After hearing everything from Alfrey, Lux remained quiet, a puzzled look lingering on his face as he sat alone in the churchyard. The children ran around, laughing freely, their carefree joy echoing through the morning air. On the side, Sarah tended to the flowers, gently watering them under the rising sun.
The soft morning light had already begun to stretch toward noon, bathing the village in a golden warmth. Everything felt peaceful.
Lux stood up slowly, his thoughts still tangled.
He turned toward the yard, raised a hand, and gave a small wave, a gentle smile on his lips.
The children waved back with bright grins, and Sarah returned his smile with a nod.
His boots tapped softly against the dirt path as he walked through the familiar village streets. His destination was already clear in his mind, the Adventurer's Guild.
"...I haven't even tested my strength yet," he murmured to himself with a wry smile. "Guess I'll try a D-rank quest today."
After what happened yesterday, when he fought Blake and Lowel in the dungeon, Lux realized that he was strangely stronger. It wasn't just all his hard work, but the awakening that Alfrey and the goddess had mentioned. He didn't know much about it yet, as the goddess couldn't explain it to him in detail, because he was about to regain his consciousness after almost got kill my Blake.
But he did learn one thing: he was the Aspida who had been abandoned in front of the church seventeen years ago. Still, the fact that he was a different race, one that looked similar to humans, lingered in his mind.
However, before he could search for more answers about his origin in the Forbidden Forest, where Alfrey's friend was at, Lyra the elf.
But he did learn that he was the Aspida that was abandoned in front of the church seventeen years ago. Still that fact, that he was different race similar to human still tangled in his mind.
As he was walking, something slipped into his mind.
"Damn, I've never seen an elf in my whole life. I only read about them in books."
As he muttered to himself, he finally arrived at the Adventurers' Guild.
When he entered, Lisa, the receptionist, noticed his presence and stood up.
"Good afternoon! Lux, are you feeling all right?"
Lisa was still concerned about Lux's well-being after what happened yesterday at the dungeon. He had told her that he only brought those four to the dungeon and returned to the village but then remembered something and went back. That's when he saw Harvey, the guild master, along with three powerful adventurers at the dungeon.
Somehow, Lisa was still worried about his safety. She thought something bad had happened to him because he didn't return to the village right away.
"Don't worry about Lisa ! Don't you see im still fine !"
Lux leaned his face close to Lisa's, eyes wide and smiling to reassure her that he was perfectly fine, while also hiding the fact that he had almost been killed and had apprehended both Blake and Lowel.
Lisa, on the other hand, was a bit surprised that Lux suddenly leaned in so close. Her face began to redden.
"...I think you're not okay. Your face somehow got even redder... Do you have a fever?"
Still holding the close distance, Lux asked with a plain expression, though his tone carried a hint of concern.
Lisa finally snapped out of it and took a small step back, regaining her composure.
"Ahh... I'm fine! Don't worry!"
She waved her hands quickly in front of her, trying to calm herself down—especially her heart, which was still pounding faster than she'd like to admit.
"Ahh… good then. Hmm, is there any hunting request today?"
"Yes, it just came in yesterday. An armoured boar was spotted roaming near the farm fields to the north of the village."
Lisa stuttered slightly as she slowly picked up the request and handed it to Lux.
"I see. So, it's just one?"
Lux replied after receiving the request and skimming through the details.
Yes. The villagers reported it to the guild. But… don't push yourself, all right?"
"All right. Don't worry—I'll be back, Lisa."
Saying that Lux wave goodbye to Lisa with a warm smile before leaving the guild.
With a warm smile, Lux waved goodbye and stepped out of the guild.
As soon as he left, Lisa remained at the counter, staring quietly at the entrance where he had just disappeared.
Something was strange, especially in her chest.
"How come Lux suddenly feels so manly and mature…? He's completely different from yesterday!"
She said softly, her cheeks turning bright red again.
"He looked… charming and confident. Maybe I should tell him to cut his hair…"
She quickly shook her head, trying to banish the thought, but her heart only pounded louder.
"If he cuts his hair, all the girls are gonna flood to him!"
"Flood to who?"
Lisa accidentally muttered her thoughts out loud—just as the guildmaster walked by and overheard her.
"WAAAH!"
She jumped in surprise, letting out a startled scream.
"W-When did you get here?!"
"Ah, sorry, I didn't mean to scare you," the guildmaster said, holding up a folder. "I just came to hand in the finalized report regarding the assault in the dungeon."
"Ah, oh yeah, everyone left this morning for the capital," Lisa replied.
"Oh, I see."
The guildmaster folded his arms as he listened to Lisa's report.
"Somehow, that girl, Ms. Lia, who turned out to be Falin, her real name, also the new S-rank adventurer, kept saying she wasn't the one who apprehended Mr. Blake and Mr. Lowel."
She said while scanning through the report that the guildmaster had just handed to her.
"Moreover, I can't believe she disguised herself!"
Lisa continued, showing clear displeasure on her face.
"Haha…"
The guildmaster let out a chuckle.
"I just found out last night too—that she's the daughter of Ronnell."
Harvey said calmly.
"W-WHAT? Sir Ronnell?! The head guildmaster?!"
"Anyway! I'll be in the office!"
Harvey smiled before turning around and heading back to his office.
Lisa was still stunned by what she had just heard, Falin was the daughter of the head guildmaster.
Ronnell, the current head of the guild in the Kingdom of Avastrad, was no ordinary man. He was the strongest warrior in the kingdom, a warrior who had fought fearlessly against demons seventeen years ago. His fame and prowess were recognized by nobles, and even by the monarch himself.
However, Lisa's eyes widened in horror, she had been scolding Falin since yesterday, even before the girl left the village.
"Am I going to lose my job?!"
She let out a long sigh and placed her head flat on the counter.
But something lingered in her mind.
"How did the guildmaster even know about this...?"
She lazily tilted her head toward Harvey's office, still thinking about it.