"I see... So that's what happened... No wonder I didn't see you exit the Labyrinth... You two really are something, huh..." ［Jiro］

  "Hahaha. We just thought it was a good ce to get some training done." ［Grey］

  "Un! And there were lots of treasures as well! It was really amazing!" ［Yuna］

  "That's to be expected. It was the 9th floor, after all. I'm surprised that you could even ugh while talking about something so horrifying." ［Jiro］

  Three distinct voices echoed ireets and the sun was reag its zenith. As they walked ever so leisurely, they were greeted by the wonderful sery, getting greener and greener, trasting the blue sea and sky.

  As they went further away from the port, less and less houses could be seen. Only nature was the one encroag, the paths transitioning from stone brick streets to a dry dirt path, grass and bushes growing by the sidewalks.

  Not long after, a certain house could be seen, not too big but not too shabby. It was a wonderful house, surrounded by lush and lovely greenery, whole stones embedded on the ground to make a lovely pathway.

  "Oh, looks like we're here." ［Jiro］

  It was, of course, her than Jiro's lovely home which just screamed fort and ess. It may not be like the massive mansions Grey and Yuna had been to before, but a single gnce was all it took to tell it was a beautiful home.

  It reminded Grey and Yuna of their little cottage ba the forest which has been their first home. Of course, there was also the new house they were strug in the "Sanctuary", one which was still far from pletion.

  Knooock

  "I'm home～!" ［Jiro］

  Knocks resounded in the air and Jiro's voice soon followed after. It wasn't long before another set of sounds danced in the air, they were rapid footsteps nearing the door, a clid creak adding the final touch as the doors opened widely.

  "Dad! You're back!" ［Son 1］

  "Wele home, Dad!" ［Son 2］

  "Dad, did y some presents? Did you? Did you?" ［Daughter］

  Three lovely faces greeted Jiro warmly, jumping to his arms with excitement painted on their faces. If it wasn't for the fact that Jiro was a High-Rahey would have all stumbled, falling to the ground with Jir as their cushion.

  Well, it wasn't just the three children. After the kids, a lovely dy came out from the kit, an apron still ed around her waist. There was no need fuessing. The lovely dy was her than Jiro's beautiful wife.

  "Wele back, Honey." ［Wife］

  The greeting was also quite different. Uhe children who just rammed towards him head first, the wife gently approached him, leaowards his face, and gave him one soft kiss. Married couples really are something.

  "You must be tired from work. I'm preparing lunch right now. How about you get inside and take a seatー Oh, we have guests?" ［Wife］

  The wife stopped, looking at Grey and Yuna with curious eyes. After her, the children also followed, who the guests were and tilting their heads as they couldn't quite figure things out. All they saw were tweous strangers.

  "Yeah, they're my acquaintances from quite some time back. Sorry for springing this on you, but is it alright if they have lunch." ［Jiro］

  "Fufufu! Of course. Any friend of yours is also a friend of mihey're more than wele to join us anytime." ［Wife］

  "Ohh～! We're having lunch with the guests?! Awesome～!" ［Son 1］

  "Then, we py with them?!" ［Son 2］

  Thankfully, everyone was quite weling. Jiro hasn't introduced who Grey and Yuna were yet they already weled them with open arms. It took a bit of a load off Grey and Yuna's shoulders knowing such was the case.

  The boys were especially excited. It remihe two of the ever so excited Galvin as they beamed their sparkly eyes towards them. They were just like i, little puppies, not wary of any dangers in the world.

  "Dear guests, our house may not be much, but I hope you enjoy your time here. Please make yourselves at home." ［Wife］

  "Thank you. We'll be imposing on you." ［Grey］

  "Pardorusion～!" ［Yuna］

  As soon as they stepped ihe house was even more amazing. Though it might look a little small outside, it was actually quite spacious inside. Not only that, it was very aiful as well. Both the yout and furniture were amazing.

  Well, it was only to be expected. After all, Jiro was a High-Ranker. A single k quest could earn him at least a huhousand kiels. In other words, he was rid loaded. Even with modesty, one could only expect grandeur and elegance.

  "Big Sis! Big Bro! Sit here! Sit here!" ［Son 2］

  Like a little ball of pure energy, the you child excitedly invited Grey and Yuna to a nearby couch, patting it cheerfully and showing off how fortable it was. With his eyes sparkling ever shtly, there was no way Grey and Yuna could reject su i invitation.

  And it was just like how it looked. As soon as they sat down, the fort of the sofa weled the two. It was just like their couches at home, soft like they were resting on clouds. It was fantastic.

  "Big Bro, Big Sis, what's your names? I'm An!" ［An］

  "And I'm Alec! I'm 8 years old!" ［Alec］

  "Hello～! I'm Lyra! Dad's cutest daughter!" ［Lyra］

  Oer ahe children introduced themselves to Grey and Yuna. There was the eldest child, Lyra, the middle child, An, and the you, Alelike Jiro who is usually calm, the three were just too eic like excited children in a pyground.

  Now, Grey could finally uand why Jiro said Yuna reminded him of his daughter. Though she isn't as eic as her younger brothers, being a teenager already, the way her eyes sparkled with excitement was just like Yuna's when she finds and sees something iing. The simirities were hard to miss.

  "Hahaha. How rude of us, it seems like we'll also have to introduce ourselves. The name's Grey. o meet you." ［Grey］

  "And I'm Yuna. We're adventurers just like your dad. I hope we get along." ［Yuna］

  "Waah～! Adventurers! That means you must have fought mooo!" ［Alec］

  "Have you gone inside dungeons?! I heard from Dad that it's super scary! What is it like inside?" ［An］

  And at the very mention of the word "adventurer", the childrehusiasm quickly skyrocketed. Especially the boys. Without even hitting the brakes, they asked one question after another, curious about the two's adventures.

  "Now, now, don't brey and Yuna too much. That isn't polite to the guests, you know? They might get unfortable." ［Jiro］

  "Ah. Sorry, Big Bro Grey, Big Sis, we got too excited." ［Lyra］

  "No, no, it's okay. We're quite used to it anyway." ［Yuna］

  Thankfully, Jiro was there to calm down the kids. With just a couple statements from him, the kids quickly settled down and sat down properly. Evehat doesn't mean the glow in their eyes had vahey were still sparkling.

  "Well, now that the kids have introduced themselves, albeit chaotically, there's only one more perso, right?" ［Jiro］

  Said Jiro with his eyes swimming towards oiful woman. The tter simply covered her mouth with one of her hands, letting out a soft and barely audible ugh as she watched her family with warm ale eyes.

  "This is my lovely aiful wife, Alma. I don't mean t, but she also just happens to be the prettiest woman in townー No, the whole world." ［Jiro］

  "Fufufu! Hohat's too embarrassing. You 't always keep saying that to every one of uests." ［Alma］

  "But it's true, though? My wife is the most beautiful woman in the world." ［Jiro］

  There was o ask. His words alone firmed ohing, and that thing is, that Jiro was a fool for his wife. A doting husband, so to say. He wasn't the first they saw, but he really was on another level, flirting so openly in front of the guests. He was amazing in ways more than one.

  Well, it's not like Grey and Yuna could also retort to them as they, too, are head over heels over one another. It made them wonder whether there was something wrong in the heads of High-rankers. Only Kurt seemed to be the normal one.

  "But Grey and Yuna, hmm... I feel like I've heard those names somewhere before? I just 't pinpoint where..." ［Alma］

  "Hahaha. Of course you did. After all... uests here are amongst the six Heroes of Alfrione." ［Jiro］

  A shog and bewilderiion!ー or so what one might expect. But rather than shock, Jiro's family only felt excitement and admiration as they looked at Grey and Yuna again. Everyone's eyes were beaming.

  "Awesome! I heard you defeated a Garudas in the capital! Is that true?!" ［An］

  "Waah～! Big Bro Grey and Big Sis Yuna must be super strong then!" ［Alec］

  "Big Bro, Big Sis, I get an autograph?!" ［Lyra］

  Oheir identities were revealed, the children which Jiro has once calmed down have started to go loose again. They couldn't stop their excitement anymore, bringing chaos to the house as their liveliness engulfed thepce.

  They were eic, sure, but pared to the others bowing and trembling ohey got to know their identities, it was a refreshing sight. A small smile could be seen surfag atop Grey and Yuna's face as they eaihe children,

  "Fufufu! Then it seems I'll have to do my best in cooking. I 't let our heroes eat something medioow, I?" ［Alma］

  "Ah! About that, Missus Alma, we help you out a bit?" ［Grey］

  "Oh? You would like to cook as well? I'm fih that, but would that be alright? Our kit's a little on the smaller side." ［Alma］

  "Un! It's fine! We promised to ister Jiro a good lun exge for showing us around, after all." ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! Then it would be my honor to cook along our dear heroes." ［Alma］

  Everything done aled, Alma, along with Grey and Yuna, headed towards the kit. And unlike what Alma described it was, though nor as much as theirs, the pce was actually quite spacious, enough for them to work in.

  Of course, there was o waste any time. As soon as they finished a qui around the kit, Grey and Yuna quickly took out a mountain of ingredients from his "Iory", the fresh seafood they just bought dominating the pce.

  "Oh? You're cooking them already?" ［Jiro］

  "Of course. It's best to cook them fresh, after all." ［Grey］

  Or so he says, but deep down, he khat such a thing ure nonseime doesn't flow inside "Iory" , after all. All ingredients put inside would remain fresh and in their best qualities. Well, he vinced Jiro and that's all that matters.

  "Yuna, I'll handle all the seafood dishes for now. I leave the others and the desserts to you?" ［Grey］

  "Of course! Leave it to me!" ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! Looks like I'll have to start moving then." ［Alma］

  Like warriors in a war, three figures entered a heated battlefield, equipped with their trusty knives and spatus. One ingredient was taken out after another and the sound of spshes echoed as the faucets were opened.

  Chop Fwoosh Sizzle

  Not long after and the kit's orchestra resounded in the air once again. The pil started to boil, the pans started to heat up, the ets were opened and closed, and the karted moving. The kit only got heated.

  Though she may just be a regur person, Alma didn't lose out to Grey and Yuna's speed and precision. As one would expect from a housewife, she was a monster i, her hands faster than lightning as her knives cut through the vegetables.

  "Dad! Look! The dishes are flying!" ［Alec］

  "Ohh!! Is this how you cook in other pces?! Awesome!" ［An］

  "Big Bro, Big Sis, I want to learn that too!" ［Lyra］

  And as the kit shressed, the children watched them from the sidelines, enjoying the wonderful show where fishes were flying, meat ks were diced in a split sed, and fmes devoured the pans whole. Cooking with magic!

  It was as if there were a hundred cooks i. With Grey and Yuna's magic, the kit was he same. With just a flick of their hands, things flew here and there and the fmes bursted forth and mellowed down. In just a couple of mihey dished out dish after dish.

  There was the usual rice, curry, omelettes, sagna, noodles, fried pork, beef steak, and many more. But sihey were in a port town, the number of seafood dishes wasn't something to scoff at either.

  From simple fried fish, to savory cm soups, lobster dishes, camares, takoyaki, and seafood dishes from across various cultures, Grey dished out dishes like a rapid-fire mae gun, quickly filling the dining table in a matter of minutes.

  "And I guess it's time for these guys, huh..." ［Grey］

  Of course, the sea cucumbers weren't left aloher. Though he may not know much about them, he knows a couple ese delicacies from scrolling online oer, It was time to put his knowledge to good use.

  First es the ing and preparations. With the use of his knife and a little bit of magic Grey sliced off the unnecessary parts like the front and the back, slig it open and washing the insides, exposing the tender and bouncy meat.

  Sed came the peeling off the meat from the leathery skin, raking only a couple of seds. After which, the meat was then cut into strips and squares. Of course, some sea cucumbers were prepared differently for a quicrease in variety. Some were also soaked quickly.

  There wasn't too much to think about. With the sea cucumbers now prepared, Grey quickly cooked them in various ways. There was simple marinating and frying, there was braising it with mushrooms aables, salt-grilled ones, and many more.

  The sea cucumbers, the juicy camares, the buttered lobsters, and the many more seafood dishes Grey prepared. The dining table was filled to the brim with a number of amazing dishes, exuding an appetizing fragrance which was hard to resist.

  "Waah～! So luxurious! we really eat all these?" ［Lyra］

  "Big Bro, Big Sis, I eat already?!" ［Alec］

  "Of course, you eat as much as you want. Just be careful not to choke yourselves, okay?" ［Yuna］

  The dining table was literally sparkling, filled with tasty and colorful dishes from left tht. It was a sight not even nobles could see every day. Even Grey and Yuna were a little shocked about their dishes. They went a little bit overboard once again.

  "Now, now, you should wash your hands before eating." ［Alma］

  """Yes～!"""

  Footsteps danced in the air as the children raced towards the kit, spshes soon eg afterwards. Everyone was excited to have a taste of the meal set atop the dining table, uo hide their bright, smiling faces.

  "Still... We sure made a lot, didn't we..." ［Alma］

  "Hahaha. Sorry, we just got too excited and made a little too many... Ah, but don't worry, we'll make sure nothing goes to waste." ［Grey］

  "Un! We'll make sure all ptes are and tidy!" ［Yuna］

  "Fufufu! That's good to hear. It isn't good to waste food, after all." ［Alma］

  Alma was giggling to herself, but little does she know, Grey and Yu it when they'll make sure nothing goes to waste. They're Grey and Yuna, after all. A meal for a dozen people is an easy feat for the two of them.

  It didn't rake long before the childreurned with their hands and tidy. They then took their seats oer another, sitting parallel to where Grey and Yuna were, they could no longer hide their excitement. Especially Alec, he was already drooling.

  """Thank you for the meal!!"""

  The short prayer was done and out of the way, everyohen grabbed their spoon and forks, and soon enough, their little feast started to ence. Everyone served themselves a handful of dishes and dug straight in with sparkly eyes.

  "Woow～! Sho dewishous!" ［Lyra］

  "This is awesome! I want to eat more!" ［An］

  "Oh dear, what an amazing taste. Honey, here, have some of this." ［Alma］

  Their eyes sparkled even more the moment they had a taste of the dishes in front of them. Be it the ones Grey and Yuna cooked or the homey ones made by Alma, all were delicious and filling to the stomachs.

  But the one most pleased of them all was Grey. Though he knew a lot of recipes, he hasn't really had the ce to any of them due to their high prices ba Earth. Even then, he was thankful for the i. Thanks to it, he could get to taste something so amazing.

  "Grey! The sea cucumber is so amazing! It's bound delicious!" ［Yuna］

  "Didn't I say so? Here, have some of this takoyaki as well." ［Grey］

  "Un! Thank you!" ［Yuna］

  Of course, Grey was especially thankful that Yuna loved the seafood he made. They really haven't had much seafood to enjoy ba the Beldon mansion, and so he made sure to prioritize them over the others, and he was gd he did. Otherwise, he wouldn't see such a beautiful and satisfied smile.

  She really was like a hamster. Though she hasn't finished her food yet, she stuffs in another bund eats them ever so joyfully. The only time she stops is when she wants to talk. Yuna really was adorable.

  "Oh? Missus Alma, is this made with the Sea Serpent?" ［Grey］

  "It is. Would you like to have some?" ［Alma］

  "Yes. Please, and thank you." ［Grey］

  Lunch tinued eventfully and a number of ughs echoed in the air. The ptes and dishes soon disappeared one another, and it was only then that Alma realized what Grey and Yualking about before.

  They couldn't even notice Grey and Yuna's hands when they move when they feed themselves. Before they k, their mouths were filled with another bite and they were already chewing on food once agaied smiles on their faces.

  Though they may look graceful wheing, if oo observe carefully, they really were just a pair of big eaters, thhly enjoying their meals. In just a moment, their ptes are filled to the brim, and the moment, everything's gone. Amazing. That's all they could think of.

  "Alright! I will eat more too so that I bee super strong like Big Bro Grey and Big Sis Yuna!" ［Alec］

  "Wait, Alec, me too! I'll also eat more!" ［An］

  And it seems like they influenced another pair of souls too. The children who were usually picky with food ate ever so enthusiastically until they were bloated. A warm atmosphere was all over the pce.

  Lunch was soon over, and the afternoon ent inside Jiro's house. They pyed games, told stories, and just chatted merrily. Everyone had a merry and wonderful time together, just wasting it away in the fort of their home.

  The sun finally started to set and the sky ainted amber once again. The salty breeze swept through the city once more and the final radiance of twilight graced the town. With the ending of the day, it was finally time to say their goodbyes.

  "Are you sure you won't be having dinner over?" ［Jiro］

  "Well, we'd love to, but everyone might worry if we get home too te. Maybe ime, when we have the ce." ［Grey］

  "Haah... Then I guess this is goodbye for now," ［Jiro］

  "Fufufu! Don't worry, we'll make sure to visit again!" ［Yuna］

  There were no sad goodbyes, only smiling faces as they waved each oodbye. Grey and Yu off into the horizon and before long, their figures slowly vanished into the horizon, only the dimming amber light to be seen.

  The road was long and the sky was getting darker by the sed. With the towing quieter and quieter, the soft howls of the wind and the quiet roars of the waves only became clearer, along with the sound of footsteps as two figures walked ever so slowly.

  "Oh?" ［Grey］

  There was no sort of warning. Befrey even noticed it, Yuna suddenly took his hands and held it tightly. The young dy inched even closer until their arms were toug, leaning her head on his broad shoulders.

  "Is something wrong?" ［Grey］

  "Nuh-uh... I just haven't got the ce to cuddle a lot with you today... I just want to fill up my Grey meter." ［Yuna］

  "Hahaha. Grey meter, huh... Well then... I'll also be filling up my Yuer if you don't mind." ［Grey］

  Said Grey as he held Yuna's hands even tighter and drew her even closer. An act whily served to make the young dy giggle softly as her cheeks turned red like the red sky above them, closing her eyes as she leaned her head closer.

  There were only a few people by the streets and the sky was dimming darker and darker. There was little o hold back themselves any longer, feeling one another's warmth despite the cold breeze as their hearts raced like the winds.

  "Grey, I love you." ［Yuna］

  "Yeah, I know... I love you too, Yuna." ［Grey］

  A siingly sweet atmosphere in the air, the sun had finally set and the stars had finally takehe skies. The street mps turned oer another and the night's symphony pyed along the beaches. Yet another day filled with memories.

  CHAPTER 220 END