This time, without any delays, they returned to the surface before sunset.
Due to the early return, Aston and the others exchanged their magic stones.
From the two adventures over four days, especially in the lower and deeper levels, their gains were substantial.
It took the guild staff half an hour to count the magic stones they exchanged.
In total, it amounted to sixty million valis.
Divided among the five of them, each received twelve million.
This was the first time Aston had gained such a huge bounty since entering the dungeon.
Upon receiving the valis, Aston's first thought was that it was time to change the location of their Familia's base.
Next, he planned to have Hestia recruit elven adventurers and subdue Xenos. The underground church wasn't suitable, lacking the conditions to accommodate so many people.
The twelve million would be just enough to buy a moderately sized villa.
He decided to leave this task to Hestia and Eina.
Yes, Eina.
Aston hadn't seen Eina in a few days.
Ever since the first time he asked Ais and others to take him to the deeper levels, he hadn't seen her.
After this reunion, Eina immediately quit her job at the guild, prepared to join the Hestia Familia and become Aston's companion.
Another guild employee, a blond elf onee-san named Airel, Eina's senior, also followed suit.
The reason was clear without asking.
Both Eina and the elf onee-san Airel were attracted to the aura emanating from Aston.
As Riveria had said before, Aston's aura was like a deadly poison to elves, capable of driving them insane.
Both Airel and Eina were in this situation.
Of course, it wasn't that Aston's aura directly changed their cognition. They were still rational, but his aura was enough for them to give up their guild jobs and follow him instead.
To them, the guild job wasn't something irreplaceable.
They could always find something else, like joining the Hestia Familia where Aston was.
Especially Eina, who, after learning about the effects of Aston's aura, even asked Aston for a strand of his hair.
At first, Aston thought Eina was in a situation similar to Ryuu's.
However, after Eina explained, Aston understood that she wanted it for her mother, Aina, who was gravely ill.
Aston's aura could restore an elf's vitality and bring them back to their best condition.
While a strand of Aston's hair didn't have as strong an effect as his presence and was only temporary, it was enough to restore Eina's mother's health to that of a normal person.
With Eina quitting her guild job, Aston lost his adventurer consultant.
The guild did not assign a new consultant to Aston.
After all, even though Eina was preparing to become an adventurer and enter the dungeon, she herself was an adventurer consultant, and her understanding of the dungeon was no less than any other guild staff.
Such a development was enough to assist Aston.
"Just a few days apart, and you've changed so much," Eina remarked as they walked side by side on the street, feeling emotional.
The last time she saw Aston, he didn't have this irresistible aura for elves.
Her extra care for Aston was simply because, like her, he was a half-elf.
Eina wouldn't admit that she had a significant fondness for Aston because he was younger.
Nevertheless, unacknowledged or not, the fondness was there.
Therefore, when Aston exuded this rich natural aura, it compounded her feelings, leading Eina to unhesitatingly quit her guild job to follow Aston and prepare to join the Hestia Familia.
"When I was younger, I visited the Elven Capital. The natural aura there was very rich, but it can't compare to you, Aston-san."
"Wherever you are, Aston-san, could be a holy land for the elven race," the blond elf onee-san, Airel, spoke up from Aston's other side, her tone slightly respectful, indicating Aston's high status in her heart.
Riveria had mentioned this as well.
"Riveria said that wherever I am becomes a sacred place for elves, and my existence is like poison to them, attracting every elf," Aston said with a chuckle.
"Princess Riveria!" Aston's words greatly surprised both the onee-san elf Airel and Eina.
They hadn't expected royal elf Riveria to give such a comment about Aston, almost like an official endorsement.
But thinking about it, it made sense.
Aston's aura was indeed like poison to elves, a kind that could attract any elf.
Just like how they were both drawn to Aston, unable to extricate themselves.
"Let's call it a day. I'll go back first and come to find you tomorrow, Aston. Is that okay?" Eina said as they reached a crossroad.
"Yes, come find me tomorrow, I have something for you," Aston replied with a smile, waving goodbye to Eina.
Airel, standing beside Aston, also waved at Eina.
Eina waved back and then turned to leave, seemingly eager to bring the strand of hair she got from Aston to her mother, Aina.
"Let's go. Let Hestia inscribe a falna for you," Aston said, watching Eina's figure disappear from sight, then turned to the taller elf onee-san Airel beside him.
"Yes, Aston-san."
"Hey, Airel, do you have any friends?"
"What do you mean, Aston-san?"
"The Hestia Familia is starting to expand and needs new members, especially strong elves."
"If you have someone in mind, you can introduce them."
"Yes, Aston-san, Airel guarantees to complete the task."
"Task... Well, let's treat it as a task."
***
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