Published: January 12, 2026
The adventurers' perspective comes last.
From the next chapter, Van-kun’s crafting will begin again.
After the battle ended, Ort spoke up while watching his companions clean up.
“The request is finished. All that’s left is to get the remaining half of the payment from that butler old man, and then it’s done.”
Upon hearing this from Ort, the others turned to face him.
“Yeah? So?”
Pluriel asked in response, and Ort hesitated, then looked at Van and the others.
“…I’ve gotten a bit interested. It might not make any money at all, but would it be okay if I stayed?”
At this, the other five from a different party shook their heads.
“Sorry, Ort. We have business in the neighboring count’s territory. This request was convenient for us. Well, once we finish up in the count’s territory, we’ll drop by again.”
They apologized apologetically, and Ort gave a wry smile.
“No, you were a big help on the road. Let’s meet again. That said, it’s a bit late to leave now. How about staying one night in the village?”
“Sounds good. Tomorrow morning, we’ll take the surviving bandits with us. How about two silver coins per person?”
“Hey, no transport fee or commission? What’s up? Since when did you get so kind?”
“Shut up. But next time we meet, bring us a good request. Got it?”
The two laughed as they exchanged words and then left the scene. Ort looked at Pluriel and the others nearby listening and asked with one word for confirmation.
“If no one wants to stay, I’ll think about going back for now. But if you say it’s okay to stay, how about staying together?”
Everyone exchanged glances at Ort’s question.
“How long are we talking? I have some money, but if we go without taking requests for too long, we’ll dry up.”
“For now, I want to observe for one month.”
“That’s fine with me. But if it looks like it will be too long, I might leave the party.”
“Of course, I don’t intend to stay that long either.”
“Why don’t we hunt some demonic beasts and gather materials? There’s a deep forest and mountains right nearby.”
“True. It’s been a while since we hunted demonic beasts without a request. We might even earn some money.”
Delighted that everyone was unexpectedly enthusiastic, Ort laughed and responded. Then, finally, Pluriel spoke up.
“…That Van kid doesn’t seem like a noble. Well, he doesn’t even look like a normal child.”
“That’s right. That’s the main reason I want to stay. Can a child that age really have such composure? His mind works extraordinarily fast. Well, he’s a noble, so he’s probably been thoroughly educated, but even so, it’s strange.”
Everyone nodded deeply in agreement with Pluriel’s words. As they all murmured thoughtfully, they looked again at Van, who was far away.
At first glance, he appeared to have the noble and dignified aura of a noble child. But once he opened his mouth, that image shattered.
He spoke politely and calmly, but still looked like a well-mannered ordinary child. There was no trace of the noble’s usual condescending attitude toward commoners.
And then, those words.
“…I feel like I’ve seen the resolve of a noble for the first time.”
Not knowing how else to put it, I said this. Everyone nodded their heads in agreement.
“That’s true.”
Once one person agreed, everyone chimed in with similar sentiments.
“I heard his magical aptitude isn’t suited for attack.”
“So that means that child was willing to die for everyone back then?”
“Hah, what a thrill-seeker.”
As their lively discussion went on, Pluriel suddenly spoke with a serious expression.
“…He saved me when I was in danger. I owe him.”
Pluriel’s murmured words were agreed upon by a man who had witnessed the scene.
“Yeah, yeah! That movement was not something a child could do. He seems to be as good with a sword as an average knight.”
“He’s not even ten years old, right?”
“What difference does that make?”
The debate gradually grew heated.
“A strange child.”