Chapter 27: Rewards

“Thank you very much!” The four adventurers said as they bowed their heads. It was nighttime when they had arrived outside the Adventurer’s Guild.

“And thank you” Jerry responded. He readjusted his bag as it was filled with some goodies that he looted from the Bandits. The five of them stood outside of the Adventurer’s Guild and Jerry was quite eager to get it over with. The ride home wasn’t quite pleasant as the four of them had to travel on foot, making the travel significantly slower. Jerry entered the Adventurer’s Guild, separate from the adventurers who went off to do whatever they pleased, leaving Jerry alone.

Jerry walked towards the receptionist while the bag made noise with each step Jerry took.

“Welcome to the Adventurer’s Guild. How can I help?”

“Yea, I’d like to turn in the Blackridge Bandit extermination quest?”

“Ah, you must be Larry. I heard about your duel with the Guild Master. Please wait while I get your reward” The receptionist said as she got up and walked to the back.

The receptionist quickly came back with a cloth bag full of coins and and a letter.

“What’s this?” Jerry asked the receptionist as he held the letter up.

“That’s a letter you got while you were gone, two days ago. It’s got a royal seal so it must be important” The receptionist said.

Jerry set the letter aside and took his bag off his back.

“So, I wanna sell these. Does the guild buy them?” Jerry asked

“The guild will buy anything and everything as long as it isn’t trash” The receptionist replied.

“I’d like to sell the bag and it’s contents. I’ll collect payment tomorrow?”

“Very well. Come back tomorrow and you will have your payment”

“Great! Have a nice day”

Jerry left the receptionist and went to the residential wing of the Adventurer’s Guild and into his room.

Jerry opened the letter and read it’s contents.

You are invited to the Royal Empire’s Tour Party to officially celebrate the defeat of the Demon Lord, Larry! Please come dressed in appropriate attire and come well groomed. A mask will be provided, but you are able to bring your own should you desire.You have been selected due to a recommendation from Guild Master Palo! You have 5 days to prepare for the party that will take place in the Imperial Kingdom’s Palace. It will take place at Nightfall, and lamps will be lit to signify the party is going on.

Jerry thought for a moment, debating if he should go or not to this Party or not. Jerry closed his eyes and took out his lighter, flipping it open then closing it repeatedly before striking a flame.

Jerry opened his eyes and held the letter in front of him, right above the flames. He closed his lighter and set the letter down on the table and placed his lighter back in his pocket before he dropped down onto his bed, drifting into a slumber.

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5 Days Ago

“W-What is this Magic Power!?” Jepal said as she backed away from Larmen.

“Impressed? This is what the true hero of the Empire can do. The cowardly hero that is Jerry has none” Elizabeth said.

“I-I apologize for my rudeness, My Lord” Jepal said as she bowed down. The others soon followed, save for Kasune.

“Why are you calling him Lord? What about Jerry?” Kasune asked.

“If that was what Jerry could do without magic, imagine what he could do without it!” Jepal scolded.

Kasune recoiled a bit before thinking.

‘She’s right’ She thought before regretfully bowing before Larmen.

“W-What’s this? Why is everyone bowing?” Larmen asked.

“Lord Larmen, we are here to serve all your desires. We will deal with everything, even if it’s your lust” Jepal said.

“N-No! I don’t need that to happen!” Larmen said, waving his hands in denial.

“Is it that we are not of use? If so, we will leave our shameful faces around”

“W-Wait. I’m sure I have a use for you. Just, not that!”

“Then we give you our oath that we will serve you to our best abilities”

The King then entered the room just then seeming very cheerful about some news.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, we will be touring the world and will be holding a party at every capital! Ours will be last so we will first go to the Imperial Nation, then the Elven Nation, then the Dark Elf forest and finally, here. You all will go forward and become the shield of the world!” The King said.

“Of course, Your Majesty” Larmen said as he bowed to the King.

“Now go, you must quickly set off. Now, you 10 must vouch for Larmen in him slaying the Demon Lord. Jerry has ran off like the coward he is. The carriages are outside waiting for you!” the King said with disgust.

The room quickly emptied as the party went to the carrages outside, set for the Imperial Nation, leaving the King alone. The King sighed before taking a seat.

“God, what am I to do? Jerry’s run off, leaving me to force the credit onto Larmen.” The King said, with a wrinkled brow as he stresses out.

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Jerry woke up in his bed. He then felt very uncomfortable since he fell asleep in his full gear, thus having him feel the hard plate on his back instead of the soft mattress the bed had. Jerry got up, cracked his neck, did a couple stretches and got up from his bed. Jerry reloaded his magazines that he had used to fight the Blackridge Bandits. He was soon done as he inserted the last magazine into it’s slot face down.

He exited his room, went down the stairs and went into the Guild Hall.

“Larry, I have the rewards for the items you sold to the Guild!” The receptionist shouted to Jerry as he left the residential wing.

Jerry looked to where the voice to find the receptionist that he usually went to had a line of people to deal with.

“I’ll get it later” Jerry replied.

Jerry wandered the town, looking for something interesting to do. He walked down the food market, finding different scents he hadn’t smelled before.

“What’s this?” Jerry asked as he came upon a food stall that piqued his interests

“It’s Fire Fox meat on a stick. 5 bronze per stick” The stall owner said.

Jerry thought about it. He was interested, but was it worth the 5 bronze?

“I’ll take 2” Jerry said as he looked around his purse.

Jerry looked around the many purses he nabbed from the bandits, each purse making a chink noise as Jerry moved them. He was able to find a silver coin soon and handed it over to the stall owner.

“Thank you for your business” The stall owner said.

Jerry took a bite of the meat as he walked away and found it to be quite pleasant. The taste of salt and pepper was a nice touch to the meat that was juicy, soft, and tender. He looked around for something to do as he ate his food. He found gambling dens, shops, and smiths but noting piqued his interests.

Jerry wandered endlessly around the Kingdom, looking for something interesting to do. He might just go to the next country if nothing happens. Then an idea came to him. He could just do another job from the adventurer’s guild!

Jerry quickly went back to the adventurer’s guild and looked for jobs of his level.

Clear out Bandit Infestation at Klopm Village

Clear out Bandit Hideout at Jeis Ruins

Rescue Jessica Jakel from Bandits in Klopm Village

Eliminate Thorned Bandits

The jobs were about Jerry’s level and payed well, each ranging from 25 gold coins to 100. The best part was Jessica Jakel was a relative of Scharla Jakel judging from the last names. Jerry took down the four posters and went to the receptionist and got in line to start them.

“Ah, Larry. Would you like to claim your reward now?” The receptionist asked.

“Yea, and I would like to do these quests”

Jerry then placed the sheets of paper on the table.

“4 quests? Quite a lot. Especially since they’re all for B and A ranked parties” The receptionist said as she placed a cloth bag on the table. Jerry took the bag and placed it in his pockets.

“I wanna have a little fun, you know? Being stuck here don’t got a lot to do” Jerry responded.

“What about the party? Hero Larmen is to receive an Imperial Might medal”

“Imperial Might?”

“It’s pretty much the best medal the Imperial Kingdom can give. The Empire will give the Golden Heart, the Elves will give Great Oak, and the Dark Elves will give the Sorcerers Stone”

Jerry sighed.

“Yea, I don’t like dressing up in formal clothing, acting nice and all that. I prefer to do jobs and get paid”

“Fair enough. Anyway, give me your card and I can approve the quests”

Jerry handed the receptionist the Guild Card and the receptionist placed four stamps on it, then the paper.

“Here you are. Good luck and stay safe” The receptionist said.

Jerry stepped out of line and went to the Residential Wing to gear up for the next quests.

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Now

“We have arrived at the Imperial Nation!” Elizabeth said, disembarking the carriage.

“Whoa! It’s a really different change in scenery” Larmen said.

The others gasped in amazement as they disembarked. The people that came were the 10 Demon Commanders, Alice, Elizabeth, Scharla, Janice, and Larmen.

“Welcome to the Imperial Nation! Where Alice and I grew up!” Elizabeth said with a smile.

Larmen and the others stood outside of the Nation’s walls. The wall was made of stone and towered over them.

“The Imperial Nation’s Walls are made from stone and magic created by the Great Mage Kalmis! The walls stand well over 500 years now!” Elizabeth said.

The party gave a small round of applause as they all then headed towards the gate to the city.

“P-Princess Elizabeth!” The guard said as he straightened his posture.

“Hello there, Guard! Let us in” Elizabeth said.

“At once” The guard then gave the signal to the gatekeeper which caused the gate to raise.

The party entered the Imperial Nation, taking in it’s sights. The different and strange assortments of armor almost made Larmen feel like he fit in as opposed to the Empire where everyone wore a uniform.

They walked down the road, towards the Imperial Nation’s Palace while Elizabeth and Alice caught up with each other.

“Aha, Sleeping Mare’s Tavern! My favorite place” Alice said.

“Sleeping Mare? Oh! The place with Old Man Harold! Wanna go? I’m sure he would be delighted to see you after so long” Elizabeth said with a smile to Alice.

“Of course!”

The party was then led into the tavern by Alice and Elizabeth.

“Elizabeth, welcome ba-” The tavern keep cut himself off once he laid his eyes on Alice.

“Alice? Is that you?” He asked.

“Old Man Harold! It’s been ages!” Alice said with a smile and wave.

“My god! How much you have grown! And you brought Hero Larmen into my establishment! Such an honor!” The man exclaimed.

“Haha, Sorry about that” Alice apologized.

“No no, As a matter of fact, drinks are free for you and your party! Take it as my treat and a welcome back gift”

“Is that so? Then I guess we’ll take you up on your offer” Elizabeth said.

The party then took a seat and the tavern keeper went into the back.

Elizabeth and Alice sat next to each other and started to talk to each other.

“So, there’s a guy named Jerry I met. He took me to you” Alice said.

“Don’t speak of his name. It brings bad luck!” Elizabeth said.

“What do you mean?”

“Larmen and Jerry dueled each other. Jerry cheated and caused a fatal blow to the head. Luckily, the Empire’s mages were able to heal Larmen and get him fixed. No one dares to speak of the name of a coward. He doesn’t even have magic!” Elizbeth whispered to Alice.

“That’s not true! The Jerry I know is a kind person who gave me food!” Alice whispered back.

“You sure that’s the Jerry we know? The Jerry we know would loot bodies from the dead after a fight!” Elizabeth whispered.

“R-Really?”

“It’s true! Falk told me so!”

“N-No way!”

“So, promise me that you’ll never speak of his name”

“I promise. I never knew Jerry could be so cruel!”

Just then, a wooden mug touched the table where the party sat around.

“Here are your drinks!” The tavern keeper said.

The drinks were then distributed among the party as they all took a sip from their mugs.

Everyone seemed to have a good time including Kasune and Alice. They all laughed and The Demon Commanders told stories of their heroic tales of the battlefield while the Hero’s party sat and listened.

“We must make a cheer to something on this special occasion” Larmen said.

“Indeed we must” Jepal said.

“To the future of the world!” Larmen said as he raised his cup.

“To the future of the world!” They all repeated before taking a large sip from their cups. They soon resumed talking to each other and discussed topics that piqued their interest until the Tavern closed. The party left, most drunk, but some still barely managing to stay sober as they walked down the road to the Imperial Nation’s Palace, led by Elizabeth who was struggling to walk.

As the party walked down the road while everyone was drunkenly talking to each other having a good time, a person caught Kasune’s attention and turned Alice’s head. A man with a black visor and helmet with a weird item that covered his ears walked down the road. It had a sense of nostalgia, the way the man conducted himself and the equipment he wore triggered that. He had a familiar vest, backpack albeit more flatter made them remember someone. Although they noticed him, it seemed that he did not.

They turned their heads to look at the man that walked passed them.

However, that moment was short as the man soon blended in with the crowd, never to be seen again.

For the rest of the night, it soured the mood of them both as the night grew old.