After enduring more nonsensical tests like “What’s in the Box is a Mimic Game” and “Hit, Hit, and Magic Stone,” they finally returned to the Adventurer Guild’s reception. The receptionist, who seemed to have calmed down, approached them.
“Mr. Terrence, are the tests over?”
“Yeah, it’s already lunchtime. Derus! I’ll announce the final test results!”
“Yes, Instructor!”
After a tense pause, the words came out…
“Fail!”
“I knew it!”
“I’ve never seen such a poor candidate. You fail!”
“No way!”
“Excuse me, Mr. Terrence, the Porter test is merely a formality; it’s practically non-existent…”
The receptionist was questioning him very rightfully.
“No, it’s a test, however minor. As my test subject, the result should be final.”
“Understood. Then Mr. Derus, we’ll conduct a re-examination starting now. I’ll be the examiner…”
“Wait, wait! I’m the examiner today. Interfering with my judgment will strain relations with the Knights.”
“So, Mr. Terrence, you have some reason you don’t want Mr. Derus to be a Porter, don’t you?”
“The test result is the test result! I won’t allow a re-examination!”
Nina bowed deeply to the receptionist.
“I’m sorry for getting you involved in this odd situation. If Derus couldn’t become a Porter, he started saying he’d marry me…”
“Oh, how unfortunate. There are indeed men who try to achieve their goals with such strange logic.”
“Why, in the first place, does a system like the Porter test still exist?”
“Well, the main reason is to prevent them from dying, so the training aspect is significant. Also, even with permission, there needs to be some hurdle to prevent strange people from becoming Porters and turning out to be villains. In other words, it’s like an interview.”
It was okay to be dragged into this old man’s game, but that assumed they would pass. If it was just an excuse to fail him, they didn’t need to do it at all. Although, it was a little fun, just a little.
“Nina, a promise is a promise. You were kicked out of the Knights to become my wife in the first place. Come on.”
“So that’s how it was.”
“Um, excuse me. If I officially become a Porter, that would be fine, right?”
Dejected, I walked back to the Hero Exclusive Reception like a defeated dog.
“…Excuse me, I’m a Hero. I wish to be a retired Hero Porter.”
Terrence looked astonished at this.
“You were a Hero?!”
Feeling his gaze behind me, I placed my Adventurer Card on the table.
“From the eastern continent, an A-class Hero! Are you absolutely sure?”
“Yes, does this continent also have a retired Porter system?”
I explained that it was a system for those who couldn’t continue as Heroes due to serious injury or age but could still continue adventuring as Porters. This allowed them to retain some Hero privileges without the need to maintain their Hero rank through difficult quests.
“Yes, however, we are required to ask for the reason.”
“The limit of my motivation, I suppose. Please consider it a mental reason. Ah, this is the temporary Porter Adventurer Permit I used yesterday.”
“…Understood. I’ll add this information to your new Porter Card.”
I was handed a brand-new Adventurer Card. It said “Hero Porter,” but personally, I thought “Porter Hero” sounded better.
“For Hero Porters, those with a Hero class of C or higher must start from C Class.”
“…You’re right. It’s a C-rank Adventurer Card.”
“And I’ve updated this as well, so please use it.”
My Hero Card was also handed over.
“Oh, is it? You’re not collecting it?”
“Please keep this. It will surely be useful for your future adventuring life.”
“But the rules…”
“Here, actions that are beneficial to the Adventurer Guild will be overlooked. However, please don’t mention having two cards, as it’s not something to be discussed openly.”
I bowed my head gratefully as I accepted them.
“Also, please be careful not to have them stolen. Impersonation by stealing an Adventurer Card is a grave offense, potentially punishable by execution. Even if you only lent it out, if the other party falsely claims to be you and uses it, both parties can be considered accomplices.”
“Understood. Just to confirm, A-class Heroes have movement restrictions, don’t they? Is that also true for Hero Porters?”
“Huh?”
“Huh?”
Nina bustled over and explained.
“I’m sorry, I know the situation, so I’ll explain. Apparently, on the eastern continent where Derus came from, Heroes of A class or higher are restricted in their movement to prevent them from being poached.”
“…Is that so? Please don’t worry. On this Movermas Continent, there are many free countries, and such restrictions are almost non-existent.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yes, of course, there are a handful of countries with strict entry and exit policies, but they are few. Even in those countries, the neutral and fair Adventurer Guild will protect you. We will also provide you with information beforehand if you plan to go.”
“So, I don’t really need to worry about being A-rank after all…?”
Nina nodded enthusiastically. That was a relief!
“Hero Porters have a lot of requests, so be prepared.”
“W-I quit being a Hero because I hated that kind of thing…”
“Don’t worry, Derus. From now on, I’ll take responsibility for the paperwork at the Adventurer Guild as your Leader.”
Oh my, Nina looked so cool.
“Um, so, Mr. Derus?”
“Yes?”
“I believe one of our staff members handed it to you yesterday. Please return the Porter Bag.”
They were collecting that too?! Well, it looked like it was meant to be reused, and even as a former Hero, I had an Item Box.
“That concludes the procedures. Next, regarding requests for Hero Porters…”
“G-Gomen, I have someone waiting. I’ll have to cut this short for now. I’m sorry.”
“No, it’s fine.”
Turning around, Nina lowered herself to match my eye level.
“Was that okay? Didn’t you consider not giving up being a Hero?”
“Yes, I admit, for my Pride, I didn’t want to rely on Heroes anymore. But, but…”
“But?”
“My Pride as a man, my Pride as an adventurer is less important than you, Ms. Nina.”
Upon hearing my words, Nina gave me a passionate kiss… right there in public. After a while of me wriggling, she continued to ravage my lips. After what felt like a very long kiss, I finally broke free, regained my composure, and showed Terrence the newly acquired Adventurer Card that read “Hero Porter.”
“Yes, I’m a Porter now. No complaints, right?”
“Gggghhhh… Flaunting it! I won’t allow it! I don’t admit it! I won’t allow it!”
“It’s you who won’t be allowed, Terrence.”
I turned to face an old, hoarse voice I’d never heard before. A grandly adorned old man with a white goatee stood there.
“The Prime Minister!!”
“The ‘Shadow Bandit Group’ has been apprehended. They’ve confessed everything.”.”
“Wh-wh-what are you talking about?!”
“It turns out multiple members of your unit overlapped with the bandit group. You disgrace to the Knights! Arrest him!”
“D-damn it all!!”
Soldiers appeared from behind the old man who introduced himself as the Prime Minister. Thus, Terrence was apprehended. Nina went over to Terrence…
“How do you feel now?”
“…I surrender. How did this happen?”
“Just as your subordinates did as you said, my former subordinates acted for me.”
The soldiers who had apprehended Terrence saluted Nina.
“Damn it! One last thing, just one last request! Let me have a Duel with this man!”
“With me? Ugh, how pathetic!”
“A man’s honor, a Knight Commander’s honor. If I lose, I’ll confess everything honestly. Otherwise, I won’t be satisfied, will I?”..”
“Derus, he’s saying this, but what do you think?”
“…Fine. I have nothing better to do anyway.”
I couldn’t imagine losing to Terrence in this state. With the Prime Minister’s permission, I went to the underground area where I’d just been taught the Porter exercises. We each held a wooden sword. For me, winning or losing wouldn’t change anything, so I was relaxed.
“Then I shall give the signal.”
Nina stood in the center, and Derus shifted his position. I wondered if something was wrong and also shifted, and Nina shifted as well… At this rate, Hero Magic wouldn’t be necessary, I thought nonchalantly…
“…Begin!”
At those words, Terrence dropped his wooden sword and took something cylindrical from his Item Box! The crystal at its tip glowed, conjuring a large Magic Circle!
“Derus! Dodge!”
“Damn it! A trap!”
Despite the warning, both Nina and I were within the Magic Circle. Then, light erupted, and we were sucked into it.
“Now! Go to hell, both of you! Bwahahaha!!”
With Terrence’s final words, we were… teleported somewhere. When I came to, we were in a Dungeon. The height of the ceiling and the surrounding walls indicated it was a Boss Room. Before us stood a giant leopard-shaped Monster with black, terrifyingly glossy fur.
“Derus! This is bad.”
“I can tell from the aura. It’s a Demon Lord class, isn’t it?”
“Yeah, that’s probably the boss of the deepest Dungeon in the Forest of the Abyss… Sexy Panther.”
What fate awaits the two of them?!
