One week after my battle against the Fang Demon, I got out of bed and went for a walk through the streets of Axel.
Even though Aqua and I kept taking quests, we hadn't come across any that offered a decent reward lately.
Both the city and its surroundings seemed unusually peaceful (even for Axel). So that day, I decided to take a little stroll and maybe grab something to eat at a restaurant.
The troublesome goddess wasn't with me today. According to her, she already had plans with her party members to go somewhere.
"Kaizer, I understand that you love having a beautiful goddess like me as your babysitter, but I can't spend all day looking after you. I have my own duties as an adventurer too, you know? So, try not to miss me too much."
Who does she think she is, saying something like that?
I'll show her I can manage perfectly fine without her!
That's right! I'm going to stuff my face at the most expensive restaurant I can find. Today I'm eating like a king!
Since this was a city mostly frequented by beginner adventurers, its layout was designed so they could afford basic expenses without issue. Food was usually quite affordable — as long as you didn't go to the districts where rich people lived.
With that in mind, I kept walking until I found a restaurant with a sign on the door that made my mouth water instantly.
TODAY ONLY: GIANT FROG MEAT — 50% OFF!!!
In this world, meat is considered one of the greatest delicacies for some reason. And since it's a difficult ingredient to obtain, depending on the season, businesses usually sell it at ridiculously high prices.
So, I decided to take advantage of the offer and walked inside.
The moment I sat down at a table, a waitress approached to take my order.
"Good morning, sir," she said politely. "What would you like to eat today?"
"Good morning. I'd like to try the giant frog meat. It's fifty percent off today, right?"
Considering the massive sign outside, I felt a bit stupid asking, but still.
"That's correct, sir," the girl confirmed as she wrote down my order. "So, one plate of giant frog meat…"
"Yes, please."
"And to drink?"
"Well, I guess some wa—"
"Oh! It's you!" a voice suddenly exclaimed.
"Huh?"
I turned around and saw a man, probably in his fifties, wearing an elegant gray suit that matched the gray streaks in his hair.
"Excuse me, sir… are you talking to me?" I asked, all my alarms going off.
"Yes, of course I'm talking to you!" the man said, clapping his hands together. "You might not know who I am, young man, but I know exactly who you are."
"Ah… okay. And that's… a good thing?"
"It most certainly is!" the man confirmed. "At least for me. Do you know who I am?"
"I have no idea."
For some reason, instead of leaving with my order, the waitress just stood there smiling as she watched the exchange.
"I am the father of one of the young girls who was kidnapped by the Fang Demon."
I don't like where this is going.
"O-Oh… really?"
The man nodded.
"That's right. And unless I'm mistaken, you're the man who rescued them, correct?"
Just as I suspected: more problems.
While it was true that I had completed the quest, the guild had decided my actions during the battle were too violent and inefficient — especially considering young girls were present.
They determined I had to pay for psychological treatment for each of the girls. Not to mention the massive lawsuit Tia Lyamnsen had filed against me. The daughter of the noble who hired me — who turned out to be a tax evader and had already fled Axel, so I couldn't even collect the money he owed me.
And now it looked like I had the father of one of those girls standing right in front of me, probably here to demand some kind of compensation. I swear, this world already had me by the balls.
I let out a long sigh before speaking.
"If this is about your daughter's treatment, the guild said I still have time to gather the money—" I started to explain.
However, the man gave me an apologetic look and raised his hand.
"Young man, forgive me for interrupting, but as I already explained to the guild staff, I don't want any treatment for my daughter."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard correctly. After you returned my little Kala safe and sound, the only thing I want is to give you my deepest gratitude."
Kala. The name sounded familiar. If I wasn't mistaken, she was the youngest of the girls.
So, this is her father, huh?
I smiled politely and nodded.
"I understand what you're saying. But you don't have to thank me. After all, I was just doing my job as an adventurer, sir."
"Even so, I must insist. Also, I think it's a terrible injustice what the guild has done to you. They should be rewarding you, not punishing you."
Well, maybe you should go tell them that.
I smiled again, this time a bit more forced. While it was nice to have my work recognized, all I really wanted right now was to sit down and eat my discounted giant frog meat.
And now that I noticed, the damn waitress was still standing there, smiling like an idiot instead of bringing me my food.
"I appreciate your words, sir. You're very kind."
And now please leave! I'm hungry!
The man smiled once more.
"Please, young man. It's the least I can do. Although… now that I think about it, maybe there's something more."
"What do you mean?"
"You see… not only am I Kala's father, but I also happen to be the owner of this restaurant. So today, the house is treating you. You ordered giant frog meat, correct? An excellent choice for the most refined palate, if I may say so. Today you can eat as much as you want — completely free of charge."
"Are you serious?"
I couldn't believe it. Finally, a ray of hope in the middle of the storm. Could this be a miracle from Goddess Eris?
"You heard him, young lady! One plate — and as many as he wants — for our guest of honor!"
Upon hearing her boss, the waitress nodded enthusiastically and headed to the kitchen.
"Sir, does that mean I can come back tonight and eat for free too?"
"Of course, of course!"
"And if… I wanted to, say… invite someone?"
"Oh? Is there someone special? Jo, jo, jo! Ah, youth! Don't worry, young man. You're free to invite whoever you like."
After informing me that I could eat as much as I wanted for free, the restaurant owner politely wished me a good appetite and left.
Maybe I'll bring Aqua tonight. After all, she helped a lot during the mission. And now that I think about it, Dikon too. Should I invite both? Or just Aqua? Hmm…
While I was thinking, the waitress returned with the food.
The meat looked incredibly juicy and perfectly cooked, giving off a mouthwatering aroma.
"Enjoy your meal, sir!"
"Oh, believe me, I will!"
Ah! Finally, things are starting to turn around in my adventurer life!
I stabbed my fork into the tender giant frog meat, cut a generous piece, and brought it to my mouth, which was already watering.
Today is definitely going to be a spectacular day!
Then a loud, clear voice rang out through the city's loudspeakers.
ATTENTION ALL ADVENTURERS! ATTENTION ALL ADVENTURERS!
THIS IS AN EMERGENCY QUEST!
ALL ADVENTURERS ARE REQUESTED TO REPORT TO THE GUILD IMMEDIATELY!
THE WALKING FORTRESS DESTROYER IS APPROACHING!
I dropped my fork onto the plate with a loud clank.
"Well, there goes my spectacular day, I guess."
-END OF VOLUME 1-