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Personnel was dispatched for confirmation as soon as Merc and the adventurers went down to the village and reported the subjugation, and the subjugation was successfully verified.

Even though it was already dark when the subjugation was verified, the elves were able to dispose of the Magic Beast corpses due to their good night vision.

The adventurers ended up selling the Magic Beasts’ corpses to the elf village, and the villagers ended up with the Velche’s fur, fangs, and claws. Due to the rarity of such Magic Beasts in this location, these materials would have a wide range of applications so the villagers were overjoyed.

“You really helped us this time. Thank you.” The Chief expressed his thanks to the adventurers and Merc who were currently seated in front of him and the counselor at the Chief’s residence. They were planning a simple feast later that evening, and the Chief wanted to demonstrate his gratitude before then.

“Merc, thank you for guiding them as well. To think there would be a pair of Ghezo Velche. I’m sorry you had to go through this.” The Chief said, bowing his head.
“Please raise your head, you don’t need to apologize.”

With a puzzled expression on his face, Jonahim stated. The counselor also made a hasty attempt to get the Chief to raise his head.

“Chief! Outsiders will look down on you if you bow your head so easily. As the head of the elf village, you ought to be firm.”
“However, it is true that we provided them with incorrect information. The adventurers were able to return unharmed due to their power; nevertheless, if they had made a mistake, things may have turned out far worse.”
“That is true… However, we just stated that a Ghezo Velche had appeared on the mountain. Never did we make a claim that it was the only one. We never gave incorrect information or made a false request. Even the Guild will not object.”
“……”
　
Hearing the counselor’s ridiculous comments, Jonahim appeared to be about to say something. Elea was furrowing her brow as well, and if she was agitated any further, she would most certainly reach for her spear.

This is bad. If things continue to escalate, being accepted by the Chief will be the least of my concerns!

Merc spoke out, providing her opinion in order to protect both her and the village’s future.

“Counselor, am I right in assuming you believe your business with the adventurers is over now that the request has been fulfilled?”
“What?”
“If not, I would advise you to refrain from saying anything else. If you do, you will almost certainly anger them.”
“Q-Quiet!”

While standing up, the counselor yelled out. Merc, on the other hand, sat quietly.

“If you truly assume that your business with the adventurers is complete just because the request has been met, you are completely deluded. At this rate, your current attitude will be interpreted as the collective view of the elf village, and these adventurers will relay the information to the Adventurers’ Guild. Do you firmly believe if that happens, someone else will show up to aid us if we ever face another crisis?”
“T-That’s…”

The counselor tried to refute it right away, but he quickly realized Merc’s remarks made sense, so he quietly sat back down.

“That is, without a doubt, a plausible scenario. The Adventurers’ Guild’s feedback determines whether or not the adventurers accept a request. No one will come if the Guild informs those prepared to accept it about the elf village’s poor reputation. To begin with, we already have a small number of visitors.”

The Chief said. He then bowed to the adventurers once more.

“I hope you will forgive us. The reward will, of course, be increased… Rather, we’ll double it! What do you say we also add something extra for all of the supplies we purchased?”
“That would be great, but before we talk about the award, Chief, I’d like you to hear me out on another matter. It’s about the second Ghezo Velche.”
“Hm? What about it?”

The Chief inquired, his face skeptical due to Jonahim’s refusal to accept and instead altering the subject.
　
Ordinarily, there would be no reason for adventurers to refuse such a fantastic offer.

“Actually, it was our guide, Merc, who single-handedly defeated the second Ghezo Velche.”
“… Huh?”
“What?!”
“Our party would have most likely been wiped out if Merc hadn’t intervened… As a result, there’s no reason for you to double our reward. Instead, we would like you to give it to Merc.”

Both the counselor and the Chief shifted their shocked gazes to Merc as soon as Jonahim finished his speech.
　
Merc had anticipated this turn of events, but she hadn’t expected them to be as surprised as they were.

It wasn’t surprising that both of them had trouble believing it, given that Merc was still only fourteen years old. Because she understood that, Merc was somehow able to hold back her wry smile from showing.

“Merc… Is that true? Did you really take down a Ghezo Velche by yourself?”
“I did.”
“Hmph… Even if you are Rosemary’s disciple, I find it difficult to believe.”
“Chief, there must be some kind of mistake!”

The Chief stroked his chin, bewildered, as Merc confirmed it, while the counselor simply gave Merc a sidelong glance. He didn’t seem to have learned his lesson from earlier.

What an annoying elf…

Someone spoke out just as Merc was going to oppose the counselor.

“Are you implying that we lied?”

It was Elea.

“Frankly, I don’t care if you think Merc is a liar or not; However, I won’t forgive you for treating Jona… our leader as a liar!”

Hey! That means you’re fine with them calling me a liar, isn’t it?!

Merc wasn’t sure what Elea was covering for, but whatever it was, it had proven to be beneficial to Merc.
　
The Chief sighed and looked to Merc with gentle eyes after hearing what Elea had to say.

“She is right… Whatever the truth is, we can’t dismiss it if the adventurers say so. Merc, thank you for saving the village.”
“I only did what was right.”
“Because everyone is already assembled at the assembly hall, we’ll proclaim your accomplishment before the feast. We’ll hold the Accolade.”
“…! Thank you.”

YES! I’ll finally be an adult!

The so-called Accolade was a ceremony in the elf village required for one to become an adult, and it was what Merc had been aiming for.