Chapter 23

Thank you very much for the 36th place in the daily high fantasy ranking!

Leida stood at the entrance of the guild, took a deep breath, and firmly held the letter containing the secret that his mother had given him.

Leida, who had contracted with the Adventurers' Guild to provide regular healing magic, was immediately asked by the guild to go outside the town.

"I never thought it would come to this so soon after yesterday."

His head ached from drinking too much last night.

While receiving a somewhat exasperated look from Mina, Leida was in the forest behind the town.

The town of Amrus is still developing.

Currently, many buildings for living and business are being constructed by various craftsmen.

As a result, a large amount of wood is needed.

Today, he was called to help the people responsible for procuring the wood and the adventurers guarding them.

Recently, there have been reports of an increase in the number of monsters in the forest.

The severely injured adventurers from yesterday were also guarding the wood procurement team.

To prepare for any possible attacks, Leida, who had performed healing magic yesterday, was sent as support.

Of course, to ensure the safety of Leida and Mina, the number of guarding adventurers has also increased.

"Hey, are you Leida and Mina? Thanks for coming today."

The man who greeted them cheerfully was in his forties.

He had long, silver-streaked blonde hair tied back with a string, and a beard around his mouth and chin.

He wore leather armor over worn clothes, and had two long swords at his waist, looking every bit the adventurer.

"I'm Tex. I'm the leader of the guard team. I hope nothing happens, but if it does, I'll count on you."

"Nice to meet you, too."

"Don't be so formal, it makes me itchy. I heard you're an adventurer, but you're quite well-mannered, aren't you?"

His subordinates were busy setting up a temporary tent.

Leida, who had been on the back of a cart with Mina, stepped out to talk to Tex.

"By the way, is this girl your daughter? She's a bit too cute, isn't she?"

"No, we're not related. I'm her guardian."

"Hah, what part of that makes you not a father? By calling yourself a guardian, you're already a father."

Tex patted Leida's back, making him choke.

Mina, a bit uncomfortable with the overly familiar Tex, was showing a bit of shyness.

"I wanted to thank you. Most of the people who were brought to the guild yesterday were my acquaintances. It's really great that everyone returned safely. Thanks a lot."

"It was just doing what I could."

"Don't say that. If it weren't for healers like you, the guild wouldn't have asked you to help. We don't mind if you act a bit more confidently."

Tex, who showed a friendly demeanor but had sincere gratitude in his eyes, clearly cared for his comrades. Leida quickly took a liking to this adventurer.

"Well, to thank you, there are a few nice places in town. I can take you there tonight."

"Leida won't go to such places."

"Whoa... I'm being looked at like I'm trash by such a little girl. Hey, what kind of education are you giving her!?"

"Mina, you're making a face I've never seen before. It's a bit surprising, like seeing a new side of you."

Mina, who had never seen such a face before, was showing a reaction to Tex trying to take Leida to a place for women.

Since meeting Mina, she has gradually started to show more emotions.

Yesterday, it felt like the distance between them had shortened, which made him happy.

However, he didn't want to know that she could look at someone with such disdain.

(Thank goodness I didn't say 'yes' without thinking! But, a place with cute girls... there are such places here too.)

He decided to remember this.

The thought of secretly going there someday crossed his mind.

Leida, though an adult, is a proper man. He likes cute girls and beautiful women.

However, he has no experience, so he is quite timid.

(But if Mina, who is in her early teens, looks at me like I'm a dirty old man... I would probably die of shock. Yes.)

Leida is also at a sensitive age.

If she were to say he's disgusting or something, he would cry.

He believes that the kind-hearted Mina wouldn't say such things, but the possibility of such a future made his spine shiver.

"Hey! Something's wrong! There are injured people, call the healer!"

As Mina got used to the friendly Tex, the three of them were chatting when a lumberjack ran out of the forest in a panic.

"Hey, calm down. What happened?"

Tex was the first to rush over.

He calmed the young lumberjack by giving him water and then asked for details.

"Monsters appeared, and the guards dealt with them, but three of them were severely injured. There's a lot of bleeding, so they can't move. That's why I came to call for help from the healers at the Adventurers' Guild."

"I see, good job. Can you lead us there?"

"Y-Yes, I can."

"Good, you're a good kid. Hey, Leida. It's your turn to shine."

Leida nodded firmly at Tex, who turned to him.

"Sure, I'll take care of it!"

He still lacked confidence and his skills were not at the level of a healer.

However, if he could save someone, he would do what he had to do.

With this resolve, Leida ran into the depths of the forest with Mina in his arms, following Tex and the guards.