* * *
Running along the path that led to Fixy Town was Aya. Even though it would take almost one day to reach there by foot, she had already run half her distance before the sun could reach the highest point in the sky.
She was much faster and could easily continue her run without bothering with the wandering monsters along the way.
And soon enough, she finally reached the gate of Fixy Town. Since Aya was covering her hair with her cloak, she simply showed the guards her adventurer card before they allowed her to enter.
Hiroki guessed that her reputation in the town made the process easier, but he didn't dwell on it too much.
"Hiroki, what should we do now?" Aya inquired upon returning to the town.
~For now, we should head back to the guild and report our return from the dungeon. However, if they ask you why you have returned so early, you must tell them that the dungeon was ruined the moment you arrived there.~ Hiroki advised.
"Huh? But we went inside the dungeon." Aya rebutted with confusion.
~I know, but let me ask you something. What will the guild think after getting a report that many other adventures died because the dungeon's core was destroyed?~
Aya thought to herself for a bit before her eyes relaxed from the usual expression she usually has on her face.
"....I will be held responsible for their deaths…." she whispered to herself, her head hung low, weighed down by the consequences of her actions.
But because of the startling realization, she began to fumble around, blind to her surroundings, and as a result, she unintentionally ran into someone else. After seeing her carelessness, she gasped and took a step back.
"Ah, sorry. I wasn't looking where I was walking."
Looking up at the person she bumped into, Aya saw a tall man wearing a red uniform-like cloak, indicating he was likely a knight of the country. His long gray hair, almost white, was tied at the end. Bright yellow eyes and a well-built physique suggested extensive military training.
Despite his stern posture, a smile appeared on his face as he closed his eyes in response to the sudden interaction.
"No, there's no need to apologize. I wasn't looking where I was going as well, so there's no need for you to apologize."
Feeling that there were no problems with this knight, Aya prepared to continue walking away.
"If that's so, then please excuse me." she said, bowing slightly before leaving.
"Ah, hold on!"
However, just as she was about to walk past the knight, he held her arm gently, wanting to ask her a question.