Chapter CLXV - House Shopping (part 3)

I went up the stairs to the second floor, and knocked on the door to Valon's office. The door was opened, but I was instead greeted by a young child, standing by the door while holding her doll.

"Ah, Rize. Don't mind my daughter. Come in."

Daughter?

The girl moved away from the door as I entered. I closed the door behind me and walked to the table. 

The girl glared at me confusingly while hugging her bear doll, rather distanced away from me. I simply smiled at her to show that I am friendly, and she felt at ease.

"I did hear that you came back, and I realized that you will definitely do something once you return. But to kill nearly forty dragons in one day…"

"It was a team effort."

I said, but the guy immediately coughed and denied my answer.

"No, it was not. Fran and Cane told me the truth. They decided to give their payment to you instead."

"H-Huh!?"

What the hell?! Cane? Fran?

"W-When did they…"

"Earlier today. They came and told me everything. You killed nearly all of the dragons, including the elder dragon. While they and the others merely killed a few regular dragons."

"I… I didn't know why they would say that."

"Well, they probably felt bad about taking the money from your hard work. Think about it. If it were you, would you take that much credit from their hard work?"

"I-I definitely wouldn't…"

"See? You understand."

Immediately, a memory came to surface. Last night, only Brod, Emily, and Rath talked about what they are going to do with the money. Fran and Cane stayed silent for the whole topic.

The two were already planning this from last night.

"Anyways, the payment will be going straight to you, while those two will only receive around two thousand."

"How much… Will I get?"

"Curious, aren't we? I heard you are going to be buying a house."

"Well, isn't the news travelling fast?!"

I let out a sigh. Cane and Fran must have told him what I wanted to do with the money.

"Well, good news. The kingdom decided to be the one paying for your payment. Plus, they will also give an extra for you and the two White ranked adventurers."

"E-Extra? Me?"

"Yes. Those two are White ranked adventurers, hence the kingdom knows about them and what they are capable of. But, apparently your existence was already known by the king and queen… I have no idea how that happens, but you got the most bonus."

"I… know the queen from the healing act in the church. I healed her sickness."

Hearing that, Valon looked quite shocked.

"W-What?? Wait, you are the famous saint healer!?"

"As the 'Know-It-All' master of the Adventurer's Office, you seemed to be behind on the information, huh?"

The master chuckled from being ashamed, then I continued.

"As for the king… I guessed it's because of the headmaster. I asked him to promote me to the king so I can help out in the war."

That made the Valon confused. He pondered for a while, and finally asked.

"Are you not listed on the ones fighting in the war?"

"Apparently not, but the headmaster said he will be telling the king to add me."

"… I see."

The master leaned his back on the chair, as if realising something. I don't know what that is, but he probably decided to keep it to himself.

"... Right, your bonus. Cane and Fran will receive an extra three thousand, while you will get…"

He stopped the sentence there and lifted his fingers. All of them.

"T-Ten thousand!?"

"Yep. What you did, as a Green ranked adventurer, is nowhere near normal for White ranked adventurers. Hence, the kingdom wants to reward you with the bonus."

"I-I see… Well at least I can pay for the house now."

Valon laughed and gave me a space ring. I took it and placed it on my hand.

"Inside are the ten thousand from the kingdom, plus the eleven thousand from the mission. 

Congratulations, you can buy another house."

I chuckled from his joke, and I placed the ring in my pocket. Noticing that business has been dealt with, Valon changed to another topic.

"Right. This time is for another business."

He took a paper from under his desk and placed it on the table. I read it and became confused.

"A Blue rank up test?"

"The kingdom also requested to put your rank up, but I can't rank someone up that often. You are already forcedly ranked up from Gray to Purple. And during the Yellow dungeon raid last year, you were also forcedly ranked up from Purple to Green. If I forcedly rank you up to Blue, that will piss off a lot of people."

"R-Right… Then I need to take this?"

"Yes. Plus, it's more convenient for everyone if you are a high ranked adventurer, right? Everyone can live at ease, knowing that you are there to save them."

I let out a sigh, knowing how right he is.

The entire time I've been here, I have done the best to hide myself. Even though I could've easily taken the White rank years ago, I didn't. 

But that was an old mindset of mine that needed to be gone. I realise now that hiding myself will save only me from the dangers. It was an egoistic way of thinking, the kind that will continue to harm others the longer it stayed that way.

I am gradually removing it. Coming back to Mazino, teaming with Fran and Cane, and removing the extreme dangers that could've been a threat to the kingdom. I'm still using Fran and Cane's fame as White ranked adventurers as a means to escape. But, there will be a day when I will use my own name to claim the achievement.

I just hope that day will come as late as possible. I'm enjoying life outside the spotlight very much, even though I know it will probably come to an end.

A step at a time… starting with the Blue rank.

I nodded at the master and placed the paper down.

"All right. I'll take the test."

"Take the paper. All the details are written there."

I took the paper and placed it inside my ring. I turned my gaze back to him, waiting if there is anything else he wants to talk about.

"Now, for the third topic…"

He leaned forward and glared at me seriously.

"… is for the upcoming war."