Travel back to town.

It's still the early afternoon by the time you arrive at the Adventurer's Guild to claim your reward. It isn't like you needed to destroy the tree, and if they went and checked, they would only see a hole where it once was. Quest complete. The woman behind the counter hands you a pouch filled with sixty gold coins. As you begin counting them out at a nearby table, Alice speaks up.

"I do not need a share."

You stop. "No, no. You saved our life! What did you even do back there?"

"That is the thing. I do not know. I was panicking when that happened. It seemed to be some kind of magic cannon."

If she doesn't know, I guess it can't be helped. I don't want to press her too hard. Though she might be into that...

"You helped on this quest, so please accept a share. You may be a golem, but you're still a girl, and you're alive. That means you can buy clothes or whatever else you want. Right?"

"I suppose you are correct."

You separate out the coins into four piles of fifteen. "We almost died, but overall, it wasn't so bad today."

"Not so bad, though I think I prefer cities," Snow mutters.

"I didn't do much, but it was fun to watch," Delphi speaks up with a shrug.

"Then let's get back home," you suggest. "I'm starving."

On your way back, something scratches at your mind. It's nice to have a break from those other girls, but at the same time, you already miss them. There's something missing about a quest without Niki there shouting, Eva being adorable, or Amara's sweet demeanour. After a short walk, you finally arrive at the front gate of Dragonhide Manor, and as you walk inside, you see a familiar tree planted amongst the rest.

Speak of the devil. Near the door of the manor stands all the girls, Yin included, and they're talking with Peony. Nyllia and her party are nowhere to be found, but they seem to be much busier than you are. It explains how she's such a high level.

Peony turns as she hears the footfalls behind her. "There he is!"

"Hey. We're home," you say as the group approaches.

Amara looks to you with concern. "You named a dryad, Mr. Warren? I--"

"Wait a minute. I didn't know what it meant!"

"Ah I see. I will try to believe that."

"It's the truth and you know it!"

"That oni was badass," Niki says. "She planted this dryad girl's entire tree into the ground like it was nothing. Peony, was it? You just keep bringing people home, don't you, Kyle?"

Eva crosses her arms beneath her bust. "And she said that you... calmed her down by making her feel really good."

"Uh. I can exp--" you begin to say.

Delphi cuts you off. "He shouted pleasure! And when he touched her, well you can kinda guess. Now that's what I call magic."

Snow and Alice nod.

Way to throw me under the bus here.

"What kind of magic is that?!" Eva shouts. "Why do you have such a perverted spell, huh?"

"I didn't pick my spells, I swear!" you bark back.

"Oh yeah right!" She pouts. "When are you going to stop bringing home girls..."

Maybe I should rethink that whole thought about missing them.

"I won't get in the way," Peony says. "Think of me as your gardener if you wish, Lady Beela. I don't even need food. All I need is the nourishment of the sun, soil, and water of the outdoors. I'll make sure to keep out unwanted guests to make Lady Yin's job easier as well."

"I guess that doesn't seem so bad. But can she put on some clothes? She's standing there with j-just everything out," mutters Eva.

"Have you guys had lunch yet?" you ask. "Let's eat if not. My stomach is empty after almost getting crushed to ****."

You then hear a man clearing his throat coming from behind.