Chapter 13

"Tonight is a feast!"

With the mayor's words, the feast began.

It had been a moment since Reda and the others had successfully completed the task of slaying the demonic wolves, and night had quickly fallen.

There were no casualties.

All those who were injured had been healed by Reda, so everyone was happily drinking and dancing.

Everyone was delighted at the prospect of no more victims from the demonic wolves and the additional income they would bring to the town. The demonic wolves were valuable. Their meat was delicious and rare, adding to their value. Their fangs, claws, and fur could be used to make weapons and armor, which would be eagerly traded by merchants visiting the town.

"A drink after work is the best!"

In the town square, where people gathered around bonfires, enjoying meals and dancing, Reda was savoring the meat of the demonic wolf. The tender, fatty meat had a different kind of deliciousness compared to the magic boar. Initially, he had planned to just eat, but he ended up drinking when a town girl offered to pour him a drink.

The ice-cold beer was undeniably delicious and made him feel pleasantly drunk. The good mood was also due to the successful completion of his first solo mission.

"Phew!"

After draining his mug, Reda wore a satisfied expression. His gaze fell on Mina, who was dancing with the townspeople. Despite being a shy girl, she seemed to have opened up to the kind and caring townspeople. The festive atmosphere was also likely boosting her spirits.

"I'm glad Mina is having fun."

He recalled how Mina had welcomed him back after the mission to slay the demonic wolves. He hadn't expected her to hug him like that. More than that, he was surprised by how relieved he felt to return to her safely.

Realizing that Mina was gradually accepting him, Reda also understood that he had come to trust her.

(Though we are a bit apart in age, it feels like we're like brother and sister.)

Thinking about the future, he wondered if it was right to take Mina along on his journey. He was staying in the town for the night, but he would head to the town of Amrus the next day.

He wondered if it was responsible to leave her in this town where she was gradually being accepted. But he also felt it would be irresponsible to leave her behind.

He had brought her this far, and he felt he should take responsibility for her until the end.

(I don't know what the end will be, though.)

Whether a guardian would appear or if they would stay together for a long time, he needed to know more about Mina. He also hadn't told her much about himself.

"Such a nice festival, but why the long face?"

"Marrella... you've been drinking quite a bit, haven't you?"

"Hahaha, today is a celebration! Cheers to the town's hero!"

"Hey, stop that! It's giving me hives!"

The innkeeper's face was flushed, and she smiled cheerfully. The "town's hero" she referred to was, of course, Reda. The townspeople had started calling him that after he used his free healing magic and helped slay the demonic wolves. The young men of the town, in particular, looked up to him as a big brother.

"Stop being modest. What were you thinking about? Tell me, big sister!"

"About Mina a bit."

"Mina? She's such a good girl. I wish I had a daughter like her."

Marrella, though a bit tipsy, seemed to be thinking clearly as she sat down next to Reda.

"If you're thinking of leaving her behind, I'll be angry."

"Huh?"

"Ah, I thought so. You probably think she can manage in this town, but Mina wants to be with you. She was worried about you all day. You can't just leave her behind."

"I see."

Upon reflection, Reda realized he had never directly asked Mina what she wanted. He hadn't even told her about his plans to start a new life in Amrus.

"Why do I..."

"Don't be down, young man... but no, I think it's good for an old man to have his own worries. There's no absolute answer in human relationships."

"There's no absolute answer, huh. Yeah, you're right."

"If there's something you haven't told Mina, you should tell her. She'll probably be happier that way."

Inspired by Marrella's wise words, Reda decided to have a proper talk with Mina.

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The feast showed no signs of ending until morning. The townspeople, along with visitors, were still reveling well into the night.

"Reda, are you going to sleep?"

Mina, who had been nibbling on a fruit platter, noticed that Reda seemed lost in thought during the feast and approached him with a puzzled look.

"I'm not really sleepy, but I want to talk to you a bit before that."

"Talk?"

"Yeah. About what happens from tomorrow."

"…Okay."

"I was planning to go to a town called Amrus, which is about a day's walk from here. I want to start a new life there, and that's why I came here."

The girl listened intently, not wanting to miss a word. Although it might not have been the best time to have such a serious conversation during the feast, he didn't want to keep putting it off.

"What about me? What should I do?"

"Would you like to come with me?"

"…What?"

"Come with me to Amrus and start a new life. I know we've been through a lot, and I can't ask you to forget it. But if you don't have a guardian or a place to go, would you come with me?"

He chuckled, realizing he might have phrased it a bit awkwardly. It sounded like a proposal.

"…Is it okay?"

"I think our meeting was fate. I don't want to leave you halfway. I want to take full responsibility for you."

"…Okay. I'll go with you. No, I want to go with you!"

Saying this, Mina looked at him straight in the eye, and Reda ruffled her hair affectionately.

"Thank you, Mina. Let's go together."

"Okay!"

As Mina nodded happily, a cheer erupted from the crowd.

"What? What's going on!?"

"True to form, the hero! Proposing to such a young girl!"

"Pedophile!"

"Lolicon hero!"

The drunkards, who had been eavesdropping, were misinterpreting the situation and getting excited. Despite his good nature, Reda couldn't tolerate being called a pedophile and started to complain. Mina and the townspeople watched the scene with amusement.

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