5-Welcome party and trends of former colleagues




 The night I was recruited into the Guard.
 Commander Bolton had taken me to a tavern in the city. He told me that he wanted to have a drink to celebrate my recruitment.
 I had no reason to refuse, so I decided to go along.

 There were many people in the bar.
 The bar was crowded with people, but it was not very lively.
 Everyone seemed to be tired and sullen. Despite being ordinary citizens, many of them had wounds all over their bodies.

This city is full of fresh wounds. An army of bandits, brigands, and demons: ....... They're all coming at us at the same time.
The gates are guarded, and there are wards over the stone walls, right?

 The city was usually warded to ward off demons. The city was usually warded to ward off demons, which would prevent flying demons from entering.

"Of course. But there are so many of them. We'll never make it in time. The mages will be able to break the wards we've put up.

 Commander Bolton said bitterly, then looked at me.

But now that you're in, maybe something will change. Zeke. I'm counting on you to do a good job.
"Yes. I'll do my best to keep the Commander's face clean.
Good. Let's drink to that.

We took the beers that had been brought to us and drank them together. I drank it in one gulp, and a nice bitterness ran down my throat.
 It was the first time in a long time that someone had expected something from me.
 It had been a long time since anyone had expected anything from me, since I had been treated with such disdain during my time at the party. Everyone had always looked at me like I was some kind of trash.



"You used to be a B-rank adventurer, didn't you? If you'd kept it up, you'd be making a lot more money than you are now. Why did you quit?

 "Why did you quit?" Commander Bolton asked as the drinks started to flow.

"Well, there were some circumstances. ......

 Under normal circumstances, I might have slurred my words.
 Normally, I would have slurred my words, but perhaps because I was also drunk, I thought it would be okay to confide in him. Even if you try to hide it, it will eventually come out.

"Mr. Bolton, have you ever heard of a party called the Red Lotus Fang?
"Yeah. I've heard of it. I've heard they're a party that prides itself on firepower. There's no one in Esthar who doesn't know about it.
I was fired from that party. I was fired from that party for not having enough firepower.
...... Really?
Yeah. Yes, I'm serious.

 Commander Bolton was silent for a moment.

"Ha. They've made a fool of themselves, haven't they?

 "They've done something stupid," he said.

"I know because I've actually faced them. The only reason they were able to play an active role was because of your overwhelming defense. It's because you took the brunt of the demons that they were able to fight without worrying about their future. You can't even understand that. It looks like the Red Lotus Fang aren't much to look at.
Haha ....... I don't know," I say with a wry smile.
I'll tell you what, I'm not the kind of guy who can be flattered. I'm not sure what to say, but I'm going to say it.



 Commander Bolton gulped down his beer in one gulp and grinned.

"I think they're going to realize after you leave the party. I'm sure they'll realize after you leave the party how much you've helped them.
I'm glad you feel that way.
Well, if you're asking for it back now, I'm not giving it back. You'll be working with us in this city like a horse and cart as a poorly paid guard.
I think I'll go back to ...... now.
"Ha, ha. You're not getting away with this.

 The Bolton Commander put his arm around my shoulders and restrained me.
 Of course, I had no intention of returning to the party.
 I'm going to live in this city from now on.
 I'm going to live in this city, protecting the people as a guard.

 ☆

"d*mn it ......! Why?

 Deep in a dungeon on the outskirts of the city of Esthar.
 Nahat was screaming as he fought a pack of demons.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's worth it. I can't fight like I used to. I can't fight like I used to. My attacks are getting blocked at every turn.
I'm not sure what to do. What the hell is wrong with them? It's like they're a different species than before!
"The ...... bow is also avoidable. It's impossible.

 It's not possible. The wizard Haruna and the archer Irene were also complaining.

"Hey. I'm not sure if this is because he's gone or not. Haruna, the wizard, was the one who blurted it out.
"We've been struggling ever since Zeke left the party. Then it can only be because of him.


You know. We thought he was being attacked because he was too fragile, but he was really doing it to protect us. ......
No, of course not! Don't be stupid! He's just a big kid! He has no power to help us!
Hey! Don't shout! There's a demon at ......
Oh no. We're surrounded. ...... We can't go on, can we? I think we should head back to the city.
d*mn it, ......! That's it! I'm retreating!

 Nahat made a painful decision and turned back from the dungeon. I'm not sure if I'm going to be able to do it.

I'm not sure what to make of this. It's the first time in my life that I've been humiliated like this. ......!
 The expression on his face was full of bitterness.