CH 174

Main street at night

***---***

I had dinner at Klaus-san's house, and after sending Manon home, I walked with the chairman to the garrison quarters.

When the sun went down, it became freezing cold, but with the warmth of the chairman, who held my hand as if intertwining our fingers and snuggled close to me, filled my heart.

"Hey, Yuika, am I distorted?"

"Ehh, are you distorted? Kento is?"

"Yes ..."

I raised my head, which was leaning on my shoulder, and told the chairman, who was looking at me with a slightly puzzled look, about the conversation between Klaus-san and Takagi-san.

"I've never thought of it that way, but when you say it, I might agree with it a little ..."

"For example, how?"

"You look down on yourself and work desperately for the sake of others ... It's a little dangerous, or you could say that there are times when I worry about it, so I wonder if that kind of mental distortion is affecting you ... I think."

"I see ... Yeah, I feel that way myself."

When I arrived at Volzard, if I hadn't been warmly welcomed by the garrison Kartz-san, and the boarding house Amanda-san and Meisa-chan, I might have returned to the garrison in Lastock.

Even after finding my place in Volzard, the reason I worked hard to rescue my classmates may have been because I didn't want to be left out of the group.

"Kento, do you have any regrets?"

"Eh, regrets, what?"

"I wonder if you are regretting that you promised to marry the three of us in the future ..."

"There's no reason to do that. All three of you are too beautiful for me, you have good personalities, and you're smart ... Yuika would be the one to regret choosing me ..."

"I won't. There's no reason to do so!"

As the chairman raised her voice, passers-by turned around wondering what was going on.

"When I was in Lastock, do you know just how hopeless I felt. I'm so grateful that Kento came to visit me and supported me emotionally. I can't express in words how grateful I am.

"Yuika ... Thank you."

"Mou, I'm the one who should thank you, Kento, thank you."

When I stopped and tried to hug the chairman, Reinhardt called out to me.

[ Kent-sama, it's the Flamehounds. ]

"Ehh, understood ... Yuika, stay behind me."

"What happened?"

"Yeah, just a small thing ..."

About 10 meters ahead, there were four men walking side by side.

When I stepped forward to protect the chairman, the other side also noticed me and stopped.

The lion beast man Bartolo was in the middle, the bearded dog beast man Orest was on the left, and the giant shaved-headed Jarma was on the right.

And the troublesome thing was that there was the figure of Takayama next to Orest.

The three of them suddenly stopped walking, so Takayama turned around in a panic and looked back at me as if he sensed something unusual.

Bartolo glared at me with a look as if he wanted to shoot me to death, and Orest and Jarma both grinned.

After Takayama looked at me and the Flamehounds alternately, he called out to me.

"Hey, Kokubu ... What's wrong?"

"Takayama, why are you with the Flamehounds?"

"When we were together during the previous Griffon subjugation, they said they saw my talent, so I was invited to join the party, uh, so ..."

"Takayama, refuse that offer."

"Ehh, why. Everyone is so kind to me."

"They are the types who use their underlings as decoys if their own lives are in danger."

"Ehh ..."

When the startled Takayama turned around, Orest exaggeratedly extended his hand and denied it.

"Oi, oi, I think you shouldn't say bad things about people ... We're just trying to nurture talented and promising young people."

"Gahahaha, that's right, that's right, what Orest said. What evidence do you have to make such an accusation."

The giant Jarma raised a loud voice so that the onlookers who began to gather around him could hear it.

Bartolo, who was listening, also bared his teeth and smiled at him, and he took a step forward.

"Kent, you're a coward. You openly abused us all over the city, so I'll have you clean it up."

"I'm sorry ... Shall I tie that up with a ribbon again?"

"Bastard ... Don't get full of yourself and look down on me!"

Beside Bartolo, who was red-faced and yelling, Orest and Jarma were frantically holding back their laughter.

"Come to think of it, it seems that you were chased by a large group of Scavengers and were trapped deep inside the dungeon. If I didn't get rid of them, how were you going to get back to the surface?"

"E, even without the help of you bastard, we should have been able to return to the ground safely. Besides, you insulted us without evidence, how are you going to take responsibility for that?"

"Since I only told the truth, I have no intention of taking responsibility."

"Stupid. For an adventurer, reputation is directly linked to our bread and butter. You degraded it without any evidence. If we complain to the guild, in the worst case, you will be expelled from the city, is that okay?"

"If I say that will be a problem ... what are you going to do?"

"Isn't that obvious ..."

Bartolo turned his palm up and made a circle with his thumb and forefinger.

"As compensation for insulting us without evidence, you will pay 50,000 Helts per person, that's 150,000 Helts for all."

"That's if the guild trusts your story ..."

"Would you like to see which the guild trusts, what the A-rank adventurer party says or what the kid says?"

"Well, would you like to see if they will believe the so-called adventurer's party or the S-rank adventurer based in Volzard?"

"What ... S-rank?"

"What, you didn't know that? You're an adventurer, but you're not very knowledgeable about it. Even the girls in town know about it."

Bartolo turned his gaze to Orest and Jarma, but both of them were twisting their necks in confusion.

Even after coming back from the dungeon, they probably continued their lives as drunkards.

It seemed that Takayama didn't hear about my promotion to S-rank either.

"Kokubu, is it true that you're S-rank?"

"It's true. Raising my rank will only make things more troublesome, so even B-rank would have been fine."

"In the first half of the battle against the Griffon, the fighting strength of Kokubu was almost the same, right?"

"That's right. My genus are also steadily improving their levels, so I don't think the three of you would stand a chance."

When I turned my gaze to the three Flamehounds, Orest and Jarma were also glaring at me with grim expressions.

"Brat, don't get too carried away. No matter how strong your monsters are, in a town like this ... Uwaa, wh, what is it!"

As if to interrupt Bartolo's story, Mart crept up from the shadows and hit his knees, causing a burst of laughter from the onlookers.

"What are you doing in the town?"

"Damn kid ..."

"Well, wait, Bartolo, don't get so heated. After all, the opponent is an S-rank adventurer, so we ordinary people can't be a match."

"Orest, are you saying that I should ignore getting looked down on by such a brat!"

"That's why I said you're getting too heated."

In comparison to Bartolo, whose head was completely flushed, Orest and Jarma were calm, and it was eerie that they had grins on their faces.

"Bartolo, it's true that this brat may have been promoted to S-rank, but it doesn't mean that his experience level as an adventurer will increase immediately."

"What about it."

"In other words, we have a mountain of knowledge and experience as adventurers that this kid can't teach him. Hey, Shuichi, don't you think so?"

As soon as Orest spoke to Takayama, Bartolo also grinned.

"Ehh, ah, is it me?"

"Of course. We've traveled to many towns and completed many requests. I don't know if he's S-rank or something, but don't you want to know what adventurer's experience that a pop-up brat can't know?"

"That ... I want to know ..."

Takayama seemed to be confused as he compared Orest-tachi's and my face.

"Takayama, it's not just your body anymore. If Takayama is gone, what will Celia-san and the others do?"

"Uuh, that's right ..."

"Why is it, why is it, are you already dominated by a woman? How can you say that you're a man, you bastard?"

"I, it's not like I'm being dominated."

No, he was definitely dominated, so he's worried about that, is he.

Hey, you've taken too many easy provocations, haven't you.

"Shuichi, if you're a full-fledged man, you should decide your own path and tell women to shut up and follow you."

"I, is that so?"

"Isn't that obvious, but, you have the mark of a man hanging at your crotch, don't you? Decide your own way of life."

Takayama nodded at Orest and then turned to face me.

Yup, it looked like he had already been affected.

"Kokubu, I ..."

"Takayama, none of those people are married. The way of life of a person who has never been married is not helpful, is it?"

"Ahh ..."

When Takayama turned around, Orest twisted his face and clicked his tongue.

"Tch, brat, don't say unnecessary things."

"Because the way of life is different between adventurers who don't know their future and Takayama who has a cute wife waiting at home."

"I don't like it at all, brat. Bartolo, Jarma, let's go. It's disgusting, so let's drink again."

"Hohou, even Orest is disgusted, what an unpalatable brat."

"Hey, let's go, Jarma."

The three Flamehounds abandoned Takayama and headed back the way they came.

"Kokubu, did something happen with the Flamehounds?"

"Yeah, I had a bit of a dispute with them before, and they even tried to put their hands on Amanda-san's shop, so I gave them a warning."

"What did you do to warn them."

"I just sent a letter of reconciliation and visited them."

When I talked about the incident with the Flamehounds, not only Takayama, but also the chairman was taken aback.

"Kento, don't do anything too dangerous."

"I know, at that time, they were about to be violent with even Meisa-chan, so I was angry too."

"Well, then it can't be helped."

"Takayama, if you want to gain experience as an adventurer, talk to Donovan-san from the guild. I'll also talk to him."

"As expected, are those three dangerous?"

"They can't be trusted for a moment."

When I talked about the water magician who formed a temporary party with the Flamehounds when they subdued a Salamander, Takayama seemed to have second thoughts.

"I came to a different world and obtained powerful fire-attribute magic, and to be honest, I have an admiration for being an adventurer. Besides, the construction of the ramparts alone is not enough for the living expenses of the three of us."

"Why don't you let Celia-san and Flosche-san work when they have free time? Wouldn't that help them get used to the city faster?"

"I think Flosche-san is fine, but Celia is a bit ..."

"Ehh, is she feeling unwell somewhere? Then in a moment ..."

"No, it's not like that, it's not like she's sick ... you know."

"Ehh, could it be ... could it be?"

"A, ah, it looks like I did it ..."

Takayama scratched his head in embarrassment.

"Hey, Kento, it looks like he did it, you don't mean, a baby?"

"Dunno? Ask Takayama, not me. What do you think?"

WIth a bright red face, Takayama silently nodded repeatedly.

"Kyaaaaaaa ... Congratulations ... isn't it."

"I don't know, Takayama's earnings ... It hurts."

"Don't say that, congratulations."

"Yes, that's right. Congratulations, Takayama. Stay strong, Papa."

"Thank you. To be honest, I'm really worried, but Celia is probably more worried, so I have to be strong."

"I see ... Well then, you'll have to find a job that pays a little more."

"Kento, why don't you ask Donovan-san or Klaus-san?"

"That's right. Tomorrow, the guild will have the rebars delivered, so I'll ask about it then."

"Really? I'm sorry, Kokubu, I owe you a favor."

Takayama put his hands together and bowed at me.

"Maa, I don't really care about Takayama, but Celia-san and Flosche-san are having a hard time."

"You don't care ..."

"Takayama, you must have forgotten who paid your debt."

"Uuh, I haven't forgotten. I'll pay you someday, so don't say that."

"Maa, I don't care about the debt, but please do your best as the breadwinner of the family."

"I know. Even if you don't say that, I will protect Celia, Flosche-san, and the child that will be born, even if it means risking my life."

I once again reminded him not to get involved with the Flamehounds, promised to meet him at the guild tomorrow, and parted ways with Takayama, who was heading home.

When I started walking towards the garrison's quarters again, the chairman grabbed my arm even tighter than before.

"Yuika ... Are you cold?"

"Hey, Kento ..."

"What is it?"

"I want one too ..."

"Ehh, you want one ... Eeeehhhh!"

"Do you hate it?"

"I, I don't mind it, but I haven't even greeted Yuika's parents yet ..."

"I see ... That's right. But, it's okay ..."

"You know, Yuika. Klaus-san told me to go and greet Yuika's parents before Volzard welcomes the New Year."

I was told by Klaus-san that he would protect me in Volzard, and that he told me that he couldn't protect me in Japan, so I told him that I wanted to go and greet them.

"It would be rude to ask suddenly, so could you ask what time is good?"

"Hmm ... That's right. You can't procrastinate forever."

The slightly depressed voice of the chairman seemed to indicate that her parents didn't have a good impression of me.

For a while, the two of us continued walking in silence, and when the garrison gate came into view, the chairman opened her mouth.

"You know, Kento. My father, mother, and sister are against it."

"Do you mean your whole family?"

"Yes ..."

The chairman's family consisted of her parents, her younger sister, and the chairman, and her father opposed marrying me and living in a different world.

Her mother seemed to approve of living in a different world, but she was against marrying me.

Her sister said that she was fine with marrying me, but she opposed living in a different world.

"Well, you don't have to worry about my sister's objections ..."

"What do you mean? If possible, I'd like everyone to agree ..."

"My little sister is only against it because if I move to Volzard, she will be forced to take care of our parents in their old age."

"I see, but that's fine for now, but won't it become a serious problem in the future?"

"Yeah, well, that's true."

Even so, I was troubled ... I didn't think that the whole family would be against it.

"Are you in contact with your house?"

"Yeah, with my mother ... But, I wonder if I can talk as well as I did before with her ..."

"The reason why she's against the marriage is because I have four wives, right?"

"Yeah ... That's right, but ..."

It seemed that there was something I hadn't been able to talk to the chairman about as of yet.

"Maybe it's about my parents?"

"Yeah ... I'm sorry."

"Nope, Yuika shouldn't be apologizing because it actually happened."

The reason why the chairman's parents were against the marriage was that I had four wives, and the incident that my parents caused seemed to be the cause.

"Even if I marry Kento, they seem to think that you will eventually lose your heart to another woman and abandon me."

"I see ..."

Rather than say that my father was fascinated by another woman, he didn't feel affection for my mother from the beginning.

The incident with my parents was thought to have been caused by my mother, who was simply overwhelmed by my father's affair, so they must have thought that I would be cheating on her, too.

I was a little lost as to whether I should talk to the chairman about my father.

"Kento? Sorry, you don't want to talk about your parents after all."

"Hmm ... Or should I say, yeah, I'll talk about it."

I was at a loss, but I'll pass on the contents of the letter from my father to the chairman.

It looked like it would be a bit long, so I took out a box and a blanket from the shadow storage and talked while leaning against the wall of the dormitory.

The chairman was smiling when we were wrapped in a blanket together, but as the story progressed, she burst into tears.

"That's cruel ... It's too cruel. Kento needs to get more angry."

"Yeah, that might be true, but when I read the letter from my father, I was strangely convinced. I'm very happy now because I got to know people who have become like fathers and grandfathers to me, like Marcel-san the shoemaker and Bruno-san from the Livre Plantation."

"Kento is strong. I don't think I could stand it."

"I wasn't able to build a good relationship with my real father, but I want to build a good relationship with the people I get to know in the future. Of course, the same goes for Yuika's parents."

"But, my father is quite stubborn ..."

"Even so, I chose Yuika, and Yuika chose me, so I have to face it properly. Ahh, that's right ... I'm not sure about this yet ..."

I told the chairman about the relationship between the magic that uses the magic circles and the magic that people use.

"Does that mean that you might be able to summon people from Japan here?"

"Hmm ... I don't know yet, but I think it would be nice if that happened ..."

"If you can do that, will I be able to return to Japan without giving up my light-attribute magic?"

"I can't say anything until I try it."

"I see, but you can't talk about things that are uncertain."

"That's right. In the current situation, I have no choice but to have Yuika talk on the premise that she won't be able to return to Japan. You can call your family at any time."

"I see, I can call my father and the others. I see, I see ..."

"Yuika?"

"Yeah, I'll try to talk to my parents. Depending on the situation, I might ask Kento to pick them up, but is it okay?"

"That's fine, but please explain how I enchant them."(TN:Meaning, how he gives them dark attribute, aka, wounds.)

"Okay then, can I introduce Kento to my parents after we talk a little more?"

"Yeah, I'm sorry for burdening only Yuika."

"Don't worry about that. It's for both of us."

"Yeah, that's right. Thank you, Yuika."

"Kento ..."

I hugged the chairman tightly.