CH 181.2

People passing by all glanced at us and bowed as Lydia pulled my hand as we walked across the city. 　

If someone called out to us, we would reply. After all, it was a gathering of celebrities. 　

Lydia abruptly came to a halt. We had found ourselves in front of a big church.

「Hey ya, I came to get Shiru-chi.」 Lydia said.

「Of course! I’ll go call her!」 　

After a while Shirushu came around from the back of the church, accompanied by a lot of kids. 　

With the money he earned during our expedition, Shirushu had been able to construct a church here. 　

She’d also moved the children from her previous church here, and she was also taking in orphans from the capital. 　

She walked towards us, surrounded by numerous kids.

「Shiru-nee, where are you going?」

「It’s not fair Shiru-nee, we want to go as well!」

「Come on now everyone, you shouldn’t be selfish.」

A voice came from behind the children. It was Ryu, the child who had been in charge of the orphans back at the church in Port Town Izu. 　

As Ryu looked menacingly at the children all of them grew quiet. 　

He’s doing a great job as always I see.

「Zeph-nii, it’s been a while.」

「I see you’ve gotten used to being the big brother.」

「Please don’t tease me… That aside, shouldn’t you hurry up?」

「You’re right, it’s almost time.」

「Ryu’s right! Let’s go already!」

After exchanging greetings, we left and Shirushu followed after us. 　

As we passed through the main street we eventually arrived at our Guild House, which had gotten way bigger compared to before. 　

Swords clashing with one another could be heard from the now-larger garden.

「HYA!」

A loud shout echoed out and a wooden sword fell to the ground. 　

Claude pointed her own wooden sword at a young girl who stumbled over the blade and fell to the ground.

「Urgh…!」

「This is as far as you go. Thank you for your time.」

Claude was currently in charge of conducting an entry exam for our guild. 　

After all of the members of the Hunters of the Blue Sky became famous, more and more people wished to join the guild.  　

However, we couldn’t let in just anyone. 　

Which led to Claude stepping up and volunteering to test the new recruits. 　

She apparently wanted to take on the role of bearing the resentment that would inevitably follow. 　

Claude spoke coldly to the girl still lying on the ground.

「Unfortunately, the way you are now you are still lacking.」

「I-I’m not done yet…!」

「Let’s just stop here… Furthermore.」 Claude said, shaking her head.

She then put out her hand towards the girl.

「I don’t want to hurt you anymore.」 she said with a smile, as her beautiful blond hair fluttered in the wind. 　

Her smile was beautiful enough to make anyone fall for her. 　

The girl’s cheeks quickly turned bright red.

「Come on, I’ll help you stand up.」

「T-Thank you…」

The girl’s energy had vanished and was replaced with obedience as she swiftly jumped up and fled away. 　

She ran away to her friends in the distance and began talking to them…

Well it’s great that she had fun.

「Zeph-kun! Everyone else as well!」 　

As soon as Claude noticed us, she began running.

「Did we make you wait, Claude?」

「Of course not. Since you became one of the Heavenly Mages, Zeph-kun, you’ve been quite busy, haven’t you?」 

「Yea… I’m sorry, there’s a lot of troublesome stuff to take care of you see.」 I said, stroking her head. 　

After I became unable to look after the guild, all of the responsibilities had fallen on Claude’s shoulders. 　

She must be having a really rough time. With the way Milly is and everything it’s only natural.

「… Is Milly there already?」

「No. She said she’d wait for everyone.」

「That brat…!  What in the world is she doing…」?

「AH?!Z-Zeph-kun?!」 Claude yelled out trying to stop me, however, I just brushed her off and entered the house. 　

Countless clothing was strewn over the living room, and the sound of rustling clothes as well as footsteps could be heard from the back of the room. 　

The person in the back seemed to have finally noticed that there was someone here, so he quickly ran towards the living room.

「Hey Claude, what do you think about this?!」

Milly emerged from the rear of the room, wearing a white one-piece that covered her completely naked body. 　

I assumed she was doing something important, and all she’s doing is choosing out clothes…

As I let out a sigh of disappointment, my eyes met with Milly’s

「Ah……」

「Don’t mind me and just get ready. Everyone’s waiting.」 

Milly was utterly speechless at first, unable to do anything, and her cheeks gradually flushed.

「W-W-What are you doing here Zeph?! Don’t suddenly appear out of nowhere! You pervert! 　Idiot!」

「You’re the one who appeared out of nowhere, so why are you yelling at me…?!」

After saying everything she wanted to say Milly quickly ran away to the back once again.

What is wrong with her, good grief.

「Milly, hurry up, okay?」

「B-But I can’t pick…」

「The one just now was fine. You looked good in it.」  　

「R-Really?! Then I’ll go with it!」　

As soon as she heard me compliment her, she instantly made up her mind.

Tsch, she sure is carefree. 　

After a bit I could hear hurried footsteps coming from the back. I just hope she doesn’t trip…

「Ta-da! How is it?! Does it look good?」

「Huh? Ah, yea, it does.」

「Urgh! At least look here when you say that!」 Milly grabbed my head and forcefully turned it towards her. 　

That hurts, you idiot. I just heard something cracking! 　

I looked at Milly while massaging my aching neck.

「… I-It’s a little embarrassing when you look at me like that.…」

Aren’t you the one who told me to look at you?! 　

Milly began to fiddle with her thumbs gently while whispering.

「H-How is it?」

「Hmph…」

Milly was dressed in a formal gown, which was a contrast from her usual appearance. She gave off a mature vibe. 　

She was just a child when I first met her, but she has grown up a lot since then.

「… What is it?」

「Nothing, I just thought that you’re beautiful.」

「……?!」

Milly went completely numb as soon as she heard me. 　

Immediately after that her cheeks turned bright red.

「Hmph! You won’t get anything even if you compliment me!」

「I really meant what I said. Kuku.」

With a smile on my face I stroked Milly’s head.

「… Ah! You’ll ruin my hairdo…」

Milly appeared to be content with the current situation, despite what she said. 　

It wouldn’t hurt you to be more honest with yourself you know…

「ZEPH-CHII! MILLY-CHAAN! HURRY UP!」

「Ops, I almost forgot.」 「WE’RE COMING! Zeph, let’s go!」

「Yea.」 　

Milly grabbed my hand and rushed out. 　

The blinding light, as well as the smiles of everyone waiting for us, flooded my eyes as soon as she opened the door.

―― Last year Milly had managed to win the Title Match against the Blue Heavenly Mage. 　And today was the ceremony of her becoming the Aqua of Aqua. 　

Good grief, she really will trip if she runs like that. 　

I let out a sigh as I followed behind everyone.

「By the way, don’t you think our guild is amazing, having three Heavenly Mages and all?!」 Milly exclaimed.

「Don’t mention it. There are so many people wanting to join now that I can barely manage.」 Claude said with a wry smile.

「Say, how about we get all of the Heavenly Mage seats?」

「Hmph, I guess you could say that Claude’s magic falls under the Soul System. If we put in the effort, I can see it working out.」 Elise said, replying to Milly’s proposal.

「In that case I’ll aim for the Green System. … W-Why are you all looking at me like that?! 　I’ll have you know, but I’m Bertram Cabel’s daughter! There’s nothing I can’t do once I put my mind to it!」

「… Your group really is a rowdy one Zeph. By the way, I have a request for you all, so how about it?」 Yera asked.

「We’ll do it! We’re definitely doing it!」 Milly exclaimed without even hearing the contents of Yera’s request.

At the same time Claude quickly tried to stop her.

「M-Milly-san! Don’t just jump into everything…」

「It’s fine!」 Milly smiled brightly as she turned to face us all.

「After all, we’re the Hunters of the Blue Sky, the strongest guild there is!」

As we tried to make sense of Milly’s bizarre reasoning, we were all left speechless. 　

Good grief, the reason we’re all so busy is because you take on everything, you know?!

But even so, it didn’t seem like any of us disagreed with her.

She really is one hell of a guild master. 　

I let out a sigh as I spoke to Yera.

「… So, what is it this time?」

If we’re doing it, let’s just get it over with fast. With everyone’s help, efficiently. After all, we can’t stop forging forward.

TL/N: This is the end of the Light Novel. Thank you all for reading up to here. May fate guide us to meet each other once again in the future. Thank you once again <3