The noise of the harbor district gradually faded behind them.
With heavy purses full of money from selling their spoils, Gauss Squad found an inn in the harbor's Upper City and checked in.
Captain Fern saw them all the way to the inn's entrance before saying goodbye. After solemnly thanking them again, he even put in a good word for his ship, saying they could contact the Seagull if they needed passage out to sea in the future.
"Yaaawn—"
Alya yawned.
A hint of fatigue showed on her face.
She hadn't gotten a good rest during all those days aboard the Seagull and on the island.
After disembarking, they'd run into members of the Great Serpent Adventurer Group, and then selling off their spoils bit by bit had taken plenty of time and energy.
Now that they finally had a chance to rest, the weariness hit her all at once.
After all, people weren't machines.
"Let's get a good night's sleep."
Gauss watched the sky gradually turn yellow and made the suggestion.
They could submit the commission tomorrow. While they were at it, they could go to the Adventurer's Guild's spell shop and buy a Spellbook for Comprehend Languages.
"See you tomorrow."
The next morning.
Gauss opened the window, and the sea breeze swept in.
The harbor slowly awoke in the morning light.
Golden sunlight spilled across the sea, glinting in scattered flecks and illuminating the countless ships moored in the harbor.
The docks were already bustling with the day's work.
Bare-chested dockworkers chanted as they hauled bundles of cargo from the ships' holds onto the gangplanks, then stacked them in the designated storage areas.
Merchant ships and fishing boats preparing to head out to sea were making their final preparations, checking their ropes and adjusting their sails.
Every so