World Strongest Rearguard – Labyrinth Country and Dungeon Seekers

The aftertaste of the dessert was there, and we left "Forest Diner" behind - but I had to wait a little bit at the first floor with Louisa, Igarashi, and Theresia.

Louisa-san, that's a... bold proposition.

“I'm sorry I acted like I had an idea.”

Louisa stopped Maria and asked her to come to our quarters after she finished her work for the day.

From my point of view, it was water in her ears, but Maria stared silently at Louisa for a while and replied in a pale tone.

― ― There is a plan for leaving work, so is it okay then?

"Since I came to Ward 5, Maria-san has been taking care of me."I wonder if it would be a good idea to deepen the rapport. "

Igarashi-san comes to dine with his armor off, but he takes off his jacket and becomes an inner piece.Vertically knitted knitwear, like when you came to the Labyrinth - why does this type of clothing so accentuate the body line?

Atobe-sama, what do you think about her culinary skills?

"... I see, is that what you mean?"

Huh? Rear, do you want Maria-san to be your own specialist too?

Igarashi-san, who fully understands what I'm trying to say, is not being properly put to the test, so there's nothing I can do but nod.

"It's also true that you can cook delicious food, but in order to make the most of the precious ingredients obtained through exploration, it would be good to have a dedicated person..."

"Yes, indeed. Thank you for your consideration, Louisa."

"No, no, I'm not supposed to say this from the standpoint of the receptionist..."

“We think that Louisa is part of the party, so you can keep saying that.It depends on what Maria thinks. "

"Kyouka-san..."

I feel like the two of them are very close as a group of adults at a party because they are close in age.Serafina, too, left today because she had some training.

There are about two hours left until the closure of the forest diner, but it seems that some customers stay until the day changes even after the closure time.Maria's working hours depended on the table in charge, and it was until 8: 30 p.m. today.

Sorry to keep you waiting.

Maria changes into her clothes and brings Zack with her luggage.He was wearing a leather jacket, trousers and a hat, and it looked rough to me.

"Wow... Maria-san, it's quite different from what I imagined when I was cooking."Are you selling such beautiful clothes? "

“Yes, when I was dispatched to the 6th arrondissement, I bought it from a shop I stopped by.”

"There are also good shops in Rikuga-ku, right?I'd like to hear more about that story. "

"... we've had a lot of time, so we'll talk about it later."

Louisa and Igarashi look at each other happily.I mean, I want to keep Maria exclusive, but I hope we can get along without her first.

…………

Maria looks at me after I see Theresia behind me.

"... we call her 'Lizard Man' for convenience, but in her case, I think 'Lizard Girl' would be appropriate."

"That's... you can certainly say that."

I guess that's what you call it, but Teresia-san is a girl.

…………

Theresia is slightly red for some reason.You're too accustomed to being a lizard man, and when you're called a girl, you're going to shine.Theresia was definitely younger than Misaki and Suzuna.

◆◇◆

The battle with the secret god "Parts" has definitely been a serious experience for us.

The license does not raise the level."Crusade" was displayed, but it would be a different judgment than when the monster was crushed.

(Do you see more bubbles of experience...?I wonder if "Named" has more exp than Labyrinth's law (rule).)

If I went out exploring again and fought the monsters, I could raise the level of some people.There will be battles when you go to the "trembling foothills" to pick up "Holy Stone," but it's a matter of thinking whether to avoid fighting and give priority to bringing back what you want.

"... I was originally an Explorer... but I was stuck in Sector 7 and the party broke up.Just like me, it was a party with a lot of supportive professions. ”

"I see, but I'm also a [gambler], but I've managed to get us to fight together."Thanks to you, oniichan. "

"That's... I think it's great.In the Labyrinth Country, you can start as an Explorer in any profession, but you need not only aptitude but also a sense of taste to be able to use your strength in battle. ”

Maria said that when she finished her work, she always drank with her colleagues on the way home, but she often went back to the dorm and drank alone.

And when the alcohol comes in, it is different from the image I had while I was working, so it speaks to me with a tongue.Now he was taking off his leather jacket and hat and talking relaxed on the living room sofa.Misaki, who was a listener, also seemed to enjoy it.

"... Atobe-sama, Misaki-sama said" Oniichan ", is that your brother or sister?"

"No, I'm just called that because I'm older..."

"Oniichan is everyone's oniichan.Well, it looks like Tin and Ellie aren't the only ones. "

"Misaki-chan, don't say it without everyone's help."Friendship is a little bit of a crack. "

”Ah, ahaha... please leave it as it has never been before, off the record”

”Nh...? Off the record?”

Yes, it's time for you to take a bath, Misaki-chan.

"Melissa and the others are here now, aren't they?"Mr. Ferris, don't you hate baths? "

There is an image that cats are not good at getting wet, but what about it?At least for Melissa, she was good at swimming, so Mr. Ferris might be fine.

Igarashi-san leaves the living room with Misaki.Teresia is waiting without going with her - now it's hard to believe that Igarashi and the others should go in together.

"... oh, yes. What will Maria do with the bath?Can I come in at home? "

"Louisa is awake drunk in her bedroom, so I'd like to join her later.I was invited on my way to the dormitory. "

"I see. Louisa might have told you about that..."

"You're talking about entering into an exclusive contract with Atobe-san's party." Yes, we do. "

Really? We were originally in the 7th arrondissement and came here in jump class.

Originally, we should negotiate once we are officially operational in this district.But Maria shook her head tinyly.

"You've already done a remarkable job in Ward 5."Besides, I also transferred here because I was expected to be a culinary expert, where I could not originally go up from the 7th arrondissement. ”

"Relocation... sometimes happens when you belong to a guild."

“Yes, it depends on the skills of the supporters, and if they find it useful, they get a special offer.Training and exploration to maintain the level will also be combined... my level in the 7th ward was 5, but now I am up to 9, one level below the 5th ward's proper level. "

Level 9 cook - one level higher than me at the moment.Will the people in Ward 5 be at a high level, even those who pass by there?

“There are people of all ages in the city who can't fight, and there are people who are not supporters, and their level is going down.From the monsters that appeared in Stampede, Lord Atobe fought to protect his people.When I heard that, I was hoping that I would be able to help.It was an honor to be in charge of the table, but I was really excited when I got the dessert order. ”

"Is that so... no, I'm honored."We had a purpose, and we needed to get to 5th Avenue a little early.The Stampede crackdown was an incidental request from the guild to get special permission. ”

"... what is the purpose of that?"

“It's about saving our people. Our friend, our best friend... I mean, it's our friend, too."

Although it's a simple story, I wanted to refrain from talking about it in detail in the absence of Elletia.

But can we gain trust with this?Maria seemed to be thinking about something for a while, but eventually she turned to me sitting in front of her.

--And now I realize that it's even worse.Maria-san's eyes are set on me, but she doesn't see me.

"... the reason I retired from the Explorer is that [named] has taken away most of my sight.My people said they would find a way to restore my eyesight, but I refused.Because I didn't want to bind my people to follow that [named]. ”

"Are you saying that you're making up for the loss of vision with something else...?"

“Yes, smell and hearing as a cook.When it comes to hearing, this bracelet gives us the Hearing Enhancement 2 skill. ”

Maria takes off one of the bracelets attached to her arms - like a bracelet woven with a string and incorporating a jewel - and offers it to me.

"Maria-san, this is..."

"Can you hold one for me?"I am unable to participate in the battle.But I want you to wait in this city. ”

"... I see. I'll make sure to return this bracelet to Maria."Please allow me to keep it until then. "

"Yes. Exploring Sector Five will always be dangerous... Still, I want you back safely."I want you to eat my dishes again... no, as many times as you want. "

"...... Maria-san"

"... that's what it's like to hire a cook as a proprietary chef.Do you understand? "

As a job, ask her to cook.What do I need and how much should I pay for it?I was thinking of it as a proprietary negotiation.

It is too clerical and inorganic an idea.

At all times, my friends and I were not like that, we had no written communication, we were connected by words, and we came together based on emotions.

"...... I want you to cook the precious ingredients obtained from exploration."But sometimes, why don't you and Maria get to the table together and do it like that?Just like we do with all of our supporters. "

“The cook should just stand in the kitchen.But that sounds like a lot of fun. ”

Maria offers her right hand.When I grabbed her back, Maria sat down and asked Theresia to shake her hand.

…………

"You're always around Atobe-sama, aren't you?"I was very happy that you ate a lot.Thank you for your continued support. ”

Unable to respond to Maria's words, Theresia's tail was twitching.Somehow, it looked like we were saying hello.

◆◇◆

The bathroom in the room is in use, so I headed to the bathhouse near the dormitory.

You can rent a private small bathroom for five silver coins.It seems that it is open until late at night, and the receptionist lady handled it while looking a little sleepy.

"Well, per person... no, it's for two people, including you."

"Yes, yes..."

Although it is not forbidden for men and women to enter, there is still something to blame.

…………

Theresia is coming with me.When I entered the dressing room and closed the door, I suddenly put my hand on the button holding the suit.

"Wait, you can't take it off in front of me."

…………

Looks like you've listened to me, and Theresia is stopping.That said, it's hard for me to take it off, but it's not like I'm afraid to notice it.

I took off my clothes at once, opened the door, and entered the bathroom.Right behind me, I could hear Bachin and the sound of him untiing his suit.

Ali, oniisan, are you coming in with Teresia today? Please go.

- Ali, I wanted to come in with you, but I was with Ferris and Pharma today.It's called a supporter's sister meeting.

--Mr. Atobe, please go.Please flush Teresian-san's back.

Madca, Ceres and Farma were also sent out with pleasure, but it was still different when three or more people entered the room. It was the first time in a long time for two people to be alone, and I remembered the first time.

At that time, I suddenly saw the nakedness of Theresia who had taken it off, and after that, I was slapped on the shoulder - I wonder if the younger Theresia had comforted me.

But not like back then.I didn't know you when you were someone you just met.

The bathroom door opens in the hot water.Theresia walks in - she's already in her suit, wearing a mask she can't take off.

"Teresia, I'm going to shed my back first today."

…………

"Hmm?... should I do it first?"

Theresia nodded her head.If that's all right with her, I sat in a bath chair and turned my back to Theresia.

…………

"... Theresia?"

I can't turn back easily.However, it seems that Theresia is not trying to move,

I was worried, and I tried to look behind me.

"...... ah"

"Um... I'm sorry. I'm sorry, I looked back."

I was stopped from turning around, and I turned around again.Then Theresia started bubbling the towel.

Something is different from the usual Theresia.I know all too well when it started.

Something has changed because of the curse.Is there any change in her as [Ivildominate] progresses, or does nothing happen until her progression reaches 100?

"... Soon. Soon, Theresia."

Theresia starts washing her back.The handkerchief was gentle enough to make my chest hurt.