GILF Hunter

Ian, who had gone to have a brief conversation with the Mayor, returned to the party hall.

Airi, who had been constantly scanning the surroundings while waiting only for Ian’s return, saw his face and her expression brightened instantly.

’Le-Leader...’

’Oh. Hey.’

As Ian returned to Airi’s side, Frey, who had been sticking close to Airi, waved her hand.

Ian also looked slightly surprised to see Frey’s sudden appearance and greeted her.

’Miss Frey. You’re here.’

’Yeah. It’s my turn this time,’

Frey replied with an expression that said she was bored to death.

’Your turn?’

’Yeah. Whenever they hold a party like this, they always call a few A-ranks just for the sake of appearances.’

Airi felt a slight doubt looking at Frey’s expression. Frey seemed like the kind of person who just wouldn’t show up if she found it that bothersome...

Perhaps there was some kind of disadvantage if one didn’t attend?

Feeling anxious that she might also be constantly called out, Airi pondered before asking Frey.

’Is there... some kind of disadvantage if you don’t come?’

’No, they just make things even more annoying. They’ll show up in a line carrying gifts, asking if there was something I didn’t like...’

’Hieek...’

To think they would go that far if one didn’t attend the party... Airi was terrified hearing that chilling story.

Meanwhile, preparations for the main event of the party began on the stage set up on one side of the hall.

It was time for the award ceremony, today’s main event, to begin. People naturally started to gather one by one in front of the stage.

Noticing this, Ian gestured toward the stage and spoke.

’Airi. Let’s head over too.’

’Yes? Where to?’

’It’s your medal ceremony.’

’...?!’

Airi, who had been listening as if it were someone else’s story until now, was suddenly startled.

She was so shocked she couldn’t even scream properly.

’D-Do I really have to go out in front and receive it? Wasn’t it something they give you separately when you leave?’

’What is this, a souvenir...?’

Frey, who was listening nearby, muttered with an exasperated expression.

Airi looked up at the stage, where people were moving about preparing for the ceremony, with fearful eyes.

The medal ceremony... up there? In front of everyone at the party hall?

Having come full circle to a point of excessive calmness, Airi quietly asked Ian.

’...Can’t I just receive it secretly and leave?’

’What are you saying after coming all the way to the party? Come on, let’s go.’

’Hieek!’

As Airi showed her reluctance to go on stage, Frey gave her a piece of advice as if it were nothing.

’It’s not a big deal once you’ve received it a few times. Later on, you just toss them in a drawer because it’s a bother.’

To think she would receive this not just once, but several more times; it was not a comfort to Airi at all.

In the meantime, someone softly approached Ian’s side as he waited for his turn below the stage. It was Leona.

Since they had only acknowledged each other’s presence with a nod when entering the hall, this was their first direct conversation.

’How is it? Is the party fun?’

’It’s just tiring.’

’Isn’t it?’

Leona chuckled as if she agreed with Ian’s response.

’It would be nice if they just gave out things like medals when we leave.’

...It seemed that even if they were headed in completely different directions, they occasionally found common ground when pushed to the extreme.

’Well, I suppose an event like this is necessary... I’ve put in quite a bit this time, so you can look forward to it.’

’Put in quite a bit...?’

’It’s a reward since Miss Airi especially worked very hard. I don’t know if you’ll like it... but I hope Miss Airi is pleased with it.’

While Ian and Leona were having such a conversation, the preparations on stage were finished.

In the end, Ian had to go up on stage without hearing any details.

’Next, of the Ian Mercenary Group...’

’....’

On stage, where the medal ceremony was taking place.

Standing right next to Ian, Airi just stood still and nodded quietly as Ian had taught her beforehand.

Nodding with a stiff expression, Airi looked as if her soul had escaped.

In fact, not just Airi, but for most mercenaries, this level of performance was their limit at official events.

Thanks to that, events involving mercenaries tended to be as short and simple as possible, and the people watching the ceremony didn’t find Airi’s appearance particularly strange.

Lucia, standing on stage, pinned the medals on Ian and Airi.

’Then finally... I will deliver an official document from the City Council.’

...Wasn’t it supposed to end with the medals and reward money? Ian thought it a bit strange and quietly listened to Lucia.

What Lucia brought up was something even Ian hadn’t expected.

’Based on the judgment that the achievements accumulated during the last invasion significantly exceeded the current grade standards... the Post-War Management Committee has decided to grant the title of Honorary A-rank to Leader Ian and his member, Miss Airi.’

’Ye... Yes?’

Airi, who had been responding like a machine, looked up and questioned it as if she had malfunctioned.

’While the achievements were sufficient for an A-rank promotion, based on opinions within the committee that a sudden promotion could be a disadvantage due to contract relationships or commission plans, it was decided to grant an honorary grade.

This honorary grade allows for the same support and guild services as an A-rank, and the duties or emergency mission assignments that come with an A-rank promotion can be deferred until the official A-rank promotion... That is all.’

...A sudden promotion to A-rank?

Airi let out something like a scream, but it was immediately buried by the loud applause filling the party hall, so no one heard it.

Airi quickly turned her head and looked at Ian.

Is... Is this really okay! Leader! Her expression seemed to ask.

Ian, who was also hearing about the Honorary A-rank for the first time, pondered for a moment. It seemed that this was the reward Leona mentioned having ’put in quite a bit’ for.

According to Lucia’s explanation, it essentially meant they would receive the benefits of an A-rank while being exempt from all the duties an A-rank must perform.

That meant they could use A-rank exclusive shops and guild ranking bonuses.

’Not bad.’

Ian nodded to Airi to signal that it was fine.

There was no one to stop Airi’s sudden promotion. Surely by tomorrow, there wouldn’t be anyone in the city who didn’t know this news.

Lastly, Lucia gave Airi a terrifying suggestion.

’Then, finally... Miss Airi, please say a few words.’

’...?!’

It meant she should give a closing greeting as a representative to the people gathered below the stage.

It was an honorable role for the most highlighted figure in the ballroom, but for Airi, it was effectively a death sentence.

Airi froze stiff as if she had been hit by a petrification curse.

Frey, watching Airi from below the stage, waved slightly and mouthed the words.

’You can just say anything.’

In Frey’s case, she tended to say that since she protected the city well, they should always be grateful to her.

After remaining frozen for a long time, a moment later...

Airi collapsed to the floor.

’?!’

’Miss Airi!’

Everyone rushed toward the collapsed Airi. Fortunately, she had only lost consciousness for a moment.

It was concluded that it was likely due to the strain during the invasion and that her injuries had not yet fully recovered.

...Isn’t this [Feign Death]?

Only Ian looked down at Airi, who was in a state of combat inability, with a slightly suspicious gaze before picking up her ’corpse’ with a small laugh.

The unconscious Airi’s face turned ever so slightly red.

And so, Airi managed to barely escape the party.

＊　＊　＊

Hot springs built in the middle of Labyrinth City.

Frey quietly immersed herself in the hot spring pool.

It was thanks to the hot spring voucher Ian had given her before they parted after the party.

Frey belonged to a mercenary group that was a competitor in rankings in the short term, but in a broader sense, she was one of the pillars of the great power responsible for the defense of Labyrinth.

The growth of the Labyrinth mercenaries, including Frey, meant that the defense of Labyrinth would become even more solid.

Ian intended to have as many mercenaries as possible use the hot springs to grant them blessings.

Frey became the first guest.

Having received the voucher, Frey visited the hot spring that very day.

She had been interested for a while since she heard that a hot spring had gushed out in the city.

Frey scooped up the hot spring water with a slightly surprised expression.

’I heard a hot spring came out, but to think the effects would be this good...’

Frey glanced at the spirits floating near the hot spring.

That’s probably the spirit of the hot spring. However, she could feel the presence of something much greater here. It didn’t seem to be here now... but looking at the traces, it likely visited here periodically.

The effect of this hot spring was probably due to its influence.

Frey could clearly feel the massive energy soaking into her entire body.

Even the hot springs found inside the Labyrinth weren’t at this level, yet something like this appeared right in the middle of Labyrinth City...

Ian said no repayment was necessary, but she couldn’t just accept something like this for free.

She couldn’t even estimate how much time and cost it would take to obtain an elixir that could provide this level of effect for someone of Frey’s caliber.

’Ah... right. Should I take him there?’

Frey, having thought of a good idea, muttered to herself.