“Here we are, Uncle.”

Guided by the little girl, I stood before an opulent estate. Iron gates framed a lush garden bursting with diverse flora. Grand houses—even a miniature palace—loomed nearby, while hundreds of servants and stewards bustled about their duties. No doubt about it: Prince Aide of Sradon Kingdom carried serious prestige.

“Um, could you open up? I’m Lisi, daughter of Miss Kesi from the Adventurers’ Guild. I’m here to escort the adventurer who accepted your task,” little Lisi called out loudly to the gate guards.

“Please wait—we’ll inform the higher-ups right away,” a guard replied before hurrying inside.

After a brief moment, another guard returned, swung the gate open, and gestured politely. “You may enter.”

“Please come in, Uncle,” Lisi said courteously to me.

“Lisi… could you *not* call me ‘Uncle’? It feels off. ‘Gege,’ ‘older brother,’ even my name—anything but that, okay?”

Hearing that title made me cringe slightly. In human terms, “Uncle” implied I was way too old.

“Understood, Uncle.”

…

“Alright, repeat after me: *gege*.”

I carefully spelled it out, hoping she’d finally drop the habit.

“*Gege*… Got it, Uncle. I’ll use this from now on, Uncle.”

I…

*Sigh*. Fine. Uncle it is. Who cares about a title anyway?

“That’s the Guild’s so-called protector for the master? He looks like nothing. Doesn’t even have magic, does he?”

“Right? How could the Guild send a nobody to guard the prince? This is utterly ridiculous.”

Whispers rippled through the servants as I passed. To them, I was just an ordinary, magic-less man.

I ignored them. I’d heard it all before.

They knew nothing of true power.

“So *you’re* the adventurer the Guild assigned us?” The middle-aged man seated on the central throne regarded me with clear disbelief.

“Yes, Your Highness Prince Aide! This is the warrior my mother, Miss Kesi, personally selected for you—he’s the hero who single-handedly slew the beast Juelian in the Luoling Shenlin!” Lisi declared with deep reverence.

“This magic-less man killed Juelian? You’re joking. I told the Guild: send a Saint-rank mage or magic swordsman at minimum. Is this Guild just trying to scam us?” Prince Aide said coldly.

“Scam or not—I know this: no one in this manor can stop me from killing you. Not even if you all rush me together.” Irritated, I rose and locked eyes with him, my glare sharp.

“How dare you speak to His Lordship like that!”

Guards instantly stepped between us, blades thrust toward me.

“Interesting. A fine glare.” Prince Aide chuckled, amused. “Defeat one person here, and the job is yours. She’s nearby. Dare you accept?”

“Whatever.”

Annoyed as I was, the mission came first. Once paid, where this old man ended up meant nothing to me.

“Daughter! Come out. Test if this man is fit to be my bodyguard,” Prince Aide called toward a corner.

At that moment, a stunning woman emerged from behind a pillar.

Long, silky golden hair flowed over her shoulders. Her slender frame was wrapped in a white-and-blue knight-style combat suit. White steel gauntlets guarded her hands; a gold-hilted longsword hung at her waist. White silk stockings hugged her calves, the short black skirt contrasting elegantly against her fair thighs—an effortlessly alluring presence.

Aifei. Captain of the Sradon Kingdom Knights. Daughter of Prince Aide. And hailed across the world as the strongest magic warrior.