It was lunchtime.
　I ate lunch in the barracks mess hall.
　It was a simple meal of bean soup, bread and dried meat.

One of the guards muttered, "This food doesn't motivate you.

　One of the guards muttered.

The nobles and knights eat better food than this. The nobles and knights get better food, but we get paid so little and eat so little.

　He seems to be dissatisfied with his treatment.
　This was the beginning of a series of complaints from people.

"The knights just command like big shots, but they don't even work half as hard as us. They have more pride than we do.
"The higher-ups are taking all the food, which is even less. It's always the common people who get the short end of the stick.
It makes me sad to think that they are the ones we have to protect with our lives. Maybe I should just get a job in another city.
If I could, I would've done it already. If I could, I would have done it by now." "There are only people here who can't make it in other cities.

　Once the dam is broken, they can't stop.
　It's like they've got a lot on their mind.
　...... If I stay here, I'm going to get hit by the negative aura too. Now that I've finished eating, I think I'll go for a walk outside.
　I took the empty dishes to the return slot.

Thank you for the food.
"No, no. "No, thank you very much.

　The cafeteria lady smiles at me.

"You're very polite.
No. It's the way it's supposed to be.
Auntie. I like girls like you. Hmm. Maybe next time I'll put more rice on the plate than others.



　I bade him goodbye and turned to leave the restaurant.
　Then one of the guards saw me and called out to me.

"New guy. Where are you going?
"I'm going for a walk outside.
"Young people are so free these days. When we were young, we didn't leave our seats when we finished our meals.

　He walked out of the barracks, brushing aside the guards' complaints.
　It seems that organizations have many troublesome ties. I had been an adventurer all my life, so this was a new experience for me.
　After walking for a while, I came to a town square.
　There was a fountain in the center and cobblestone pavement.
　There were children running around.
　I sat down on a bench and gazed at the scene.

　It's a beautiful day today.
　I was looking up at the cloudless blue sky.

"Um... You're Zeke, right?

　A voice suddenly called out to me.
　I looked up and saw a beautiful woman standing there.
　Her shiny hair reached her waist. Her face was soft, but with a strong core.

"Yes. Yes, but...
I knew it!　I've heard rumors about you for a long time. I heard that you defeated Captain Bolton in single combat.
I don't know if he gave it his all.
It's still amazing. There's no one in the squad who can match Captain Bolton. You're very strong, Zeke. I'll have to follow his example!


"Uh... Are you ......?
I'm sorry!　I'm sorry. My name is Seira-Tiana. I'm in the same guard as Zeke.

　I see. So she was a colleague.
　...... But what?　Is this a mistake?
　I rubbed my eyes, wondering if I was dreaming. But no matter how many times I rubbed my eyes or pinched my cheeks, the scene in front of me remained the same.

"Um... Miss Seira. Do you have a hobby of sunbathing during your lunch break?
"No. No?
Well... So you dress like that all the time on duty?
Yes!　Yes, I do!

　Seira nodded with a big smile on her face.
　She was, to my surprise, wearing bikini armor.
　The only part of her body that is protected is her private parts, and most of her skin is exposed to the outside air.
　Her breasts, hips, buttocks, and thighs were bare. It was an outfit that was more than a little arousing.

"......, Miss Seira. I'm sure you're not the only one.
No, I'm not!　I'm not in the habit of being a slut!　I'm wearing this armor simply because it allows me to move easily!



　I don't see why not.
　It's certainly much lighter than normal armor and will allow you to move faster.

But doesn't that make you worried about your defensive capabilities?

　After all, she was almost naked.
　If the enemy attacked her bare skin, there would be no end to it.

"Don't worry!　You won't get hit!　If it doesn't hit you, you take no damage!　There's nothing wrong with that!

　...... No, I think there is. There's a lot going on. I'm not sure where to put my eyes.

I'm sure you're not the only one.
"It was embarrassing at first, but once you get used to it, it's not so bad. But I don't think I'll ever get used to it.
"Anyway, Mr. Zeke. You don't have to use honorifics with me. You seem to be older than me.
How old are you, Seira?
I'll be 20 this year.
I see. Well, then I'll do it.
Yes!　I look forward to working with you!

　That's when it happened.
　A boy playing in the square stumbled on the cobblestones. He didn't fall, but he let go of the balloon string he was holding.

"Oh!　The balloon!

　He tried to reach for it, but couldn't.
　The boy looks like he's about to cry.
　The boy looked like he was about to cry, and before I realized it, Seira, who was standing next to me, had run out.



"--Hah!

　She kicked the cobblestones, leapt high, and grabbed the string of the balloon that had been rising. She landed with the grace of a bird.

"Yes. Here you go.

　She smiled and handed the balloon to the boy.

"Don't let go of the string now.
"Oh, sis. Thank you, .......
"Mmm. You're welcome.

　With a small wave of her hand, she walked back over to me.

You're welcome." She gives me a small wave and returns to me, "In this outfit, I can run to the people in town if they're in trouble. That's why I'm okay with this.

　She was fine, but the boy who received the balloon was blushing. She is not aware that she has distorted the s*xuality of a young boy.

Oh, it's Seira.
You're working hard today.

　The people of the town noticed her and called out to her. Seira responded politely to each of these calls.
　She seems to be a popular person in town.


"Is there a reason for you to join the guards, Seira?
"What do you mean by circumstances?
Most of the guards in this city couldn't make it in other cities, so they ended up here.

　I'm one of them.

"No. I'm not in that situation. I just wanted to be of service to you. Besides, there's an important treasure in this country.
You mean the Orb of Light?
That's the treasure the heroes used to defeat the Demon Lord. We have to protect it in case the Demon Lord resurrects one day. I can't let it fall into the hands of demons. I volunteered to be a guard to protect the people of the world.


"............
What?　Mr. Zeke?　Is there a problem?
No, no. I just thought it was cool. I thought the guards of this city were all worn out. Seira's high aspirations are dazzling.
I'm not even close. I'm not even strong enough to match my ambitions. I need to learn to be as strong as Zeke!

　I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.

I'm sure you'll be happy to hear that.
Yeah. Yes, but...
...... Be careful with him, though. There are some bad rumors about him.
Bad rumors?
He's had a number of new recruits quit over the years.
Is Captain Bolton aware of that?
Captain Bolton is aware of this? - Mr. Lambda doesn't show his true colors in front of his superiors. And it's not unusual for new recruits to quit here.
"I see. Thanks for the advice.
If you need any help, you can talk to me. I'll help you. Let's work together to protect this city!

　She took both of my hands in hers and said in a strong tone.