New Steps!

◈

A month from then.

I gradually learned what I needed to know when meeting nobles, together with Luna-noona.

Not only basic greeting etiquette, but also dining etiquette, noble ranks, and even how to dance.

“One, two, one, two. Good, Jin-sang, you’re getting better now.”

Even now, I was practicing dancing with Luna-noona as my partner at Miriana-noona’s house.

“Do we really need to learn how to dance too?”

“Just do it without complaining. Who knows? Our Jin-sang might become extremely famous and dance with a noble lady. Besides, Luna is pretty too, so noble men might approach her.”

“What!? I-I’m p-pretty?”

“Luna is extremely pretty. Right, Jin-sang?”

“Luna-noona is really pretty.”

‘Ah, aah!’

Squish!

“Ouch! My foot!”

“J-Jin-sang! I-I’m sorry!”

“Now, Luna and Jin-sang, focus again~ One, two, one, two.”

You’re just continuing even though my foot got stepped on?

So cruel!

◈

Around the time we had received almost all of Miriana-noona’s lessons.

After finishing a quest, I told Celine that Luna-noona and I would be leaving Kellion soon.

“…So you’re leaving, Mr. Jin-sang.”

“Yes.”

“I’m relieved that you’re leaving with Luna. This time… I won’t have to see Luna being sad.”

“Hehe, we’re the strongest combo so we’ll never break up.”

It was a time when Luna-noona had already gone home.

Other adventurers were also having dinner, so I could have a leisurely conversation with Celine.

Celine smiled and said to me:

“Congratulations on growing enough to leave Kellion, Mr. Jin-sang. Although it’s regrettable to part, I wish good fortune upon you and Luna’s future.”

Kuu! Celine really is an angel!

“Thank you, Celine! Hehehe, when I come back, I’ll return as a completely famous adventurer!”

“…You’re coming back?”

Celine blinked at my words and asked.

“Yes.”

“Why… is that? I expected someone like you, Mr. Jin-sang, would grow further and settle in the capital.”

It seems many adventurers who become famous settle in the capital.

Well, that makes sense.

The capital would have better facilities in many ways… right?

But!

If I gain the ability to travel back and forth to my original world, I won’t envy life in the capital at all!

Hahaha, what fantasy world could compete with modern amenities!

But since Celine wouldn’t understand if I explained this now, I should say something appropriate to the situation.

“It’s comfortable here and I have many memories. Besides…”

“Besides?”

I leaned forward slightly and whispered quietly so only Celine could hear:

“I still haven’t properly received your repayment of gratitude. Hehe, I’ll comfortably receive it when I return later.”

“…! I-I see.”

Celine’s face reddened slightly as she spoke:

“I also regretted not being able to properly repay my debt to you, Mr. Jin-sang. So… ahem. I look forward to you leaving Kellion, achieving great success, and returning.”

“Yes!”

When I answered energetically, Celine muttered something quietly:

“…I should prepare my heart for a more bold repayment.”

“Huh? Celine, what did you just say?”

“I was wondering what kind of repayment would be appropriate for the successful Mr. Jin-sang.”

“Ooh! I think anything from Celine would be good!”

Because it’s from the beautiful, angelic Celine!

“In that case, please look forward to it. I will certainly give you a repayment that will satisfy you, Mr. Jin-sang.”

“Yes! I’ll look forward to it!”

◈

The day we decided to leave Kellion approached.

With Miriana-noona’s help, Luna-noona’s house was sold at quite a high price.

Luna-noona and I obtained substantial adventure funds before departing.

And then.

“A toast to Jin-sang and Luna’s bright adventure!”

“Cheers!”

“C-cheers!”

Clink! We had dinner together.

Of course, I had fruit juice and Luna-noona had carrot juice.

Only Miriana-noona had alcohol.

But what’s important isn’t the drinks.

“Munch, munch… supremely deliciously extremely heavenly…!!!”

As promised, Miriana-noona brought Ogre Champion meat steak again.

So delicious…!!!

“I won’t be hearing Jin-sang’s strange exclamations for a while.”

“Munch, munch, munch…! Why don’t you try saying it too, Miriana-noona?”

“No way, how can I make such an unsophisticated exclamation?”

So mean.

“Munch, munch. G-golden carrot. Hehe! Delicious. Nom nom nom nom!”

By the way, Miriana-noona said she bought golden carrots for Luna-noona and had them prepared by a chef.

So not only was there Ogre Champion meat steak, but also dishes made with golden carrots on the table.

“Luna-noona, can I try one too?”

Honestly, I’m curious about the taste.

“Y-yes! T-try one b-bite!”

I picked up a piece of sliced golden carrot with my fork and put it in my mouth.

“Munch, munch… Oh, delicious!”

I heard that golden carrots taste just a bit better than regular carrots to normal people.

But it was more delicious than I expected.

“R-right? Do you w-want… a-another b-b-bite?”

“No, Luna-noona should eat plenty! I prefer this Ogre Champion steak!”

Above all, I could clearly feel how much she hesitated when asking.

Luna-noona really loves golden carrots.

“O-okay! Nom nom nom… h-hehehe…”

Luna-noona’s face as she happily ate the golden carrots…

So cute!

“Jin-sang~ Luna~ Don’t forget about me even if you become famous, okay~?”

Miriana-noona asked playfully during the meal.

Luna and I, with our mouths full of food, told Miriana-noona:

“Off coursh! Won’t forged! Will deffinidely come back!”

“W-won’d forged!”

“Kids? Finish eating before you speak, it’s dirty.”

That’s how I spent a delicious and enjoyable evening with Luna-noona and Miriana-noona.

◈

And on the day Luna-noona and I were leaving.

“Jin-sang~ I’m so~ sad~. Luna is leaving too, it’s lonely~.”

Whoosh!

“Eeeek!”

“B-Bleks-ssi…”

When we stopped by the Adventurer’s Guild before leaving, Bleks-ssi hugged Luna and me tightly, expressing his regret.

T-those muscles! Hard muscles are choking my neck…!

“What, Jin-sang and Luna are leaving too?”

“Well, they’ve reached the rank where they should leave.”

“Luna finally… Congratulations! Luna!”

Adventurers from all around were congratulating and acknowledging our departure.

“Hmph, to think that quack healer would be leaving Kellion already.”

“Ah, seriously! I’m not a quack healer!”

That damn elf mocks people until the end.

“Yeah, yeah. Now you’re the best unofficial healer. Well, you won’t die out there. …Luna.”

“Ah, S-Samurus-ssi…”

“Congratulations on your new start. With that guy, you essentially have no weaknesses, so work hard.”

“T-thank you!”

“And make sure to visit your hometown at least once. Unlike elves like me, you don’t get many such opportunities.”

“Y-yes!”

That damn elf, he was only picking on me.

“Mr. Jin-sang, Luna.”

“Ah, Guild Master.”

“H-hello!”

The Guild Master came down from the second floor.

“So you’re leaving today.”

“Yes!”

“I wish you luck in your future. And… I’m sorry.”

“Huh? Why?”

“I immediately promoted you to C-rank, but I couldn’t promote you further even after all this time. I submitted the application, but the headquarters has been in turmoil lately, so applications aren’t going through well.”

“Well, can’t be helped.”

I heard there’s some kind of examination for B-rank anyway.

“Luna and Mr. Jin-sang are excellent adventurers, so you’ll immediately be active wherever you go. So please accept this.”

The Guild Master took out an envelope from inside his coat.

“What is this?”

“It’s my letter of recommendation. If you show this when you go to another Adventurer’s Guild, it will be easier when you’re promoted. You’ll also be able to immediately take on high-difficulty quests.”

Ooh, it’s like a letter of credit.

“Thank you!”

“It’s nothing. Thanks to you, this Kellion survived the Monster Parade.”

The Guild Master smiled kindly.

Holding the letter makes the Guild Master look even cooler than usual!

“Ah, but what kind of turmoil is happening at headquarters?”

“It seems the Demon King’s army is becoming more active everywhere. Fortunately, there’s no Demon King’s army activity near Kellion, so that’s a relief.”

Instead, something even more incredible like the Monster Parade happened.

Hmm, the Demon King’s army…

“Guild Master, then is the Hero also actively working?”

“Of course. It’s been 5 years since the Hero appeared. The Hero and companions are still traveling around, fighting the Demon King’s army and helping people in distress.”

Hmm, it’s been 5 years already.

It seems there are already companions… but well! When they see my awesome abilities, even the Hero would want me as a companion!

Uahahaha!

I had already said goodbye to Miriana-noona in the morning.

After greeting the people I had met until now at the Adventurer’s Guild, including other adventurers, the Guild Master, and Celine.

Luna-noona and I came out of Kellion.

“Great! From now on, our strongest combo’s new adventure begins, Luna-noona!”

“Y-yes! L-let’s do our best, J-Jin-sang!”

“Of course! We’ll become super famous, earn tons of money, and gain honor! Luna-noona and I are the strongest combo, so if we grow even more, we can even defeat the Demon King!”

“H-hehehe. Y-yes! W-we’re the s-strongest combo!”

After putting on my backpack, I immediately climbed onto Luna-noona’s back and stretched out my arm.

“Let’s go, Luna-noona! Our adventure is just beginning! Go, go, go!”

“G-go, go!”

Tatatatatatadadak!

Luna-noona moved her feet quickly as we set off toward a new city.