Chapter 68

Even after escaping the blazing rocks where the sunlight poured over our heads, the assault continued directly over us within the groves, offering little shade. We rested several times under trees, taking a long two hours to finally cross the plains. The few breaks we took was not enough to ease the mounting fatigue in my feet. I was feeling heavier now with every step. If I could, I would just lay down on the soft grass and take a fifteen-hour nap. But the result of that would be turning into a snack for the grass wolves. So we just journeyed on.

Spiris was now visible ahead of us. Now that Daniela’s headache had subsided, we could chat as we moved, which made the passing of time seem faster. Still, the distance was far, and the sun relentlessly gradual in its descent.

Then the evening was finally upon us, and the sunlight was starting to burn in reddish colors as we reached our destination. It had taken about an hour and a half leaving, including several rests. But it had taken us three hours to return. Twice as long. Twice. Making such calculations probably just made it worse for myself. We dragged our feet tiredly back to the Silver Sky inn.

“Asagi…:”

“What…”

“I am hungry…”

“…”

We dragged ourselves away to make a detour to the food stalls before returning to the inn.

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“…!”

I was so happy that no sound could express what I was feeling. It was the moment that I was submerged in the hot, hot bath water. It was the moment that your stress vanishes and you feel nothing but happiness. It was the same for everyone. I had scrubbed myself good and washed it off with lukewarm water just to feel this. Heaven was a place in the depths of hot water.

I had felt a sort of tenseness ever since that fight, but it all seemed to melt away now. My limbs felt numb, my consciousness was getting foggy. However, the sense of euphoria was very vivid in my brain.

Sweat begins to pour, and I wipe at my forehead. It felt miserable sweating outside, but somehow nice when it was in the water. My stupid brain considered such things, but I soon gave up on finding an answer. For now, I just wanted to enjoy this El Dorado of hot water.

I carried my warmed self back to my room on light feet, opened the window and enjoyed the cool breeze. Joshua was kind enough to allow me to continue using this room.

“No, no, Asagi. I could not say that you were renting the room, if you were not in it, could I? The extension was for two weeks, I believe. Well then, it will be two weeks starting from now. Please enjoy your continued stay. Now, if you will excuse me.”

And he was kind enough to ignore any arguments I tried to make. And so we accepted. It was a good thing that we had chosen this place. It was thanks to Harold, really.

The city looked beautiful. It may have been laid to waste one day had we not killed the kobold king. But the soldiers and guards of the city were strong. In a big enough group, they could take down a wyvern. They may have been able to deal with a stampede, even. But if so, would that mean that we did not have to kill the assault kobold? Perhaps it would have been better to leave the tunnels and make a report to the guild as soon as we suspected the possibility? But we had chosen to go further in. What was it that drove us then?

There wasn’t a simple answer to this, and a knock on the door interrupted my thoughts and brought me back to the present.

“Yes.”

“Asagi, do you have a minute?”

“Daniela. The door’s unlocked.”

And then the door slowly opens and Daniela comes in. She too seemed to have just come out of the bathhouse, her slightly flushed face sent my heart racing. But I don’t show it. After all, a man should be a gentleman. It’s one of my mottos in life.

“I was wondering when we should make a report to the guild.”

“Ah, right… First thing tomorrow should be fine. We can’t carry the materials forever anyway.”

“Yes. Then we should sleep tonight.”

I nod. Daniela waved before returning to her room. I immediately buried myself under my covers. Ahh, it was a strange feeling… Warm blankets…the best… I could do nothing but ride the boat that was my bed and set sail for the land of dreams.

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The next morning, we arrived at the guild feeling refreshed in body and mind. We had not been here for two whole weeks. I wonder if Fiona was doing well? I thought, as I opened the doors and was greeted with a fearsome blow to the stomach.

“Gggg…”

“Where were you, Asagi!!”

It was Fiona who had attacked me. She had charged in and was now gripping me hard.

“Where? Uh, the kobold nest…”

“For two weeks!?”

“There were some unique circumstances and we’ve come to report it.”

She finally let go after I said this. The wound on my sides still hurt from before, and I thought I would die.

“If possible, we have something important to discuss with the guild master.”

Daniela said. It was that important. Fiona looked quizzically at us but saw that I was serious. Then she turned on her heels and disappeared behind the counters. After waiting for a minute by the entrance, Fiona returned and gestured for us to follow her. I guess he was ready to see us. We followed her to the guild master’s office.

“So, I hear that you have a report to make… What happened?”

Bordow was sitting on top of his desk like the last time, as he questioned us. We started by explaining that we went on an extermination quest to the mines in order field test my new equipment. But then the mines turned out to be ridiculously deep, when it should have been shallower. It had been the workings of the hole moles or mega moles. And finally, that there was an abnormally mutated assault kobold there, who styled himself king and was planning a stampede. And that we had killed him. We’d killed many kobolds in fact, preventing the stampede.

When we were finished, Bordow let out a huge sigh.

“You really… Why would you not come back and report first? Why would you go deeper? No, I know the answer without you having to tell me.”

It went without saying that our curiosity had been strongly stimulated. But I did feel bad about doing something so reckless.

“Well, it is too late now. I shall overlook it this time, given what you two have achieved! However, you absolutely must make a report next time. Else I will have to give you both new, embarrassing names that everyone will know about.”

“Don’t do that. That could affect our livelihood.”

“Then report! Report. Communicate. Consult. These are the obligations of an Adventurer!”

It was like we were working for a company, which considering that we were employed, we worked, and were paid, was not too far from the truth.

I was just a part-time worker before. But now I was fully employed, I guess. My mother would be so proud. Mom, your son is doing his best sword-swinging now.

“Now, about the reward. Kobold hands, hole mole claws, these will all be calculated according to the market value. As for the reward for killing this abnormally evolved monster, the assault kobold. I will decide what you will be paid. And finally, for your contributions to the guild in preventing a stampede. You will be paid in gold pieces. On top this, I will add a little extra from my own purse to the total amount. We’ll call it a tip.”

He kept on talking, but I think I understood most of it. It was going very well for us.

“Understood. So, we’ll be waiting at the reward counter then. I’ll just leave the materials here.”

“Yes. Thank you. Oh, one more thing. What will you do with the assault kobold materials? You could also just use them yourself…”

“I see…yes, I think I will use them, if that’s alright?”

“I will introduce you to a blacksmith then! This one is close to the guild, got a good arm. Look here, my own equipment. All made by that blacksmith!”

He says as he points at the armor and halberd that hung on the wall. Hmm, it was quite impressive. Though, a bit on the showy side. Judging by Bordow’s personality, it was probably made like that by request. It was full-plate armor that was the same red as Bordow’s hair and was lined with gold. Even the halberd was a burning red metal. After seeing the dimension ore, I could now tell that the halberd was made of fire ore. Speaking of which, we did not tell him about the dimension ore. We didn’t know how dangerous it was. Well, if anyone wanted to find out, it was only at the bottom of the maze.

“Well then, you have my gratitude for what you did! I say this as the guild master! This news will be sent out to every guild house! Silvergreen and Lightwind prevented a stampede!”

“As I said, do no such thing!!!”