Chapter 31

Apart from the orc attack, nothing else happened as we arrived at the town of Fendy.

At the entrance, I showed my guild card and entered the town. We completed the escort mission by reaching the front of the merchant guild.

In front of the merchant guild, Lumina obtained the client's signature on the request form, and we all headed to the guild to report.

"Thank you for completing the request. Everyone, good job. And... Toya, please take the delivery to the warehouse. Lumina, I need to have a brief talk with you..."

I headed to the warehouse to deliver the goods, Lumina went for a meeting, and Dai and the other four went to secure a spot at the guild-attached tavern for a celebration.

As I carried the orc corpses one by one into the warehouse, the guild staff wrote the delivery slips with a strained expression.

I had already explained that my dimensional storage capacity is slightly larger than average, and since this isn't the first time, they always receive the goods with a wry smile. Of course, this information is kept confidential and shared only among guild staff, not made public.

Holding the received delivery slip, I headed to the guild hall, where Miria waved me over.

"Toya, I'll take the delivery slip. Also, please show me your guild card."

I handed over the guild card, wondering why it was needed. Miria said, "Please wait a moment," and went behind the counter.

Miria returned a few minutes later and placed the guild card on the counter.

"Toya, you've been promoted to B-rank. Actually, you could have been promoted earlier, but to reach B-rank, you need experience in escort missions."

Looking at the received guild card, it indeed said "B" rank.

Then, three tightly packed cloth bags were placed on the counter.

"These are the orc delivery payments. The meat hasn't deteriorated, so you received a high evaluation. I've divided them for the three parties."

I nodded and thanked Miria before heading to the tavern. Dai had already secured a seat and was waving me over. Lumina had also finished her talk and was seated.

"Sorry to keep you waiting. I've brought the orc payments."

I placed three bags of silver coins on the center of the table. Lumina also placed three bags of the escort mission payment and distributed them to each person.

"Do we not need to divide them by the number of people...?"

Dai was the one who negated my question.

"Basically, we divide it among the party. So this is correct. Besides... you almost single-handedly took down the orcs. From our perspective, we actually benefited. Don't worry and take it."

Unlike before, Dai's attitude was softer, and I nodded with a smile.

"Then, without hesitation."

I put away both bags of silver coins.

"Also... I'm sorry. I said you got a C-rank by parasitism. I understand your abilities now."

Dai bowed to me, and the other party members smiled and lightly bowed.

"Don't worry about it. I am a healer, after all..."

"Still... you were swinging an incredible weapon..."

Dai muttered under his breath. The ale we ordered was then distributed to each of us, and Lumina stood up to propose a toast.

"Despite the unexpected orc attack, we successfully completed the escort mission. I'm grateful for that. And—"

Lumina paused and looked at me, then said something unexpected.

"Please... chill the ale for me..."

I almost fell off my chair. Despite the awkwardness, I nodded and secretly chilled the ale for everyone.

"Then, let's raise our glasses again! I'm grateful for everyone's safety, cheers!!"

Everyone clinked their mugs and raised them to their mouths.

"Nothing beats a cold ale!!"

The smiling feast continued late into the night.

◇◇◇

Let's go back a bit in time.

At the adventurer guild, Lumina was led to a private room and sat alone, waiting.

Then, the door opened, and the sub-guild master, Ebrand, entered.

Lumina stood up but was immediately asked to sit down again.

Ebrand sat across from her.

"What... is the matter? To be called by the sub-guild master..."

Ebrand relaxed his expression at the slightly worried Lumina.

"No need to be so tense. I just want to know—how was Toya? How did the escort mission go with him?"

Lumina's expression stiffened at these words.

"About Toya... What is he... I saw him in battle... He's a monster. His familiar, the obsidian horse, was also incredibly strong."

"Even to you, he seems that way..."

"Why is he only C-rank!? He's stronger than I am. He could easily be A-rank, no... S-rank..."

Lumina answered, recalling the battle with the orcs. Ebrand sighed deeply at her words.

"I see... Thank you. That's the information I needed. You can go now. You must be tired from the escort mission. Go home and rest."

Lumina bowed and left the room, while Ebrand pondered alone.

"An incredible new talent has appeared..."

Ebrand sighed again and looked up at the sky.

Thank you always. I'm busy with my main job, so I'm releasing some stock.