When I said, "You can be a hero," to a child with no talent, he really started to become a hero, so I acted like I knew what I was doing, like I was a wise master. - Chap 15.1: Hot Springs

The blast wind raged. They all felt something in it, something merciless that had swept away every disaster and the worst possible thing.

Will had parted ways with Alfred and returned to the capital once. Since he originally came under the pretext of maintaining public order in the city, it could be seen as a natural move. After that, he had to bow his head in apology to the client. He had abandoned his request and headed out to fight against the demons. Moreover, he was stunned by the difference in combat ability and had to bow his head, admitting that he had done nothing. Fortunately, the client was understanding, and after explaining the reasons such as trying to engage in battle with the demons, he was let off without any particular penalties, and he finished his work afterward.

After working the hours he was ordered, by the time Will was released from his labor, the surroundings were already tinged with twilight.

(I guess it’ll be the middle of the night by the time I get home. Battling monsters at midnight is dangerous… Should I stay here and go tomorrow?)

Thinking so, Will started looking for lodging. However, he had difficulty finding any. The cheap inns were already full, with no rooms available. Yet, giving up wasn’t an option, and he eventually arrived at what appeared to be a large inn.

He entered and spoke to the receptionist.

“Um, excuse me. I’d like to stay here…”

“We have rooms available.”

“Yay!”

“It will be 40,000 gold for the night.”

“Wha…?”

“40,000 gold it is!”

Will realized it was impossible. With the money he currently had, he could never afford to pay for the room. Resigned to spend a hungry night somewhere else, he made up his mind, but…

“Ah, if it isn’t Will!”

“Eh!? Ban-san!?”

In the inn, there was the adventurer Ban, standing in a relaxed pose dressed in a yukata. It seemed that he was just walking down the inn’s corridor.

“Could it be, Will, you were thinking of staying here too?”

“Uh, no…”

“Ah, you looked for a cheap place to stay but found nowhere, so you came here? But now you don’t have enough money and you’re going back?”

“Ah, yes.”

“Thought so… Excuse me, can we add one more person?”

“It will be 40,000 gold.”

Ban pulled a bag of gold coins from his pocket and beckoned Will over with a quick gesture.

“Come on, stay here.”

“No, no, no, no, no! It’s 40,000! 40,000 gold!?”

“I’ll pay it forward. Besides, I can’t just leave you like this.”

“But, still…”

“No, I’ve already paid, so come quickly. You know, it’s actually rude to reject someone’s generosity, right?”

“Yes, sir!”

Told thus by Ban, Will took off his shoes and handed them to the innkeeper, then followed Ban.

“Thank you very much.”

“Yes, yes, I’ll be counting on you to pay me back—”

“Yes! I’ll pay you back tenfold, I promise!”

“I’ll look forward to it, then.”

As they entered the Japanese-style room, they found an average-looking man and woman sitting inside. In front of them were dishes of high-end fish and meat.

“Oh, what’s going on, Ban?”

“Do you know that boy, Ban?”

Upon seeing Will, Dan’s parents instantly grasped the situation and changed their way of addressing Ban, referring to him as the adventurer Ban instead of their son, Dan.

“He seemed to have nowhere to stay, so I thought I’d let him share the room with us.”

“That’s fine.”

“Welcome, what’s your name?”

“Ah, I’m Will! Sorry for intruding all of a sudden!”

“No worries, no worries, don’t mind it at all!”

Dan’s parents replied with carefree voices and friendly smiles. Will also involuntarily warmed to their smiles and relaxed his shoulders.

“Go ahead and take a bath first; we’ll be waiting for you.”

Dan’s mother encouraged the two of them to take a bath. Although Dan had already bathed, he was silently urged to go once more with Will, so they headed together to the bathhouse.

(This place is really a fancy inn, isn’t it…? The storehouse is beautiful, and the floor shines unbelievably… Is Ban-san really rich to be able to let me stay just like that? That blonde child looked like they were of high standing too…)

(Who exactly is Ban-san…? The blonde child is intriguing as well…)

Will and Dan undressed in the changing room. When Dan’s upper body was exposed, Will felt an incomprehensible force from his toned physique.

(…Eh?)