Chapter 98

Finally, I’ve returned to Lindemen… A lot of things happened besides the mission, and I’m really exhausted…

Like when I helped someone who turned out to be Mr. Misel’s father, and he thanked me so much it was almost exaggerated, and I almost got invited to his house because of all the gratitude. And various other things.

Also, the pilgrimage room was really cold, and I don’t feel like I’m in top condition. Maybe because I finally got back and felt relieved, I’m starting to feel a chill. I might get a fever tonight.

When I got off the shared magic car in front of Lindemen’s outer wall, I told Ambur about my condition when she said she wanted to buy something sweet at the market, and we decided to go straight to the Adventurers' Guild to report the completion of the mission.

“Ms. Darria, I’m back…”

“Welcome back, hero!”

“Oh, Reina, Ambur, welcome back. You look very tired… Did something happen?”

“I think I’m coming down with a cold…”

“Oh, it was cold yesterday. Did you not sleep well at the accommodation the guild arranged?”

“No, I’m just not used to overnight missions yet. Here… this is the proof of the Abyssal Bear’s defeat from the forest deep in Tonekuri Village.”

I placed the right ear of the Abyssal Bear, wrapped in paper to keep it clean, on the counter.

“Right, it’s definitely an Abyssal Bear. Do you have any materials to sell? Actually, if you don’t mind, I’d like to buy the liver. Even half would be fine…”

“I used poison, but if that’s okay. It’s the root of the Acon-Itsum, so it can be used in recipes that require heating.”

“That’s a relief. The materials from the monsters Reina and Ambur defeated are always very clean and highly regarded.”

As Darria filled out the paperwork, she nodded in a warm way when Ambur boasted, “Reina and I timed it perfectly, and Ambur cut the bear’s leg tendons, neutralizing it in one go!”

“Also… during the mission, we helped a civilian who was attacked by a monster… Since the guards were private soldiers, it didn’t conflict with any other guild missions. I’ve written a brief account of what happened, so I’ll submit a detailed report and an emergency mission application later.”

“Let me see… Oh, you’ve written it very clearly. We can just copy this as it is.”

“Really?”

Darria, who took a few sheets of reports from me, answered with a look of admiration.

What should I do? I was planning to come back tomorrow to submit the reports, but there’s no guarantee I’ll feel better by then. Maybe I should just write them now.

“If it’s just copying, I can do it for you. Reina, you should go home. You don’t look well.”

“Oh… Thank you. I’ll take your advice and go home early today.”

With Darria’s concern for my condition, I left the Adventurers' Guild that day. I’ll check the next mission on a day when I feel better.

“I’m back!”

“Welcome back, Anna…”

“Reina, Ambur, welcome back. Oh… Reina, you look very tired. Did something happen?”

As expected, Anna noticed right away.

I briefly explained that we defeated the mission monster as planned, but we helped an injured person we encountered on the way, who turned out to be Mr. Misel’s father, and he thanked us so much it was very awkward.

We ended up taking turns watching the cart while the injured people were treated at the clinic, and we were surrounded by the patrol squad who heard the story of the incident and showered us with praise, making us very uncomfortable.

“Oh! As expected of Reina! Now that rude child will have to bow to Reina, the benefactor of his father!”

“Oh, Anna. It was really difficult. I was almost invited to a banquet… and Ambur was almost tempted by the feast…”

“Was that the case?”

It seems Ambur doesn’t remember, but I was so anxious at the time.

If I’m not overthinking, it almost felt like they were trying to arrange a match for me, and the accommodation the guild arranged was a bit cold, which seems to have caused my cold. I finally managed to explain all of this.

“It was really cold yesterday. But it’s a problem if the accommodation isn’t up to standard. It would be nice if the mission locations had accommodations like this.”

“I can’t expect the same level as this hotel, but I’ll prepare a winter sleeping bag and heating for the next time.”

“That’s a good idea. Reina, you should rest now. I’ll bring you hot milk with honey and warming spices to your bedroom later.”

“! And Ambur can have some too with snacks! But don’t put that weird-smelling branch in it.”

“Okay, I’ll make it without cinnamon for Ambur.”

While asking for hot milk and snacks as it has become common with the recent cold, I watched Anna head to the kitchen.

I only have a chill for now, but I hope I get better before I feel really sick.

“Anna…?”

“Oh, Reina, you’re awake.”

It seems I fell asleep before the hot milk arrived. I was dozing in bed, wrapped in the blanket. I felt a cool, pleasant temperature on my forehead and opened my eyes slightly. Anna was checking my temperature by placing her hand on my forehead.

“You slept soundly. It’s good that you don’t have a fever anymore.”

“Hot milk…”

“Your throat must be dry. Drink some warm water first. I’ll make the hot milk now.”

“Okay…”

Still groggy from sleep, I slowly sat up. I realized that sleeping in a cold room really drains your energy. Next time, I won’t think “this is fine” and will prepare properly for sleeping.

I watched Anna leave the bedroom to make the hot milk. It was already completely dark outside. I must have slept for a long time…

“Here, I’ve warmed it up for you. I thought you might be hungry, so I brought this too. It’s a simple bread porridge.”

“Wow, thank you, Anna.”

As I drank the sweet hot milk, I suddenly felt how hungry I was. When I asked, it was already past the time when the restaurant downstairs was open. Ambur was already asleep.

The bread porridge, which Anna had quickly made next to the pot for the hot milk, was steaming hot. I was once again impressed by how well Anna understands me.

“By the way, Fred said he had something to tell you. When he heard that you were sick, he said he would come again tomorrow, so it doesn’t seem to be urgent.”

“I see, I feel bad about that…”

“It’s not your fault to be sick. Reina, focus on getting better first.”

“Okay… thank you. …When I was at home, you always took care of me like this.”

“Hehe, what’s wrong? Are you feeling lonely because of the cold? You’re being more clingy than usual, Reina.”

As Anna took the dishes I had finished eating and put them on the tray, she smiled, looking a bit troubled but also happy.

I couldn’t argue with her comment, as I had realized I was being clingy to Anna even while traveling.