"Yes, I rescued them," Nolan said simply.
Celia shifted slightly behind him, lowering her head while glancing at the Guild Master.
"Did you do it alone?" Lucan asked, his tone probing. "And that… suit you're wearing, where did you get it? I'm not sure whether to call it armor or clothing."
Nolan shrugged. "You can call it both, I guess, because it works as an armor, a battlesuit and also a clothing.I'm not going to tell you exactly where it came from. Let's just say someone close to me gave it to me."
Lucan's eyes narrowed. "I see. Well, I can tell it's a Demi-Human Battle Suit, only worn by demi-human warriors. I'm not sure why a human is wearing it, but I won't press too many questions."
"Good," Nolan said, his voice sharpening. "Because you really shouldn't pry into other people's business."
Who is this guy? Does he want to fight me? Nolan thought. I'm not sure I could beat him… but he feels dangerous.
Lucan's stern expression softened into a smile. "Don't worry. No need to frown. If I upset you, I apologize. This meeting is mostly to prepare your bounty claim. Once it's ready, you'll register here at the Adventurers' Guild and collect your reward. I've already sent knights to take the Seven Ringed Bandits into custody."
He gave Nolan a small nod and walked away.
Nolan exhaled slowly. I thought he was about to start a fight… good thing he didn't. Just from his grip when we shook hands, I can tell he's strong.
Celia tugged at his sleeve. "What's wrong?" Nolan asked.
"People are staring at us," she murmured.
"Don't worry about it. That's normal here."
She hesitated. "Maybe it's because of me. I draw attention wherever I go because of my race. Humans don't like demi-humans… they think we're not pretty." Her voice softened, and her gaze fell, sadness clouding her face.
Nolan stopped, turning toward her. "Who told you that?" He gently took her hands. She must have been through so much, people insulting her, judging her. But to me, she's one of the most beautiful girls I've ever seen. Even compared to my old world. Her human face with those pointed ears… it's adorable.
He leaned closer. "Don't ever say that again. You're beautiful, Celia. Very beautiful."
She blushed and nodded shyly. That's when Nolan realized how close his face was to hers. He stepped back quickly, running a hand over his hair. "What was I doing? Saying all that… now I'm embarrassed," he muttered under his breath.
Ella, the guild receptionist, returned just then. "Mr. Nolan, this is yours," she said, placing a heavy sack on the counter.
Nolan picked it up and felt the weight. "What is this? It's huge…" He opened the sack, his eyes widening at the sight of gold coins. "Gold? This much? How much is this?"
"Ten million coins," Ella replied calmly. "That's the bounty on the Seven Ringed Bandits."
"Ten… million?" Nolan stared at the fortune in his hands. What am I supposed to do with this much money?
He turned to Celia with a small smile. "Let's head outside for a bit," he said. She nodded, following him toward the door.
As they were walking out of the Adventurer's Guild, Nolan could feel the eyes on them.
Whispers followed their steps, every gaze in the room locked on them until they pushed open the heavy doors and stepped outside.
They headed toward the carriage.
"Please, ladies, can you get down the carriage," Nolan said.
The elf stepped down first, followed by a few of the demi-human women. Nolan's eyes lingered on them for a moment. They were different from Malric, whose appearance was fully beast-like. These demi-humans had more human features, smooth faces framed by hair, with only the pointed ears of a dog or wolf giving away their heritage.
They gathered around him, forming a loose circle. One of them stepped forward hesitantly.
"Sir… are you sure we're free? Or do you want us to repay you? We could, we owe you for saving us. Or… we could stay with you for a while and attend to your needs."
Nolan's eyes widened.
"No, no, no, no, no," he said, shaking his head. "I already told you, you're free."
The group exchanged stunned looks. Kindness without a price was rare for them. In the past, "rescuers" had only freed them to force them into labor on farms or worse. But this, this was different.
A female elf stepped closer. "Are you sure we can just go? Can we leave right now?"
"Wait," Nolan said, holding up a hand. "Not yet. You all move to the side of the carriage."
They moved obeyed, lining up neatly.
I can't just send them away empty-handed, Nolan thought. They'll need food, a place to sleep. I'm sure they have no money. And this bounty… it's too much for one person. Better to share it.
"You're fifteen in total, right?" he asked. They all nodded.
"I want to share the bounty with you."
At that, murmurs broke out among the demi-humans and elves. Nolan tilted his head. "What's all that about?"
One elf finally stepped forward.
"We will not take it. You've already done so much for us. You fought the bandits, saved our lives, and now you want to give us money? That would be selfish of us, Young Master."
The others nodded in agreement.
"Please, keep it," another said. "We can find work here in the village."
Nolan paused, his voice softening. "Yes, I was the one who earned the bounty. But sending you away empty-handed? That would be cruel. Where will you sleep? Where will you eat?"
"Don't worry about that," one demi-human replied. "We can sleep near the church or even on the roadside. We'll be fine."
"No," Nolan said firmly. "Do you want to get kidnapped again? Just… let me do this for you. And remember, you don't owe me anything."
They looked at him in surprise, realizing his concern for them was genuine. Slowly, they nodded.
"Alright," Nolan said. "Get in line."
One by one, he handed each of them a small leather pouch.
"Six hundred thousand coins each," he said.
Gasps filled the air. It was a fortune for people who had nothing. Even though they hadn't fought for it, he still gave thirteen of them the same amount.
When it came to the last two, Celia and Linda, they stepped back and refused.
"Why are you two refusing?" Nolan asked. "We agreed, just take it."
They both shook their heads.
"No, we can't," Celia said, stepping closer. At five-foot-six, she had to tilt her head slightly to look up at him.
"I want to be by your side, Master," she said.
Nolan blinked. "What do you mean?"
"I have nowhere else to go. My village… everyone was killed. I was captured and taken by the bandits. I don't want to wander alone. I want to serve you for the rest of my life."
Linda stepped forward as well.
"My family is still alive, but I don't want to return. I'm looking for the one I want to follow, and I think I've found him. Please, let me stay by your side."
Nolan's mind spun.
What's going on? he thought. Do these two beautiful women really want to stay with me?
His heart began to race.