Another day had elapsed in the village. The sun is just rising from the sky and the wind is blowing fresh through the trees and houses. Usually, it would be quiet and the villagers will be busy doing their jobs, but because of a certain group of people, or rather, adventurers, there has been a commotion.
Tabimiko, the weirdly named lost person they allowed in the village weeks ago has been visited by his friends. He didn't tell them where he came from or what his job was, so they were surprised to know that he was an adventurer from a different country. The story goes that he was separated in his party after they got attacked in the road - it was something like that, and somehow, he ended up in their village.
"Thank you for taking care of Tabimiko-san."
Inside the elder's house, the three visitors are having a meet with the elder, her daughter, and tabimiko himself.
With the gears they were wearing, it was apparent that they were adventurers. The person who introduced himself as the leader was called Jin. He wore a very light set of armor and his weapon of choice was a number of short swords that are collected on his waist. The other two who hadn't introduced themselves yet were both females. These two females were so beautiful that the spectators thought they were not adventurers, but the leader's wives, or perhaps even Tabimiko's.
The saddened look on Anna and the elder's face was clearly shown, both on the fact that Tabimiko was leaving, and they had no chance of convincing him to stay any longer. It was something they realized prior to this meeting, but they didn't want to lose hope in keeping him as a part of their village.
"It's only been a few days, but Tabimiko-san had really connected deeply to us. It saddens me that his leave would be inevitable." The elder reluctantly said.
"Umu, that is true. Tabimiko-san is a big part of our party as well, and we can't have him stay far from us for too long. I'm sorry for that." Jin apologetically said.
The truth is, Jin had nothing to apologize about, but he knows that Tabimiko had truly made deep relations with the villagers - and if he was here to take Tabimiko away, then his presence would be unwanted.
"Tabimiko said that you treated him well." Jin tried to lift up the mood and change the flow of the conversation. If he didn't do that, the conversation would lead to a series of smalls talks; returning to awkward silence.
So, out of nowhere, he took out a small bag and places it on top of the table between him and the elder. The sound the bag made when it landed on the wooden surface of the table made it looked heavy. It was oblivious what its content was, and Anna and his father made baffled expressions on their faces.
"Think of this as my payment for that. Umu, for letting him stay and treating him well," Jin said with a confident expression on his face.
While it was true that that bag was for Tabimiko's stay in their village, that was only half of the reason why he wanted to pay them. The information the village has provided to Jin was the real reason he felt obligated to give them some kind of payment. If it weren't for that information, he wouldn't be able to convince his other guild members, and he wouldn't be able to casually go to the surface without minding any kind of threat he would encounter, which was proven very little with their help.
"Wa-Wait! This much is!" Even though they still haven't seen how much was given, they already acted surprise.
Prior to this conversation, Jin had asked Tabimiko how much he should give them; he said that a few amounts of coins would be enough. He didn't say any specific value, so Jin just went to give what he thought would be few.
He did not expect they would have that kind of reaction.
"Please don't worry about it. This much is enough for what you did for Tabimiko. We're really glad for your help." Jin reassured, which made the elder visibly calm down.
"But... Is it alright if I look at it?" The elder asked, sweating and nervous.
"It's fine. I hope it will satisfy you." Jin smiled and waited for the elder to open the bag. Much to his surprise, the elder froze to the sight of its contents.
"Hey! Old man!" Jin rushes towards the elder but was stopped when Anna went to his side before him.
"So-Sorry, Jin-sama! My... my father is just really too old. Please, allow me to talk in his place." She apologizes, bowing her head. Her eyes were staring back and forth between her father, Jin, and the opened bag that was on the table.
"As I guess... Jin-sama... this is really just too much." Taking up the place of her father, Anna spoke.
"No, no... as I said, this is for helping Tabimiko." Jin refutes. The reluctant resistance of both Anna and the elder was starting to get to him.
Why can't they just accept it? He asked internally. If he could, he would lessen that amount, but he can't just casually take back his offer like it was nothing. That would be embarrassing for him. Thankfully, Tabimiko has supported him, seeing that he was starting to get annoyed.
"Anna-san. I'm really thankful for treating me so kindly since I went to this village. I'm the one who asked Jin to give you this amount, so think of this as my payment as well."
"Bu-But... We haven't really done that much for you, Tabimiko-sama! In fact, you're the one who helped us with so many things!"
Hearing her say that, Tabimiko's brows twitch. It seems that even he would have a hard time convincing them.
(What a pain) Both Jin and Tabimiko internally complained.
"We-well! Anna-san, is it? I can't just take this amount back; I really hope that you will accept it. Tabimiko mentioned to me that this village is in a rough situation. Don't you think this money will help with that?"
"But... aren't these gold bars, Jin-sama?"
"Yes, I'm sure these would be enough to help your village," Jin said with a satisfied look on his face. Then, he counted the gold bars inside the bag and took one.
"Since we came from a different country, I cannot give you our coins. So instead, I thought that these would be fine. Three gold bars, this is actually very little amount to us." Jin had no intention of bragging, but he wanted Anna to know that giving the gold to them wouldn't affect him much. It would serve very little to him, and he wanted to convince her that it would be much better if they use it instead.
After saying that, he put the single bar of gold on the table.
"I won't take it back; it's either I will leave these at this house without giving it to anyone, or you will accept it and my gratitude. I prefer you would pick the second choice."
With that said, Anna went silent. Then, her eyes shifted towards Tabimiko, who smiled at her, also insisting for her to accept.
"Umm... Thank you very much, Jin-sama, Tabimiko-sama." She lowered her head as she finally yields.
"I... I'm sorry if I wasted your time resisting. But, I just really thought that we didn't deserve it; that we didn't need to be paid. We have integrity as well, even if we're a poor village."
"No, it's fine. As long as you accept it. I'm really glad we could settle this." Jin nodded as he replied, waiting for Anna and her grandfather to acknowledge his statement.
"Thank you very much, Jin-sama."
"Then, Anna-san..." After they finally agree on one thing, it was time to turn to another subject.
"I heard you're going to the city? Is it fine if we come along as well?"