“Here they come, here they come, they’re really here!”
“Ah, Anju, welcome back, I guess? Welcome, I guess?”
“I don’t care about that!”
Anju, who was in her “gyaru mode” or “gyaru outfit,” had arrived at Kikaede Castle during dinner, after school.
Behind her were the summoned Otherworlders, Iwamoto and MAINA.
“So, Anju, how was school?”
“It was a real struggle.”
“What?! Anju?!”
“No, it was Shusher.”
What on earth happened?!
“Don’t tell me, Anju, you were NTR’d by Shusher…”
“Deles, stop with the fantasies!”
“Then explain it properly!”
A maid brought Anju and her companions some water.
“Um, shall I prepare three more meals?”
“Yes, please!”
“Uh, no, I’m a maid, sir.”
“Ah, I’m so sorry. Please don’t mind her. She’s just…”
The explanations were quite sensitive. Iwamoto and the others also took their seats.
“Deles, Deles.”
“Yes, Anju?”
“What are you eating?”
“Ah, this is tofu steak.”
Indeed, as a reward for governing the castle town and treating the injured, they were invited to have dinner although everyone was still very busy. They were served the local specialties, which were quite rich and unusual.
(Horse meat with mentaiko? And stewed orc innards?)
“It seems everyone is enjoying the meal.”
“Ah, Flick-san, you’re here all the way from the military.”
“They are S-rank Adventurers, after all. More importantly, we’ve reached an agreement with the other party.”
Um, the other party?!
“Who did you speak with?”
“Demon Lord Badolin.”
“Whaaat?!”
“He said he wouldn’t be throwing musical notes anymore.”
They can actually communicate with him!!
“And what did he say?”
“Well, normally, only a party of eight can participate at once, but.”
“Yes, and I asked if it would be possible to increase it to ten with my skill.”
Lulunojo said she’d go check if it was possible… By any chance, she’s wearing a patch on her waist from training fatigue.
“My guards asked Badolin directly.”
“Is it okay? Is it dangerous?”
“As long as it’s under the guise of discussing a Dance Battle, we can have a normal conversation.”
Don’t they worry about surprise attacks?
“What was his reply?”
“Badolin said, ‘If it’s a skill, then it can’t be helped. I’ll prepare two spare booths side-by-side.'”
“Spare booths… But still, we can fight with ten people, right?”
“Yes, I’m counting on you!”
While they were talking, food was also served to Anju and her companions. They had a mountain of rice. There was also a platter of salami and cheese.
“By the way, the porter boy, you’re a boy today.”
“Don’t be ridiculous, he’s always been a boy. That was a punishment for a certain transgression.”
“Do you dislike meat?”
“I don’t eat much of it, but I prefer vegetables, of course.”
The tofu steak was served with steamed garlic.
“Our Kikaede is not only a city of music but also a land of fine wines. Naturally, the meals and side dishes are all meant to complement alcohol.”
“Ah, that’s why there are so many ales and wines prepared.”
Of course, we, Anju, and the Princess Sisters only had fruit juice. Iwamoto had already started drinking whiskey. MAINA was also happily eating the horse meat, still wearing her headphones.
“Listening to good music while drinking good wine, that’s what this country is all about.”
“I see. I wish I had come during peacetime.”
“If we defeat Badolin, that will be soon. I’m counting on you!”
Flick-san said that and left. I happened to notice that Mogunami was eating something called “nikogori.”
(The Princess Sisters don’t seem to mind the strong flavors.)
As I watched, our eyes met!
“Um, Deles-sama.”
“Deles-sama, we’ll keep trying our best after this…”
“Yes, depending on your performance, I might consider making you official members.”
“This will be the final push, won’t it?”
“I’ll prepare so I can join with my elder sister!”
…Nataira is almost 18, but her younger sister, Lyra… well, this youth is a bit much. I mean, there’s no rule against official members not being Hugged.
(But I felt their determination!)
Speaking of 18 years old, I glanced at MAINA again and saw her eating with tears in her eyes. What was wrong? Did something happen?
“Deles, are you looking at MAINA?”
“I’m not looking at her! I just noticed she was crying.”
“Shusher, you don’t care about her?”
“Ah, you were listening to that, weren’t you?”
So, what was this “struggle” about?
“Um, Shusher’s original companions came to retrieve him from Natsu-san.”
“What?! An assassin group?”
“And then, six people against one rabbit, and the rabbit, WON!!”
…Natsu-san is incredible.
“And the reason we count ‘rabbits’ as ‘one bird’ is because…”
“Ah, Iwamoto-san, please focus on your meal.”
“Ah, the alcohol is really good. There are no bars in subspace, you see.”
MAINA seemed to notice my gaze, took off her headphones, and looked at me.
“What is it? Did I do something?”
“Yes, you were crying. What happened?”
“…I was determined to do my best.”
She was sickly and died from her illness, right?
“Speaking of which, I haven’t heard the details of your Otherworld adventures, Iwamoto-san.”
“Sure, I’ll tell you while we eat our dessert.”
“Thank you. I should eat my tofu steak before it gets cold too.”
After finishing our main courses, a clear container arrived a little while later…!!
“What? The dessert is an egg?!”
“It’s a smoked egg!”
“It’s a smoked egg!”
Oh well, I’ll eat it while listening to MAINA’s past life story.
