In the days following the end of the defense operation, every meal served at the town chief's mansion, from morning to night, was a celebratory feast. The townspeople also spontaneously organized several festivities of their own.
Whenever they spotted someone in armor who looked like a hunter, crowds would gather around them, pressing fine wine, delicious food, and local specialties into their hands or hanging them around their necks.
One shameless bald man seized the opportunity to eat and drink to his heart's content, getting thoroughly drunk.
The warmth of Manti Town's people was unforgettable, but this was not a place where they could remain forever. Once their injuries had largely healed, the hunters who had come from various regions to lend support began preparing for their journeys home.
The portly town chief did not miss a single one. He personally thanked every hunter and stuffed a large handful of gold nuggets into each hunter's pack before they left.
Kagetsu's grin nearly split her face.
After estimating the number and weight of those gold nuggets, she reckoned she could afford to raise another little darling...
Even Lambert, who usually cared little for money, was delighted. The 2★ and 3★ ranks were often the most financially difficult period for hunters. With this money as a foundation, she could finally start considering an equipment upgrade.
As for the battle's greatest heroes, the town chief did not stuff gold nuggets into the hands of Altaïr and his three companions.
In the generous old man's eyes, mere money could never adequately repay their contributions.
It might have been an exaggeration to say that the four of them had saved Manti Town by themselves, but no one would have objected to giving them half the credit.
He had specifically asked around about things "hunters would like," then narrowed the options down to what he could obtain through his wealth and connections. In the end, he handed each of the four a piece of "paper."
This was, of course, no ordinary paper. It bore ornate gilded patterns, along with the town chief's signature and wax seal.
"I call this a Manti Ticket," the portly town chief said with a beaming smile. "You can think of it as a personal favor from me.
"I cannot vouch for places farther afield, but at least within the ElDe Region, I do have some influence.
"My personal suggestion is that you take these to Harth, the volcanic village. I have done its Troverian Village Chief quite a few favors.
"You can ask him to forge equipment for you, or choose a talisman from his personal collection and take it with you.
"Of course, you will not need to pay. Whether it is the cost of forging equipment or purchasing a talisman, simply put it on my tab."
The four exchanged glances and saw the same delight in one another's eyes.
This was a gift they could not refuse.
Isis, Nymera, and Morgan were all too reserved to ask the obvious question, so Altaïr had to swallow his embarrassment and do it himself. "Is there a limit on the amount?"
The portly town chief waved a hand, looking utterly unconcerned. "No limit."
This time, it was not only Isis and the others. Even Altaïr's expression stiffened. This reward was no small matter.
Ted, standing nearby, smirked. That old fellow certainly was generous.
He also knew Harth's Village Chief, who was not only one of the greatest master smiths in the world but also an avid talisman collector.
Those youngsters would definitely come away with quite a haul if they took those tickets to him.
Then again, with their current strength, what grade of materials could they really obtain? 6★? 7★?
Even if they had a complete armor set forged from Elder Dragon-level materials, then bought Armor Spheres and had it fully upgraded, the total would only come to around seven figures. It certainly would not go any higher.
The same applied to talismans. Seven figures could buy a very good Hero Talisman, but the higher-tier Legend Talismans were another matter. That old Troverian smith only owned a few himself, and there was no chance he would part with them.
So even if the ticket had no spending limit, there was still a ceiling to the value they could draw from it.
Of course, there was a way to get even more out of the ticket. They could simply hold on to it until they grew stronger, perhaps after reaching 7★ or 8★.
Forging and fully upgrading the main armor set of an 8★ hunter could easily cost more than a million z.
But so what? If they truly became top-tier hunters of that caliber one day, money would have long since ceased to matter to them.
From that wealthy old man's perspective, if a hunter of such caliber pulled out his ticket years later and remembered the favor, he would gladly write two more on the spot.
Watching the young hunters' faces light up, Ted saw no need to say anything more.
Even setting those deeper considerations aside, the old man had given each of them a chance to persuade Harth's Troverian master smith to work for them, along with an implicit budget of up to a million z. How could anyone call him stingy?
Even the reward for an 8★ quest rarely reached three hundred thousand z.
"Awesome! I was just planning to head to Harth and ask the smith there to modify my Gunlance for Dragon Blast!" Isis clenched her fist in excitement.
Ted's face darkened, and he slapped the back of her head. "That does not require a master smith, and it will not cost much. Save the ticket for later!"
That slap could have knocked an ordinary person unconscious, but Isis merely rubbed the back of her head. "Ted, we're heading back to Tidal Island soon, but we probably won't stay there long since the next wave will be arriving.
"Where are you and Malika planning to go next? Back to Minegarde?"
She had no special reason for asking. She simply wanted to spend a few more days with the couple who had always treated her so well.
And while she was at it, she could learn a few more tricks from Ted and leave Altaïr far behind!
"We probably won't head back right away." Ted rubbed his bald head. "With Babaka there to watch the shop, we don't have anything to worry about. We're planning to wander around for another couple of months.
"Winter is almost here, and both of us have our share of aches and pains. Minegarde's sea breeze is not kind to us.
"We'll probably stay in Harth for a while. The volcanic hot springs and rye beer there are fantastic."
"..."
Isis's eyes lit up. She turned toward Altaïr. "Then once we've finished handing things over on Tidal Island, should we visit Harth too?"
Altaïr shrugged, leaving the decision to her.
"It probably won't be that simple." Malika, standing beside Ted, laughed softly. When Isis looked puzzled, she held out a hand. "Let me see your Hunter's Notes."
Altaïr and Isis had no idea why, but they handed over their notes anyway.
Malika flipped through them and chuckled. When she reached Maki's comment on the Espinas quest, she nudged Ted with her elbow.
Ted leaned over to take a look and grinned as well.
"Just wait," Malika said as she returned the two sets of Hunter's Notes. "You'll probably have to visit Dundorma first in the near future."
"Why do you say that?" Altaïr asked bluntly, unable to understand her reasoning.
Malika was not one to speak in riddles. "His Immenseness is impatient. Whenever he notices a promising young person, he wants to reach out and give them a helping hand. Judging by the quest records in your Hunter's Notes, you've probably been on his radar for some time.
"I just skimmed your 5★ quest records, and you've already completed enough of them. That is without even mentioning your 6★ quests or the fact that you've faced Elder Dragons more than once.
"If you had remained quietly on Tidal Island, he might not have thought of you anytime soon. But word that the four of you stopped the Teppeki Shen Gaoren has probably reached him by now. It would be strange if that old man did not summon you."
Ted and Malika expected His Immenseness's summons to arrive within half a month.
But they had still underestimated his impatience. That very afternoon, Nightmist, who had been away for several days, found the group as they were packing to return to Tidal Island.
"Altaïr, Isis, Nymera, Morgan. His Immenseness has summoned you. The Guild's airship is waiting outside. Unless you have an urgent matter that cannot be postponed, please come with me to Dundorma."