The discussion at the Lord's mansion concluded, followed by a shared lunch before everyone went their separate ways.
The members of the Axe of the Thunder God had originally planned to use today for rest, but they seemingly chose to prioritize their travel preparations, hurrying off into the city center. Watching their retreating figures, Rei made his way toward the guild at a leisurely pace.
He drew little attention from the townspeople, likely because Set was not with him. Even though he had just finished lunch, he bought a sandwich from a stall and ate it as he walked.
The stall owner who sold him the sandwich noticed Rei's presence but judged that since Set was absent, the boy probably preferred to remain inconspicuous. He didn't say a word, simply slipping two extra sandwiches into the order as a quiet bonus.
"Huh? Rei?"
A familiar voice called out from behind. Rei turned to find a regular acquaintance.
"Hey, are you alone, Rei? Where's Seto-chan? I bought some delicious bread especially for it."
It was Mirene, carrying a basket filled with several loaves of bread.
"Set is sleeping in the inn's stable. More importantly... are you on your own today?"
"Hmm? Oh, yes. I earned more than I expected from the goblin suppression, so I’m taking a break for a while."
"I see..."
Rei had a good idea of why she had earned so much, but Mirene simply reached into her basket, pulled out a loaf of freshly baked black bread, and handed it to him.
Rei felt a flicker of surprise that she was giving bread to him rather than Set, but since she had gone to the trouble, he couldn't very well refuse. He stored his remaining sandwich in the Misty Ring and accepted the loaf.
Feeling the fragrant aroma and a solid weight quite unlike white bread in his hand, he looked at Mirene.
"What's the occasion?"
"It's just a little sharing... well, consider it a thank-you."
"A thank-you?"
"Yeah. I heard the news. Rei and his group thinned out the remnants of the goblins we defeated. And apparently, the jewels and materials those goblins were carrying were also connected to you."
"Ah..."
Rei finally understood her meaning. He recalled how the goblins had raided the hideout of the Bloody Blade—whom Rei's group had defeated—and made off with much of the treasure.
"It's true we were involved, but I wouldn't call it our achievement. Well, if you’re offering, I’ll take it."
He immediately bit into the bread. Being freshly baked, it was soft; the fragrant rye aroma and the slight acidity unique to black bread filled his mouth.
It was a different experience from the white bread Rei usually preferred, but black bread was delicious in its own right. Despite the loaf being dense and filling, he devoured it in no time.
"That was good. Thanks for the treat. Fresh, non-hard-baked black bread is actually quite nice."
"Right? The shop selling this bread opened recently. It's a real hidden gem."
They continued to chat as they walked toward the Dusk Wheat Inn. Rei understood Mirene's goal without even having to ask.
Speaking of which, I should probably tell her I’m leaving Gilm tomorrow. If I just disappear, it’ll be a headache when I return. ...When I return, huh.
He noticed that he was naturally thinking of coming back to Gilm as "returning home," and a small smile touched his lips. Originally, when he first arrived in this world, this had been nothing more than the town closest to the Forest of Magic... but now, he truly recognized it as his home.
Mirene noticed his expression and looked at him with a puzzled tilt of her head.
"Hey, what is it? Smiling all of a sudden. Are you remembering something funny?"
"It's nothing so grand. Actually, Set and I are leaving Gilm again tomorrow."
Mirene stopped in her tracks, her expression twitching.
"What? Again? But you just got back!"
"Yeah, again. To be honest, the reason I came back this time was to prepare for this specific matter. Those preparations are finally complete."
"...Is Seto-chan going too?"
She asked with a faint hope that it wasn't the case, but Rei gave a simple nod.
"Yeah. Set's coming too."
"I see..." Mirene muttered, falling silent.
Rei felt a sense of surprise at her reaction. He had fully expected her to scold him for taking Set away, or perhaps demand that he leave the griffon in Gilm. His surprise must have shown, as Mirene turned a sideways glance toward him.
"What? Is it that strange that I'm not complaining?"
"To be honest, yes. I thought for sure you'd chew me out. Or tell me to leave Set here."
"Well, if I'm being honest, that is what I want to say. But Seto-chan is most attached to you, Rei. Forcing him to stay wouldn't make anyone happy. It would just make Seto-chan sad."
"Yeah..."
Rei found himself deeply convinced by her words. Ultimately, Mirene's first priority was Set. The fact that she wouldn't act selfishly because it would hurt him showed her consistency.
"Anyway, we’re leaving Gilm tomorrow, so today will be the last chance to play with him for a while. I’ll see you later."
"Of course! ...Wait, actually..." Mirene started to answer instantly, but then paused to think. "Sorry, Rei. I just realized there's somewhere I have to stop by first. I’ll be a little late to see Seto-chan."
"Hmm? I don't mind, but did you forget to turn in a request or something?"
Mirene sighed as Rei popped the last bite of the bread into his mouth.
"Honestly, Rei. There's no way I'd forget a request."
"Is that so?"
Mirene puffed out her chest with confidence, but Rei, knowing the depth of her obsession with Set, couldn't quite believe her. After a few seconds of his skeptical stare, Mirene grew restless and tried to gloss it over.
"And even if I did forget, Sulnin would remember it!"
"Well, Sulnin is certainly efficient about that sort of thing. But is that really how you want to handle it?"
"It's fine!"
As if declaring her victory by having the last word, Mirene turned on her heel.
"Well then, see you later!"
Rei watched her wave and walk away, then muttered to himself.
"That black bread really was good. I should have asked exactly where that shop was."
The fact that it was fresh from the oven probably helped, but he found himself thinking about how delicious it had been even without butter, jam, or any toppings.
"Whaaat?! Is that true?!"
A voice echoed through the guild.
Fortunately, it was after noon and the number of adventurers was small; the pub was past its peak, and people were sparse. Only those adventurers who had taken the day off to drink from midday or those eating a late lunch remained.
Amidst this quiet, a voice like a scream rang out. The owner of that voice was Kenny the Receptionist. Her eyes were wide with shock, and she stared in astonishment at the person who had brought the news.
"I knew it. You hadn't heard. It's just like Rei to keep quiet... I’m glad I came to let you know."
Mirene shook her head as if it were a tragedy.
"I can't stay here! I have to go to Rei-kun's place right now—"
Kenny muttered, nearly vaulting over the counter, but a hand landed firmly on her shoulder from behind. She jumped at the touch and turned timidly to find Lenora smiling at her.
However, the smile was anything but friendly. It was the kind of smile that carried a terrifying intensity.
"Listen, Kenny. It's going to get busy when evening rolls around. If you skip out now, it’ll trouble everyone else, won't it? Especially me and the other receptionists."
"B-But..."
At the unusual pressure, Kenny found herself at a loss for words.
"Understood?"
"I get it! I understand! But are you okay with this, Lenora? Rei-kun is leaving Gilm tomorrow!"
"I certainly think he's being distant, but he did mention he was busy with various things. Besides, if you have something to say to Rei-san, it doesn't have to be right this second, does it? You can do it after work."
Lenora spoke calmly, but Kenny, having known her for a long time, could tell that a subtle air of displeasure was clinging to her words.
Well, Lenora does dote on Rei-kun like a younger brother. As someone who considers herself a big sister figure, she must be feeling all sorts of things about this.
Muttering to herself, Kenny let out a small sigh and slumped back into her chair. Satisfied, Lenora nodded and sat down to begin organizing documents.
It was currently a quiet period, but as Lenora had noted, the evening rush would start in a few hours. Adventurers would return from their requests, and the guild would be swamped with request completion processing, magic stone purchases, and cashing in proof of subjugation parts. They needed to process as much paperwork as possible before then.
"Fine, I’ll do my best. But once today's work is over, I'm going to see Rei-kun, so don't you dare follow me, Lenora."
"Yes, of course. ...Wait, what?"
Lenora, who had been organizing papers, suddenly stopped. She felt something was off about that exchange. She spent a few seconds recalling the conversation... and then directed a cold stare toward Kenny, who was now processing documents with a suspicious amount of cheer.
Lenora looked at the grinning girl and wondered what happened to that panicked state from a moment ago.
"Hey, Kenny. Wasn't there something strange about that just now?"
"Eh? Not at all. I don't think anything was strange."
"Didn't you just say 'don't follow me' when I go to see Rei-san today?"
"Did I? Must be your imagination. Oh, I wonder what I should do about this document? I'd better go check on it."
Kenny tried to stand up, but Lenora's hand shot out and grabbed her uniform. She gripped it with considerable strength—and since she grabbed around the waist, Kenny’s breasts almost spilled out of the open front of her guild uniform.
"Wha— Lenora?!"
Kenny hurriedly clutched her chest to prevent a wardrobe malfunction, but Lenora didn't miss the opening. She scooped up the documents that had scattered on the counter and scanned them.
"Kenny... I don't see anything strange about these documents. What exactly were you going to check?"
"Eh? That's, well... you see, as a cat beastman—and more importantly, with a woman's intuition—I sensed a strange spot..."
"There isn't one, is there?"
At Lenora's flat tone, Kenny realized she couldn't escape and quietly looked away.
"Now, since you understand, sit down. We don't have much time, so let's get this paperwork finished properly."
"...Eh?"
Kenny, who had fully expected to be grilled about her previous statement, reflexively looked at Lenora. She immediately regretted it. While Lenora’s mouth was curved into a smile, her eyes were completely dead.
Lenora's gaze made it clear: she would be hearing exactly what Kenny had been planning to do alone with Rei once work was over.
Uh-oh... did I really step in it this time?
Though she regretted it, the aura around the angry Lenora didn't fade. Kenny had hoped for a private meal with Rei on a summer night—his last before the journey—and perhaps, if things went well... to spend the night together.
But Lenora's actions made it clear she had seen right through her. Kenny's plan to head to Rei's place alone was thoroughly derailed, and she would end up heading toward the Dusk Wheat Inn with Lenora just as she always did... and she would be listening to Lenora's lectures the entire way.