Christophe returned to the village with Sylvia and ended up hearing various stories from her along the way.

"Since I met you and you saved my life... I have been desperately trying to become stronger. It's all thanks to you, Christophe-san."

Sylvia smiled as she said that, but Christophe took her words with the understanding that she was someone who exaggerated her compliments.

When Christophe returned to the village, he simply told the villagers, "I will be away from the village for a while," but there was no particular attempt to keep him there.

Rather, there were some who understood and even enjoyed Christophe's situation. Although the healer would be leaving the village, it wouldn't be a major issue. After all, it was already rare for a healer to be stationed in a rural village.

There is also a healer in the neighboring village.

Previously, Christophe had helped the healer of the neighboring village, so their relationship was not bad. Christophe thought that if the villagers explained the situation, they would probably handle anything that came up without any issues.

Christophe packs a minimum change of clothes, his favorite tools, and the seeds of herbs he uses to brew potions as a hobby into his bag.

Meanwhile, Sylvia was curiously gazing at his clinic with her eyes sparkling and the meticulously tended herb garden.

The herb garden was one of Christophe's hobbies, but since he wasn't growing anything there at the moment, he didn't need to worry about it.

After finishing the preparations and finally about to depart, Christophe asked Sylvia once again.

"If Sylvia is an adventurer, can't you hire as many skilled healers as you want?"

"Geez, Christophe-san. Don't you realize how amazing your healing magic is?"

"Me? You said something like that back then, too."

"Yeah. Even if you say you need to touch someone directly... There's no one in the world who can completely heal my severe injury without any aftereffects. I can say that for sure."

Sylvia said with a slightly smug smile.

"I think that's an exaggeration, though."

"No, it's not an exaggeration at all...!"

Christophe didn't feel bad about being praised, but he was still somewhat skeptical. However, when he looked into Sylvia's clear eyes, his thoughts began to change a little.

He also thought it was a different matter from denying Sylvia.

"That... if that is the case... I will try my best."

Old memories bring to the tip of his tongue words of denial that can no longer be called mere modesty, but rather can be considered self-deprecation.

However, Christophe swallowed it down. This young and talented girl had such high expectations of him.

He felt it was rude to repeatedly throw words of denial at her, considering she had high expectations of him.

A smile adorned Sylvia's lips, and then she began to walk slowly.

"You just do it as usual, and that's fine. Now, shall we get going?"

She urged Christophe towards the carriage, as if to take his hand.

And so, the two of them boarded the splendid carriage that Sylvia had arranged and left Greenbear Village.

"By the way, Sylvia. Where are we headed next?"

After the carriage had been running for a while, Christophe asked.

He had heard that they were leaving the village, but he hadn't heard the specific destination.

"Hehe, I'd love to say that's something to look forward to once we arrive... but it's the 'Labyrinth City' Arcadia. It's my base of operations."

Labyrinth City. Upon hearing those words, Christophe's eyes widened in surprise.

The Labyrinth City of Arcadia is a renowned metropolis, comparable to the royal capital, and it houses one of the largest Labyrinths in the country.

It's a place where adventurers dreaming of striking it rich from all over the world gather.

"The Labyrinth City? …If I remember correctly, it's a place full of young adventurers with big dreams. At my age, such places feel a bit intimidating... or rather, I feel out of place there. Is that okay?"

"Hehe, that's not the case, but... are you perhaps getting scared?"

"Well, to be honest, a little bit. I think this place might be a bit too dazzling for this old man."

"Don't worry, I'm here. I will teach you all sorts of things."

"That would be helpful. But what should I do about the house..."

"Oh, I hadn't explained it yet, had I? You don't need to worry about that."

"I don't need to be worried? What do you mean by that?"

"I will have Christophe-san live with me at my house. So, don't worry."

Sylvia smiles happily as she is slightly embarrassed.

However, Christophe couldn't help but widen his eyes at those words.

"Live with you? Well, that's a bit... Sylvia, wouldn't that be inconvenient for you in various ways? I'm an old man at this age, and our daily rhythms and everything else must be different from yours, a young person."

"What are you talking about? Since I'm the one suggesting it, you wouldn't dislike it, right? Oh, but I'm sorry... Did you dislike it, Christophe-san...? I see... I got carried away by myself... As soon as we get there, I will arrange for the lodging..."

Sylvia slightly furrows her brows, looking a bit lonely.

At that sorrowful expression, Christophe hurriedly shook his head.

"No, it's not like that. It's just that I don't want to do anything that would burden Sylvia."

"Not at all, it's not a burden. I'm the one asking you to come over... But if you don't mind sharing a house... would it be alright?"

"...Yeah, that, I don't really mind."

"Yay! It's settled, please take care of me."

"...Ah, please take care of me."

(...Where did that tearful expression from earlier go?)

Sylvia smiled happily at Christophe's words. Christophe decided to stop overthinking; if she was smiling, that was enough.

While having such exchanges, the carriage continued on towards the Labyrinth City of Arcadia.

Chapter 8