1025 Chapter 1025 Returning Home with a New Companion
"What's up Miguel? Did you need something from us?" Marcus asked, clearly able to see that Miguel wanted to talk to him and Mrazivý.
"Um, you know, I just wanted to express my gratitude to you both for helping me get away. If the two of you had not fought that guy, I would definitely be dead right now. Ah, and Mrazivý, I need to thank you for using that potion to heal me. I was injured pretty badly and couldn't move because my spine was broken, but whatever you gave me brought me back from the brink of death. I'm sure it was a valuable item, so I'll make sure to pay you back for it." Miguel said, seeming a bit flustered.
"Oh, there is no need for you to repay me for that. We're friends so it is only natural that I helped you out when you were in trouble."
Mrazivý waved off Miguel's assertion that he needed to reimburse her for the lesser elixir she had given him. Sure, it was a valuable medicine that was as powerful as the tier seven healing magic spell regenerate, but she had a few more and did not feel it necessary for Miguel to pay her something she had used of her own volition.
"Friends, huh. That's right, were friends." Miguel mumbled under his breath too quietly for Marcus and Mrazivý to hear.
"Did you say something Miguel?" "No! I mean, we are friends, right?"
"Of course. I thought that was obvious after we held the banquet following that monstrous robot's defeat. Though, I suppose if you don't want to be friends with us, we won't force you." Marcus replied to Miguel's question.
"Wait, that's not what I meant!" Miguel said hastily. "I just wanted to make sure that you two really saw me that way. It's been a while since I felt like I had people I could trust, but I still stand by what I said during that battle. Since it is alright with both of you, I would like to be your friend."
"Sure, that is fine by both of us. We already considered you our friend and are glad that you see us that way too." Mrazivý said, wearing an amused smile on her face. Marcus likewise gave his assurance that he thought of Miguel as a friend. He had been trying to break through to the young man that also came from Earth and was happy to finally have succeeded. As someone from the same world, he could not stand to see how guarded and dour Miguel was because of the emotional scars he had accumulated.
Assuming that Miguel had gotten what he wanted to off his chest, Marcus and Mrazivý gave him a quick farewell and tried to leave to go to their room, but Miguel did not move out of their way. Evidently, he still had something else that he wanted to discuss with them.
"Well, I know that this might be impertinent of me, but, uh... I was wondering, if maybe... Could I accompany the two of you back to Borealia!"
After waiver for a few moments and tripping over his own words, Miguel finally got out what it was he truly wanted to say.
Evette's party likely would have gotten the same rank up if not for the fact that two of their members were presumed dead, one of which was their leader. However, Besso, Roseline, and Yinceran did not seem particularly bothered by this. Adlamin was without a doubt dead, which was a hard blow for them. But thanks to Marcus, they knew that their leader had not perished. She was with the Great Spirit of Life and recovering.
'I guess despite our contributions to the expedition being among the highest, we still don't have enough achievements to get promoted again. We did just get brought up to Mithril Rank not long ago, so I suppose that is fair.' Marcus thought while Fianna's party were receiving their Adamantine Guild Cards.
After the awards were given out and several congratulatory speeches from the higher ups of the guild, the true payment was passed out to each of the members of the expedition squad.
'Damn, that is a lot of money!' Marcus looked at the stack of money orders in front of him that could be used in any of the nations associated with the adventurers guild. Each one was worth ten thousand gold coins and he had a hundred in front of him. Everyone that had participated in the expedition was given the same amount and Marcus was certain that this far exceeded the treasuries of most nations. Showing just how much capital the adventurers guild had.
And this was only the formal payment for accomplishing all of the objectives the guild had set. Everyone had also taken valuable treasures from the island which they were able to keep. Marcus in particular made out like a bandit because of his Warehouse Item Box and its ludicrously large capacity.
"Now feel free to eat and drink to your heart's content. All of you have certainly earned it." Barak, the guild's leader said before stepping down from the podium he was on and leaving the venue.
Once he was gone, everyone grabbed the free food and drinks that were provided and celebrated the completion of their successful mission. While it had ended in tragedy, there was no doubt that all of them had done an exemplary job in exploring the dangerous island and paving the way for the guild to begin developing it. In time it would likely become a hotspot for high level adventurers due to its abundance of valuable resources.
When the party began to wind down, Marcus and Mrazivý excused themselves and headed back to their room. "So, we are finally going to return home tomorrow. It honestly feels like it has been years since we were back even though it has only been a few months." Mrazivý said.
"It certainly does feel like it has been a long time. I can't wait to see everyone again." Marcus responded.
The two of them talked about what they wanted to do upon returning home for the next few hours until late into the night. Sleep eventually came to them, but it was far from restful as they were brimming with anticipation for their return home.
As the sun rose, they could not hold back and grabbed Miguel bright and early in order to be the first to use the guild's teleportation circles.
Thanks to the permissions they had been granted by Valerius the got access to the coveted magic device and were soon on their way back to Borealia.