“I don’t want to talk about it,” Adam said to Jurot and the others. He barged past them to the fire which the group had made last evening. He sat down and poured himself something to eat from the pot.

Jurot looked to Vonda, wondering how they had managed to get out of the predicament. Vonda smiled, before following Adam to enjoy some of the breakfast which had been made.

XP: 7475

Spells

3rd Gate: Adam’s Tower, Revivify, Counterspell, Fireball, Fly

“Magic, man,” Adam muttered to himself. ‘Bell, come on.’

[You did not need my assistance.]

‘I know, but it’s at times like this you need to help me.’

[Why?]

‘Aren’t we friends?’

[No.]

‘Damn. You’re cold.’

Adam did think about how many times he had spoken to Bell. In the last month he had spoken to Lanarot more than he had spoken to Bell. ‘I should try and be nice to Bell.’

“Adam,” Lucy called.

“Yes?”

“Could you summon your tower, please?” Lucy asked.

Adam stared up at the young Demon Lord. He would have made a joke, but there was no joking around when it came to bathing.

Mana: 15 -> 12

Though it was dangerous to use all his Mana like this before the day started, he understood that it was good to keep a high morale with the party.

A couple of days later, they could see the walls of Red Oak. One may have described them as high walls or large walls, but they were people who had never been to the Iyr.

“Civilisation!” Adam shouted from afar, throwing up his arms. “Finally!”

The guards at the gate were adorned in their heavy chain, a tabard with the symbol of Red Oak, a red tree, and carried in hand a spear.

“Fair travels?” a guard asked.

“Something like that,” Adam said, taking out the gate fee to pay for the entire party.

“Gate fees gone up,” the guard said. “The Beast Wave was heavy this year, and the King’s increased the gate fee.”

“How much?” Adam asked, half suspect about the matter.

“It’s double.”

Adam looked to Jurot, who nodded, and Adam handed over the gate fee. Not wanting to do the maths, and not wanting to seem like a miser, he handed over three silver pieces, far more than was expected.

“No change?” the guard asked.

“You can keep it,” Adam said. “Red Oak is always a delight to see.”

The guard nodded her head, allowing Adam and the others to pass by. Once Adam stepped in, his eyes scanned around the town. He noted that there were a large number of buildings which were being built and repaired.

‘Hmm?’ Adam thought.

“The Beast Wave must have been difficult,” Jurot said, nodding his head. It made sense to him that the gate fee would increase, especially with the King increasing the number of soldiers, and reforming the guards.

The Adventurer’s Guild was beautiful, Adam thought.

It stood tall, the ground floor was made of sturdy stone, and the next three floors were made of wood, each slightly smaller than the floor beneath. There was a large field to one side with targets in the back, and a smaller field to the other side, where there was a stone building which joined the Adventurer’s Guild.

Beautiful. Safe. Warm. Bath.

These were the four words he would use to describe his emotions when it came to the Adventurer’s Guild.

“I’ll let you guys sort everything out with the Guild,” Adam said. “I need a break.”

At the counter was the familiar form, a tall young woman, with long red hair, wearing a simple outfit of the Adventurer’s Guild.

“Good evening,” Emma said.

“Man, you’re a sight for-,” Adam quickly shut his mouth, realising how rude he would have been both to his companions, and to Emma. “It’s lovely to see you, Emma.”

Emma bowed her head. “It has been some time. Did you spent your time in the Iyr?”

Adam nodded. “Yep. It’s a wonderful place.”

“I have heard,” Emma replied.

“Never been?”

“No.”

“If you get the chance, I would certainly recommend it,” Adam said.

“I may do just that.”

“Is, uh, Vice Master Paul about?”

“I can send a message. Is it important?”

Adam looked to Vonda. “You want to take over. I don’t know if I should be the one talking.”

Vonda bowed her head, stepping to the front desk to speak with Emma.

“I’m going to take a quick bath,” Adam said, retreating to the baths, handing Kitool the pouch which held the party’s funds, so she could deal with the money.

Adam sighed as the hot water filled up, and he sank back against the tub. He used the soap which the guild provided, though it left him wanting for the soap of his first life. ‘I should figure soap out in this life. Food. Soap. I really should make that inn.’

“Adam, come,” Jurot called, somehow walking in the corridor as Adam stepped out the bath.

Soon the entire group was sitting in a private room, with piles of treasure, most of which had been brought out recently. The group was already beginning to count the silver coins and gold coins, having left all the copper behind due to how heavy it would have been to carry it all back.

‘We should have picked up Jeremy and Remy.’

There was not only silver and gold coins, but also a myriad of trinkets, each which would be worth several gold coins to the right buyer.

“Fifty fifty, right?” Adam said, looking to Vonda.

“Yes.”

“I’m not going to nickel and dime you for exactly half,” Adam said. “It’s not good to anger Mahtu of all people.”

“Mother Soza is a merciful Goddess,” Vonda said.

“Right.” Adam smiled.

6313 silver coins. 698 gold coins. 77 trinkets.

Adam split it so that they took 3000 silver coins, 350 gold coins, only for him to hand Vonda two gold coins from his own purse, and 35 trinkets.

He just wanted to keep the maths simple.

“Alright. So there’s eleven of us, which makes this a little difficult, but it should work out just fine.”

“Eleven?” Vonda asked.

“Yeah,” Adam said, pointing to each person in the room. “Me, Jurot, Fred, you, Kitool, Jaygak, Brittany, Jonn, Dunes, Nobby, and Lucy.”

“Why are you including me?”

“Why wouldn’t I?”

“You are already giving me half.”

“I’m giving your temple half, Vonda,” Adam stated. “You’re a member of this party too.”

“That doesn’t make any sense.”

“It makes perfect sense,” Adam said, looking to Jurot, who nodded. “Half for your temple, half for Fate’s Golden, that was the deal.”

“I can’t accept,” Vonda said.

“If you don’t want to, it does make it easier for me,” Adam said, shrugging his shoulders.

“Nobby and me get a share?” Brittany asked.

“That’s a good point,” Adam said, looking to the newbies. “Technically Nobby’s still in training so… I’ll deal with how much he gets later? Now that makes it nine.”

“I want to do what Nobby’s doing,” Brittany said. “I want you to take me with you and train me.”

“We’re already doing that though?”

“If I die, I want you to bring me back.”

“Yeah?” Adam said.

“I want the same deal as Nobby. You take care of me and take me around places. Give me some money for training too. I don’t think it’s fine for me to take the same share as everyone else.”

“So you want an apprenticeship too?” Adam asked.

“Yeah. I want to work for you after too, just like Nobby. You’re paying him and training him, making sure he’s okay.” Brittany paused for a moment. “I want a magical weapon too.”

It wasn’t just because she wanted a magic weapon. She understood that clutching onto Adam was the best chance for her in this life. He had managed to get so close to the Iyrmen, and he had so many abilities. She also knew too much, so it was best to bury herself with the Half Elf now, than to leave her life to chance and his mercy if they parted ways.

Adam slowly nodded his head. “Sure. That makes it eight, which is also awkward. Let’s do it like this. Vonda gets a share, and the party fund gets a share, and we’ll pay Nobby and Brittany with the party fund share, since some of the money should go to them too?”

“Okay,” Jurot said, and the other Iyrmen nodded.

Adam looked around to the others. Fred and Jonn were confused as to why they were being asked, but they slowly nodded too.

“Whatever,” Lucy said. “It’s not important so just do it your way.”

“Alright, good.”

“How about sending a couple of the extra trinkets back to the Iyr as thanks for putting up with us?” Adam offered. “Sir Vonda, you can keep the more expensive five.”

“As long as you say they’re from me,” Lucy said, smirking.

“Sure.” Adam shook his head, sighing at the Demon woman who was always thirsty for Iyrmen. ‘I can’t have her infect my precious sister with her queerness.’

“We finish our task here and inform the guild,” Jurot said.

“Right, and then we should go do that.” Adam looked to Jurot, giving him a nod of his head.