CH 255

"To our new member, and to our first exploration of the intermediate dungeon, Cheers!"

" " "Cheers." " "

A crisp sound of glass clinking from our dear rings when I held my glass up high in the air and took the lead.

The current time was Sunday, 7:00 p.m, and a Welcome party 'n' Celebration was going on in the guild room of Eden.

Although I don't know who made it, a board inscribed with [Guild Eden's 3rd Welcome party 'n' Celebration] was adorned above the home shrine where Sachineko-sama was enshrined, which enlivened the mood even more.

A great number of dishes were lining on the table, now larger than before after our guild became E-rank.

But of course, not to be forgotten was today's party star.

Initially, we only had planned a celebration for our first Intermediate dungeon exploration. Just the single achievement of clearing an intermediate dungeon was more than enough to raise the said guild's value in the academy. The achievement alone holds the same meaning as the guild becoming larger. It's impossible that we wouldn't celebrate.

But that's when Ekaterina joined our ranks as a new member and it turned into the topic of setting up a celebration for her joining too.

Albeit, I wasn't so sure when thinking about why we didn't set-up a welcome party for Lulu, Celia, Shizu and Pamela since we were busy as bee that time and didn't have leeway in our schedule. I was wondering if this will make them unhappy or think they were taken lightly.

Apparently, working to my bone and doing everything on me to train them at that time worked out in my favour. Celia and Pamela said they have already received more than enough care.

Hence, I was able to hold a welcome party without it bothering me. I was a bit anxious when I called out to everyone in the chat to ask if everyone's free and heard that everyone only had leeway to move freely today only but somehow, we were able to make it by moving super quick.

I looked at the Welcome Party 'n' Celebration I was able to host safely in satisfaction and turned to the sole member who looked out of tune.

"Are you having fun, Ekaterina?"

Incidentally, I suddenly found myself calling her without any honorifics in the process of helping out her. Ekaterina didn't seem to mind that either so I decided to just call her that.

Ekaterina turned to look at me with an expression stating she still hadn't fully digested all the circumstances.

"Zephyr-san. It's so strange. I wonder what am I doing here?"

It seems like her memory drive has crashed. Just who's so cruel enough to cause her to fall in such a situation......

Or so I would say but I guess the cause would only be, maybe I forced her to move a bit too much without giving her time to catch-up.

A party without its party star can't do, let's restore her sanity first.

"Remember, Ekaterina. What did you do today? Try to remember what you had done in front of the Dragon Crystal statue."

"Hmm一. Dragon Statue... Dragon Statue... T-That's funny, I feel like I was daydreaming. However, it was a one nice dream to see I actually got ‹Master-Planner Princess›."

"Because that wasn't a dream."

She couldn't even boot-up her memory drive properly. Just who's so cruel to such an innocent girl......

"For now, how about you check your status?"

Ekaterina snapped wide open her eyes when she checked her status at my calling.

"Wha! I wasn't daydreaming!? I really got the Master-Planner Princess job! What in world!?"

"Does reason matter anymore? Congratulations on your successful job transfer to your dream job."

"Huh? T, Thank you very much?"

"Today's a memorable day Ekaterina has joined Eden. A lot of delicious dishes have been prepared, so eat to your heart's content. Oh, I will introduce you to our members."

"What! Eden. I Joined? Ah that's right, I didn't even remember and joined the top guild in the flow, and my mind can't even keep up with everything!?"

Alright! It seems she has been finally booted up.

I was finally able to make her catch-up with the situation. Though it sure did take a lot of time.

"Great, now let's begin with an introduction. The first is Eden's sole healer一一"

"Her Highness Lana!? N-NO more please, I'm just on the verge of exploding, Zephyr-san. I request a timeout!"

So echoed the scream of Ekaterina.

Unfortunately for her and being the today's party star she was, the inevitable came to meet her herself.

Lana came before us with her entourage of Shizu, Pamela and Ester in tow.

"It's been a while, Ekaterina! We're now members of the same guild, let's lookout for each other back, okay!"

"U-Understood! It would be my pleasure too, Your Highness Lana!"

"Do you two know each other?"

"Yup, we just kind of know each other only, so I'm happy that we can also become friends here."

According to Lana, while there are three Duke families in this Shiatona Kingdom, Ekaterina's family was located far away. That's why she was barely acquainted with her.

Ekaterina being the daughter of the Duke family, she came to study in this academy because it was the most prestigious out of all.

I see, no wonder Ekaterina was so restless and down. I can't say I don't understand her low mood from the morning.

After the exchange with Lana was over, I introduced her to other members.

Ekaterina would be the cornerstone from here on and guiding so I want to make sure she gets everyone right.

I was tagging along with her considering she might be anxious alone.

"I'm b-beat."

"Eating delicious dishes at such a time would definitely revive you like a fish released in the water. This is my recommendation."

With the introduction over, I bring out dishes from the item bag.

They were still piping hot since it was in the item bag until now.

"But, girls prefer sweets at such moments. Why a steak?"

That's right, as Ekaterina said, I had taken out steak. It may be just as she said, it's not something to serve to a girl when she's tired.

But, I believe in this.

"Give it a try. This is a cooking item, so it would bring you to your feet in no time. Plus, its delicious."

"Haa, then I will try once. 一一chew...... So tasty, umm, can I take one more bite?"

"Of course. Eat to your heart content."

"一一This is really delicious. I feel like my lost energy is also recovering quickly, what type of dish is it?"

"Fufu. Don't be surprised to hear this. This is a dish made from using the meat, the drop from a rare monster called Golden Topple. It's called Shining Dinosaur Steak. Other than temporarily buffing your HP, it's a powerful item that also provides you with temporary sleep and more other sorts of aliment resistance. By the way, it was hunted by none other than our excellent Alchemist Hannah."

She's feeling all lightened up because of the sleep resistance. Her eyes were shining.

"The meat of Golden Topple!? Ah, by Hannah, you mean that famous wondrous child!? To indulge myself in the rare monster meat... Was it really fine to have it to me?"

"Of course. You're already a member of Eden. Rather, what do you think we're doing right now? It's party time, there couldn't be a better time to enjoy them. Nevertheless, if you still feel bad, just try to give your all for Eden."

"...... You're right. To be honest, I'm still all floaty about the situation. I still feel my feets freezing up from the fear, what if my getting the Master-Planner Princess job, what if my joining the top guild Eden whose all members are from Combat Department class-1, everything was a dream that would vanish away the moment I woke up in the morning."

"Haha, I guess even if I say to take it easy since it's not a dream, that wouldn't remove your apprehension huh. Well, it will dawn on you tomorrow. Since you're in Eden, I'm going to make you go through hard training, don't forget that."

"Fufufu, if it's not a dream as you said, I wouldn't hesitate. I swear to work hard for Zephyr-san, for you have saved me from the abyss I was helpless against. So I hope you can support me just as well, Zephyr-san, ok?"

"Huh? Ah, you can think of me as reliable as an immovable boulder?"

Hmm, I kind of feel the atmosphere around her changed suddenly...... Was it my imagination?

"Umm, my familiar kin called me Rina. I, by all means, hope Zephyr-san calls me so too."

"O-Oh. Then, Rina?"

"Yes!"

When I tried calling her by her nickname, Ekaterina, no, Rina replied with a smile so beautiful I felt it might have eclipse even the beauty of blooming flowers.

Err, maybe she kind of feels nostalgic, right? Huh, wrong?

Just as I was shaken up from Rina's reaction, a shadow appeared from overhead.

"You there, Zephyr! What are you doing acting all chummy with the new girl! Rather, aren't you sticking too close to her since a while ago! Distance, immediately!"

What? But I don't remember doing anything at all though?

"Zephyr, I was thinking it's just the right time for you to round up with others too. Even Ekaterina-san might not be able to rest with you around her all the time."

Even Sierra came. Eh, why is even Sierra's tone kind of feel like blaming me?

"Excuse me, I don't particularly mind even if Zephyr-san is he一一"

"Geez, you're making all the dishes I have made with so much effort, all cold, so come with me. I will quickly serve them. Also, let's eat with Sachineko-sama too. Sachineko-sama would also like Shining Dinosaur Steak."

In the end, Hannah grabbed my hand and forcefully took me to the other side of the table.

Even Hannah seems to be in a bad mood?

Rina had tried to say something in the end but it was drowned in the sudden voice of Hannah so I couldn't hear her out.

Afterwards, I was taken to Lulu and other member seats and made me eat lots of dishes.

As expected of the guild specialising in cooking (In search of the perfect balance between the taste and buff), all of the commissioned dishes were great but, aren't you guys overfeeding? I can't eat anymore. What, you feel I can still eat? I'm just imagining, right?

In the end, I was made to make until my stomach was bloated so much I couldn't even move.

In this way, came to pass Eden's 3rd Welcome Party 'n' Celebration.

Arc 4 一一Over一一.