Chapter 64: The Way Home and the Attendant
“Alright, let’s head home. Mind if we stop by Mister Donut on the way?”
“If we go on the way back, it looks like it’ll be the one in Sano, you know?”
“Since we’re at it, I wanna go to Fukubaya Department Store!”
“Hmph… Shall we have lunch there then?”
As we were excitedly chatting…
“Hey, Natsume-san. Do you have a moment?”
A man from the First Penguins approached me.
“…Is there something else?”
The exam is over, so there shouldn’t be any more business…
“Natsume-san, do you remember the rules? ‘Applicants from the losing team, with the winner’s consent, can take an A-Rank Party transfer test on the way back’…”
“Well, yes…”
Even if we had lost, I had absolutely no intention of transferring to the First Penguins.
Then, the First Penguins member said.
“Based on the rules, I formally request this. Please let me join Team Secret Base.”
“Huh? Wha-?”
I don’t get it.
As I stood there bewildered, more requests followed.
“I’d like to join Natsume-kun’s team too. I’ll provide all sorts of services for you, okay?”
“I also wish to transfer. Allow me to donate 300 million yen as party operating funds.”
“W-Wait? But aren’t you all part of his party…?”
Unable to comprehend, I pointed at Yagyu.
And then.
“That guy? Never heard of him. After showing such a pathetic side, he won’t be getting any good-paying requests anymore, right?”
“Besides, according to your story, he tried to harm you using a Sealing Crystal, didn’t he? I wouldn’t want to be with such a despicable person.”
“He’s a disgrace to all martial artists…”
“Y-You bastards…!”
At that, Yagyu stood up.
“Are you betraying me?! Is that how you treat your comrades?!”
“Comrades?”
The three members of the First Penguins spoke in unison.
“No way, not anymore.”
“Corporations and government agencies hate a dirty image, you know. There’s absolutely no merit in teaming up with Yagyu, only downsides, right?”
“We’re leaving the First Penguins. There’s no value in teaming up with you after you’ve exposed such a disgrace.”
“Grh, grrr…!”
Yagyu, his shoulders trembling, pointed at his three former party members.
“Ibuki!! That Sealing Crystal was generated by your skill, wasn’t it?! Why are you trying to push all the blame onto me?!”
“…Yagyu, you stole the crystal from me, didn’t you? You’re the worst. Besides, you were the one caught on camera doing evil deeds, right?”
“Huh?! You prepared it, and now you’re running from responsibility?!”
“Yagyu, stop your damn whining.”
“Enjo!! You too!! You used 【Illusion Magic】 on some party you didn’t know for fun and injured them, didn’t you! You’re one to talk!”
“H-Huh?! What are you talking about, that was years ago! Besides, the statute of limitations is up!!”
“…Hmph, ridiculous. Don’t open your mouth any further, Yagyu.”
“Kumanoda, you too!! You received insider stock information in exchange for providing rare materials, didn’t you!! If you think you’re the only one who can get away, you’re sorely mistaken!!”
“Wh-?!”
The First Penguins squawked and bickered.
《Oh dear》
《And they’re live streaming》
《It’s all coming out, all coming out》
《100k concurrent viewers, huh?》
《No way to cover this up》
《The impact on various parties seems huge》
《They didn’t have to argue that much…》
《They really don’t get along, huh》
《They looked like they were having fun on the Innovator Channel though》
《Was it an act?》
《Their acting was good》
《Ko-chan’s team looks like they genuinely get along》
《I know, right?》
《They look like they’re having fun》
《Good friends team》
“Kyuii!”
While all this was happening, a 《Wormhole》 leading to the first floor formed.
Incidentally, all items like magic stones had already been stored in a different dimension.
“Let’s go home, everyone.”
“Yeah!”
“Thank you, Natsume-kun.”
“Farewell, my fallen brethren. Let us meet again on the night of a full moon.”
《GG!》
《GG!》
《Congrats on A-Rank!!》
《Looking forward to your future exploits!》
《That was fun!》
《Looking forward to the continuation on the Innovator Channel lol》
《They’re still streaming lol》
《Wonder if more drama fuel will come out》
《So much to investigate lol》
《Our battle starts now!》
《It’s a festival!!》
《Good work, Ko-chan’s team!》
《Bye-bye!》
《Get some good rest!》
《Please stream again!》
“Ah, Natsume-kun, you’re leaving!”
“Don’t leave me behind!!”
“Natsume! I have 300 million…”
“—I’m sorry, we’re not recruiting new members. Please go home amicably with your current members.”
“Wait, 【Spatial Transfer】!!”
“Goodbye—everyone from the First Penguins.”
And with that, we stepped into the 《Wormhole》.
☆★☆
“Y-You guys…”
When we exited the Utsunomiya Dungeon, Shi-chan’s boss was waiting for us.
“Oh, Inaba-san. Thank you for your hard work.”
…No, “former boss” is probably more accurate.
“C-Congratulations. I believed in you, that you guys would definitely overcome this trial…”
“Fufu, thank you very much. Thank you for your hard work as the exam proctor.”
Shi-chan replied with a smile.
“Ah, yes. Well then, I look forward to working with you again starting Monday…”
“—Things are going to be tough for you from now on, aren’t they? You have accountability as the exam proctor, after all.”
“Eh…?”
“I believe you saw it on the video, but the First Penguins have effectively disbanded. For a top-class A-Rank party to disappear is a huge deal, you know? There are Diet members (Sensei) who had connections with them, and it seems there were even scandals involving listed companies. I imagine it’s like poking a hornet’s nest right about now, don’t you think?”
“Ah… ah…”
“In the first place, why were the First Penguins chosen as examiners? If they hadn’t been chosen, things wouldn’t have turned out like this, would they? Aren’t all the important people thinking that? Quite apart from whether the First Penguins were good or bad, you see.”
“I, I…”
“Explaining the circumstances will be quite difficult, won’t it? If you make the First Penguins out to be the villains, you’d be criticizing the Sensei and corporations they’ve had dealings with… And making Natsume-kun, who’s popular with the public, the villain is out of the question…”
“…”
“Could it be that… someone received money in exchange for arranging for Natsume-kun to be ‘accommodated’ by the First Penguins…? If someone did something like that, they’d likely have all the responsibility pushed onto them… Just kidding, you know. Please don’t make that face. It’s just a joke.”
“U-ugh…”
“I’m sure you’ll be getting a call soon. From the section chief, or the bureau director, or worse, maybe even the administrative vice-minister…”
“S-Sasarabashi-san, what should I do…?”
“Who knows? After all, I haven’t received my promotion orders yet, so right now, I’m still your subordinate. I’ll be studying how you take responsibility as a superior. Oh, look, you’re getting a call, see?”
“Ah, ah…”
Bzz, bzz, bzz…
“Let’s go, Natsume-kun.”
“…Is this okay?”
“Yes. Because my job today is to be Team Secret Base’s attendant. As usual, the materials don’t specify how far ‘attending’ goes, but normally, accompanying someone home is part of being an attendant, right?”
“Haha… Maybe so.”
“…And it seems there are some things it’s better not to ask about too deeply.”
Outside the Utsunomiya Dungeon, a beautiful blue sky stretched out.
The dazzling light of early summer illuminated the surroundings.
“Ah, Ko-chan, look! There’s a stylish café!”
“Huh, didn’t know that was there. Alright! My treat! Let’s get takeout and drink something on our way!”
“Keke, I’ll pick the most expensive one.”
“Manamin… You have your pride when you’re Hermit, but…”
From behind us, we could hear Shi-chan’s boss’s voice saying things like, “I am truly sorry,” “It was a fair selection process…” “Eh?! The Penguins said what about me on the stream?! No, I would never take a bribe!”
She seems to be in a tough spot, but well, it doesn’t directly concern me.
Now isn’t the time to think about it.
—I, who was constantly called incompetent, have managed to join the ranks of first-class Explorers.
And what’s more, with my beloved childhood friends.
It would be a waste not to simply savor such a happy feeling.
“Ko-chan, thanks!”
“Natsume-kun, we’ll gladly accept your treat.”
“Ko-chin, thank you.”
All of us walked towards my car, sipping Frappuccinos.
When we get back to the Private Dungeon, I need to properly give thanks at that shrine this time.
Never in my life has everything gone this smoothly.
Touching the Dungeon Platinum coin in my pocket, I savored the happiness of being able to spend time with everyone.
—I hope we can create a second floor for the Private Dungeon.