Published: January 22, 2026
And so, I left the guild behind.
I was able to gather some information about yesterday’s incident.
Still feeling the fatigue from yesterday, I decided to head back to the inn and indulge in some well-deserved rest.
(It’s about time I stop living in inns and find a proper room.)
When I arrived at the inn and was about to head straight to the room I’d rented, the receptionist called out to me.
Apparently, someone was looking for me.
Given the timing, I could already imagine this would lead to some troublesome development, but I couldn’t just ignore it.
Following the receptionist’s instructions, I went to the dining area attached to the inn, where I found Ms. Selma waiting.
“Sorry for the sudden visit. How’s your body feeling?” she asked.
I had thought she might be scared of me, but she spoke with the same calm demeanor as before.
It didn’t seem like she was pretending, but who really knows.
“I’m fine. No problems going about my daily life.”
“That’s good to hear,” Selma said with a relieved expression.
Then she stood up from her chair and bowed her head.
“Thank you for yesterday. Because of you, Orun, not a single person was lost and we welcomed today safely. I’m truly grateful.”
I was surprised by Selma’s actions.
I expected a simple thank you, but not a bow.
“I accept your gratitude. So please, raise your head. It’s not appropriate for Ms. Selma to bow in public like this, is it?”
Selma is an executive of the largest clan in the country.
Moreover, she is the daughter of a noble—if I recall correctly, with the rank of countess.
For someone like her to bow to a commoner like me is unthinkable.
No one knows who might be watching.
Nobles must never show weakness.
I don’t think this will ruin her position, but the possibility can’t be ruled out.
It’s better if she doesn’t bow.
“I know I’m not in a position to bow easily. But still, I feel the need to bow and express my gratitude because I am so thankful for this incident. You saved the lives of the new recruits in our clan, including myself, who have a future ahead. To end this with mere words of thanks would go against my pride.”
She is truly a straightforward person.
As the eldest daughter of a count’s family and an executive of a major clan, she could have developed a somewhat cynical attitude, but…
Ah, maybe that’s exactly why I respect her so much.
“Thank you. I’m honestly glad you said that much.”
“Now, there is one more matter I want to discuss — about the reward for the recent guided exploration. If you have no objections, I’d like you to come with me to the clan headquarters right now. What do you say?”
I had been wondering how to receive the reward, so this proposal was a relief.
“I don’t have any plans, so that’s fine.”
“Good. Then let’s continue this at the clan headquarters. Please come with me.”
◇
At the clan headquarters, I was led to a room where Mr. Vince, the leader of the silver rabbits of the night sky, was waiting.
…This feels like déjà vu.
Besides, he shouldn’t have known I’d come here today, so why is he already here? He doesn’t seem like the type to waste time on uncertain things.
“You’re here. I want to thank you for saving our members in this incident,” Vince said, bowing his head after confirming my arrival.
“No, since I took on the guided exploration, I only did what was expected of me.”
“No, it wasn’t expected. In that situation, no one would have blamed you if you’d run away. But you faced the challenge without running away, and you won. You should be proud. …Now, the reason you came here was to receive your reward, wasn’t it? Here it is. Please accept it.”
Vince said as he took a cloth-wrapped object from a storage magical tool and handed it to me.
It was probably gold coins inside.
“Thank you.”
I accepted it and unwrapped it to check the contents.
Inside were ten platinum coins.
Huh? Platinum coins?
“Um, I thought the reward was ten gold coins… Are you sure you didn’t mix up the types?”