Collector’s Cage - Chapter 73 - X.

`X.`

Hermie had returned home after a vacation that felt both long and short.

Though barely a week and a day had passed, her own home felt unfamiliar.

Not knowing what to do, Hermie paced the living room before opening a window. A cool breeze rushed in. Then, she went to the kitchen, brewed some coffee, sat at the table, and drank it while staring out the window. Only after finishing the entire cup did the house start to feel familiar again.

With that short rest over, she stepped outside once more. Her footsteps led her to the Pumpkin Flower Guild.

“Oh, Hermie, aren’t you still on vacation?”
“I came back a little earlier than expected.”
“Did you get some proper rest?”
“Of course.”

She gave a nod to Uncle Jen, who greeted her warmly, and then entered the office. Her neatly organized desk came into view.

She had worked here for ten years. The desk was cluttered with things she had bought herself. The office assistant who had been filling in for her greeted her with a surprised look.

“Accountant! What brings you back to work so soon?”
“Yeah, I have some things to sort out.”

Hermie waved her hand, signaling the assistant not to worry and to keep working. She then sat at her desk and began sorting through items to discard. Things that were still usable, she could pass on, so she placed them in a box.

She took in the sight of the now-empty desk. The feeling was both hollow and refreshing. Hermie let out a long sigh and then fetched a blank piece of paper.

In elegant handwriting, she wrote her letter of resignation.

She placed a final period after the words apologizing for the sudden departure.

I never thought I’d be leaving like this.

It was a bittersweet feeling. It was a workplace with many good memories, and many frustrating, annoying ones too. Since handling other people’s money is no easy task, there were more infuriating moments than not.

Still, thanks to the Pumpkin Flower Guild taking her in, she had been able to settle in the capital without major incident. It was a place she was grateful for.

She neatly placed the resignation letter on the desk and stood up.

“Huh? Are you leaving already?”
“Yeah. When the Guild Master arrives, could you ask him to check the paper on the desk?”
“Yes! Have a safe trip home.”
“Ah, sorry I couldn’t bring back a vacation gift. I’ll definitely get you one next time we meet.”
“Oh, come on, you don’t need to get me a gift. But where did you go on vacation?”
“Hmm.”

Hermie rolled her eyes as if puzzled, then let out a soft chuckle.

“There is a place. It’s stifling, strange, and infuriating. And incredibly happy.”
“Huh? Where on earth is that?”
“I’ll tell you later.”

After saying goodbye to the office assistant and telling her to take care, Hermie stepped outside the guild and exchanged final farewells with the staff members she was close to.

She felt that if she said she was quitting, tears might come and conversations would drag on, so she vaguely told them to take care well.

It wasn’t a permanent farewell, anyway. She could wrap things up for today and say her goodbyes another time. Hermie shook off her lingering regrets and turned her back.

Having finished saying goodbye to the Pumpkin Flower Guild, Hermie returned home and found an extravagant carriage parked in front of her house.

“Really, you have no patience.”

Hermie shook her head as if there was no stopping him. Then, she approached the carriage blocking her door and knocked on it.

“Please move. You’re blocking the doorway.”