It was a beautiful morning. When I awoke, the gentle light from the morning sun greeted me along with the chirping of the birds and the sweet flowery scent from the garden just outside the window.

It was so peaceful, I almost forgot the trouble I went through before going to bed.

Yesterday, when we had dinner, Liz told Fritz what we did the whole day. At first, Fritz was very happy hearing about it, that is until Liz mentioned how much money we spent on the sword we gifted to her. Because of that Yuna and I earned a whole night of lecturing from Fritz.

Of course, Fritz tried to replace the money we spent in buying Liz's sword, but since Yuna and I considered it as our gift to Liz, we refused his offer.

I also remembered about the people I had captured back in the forest, so after Fritz finished with his lecture, I told him about it, in which he responded「Thank you, I'll investigate it tomorrow」.

Although he was grateful for us at that time, it also showed in his face that he was worried for the safety of his daughter.

Hmm... What should we do today?

Knock Knock Knock

While I was wondering what to do for the day, there was a classic "triple knock" on the door, and unsurprisingly, the one knocking was Yuna.

「Grey, are you awake?」Yuna

「Yeah, i just woke up. Why?」Grey

「Rhodes-san wanted to ask if we could cook with him today.」Yuna

Hm? This early...?

I don't know if he's just passionate or he's an idiot, but wouldn't Fritz scold him for trying to wake up the guests?

After I prepared myself for the day, Yuna and I then headed to the kitchen and helped the other chefs out. And as usual, Liz commented on the food because of how delicious it was.

The adventurer's guild then became the next stop for the day, that was because Liz asked us to do another subjugation quest.

When we arrived at the guild, we then selected another H-rank quest, but since we have cleared the slime quest yesterday, we ended up choosing a goblin subjugation one. But as we were about to leave...

「Oh, Grey, Yuna.」Kris

「Good morning, Yuna-chan, Grey-kun.」Aria

... we met two familiar figures entering the guild. It was Kris-san and Aria-san.

「Are you two picking a quest too?」Grey

「Yeah, we're still free until the Labyrinth's opening after all. So, is that kid the one you're guarding?」Kris

「Yeah.」Yuna

「She sure is a cute one.」Aria

「Yep, Liz-chan really is.」Yuna

「T-Thank you...」Eliza

「So, what quest are you going to pick?」Grey

While the ladies were entertaining themselves with Liz, Kris-san and I continued our conversation with one another.

「Hmm... We would like a B-rank one if possible.」Kris

B-rank, huh...

Hm? Isn't this a good opportunity to let Liz learn about the dangers of being an adventurer?

I know the chance of her facing that kind of situation is slim, but it's also a fact that knowing more is much better than knowing none.

「Hey, Kris-san, can we tag along?」Grey

「Huh?」Kris

In order to clear out Kris-san's confusion, I explained my reason to him, when he heard it, Kris-san agreed immediately.

Kris-san really cares about the safety of youngsters, I even remember the first time we met where he advised us to take a low-rank quest because he was concerned for our safety.

After Kris-san chose a quest, we then departed to the quest's location. And because it was pretty far, we jogged our way there, with me giving Liz a piggyback ride.

「Waah～ So fast!」Eliza

I was worried about Liz at first, but as time passed, she quickly adapted to our speed and enjoyed her piggyback ride.

「Grey-oniisama, can you run faster?」Eliza

「Yeah, I can, but are you sure you can handle it?」Grey

「Un!」Eliza

Haha, what a child...

「Hey guys, I'll be speeding up, I'll meet you at the location.」Grey

「Oh, sure.」Kris

「See you there, Grey-kun, Eliza-chan.」Aria

「See you later, Liz-chan.」Yuna

「Bye～!」Eliza

With everyone's consent, I immediately increased my speed and dashed towards the location, all while making sure Liz was safe.

「Ya～y!」Eliza

After about half an hour, Liz and I finally arrived at the location, luckily, we didn't meet the target on the way.

「Grey-oniisama, you're really fast! You went zoom and dash and boom!」Eliza

「Yeah, yeah, I get it... Anyway, Liz, are you fine?」Grey

「Un!」Eliza

Haah... Just where did this kid get all this energy...

Hmm... What should we do while waiting for them? Should I train Liz's skills?... Ah, but eating snacks would be more enjoyable... We could also just wait for themー Ah!

An idea abruptly came to mind when I noticed a medical herb at the corner of my view.

A few moments later, the others finally arrived at our location, but when they arrived, they were confused as to what we were doing.

「And this is the Galtias grass, it has healing properties and used in potionー」Grey

「Grey, what are you doing?」Kris

「Ah... I'm teaching Liz about different kinds of herbs. It might come in handy when the time comes.」Grey

「I see... Then I shall assist yoー」Kris

「Kris, you still remember we have a quest, right?」Aria

Aria-san asked Kris-san with a terrifying smile as she grabbed his shoulders.

Shortly after that exchange, we set out to locate our target. Thankfully, because of Yuna's 『Detection』, we were able to do so without wasting any time.

「There it is.」Kris

A couple hundred meters away from us, was an Aronel, a gigantic elephantine-type beast that is easily triple the size of an elephant. And although it's at the lower end of it's rank, it was still a B-rank beast.

「Liz, are you scared?」Grey

I asked as I noticed Liz's hands trembling.

「A little bit... But since everyone is here, I'm sure it will be alright.」Eliza

Hearing her words, I was happy she learned how much trust she puts in us, even though we haven't known each other for a long time.

Sometimes, a child's innocence is just moving.

Well, I could say the same for me. Even though it has only been two days since I met Liz, I already treat her as my own little sister. And I'm sure it's the same for Yuna.

「Well then, we'll be subjugating it now.」Kris

「Good luck.」Grey

「Do your best, Kris-san, Aria-san.」Yuna

「We will.」Aria

As Kris-san and Aria-san's figure went further away from us, I felt a soft tugging on my clothes. It was Liz.

「Grey-oniisama and Yuna-oneesama are not going to fight?」Eliza

「No, we'll only be watching. Also, the reason we tagged along with them is so that you can learn how dangerous the outside world is.」Grey

「But don't worry Liz-chan, we'll make sure you're safe.」Yuna

「Y-Yes.」Eliza

「Now, let's just watch how Aria-san and Kris-san takes it down.」Grey

After I said that, all of us became quiet and focused our attention to Kris-san and Aria-san.

When Aria-san and Kris-san were about fifty meters away from the Aronel, they separated ways and circled it. Making sure that wherever it tries to escape, they would be able to prevent it before it can. And with a signal from Kris-san...

「《Obsidian Prison》!」Kris

... the hunt began.

The earth rumbled and multiple earthen pillars emerged from the ground, creating a prison which prevented the Aronel's escape. And while it was distracted by the sudden quake, Aria-san took the chance and shot it's legs to decrease it's mobility.

Bahruuuuhhhhhaaaa

Receiving Aria-san's attacks, the aronel trumpeted in pain and started hurling large masses of earthen materials towards Aria-san, which she dodged skillfully.

「《Triple Storm》!」Aria

Aria-san tried to aim for the Aronel's head but noticing her attempt, the Aronel erected an earthen wall to stop it. Too bad for it, there was too much difference in power and the shots broke through the wall, managing to hit it, but that wasn't enough to take it down.

The Aronel was too focused on Aria-san, it didn't notice Kris-san approaching it. When it did, it was already too late and Kris-san had started breaking it's knees with a bash from his hammer.

Bahruuuuuhhhhaaaaaa

Blood trickled down the Aronel's limbs and head as Aria-san and Kris-san continued to attack it with everything they've got. It tried to fight back but it was futile.

I almost felt pity for it, but in the world of adventurers, it's either kill or be killed.

Mustering each ounce of strength it had left, the Aronel made a final struggle and shot large boulders in all directions.

The trees which received the attack did not survive and came crashing to the ground immediately. There were even boulders that are small enough to pass through the 《Obsidian Prison》, but Yuna and I were able to deflect them.

「《Piercing Lightning》!」Aria

With Aria-san's final shot boring through the Aronel's head, the beast stopped moving and fell to the ground with a loud thud.

「Looks like they're finished.」Grey

「So, Liz-chan, what do you think?」Yuna

Liz didn't answer Yuna's question, instead, she gazed at the scene before her, with her hands tightly gripping my clothes and her knees trembling.

「Was it scary?」Grey

To my question, Liz didn't mutter a word, but nodded instead.

What did I expect? Of course she would, anyone would be. Witnessing a fight between high-rank adventurers and a high-ranked beast isn't an everyday occurrence to a ten-year-old girl after all.

By now, Liz should have already understood just how dangerous the world is. I wouldn't blame her if she doesn't want to go on quest again after this. After all, that's the normal response, not just for a ten-year-old but even for adults.

A few moments later, Liz has calmed down and has started chatting with Yuna. coincidentally, Kris-san and Aria-san just finished with their job and came back to us with a proof of subjugation in their hands.

Unlike me who has a『Storage』ability, Kris-san and Aria-san don't. That's why they only collect what's needed for processing the quest completion and leave the other parts behind.

Still... It would be a waste to leave the Aronel's corpse behind. It could fetch a large amount of money after all.

「Hey, Kris-san, Aria-san, should I store the Aronel for you?」Grey

「What do mean?」Kris

「I have a『Storage』ability, and I don't want the Aronel to go to waste. So I thought I should store it for you.」Grey

「「Eh?」」Kris and Aria

Hearing my response, the two of them froze in the spot and took a long time before responding.

「You should have said that sooner!」Kris

「Sorry, I was waiting for Liz to calm down.」Grey

「Oh... I see... Was she scared?」Kris

When Kris-san heard those words, he immediately understood what happened but still asked a question to confirm.

「She was, but she's alright now. She's already having a friendly chat with Yuna, look.」Grey

When my eyes glanced towards where Yuna and Liz was, the other two followed suit and took a quick glance.

「Well then, you take care of the Aronel, while the two of us will join them in their chat.」Kris

「Then, I'll be going now.」Grey

「Wait, Grey-kun, are you sure that it will fit in your ability?」Aria

「Yup, don't worry about it.」Grey

After that short exchange, I then headed to where the Aronel's remains are and stored it in my 『Storage』and then went back to them, where I saw Liz already smiling again.

It's good to see her smiling again... But I still have to confirm one thing.

「Hey, Liz, do you still want to continue the quest with us?」Grey

「Ah! Yes!」Eliza

「Are you sure?」Grey

「Un! I just can't sit around and be afraid for the rest of my life, after all. Also, I want to get as strong as everyone!」Eliza

Liz declared boldly.

「Well said, Eliza-chan!」Aria

「With determination like that, that future isn't far off.」Kris

「I'm proud of you, Liz-chan!」Yuna

In response to her words, everyone showered her with praises. As for me, I just simply patted her head.

「Well then, let's go!」Grey

【【Algerio's Perspective】】

「What's taking them so long!?」Algerio

Due to my irritation, I threw a wine glass onto the floor, causing it to shatter into pieces.

Yesterday, I hired a bunch of mercenaries to kidnap the town lord's daughter. But ever since I gave them the money, I haven't heard from them since.

I also sent out some of my men to abduct the same person the day before, but they ultimately failed because of some strangers. I even heard that they hired those strangers as bodyguards.

Because of that, I turned to the mercenaries, hoping they would get the job done. But there's still no news from them!

Wait, did they run away with the money? No, they're very trusted in this kind of business. So that couldn't be it.

What if they failed... No, everything would be ruined! All my efforts, my achievements, my money!

Knock Knock Knock

As I was thinking about what might have happened with the mercenaries, there was a sudden knock on the door. And knowing it was my butler, I let him inside.

「How was it?」Algerio

Because I was intrigued about the strangers, I asked my butler to investigate them. And it seems that he is done with his investigation.

「The two strangers are from the B-rank adventurer party "Blizzard". They came to this town just two days ago, and from what I've investigated, the reason they traveled here is because of the Labyrinth of Gale's opening.」???

A B-rank party?! No wonder I didn't receive any news, they must have been captured already!

No! No! No! At this rate, I will lose everything, including my wealthー

Right... Wealth...

「Gabal, did you say they were here for the labyrinth's opening?」Algerio

「Yes, I did.」Gabal

「Haha... Hahaha.... Hahahahaha!」Algerio

Who would have thought that the heavens would bless me with such opportunity. If it's just B-rankers, then we would still be able to manipulate them. People are beings who are naturally greedy after all.

「Gabal, you know what to do.」Algerio

「Understood.」Gabal

Hahahaha! The Labyrinth's treasures are as good as mine!

CHAPTER 33 END