Chapter 5

"Ah, a-a..."

While I was stroking the girl's head, it seemed she had stopped crying at some point, and her moist eyes looked up at me.

"Oops, sorry. I was being a bit too forward, touching your head like that."

As I immediately withdrew my hand, a sad voice came from the girl, "Ah..."

"Thank you for helping me...!"

The girl bowed deeply.

"You're welcome."

"I thought I was done for and had almost given up... So when you came to help, I... I was really, really happy!"

The girl blushed but smiled as she said this. Her youthful yet well-defined features, combined with her smile, made her look incredibly adorable.

(...? I sense a monster approaching. This feeling... a group of goblins? She was just attacked by a monster, so it's best to avoid combat for now.)

Feeling the presence of the monster, I immediately decided on our next course of action.

"Coming here was a coincidence, but I'm glad I could help. Let's go outside together."

"Yes."

After standing up, I reached out my hand to the girl, who took it and said, "Thank you."

I pulled her up and quickly checked her condition. I had already cast a healing spell, so she should be able to walk without any problems.

Feeling the girl following behind me, I headed towards the entrance.

We returned to the entrance of the seventh floor, but the party from earlier was gone.

(What a heartless bunch. But then again, if they had stayed, it would have just caused more trouble. Maybe it's better they're gone?)

We transferred to the entrance of the dungeon by holding our guild cards to the crystal.

◇

Now that we're safely back on the surface, my job as a bodyguard is over. The sun hasn't completely set yet. From here, I should be fine on my own.

"From here, you should be—"

"Ah, a-actually!"

I was about to suggest parting ways when the girl interrupted me with a loud voice.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to shout..."

"No, it's okay, but is something wrong?"

"Um, thank you again for saving me!"

The girl bowed deeply and thanked me again.

(—Huh? I didn't notice before, but her outfit and the emblem on her cloak...)

The girl was wearing a blue dress with black knee-high socks. Over the dress, she had a black cloak, which indicated she was a mage. The cloak had an emblem that resembled a moon.

"—Ah! Right, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Sophia Claudel."

Her outfit, red hair, and the name 'Claudel'...

"I should have introduced myself too. My name is Orun Doola."

"Orun, what a nice name..."

Sophia whispered. It was probably meant to be a mutter, but unfortunately, I heard it clearly... I don't think it's that special a name, but I guess it's nice to be complimented.

"So, Orun! I'm really sorry, but I can't think of a proper way to thank you..."

"I didn't help you to get a thank you. I've already received your words of gratitude, so there's no need for anything more."

"That's not acceptable! At the very least, let me treat you to dinner! It won't be home-cooked, but..."

...Dinner sounds fine. If I were in her position, I'd feel uneasy if I didn't do something to thank the person who helped me. I can't let a younger person pay, though, so I'll find a way to pay for it myself.

"Alright. How about we have dinner? When works for you? I don't have any plans for a while, so anytime is fine."

"Then, how about today? I might not be free for a while starting tomorrow..."

"Sure. How about we go now? Do you have a place in mind? If not, I can recommend a good restaurant."

"I already have a place in mind. It's a cheap restaurant, but the food is really delicious!"

"I don't mind the price. If the food is good, I'm looking forward to it."

◇

We walked through the town together from the dungeon entrance.

"Here we are!"

(...Of course, it's a rabbit-themed place.)

The restaurant we were led to was a popular eatery run by the large clan, *Silver Hare of the Night Sky*.

A clan, in simple terms, is an organization that employs explorers.

Each clan has different policies, but generally, they process the materials explorers bring back from the dungeon and sell them. The revenue is used to equip the explorers and send them deeper into the dungeon to bring back even better materials, creating a cycle. Some clans also run restaurants and general stores.

In addition to explorers, clans also have blacksmiths, magic tool makers, merchants, and other professionals.

There are many clans in the country, but *Silver Hare of the Night Sky* stands out among them.

The main reason is that one of the three S-rank parties in the country is part of their clan. However, that's not the only reason.

They also have several times more members than the average clan, and they have successfully expanded into various businesses using their large workforce.

I heard they had some internal turmoil last year and underwent a large-scale reorganization, but their popularity among the public hasn't changed, indicating that their leadership is very competent.

The emblem on Sophia's cloak belongs to *Silver Hare of the Night Sky*. From this, I knew she was an explorer affiliated with the clan. However, if that's the case, she should be part of a party within the clan. Why was she forming a party with freelancers?

...There's no point in thinking about something I can't figure out.

I entered the restaurant with Sophia.

The interior was stylish, and the clientele was mostly young people. Despite the young crowd, the atmosphere wasn't noisy, and it seemed like a comfortable place to be.

"Huh? Sister, why are you here?"

Sophia looked around the restaurant and called out to someone she recognized. —Sister!?

Surprised, I followed her gaze and, as expected, saw a woman I knew eating alone.

"Hmm? Sophia, I had a meeting nearby today. It was a good time for dinner, so I decided to eat here. But, Sophia, are you already dating someone? I think it's a bit too early, don't you think...?"

The woman turned around when Sophia called her and seemed to be teasing her about being with a guy. However, when she saw me, her demeanor changed to a tense one.

"It's not like that! I was just trying to thank this person for helping me today... Ah, let me introduce you, this is... ...Sister?"

Sophia, who was being teased, tried to deny it and then introduce me, but she seemed confused by her sister's change in demeanor.

"It's been a while, Orun Doola."

"Yes, it has been a while. Selma Claudel."

I know this woman well. In a way, she was the one who indirectly caused me to be kicked out of the hero party.

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