Chapter 22

"Hehe, you're sleeping so soundly."

On the back of Taro, who was standing in line at the appraisal window, was Moe, sleeping peacefully. Sora, standing next to him, gently poked Moe's cheek and spoke affectionately. Moe had been cheering wildly at Taro's strength, which effortlessly mowed down goblins, but suddenly stopped moving like a magic stone-powered device that had run out of power and curled up. It seemed that a day-long forest walk was too physically demanding for a child.

Of course, using <Restoration> could restore her physical strength. However, doing so would rob her body of the opportunity to grow from the stress it had been put under. Therefore, Taro deliberately refrained from using <Restoration> for the purpose of restoring magic or physical strength for the two of them.

"You were really enthusiastic today. Good job, Moe."

Her voice was tender, but there was a hint of a senior's tone. During the battle with the goblins, Sora had also been very enthusiastic and made significant contributions, but the lackluster effect of <Reversal> had backfired, leaving her frustrated that Moe didn't understand her efforts.

There was one more thing. In fact, Moe had more spare magic power. In Sora's case, using <Reversal> without much of a break would cause her to show signs of fatigue by the third use, as it consumed about half of her magic power. However, Moe could use <Electric Detection> and <Lightning Needle> alternately five times and still be completely fine. While the amount of magic power consumed varied by magic skill, it was clear that there was a significant difference in the ratio.

The difference in magic power was largely due to physical constitution, but it also depended on how much they had used their magic skills. Skills like <Electric Thorn>, which target the user, can be activated at any time and under any circumstances, making them easy to repeat and ideal for training magic power.

While it was understandable that <Reversal>, which could only be used when attacked by a monster, would be different, it was still a bit of a shock for Sora to be outdone by a child half her age. Normally, she wouldn't care about differences with others, but the fact that Moe didn't share her feelings lingered.

"Hey, do you want me to carry her? Taro, you must be tired too."

To show that she was fine, she puffed out her chest, which was already quite ample. However, even though she had grown up in the countryside, Sora had only been an adventurer for six days. Taro reached out and gently brushed the sweat-soaked bangs of the young girl.

"That's true. I'm still okay, but if you get tired, let me know. ...I really appreciate having you here."

It wasn't a bad thing for her to try to prove herself. Taro himself had struggled to join a fixed party when he was young. Although it didn't work out, he considered it a good opportunity to get to know himself better.

Many things can only be realized by trying them out. Even if the direction was wrong and it became dangerous, an adult could step in.

"Okay, you can count on me. ...Thank you, Taro."

With that, Sora wrapped her arm around Taro's shoulder and rested her head on it, leaning her weight and exhaling slowly.

"Ah, by the way, there's one thing I want to ask you."

"What? What is it?!"

"Did the cats come to your bed last night?"

"Yeah, both of them came. Oh, it was a bit hot, wasn't it?"

"Um, is that so? Well, it's fine. How about this, do you want to switch places with this one and the cats today?"

At Taro's suggestion to lift the child on his back, Sora showed a thoughtful expression for a moment, then shook her head slightly.

"Well, the cats, they first chased after Moe and went to Taro's room. But in the middle of the night, they scratched at my door... I don't really understand, but I think that's what happened."

Taro was speechless at the shocking revelation.

"Ah, in that case, how about we let Moe and the cats sleep in my room? And I'll sleep in Taro's room—"

"I'll pass. I don't sleep well in a small bed."

"Aww, you're just making excuses. You used to sleep well anywhere."

As she said this, the girl rubbed her head against Taro's, mimicking Moe. Taro scratched his chin and avoided answering. The adventurers behind them, who had been watching the scene that looked like a couple with a child, clenched their fists tightly.

"Next, please. Oh, Taro and Sora, hello."

"Hello, Enna."

To the receptionist, who had become a familiar face, Sora greeted cheerfully while presenting today's spoils. After glancing at the child on Taro's back, Enna got to work.

"Let's see, three forest slimes, two horned moles, and nine vials of slime. And goblins... fifty-three...?"

"Hehe, we did our best."

The number couldn't be explained by effort alone. Of course, a party with the right skills could achieve such a number, but for a middle-aged man who had been stuck at the lowest rank for years and a new adventurer, it was certainly not a score that could be achieved with a nine-year-old child in tow.

Enna, realizing that her common sense didn't apply here, felt a mix of dizziness and resignation as she finished the calculations.

"Fifty-three goblin kills and forty magic stones. Please take your payment."

"Wow, it's silver coins, Taro!"

"And Taro, could I have a moment?"

Recalling her boss's orders reluctantly, Enna placed a crystal ball on the counter. As if expecting this, Taro lifted Moe's arm without a word and touched the soul detector while she was still asleep.

Unlike the simplified adventurer card, this soul detector could detect even small amounts of skill points. The receptionist confirmed that Moe's water bottle was indeed full.

This proved that the child had not been given an adventurer card to serve as a pass to the outer gate. At the same time, it revealed a terrifying fact: a nine-year-old with only <Electric Thorn> was participating in close combat with monsters. However, when she checked just now, Moe's face had not a single scratch.

As the veteran receptionist felt her surprise turning into awe, she managed to squeeze out some words.

"Thank you for your cooperation. We look forward to your next visit."

"Sure, see you again."

Sora replied cheerfully, while Taro, still carrying the sleeping Moe, nodded silently. After the three left, Enna took a deep breath and shook her head. The only thing she could deduce from the current situation was that Taro's achievements were incompatible with the skills he possessed.

It was possible that they were using revolutionary skill combinations, but Enna felt that it was something more fundamental, something closer to the power of the gods.

Realizing her duty, Enna put the matter of Taro and his group to the back of her mind and smiled.

"Next, please."

While handling the next customer as usual, Enna recalled another concern. It was true that there hadn't been many parties focused on goblin hunting lately. Even taking that into account, over fifty in a day seemed a bit too many. She made a note to report this matter promptly.

That day's income was one silver coin, one half-silver coin, and thirty-seven copper coins. Plus the meat of two horned moles, one of which was for the cats. They also had five magic stones and ten bundles of bitter juice grass left.

There were no expenses. The rent for Moe's sandals was free because they had restored six leather armors with <Restoration>. The payment for the hippo leather cape and the mole leather short boots in progress was deferred.

When they got home, the smell of food woke Moe, and the evening meal was lively. Sora, who was exhausted, finished eating and soon fell asleep. Moe, who had slept well on the way back, also started snoring as soon as she was put to bed.

Leaving the sleeping children, Taro quietly slipped out of the room.