Who Says I'm Not a Proper Adventurer?

Thanks to their high efficiency, the two returned to Gray Rock Town before sunset, their packs overflowing with loot.

After submitting the quest items at the Guild counter, a heavy coin purse once again landed in Lance’s hands.

In total, they had earned 14 Silver Coins and 16 Copper Coins for the day.

This was double their earnings from yesterday, and it had already surpassed the daily income he made from locking himself in the attic to painstakingly craft hemostatic ointment.

’Sure enough, high risk means high reward, and high efficiency is a wealth multiplier.’

The two of them walked out of the Guild hall and into the plaza outside.

Lance expertly counted out half of the coins and gave them to Cecilia.

Just as he was preparing to wave goodbye, same as yesterday, and head home to deal with his long-protesting stomach...

"Sir, could you wait for me?"

Cecilia suddenly called out, stopping him.

"Hm?"

Lance stopped and glanced back, a little confused.

"Alright, go on."

Though he didn’t know what she was up to, Lance nodded anyway.

Cecilia clutched her coin purse and skipped cheerfully into a nearby pastry shop that was still open.

Through the glass display window, he could see her pointing at this and that, picking out several decadent-looking pastries.

A moment later, the girl emerged, her arms full of paper bags.

She hurried over to Lance, pulled out several of the heaviest bags, and stuffed them into his arms before he could say a word.

"What’s this?"

Lance caught them by reflex. He could feel the warmth of the freshly baked pastries through the paper, and a rich, milky aroma filled the air.

’He hadn’t expected any of it to be for him.’

"You taught me."

Cecilia looked up, and beneath her cloak, her red eyes curved into smiling crescents.

"Sharing food is the easiest way to grow closer. And besides, we’re friends, aren’t we?"

In truth, there was another reason she was too embarrassed to mention.

While they were processing the materials from the Stone Shell River Crabs on the riverbank, she had heard his stomach protest with a loud GROWL several times.

Even though he acted as if nothing was wrong, the sound had been glaringly obvious on the quiet riverbank.

’He must have used up so much energy during the fight. He’s been pushing on with an empty stomach this whole time.’

At this thought, the smile in the girl’s eyes deepened.

Lance looked down at the pastries in his arms, then back at the girl’s innocent smile.

The twilight seemed to bathe her in a soft, golden light.

For a moment, Lance felt his eyes dazzle.

’A corner of his heart seemed to soften.’

"Thank you."

Lance clutched the paper bags a little tighter, his voice sincere.

"So... since we’re friends now."

Cecilia clasped her hands behind her back, leaning forward slightly as she looked at him with anticipation.

"Friends call each other by name, you know. But you still haven’t told me yours, sir."

"I only know your codename, Raven."

’That’s true.’

’Ever since we met, aside from signing that commission form nobody reads, I haven’t properly introduced myself.’

Lance freed one of his hands and extended it to the girl.

"Lance Lot."

"Lot?"

Upon hearing the surname, Cecilia’s expression faltered for a second, a flash of confusion in her eyes.

She repeated the name unconsciously.

"Is something wrong? Is there a problem with my surname?"

Lance asked, puzzled.

"No! It’s a lovely name!"

Cecilia shook her head quickly, the flicker of confusion gone in an instant.

She reached out with her small, fair, soft hand and took Lance’s.

The girl’s voice was crisp and melodious.

"Cecilia Rosenthal."

"Then we’re officially friends, Lance."

Their hands clasped briefly, then parted.

"See you tomorrow."

"See you tomorrow."

After bidding Lance farewell, Cecilia hugged the rest of the pastries and headed for White Oak Manor in high spirits.

Back on the second floor of the manor, she pushed open the door to her room, and a warm, yellow light greeted her.

Yuna was sprawled inelegantly on the living room sofa, holding up a thick book and letting out silly giggles as she read.

Judging by its garish, colorful cover, it was clearly not a serious Magic textbook, but rather one of those popular adventure novels you could find anywhere.

Hearing the door open, Yuna shot up from the sofa like a startled rabbit.

"You’re back so early?!"

She scrambled to hide the novel behind her back, her face a mask of panic at being caught red-handed.

"The mission went smoothly today, so we came back early."

Cecilia paid no mind to her roommate’s fidgeting.

She walked over to the table and set down the pastries.

"You seemed to really like these flavors yesterday, so I bought some more for you today."

"By the way, Yuna, why weren’t you at your training today?"

Yuna looked at the treats on the table, then at Cecilia’s cheerful expression, and couldn’t help but sigh.

"Must be nice..."

She plopped back down on the sofa, stuffed a pastry into her mouth, and mumbled a complaint.

"Don’t even ask. I went to find them today, only to learn that their captain insists the squad takes a day off after every mission to stay in top form."

"So I didn’t get to train at all. I just lazed around the dorm all day."

At this, Yuna leaned in curiously.

"So what about you? Anything interesting happen today?"

As soon as Yuna asked, Cecilia’s eyes lit up.

Her mind filled with images of their exhilarating, perfectly coordinated battle, and of him giving her a thumbs-up as the sun set.

A powerful urge to share everything washed over her, and she wished she could grab Yuna and talk for three hours straight.

But then she looked down at herself.

Even though she’d used a Cleaning Skill, she still felt the phantom discomfort of wading through mud.

"I’m going to go wash up! I’ll tell you all about it when I’m done!"

Suppressing her excitement, the girl grabbed a change of clothes and headed for the bathroom.

For a Caster, a single Cleaning Skill could take care of any grime.

But a Spell was just a Spell. It could never replace the mental bliss and relaxation that came from being enveloped in hot water.

Especially for Cecilia, who had been accustomed to a life of refinement since childhood, a hot bath was an indispensable daily ritual.

"Okay, okay, hurry up and go."

Yuna nodded obediently, putting on her best ’I’ll wait right here for you’ expression.

She watched Cecilia hum her way into the bathroom and heard the click of the lock.

The obedient expression on Yuna’s face vanished in an instant.

With practiced ease, she pulled the hidden novel out from behind her back.

’Based on her observations of the young lady these past few days, her whole bathing and skincare routine would take at least half an hour.’

’That was more than enough time to finish the current Chapter.’

Yuna settled into a more comfortable position and reopened the book.

She began to read with relish, stuffing pastries into her mouth as she did.

The entertainment in this Otherworld was just so simple, unpretentious, and dull.

And on the book’s vividly colored cover...

A stunningly curvaceous, long-eared Elf was depicted, nestled in the arms of a young man with black hair. The two gazed deeply into each other’s eyes against a suggestive pink background.

And below the title, a line of small text read: *The Playful Earl and His Elf Maid*.