Upon entering E-Rantel, the Rock Team's escort mission was officially complete. Their next step was to head to the Adventurers' Guild to submit the commission and claim their reward.
However…
Thanks to Adam's healing magic, Captain Dosari, now fully recovered, exchanged glances with the others in the team. Their faces carried a hint of shame as they quickly approached the carriage.
"Madame Bareare!"
"Thank you for your care along the way. We didn't contribute much, so we won't accept the commission's payment this time."
Dosari bowed deeply to Lizzie, speaking with gratitude.
If not for her defeating those two ogres, given their dire situation at the time, the entire team might have perished.
Lizzie glanced at Dosari, her wrinkled face breaking into a smile for the first time toward the Rock Team. "Very well, I understand."
Clearly, saving a sum of money pleased her.
Dosari then expressed his thanks to Nfirea, who was seated on the carriage, before returning to his team.
"Adam, come find me sometime!"
As the carriage pulled away, Nfirea waved toward Adam.
Adam's deliberate efforts to connect over the journey had earned him Nfirea's friendship.
"I will." Adam smiled and waved back, though his eyes remained calm.
Truthfully, Adam felt deep gratitude toward Nfirea.
Not only had he gained the "Genius" basic class from him, but also the production classes "Pharmacist" And "Alchemist."
Because of this, the longer Adam interacted with Nfirea, the greater the risk that Nfirea might inadvertently reveal information about him in the future.
If that happened...
Adam's hand instinctively rested on the short sword at his waist, lightly pressing the hilt.
Only then did he snap out of it.
The cold touch of the sword's hilt brought him back to reality.
What was he thinking?
Was the pressure getting to him?
Adam exhaled, turning to the Rock Team beside him. "Everyone, it's time for me to take my leave."
"Hahaha!"
"Thanks to you, Adam. If you ever need anything, just say the word."
The elder twin, Rand, patted his chest and spoke heartily.
Adam quickly waved a hand. "I should be the one thanking you. I've learned a lot from all of you."
Clink! Clink!
"Take this." Dosari suddenly pulled a black cloth pouch from his pocket, the sound of metal clinking inside.
Before Adam could react, Dosari shoved the pouch into his hands.
Feeling the familiar weight of the pouch, Adam knew it contained gold coins.
"What's this…" Adam began, raising his hand to return it.
"I don't have much money on me, so don't think it's too little. No need to be polite."
"If it weren't for you, this leg of mine would be done for."
Dosari spoke earnestly, lifting his leg and stomping the ground firmly.
Given the severe damage from the ogre crushing his leg, the recovery potions they carried would have done little for such an injury.
Out in the wild, far from any city, even if they had made it back in time to find a faith-based magic caster capable of healing magic, his leg would likely have healed with lasting complications.
Without Adam's timely treatment, Dosari believed his adventuring career would have ended.
Seeing Dosari's resolute attitude, Adam paused, then accepted without further protest. "Alright, I'll take it."
With that, Adam nodded to the Rock Team and turned to leave.
As his figure gradually blended into the crowd and disappeared, Dosari's previously hearty expression gave way to a mix of pain and bitterness.
"What a shame. This commission was a total loss." Bask grumbled.
Rand and Lel exchanged glances, sighing in unison.
They had been friendly with Adam throughout the journey, hoping to invite him to join their team once the commission was complete.
But then, just before reaching E-Rantel, that incident occurred. Not only did they nearly get wiped out, but Adam had to save them.
In such circumstances, the Rock Team felt too ashamed to extend an invitation.
"What's with the long faces?"
"We may not have recruited Adam, but we've made a connection. There'll be opportunities in the future."
"Keep working hard and aim to become a Gold-rank adventurer team as soon as possible!" Dosari slapped his cheeks, flashing a bold grin and raising his voice.
"Yes, Captain!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Rand, Lel, and Bask responded with cheerful grins.
Elsewhere, the Bareare family carriage rolled away.
Lizzie glanced at Nfirea, who seemed a bit dejected after the parting, and gave an almost imperceptible shake of her head.
Due to Nfirea's personality, her grandson had always struggled to make friends.
That boy named Adam seemed only slightly older than Nfirea, close enough in age, and as a faith-based magic caster, he had some talent.
The two becoming friends didn't seem like a bad idea.
However...
"Nfirea." Lizzie said softly, steering the carriage.
"Grandmother?" Nfirea looked up.
"Unless it's necessary, try to avoid contact with that boy, Adam." She continued.
Nfirea froze, about to speak.
"I know what you're going to say, but I has a knack for reading people. I wouldn't steer you wrong."
Lizzie went on, aware that at Nfirea's age, once he set his mind on something, he could be stubborn. "That boy seems mild-mannered and easy to get along with, but it's the opposite. What I mean is, deep down, he keeps a barrier between himself and others."
"His friendly demeanor toward you is likely an act."
"Add to that the wariness he shows toward strangers, someone like him either has a complicated background or is entangled in serious trouble."
Nfirea straightened, his face flushing slightly as he tried to argue. "But, Grandmother…"
"Haaaah."
Lizzie sighed, flicking her whip to strike the horse with a sharp crack, cutting Nfirea off.
"Nfirea, did you notice the 'Rock' team's attitude toward me after I dealt with those two ogres?"
Nfirea paused.
Of course he had noticed, it was impossible not to. The Rock Team had been nothing but respectful toward his grandmother.
Nfirea wasn't foolish. He knew she wasn't talking about the team's attitude but about Adam.
He couldn't help but recall Adam's demeanor.
Adam had been respectful too!
But now, thinking back, Nfirea felt there was something different about Adam's respect compared to the Rock Team's, though he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"His acting is too poor."
"He looks down on me from the bottom of his heart."
Lizzie said calmly.
Nfirea opened his mouth but remained silent.
***
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