Chapter 244: 229

『Souya-san, Makina has some unfortunate news for you』

「What is it?」

『Makina had been working subtly to try and enlist the Demon King's help, but that seems to be impossible. If they act too conspicuously, there's a possibility that Elysium will just send more troops. It'll simply add fuel to the fire』

「Don't worry about it」

『But rest assured, Makina still has a few plans in the works~! Look forward to hearing the good news!』

The communication from Makina was cut.

Winning without any fighting would be the best outcome, but that doesn't seem possible this time around.

I've made up my mind.

I’ll face the First Hero and defeat him.

If this country is going to stand against Elysium, then he’s an enemy that must be defeated at some point. I didn't expect it to happen so suddenly, but it's something that needs to be done

I'm convinced that this is the best course of action if I want to continue adventuring without any regrets.

As for King Lemuria………………we had fallen out and parted on a bitter note.

I simply don't get along with him. As a king and a ruler, he's probably right. But we simply cannot see eye to eye. We just can't agree on anything no matter how much we try.

I have this feeling that it's because my preferences are a bit peculiar, but that's probably just my imagination.

This time, or rather, this time as well, I can't involve my party members. If the opponents are the beasts of Elysium, then neither magic nor the regeneration point will be of any use.

And it's a battle without glory.

If the worst happens and we lose, their involvement will be called into question. The participation of the elves would be especially bad. The threat to the forest, which has now faded, would be rekindled.

When I go into battle, I have to make sure I don't leave anything behind that could give away my identity.

However, I'm glad that katana replicas have spread throughout the city. I won't have to give up my beloved blade.

It's an unknown and powerful enemy. Aside from what I wear, I need to use every weapon available to me.

「But」

As can be expected, it's hard to do this alone.

It's unlikely that the First Hero would sneak in alone like Khius did. If he has an army with him, it'll be the end if they aren't taken care of before they reach the city.

I need pawns.

I never imagined that my belief in being self-reliant would be a stumbling block after all this time. To begin with, the baldy with the army intends to overlook this incident this time.

Looks like it's really not going to be easy.

Huh? Was there ever a time when things went smoothly? Or have I just forgotten about the times when they did?

「Oh」

I spotted Yukikaze in the distance.

She was just coming out of the entrance of the Adventurers' Guild.

The people with her were probably her party members.

There was a tall swordswoman with blonde hair cut short, a beautiful female knight, a magician with a mask covering their face, a topless beastkin carrying a huge club on his back, and with the foreigner Yukikaze rounding them out, they looked like a newbie party.

The swordswoman looked familiar.

She was the swordswoman with the katana I had met in the bar. Upon a closer look, I noticed that she had two halves of a gold coin dangling from her neck.

Coincidences do happen, huh? I thought to myself.

Also, I felt like I had seen the profile of the female knight's face somewhere before. Perhaps it was just a matter of my preferences.

Hmmm.

I feel relieved for some reason. They look good, I guess? I think it's a fine party.

The women all look cute, and the beastkin seems to be the taciturn type. I think Yukikaze will be able to take control and lead them well. I don't think I have to worry about her being exploited by any strange people.

The only thing that bothers me is the masked magician.

I can't tell their gender or age from their physical appearance. The staff they have is a generic one that doesn't bear any symbols that would indicate which gods they worship.

And then there's the design of their mask, which has one of the eyes painted on.

It looks similar to the mask of the Faceless King, but it also looks a little different.

It's a mystery.

It's a mystery, but we all have our secrets. It's not something for an outsider to worry about, I suppose.

I shouldn't call out to her after all.

I'm satisfied with just getting a glimpse of her.

Hmm, isn't this a bit like stalking?

「You're just like a stalker, you know that?」

「Oh. You're the last person I want to hear that from」

Gunmerry was there.

I did sense his presence vaguely, but what does he want with me?

「I heard that you're at Rutsuko-san's place right now. Don't do weird stuff」

According to Makina's report, this guy is supposed to be at Rutsuko-san's home with the other Gunmerrys.

「It's been a while since myself had the pleasure of seeing her panties. It brought back memories」

「Isn't "face" the normal thing to say in that context?」

Do you judge women by their panties or something?

「Yukikaze's pure and innocent panties are all fine and good, but Rutsuko's, which are more flamboyant than her face would suggest, are―――――」

I drew my katana and pressed its blade against Gunmerry's neck.

I can take his head off in a single breath from this position. I don't know how effective that would be, but I doubt it would do completely no damage.

「Hmm? Did I hear you right? What was it of Yukikaze’s did you say you peeked at?」

「Calm down. I know you're angry that myself saw them, but you need to calm down」

「Huhhh?! I'm calm! I'm super calmmmm! But I'm gonna take your head off! I'll cut it off right now! Aahh?!」

Despite my words, I was the picture of calmness.

「But Souya, in myself's opinion, it’s extremely rude to women to not look at what can be seen. It’s an insult to the ladies」

「Tch!」

That's a sound argument.

It's true that not looking at their panties is the same as saying, "I'm not interested in you!" It's something that men should never do to women.

Aside from criminal acts such as flipping up skirts and the like, if someone we're even remotely interested in as a woman shows us a glimpse of her panties, we absolutely have to look.

Such is the destiny of men.

So, what were we talking about again?

I put away my katana and became calm.

「Souya, come with myself for a bit. There's somewhere we must go」

「Huh? I'm busy though」

「It has something to do with that as well」

「………………」

I've also informed their Makina of the situation I'm facing in a way that Yukikaze won't get wind of.

I want her to concentrate on her adventures and not have to worry about any of this.

Now, this Gunmerry.

Can I really trust him? At this point, I'll take the help of a cat(any help I can get), but will a weapon with a mysterious origin and purpose be useful? More so than a cat, that is.

「Hmm, where is this place we must go?」

「It's a place you know well」

I guess I could spare him some time. I have nothing to lose.

And so, we arrived at the【A Respite From Adventuring】 store, a place I did indeed know well.

Well, it's a place I've known before it was even built, but what are we doing here?

There was a good number of customers today as well, and even though it already was past noon, half the seats were occupied.

The recently-hired waitresses are all beautiful. I have a feeling that this place will become even more popular.

「Let's go around to the back」

We went to the back door of the store.

Rutsuko-san was there.

She was peeling potatoes with the other Gunmerrys.

「Oh, Souya-san」

「Rutsuko-san, why are you peeling potatoes?」

You're the storekeeper, so you could have just left this to others.

「Well, we've hired more staff again, right?」

「Yes, that’s right」

Business is booming, so the store has been hiring more staff every now and then. Tyutyu has told me that they’re all picking up the work very quickly and are a big help.

The Gunmerrys aren't bad at serving tables, but nothing beats being served by a pretty woman.

「Somehow, it feels like the Gunmerrys and I have lost our jobs. When it comes to waitresses, pretty women who never make mistakes with orders are better. Tyutyu is also much better at cooking and training new staff than I am. I don't like to have everyone looking out for me or to sit back and relax, so I'm working behind the scenes to prep the ingredients」

「Hmm, that's indeed troubling」

Tyutyu and the other staff mean well when they do more work than Rutsuko-san. It's ironic that their good intentions end up costing her her job.

「Well, I'm a failure as a storekeeper, aren't I? When things get busy, I'm nothing but a liability. Tahaha」

Rutsuko-san laughed with a troubled look on her face.

「But there are still some things that only you can do」

「Hmm, for example?」

「………………」

Oh crap.

I can't think of anything. Come to think of it, when I visit the store, I always spend all my time with Tyutyu.

But there must be something……

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「What about dealing with that bald―――――ahem, those old guys who frequent the store?」

「Those three seemed to really like the new girls though?」

You bunch of unfaithful bastards.

「Oh, what about developing new dishes?!」

「It's usually you or Ea-san who do that, isn't it? Oh, that reminds me, you remember the pasta dish I suggested? When I ate it the other day, it tasted different. And it tasted better. When I asked Tyutyu about it, she said, "I think it tastes better this way-nya." I also heard that the menu I made for you last time was a disaster at the castle. That it caused an argument or something………………fufu」

This is bad.

She’s smiling, but not from her heart.

「That menu was a big hit at the castle! The reason I got locked up was not because of you, Rutsuko-san. It's all the other side's fault」

「Really?」

Her mind is in a negative spiral. My shallow words aren't reaching her.

I elbowed the Big-Merry beside me……

「Rutsuko」

Gunmerry and Rutsuko-san. The relationship between them is still unclear to me, but I'm certain they've known each other longer than I have. He must have something nice to say or――――――

「Unfortunately, you're not needed in this world」

「Hey!」

Read the mood, man.

「Haaa, I knew it」

Rutsuko-san hung her head. The Gunmerrys around her also hung their heads with her.

Big-Merry continued.

「Rutsuko. Right now, at this moment, you're a hindrance」

「What the heck are you saying?」

You're going too far with those verbal attacks.

「If it were at all possible, myself would have liked to “say goodbye” to you after everyone has bid you farewell, waved goodbye, and sent you off with great fanfare and fireworks. However, many such events are still waiting for you. The alternate world isn't the place where life ends for you. There's so much happiness waiting for you in the world you came from」

「Eh?」

Rutsuko-san had a bewildered look on her face.

「Gunmerry, what are you talking about?」

Why are you speaking as if she is about to disappear?

「Myself too」

「Myselves too」

「Us too~」「Us too」「Us too, us too」「Yay」「Nya~」「Wahh」「Oww」「Don't catch a cold!」「Urgh」「Banzai~」「Banzai!」

The Gunmerrys made a big racket as they all lined up in front of Rutsuko-san.

Including the Gunmerry that had come to this world with Yukikaze, there were a total of thirteen Gunmerrys.

「Wait a minute, Gunmerry. Eh, you're kidding, right?」

「This is no joke」

Rutsuko & I were still struggling to grasp the situation.

The Gunmerrys continued.

「From our awakening, to our contract, and up until now」

「The days of adventure where we went through thick and thin together」

「At times, we were too selfish to each other」

「At times, we fought to stop each other from becoming spoiled」

「We cried together, laughed together」

After each sentence, one by one, the small Gunmerrys faded away like a mirage.

「Those days felt like a boy's summer vacation」

「They were fun」

「We really enjoyed ourselves with all our hearts」

「No matter how much time passes, the memory of those days will never be forgotten」

「It’s a precious treasure to us」

「Rutsuko, no, King Lutz」

「For the great privilege of having served you, we offer our heartfelt thanks」

The small Gunmerrys had all disappeared.

All that remained was the black Gunmerry clad in the oddly-shaped armor.

「Well then, farewell」

「Wait! Gunmerry! I also enjoyed――――――」

Light burst into existence.

A portal appeared beneath her feet.

With a potato in one hand and a kitchen knife in the other, she fell through the portal.

The light exploded.

Silence filled the area to the point where I could hear the distant hustle and bustle.

「Hey, Gunmerry」

「What is it?」

It was too sudden for me to accept the reality of it all.

At this very moment, a foreigner has disappeared from the alternate world.

「What happened to her?」

「She has been sent back to the world she came from. Oh, she won't meet with the same unfortunate fate as Urashima Taro[1]. In her world, not a single day has passed since she left」

「Was there really a need to do it in such a rush?! For her to go back in such a lonely way from the back of the store……at least let her say her goodbyes to everyone else――――――」

「There was a need to hurry. If Rutsuko had found out about the First Hero, she would definitely have volunteered herself as the sacrifice. Despite how she may look, she's a stubborn person who cannot be swayed once she has made up her mind. It's possible that she could sway even King Lemuria」

He's right.

He's right, but I just can't accept it in my heart.

「But!」

「Such is the way partings go. She was still one of the more fortunate ones. Because she was sent off by the man she had feelings for」

「But………」

I can't accept it, but I do understand what he means.

Partings can come so abruptly.

I've learned that the hard way with Irvin, though it's not like I've forgotten.

「Do you think she'll find happiness in her original world?」

「That’s up to her. Besides, every woman has the right to be happy. Moumantai. Well, one thing for certain, she's in a lot less danger there than here」

「You've got a point」

I couldn't help but stare blankly at the spot from which she had disappeared.

My tears hadn't caught up with the realization that I would never see her again, or that our parting had been all so sudden.

「It's like a dream」

「What comes next is the real nightmare. When it arrives, you'll see it, even if you don't want to」

「You know……」

The way you talk like you know something I don't.

It really pisses me off.

Gunmerry reached over to the pile of potatoes and grabbed the hat-less Gunmerry that was sprawled out next to it. It was the one who had gone with me to meet the spiders.

「Ah」

Even though Rutsuko-san had left, he still had little motivation.

「Here」

「Huh?」

Big-Merry threw him to me. Without thinking, I caught him by one of his legs.

「Contract with him」

「Huhh?」

What are you talking about all of a sudden?

「Gunmerrys cannot use any powers without a contract. However, since their technology has been forcibly converted into magic so as to not awaken the spiders, only a small percentage of the technology's original performance can be achieved」

「A contract, huh?」

I'll take the help of a cat(any help I can get), but how useful is this guy?

「This original won't be of any help. It's going to be a while before he completes the reboot process」

「So he's useless, huh?」

He's worse than an ornament or a pet.

「But don't worry. If it's myself, who has been reversed-engineered with modern technology, then there's no problem. Myself may be far short of myself’s original strength, but even if myself pushes past the performance limits of this body, myself won't wake the spiders. As such―――――」

I got the feeling that Gunmerry was smiling inside his helmet.

「Myself will help you out with your hero slaying this time」

[1] Urashima Tarō(浦島 太郎) is the protagonist of a Japanese fairy tale, who, in the modern version, is a fisherman rewarded for rescuing a turtle, and carried on its back to the Dragon Palace beneath the sea. There he’s entertained by the princess Otohime as a reward. He spends what he believes to be several days with the princess, but when he returns to his home village, he discovers that he has been gone for at least 100 years.

Bye bye, Rutsuko-san.

Sniff, sniff. The Gunmerrys sure know how to say goodbye, huh? Though it was an abrupt farewell, I still teared up. In the end, Gunmerry fulfilled her initial wish of finding a way to return to her world…

Just in case you didn’t get the “Isn't "face" the normal thing to say in that context?”, he’s talking about what Gunmerry said before that and how “It's been a while since I’ve seen her face(instead of panties)” would have been what’s expected.

And with that, Souya finally gets an ally for the fight against First Hero. That’s far from enough though, so stay tuned!

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