Chapter 92: The Birth of a Hero
As I gazed at the badge, the Minister spoke.
“—That is a badge certifying you as an S-Rank Explorer. For exploration purposes within the country, you are entitled to preferential use of public transportation, and furthermore, there are benefits such as full exemption from travel expenses. This is the third such case in Japan, and it is given to an Explorer who truly deserves to be called a hero.”
“A hero…”
“Please, accept it. In addition to Natsume-sama’s badge, we have prepared badges for the party members of Team Secret Base.”
“For everyone else too…?”
I looked at the three behind me.
My childhood friends smiled and nodded.
“…Alright.”
I’d made up my mind.
I closed the lid of the paulownia box and bowed to the Minister.
“I accept.”
Click, click, click, click…!
“Well then, since this is a special occasion, how about a commemorative photo? Is the Red Brick Warehouse fine for the background?”
“Nkayama from the Akatsuki Newspaper here! Could you all put on your badges and come over here where it’s brighter, please!!”
And so, we were once again enveloped in camera flashes.
“Ko-chan, are we going to be in the newspaper again?”
“Probably…”
“Ugh… the TV crews are here too… This is scary, I need to hide my face with my hood…”
“Manamin, don’t push yourself.”
“Ko-chin, you’re treating us to Chinatown after this… Or else I’m ditching…”
“Honestly, you guys are hopeless… Otama-chan, Shi-chan, are you okay for time?”
“Yeah, my home is in Tokyo, not too far from here. Besides, I plan to take the afternoon off tomorrow once the report is done.”
“I’m fine too! I got a LINK message from Yamada-san saying I can take tomorrow off!”
“Alright, then shall we go? My treat.”
“No way, Ko-chan. This is also a celebration for you becoming an S-Rank Explorer. I’ll pay.”
“That’s right, I’ll chip in too.”
“I’ll let Ko-chin treat me…”
“Of course not! I’m taking your wallet later!”
“Shall I pay for Manamin’s share?”
“No, Shi-chan. It’ll become a habit.”
“Haha…”
“—Could we have your attention over here, please!!”
When we turned, we could see the giant Ferris wheel of Minato Mirai, “Chrono Planet 21.”
Countless LEDs sparkled along the frame of the Ferris wheel, forming a massive circular illumination.
Under the completely darkened sky, it created a beautiful night view along with the city lights.
Click, click…!
“It’s beautiful, Ko-chan.”
“Yeah. Feels like the big city.”
“Natsume-kun, let’s all ride it on the way back. I want to see the night view.”
“I’ll be at the nearby arcade… No, wait, this might actually be interesting, so maybe I’ll join you. Keh keh…”
“You’re unusually enthusiastic…”
The colors of the giant Ferris wheel’s illumination shifted one after another.
Green, red, yellow…
Eventually, the display changed, and colorful lights radiated from the center of the Ferris wheel towards the outer edge where the gondolas were.
“It’s like fireworks…”
“It’s lovely…”
“Yeah…”
Speaking of fireworks, when we defeated the mimic controlled by the culprit, we obtained a lot of gold coins.
If I offered all of those at the shrine in the Private Dungeon, we might get closer to the summer festival time again.
And so, after the interviews concluded.
The Dungeon Management Minister extended his right hand to me.
“Natsume-sama, thank you truly for this time. You are a treasure to Japan’s Explorer community.”
“No, Minister, thank you for coming all the way out here.”
“At your level, simply having you operate freely within the country benefits the nation. It seems an employee from my ministry tried to interfere with Natsume-sama previously, but I will ensure that such things do not happen again.”
“Thank you very much.”
I firmly shook hands with the Minister.
“Regarding Explorer Sasarabashi, I’ll tell the personnel department to reflect this in her performance evaluation. Not just Natsume-sama, but if any of you others desire anything, please let me know. I will do my best to arrange it.”
“Yes, when that time comes.”
“Truthfully, I’d like to at least cover your dinner expenses for tonight, but there’s this Public Offices Election Act… We have secured a limousine taxi for your return, so please call this number when you’re ready to leave… Preferably by around 9 p.m.…”
“Thank you.”
I accepted the memo from the Minister and returned to my childhood friends.
“Alright, shall we head to Chinatown? Shi-chan, are you sure you’re okay with work?”
“Yeah, they said everyone would handle the follow-up since I must be tired. Let’s go! I want to eat stir-fried chicken and cashews.”
“Eh, I’m going for chili shrimp!! Xiaolongbao sounds good too!”
“Peking duck for me… if it’s your treat.”
And so, we started walking from the Red Brick Warehouse.
The Ferris wheel’s illumination sparkled brilliantly, creating LED fireworks next to the skyscrapers.
The sea breeze felt good.
☆★☆【Aside: The Aftermath at the Scene】☆★☆
“—Well now, tomorrow’s front page is set.”
“Indeed. And if we dig deeper into the power leveling course, we could even write a series of articles on the Explorer system. We won’t be short on stories for a while.”
“That’s a blessing.”
As we in the media were making preparations to pack up, a loud voice came from the plaza.
“Uwaaaaaah, I! I was scummmmmm!! What should I do! How can I be saveddddd!!”
“Hey, stop it!!”
“Aaaaaah!!”
“……”
I exchanged glances with the cameraman next to me.
“Shall we go check it out, just in case?”
“Yes, it might become an article.”
And so, when we went towards the plaza in front of the Red Brick Warehouse, a man was rubbing his head on the ground.
“That’s…”
“Uwaaaaaah! Why did I try to compete with Natsume-sama… Know your place!! Scum!! Scum!!”
“Iyada, calm down!! That was because of the brainwashing!! You’re not to blame!!”
“No, that’s not it!! I!! I aaaaaam!! Aah, please don’t hit me anymore!! I’ll tell you, I’ll tell you!! I’ll apologize!!”
“Iyada, it’s alright now!! You’re not guilty!!”
“That’s not truuuuue!!”
It was the Explorer named Iyada, who had been brainwashed by the culprit and made an accomplice to the crime.
Explorers and government officials surrounded him, trying to restrain him.
I asked a TV station staff member who was nearby.
“Um, did something happen? That person was the one who was being controlled, right?”
“Well… I don’t really know the details myself… I thought he woke up, but then he suddenly started screaming and rubbing his head on the ground…”
“Aah!”
“Hm…!?”
Just as I thought I made eye contact with Iyada-san, he started crawling towards us on all fours.
Why is he coming this way?
As I backed away to escape, Iyada-san said,
“The media! You’re from the media, right!?”
“Ah, well…”
“Please listen!! I, I aaaaaam!! The lowest piece of scum!!”
“H-Huh…? Are these still the aftereffects of brainwashing…?”
“Hey, stop it!!”
A police officer put Iyada-san in a full nelson from behind.
But Iyada-san didn’t flinch and shouted.
“Aah, Officer!! Please listen to my sins!! But please don’t hit meee!! I won’t run, I won’t run awayyy!!”
The police officer exchanged glances with another officer who had come to assist, and nodded.
“Alright, alright. I’ll listen to what you have to say. So, calm down. Now, what did you do?”
“Uwooooooh, I was an idiot, an idiooooot!!! First, to pay off debts from a gamble-like investment, I… the company passbook!! And then, I used my grandma’s seal, who’s started to get senile, without permission…”
—And so, the next day, Iyada-san was also arrested.