Despite the late hour, the guild buzzed with adventurers drinking and sharing stories. The receptionist looked up, her eyes lighting up when she recognized us:
—"Ah, hello! How did it go?" she asked.
—"Well... a lot happened," I replied, proceeding to explain everything about the eastern forest.
The receptionist's expression turned to awe:
—"Wow! You solved all the mysteries of the eastern forest!"
Whispers spread quickly among the other adventurers:
"Did they just say the eastern forest?" "That's them! The new S-Rank party!"
I grew nervous under the attention, but Maya puffed up with pride:
—"Hehehe! Behold, weaklings! My group and I conquered the eastern forest!"
Zara couldn't resist teasing her:
—"Even though you almost passed out from Fungoid spores..."
—"THOSE WEREN'T NORMAL MUSHROOMS!" Maya shrieked in fury.
I facepalmed as the receptionist giggled:
—"My, those two really get along..."
—"Yeah... despite everything, we make a good team," I admitted with a shy smile.
The receptionist nodded:
—"We'll prepare a reward for clearing the forest! But I'll need to inform the guild committee first. Can you wait a few days?"
—"No problem," I said. —"We didn't do it for the reward anyway."
She winked:
—"Thank you!"
I blushed hard but immediately slapped my cheeks. Can't risk angering Purin.
After celebrating with the other adventurers, we left the guild:
—"Thanks for everything, guys. Tomorrow I'll start moving into the mansion and decorating. Hope you'll visit sometime to see how it turns out."
Zara flushed slightly:
—"Of course, I'd love to."
Maya crossed her arms, avoiding eye contact:
—"W-Well, I guess I'll drop by someday... Otherwise, what was the point of exorcising all those ghosts?"
We said our goodbyes, and I headed to the inn. I collapsed onto the bed, exhausted:
—"What a day... but everything worked out."
Suddenly, a flash enveloped me, and I appeared in Purin's celestial space. She floated before me, cheeks puffed in fury:
—"Everything worked out, you say?! HMPH!" she fumed.
—"Purin?!"
—"I saw you met someone very interesting!" She huffed, drifting in circles. —"That demi-human! I won't deny she's charming or that the spirits adore her... But that makes her dangerous! And she's way too clingy!"
—"I-It wasn't my fault!" I protested. —"That's just how she is! Besides, I only met her today."
Purin pouted:
—"Unacceptable... but I'll admit she helped a lot. Still, keeping track of three girls is exhausting..."
—"Three?" I blinked. —"Why do you need to keep track of them?"
Purin turned red and looked away:
—"No reason! Just go to sleep! And dream of me!"
Before I could respond, I was abruptly dumped back into my room. That night, I slept like a log.
The Next Morning
I woke early and decided to stroll through Lumis before heading to the mansion. Today's the day—time to buy everything to make it livable.
I surveyed the market with determination: Finally, my own home!