Chapter 62

Today, too, I've updated ('ω').

Finally, we managed to enter the cumulative ranking!

Thank you all ('ω')!

Regarding the Great Cavern, I think everything was handled very swiftly.

Benwood, who was watching the live stream, immediately rushed to our aid, and the healers waiting in the Great Cavern transferred Jamie to the advanced treatment facility... We ended up being questioned at the Adventurer's Guild.

After all, even though Benwood and the others turned a blind eye, we had entered the sealed dungeon rather forcefully.

It was inevitable that we had to submit a report along with the records.

Otherwise, it would have become a matter of responsibility for Benwood, the Guild Master.

That said, it was clear that this would remain a formal procedure.

The Adventurer's Guild had healers on standby, and they had already made arrangements with the public treatment facility.

There was no way the higher-ups were unaware of this.

As a result, our punishment was relatively light.

A verbal warning, a reduction in adventurer credibility, and a one-month suspension.

...The last one might be a bit long in terms of the designated period, but compared to the punishment given to Jamie, the survivor of 'Thunderpike,' it was quite lenient.

Jamie, thanks to the initial treatment, was discharged after about a week.

During that time, she completed the kingdom auditor's questioning, a meeting with Benwood, and various other post-processing tasks as 'Thunderpike.'

I, as a former member of 'Thunderpike,' helped with a few things... but it was quite a mess, I think.

In just half a year since I left, the A-rank party 'Thunderpike' had ruined everything and fallen into decline.

They had directly contracted with illegal organizations, engaged in illegal transactions under the guise of their A-rank status, extorted other parties, and stolen their achievements, along with numerous threats.

Simon, the leader, lacked the professional awareness and sense of crisis.

When I was in 'Thunderpike,' I had taken on all external negotiations with the attitude of "It's my job," which contributed to this.

Simon, being from the countryside... in a way, too naive, accepted the sweet talk offered to him.

He had never experienced hardship, so it was difficult for him to judge such people.

"Ah, it's over."

Next to me, Jamie stretches widely.

Today, Jamie and I went to the Adventurer's Guild and the Fair Certification Union to prepare and submit the necessary documents.

With this, everything related to 'Thunderpike' is finally settled.

"Though I'm a bit tired... good work, Jamie."

"Thanks."

Today, Jamie, dressed modestly like a town girl, smiles wryly.

She had to sell her elaborate adventurer's outfit to cover the losses.

Her makeup is also minimal, and I doubt even acquaintances would recognize her.

"Let's take a little break."

At my words, Jamie smiles and nods.

We bought lamb pies and hot ginger ale from a nearby stall and sat on the edge of the fountain.

"It's almost winter, huh."

"Yeah."

The season is autumn, and looking down the main street, stalls lined up with seasonal produce, as if urging Finis to prepare for winter.

"Hey, Yuke."

"Hm?"

Next to me, Jamie, munching on her pie, calls me in a soft whisper, a voice that seems almost unrecognizable from the loud, high-pitched laughter of the magician I once knew.

"I'm sorry."

Jamie, standing up, bows deeply.

...Again.

"Jamie, I already told you it's fine. The past is the past, and the rescue was just repaying a debt. I already said let's move on."

I grab her shoulder and sit her down next to me.

How many times now? More than ten, I think.

"No matter how many times I apologize, it's not enough..."

"I have so many apologies that I'm thinking of pawning the excess."

I joke with the sulking Jamie and scratch my head.

Seeing her like this throws me off.

Jamie, the female magician, has always seemed flashy and overwhelmingly bright, always with that ear-piercing laugh.

Is this her true self?

"Hey, Jamie. I'm not holding a grudge anymore. Sure, there were a lot of things during the 'Thunderpike' days... but I think it was a good experience. So, don't worry about it."

"Ah... I really hate it. I hate how I always took advantage of your kindness. Being in that party and laughing at you... I really hate it."

I gently pat the back of the sulking Jamie, who is hunched over.

"I hate your manipulative side too..."

"That's not my intention!"

I instinctively pull my hand away from her back and shudder.

It's a bit hurtful to be thought of that way.

"I hate how weak I am too..."

"Huh?"

"It's nothing."

Jamie, smiling wryly, looks at me.

"Can I change?"

"You've already changed a lot. After all, you're talking to me normally like this."

When we were in 'Thunderpike,' Jamie and I rarely had such one-on-one conversations.

We only talked when exchanging potions during adventures, and I generally didn't spend much time with Simon and the others. At one point, I actively distanced myself to avoid their ridicule.

Now, I realize that was my mistake.

I should have communicated more.

I could have made more effort to let people understand me, like I'm doing with Jamie now.

If I had, the outcome might have been different.

"Well, let's head back. Tech is waiting, right?"

"Yeah. Ah..."

Jamie, standing up, sways slightly.

A habit I noticed for the first time after five years. She sways like this when she has something difficult to say.

"Thanks for helping me today, Yuke."

With a determined look, my companion thanks me, and I smile in response.

"You're welcome."

How was it ('ω')?

The first part is coming to an end.

If you want to read more or think Jamie is super cute, please change the ☆☆☆☆☆ to ★★★★★ to support me.

Thank you very much.