"Huh? Wait? Um... well..."
As Rei and his party emerged from the dungeon, the guild staff member in charge let out a bewildered voice.
It was only natural. Vihera and Rhodos, who had been unconscious when Rei's party entered the dungeon, had now regained consciousness.
Rhodos was currently being carried on Elk's back—the Axe of the Thunder God had been temporarily entrusted to Rei and stored inside his Misty Ring—but Vihera was standing and even walking normally.
Additionally, the short amount of time they had spent inside was likely another point of confusion for the guild staff member.
They had entered the dungeon, teleported directly to the Deepest Layer using Grimm's power, defeated the Silver Lion, restored Vihera's and Rhodos's consciousness, disassembled the Silver Lion, and destroyed the dungeon core.
Given the nature of these tasks, a certain amount of time had naturally passed... but even so, compared to the time skilled adventurers like Rei and his party would typically spend operating inside a dungeon, it was extremely short.
If they had been rookies exploring the upper floors, it might have been more understandable.
It was still only a little past noon, and hardly anyone was coming out of the dungeon.
If anything, the few people about to enter were widening their eyes in surprise at the sight of Set and the extraordinarily beautiful women like Elena.
However, Rei and his party left the scene without particularly addressing the questions from the guild staff member or the adventurers.
Once they were sufficiently far from the dungeon, Marina spoke up.
"Alright, Rei and I will head to the Guild Branch Office, but... is an evening start for the celebration party alright with everyone?"
Her gaze was directed at Yohanna, who had confidently declared she would handle the celebration venue.
"Yes, that would be fine. If Set-chan is joining us, we'll need to speak with the restaurant in advance. ...Um, it might end up requiring a private reservation. Would that be a problem?"
"Well, let's see... I'd actually prefer a private reservation, to be honest."
At Marina's glance, Elena and Vihera also nodded in agreement.
Marina, who had spoken, as well as the other two, were well aware that they were extremely attractive to men.
And since they were holding a celebration party, alcohol would naturally be involved.
If that happened, even people who wouldn't normally approach Marina and the others might get bold under the influence and do something foolish.
In that case, it would be best to simply reserve the entire restaurant for themselves—that was Marina's conclusion.
Seeing that Elena and the others had no objections, Marina turned her gaze toward Elk's... no, toward Min's direction.
Even as Elk's wife, Min was no less attractive in appearance.
So Marina naturally expected Min to nod in agreement with her proposal, but... Min shook her head.
"Unfortunately, we won't be able to attend the celebration. In this matter, our role was purely supplementary. We can't presume to join in."
"Is that so? I think you contributed plenty."
At Marina's words, everyone who had participated in the Silver Lion battle nodded.
Indeed, the strikes from Elk's Axe of the Thunder God had dealt effective damage to the Silver Lion, and while Min's magic hadn't been able to deal damage, it had undoubtedly served its purpose in holding the enemy back and keeping them in check.
But at everyone's words, Min shook her head.
"I appreciate you saying that. Besides, I can't just leave Rhodos alone in his current state... Above all, our whole family is together for the first time in a while. I'd like to spend today as a family."
That was likely Min's true feeling.
Seeing Min speak while looking at Rhodos being carried on Elk's back, they nodded in understanding that it couldn't be helped.
Vihera was in a similar situation in terms of reuniting after a long time, but in terms of the duration of unconsciousness, Rhodos's was overwhelmingly longer.
Additionally, perhaps due to Vihera's personality, her desire to make merry with everyone was stronger.
...Though the difference between Vihera, who could actively move around immediately after regaining consciousness, and Rhodos, who could barely move even though he had been protected to some extent by a Magic Item, may have also been a factor.
"I see. Well, if a family member has just regained consciousness after a long time, that's perfectly understandable."
Marina, upon learning of Min's feelings, found herself accepting the refusal to join the celebration.
(Besides, even though Rhodos has consciousness, his body can barely move. Bringing someone in that state to a celebration would only be painful for him.)
Being unable to eat or drink while everyone around him freely enjoyed food and alcohol would be a harsh situation for Rhodos precisely because he was conscious.
And if Rhodos couldn't attend the celebration, it was perfectly understandable that his parents wouldn't either.
"Understood. Then, the Axe of the Thunder God won't be joining this celebration. That's fine with everyone, right?"
At Marina's words as she looked around at everyone, no one disagreed.
There was no one present who would interfere with a family wanting to spend time together after a long period of unconsciousness.
"Then, that's settled. ...Also, if we're quick, we might leave as early as tomorrow... hmm, I wonder. I don't know how far we'll get with the dungeon-related work, but even so, I think we should head back to Gilm as soon as possible. What about you?"
If they were lucky, it wouldn't be surprising for snow to start falling any day now.
Light snowfall wouldn't be a problem, but once it accumulated to a certain degree, traveling outside the city would become quite laborious.
Hearing Marina say this, Min thought for a moment before speaking.
"I'd like to depart by tomorrow if possible. Spending winter here would be tough. Our current inn isn't financially comfortable for us, and there's the dungeon situation too."
Now that the dungeon core had been destroyed, this dungeon would eventually lose its function as a dungeon.
If that happened, earning money by diving into it would become considerably more difficult.
With that in mind, it was only natural to want to return to Gilm as soon as possible.
There was also the desire to let Rhodos rest properly at their regular inn in Gilm, rather than at their current one.
Fortunately, the carriage they had arrived in was separate from the one Elena and Rei's party had used.
Given that, there was no need for them to force themselves to return together with Rei's group.
Marina seemed to understand this as well, nodding in agreement before speaking.
"That's true. This request... well, 'request' isn't quite the right word, but anyway, the Silver Lion subjugation and the associated matters regarding Vihera and Rhodos... you could say those ended the moment we exited the dungeon. How about it?"
If they had any opinions, they should voice them now—Marina's attitude and gaze seemed to convey this, but Rei shook his head.
In truth, the most important part of this matter was already over.
"No, I don't have any objections either. Does anyone else have any objections?"
"That's right. It's unfortunate that we won't be able to have a meal with Elk and Min, but given the circumstances..."
One of Yohanna's male companions muttered regretfully.
That this was no mere pleasantry was evident from the expressions of the others.
They had known to some extent that Rei, Vihera, and Elena were strong regardless of rank, but directly interacting with A-Rank adventurers was quite rare.
They had been able to celebrate with Elk and the others the previous day, but they were challenging the dungeon the next day, so they hadn't been able to let loose in the truest sense.
That was why they felt that way.
"Sorry about that. But you'll all be coming back to Gilm eventually, right? We operate out of Gilm too, so when we meet there, I'll buy you all drinks."
Elk addressed Yohanna and her group apologetically.
Elk, who had been active as an A-Rank adventurer for a considerable time, was more than fully aware of how he... or more precisely, how A-Rank adventurers were viewed.
They were seen with admiration... or as heroes.
Moreover, Elk was not just any A-Rank adventurer, but an Alias Holder as well. And his personality wasn't bad either; he was easy to approach.
At Elk's words, Yohanna and her group nodded, still looking disappointed.
"Understood. Please take your time and rest with your family for now."
"Yeah. ...Then, we'll be heading back. Rei, hand over the weapon when we get back to the inn today."
"Does it have to be later, not now?"
Rei was slightly surprised that Elk said handing over the Axe of the Thunder God stored in the Misty Ring didn't need to happen right away.
The Axe of the Thunder God was Elk's symbol... in a way, it was something similar to Rei's Death Scythe.
Was it truly alright to leave such a weapon in his care?
At Rei's words, Elk directed his gaze toward his own back... toward Rhodos, who had only just regained consciousness.
"Carrying this guy to the inn is a bit of a hassle with the Axe of the Thunder God in the way."
"...If you'd like, I could have these guys carry it?"
Rei's gaze was directed at the men among Yohanna's companions.
He was about to head to the Guild Branch Office himself, so he couldn't help, but Yohanna's group had nothing they needed to do right now. ...Well, aside from Yohanna arranging the restaurant, that is.
"Nah, I want to carry him myself. I feel bad asking you, but can I leave the Axe of the Thunder God with you?"
"Well, if you say so. But going around without a weapon is pretty risky, you know?"
"Hah! Even unarmed, I wouldn't lose to some random gu—ow!"
In the middle of Elk's words, Min's staff came swinging down.
Struck on the head, Elk shot a protesting glare at Min, but what came back was a cold stare.
"Are you an idiot? If you start flailing about while carrying Rhodos on your back, he'd be the one to suffer, wouldn't he?"
"Urk!"
What came out of Min's mouth was an undeniably sound argument.
It went without saying what would happen if Elk, who possessed physical strength incomparable to an ordinary human's, moved violently while still carrying Rhodos on his back.
"Don't worry. If anything happens, I'm here."
While she couldn't match Elk in pure combat ability, Min was also an A-Rank adventurer.
As a mage, she was by no means skilled in close combat, but even so, she wasn't the type to be done in by some random adventurer.
She should be more than capable of defeating C-Rank or D-Rank adventurers even in close combat.
(No, wouldn't even a B-Rank adventurer be in danger? I know better than anyone just how devastating one of Min's staff strikes is.)
Elk had been hit by Min's staff so many times it would be foolish to even try to count.
Considering that pain, it seemed like any of the adventurers in this area could be handled with Min's abilities.
"Elk? You seem to be giving me a strange look... is something the matter?"
"No, it's nothing. More importantly, come on. Let's get going. We can't keep Rhodos like this forever."
"Ugh... ah..."
Rhodos looked like he wanted to say something, but what he was trying to convey didn't reach anyone.
Min and Elk, prioritizing returning to the inn, didn't seem to notice at the moment.
"If you're going that far, I understand. ...Well, I can't imagine anyone would be foolish enough to attack knowing Elk is there, so that's fine."
At Rei's words, the others nodded as if unable to help it.
In reality, the likelihood of someone approaching Elk out of a desire to talk to him was absolutely higher than someone attempting to attack him.
"Alright then, see you around. If you change your minds and want to drop by, come on over. As for the restaurant... Yohanna?"
"Ah, yes. It's a place called the Orc Stew Pavilion."
"...That's a very direct name."
Elk muttered, seemingly unable to help himself at the rather blunt restaurant name, but Yohanna smiled and nodded at him.
"It is, isn't it? But their specialty dish is solid, so isn't it easy to understand? Besides, Set-chan likes Orc dishes, right?"
"Gruu."
When she put it that way, Elk could only agree.
Set also purred happily at Yohanna's words.
Anyway, now that they knew the restaurant's name, they would have no trouble joining up if they decided to.
Making that judgment, Elk departed the scene with Rhodos still on his back, alongside Min.
Yohanna headed off to contact the restaurant about the private reservation, while Rei and Marina, along with Elena, Vihera, and Ara, headed toward the guild.
Meanwhile, Set had been torn between following Yohanna to the restaurant specializing in Orc dishes or following Rei to the guild, but ultimately chose to head to the guild with Rei.