CH 29

Chapter 29 - Return to Ilstadt

The return trip from the Thrail Forest to Ilstadt was peaceful and uneventful, with no monster attacks like the one on the way there. After a day and a half of travel, Souya, Mia, and Merylou arrived safely at the east gate of Ilstadt.

“Thank you for your hard work, Souya-san and Merylou-san …… . I thought I was used to outdoor activities, but I’m a little tired. I’d like to take a few days off to rest.”

Mia rubbed her eyes, looking a little sleepy. The fatigue she is experiencing may be due in large part to the use of high-level sacred art, Salvation. Magic pain associated with mana bursts. Add to that the fact that she’s been outdoors for three days. We should try to recover from the fatigue in Ilstadt for a while.

“Let’s rest for a few days. Let’s do the next job later. I don’t think I’ll be able to graduate from blank-class yet, so I’d like to ask Mia-kun to accompany me again.”

“Well, yes, if you’re alright with someone like me. I was hardly able to help you on the way this time. Souya-san is really talented, so if you reach bronze-class, I’m sure you’ll be in great demand ……”

Mia said to Souya in a reserved tone. She has accomplished a great deal of unexpected work rescuing ghosts apart from collecting night grasses, but she has never had the chance to perform the role of a cleric, healing the wounded, and she may be wondering if her journey is over.

(Oh my, you have a very low self-esteem, don’t you? …… Even though you’re the one that prayed and brought that ghost to rest in peace and gave me a fresh surprise.)

However, until Souya saw that prayer, he had definitely underestimated Mia, the cleric. A full-time Cleric is valuable for an adventurer, but that was all she was, and he thought she had average abilities for a Cleric.

(Though I wish I could tell her you’ve got a terrific talent ……, but that was the exception to the rule, and it would be a bad idea to encourage you on that.)

“…… Souya-san, Is there something on your mind?”

Mia looked at Souya, who remained silent, and asked curiously.

“No, nothing. Mia-kun and I are going to the Adventurer’s Guild to hand over our to Night grass and receive our reward, but what about you, Merylou-kun?”

""

“……, I guess I should say hello. It’s been a while, really.”

“So, you’re back as an adventurer, aren’t you, Merylou-kun?”

“Well, when I feel like it …… I can get by with my ocarina playing, if only to eat. Don’t worry about it.”

She smiled wryly and twirled the ocarina between her fingers.

“Oh, welcome back. I guess if your foraging went well, judging by your expression?”

As we passed through the entrance of the Adventurer’s Guild, Louise, the receptionist, who had noticed Souya and the others, spoke to us smiling.

“Yes, it did. Thanks to you.”

Souya approached the counter and spread out a cloth bag containing three or two packs of night grasses.

“Let’s see, I’ll count them for you …… Yeah, thirty-two …… Oh, that’s two more.”

“It’s a reserve in case of unforeseen circumstances. Please tell to the client that it’s on the house. No need to pay for it.”

“Oh, you’re so prepared. Well, I’ll tell them that. I’ll try to negotiate with them to add a little color, if you want?”

“No, thank you.”

""

They wouldn’t bother to ask for two bundles in return. It’s a good idea to be a little nice to them for later on, Souya thought.

“All right. Well, the reward is 30 gold coins. What currency should I pay you in?”

“Then, with 10 gold coins and 200 silver coins. I think I owe Mia-kun more than 150 silver coins …… I think I’ll just give it all back here.”

60 silver coins to buy adventure equipment. I also owe 60 coins for the hand mirror. I owed 30 pieces of silver for the parchment notebook, and with the food and lodging I had been given to share, it was impossible to repay all of it. I would also need to pay for living expenses for the next few days of waiting, as well as the registration fee when I become a Bronze-class.

“Souya-san, you can forget about the money I gave you.”

“That’s not going to happen. But it would be great if you could wait a little longer for the repayment. Then I’ll pay you back when I reach Bronze class. Is that okay?”

Mia was a little dissatisfied with Souya’s suggestion, but she nodded reluctantly. I’m sure she’s a caring person. But because of his position, he couldn’t take advantage of it. There is a sense of pride, and above all, Souya is not a novice in the true sense of the word.

“Then, Louise-san. It would be great if you could prepare two equal portions for me and Mia-kun. “

The exchange rate for currency is 1:1 for gold, 10:1 for silver, and 100:1 for copper, with silver being the main currency and the base currency. However, as the number of coins increases, they become bulkier, so the basic rule is to hold all but the necessary amount of silver coins as gold coins or jewelry for cash.

There are also platinum coins, which are equivalent to the equivalent of 10 gold coin, but they are not very popular because they are confusingly colored with silver coins and are not widely used outside the royal capitals, which are the centers of the continent, but they are suitable for storing when you have more money on hand and do not plan to move it for a long time.

“Yes. Thanks for your help. I’ve divided it up for you two …… Souya-san, how was your first adventure? Was it easy?”

“Yes, it was. The gathering itself was not so bad. If you don’t mind being attacked by a direwolf.”

“…… What?”

At Souya’s unexpected words, Louise’s voice was out of tune, and she looked dumbfounded. 

“…… Um, Souya-san, a direwolf is a very rare monster that is rarely seen in the Thrail forest …… wait, were you okay?”

“Yes. It was exactly a full moon. we had a little trouble, but thanks to her, we managed to stay unharmed.”

Souya held up his palm as if to introduce Merylou.

“…… Oh my, if it isn’t Merylou. Long time no see!”

“Hello, Louise. I’ve decided to return to being an adventurer. Well, please take care of me ……”

Louise approached Merylou and gently stroked her long ears with her fingers.

“Hey, I’ve already told you not to do that! That tickles!”

“Oh, I’m sorry. I’m just happy to see Merylou. You were in the Thrail Forest, weren’t you? Did something happen?”

“Well, a lot happened …… Souya and Mia helped me out.”

“…… Wow. Souya. After Mia, you even made Merylou return as an adventurer. And the direwolf ….. I can only assume you have something on you.”

Louise murmured with interest.

“It’s a coincidence. And if you’re talking about helping Merylou-kun, it’s mostly thanks to Mia-kun …… Well, what happened is a secret between the three of us.”

Soya put his finger to his mouth. It is forbidden in the doctrine for Mia, who is a Cleric, to make a ghost rest in peace. It would be better not to spread it too widely.

“What’s with that, it’s making me curious. If it’s something you don’t want to talk about, I won’t ask. Besides, direwolf pelts sell for a lot of money, probably more than this reward.”

“That’s true, but I don’t have any skinning skills. I’ve already buried the wolf.”

“Oh dear. If you were a hunter, you’d be drooling over this monster.”

While Louise was disappointed, Souya pulled out a gold coin from the sorted rewards and handed it to Merylou.

“It’s not much, but you can have something delicious.”

“…… What, Sawyer. What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

“It’s a small token of my gratitude for your help, Merylou-kun. Feel free to take it.”

“You’re the ones who took the job. I didn’t even help you collect the night grass, and …… I’m the one who owes you.”

“Then, here’s a tip for your excellent ocarina playing. Please let me hear it again.”

Souya smiled thinly and somewhat forcefully placed the gold coin in Merylou’s hand.

“Hmph …… I’ll take it if you say so. Thanks …… But don’t be too nice to me. See you ……”

When Merylou received the gold from Souya, she was a little embarrassed and quickly left the adventurer’s guild.

“Let’s meet again, Merylou-san.”

She smiled softly at Mia, but Merylou didn’t turn around and waved her hand. 

“…… Souya-san, you’re good.”

“I didn’t mean it that way. Well, I do want to make some connections with her. She’s a good spiritual arts user, after all.”

Louise’s eyes narrowed in admiration, but Souya said like it was nothing of the sort.

It was then.

“Well. Thank you for your hard work, everyone. Let’s celebrate right away! Louise-san, our request was successful again this time.”

Suddenly, the beautiful voice of a tense man echoed at the entrance of the adventurer’s guild.

As soon as Merylou left, a new group of four adventurers appeared at the entrance.