20 — You’re Surprisingly Stubborn.

And so, when they passed through the Hero Gate and returned to the city, night was already drawing close… and just after Kikori and the others went through, he could see the gate doors beginning to close.

“Huh, they’re closing the gate…”

“Oh, is this your first time seeing it? Once it gets dark, it’s hard to deal with whatever might come, so they close the gate like that.”

“But then, what do people who come back at night do?”

“They call out to the guards on top of the gate. They’ll open it for you.”

‘I see—certainly that sounded reassuring, but…’

Kikori thought that if something happened and you needed to flee into the city, it would be pretty rough.

Of course, it would be best if that never happened at all, but still…

“The Adventurers’ Guild stays open late in case something happens, but basically most shops close around this time.”

“Huh?”

“The Adventurers’ Guild buys magic stones, but they don’t buy weapons… and at this hour, the inns that charge a thousand yen a night are probably packed tight already. Who knows if there’s even room.”

“Th-then…”

“The inns in the two- to three-thousand range are probably full too. They’re the ones most used from the time you stop being a rookie until you become a veteran.”

“Ugh…”

In other words, even if he spent everything he could cash in today, it wouldn’t solve the problem.

That left sleeping outside… but what should he do?

As Kikori pondered, Aria leaned in, grinning mischievously.

“So, what’ll you do, Kikori?”

“…I feel like there’s at least some minimum level of safety near the Hero Gate.”

“So that’s your plan, huh.”

“Eh, but—”

“Well, fine! I can respect wanting to live by your own strength!”

“Uh, sure…”

“Since I like that about you, I’ll give you this.”

As she spoke, Aria handed him a leather pouch with something clinking inside.

Kikori knew what was in it… and stared at it in shock.

“T-this is the magic stones you hunted today, Aria-san’s share—”

“That’s right. Four horned rabbits and three goblins. Seven thousand yen total.”

“I can’t take this!”

“No, you will take it no matter what. This is my investment in you.”

“Investment…?”

“To be blunt, this kind of pocket change only means a night of drinking to me.”

“Ugh…”

“But that income from these magic stones means a lot to you, Kikori.”

That was true. Together with his own, it made ten thousand yen. If he could just get through tonight, he might even be able to buy decent armor.

But… was that really okay?

What could Kikori possibly give Aria in return?

“Hmmm. You’re surprisingly stubborn.”

“But I can’t give you anything back.”

“I see, I see.”

Nodding, Aria grabbed Kikori’s hand and started pulling him along.

“Uh, um?”

“This is getting annoying, so I’m just dragging you along. Come on, let’s go.”

“Huh!? W-where to!?”

“My place.”

“No, that’s a bit too much—!”

“Alright, alright, let’s go.”