Chapter 10
Leaving the corpses of the five Hunter's Blade members wasn't ideal, but they couldn't carry them back. Leon and the others had no choice but to return to Roaring Mountain Town first, then call the Adventurer Guild later to handle it.
This time, Leon and Naya received 50 gold coins, paid by the commissioning Aeon Sect—the Second Prince was truly filthy rich.
At that moment, inside the Adventurer Guild—the clerk handed Leon and Naya brand new one-star badges.
"This is well-deserved for you both," the clerk said. "Especially congratulations to you, Priestess. Regaining what you lost in just a few days is truly unprecedented."
"It's all Leon's doing; he's just too strong," Naya said with a slight smile.
"It's also your good eye for people," Aile said, standing nearby with her arms crossed.
"Aile, why didn't you take the reward?"
"I couldn't care less about that; I only care about honor," Aile said with a nonchalant attitude. She pointed to the ceiling still under repair—"I also took one gold coin as compensation for the ceiling I broke."
Did repairing the ceiling really cost one gold coin? It seemed Aile had no concept of money, just like Naya did back in her old team. Was this a common trait among Aeon Sect girls?
"The sect was truly generous, also giving some compensation to the families of the Hunter's Blade team," the clerk said. "Not just your share, Priestess. The One-Eyed Owl also received a portion of the reward. After defeating the Obsidian Armor, he became the only person in Adventurer Guild history to earn a one-star badge as a solo team."
"Everyone deserves credit. He challenged the Obsidian Armor alongside the Hunter's Blade members and was the only one to survive. He must be quite skilled."
Counting the previous bounty from the cockatrice, she and Leon now had 50 gold coins and 150 silver coins.
"I want to buy a Mystic Silver Sword for Leon. I wonder how much it costs—hey? Where's Leon?"
"He ran out halfway through our conversation," Aile said. "I need to hurry back to report. Say goodbye to him for me."
"Are you leaving so soon?"
"Yeah. You should head to Dawn City soon too. With that man's strength—this small town isn't enough for him anymore," Aile said, pulling Naya aside again. "Why not come with me? That clerk is an Integrationist heretic. It's not safe to deal with him daily!"
"Well… I'll ask Leon?"
The day was drawing to a close, another dusk just like last time. Naya hadn't gone far when she met Leon hurrying back.
He waved at her, a hint of a mysterious smile on his face.
"Where were you? Aile asked if we want to go to Dawn City with her."
"Can we leave the starting village already? Of course, that's great. I just went to the weapon shop."
"Oh? Did Leon want to buy a weapon?"
"What I bought is this," Leon said, taking it out and waving it in front of Naya—she was stunned.
"My… earring…?"
Yes, that exquisite earring crafted by a Sorcerer. Naya had used it to trade for Leon's Light Roar Sword, and now it was back before her.
"H-how much did it cost to buy it back??"
"Fifteen gold coins. After defeating the Obsidian Armor this time, I finally had enough money to buy it back."
"You… fool…" Naya couldn't help but cry. Was it out of emotion? Anyway, it was definitely not because of the money.
"I said… it's not that important…"
Leon then said words that would be etched in Naya's heart—"I don't want you to lose anything after meeting me, not even an earring."
The next second, Leon wondered if he'd said or done something wrong, because he'd accidentally made the girl cry, and he didn't know how to comfort her—
"As long as you're here, I can lose anything, nothing matters…" Naya said, her face tear-streaked, leaning close to Leon.
"Can you help me put it on?"
"Oh, sure!"
Leon parted her silvery-white hair, his fingers brushing against her fair neck—
Naya closed her eyes.
"Leon's hands are so warm, not what I imagined. These hands that grip a sword are merciless against hobgoblins, cockatrices, and the Obsidian Armor, giving me an iron-blooded impression… yet so warm…"
