"So that snowman was a special S-rank individual?"
"That's right. Though it's completely annihilated now."
The debauched knight, Lyle, who was crazy about won, shook his head from side to side.
"Now even snowman magical beasts are appearing. Is it a sign that the world is ending?"
"That's not entirely wrong. The Maia Kingdom was actually on the verge of collapse."
"If I had known, I would have gone and lent a hand. What a pity."
This guy's every interest was focused on won, so even if he had heard the news, there was a high probability that it would have gone in one ear and out the other.
I patted Lyle's shoulder and said.
"You should have co. We fought magical beasts and ate 30-year-old Zilentyn as a reward."
"That damn Zilentyn. To , a beautiful woman's lips are sweeter."
"You're really sothing else."
On the way back to Milestone.
I told the debauched knight, Lyle, about what had happened so far.
My exploits in the Blake Kingdom after falling off the cliff, and my exploits in the Maia Kingdom after returning.
This guy really seed to have lived with his ears closed to everything but won, as he had a face that said he was hearing it for the first ti.
"Aha, so you t Lady Shushuruta in the Blake Kingdom."
"That's right."
"Hmm... no wonder she had an atmosphere I'd never seen before. It seems there are many beauties in the Blake Kingdom. I'll have to visit soti."
"...Why does the conclusion co out like that?"
To think that the conclusion that ca out after hearing my turbulent journey of overcoming death several tis was just a comnt that there were many beauties.
For so reason, my murderous intent rose.
The Heavenly Demon chuckled.
[It's good that he's consistent.]
I suddenly got curious and asked.
"You're not asking about Linda."
Lyle answered firmly.
"I'm not interested in children."
"..."
It seed even a pervert had his own firm standards.
While talking with the pervert about what had happened so far, the carriage entered Milestone.
As we entered the gate, I heard shouts of "It's Sherwood!", "Sherwood has returned!".
People poured out onto the roadside, clapping and cheering.
"What? Why are they suddenly like this?"
Dofang grinned and looked out the window.
"It seems our heroic tale has beco known."
Co to think of it, we were the heroes who had protected the Maia Kingdom from the worst monster wave.
And since Milestone was one of the cities in Maia, was it okay to see us as the heroes who had protected Milestone?
Lyle suddenly stuck his body out the window.
"Haha, it's nothing. I just did what I had to do."
"...That bastard."
Seeing the guy who had been chasing after won's tails while we were suffering, my murderous intent boiled up again.
Dofang laughed and gestured to .
"Little brother! You show your face too. And wave your hand a little."
"I'm fine."
Since I hadn't done it for any reward in the first place, I wasn't very interested.
"Ahem! Even that pervert who did nothing is showing off like that. Will the captain of Sherwood, the number one contributor, just stand by?"
Dofang instigated .
"At this rate, people will think that Lyle alone blocked the monster wave. Are you going to just let that happen?"
Thinking about it, that was unfair.
"I can't let that happen."
I imdiately pulled the pervert, who was showing off with his body out the window, back inside.
"There, lady. If you're free, how about we have a al later— ugh!"
I climbed onto the roof of the carriage through the window, then drew the Night Sky Sword, pointed it at the sky, and struck a pose.
"Make Sherwood great again!"
"Waaaaaah!"
"Sherwood! Sherwood!"
A thunderous cheer poured out.
From the second carriage that was following behind, faces popped out and laughed at .
And so, I passed through the streets of Milestone, gathering the cheers of the residents.
Soon, the carriage reached its destination, and at the end of that cheer was Mary, with her hands politely clasped.
In front of the wide-open door of the Sherwood hideout.
The brown-haired girl smiled brightly and welcod our return.
"Welco!"
I jumped out of the carriage and said.
"The ace of our Sherwood rcenary Corps, did you guard the house well?"
"Yes! I'm glad you're safe!"
Next, Linda and Shushuruta jumped out of the carriage.
"Wow! It's Mary!"
"It's been a long ti!"
The residents of Milestone followed us here and welcod our return with generous applause and cheers.
I smiled with satisfaction and looked at the Sherwood mbers who were getting off the carriage one by one, and the people who were cheering.
For so reason, I felt good and laughed out loud.
"Hahahaha!"
The Heavenly Demon also laughed lowly.
[It's a triumphant return in brocade.]
"A triumphant return in brocade?"
[Yes. It ans to return to one's hotown after achieving success.]
Co to think of it, I hadn't solved any of the goals I had in mind yet.
I hadn't defeated the captain, and there were still many of Ophosis's famous swords that I had to hold.
So I thought it was too early for a triumphant return in brocade.
"A triumphant return in brocade is a bit much. Let's compromise with a triumphant return in silver."
[The 'brocade' in that phrase doesn't an 'gold'.]
"What does it matter? What's important is that we're back."
[Sigh.]
The Heavenly Demon sighed.
The Sherwood mbers who got off the carriage chuckled and patted my shoulder one by one as they passed.
And so, the guys who passed and entered the hideout one by one.
Finally, Scarlet stood in front of and stared at .
"What is it, Big Sister."
Scarlet smiled brightly.
"It's nothing. I was just thinking, when did you grow up so much?"
I puffed out my chest and answered.
"Big Sister, you can be as proud as you want now."
Scarlet chuckled and then placed her hand on my shoulder and said.
"Ashuban."
"Yes?"
"I've never not been proud of you."
And then, she smiled brightly at and passed , entering the hideout.
"..."
I stood there, at a loss for words for a mont, then I scratched my head and followed her.
* * *
"Nothing has changed here."
"That's right. How much could have changed?"
Scarlet looked around the hideout for the first ti in a while, and then quietly ca out.
I followed her as she left the building naturally, as if she were going for a walk nearby.
"Are you leaving right away?"
"Of course. I just stopped by to see how you were doing. It's much cleaner than before."
"It's thanks to Mary, the ace of our Sherwood."
"So it seems."
"Hey, why are you leaving in such a hurry? Why don't you have dinner at Sven's place and stay the night?"
"I've seen everything. The captain must be having a hard ti running the restaurant alone, so I have to go and help him quickly."
"Isn't it because you want to do your research quickly?"
"You're very perceptive."
I saw Scarlet off to the Milestone gate.
"Big Sister. Here."
Before parting, I handed her a sparkling jewel.
It was the magic stone left behind when the Snowman was annihilated, an S-rank magic stone.
Scarlet took it and looked at .
"Is it okay to give sothing so precious? Besides, I already have one."
"I don't know what it is, but isn't it an important research? Just in case, keep it as a spare."
Scarlet smiled and returned the magic stone to .
"Then I really can't take it."
"Why."
"Because it will make have the weak thought that it's okay to fail."
"That makes sense."
"Keep that and ask Siri to purify it."
"...If I find her."
Scarlet beckoned with her finger.
I naturally bent my knees and lowered my posture.
Big Sister placed her hand on my head.
Like before.
"Don't worry. You'll find her soon."
"Really?"
"Of course. By the ti you co back from looking for Siri, my research will be complete. I'll have a special commission for you then, so look forward to it."
I smiled playfully.
"I'm expensive."
"Is that so? I'll have to think about what to give you as a reward."
We looked at each other and laughed.
"Go on in."
"Yes. You go too."
I watched Scarlet walk away, and then I returned to the gate.
And when I looked back one last ti before going in, the Red Witch was gone.
* * *
"Boris."
"What, you bastard."
"...Are you okay?"
"Do I look okay?"
"No."
I looked at Boris, who had suddenly aged several years.
"What happened? Anyone would think you blocked the monster wave with your face."
Boris let out a deep sigh.
"Don't even talk about it. I was stuck with Guston in that backwater village all this ti."
It was an unexpected update.
"Why?"
"I went to deliver the news of the monster wave, and then I was caught and helped with the restaurant work instead of the Red Witch. Guston asked who would help with the restaurant work if the Red Witch left..."
"You volunteered? How admirable. Our rude Boris has all grown up."
If you think about it that way, the reason the Red Witch was able to co to Tundra for support was thanks to Boris, who had quietly filled the empty spot behind the scenes.
Boris's body trembled.
"That wasn't a question. It was an order disguised as a question."
It seed he had volunteered, crying and eating mustard.
"I woke up early every morning to sweep and mop the floor, wipe the tables, prepare the ingredients, do the dishes, guide the custors, and bring out the food..."
While we were fighting a war in the north.
This guy was fighting his own war.
Since his hobby was slacking off, I thought it was a good thing.
"You've worked hard. Was the restaurant work a bit tough?"
"No. Surprisingly, that was fine after I got used to it, but the problem was sothing else."
"What was it?"
"What do you think? That bearded monster. My heart sinks every ti I make eye contact with him."
"Hmm."
"I age a few years every ti I see him, really."
I looked at the hard-working Boris with a pitiful gaze.
"Good job, Boris. You endured it in the end."
"Ugh. You damn Sherwood bastards. I don't even want to see you anymore."
Boris, as if he didn't want to talk anymore, waved his hand and sighed, and then asked.
"So, what are you here for? Did you co to report that you're back safely?"
"Well... to join the rcenary corps. And other things."
"Join?"
"Hey! Everyone, co here!"
Then, the Sherwood mbers, who had been looking around after returning for the first ti in a while, ca slouching over to the reception desk.
Dofang, Sorrow (Hartz), and Lyle were them.
"...!"
Boris's eyes widened.
"Dofang the Braggrat, the multiple-personality psychopath, and the lecherous knight...?"
Dofang ca over and patted Boris's shoulder.
"Haha, it's been a while, Boris, little brother. You're still as foul-mouthed as ever."
"...Multiple-personality psychopath? What an interesting nickna."
"The more I see him, the more I think it's a waste... how could he be born a man with a face like that."
Boris looked at them with a face that said he was getting goosebumps.
I grinned and stood up from my seat.
"Well, since we've seen so familiar faces after a long ti, go and have a good chat."
Boris quickly grabbed .
"Ah, Ashuban! Where are you going!"
I looked at Boris, who was grabbing with a desperate face, and then grinned and pushed his hand away.
"...!"
Boris had a betrayed expression.
"Ashuban... even you."
Dofang stealthily ca over and took the seat.
"Hey, hey, are we going to eat you or sothing? If you're like that, it makes want to tease you more."
"Nice to et you. I'm the multiple-personality psychopath."
"Sigh— Boris. Have you ever thought of growing your hair out longer?"
I left the three with Boris and returned to the hideout.
I imdiately went up to the second floor and knocked on the office door rhythmically.
—Co in, Ashuban.
When I opened the door and went in, I found Hudmilla, who had sat down at her desk as soon as she returned.
A few spirits that had been settled nearby ca over to with bright faces.
—It's Ashuban!
—Hello! Where have you been?
—Sniff, sniff. A good sll.
I roughly patted the spirits and then sat down.
"Are you working right away? You should rest a bit."
"It's fine. I've been resting until you ca."
"And your internal injuries?"
"They're almost healed. There's no problem with doing my work."
"Hmm."
I looked at Hudmilla's desk, which was piled high with docunts.
"It seems you have a lot of work?"
"Mmm. There are commissions that ca in while I was away, and maybe because our exploits in Tundra beca known, the number of commissions has suddenly exploded."
"That's great."
Hud looked at with a sharp gaze.
"What's so great? My work has doubled."
"You can just send everything below C-rank to the guild."
"Sorting is also work, you know?"
"I'll have Schmidt and Shushuruta help you."
"It's fine. I'll just do it myself."
"Suit yourself."
"..."
Hud glared at for a mont.
"If you're just going to be a hindrance, get out."
"I'm the captain..."
"So what."
"..."
Scritch, scritch—
The sound of a quill moving was heard for a mont, and then.
"You ca here to say sothing, didn't you?"
"That's right."
"Say it."
I looked at Hud moving her quill for a mont and then said.
"That commission."
"Yes."
"Accept mainly the ones related to the Dark Heaven Society."
Stop.
The quill stopped, and then Hud raised her head.
I looked at her athyst-like purple eyes and said.
"The guys who drink black potions, the magical beasts that seem strangely docile or as if they're receiving soone's orders, the half-human, half-beasts, the cases where there are traces of black magic, and so on. Anyway, if there's anything that seems even slightly related to them, accept it all."
Hud looked at for a mont.
"Ashuban."
"Yes."
"...Are you angry?"
"They started it first. You know that, right?"
"...I know."
"I'm going to kill them. All of them."
"..."
Hud sighed.
"Alright. I'll tell the others that too."
"Okay. Good luck."
Just as I was about to get up from my seat.
"Hey, wait a minute."
Hudmilla opened a drawer and then took out a crumpled letter and handed it to .
"What is it?"
"This ca while you were in Tundra, and I kept it separately just in case."
Rustle—
I took the mysterious letter that Hud had handed and read it, and then...
"...!"
I looked at Hud with wide eyes.
"Don't tell ?"
"...Probably."
A saint who doesn't believe in God.
It was a clue about Sirila.
(End of Chapter)
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