully dedicated to the territory, Elio had a clear uanding of adventurers.

  People die for money, and birds die for food.

  Advehere’s no esg that fact!

  AnnouA big thank you to [Kill Jason] for joining my Patreon! Your support means a lot to me.

  FAL