Tenkomori: The Homecoming Club Conquers Another World

The next day, I woke up at dawn, long before the sun had risen.

After finishing the treatment, I continued to brew antidote potions since there were still materials left.

I wanted to replenish my supplies, and the antidote I had been carrying on patrols was used up.

Besides, there was no guarantee that there wouldn’t be more victims.

After preparing myself at the water source behind the barracks and returning to my room, Morris, apparently noticing I was awake, awaited me with breakfast.

As I savored vegetable soup, venison jerky, and hard bread, I received updates on the current situation.

Brent and another guard have recovered and reportedly have their appetites back.

However, due to their prolonged comatose state, the captain instructed them to rest for the day.

It seems an adventurer left the barracks yesterday.

Neither Morris nor I cared about their current status.

Treating them was just a favor to Brent.

Also, the captain seems to want to express gratitude and is waiting in the room.

However, I wanted to confirm Brent and the others’ conditions with my own eyes.

When I mentioned this, Morris readily agreed.

Apparently, Brent strictly ordered him not to let me go, so he’s here to keep an eye on me.

I don’t plan to escape or betray them.

After finishing breakfast, I promptly headed to Brent’s room.

As I approached the room, I heard voices.

There were two presences inside Brent and a child.

“Oh, look who decided to grace us with their presence.”

Brent teased as soon as I opened the door.

The child beside him quickly hid behind his father’s arms, although he was mostly visible.

“Show some respect for a real hero.”

I retorted as I entered.

While Brent was awake, he remained lying in bed.

Upon gently ‘appraising’ him, I found no traces of poison and no strange markings.

His inability to get up was probably due to a decrease in stamina not indicated in his status.

“Any unusual symptoms?”

“Thanks to you, I’m completely cured.”

“That’s good to hear. The captain also mentioned you should rest today. Take this as well.”

I said, handing him a potion from the Teleport Bag.

“It’s a Healing Potion with fatigue recovery added. Drink up.”

“No, but you already made the antidote—”

Brent started to protest, but I insisted.

“It’s homemade.”

If you’ve been in a coma for half a day, a night’s rest won’t suffice for recovery.

Despite Brent’s reluctance, he accepted it and adjusted his position on the bed.

“Thank you. This is a lifesaver.”

Brent said, bowing his head, and the child followed suit.

Next to them, Morris mirrored the gesture.

“We owe you at the Adventurers’ Guild. And I promised my son.”

As I started to leave, prompted by Brent, the child got off the bed.

Approaching shyly, he lowered his head and muttered something.

It seemed like he was expressing gratitude.

“It’s good to see your father.”

The child nodded solemnly, looking up with big eyes.

“Um, are adventurers… amazing?”

“Amazing?”

I echoed, caught off guard.

What does that mean?

Not getting it, I glanced at Brent and Morris, who just laughed.

I understood.

Is this one of those things? A nonsensical question typical of kids.

Not boasting, but I’m not good at those.

I crouched down to his level, meeting his gaze.

“That’s a tough question. There are amazing adventurers and there are not-so-amazing ones.”

“Which is cooler, adventurers or guards?”

Oh, another puzzling question…

“Teo admires the guards.”

Morris chimed in, helping me out.

Ah, I see.

He admires not the guards per se but his father, who ended up in trouble.

Then I came and rescued him, even made that hero remark earlier.

It’s easy to imagine how that made him feel confused, considering he was unconscious.

So, Teo—completely bewildered—came up with this mysterious question.

With the father’s authority and all, complicated expressions like that are hard to understand.

After a brief thought, I spoke up.

“Guards and adventurers have different jobs. Guards protect everyone, adventurers help people in trouble. I can’t say which is cooler, but I think guards are pretty cool.”

As I responded, Teo began to ponder with a puzzled look.

One’s profession doesn’t determine their character; they’re all human beings.

Still, being a shield for the residents is the guards’ job.

Regardless of whether it’s amazing or not, I think it’s more admirable than adventurers who live as they please.

“Take your time to think about it until you’re convinced. There’s plenty of time.”

I said, patting Teo’s head before bidding farewell to the father and son.

Guided by Morris, I went to see the other guard.

They were in a nearby room, and I could visit them immediately, but their wife was taking care of them attentively.

Since I confirmed the poison was gone, I didn’t want to intrude and left promptly.

Next, I was escorted to the captain’s office and met with the guard captain.

Since Soprick had just appeared, there hadn’t been a clear reward set for defeating it.

Therefore, he seemed to have hastily arranged something and handed me a pouch with a modest amount of reward money, apologizing for its smallness.

Although I promised to rescue Teo, it wasn’t at the request of the guards.

Still, it would be rude to refuse their kindness.

I thanked him sincerely and accepted the pouch.

Then I brought up the topic of returning to Selen with the captain and Morris.