A new halberd-axe was strapped to his back, paired with a brownish-gray coat that matched the shade of his hair, a set of black leather armor, knee and arm guards, and a fresh set of casual clothes and boots. 𝒻𝑟𝘦𝘦𝘸ℯ𝒷𝑛𝘰𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝘤𝘰𝘮

Outfitted with the brand-new gear Lynn had forced him to buy on their last shopping trip, Arezu stood confidently in front of the adventurers’ guild’s notice board. But his confidence didn’t come from his well-groomed appearance alone.

It had taken a few days for his halberd-axe to be completed by the old dwarf Broc’s apprentice. During those days, Arezu didn’t just wait around—he trained, relaxed a bit, and visited the Adventurers’ Training Academy, specifically the archives, to improve his reading and writing skills.

Now, with his current knowledge, Arezu could at least make out what each quest was about.

"Then can you tell me what this quest is about, Mr. Arezu?"

Testing his confidence, Lynn, who had just returned from the receptionist’s counter, flashed a particular quest poster at him, holding it up with both hands.

Arezu didn’t need to see the mischievous smile hidden behind the poster to know Lynn was up to something troublesome. The one word he managed to read was enough to guess her plan—and firmly decline it.

With his left hand, Arezu tried to snatch the quest poster from her, showing his refusal of the quest she had clearly already chosen for their two-person party.

But even though Arezu was supposed to have better reflexes as a warrior adventurer, Lynn was already one step ahead. Anticipating his move, she smoothly stepped back, keeping the poster out of reach—and this time, showing her full mischievous grin.

"Are you that excited for our next quest, Mr. Arezu?" she teased, clearly enjoying his bashful reaction.

"Why does it have to be that one?" Arezu asked, mortified.

Their playful chase around the guild hall continued, drawing the curious eyes of nearby adventurers, until Arezu finally managed to snatch the quest poster from her.

"I told you, Lynn, I’m not dismantling that again."

"Oh? So you’re forcing a delicate girl like me to do it?"

Arezu had a bad feeling. Her remark seemed to imply something more than just monster dismantling—and her next words confirmed it.

Loud and clear, in front of everyone, Lynn declared:

"Are you going to take responsibility if I can’t get married anymore—"

Arezu immediately clamped a hand over her mouth, cutting her off before she could say anything more misleading. Unfortunately, it was too late. Every nearby adventurer—especially the women—were already glaring at him with disapproving eyes.

Either accept the quest willingly or accept it in shame—those were the only two options Lynn was giving him, as she stared at him with those eccentric, shining eyes.

Understanding what she wanted, Arezu let out a heavy sigh.

"All right. If that’s what you want."

"You mean the responsibility?" She said sweetly.

"The orc-hunting quest, of course!"

The orc-hunting quest mostly involved searching for and eliminating a nest of orcs that had recently appeared along the forest road west of the capital.

Coincidentally, it was the same forest road Arezu’s previous party had used as a shortcut to Mead Village during their goblin-slaying quest.

In the days following that encounter, more orcs had begun appearing in the area, threatening the trade route through the western region of the Eileen Kingdom.

Naturally, other adventuring parties—especially veteran iron-rank ones—had taken up the quest as well.

That detail piqued Arezu’s interest as he listened to Lynn’s explanation while they walked toward the capital’s west gate. As expected, he didn’t even need to ask—Lynn, ever attuned to his thoughts and expressions, answered before he could speak.

"You might still be a copper-rank adventurer, Mr. Arezu. But you’re with me, the great and magnificent—"

"So the guild let us take this quest because of you. I see."

"Tsk!"

Annoyed that he had interrupted her dramatic flair, Lynn resumed her explanation.

Though the quest was simple, it came with a decent reward since it was meant for iron-rank parties. But Lynn had another reason for choosing it.

Hearing this, Arezu grimaced. He suspected her goal was to gather more materials from the orcs.

"Don’t worry, Mr. Arezu. We’re not after those... though it’d be a waste not to dismantle them afterward."

Obviously, that part would fall to him. Arezu sighed as they headed toward their waiting companion.

"Here you are, my loyal steed—Chevaline!"

Their other "companion" was none other than the horse pulling their wagon.

It was the same horse and wagon Liz had borrowed and left in their care after the goblin-slaying quest. Besides being useful for travel, Lynn seemed to have taken a liking to the horse—or so Arezu assumed from her dramatic greeting.

But her naming the horse "Chevaline" was... concerning.

"Aren’t you basically calling her food?"

"Then how about the name Ragwort? Does that sound more pleasing, Mr. Arezu?"

Both names were ominous, Arezu thought—one meant horse meat, the other poisonous weed.

"Jokes aside, I’m just letting my loyal steed know what might happen... if she betrays us."

The horse’s wide, terrified eyes showed that the message had been received loud and clear.

Regardless of whether it was a joke or not, Arezu loaded their equipment and supplies into the wagon and climbed inside. Lynn took the driver’s seat and grabbed the reins.

With a tug on the reins and a triumphant cheer, Lynn kicked off the next quest of their adventure.

"I’ll take us to our destination, and you will take us home! Let’s go, Chevaline!... Yeay!"

At least it was better than her previous cheer, Arezu thought, sitting behind her and looking out toward their destination—determined to return home.