Upon entering "E-Rantel," the "Rock" team's escort mission was considered complete.
Naturally, the next step was to head to the Adventurer's Guild here, submit the request, and collect their reward.
However, under Nolan's healing magic, the completely recovered Captain Dossary and the other members of the team exchanged glances, a look of shame on their faces, and quickly approached the carriage.
"Lord Barerare!"
"Thank you for your care along the way.
We didn't help much, so we will not be accepting the reward for this commission."
Captain Dossary bowed deeply to Grandmother Liji, speaking with gratitude.
If she hadn't dealt with those two ogres, given their situation at the time, the entire team might have died there.
Grandmother Liji glanced indifferently at Captain Dossary, and for the first time, a smile appeared on her wrinkled face towards the "Rock" team, "Alright, I understand."
Evidently, saving a sum of money made Grandmother Liji happy.
Captain Dossary then thanked Enfilea, who was sitting in the carriage, before returning to his team.
"Tang, remember to come find me."
As the carriage departed, Enfilea waved in Nolan's direction.
Nolan's intentional interactions during this time had already made Enfilea consider him a good friend.
"I will," Nolan replied with a smile, also waving his hand, though his gaze was very calm.
To be honest, Nolan was filled with gratitude towards Enfilea.
Not only did he obtain the general profession of "Genius" from him, but he also acquired the life professions of "Apothecary" and "Alchemist."
Because of this, the longer Nolan interacted with Enfilea, the more likely Enfilea would be to leak information about him in the future.
If such a situation were to occur— Nolan's palm unconsciously rested on the short sword hanging at his waist, lightly pressing the hilt.
Only then did the cool touch of the short sword's hilt suddenly bring Nolan back to his senses.
Was he... under too much pressure?
"Hoo."
Nolan exhaled, turned to the "Rock" team beside him, "Everyone, I should take my leave as well."
"Hahaha!"
"We owe a lot to you on this journey, Tang.
If you need anything, just say the word."
The twin brother Land patted his chest and spoke heartily.
Nolan quickly waved his hand: "I should be the one saying thank you.
I've learned a lot of experience from all of you."
Ding~ Ding~
"Here, take this."
Captain Dossary suddenly took out a black cloth bag from his Pregnant, and as it shook, a sound of metal clashing came from inside.
Before Nolan could react, Captain Dossary had already shoved the black cloth bag into Nolan's hand.
Feeling the familiar texture inside the cloth bag, Nolan knew it contained gold coins.
"This is..." Nolan was a bit confused, raising his hand to push the money back.
"I don't have much money on me, so don't mind the small amount, and there's no need to be polite."
"If it weren't for you, I'm afraid this leg of mine would have been crippled."
Captain Dossary spoke with a serious expression, raising that leg and stomping it firmly on the ground.
Given the damage to that leg, which had been completely crushed by the ogre, the healing potions they carried would have had little effect on such a severe injury.
Out in the wilderness, far from any nearby city, even if they could rush back to town in time to find a faith-based magic caster capable of using healing magic— by then, even if his leg recovered, there would still be lingering after-effects.
If it weren't for Nolan's timely treatment, Captain Dossary felt that he would truly have to bid farewell to his adventurer's career.
Seeing Captain Dossary's unyielding attitude, Nolan fell silent for a moment, no longer politely declining: "Alright, then I'll accept it."
After speaking, Nolan nodded to the members of the "Rock" team and turned to leave.
Watching Nolan's back gradually disappear into the crowd, Captain Dossary's originally cheerful expression turned to one of heartache and bitterness.
"What a shame, this commission was a complete loss," the archer Basque grumbled.
Land and Lell looked at each other and both sighed.
They had maintained a friendly attitude towards Nolan all along, precisely so that they could invite him after completing the commission.
As a result, just as they were nearing "E-Rantel," something unexpected happened, and they almost suffered a total annihilation, not to mention being rescued by Nolan.
In this situation, the members of the "Rock" team clearly felt too embarrassed to invite Nolan again.
"Why the long faces?"
"Although we didn't manage to invite Tang, we've at least gotten to know him, and there will always be opportunities in the future."
"Keep up the hard work and strive to become a 'Gold-ranked' adventurer team as soon as possible!" Captain Dossary clapped his cheeks, a hearty smile returning to his face, and spoke loudly.
"Yes, Captain!"
"Yes, Captain!"
"Yes, Captain!"
Land and the other two also chimed in with smiles.
On the other side, the grandmother and grandson, Barerare, who were driving away in the carriage.
Grandmother Liji glanced out of the corner of her eye at the somewhat dejected Enfilea after their departure, and imperceptibly shook her head.
Due to Enfilea's personality, her grandson had always had few friends.
That boy named Tang seemed only a little older than her grandson, making them peers, and he was also a magic caster of the faith series, with some talent.
It wouldn't be bad for the two of them to become friends.
However— "Enfilea," Grandmother Liji said indifferently while driving the carriage.
"Grandmother?" Enfilea looked up.
"Unless absolutely necessary, try to avoid contact with that boy named Tang in the future," Grandmother Liji said.
Enfilea froze, about to speak.
"I know what you want to say, but this old woman still has a good eye for people, and Grandmother wouldn't harm you."
Grandmother Liji continued, knowing that at Enfilea's age, once he made up his mind about something, he tended to be stubborn, and added:
"That boy looks gentle and easy to approach, but in reality, it's quite the opposite.
I mean, that boy seems to have a barrier between himself and outsiders deep down."
"His friendly demeanor towards you is probably an act."
"Coupled with the wariness he shows towards outsiders, such a person either has a complicated background or is in some serious trouble."
Upon hearing this, Enfilea straightened his upper body, his face slightly flushed, and he started to retort, "But, Grandmother..."
"Sigh."
Grandmother Liji sighed, and with a clear crack, she swung the horsewhip in her hand, striking the horse and interrupting Enfilea.
"Enfilea, did you notice the 'Rock' team's attitude after this old woman dealt with those two ogres?"
Enfilea was startled.
He had certainly noticed, or rather, it was obvious; the "Rock" team's attitude towards his grandmother was extremely respectful.
Enfilea wasn't a fool; he knew that his grandmother wasn't talking about the "Rock" team's attitude, but about Nolan.
He couldn't help but recall Nolan's attitude in his mind.
He, too, had been very respectful!
It's just that— Enfilea, recalling it now, always felt that Nolan's respect was somehow different from that of the "Rock" team, but he couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"His acting is too poor."
"He looks down on this old woman from the bottom of his heart."
Grandmother Liji said indifferently.
Enfilea opened his mouth but remained silent.