CH 345

"Congratulations on winning the guild battle, everyone! Let's commence the victory celebration party and welcome party for Mert and Misato! Everyone, do you all have glasses? Then, cheers!!"

" " "Cheers" " "

" " "Congratulations~" " "

Clink

Resounded the sound of glasses clinking.

We were currently having a victory celebration and celebration party in the E-rank guild room of <Eden>. The participants were, of course, the members of Eden.

<Best of the Best, the Great Star> wasn't here. They were, well, according to rumors that have reached my ears, have regained their sanity miraculously, so I think it's better to leave them alone.

I ran my gaze through the venue again, all the girls were having bright smiles on their faces. We won by quite a large margin. I guess they are delighted due to this...... at least I hope so.

Recalling the result---

------Winner <Team White - Eden>.

It was quite an overwhelming victory for us, while a crushing defeat for <Best of the Best, the Great Star>.

To be honest, their strategies were quite good and their coordination was equally impressive, except everything was taught by me. So there was no way their strategies and actions could beat me and my Eden members.

They couldn't even get close to our base, and in the last moment of game, they decided to put a suicidal charge as well, albeit it remained just a pipe dream for them as they couldn't surmount the defense our excellent members put and Rina's timely instructions.

Furthermore, they also had 12 members who couldn't fight as the guild battle progressed. It must have hit them like a truck when their 4 founding members were made to retreat.

Lana, too, seemed quite refreshed after managing to give Saturn some good hits. Even from my perspective, it was quite a nice swing. Staying true to her words and <Knock them out> along with taking advantage of the situation and occasion, I guess that was quite a princess-like thing.

Deporting the four members to <Loser's Room> in the mid-game phase, and further taking down 8 members in the end basically set <Best of the Best, the Great Star> lose in stone.

Lulu, Celia, and Sierra were also impressive, they made the 1st-year <Spy> and 3rd-year <Hoplite> see the face of <Loser's Room>. The astonishing thing about this fight was Lulu managed to take down the two 3rd years, despite being lower leveled, achieving leap-frogged victory. Those 3rd year students shouldn't be lolicon...... right?

Well, Lulu's charm generally works even if the opposite party is not a lolicon...... so I guess it was just how it is. (It didn't explain anything at all though?)

Anyway, the trio of Karua, Ester and Rika also managed to restrict the movement of three 2nd-year students near the red base. However, they couldn't finish off the opponent's healer, who focused on running away, so they couldn't defeat them all. Those three 2nd-year students managed to protect their base until the <Time-Up>. They did well. And we took down 6 members at our position, there was nothing to explain about it here.

I would say it was quite a splendid result.

Especially considering that many members were participating in a guild battle for the first time, achieving such excellent results is truly amazing.

Rina and a couple other members still lag down a bit in strategy due to lack of experience, but I am sure a bit more guidance from me would clear that as well.

I am really proud of the performance of everyone to be honest.

There are still many problems to tackle in strategy like <Precise Time Attack>, but let's leave it for later. For now, I should just be happy at the amazing members we have.

Gulp

Haaa...Juice tastes good!

"Geez, Zephyr, you are just having juice only! Rejoice, I will pour you some."

"Ahh? Sorry for the trouble. And thank you."

I thanked Lana who poured me apple juice with a tsundere-ish attitude (?) before taking another sip.

Apple juice for this time celebration was a normal food item, though it still tastes great. Is that the taste of victory influencing me I wonder?

"I will offer <Golden Appleple> juice to <Sachineko-sama>!"

"Huh? What about me?"

On the other hand, Lana offered a higher grade <100% Rich Apple Juice> to <Sachineko-sama>. I understand the reason, and it's natural, but it somehow feels unsatisfying.

"Well, fine. In that case, I will offer the rare <Golden Topple> steak."

I mean, it's the celebration party after all. It's pretty common.

I offered one of the few pieces of meat from a rare monster, <Golden Topple>, and prayed together with Lana.

"We are grateful for your blessing, Sachineko-sama! Please continue to bless our luck!"

"Thank you, Sachineko-sama. Please continue to watch over <Eden>."

I, and Lana said our respective lines.

Though, I have this indescribable feeling as if I lost to her in prayer...Did I?

"Tahaha, Zephyr-kun. Great work~"

"Oh, Misato."

Misato approached me, holding a glass in her hand. She was having a slightly awkward expression.

What happened?

"Misato, make it clear. Zephyr shouldn't be having any ill-will either."

"Mert-sama, but I am still anxious~"

Oops, correction, a silver haired boy, Mert, was also there covered in the silhouette of Misato. Ugh, I am sure he would get mad if I said something like 'Hey there, Mert, I almost didn't notice you due to your height'...... I guess I will keep my moment to myself.

Anyway, it seems like Misato seems to have something to say, yet she opened and closed her mouth like goldfish repeatedly.

"Misato."

"Y-Yes, Zephyr-kun!"

"W, Well. Do you have something to say?"

Urged by Mert's Misato gaze, and finally, she mustered her courage and stepped forward. On the other hand, Lana's face looked strained for some reason, why?

"Err, well. You see. Is it okay for me to get into <Eden> just like this...?"

"............Huh?"

Her question caught me off-guard and I couldn't make a head or tail out of it for a moment, while Mert let out a sigh and further explained.

"Sigh...... Misato was made to join <Eden> to put an end to the squabble with <Best of the Best, the Great Star>. Well, it wasn’t exactly a fruitful result but after everything is resolved, she is having thoughts like 'Should I be really in <Eden>? or Am I fit to it?' something."

Mert, who usually spoke in a concise manner, gave a lengthy explanation.

This is probably about the time she was asked to officially join <Eden>. It seems like the 'upright' Misato to validate it once again.

And when I understood the meaning, someone acted before I could say anything. It was Lana.

"Of course you can stay! Misato is already a member of Eden. No one is going to complain a wee-bit about it, and I will make sure to bash them with Mei-chan if anyone has, so just be a member of <Eden> worry-free!"

She stole my lines!

Lana grabbed Misato's hand, looked straight at her eyes and said that.

Hearing Lana's word, Misato's face turned into a shade of red. Her gaze was fixated on Lana's blue eyes, reminiscent of sea, unable to take them off.

"Is it... really fine for me to stay in <Eden>?"

"Of course, rather you're already one of us. Let's go to the dungeon and have another guild battle together."

"............I see. Thank you, Lana-sama."

Strange. Why do I, the person involved, feel like an outsider to say anything?

But well, their conversation is going smoothly, so I guess it's fine.

Then I nodded in affirmation when Lana and Misato turned their gazes to me. Incidentally, Mert also nods.

I guess our roles end here.

Mert and I quietly left the scene and enjoyed lavish cooking.

"Zephyr. Well, umm, thank you."

"Ohh. You too, let's continue to do our best."

The victory celebration and welcome party went on like this, filled with joy and fun.