2 days passed after the abandoned mine incident. Lily decided that we should take a day off due to our equipment that needs to be repaired and resources that needs to be replenished.

At first I think that it was not a good idea to take a break since my life as an adventurer is just beginning. But because of her friend, the elf sorcerer’s dire physical state, Lily wishes to personally take care of her and I can’t disagree to that.

I haven’t seen Liliana since then. While Paul, my personal guild receptionist insisted that I’ll make my report about the abducted womens in the abandoned mines after I rest my body.

Unfortunately, I slept for two days in the room that I rented in the tavern. The clerk almost thought that I was dead so when I woke up he informed me that I overslept. After that I grabbed a quick meal before setting off.

Now, I am currently walking in the street of Aldebaran. I feel the warmth of the broad daylight hitting my exposed arm.

I wear the black shirt from earth and brown pants paired up with knee high long boots while carrying a light armor in bad condition and a spear with dulled tip. The cloak needs to be cleaned badly after taking too many Orc bloods so I left it in my room.

This is the normal day here in Aldebaran.

Or I say almost normal, there are a noticeably increased numbers of Imperial army in the roadside. With their common military attire anyone would already know that they are one.

They are clad in metal armors, different weapons hanging in their scabbard that is seemed to be preparing for battle. And they are scattered in every establishments, even in the tavern where I came from.

[Paul might have something to tell me about this.]

So I ignored them for now and just walk normally like I always do.

It only take more or less five minutes of walking before I finally reach the front of guild.

Many adventurers are still lurking in the guild hall as I entered the swinging door.

When I looked for the reason why are they still in there instead on their adventures, I notice that the Quest bulletin doesn’t contain any Quest papers in it.

The guild employees weren’t on their usual spot—no I can’t even see a single guild employee.

So I go straight to the backdoor where the employees room is found ignoring the glares of other adventurers. And go straight to where Paul’s quarter was, all the doors in the hallway was closed compared to the last time. Only my footsteps can be heared echoing in there.

When I was at the front of Paul's room, I twist the doorknob and the door opened in response with a weak sound of creak. I peek inside from the small gap and see Paul in his worktable facing down.

I speak in my usual low pitched voice.

“Hello?”

“Oh. Come in kid.”

Paul replied without even looking at me. [Did he already knew that I would come today?] I entered and placed my armor and spear in the corner of the room.

“I’m here for my report”

“Report?...Oh right have a seat.”

He offered the seat beside his worktable without again looking at me. I was wondering what was he thinking that time. So I ask while I take the seat.

“Something’s wrong?”

“No. Don’t mind me. Begin your report please.”

I don’t know if he’s telling the truth but he seemed to be unease. Putting that aside I began to report with my usual low-pitched voice.

“About the abandoned mine in the Orcish canyon”

“Oh yes. I remembered. The orcs that you and that young lass exterminated.”

“There were 17 of them all wearing armors and wielding weapons.”

“All of them? That sounds troublesome.”

At last Paul started to show some interest in my report.

“Yes.Their resources and abducted womens were freshly stacked. I believe they got it from the nearby town, Rigel. Haven’t you asked anyone in the girls that we saved?”

“No. Since they all traumatized about the incident. Some of them needs a serious medications.”

“I see.”

“That’s it? If so, I will hand over your reward.”

Paul looked at me with his usual wild face.

A moment of silence pass before I manage to force my words out.

“Why...why is there an increased number of soldiers in here?”

“They’re…They’re preparing…”

“For what?”

“Holy war.”

Once again Paul began to look down on his worktable. Both his arms in leaning on it.

“Anddd that is it that’s been worrying you?” I'm not surprised to know that the holy war is beginning, since they summoned me here.

“My…my daughter is one of them…the Imperial Army…”

“What? I thought she was just a child.”

“I have two daughters.”

I don’t know the reason why, but I can’t produce any words the moment he said it. I just stare coldy at Paul.

“Tomorrow…the war will begin.” He said still looking down in the table.

“…” I have a feeling that listening to him will earn me more Intel so decided to keep silent.

“The other guild receptionist are in the city hall with the leader of Imperial army. They are planning battle tactics for tommorow. As well as enlisting the adventurers that will be participating in war.”

“They’ll fight?Even without a hero?” I asked locking gazes with him.

“Of couse they need to defend, and that’s why I’m worried to my daughter.”

I know things will come to this , when I have to let them know that I am the hero but I don’t know that will be this early. I have to find a way, at least to help the army on their battle tommorow.

“Enlist me to the participants.”

I said with my full courageous demeanor.

“No.”

“what~?”

“My daughter is an expert when it comes to swordsmanship and a gold tier adventurer. If I let you join the war this early and something terrible happen then we’ll already lose the following wars.”

From the view of our conversation I looks like I’ve became Paul's youngest son. Then he continued with—“I know!. There is an expert spearmaster somewhere near the town of Rigel. She’s formerly an adventurer here.”

“And?” I don’t know what is he talking about all of a sudden.

“Don’t give that disgusted face. I mean you can learn from her!”

“I see.”

“Wait here, I’ll get your reward for the quest.”

I nodded in response as Paul dashes out of the room. I turned my gaze to my worn out equipments and let’s out a sigh. [I need a better set]

I raised up to my feet from the chair and caught a glimpse of something on Paul’s worktable.

[ wait a minute! There is a camera in this middle aged world?] I see a picture of Paul’s family they all look much younger on it, in there he was happily smiling with two girls beside him, the one on the right carrying a baby might be his wife and the one on the left with long red hair might be the member of the imperial army now.

A slight smile appeared on my face as I looked on his family. A minute or so has passed before I heard echoing footsteps from the hallway.

“Here it is! 24 gold pieces”

Paul speak from the door, then he approached me handing over 4 pouches of gold coins. The golds that is peeking on the mouth of the pouch shines bright with the assistance of sunlight from the room’s window.

“Wow.”

“They’re beautiful ain’t it?”

“Do you know.. Where can I find the ‘cute’ ranger from my party?”

“Oh sorry. Her personal guild tutor was Mary, I don’t know anything about her.”

“I see…Well, I need to bring my equipment to the blacksmith. Do you know where can I find one?” [ maybe I’ll just check out the garment stall later.]

“A smith…Hmm.. I think there is one near the center plaza.”

I put the pouches in the bag on my hips and pick up the worn out equipments. Lastly, I looked at Paul halfway to the door.

“Once I get this repaired…I’ll go to Rigel Town.”

“Alright! I’ll wait here for your glorious return son!”

“See ya pops”

Paul was surprise when I responded to his jokes.

Then I left the guild in the same way that I do when I entered it.—ignore the other adventurers.

I head the center plaza afterwards and seen the smith that Paul was mentioned. There were also some soldiers there that is sharpening their blades. I left my armor and spear there when the smith said that it will take time since the conditions were poor.

I wandered the plaza after the blacksmith and look for a place for lunch. And then a familiar sweet voice called me.

“Yujii”

As expected it was Liliana who's wearing a rather different outfit. It was casual outfit that made her more beautiful and attractive. She hurriedly approached me while some of the peoples looking at her.

“Oh Lily! Good timing I was about to look for you”

“Hm? You missed me?”

“Well...kind of.”

She lets out a giggle.“Heehee. That’s normal. Since you slept for two days.”

“How did you know that I was sleeping the whole time?”

“The clerk in the tavern didn’t tell you?”

I shooked my head. Then she continue—

“Ive visited you countless times! I even slept beside you..”

“….what?....”

Lily immediately face away from me holding her red cheeks with both hands. But after a minute she gets back to her senses and face me while smiling.

“By the way, come with me! Let’s eat lunch at our house! I’ll introduce you to my parents!”

She grabbed my hand and start running, pulling me along with her.

“Hey hey slow down. Besides your mom already knows me.” she ignored my voice and just keep on dashing.

While she was running I’ve seen a beautiful smile on her face. The warmth and shaking feeling of her hand made me grasp her harder. Her two bosoms were bouncing as she cuts our way in the street.

The sweet scent of her brown braided hair that flies along with the air lingers in my nose. It was stronger compared to the aroma of meats from the stalls and flowers. That time, it was like I caught up in her charm.