Vol. 4 - Chapter 255 - Welcome Party and Celebration! A party must be extravagant!

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

" " "Cheers." " "

A crisp sound of glass clinking played from our seats 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 lined up on the table, now larger than before after our guild became E-ranked.

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

Initially, we only 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 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 how we weren't able to set-up a welcome party for Lulu, Celia, Shizu, and Pamela since we were busy as bees at that time and didn't have leeway in our schedule. I was wondering if this would make them unhappy or make them think they were treated unfairly.

Apparently, working myself to the bone and doing everything on me to train them at that time worked out in my favor. 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 little worried when I asked everyone in the chat if everyone was free and found out that everyone only had leeway to move freely today, but we made it by moving quickly.

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 her out. 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 that stated she still hadn't fully digested all the circumstances.

"Zephyr-san. It's so strange. I'm not sure what I'm doing here."

It seems like her memory drive has crashed. Who could be so cruel as to put her in such a predicament?

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

A party cannot function without its party star; let's first restore bring her to her senses.

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

"Hmm. A dragon statue...Statue... T-That's funny, I feel like I was daydreaming. However, it was a 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's eyes widened as she checked her status in response to my call.

"Wha! I wasn't daydreaming? I really got the Master-Planner Princess job! What in the 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 because 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? Oh, that's right, I forgot and joined the top guild in the flow, and my mind can't even keep up with everything!?"

Alright! It seems she has finally been booted up.

"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, Ekaterin... no, Rina replied with a smile so beautiful I felt it might have eclipsed even the beauty of blooming flowers.

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, haven't you been too close to her for quite some time? Distance, immediately!"

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

"Zephyr, I was thinking it's a good time for you to gather with the others as well. 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've worked so hard on cold, so come with me Zephyr. 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 out by the sudden voice of Hannah, so I couldn't hear her out.

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

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

Finally, I wasn't let off until my stomach was so bloated that I couldn't move.

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

Fourth Arc,

一一Over一一

Everyone, how are you doing? This marks the end of Arc 4, I hope everyone likes it. If I had to pick a favorite part of this arc, it would have to be the forum chapter and our new character "Ekaterina."

Next time on our new arc of drago一... I mean, Dungeon Activity一 Beware, minute spoilers ahead(well only for few upcoming chapters though)

Next arc - Dungeon Activity Digest! Dean's Quest! (Highlight)

一Quartet finally had enough of Zephyr's tyranny (?) and raised the flag of rebellion (?).

一A more close-up situation in other area, the effect of Zephyr's elective class, each party's movements.

一Multiple forum chapters! Will the Adventurer-san finally be able to get salvation?

一And last but not least (actually my favourite), Zephyr's meeting with the Dean to bring forth a drastic change for students!

Well, that's just a few chapter hints since I also didn't read more as I mostly read and tl together. Thank you for your support, everyone!