GILF Hunter

Inside the glamorous party hall filled with people. Countless individuals were swarming around Ian and Airi.

Ian introduced Airi to a man who had approached to speak with him.

’And this is...’

’This is Miss Airi of our mercenary group.’

’Ah! The one from the rumors...!’

The man, who introduced himself as the representative of a small merchant guild, spoke as if surprised while looking at Airi.

Of course, there was no way he didn’t actually know who she was. She was the subject of the most dazzling rumors at this party.

It was merely the usual fuss intended to flatter the person being introduced.

’I saw that great magic back then too! It was truly magnificent. It was clearly visible even from the window of the southern annex. It’s an honor to meet you in person like this.’

’....’

When she first heard such things, she was incredibly embarrassed, but she had already heard similar comments so many times she had lost count. Everyone introduced to her made a huge fuss.

Airi simply nodded quietly without saying a word.

It was an attitude that could be considered rude, but fortunately, Elena had told her it was okay to just stay like that.

Since there were many mercenaries who felt awkward participating in such events for the first time, people generally understood and accepted that kind of behavior from them.

It seemed Elena had done some quick research here and there for the two first-time attendees.

It was a relief not to have to speak directly, but thanks to that, the strange image surrounding Airi only grew further.

’She is quite taciturn, just as the rumors said.’

’It seems all those stories are actually true.’

’As expected... I knew the moment I saw her face that she wasn’t an ordinary mercenary.’

...What rumors exactly?

Airi wanted to ask after hearing the people nearby whispering to each other, but since she couldn’t actually go and ask, she could only wonder in her heart.

’Haha. Well then, I’ll see you next time. I’ll pass the word along, so feel free to visit whenever you like.’

’If I have business in the area next time, I’ll be sure to stop by.’

The person talking to Ian offered a final greeting and left.

Since the party started, she couldn’t even remember how many people they had spoken to.

Not just that man, but everyone hovering nearby was looking for a chance to talk to Ian and Airi.

It was natural, as they were the most highlighted mercenary group at this party.

People seeking friendship with high-ranking mercenary groups, those wanting to talk for business purposes, or even those who just wanted to meet the protagonist of the rumors in person.

At this rate, it felt like every single person at the party was prepared to strike up a conversation once.

’Phew...’

Fortunately, a brief moment of rest occurred after the previous person left. After one person went away, there was a small gap before the next person spoke.

They said that if you strike up a conversation immediately as if you were waiting, it shows you’re desperate and looks undignified.

It wasn’t a sentiment she particularly related to, but thanks to it, they could earn some time to breathe after finishing a conversation.

Airi whispered beside Ian with a dark expression.

’Leader... bringing me to a place like this, you’ve tricked me.’

’Tricked you? I told you beforehand it was a party.’

’This isn’t just a small party among mercenaries...’

’Did I say it was?’

’You di—’

...Wait, had he ever...?

Thinking back carefully to what she had heard then, Airi realized Ian had never actually said such a thing.

Ian had simply said it was a victory commemoration party.

Airi, who never imagined it would be such a large party, had just assumed it would be a small one on her own.

If she had known it would be such a grand event, she never would have come...

She felt like running away right now and hiding somewhere until the party ended.

But the surrounding area was already filled with people. If Airi went off somewhere alone, she might have to talk directly to whoever approached her.

In the end, Airi had no choice but to stay quietly and stick close behind Ian.

Just then, she heard the voices of nearby people whispering while glancing at her.

’She definitely gives off an aura different from usual mercenaries.’

’I heard she kept getting up to fight even while vomiting blood during the invasion.’

’Indeed... she’s as cold-hearted as the rumors say.’

’This is a story told by a fellow mercenary group member...’

She did feel like she might have vomited... but the minor details of the circumstances had changed slightly.

As rumors usually go, after passing through several people’s mouths, Airi had become a completely different person from reality. There was almost nothing that matched the actual facts.

Who on earth spread such strange, baseless rumors...!

Airi silently seethed with anger toward the faceless person who spread those odd rumors.

’Hiieeek...’

’Are you okay?’

Airi’s breathing was becoming increasingly labored. It seemed she had finally reached the limit of her conversation tokens.

Elena, who was standing a short distance away, saw the two of them and approached.

’You two, please come this way for a moment.’

Lowering her voice, Elena called them out and led them to another location.

They arrived at a spot slightly away from the banquet hall where people were gathered. It was a secluded corner of the garden.

Since it was hidden by lush garden trees and a fence, it was completely blocked from people’s sight, and it was quiet as no one was passing by.

’This place is...’

’I’ve scouted a few places to rest. Take a break here for a while.’

There was a small bench, perhaps placed there specifically for resting.

Not just Airi, but Ian also looked quite exhausted from the continuous conversations. Elena spoke with an understanding expression.

’Fufu. You’re tired, aren’t you? Everyone is like that at their first party.’

’Do people always talk this much?’

’The protagonists of a party are always popular.’

Elena held out the glasses she was carrying to Ian and Airi.

’Since many important conversations happen in places like this, everyone is equally tired... so there are many such spots to catch one’s breath in a party hall.’

Indeed, just as Elena said, it looked like a good place to rest for a bit.

’Stay here and rest for a while. It’s not polite to look for someone who has gone out to rest, so no one will come looking for you all the way here.’

Saying that, Elena left the two of them in the corner of the garden shelter and went back outside alone.

’Ah, Miss Elena. By any chance, do you know where Miss Airi is? I wanted to have a chat...’

’Perhaps she went to rest for a moment? More importantly... I have some new accessories I brought today; if you have time, would you like to take a look? These items aren’t even in the catalog yet.’

’Oh, of course! I’ve been wanting to, since it’s so hard to book a visit to your workshop, Miss Elena...’

The sound of Elena talking to other people could be heard from a slight distance.

Now that the initial greetings were over and the atmosphere had settled, it seemed there were people who wanted to have separate social conversations.

The voices of the people looking for Airi followed Elena and gradually faded away.

Phew....

Airi let out a sigh of relief.

This place was full of traps more dangerous and chilling than the Labyrinth. She couldn’t let her guard down for even a second.

Ian and Airi sat quietly on the bench.

Surrounded by a thick hedge, they were able to stay completely out of anyone’s sight.

Ian, who had finally escaped the endless requests for conversation, also let out a belated sigh.

’Airi. Are you okay?’

’Whew... yes.’

Airi, sitting next to him, also let out a long sigh.

In truth, she wasn’t okay at all. If it had been a real battle, she would have suffered a critical injury that rendered her unable to fight.

Feeling thirsty, Airi lifted the glass Elena had left and brought it to her lips.

’It’s almost over now. We just need to finish the medal ceremony in a bit... you remember how it’s done, right?’

’....’

Recalling the order of events, Ian briefly explained the remaining schedule to Airi. Once that most important part was over, it wouldn’t matter if they left early.

The hosts and attendees might be disappointed, but it wasn’t something Ian particularly cared about.

’...Airi?’

’Yes...’

When Airi didn’t give a proper answer, Ian felt something was wrong and called her name once more.

Soon, Airi’s tiny voice was heard.

There was absolutely no strength in Airi’s reply. Thinking it was just because she was exhausted from the crowd, Ian sensed something strange in her tone and turned his head.

Airi, whose face was slightly flushed, was staring intently at Ian.

Only then did Ian check what was in the glass Elena had left behind.

It was alcohol...

Since Elena couldn’t have known that Airi had a low tolerance for alcohol, she must have given it to her lightheartedly to help her relax.

’Leader...’

Airi, staring at Ian with hazy eyes, suddenly grabbed Ian’s hand as he sat beside her.

’Please kiss me.’

’...Now?’

Airi nodded without hesitation.

...In a place like this?

Of course, they were shielded by the hedge on all sides, so there was no worry of anyone seeing, but it wasn’t a suitable place for such things.

Ian first tried to initiate a rational negotiation with Airi.

’I’ll do it once we’re back at the dormitory.’

’Do it now.’

Airi stood up and sat softly on Ian’s lap.

’You said you’d grant me one thing, no matter what it was...’

Negotiation failed.