After enjoying a pleasant time together, the topic of conversation shifted dramatically.
There was an important discussion we couldn’t afford to neglect.

I exchanged a glance with Flare and the others, and they nodded in unison.
Following our prior arrangements, they began to act.

“Hey, Iris!
Since we’re here, how about we teach you a bit about puppets?”

“About... puppets?”

“Yes. There are things you should know as a puppeteer.
For instance, how we puppets think and feel.”

“Oh! I’d love to know about that!”

“Very well! Allow me to enlighten you on how Master showers me with affection and how I respond to it!”

“Uh, maybe not that part...”

Amid the lively banter, Iris was whisked away to another room before she realized it.
This left just me, Alto, and Lene in the room.

Given the nature of what we needed to discuss, it was better that Iris didn’t overhear.

Straightening my posture, I turned to face Lene directly.
Even while sitting, her well-trained physique was evident.
It was as if a single axis ran through her body, holding her perfectly still, like a marionette suspended by strings.
The faint breeze from the window stirred her golden hair gently.

Looking at her, I couldn’t help but wonder what had happened to such a remarkable person three years ago.

“Lene, I have a question for you. Would that be all right?”

“Of course. Go ahead.”

Her composed response was steady and without hesitation.
I decided to ask directly.

“I’ve heard secondhand accounts of what happened when you encountered the Hydra three years ago.
However, there are aspects I don’t understand. I’d like to hear it from you directly.”

“I see. What would you like to ask?”

“There’s a lot I’m curious about, but primarily... it’s about the puppeteer.”

“...The puppeteer?”

For the first time, Lene’s demeanor shifted slightly.
She lowered her gaze, placing a hand to her chin as if deep in thought.
Something about her serious expression felt off.

After a moment, she looked up and cast a glance toward Alto before speaking.

“It’s a difficult question to answer.
Alto asked me the same thing yesterday.
I can only confirm what the two former party members shared—that their account is true.”

“So it’s true that the puppeteer’s betrayal left you unable to handle the Hydra?”

“...Yes. If not for that interference, we could have safely retreated together. Perhaps even...”

Lene abruptly stopped speaking.
I waited, but it seemed she wouldn’t elaborate further.

...In the end, the truth remained elusive.
What motivated the puppeteer’s actions was still unclear.
For Iris’s sake, I had hoped there might be another explanation, but...

Maybe it was futile to wish for that.
What mattered most was that everyone was safe now.

The conversation shifted again as Lene, still recovering, excused herself.
This left just Alto and me.

“It’s late, but let’s talk about your reward.”

“...Right.”

The reward, which had been overshadowed by everything else, was finally being addressed.

...Though, to think we had taken on such a deadly fight without even setting the amount beforehand.
When we defeated the Minotaur, selling its magic stone and rare materials had netted about six large gold coins and a handful of small gold coins.

The Hydra was far per than the Minotaur, but since the delivery of its magic stone wasn’t part of the commission, the stone was mine to keep.
Factoring this in, I figured the reward would be somewhere around fifteen to twenty large gold coins.

“How about one hundred and fifty large gold coins?”

“One hundred and fifty!?”

Alto’s offer far exceeded my expectations, leaving me stunned.

Seeing my reaction, Alto let out a soft “Hmm.”

“Is it too little? I can add more if necessary...”

“N-no! It’s far more than I anticipated!”

“You saved my beloved wife Lene’s life and my precious daughter Iris’s heart.
No amount could be too much for such gratitude.”

Alto’s expression was sincere and unwavering.

...From the perspective of a noble household, perhaps this wasn’t an extraordinary amount.

If accepting this much wouldn’t strain their finances, then I might as well take it without hesitation.

“In that case, I’ll gladly accept one hundred and fifty large gold coins.”

“Good. That’s what I hoped for. Once again, thank you for saving Lene and Iris.”

A servant brought a leather pouch filled with coins, and I accepted it.
The bag was heavy, its weight tangible in my hands.

For an adventurer, expenses could pile up quickly, but even five large gold coins could sustain a comfortable lifestyle for a year.
This pouch contained enough for thirty years.
If I wanted, I could retire now and live out my days in peace.
I’d have to be careful with this.

“This concludes the monetary reward. Is there anything else you’d like?”

“No, this is more than enough.”

“I see. Should you face any trouble in the future, do not hesitate to come to us.
You are a benefactor of the Grace family, and we will support you no matter what.”

“Thank you.”

Having the Grace family’s goodwill would undoubtedly be a great asset as I continued my work in Ford, the adventurers’ town.
But more than that, these were people I wanted to keep in my life, regardless of gain or loss.
That sentiment came from the bottom of my heart.