Chapter 10

When we arrived at the cafeteria, we casually ordered some food.

Since the appraisal result was 2.5 million gold, I offered to treat Raoul, and he was overjoyed.

When I asked him about it, it turned out that they had been living in poverty due to the adventurers' fees.

"Alright, good job everyone~!"

"Yay! I'm treated to a meal!"

Then, with a mug of ale in hand, we toasted.

Raoul gulped down the ale in one go.

"Phew~! The drink after being beaten is delicious!"

"... Is it really that good?"

"Well, you wouldn't know unless you've been beaten, right~!"

"Hmm, I don't really want to empathize with that."

In my previous life, getting injured was a daily occurrence, but the food I ate was mostly tasteless and just barely edible.

"Hahaha!"

"You seem to be in a better mood than when we first met. Did seeing them suffer make you feel that good?"

"Hehe, that's true, but what made me happiest was being called a friend by you."

"Hey, saying something like that makes me blush."

"No, no, it's better to let the other person know. From my experience, it really is."

"I see... That's a good lesson."

Being honest about your feelings to the other person is indeed important, I thought.

"... Excuse me, can I sit with you?"

A girl with no change in her tone appeared before us.

She had light blue hair that reached her shoulders, large, slanted eyes, and blue eyes that matched her hair.

"Wh-What? You want to sit with us?"

Raoul's voice was strained and high-pitched.

"Is it okay? It seems like you have something to say."

When I said that, she nodded after a moment of surprise.

"Actually, I've been following you... or rather, you, since a while ago."

She looked at me as she said this.

"Yeah, I noticed."

"... I'm surprised. You didn't show any signs of noticing."

"I didn't sense any hostility, so I ignored it. I thought it was more important to help Raoul first."

"Alma... you're something else..."

Raoul wiped his eyes with his right arm, tears in his eyes.

"So, why were you following us? There must be a reason, right?"

She nodded.

Then, she slowly opened her mouth.

"– I want you to come to my territory."

It felt as if time had stopped.

... What is this girl saying?

It seemed I wasn't the only one thinking this; Raoul also looked puzzled.

"Wait, isn't this a bit of a leap?"

"Yeah, that's what I'm thinking..."

"Alright, let's hear it in order."

Then, she began to explain her story.

"My name is Luna. My territory is in a remote area near the border of the Farmlia Kingdom. I went to the capital to receive a gift when I turned 15."

"Hmm, hmm."

"I see, I see."

Raoul and I nodded as we listened to her.

"So, after receiving a powerful gift, I came here to earn money for my poor family."

"You're a filial child."

"Such a good kid is hard to find these days."

Our opinions of her improved slightly.

"I heard there was an underground labyrinth, but I couldn't find it anywhere, so I changed my goal to finding people who could help develop my territory."

"Underground labyrinth?"

Our voices overlapped.

An underground labyrinth is a place with multiple floors underground where monsters naturally spawn. It's also called a treasure trove of resources, and cities often form around it.

In other words...

"Maybe you came to the wrong city?"

"Yeah, that's what I thought too."

Raoul seemed to agree.

"... Wrong city?"

Luna tilted her head.

"This is a commercial city. If you're looking for an underground labyrinth, you should go to the nearby labyrinth city."

"...... Oh, right."

Luna's expression didn't change much, but her eyes darted around, showing a slight sign of unease.

"Hahaha, Luna is clumsy~"

"... I'm not clumsy. In fact, finding you two is an achievement."

"But why invite us? There are plenty of other people."

I looked at Luna and asked.

"It's because your hearts were cleaner than others."

"Clean hearts... That sounds suspicious. How can you tell?"

Raoul said.

"Your actions surprised me first."

"Me?"

When Raoul pointed at himself, Luna nodded.

"Adventurers in this guild don't usually interfere with others at that time. But you were very kind to a stranger who approached you. That's when I started following you."

"... I see, everyone is busy trying to get quests."

Raoul crossed his arms and nodded in understanding.

"Next, your strong sense of justice in trying to help a stranger was impressive. Plus, your abilities are quite high. I really want both of you to come to my territory."

She bowed as she said this.

... This is quite a sudden turn of events.

If this were a story, the author would be a third-rate one.

However, for me, who was aiming for the Farmlia Kingdom, Luna's offer could be quite convenient.

"– Alright, I've decided."

Raoul spoke first.

"If Alma is going, I'll go too!"

His response was unexpected.

"Hey, are you sure? You're an adventurer here, aren't you..."

"Hehe, I prioritize my friends above all else. Besides, Alma was aiming for the Farmlia Kingdom, right? I thought it would be a good opportunity."

"You... But what about your friends in this city?"

"Ha, I don't have any."

Raoul said with a smile.

... You were a loner.

I never thought such a bright and cheerful Raoul didn't have any friends...

I found an unexpected common ground.

"– What about you?"

Luna looked at me with a serious expression.

"Don't worry, I'll go to your territory, Luna."

Luna's face brightened when she heard my answer.

"I'm glad. I'm happy."

Her smile was criminally cute.

... Still, developing a territory, huh?

This might be a great opportunity to make a name for myself.

Alright, maybe I'll take this territory development seriously.

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