Chương 23: Hey, let's do a quest! (FILLER)

(FILLER) The journey back to the Voyagers' guild house had been a quiet one, with exhaustion from the tournament and the farm crop fight still clinging to everyone like a heavy cloak. When the group finally reached the familiar gates of their home, relief settled over them like a warm blanket. The guild house stood tall, a comforting sight with its weathered stone base and timber walls, illuminated by the soft glow of lanterns as the evening deepened.

Mochi was the first to bolt through the door, barely waiting for the others to step inside. His boots thudded against the polished wooden floor as he raced toward the staircase.

"Finally, home sweet home!" He called out, his voice echoing through the halls.

"I'm heading straight to bed!" Reaching his old bedroom door, Mochi grinned and turned the handle, only to be stopped short by a figure standing in his way. Ace leaned casually against the doorframe, arms crossed, a faint smirk curling his lips.

"Not so fast, Mochi." Mochi blinked, confused.

"What now, Ace? I'm about to pass out here..." Ace's grin widened.

"Hate to break it to you, but this isn't your room anymore." Mochi froze, his brain struggling to process the words.

"Huh? What are you talking about? I've been sleeping here since I joined the guild!" Ace shrugged, clearly enjoying the moment.

"Well not anymore. This room belongs to Amelia now."

"What?!" Mochi yelled, his voice cracking.

"Since when!?" Ace gestured behind him, and Amelia stepped into view with a cheerful smile. She carried a large suitcase in one hand and a bag slung over her shoulder.

"Hi, Mochi!" she chirped, walking past him into the room.

"Thanks for giving up your space Mochi. It's so cozy in here!" Mochi's jaw dropped.

"I didn't agree to this!" He turned back to Ace, pointing an accusatory finger.

"You're behind this, aren't you?!" Ace chuckled and held up his hands.

"Hey, don't blame me. It was Gramps' idea."

"You gotta let a lady have her space" Just as Mochi's protests grew louder, Thomas appeared at the base of the staircase, his voice cutting through the argument like a knife.

"That's enough!" He barked, his tone leaving no room for debate. His sharp gaze swept over the group before settling on Mochi.

"Until we expand the house, you'll be sharing a room with Ace." The hallway fell silent... Mochi and Ace stared at Thomas, their expressions a mix of disbelief and horror.

"WHAT?!" They shouted in unison. Thomas's stern expression didn't waver.

"You heard me. You two will just have to get along." Ace protested"I DON'T WANNA SHARE A ROOM WITH HIM!" Thomas folded his arms"Well that's too bad, you're doing it whether you like it or not.." Later that day, Mochi reluctantly dragged his belongings into Ace's room. The space was simple and practical, with a neatly made bed, shelves lined with combat manuals, and a rack of Ace's swords on display. It was clear Ace took pride in his room and he wasn't thrilled about sharing it.

Ace stood in the center of the room, arms crossed, glaring at Mochi like an annoyed landlord.

"Listen up," He said, his voice firm. Grabbing one of his swords, he crouched down and etched a sharp line across the wooden floor, the blade leaving a faint groove.

"This is your side," he said, pointing to one half of the room.

"And this is mine. Cross this line, and I'll make you regret it." Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author. Mochi rolled his eyes and threw his bag onto his bed.

"Fine, fine. You don't have to tell me twice."

"Good," Ace muttered, sheathing his sword. He grabbed his coat and headed for the door.

"I'm going to the store to grab some food. Try not to destroy anything while I'm gone." The door clicked shut behind him, leaving Mochi alone in the dim room. He sighed, collapsing onto his bed.

"Could this day get any worse?" he mumbled He rolled around on the bed for a little while, it was uncomfortable compared to his old matress...

"... I'm bored." He'd tried taking a nap, but somehow ended up even more awake than before. His eyes drifted to the ceiling.

"... Maybe Amelia's doing something." He then made his way to his old room which was now Amelia's and stopped outside her room. Knock. Knock A calm voice answered from inside.

"Come in." Mochi opened the door. The room was surprisingly tidy. Books neatly lined the shelves, a small potted flower sat on the windowsill, and sunlight poured across a wooden desk where Amelia sat with a pen in her hand. She didn't even notice him at first, completely focused on the pages before her. Mochi stepped inside.

"Hey, Amelia." She looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"Oh, hey, Mochi." He walked over to her desk, curiously peering at the stack of papers.

"What's all that you're writing?" Amelia glanced down at the manuscript.

"Oh... it's just a novel I'm working on."

"You write novels?"

"I never knew" She nodded.

"Reading and writing have been hobbies of mine ever since I was a little girl." Mochi's curiosity only grew.

"Oh?"

"What's it about?" Amelia smiled softly.

"It's about a young knight who was born without any magical talent."

"He dreams of becoming the kingdom's greatest protector, even though everyone tells him he'll never amount to anything."

"So instead of relying on magic..."

"He studies strategy, trains relentlessly, and protects people with nothing but his determination." She looked fondly at the pages.

"It's really a story about proving that kindness and perseverance can be stronger than natural talent." Mochi smiled.

"That's pretty cool." He scratched the back of his head.

"Maybe I'll give it a read when it's finished." Amelia blinked.

"... Wait."

"You can read?" Mochi slowly turned his head toward her. He stared with the most unimpressed expression imaginable.

"..."

"... I'm not as dumb as I look, you know."

"Don't shame me like that." Amelia immediately covered her mouth.

"Oh!"

"Yeah, you're right."

"I'm sorry." She chuckled as she scratched the back of her head.. Mochi sighed dramatically.

"I swear everyone thinks I can barely count." A small laugh escaped Amelia.

"Sorry..." She set her pen down before looking back at him.

"Anyways..."

"Did you need something?" Mochi snapped his fingers.

"Oh yeah!"

"So I was thinking..."

"What if we head over to the main guild hall Gramps showed us earlier and pick up a quest?" Amelia looked back at her unfinished pages.

"Hmm..."

"I don't know."

"I'm kind of busy right now..." Mochi folded his arms.

"Really?" She nodded.

"I wanted to finish another chapter today." Mochi thought for a moment. Then he asked,"How much cash do you have in your pocket?" Amelia confidently reached toward her pouch.

"... Uh..." She searched one pocket. Then another. Her movements gradually slowed.

"..."

"... None." Mochi pointed at her with a grin.

"Exactly." He stepped closer.

"We can earn some money and get some experience."

"It's basically killing two birds with one stone." Amelia looked at her manuscript. Then at her empty coin pouch. Then back at Mochi.

"..." She let out a defeated sigh.

"... Alright." She placed the pen neatly on top of the papers.

"Fine."

"I'll go." Mochi pumped his fist.

"Nice!" He turned toward the door.

"Alright, let's go!" Amelia laughed.

"Hold on." She stood from her chair and stretched.

"At least let me prepare first."

"I'll be downstairs in a bit." Mochi nodded.

"Got it." He waved without looking back.

"I'll wait for you." As he stepped out of the room, Amelia looked down at the unfinished novel on her desk. She gently smiled to herself.

"I suppose..."

"The next chapter can wait." She carefully closed the manuscript before packing bags for their next quest.. Mochi stepped into his room and looked around.

"Alright..." He rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

"What do I bring?" His eyes wandered across the room.

"Hmm..."

"Supplies." Without another thought, he grabbed a worn leather backpack from beside his bed. He opened it wide. Then started throwing things inside without much thought. A loaf of bread. Thud. A rope. Thunk. A blanket. Fwoomp. A small frying pan.

"... Could be useful." Clang. Three apples. A random spoon.

"... Why not?" He paused, staring at the spoon.

"... Actually..." He shrugged.

"Nah." The spoon stayed. After stuffing in a few more completely unnecessary items, Mochi struggled to close the bulging bag. He shoved down on it with both hands.

"C'mon..."

"... Almost..." Click"There we go." He slung it over his shoulder with a satisfied grin.

"That'll do." A few moments later, Mochi made his way downstairs. As he reached the lobby, he spotted Tony kneeling beside a wooden crate. The dog was carefully organizing glass vials, herbs, and polished metal tools into a satchel almost as big as he was. Mochi tilted his head.

"Tony?" Tony looked up.

"Oh, hey, Mochi."

"What're you doing?" Tony held up a glass flask.

"Just sorting my alchemist equipment."

"If I don't organize everything now, I'll spend forever looking for it later." Mochi nodded.

"Makes sense." An idea suddenly crossed his mind.

"Hey."

"Wanna come with us?" Tony blinked.

"Hm?"

"We're heading to the guild hall to pick up a quest." Tony's ears perked up.

"Really?"

"Yep."

"You in?" Tony looked excited... But then hesitated.

"... What about Ace?" Mochi shrugged.

"He's at the market right now."

"If he misses the quest..." He smirked.

"... That's on him." Tony laughed.

"He'll definitely complain later."

"Oh, absolutely." Tony zipped up his satchel and swung it onto his back.

"Alright."

"I'm in."

"Awesome." Just then, Amelia walked down the stairs, now dressed for travel with her satchel resting over one shoulder and her staff strapped across her back.

"You two ready?" Mochi gave a thumbs-up.

"Yep." Tony nodded enthusiastically.

"I'm ready for this!" The three of them walked toward the front entrance where Thomas was busy reading through a newspaper.. He glanced up as they approached.

"Heading somewhere?" Mochi smiled.

"We're going to the main guild hall to pick up a quest." Thomas looked at the three of them for a moment before smiling.

"Good."

"Experience in the field is the best teacher, so I even advise you go do one..." He folded his arms.

"Just don't take on anything beyond your capabilities."

"We won't,""Don't worry Thomas" Amelia replied. Thomas gave a small nod.

"Then go."

"And stay safe."

"We will!" Tony said cheerfully. Mochi pushed open the guild doors. Warm sunlight spilled across the stone steps outside. He adjusted the backpack on his shoulders.

"Alright." He grinned at Amelia and Tony.

"Let's see what kind of trouble we can find." Amelia sighed with a small smile.

"Hopefully... not too much trouble." Tony chuckled.

"Knowing you?"

"I wouldn't count on it." The three laughed together before setting off toward the bustling guild hall, completely unaware that their first quest would become far more than a simple job.