Even before reaching the pit, Joey was already anticipating what was inside. He hoped it would be the third Arkja Gem, though that was a bit of a high expectation, but that's human nature.

"Huh? What's this?"

Joey squatted beside the pit, watching the digger inside. The digger swung his pickaxe a few times, and a round sphere that was extremely similar in color to the soil appeared in his hand.

This sphere is only the size of an egg, and there's nothing particularly special about it from its appearance.

"Dig! Dig!"

Digging, holding the "egg," climbed out of the pit and handed it to Joey.

Joey reached out and took it. Although it wasn't an Ekya gem, the fact that it caught Digcha's eye meant it must be a valuable item.

"It's time to go back. I want to take a nice bath!"

Nearly a month of training had left Joey feeling exhausted. Although he had mastered archery, he might have to figure out the other hunter skills on his own. Besides, he had already used up all the ordinary arrows. He was unwilling to use these expensive arrows as practice tools; they were too costly. He was a thrifty person and couldn't do that.

Dig ...

...

At the gate of Ash Furnace City.

The city's garrison, which originally numbered only ten, now numbered twenty.

"Hey bro, what's with all these people showing up all of a sudden?"

Joey, who had just reached the city gate, asked curiously.

"Lord Joey? You're back?"

As an important guest of Ashfury, Joey personally escorted Catherine back to Ashfury, and naturally became a familiar face to the soldiers there. Seeing that he had been gone for so long, the soldiers guarding the city greeted him.

"Yeah, I went out to take care of some things, and I came back as soon as I was done."

Joey looked around the city streets and saw that there seemed to be more people in the city than usual.

The soldiers guarding the city followed Joey's gaze and looked into the city, saying softly, "Next month is Lady Catherine's twentieth birthday. Recently, there have been a lot of outsiders coming to the city, so we have arranged more manpower here for the safety of the city!"

"Is it Catherine's twentieth birthday?"

This was the first time Joey had heard this news, and it seemed she would have to prepare a gift for her unofficial fiancé.

Joey instinctively reached into his fanny pack and held the egg-sized ball he had just brought back from outside in his hand.

"You don't know yet? This matter has already spread far and wide. Many people from other places have flocked into the city, probably just to see what the commotion is about. I've also heard that many people are taking this opportunity to propose marriage to the city lord!"

The soldier guarding the city seemed to be a talkative person, as he spoke everything without reservation.

"Proposing marriage?"

Joey's expression changed, no longer as friendly as before.

"I'm afraid they won't have that chance!"

Joey spoke these words very softly, and the soldiers guarding the city did not hear them clearly.

What did you say?

"I didn't say anything, I was just a little envious of those who were planning to propose marriage, after all, Catherine is a great beauty!"

"Of course! You have to see how popular our Lady Catherine is; she's the pride of Grayfurnace City!"

It was clear that the soldier held Catherine in high esteem.

"Alright, I won't bother you anymore, bro, I'm going in now!"

Joey calculated that it was still early before Catherine's birthday, so he had plenty of time to prepare.

After bidding farewell to the soldiers guarding the city, Joey headed towards the castle.

...

Splash—

Joey emerged from the water, settled into a comfortable position in the tub, and wiped the water off her face.

"Ah, that feels so good! A hot bath is definitely the best way to get relief from this!"

My body, which was initially fatigued, is gradually recovering, and it seems it won't take too long.

Click!

The sound of a door lock being opened startled Joey, who was enjoying herself, and she turned to look at the door.

Dododo...

The sound of high heels hitting the ground followed, and a figure slowly appeared in front of Joey.

"Little Black!"

"Oh, no, I should call you Leviathan!"

Joey looked at the female elf in front of him, who was none other than Little Black, who had spent every day with him. This time, he spoke directly in Elvish.

"Having been out there for so long, have you become familiar with the hunter's skills?"

Levia didn't answer Joey's question. Instead, she walked straight to Joey's side and sat down on the edge of his bucket, revealing the full curve of her rounded buttocks.

How did you know? I don't recall ever mentioning it to you!

Joey was somewhat surprised, but his eyes never left Lyria's buttocks.

"No matter how many times you wash, you can never get rid of that awful hunter's smell that's unique to you!"

Levia reached her left hand into the bucket and gently stirred the still water.

"Smell? Do I smell? I just took a nice shower, so why do I smell bad?"

Joey found it strange; he didn't think he had any bad smell on him.

"snort!"

Levia gave a soft snort, pulled her hand out of the water, smelled it, and made a disgusted face.

"Hey, that's a bit too much!"

Joey just wanted to take a nice bath, not to be teased.

Levia shook her hands, then picked up the clean clothes Joey had laid out for her to change into, and wiped the remaining water from her hands.

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