The Labyrinth Raids of the Ultimate Tank

I'm going to the house I just visited, along with the Gigi lady.

Still, there were Buckle Grandfathers in the room.

Grandpa Buckle looked at the Gigi woman who was holding back behind me and glanced at her.

"... Rude, what's going on"

"I wanted to talk to you about what I said earlier."

"... ok"

Gather your gaze together.

Look at the total of ten, I exhale small.

The Gigi woman was also in the corner, keeping an eye on this one.

I don't need half-way words.

Everything you're going to say will be something you don't want to hear for everyone.

I have to convey answers that betray the expectations of others.

It's painful, but I can't help it.

I'll let you do what I want.

"We don't want this town to grow," you said.

"... oh yeah. The town remained stable. That's what's getting rougher and rougher from the emergence of the labyrinth. Even Rude, every day, it's tough, and that's the vigilante people. I don't think it's possible to get rid of it all. But if we don't create a place that embraces adventurers, it's not going to get any worse than it is now."

"Then I don't think it's over. The fundamental problems this town has had for a long time will not be solved."

I look Grandpa Buckle in the eye and I say it out.

He tied his mouth tight.

"Problem with the town, huh?"

"Yes. From now on - do you think this town will stay?"

"... what is that?"

"Mr. Buckle knows, doesn't he? This town is slowly declining."

……

To my words, they looked at each other and looked at each other badly.

As a matter of fact, I guess it was also a problem I was aware of.

Everyone's face turned to Grandpa Buckle, and he exhaled small.

"So what does Rude want to do now?"

"First of all, the biggest problem this town has... is that people are getting fewer and fewer. Young children, especially the boys, have left the big town."

……

Grandpa Buckle exhaled small.

That would be the closest thing to Grandpa Buckle.

His kid also jumped out of town to be an adventurer, apparently.

That was over a decade ago.

His son is probably in his thirties or forties and will surely live happily somewhere.

"I... want to make this town more attractive than it is now. I care about the quiet and peaceful atmosphere this town has, but it makes people want to visit… I want it to be like that."

This is just my personal opinion.

My opinion, not as a representative of the citizens.

Grandpa Buckle closed his eyes once and then opened them slightly.

"Can you protect this town from now on?"

"It's..."

Grandpa Buckle would have prepared that question all along.

Sitting in the deepest part, he was just smiling a little.

From the other old men, in that unseen place.

I guess he's in a position to be relied upon, too, and holds a lot of things.

"I'll protect you"

"How? As things stand, there are a lot of problems in this town every day. Rude, there's nothing you can do about it."

"I know. I can't protect you on my own. So more collaborators. We will create a clan with the power to bring adventurers together, and as its leader, we will protect the town."

Protecting it by yourself is not that easy.

When I was like that, he smiled softly.

"Right. If you know what I mean."

Then he turns to the others.

"Guys, here's what Rude thinks. I'm thinking of the town, and I'm thinking about the younger generation ahead. Everybody wants to live with their kids and their grandkids, right? If you become an unattractive town, you won't be able to do it."

Everyone snorts slowly at Grandpa Buckle's words.

"If Rude... says he's going to protect the town"

"... sure. We've been living for ten more years."

"... right. If only the children could live happily ever after in this town."

Everyone is nodding to Grandpa Buckle's words.

Then, everyone's been bowing their heads.

"I'm sorry, Rude. It's not like we don't like Rude either. But I knew I had a lot of anxiety."

"I know. I'll do my best."

"Yeah... if that's what Rude will say, I'll leave it to Rude"

"... thank you"

Good... you convince me.

Besides, I could hear everyone's valuable opinions.

"Well, shall we end the old people's meeting around here? I have to apologize to Rude for the inconvenience. I'll take you home."

Grandpa Buckle gets up and grabs my shoulder.

That's how we get out of the house together.

I can tell Grandpa Buckle's hands are a treat nonetheless and he's still working out.

The Gigi woman also came outside late.

Walk out to those who have my house.

If you notice, it's evening.

"I'm sorry. Everyone doesn't like you, it's not like you're here. You know what I mean."

"... Yes, I'm fine"

Grandpa Buckle deepened his grin.

"I think you can really protect the town. Phil and you do pretty good, but we're still a little unreliable. You have to do something about it now. Sometimes, people need to make decisions they don't like. Like this one."

"... Yes"

Statements that betrayed the expectations of close opponents were painful.

Some of you may have disliked me in your earlier exchange.

... sad, but I can't help it.

He's a person, so sometimes opinions collide.

"Well, never mind."

Grandpa Buckle laughed so clumsily.

Doing so, the Gigi woman slapped Grandpa Buckle in the back.

I'm smiling like I'm teasing you.

"Rude, the buckle is in a lot of difficult positions. I didn't mean it when you said it in a harsh tone, like earlier."

"Hey Baba, shut up"

Grandpa Buckle's cheeks turn red.

"Shut up, jizzy. Sometimes when I was young and everyone admires me, it's hard at times like this. He's the one who looks good to everyone."

"Don't say anything more unnecessary. I'm gonna pull that wrinkle away."

Grandpa Buckle stretches out his arm, but Hikari and the Gigi woman gently squeeze.

"Oh, do it, leader. Beat it. I'm most anxious to be in a position similar to Rude's."

Gigi woman tells me to make fun of her.

That loving smile must have made fun of me this way when I was younger, I guess.

"Hey, Baba! Don't say anything extra! Rude! Forget what you just did!"

"... Yes. Hold on, I'll remember."

"Damn, I'm leaving already!"

Grandpa Buckle looked just a little embarrassed and turned his back.

Nothing... Even I know what Grandpa Buckle thinks he's saying.

I guess the smile I showed along the way was also to slap my ass.

I'm walking home with the Gigi lady.

And along the way, she sees another way to stop her legs.

"When I saw you, I remembered the old days."

"Once upon a time?"

"Oh. I used to work in a nicer town pharmacy. So, I met an adventurer, and he said that the adventurer's hometown was this town. This is how we lived in this town together. He's like this... weird like you, he's got the power to pull people off."

The adventurer would be referring to his already deceased husband.

Occasionally, it's what she told me about the old days as she seemed lonely.

"Ah. If he hadn't fooled me, I'd be married to a nobleman by now, and I'd live relaxed every day."

"... is that right?"

"But, well, it's probably the only credit he's ever had for meeting Rude and Manichia."

That's how the Gigi woman walks down another road.

"I'm a little busy, so that's it. Good luck, Rude."

"Yes."

That's how she headed to the cemetery in town.

I'll drop off the Gigi woman's back and then head back to my house.

... I'm going to have to do a lot of things.

When I walked into my home, a good smell reached the front door.

"Luna, I could cook over here. How about you?"

"Yes, this one is fine"

"Oh, I'll arrange the plates. I can smell your brother coming home."

"Rika... smell?"

"Ah, master. Welcome home. Dinner's coming up."

The three look back. Each was wearing an apron with different colors and patterns.

"Welcome home, brother"

"Rude, you were late. Were you on patrol? It's been a long time, though."

"Master, dinner is stew."

The three of them look at this one with a bright smile.

... We have to work hard to protect this peaceful life.