A Brief Moment Of Rest

When I returned to the inn, I must have been more exhausted than I thought, because I immediately fell asleep, and when I woke up it was the next morning. Considering that I returned to the inn around noon yesterday, it seemed I had slept for sixteen hours straight.

“Fwaa… I definitely can’t sleep anymore.”

The reports probably weren’t finished yet after just one day, so what should I do today? I didn’t feel like taking on a request, that was for sure.

“For now, maybe I should go to Rebecca’s house.”

After changing clothes, eating breakfast, and leaving the inn, the city felt livelier than usual, with an atmosphere that seemed somewhat excited.

Since the Stampede happened so close to the city, the news must have spread throughout the streets. If people had escaped from such despair, it was only natural they would feel excited.

“Hey there, kid! Today the skewers are half price for the celebration!”

“Over here, bread is free—one per person!”

“Soup all you can drink for one copper coin!”

From stalls and shops here and there, voices called out like it was a festival. If Rebecca didn’t have plans, going around the stalls today might be fun.

As I continued walking while enjoying the lively atmosphere of the city, I reached Rebecca’s house without any trouble.

It was a good thing this was the Royal Capital, such a huge city… If this had been a countryside town where everyone roughly knew each other’s faces, I probably wouldn’t have been able to walk around freely.

“Is Rebecca-san here?”

When I knocked on the door and called out, hurried footsteps sounded from inside the room and the door opened. The person who showed her face from behind the door… was Rebecca’s mother.

“You’re Luca-kun, right? Rebecca always talks about you. Come in, come in.”

“Ah, thank you very much.”

I had hardly ever spoken with her mother before, so I felt nervous as I stepped inside the room. It seemed Rebecca and her little sister weren’t there.

“The girls went out shopping. They’ll be back soon, so please wait a little.”

“I see. I’m sorry for intruding at such a time.”

“Don’t worry about it. More importantly, I want to thank you. Rebecca told me yesterday that you saved the city. Thank you so much…! And I’m also grateful that you formed a party with Rebecca. She looks so happy every day, and that’s thanks to you.”

Rebecca’s mother smiled brightly and conveyed her gratitude. Her words made me feel both ticklish and happy, and I couldn’t help but smile.

“I only did what I could. And Rebecca-san always helps me too, so it goes both ways.”

“I’m glad to hear that girl is being helpful.”

While talking with her mother—nervous but enjoying the conversation—the door opened and Rebecca and her little sister returned. Rebecca widened her eyes in surprise when she saw me.

“Luca, you’re here already? That surprised me.”

“I asked him to keep me company while I talked. Did the shopping go well?”

“Of course. Lots of places had discounts today, so everything was really cheap. I ended up buying more than usual.”

Rebecca handed the basket to her mother, then sat down beside the chair where I was sitting.

“So what brings you here today?”

“Well, I didn’t really have any plans, but I woke up and figured I’d come see you. I also wanted to decide what we’re doing next.”

“That’s true. They told us to come to the guild in a few days, but what should we do until then?”

“For now, I was thinking we could take a break from accepting requests.”

As soon as I said that, Rebecca nodded and her face lit up with excitement.

“I agree! So that means we’re free today, right?”

“Yeah. Nothing planned in particular…”

“Then how about going around the food stalls? There are so many, and I wanted to look around.”

“Haha, I was actually thinking the same thing earlier.”

“Then it’s decided!”

After greeting her mother and little sister, Rebecca and I left the house together. We headed toward the main street where many stalls were lined up.

“Until yesterday we were so desperate that it didn’t really sink in, but… we actually saved this city, didn’t we?”

“Yeah… I still don’t think it’s fully sunk in for me either. But I’m really glad. Just imagining that many monsters attacking this city is terrifying.”

“That’s true.”

We talked like that while looking around the lively street.

“We should thank Lady Seremees too.”

“You’re right. By the way, did you go report directly to Lady Seremees?”

“…No, I only talked with her a little before going to sleep yesterday. I haven’t gone to the Divine Domain.”

“You really should. Let’s go together later.”

“Yeah. Thanks.”

After that, we visited many stalls and enjoyed our first real day off in a long time.

We bought delicious-looking skewers and bread and walked around eating, Rebecca tried on beautiful accessories and hair ornaments, and we also bought several practical items like weapons, armor, bags, and knives.

And just as we started talking about heading home since it was getting close to evening… a long line appeared at the edge of my vision.

Curious about the line with dozens of people waiting, we walked to the front—and it was a church. And not just any church, but one dedicated to the Goddess of Peace, Lady Seremees.