"Boss, welcome back."
Back at the hotel, Lorne once again met the company employees he had brought along.
Everyone gathered briefly in the lobby and reported their progress in Weller City over the past two days, along with what they had learned about the local market and customs. At Lorne's signal, they dispersed to rest, leaving only Lorne and Benson chatting in the suite's sitting room.
"Benson, thanks for handling this. Put together a bill for everyone's expenses in Viller over the past few days, including accommodation, meals, and transportation. Bring it to me afterward for reimbursement," Lorne instructed.
"All right." Benson nodded and accepted the task, then asked curiously, "Boss, how was your solo trip?"
"How was it... Well..."
He had spent days running around deep in the mountains and forests. Not only had he failed to find the treasure, but someone had also ambushed him, and he had nearly lost control and become a monster in the mind world.
That was certainly an experience like no other...
Still, looking at it another way... A young noblewoman had saved him when he was on the verge of losing control. Then he had shared a brief, thrilling adventure with her in the Sea of Collective Subconscious. In the end, he had even secretly taken her out of the manor in the middle of the night, flying hand in hand to look at the moon...
What could he say? It had been quite a roller coaster!
Lorne gave an inward, wry laugh, then composed himself.
"It was pretty good. Stoen City really is prosperous. It can't compare to Backlund, but it's certainly much better off than Viller."
"After all, it's the capital of East Chester County."
"But its scenery definitely can't compare to Viller's. Neither can its air..." Benson offered a