He felt the state of Hephaestus’s body; it was somewhat drained, but far from exhausted.
He knew this was just the fellow being lazy.
"Come on, Hephaestus, we’re almost there."
"Once we reach our destination, I’ll treat you to a big meal, personally picking the fattest cattle and sheep for you at the market."
"I’m tired, no."
"Need food, yes."
Hephaestus perked up at these words, replying to Gauss with his limited vocabulary, his wing beats regaining strength.
As for almost reaching Gray Rock Town, Gauss wasn’t bluffing Hephaestus.
Though he indeed used this excuse several times on the road, this time it was real.
His gaze went toward a distant outline appearing at the end of his view, beneath the clouds.
"Finally back! Gray Rock Town!!"
...
Switching from Hephaestus to a normal mount, the group slowly made their way down the road toward Gray Rock Town.
The closer they got to the small town, the more Gauss felt a mixed emotion of anxious excitement.
"Sigh..."
He shook his head with a smile, his heart filled with complex emotions.
It had been less than a year since he left, but it felt like a long, long time had passed.
Maybe it was because of all the things he experienced in the past year?
He exchanged a glance with Aaliyah, both reading the emotions in each other’s eyes.
Gray Rock Town wasn’t the hometown for everyone in the group, but for Gauss and Aaliyah, this ordinary adventurer town held a unique significance.
Especially for Gauss, who could easily call Gray Rock Town his hometown in this world.
After all, he first opened his eyes to this new world in Sofia’s inn room.
At that time, his pockets were emptier than his face, and besides Sofia, he barely had any connections in this world.
And now, he looked at the companions beside him.
"Lord Gauss, shall we go in?"
Albena asked, puzzled as she watched Gauss suddenly stop.
"Sure."
Albena, Serdur, and Ying didn’t have other plans, so they joined the squad, following Gauss back to his "starting village," Gray Rock Town, during this end-of-the-year period.
The soldiers guarding the city gate seemed to have been replaced.
When Gauss and the others returned, they blinked, shocked at the group’s lofty levels, and after inspecting them, allowed them passage.
Once they left, the soldiers began whispering among themselves.
Someone shouted in surprise, recognizing Gauss and the others.
But that’s a story for another time. Gauss and his party entered the main road of the town.
The main street wasn’t crowded.
"We’re back."
"Is this your hometown, Lord Gauss?" Albena turned her head to look around, it seemed somewhat ordinary to her.
It didn’t differ much from Gold and Silver Town, except the houses and roads were slightly better maintained.
"Yes. This is where I started my path as an Adventurer, and so much time has passed since then. I didn’t expect the streets to remain unchanged on my return." Gauss reflected.
Aaliyah snickered at his words, then rolled her eyes at him.
In less than a year, not only Gray Rock Town, but most villages and towns wouldn’t show any notable changes.
"Let’s head to my place first."
Gauss invited.
Both he and Aaliyah owned properties in town, and they were close to each other.
The rooms should suffice, and if not, they could simply buy more houses in town. Anyway, for the squad members, property in Gray Rock Town was as cheap as cabbage.
Walking down the street.
Due to the squad’s icy blessing, they were protected from the cold and dressed lightly, making them stand out on the street.
Additionally, either the squad members were exceptionally good-looking like Gauss, Aaliyah, and Ying, or they had glaring differences in appearance or physique from ordinary people, like the giant-blooded Albena or the half-snake-man Serdur, making them a unique sight on the road.
Town residents naturally fixed their eyes on them, quietly discussing their identities.
Those returning to town at this time were often locals.
"Who are they?"
"They look familiar... let me think..."
"I think I’ve seen them before."
"So tall, that woman."
...
Amidst the low chatter, Gauss navigated through the streets and alleys swiftly, relying solely on his memory.
Finally, he arrived at a familiar alleyway.
"Sofia Inn."
He took a deep breath.
Surveying the half-open door.
During his absence, it seemed Sofia Inn had expanded again. The neighboring store had been "acquired" by Gauss’s familiar lady proprietor.
"Sister Sofia’s business is booming." Aaliyah also noticed the inn’s changes.
Inside the inn, it was bustling, with bits of mealtime conversation floating out.
"Just in time, we haven’t had lunch."
Gauss led his companions across the threshold and into the store.
...
Sofia was checking the accounts, but if someone observed her expression, they’d find she seemed a bit absent-minded.
She was silently counting the days in her mind.
The year was soon ending.
If Gauss and the others were to return to Gray Rock Town, it would most likely be within these few days.
Since the start of winter, she had been pondering this, but hadn’t yet seen the return of that Adventurer Squad.
Regarding her expanding inn and booming business, she wasn’t entirely clueless.
She knew it wasn’t because of her managerial skills or at least not solely related; it definitely had something to do with Gauss.