'No, I'm really sorry. But Esther, don't bypass your skills just because you're angry.

Yes I'm so upset. I'm sorry.

Isn't it hot, Esther?

I'll be fine. But I'd like to get back to the inn as soon as I can.

　After we finished defeating Asterios, we returned to Sting. I set up a beacon on the way back, so it only took a moment.
　I collected the Asterios drop items after that one.
　When I got to the landing site, there was a ridiculously large crater in the middle...
　There was also a slightly reddish Asterios horn, along with a Minotaur horn that was rolled up in the center. The axe also seems to have fallen off properly and has been recovered.

　And after all, Esther also had the same recoil from the same skill as Noll.
　It's not as bad as Noor's muscle pains, but it seems that the magic power inside her body isn't being handled well and she's feeling bad.
　So today I'm going to quickly renew my plate and go back to the inn.

'Sorry...'

Oh, Okura-san, did you finish your request for promotion to C-rank?　You're as quick as ever.

''Yes, and I also have proof of another demon's defeat, can you take a look?''

　I arrived at the Adventurer's Society and went to Widge-chan's place as usual.
　And I handed him 10 Minotaur horns and Asterios' horns along with them.
　It's such a strong demon, the reward for defeating it must be high.
　But if there's a thing like that, I wish you had told me about it beforehand.

''It's fine~. Let's see, 10 minotaurs and... eh... this is...''

　She was checking the dropped items I handed her, but as soon as she saw Asterios's horns, her expression changed to one of stiffness.

''Did you really get this demon over there?''

Yes?　That's right.

''Asterios is a B-rank multiple party recommended demon. I've never heard of this demon in that hunting ground.

　Huh?　With multiple B-ranked monsters.......that's why they're so strong.
　I'm more concerned about the fact that they're demons that aren't supposed to be in that hunting ground.

Is it a demon that wouldn't normally be there?

'Yes, that's what it comes down to. Recently, there have been a number of reports of discoveries in places where those demons aren't supposed to be. It seems that more and more demons are escaping from the realm.

　What do you mean?
　Come to think of it, I think Glynn said something like, "Why is Glynn in this place......." when Cyclops was out before.
　The minotaur that was on the road to the royal capital in the carriage was also unnaturally far away from the spring place.
　What does this have to do with what happened this time?

''I apologize for what happened this time. I will apologize again at a later date for this matter.

Yes, I understand.

　I'm glad it was us, but if it had been any of the other adventurers, we would have been in big trouble.
　Widge-chan's usual looseness has disappeared and has been replaced with a sincere attitude.
　I have a bad feeling that this is going to be important... or rather, I feel like I've only been getting a bad feeling lately.

　After that, I had the plate replaced with a copper plate, which is the proof of the C-rank.
　The reward for defeating Asterios that I received as an added bonus was a pretty hefty 50,000 G for one Asterios, but I don't want to hunt anymore if I'm going to be rolling on the ground again....

●

　I drove Noor and Esther to the inn first, and I went to the general store and other places by myself to sell drop items.
　Lately, I've been going to sell the items I've accumulated a little bit each day.
　If I take them all at once, they won't be bought back....

　For now, I'm done for the day and decided to go back to the inn.
　Today was a messy day, with the ground rolling around... Thank God for the pot lids that didn't even deform after that attack.

　When I arrived at the inn and opened the door to enter the room I was renting, I found an unfamiliar silver-haired woman laying on the bed.
　She's holding two creepy round dolls in her hands, gazing and swooning.
　Who is this person?

Huh~ I knew she was cute.

　Oh that's the guy in the knoll.
　Why is it coming out?　I'm sure he said something about being embarrassed to show his true face........
　I don't want you to see my true face and start crying again, so let's just close the door and pretend we didn't see it.
　It would be embarrassing for me too if someone saw my own power generation. I know how you feel.

''Ah........''

Yo, yo....

　As I moved the door to close it, Noll suddenly turned to me. Then our eyes met with her blue eyes.

'Oh ... oh ... oh ... oh!　Why are you already back!

'It's my fault!　I'd rather hear why you're not wearing an eye mask!

　He froze and crunched his mouth and screamed when he thought he had sucked in his breath.
　I shouldn't have come back if this was going to happen....
　Maybe next time I'll knock and shimmy before I go into my room.



Oh, yeah. More importantly, are you going to be okay with me seeing your true face?

　Hmmm, it's still there, but it's not very comfortable if it's not at the end of the word.
　Noll got up from her lounging position, looked at me and sat back down on the bed.
　Unlike last time, she's not distraught at the sight of her face. But her cheeks are slightly red.

'Phew, I trained to get used to it with Esther!

Oh... so where is Esther?

It's a bath.

　She says with a proud heart. You're a bit of a jerk.
　I thought I couldn't find Estelle, but it seems she was in the bath.
　But still, the two of us were doing that when I wasn't there.
　Maybe it's normal for us, but it's a big step for Nole.
　I hope you keep up the good work and keep your face to yourself in normal times.

'So, what were you doing?'

'Eheheh, isn't that nice?　I loved the stuffed animals they gave me!

　He stuck out the palm-sized stuffed animal in his hand to show me.
　No, it's a bit annoying when he says, "No, it's fine.
　You really like this kind of thing.

'Do you want another one then?　I've got a bunch of bombs saved up.

'What!　Really?!

　I pulled out my phone and opened the items section and released the plush toys I had stored.
　Various objects came up, including one that looked like a bird's beak on a round pink body, a green one in the shape of a caterpillar, and various other things.
　There were also multiple things that weren't palm-sized, but were big enough to hug.
　.........Seriously, what's this thing in the mess for? There's a use for it because of Noll, but if it's not, it's a complete bust.
　I'm not sure if this is a good sensitivity item or not, if it is.

'Ehehe, thank you very much.

Oh, yeah.

　She hugs the stuffed animal that came out and looks at me with a sly smile.
　Ugh, it's kind of frustrating, but it's still cute. I want her to take off her eye mask for a long time now.

''Mmm, I guess it's about time I did.

　Suddenly she screamed and shuddered.
　Then she took out her eye mask and put it on as usual.

''Phew, it's been a long time since I've enjoyed myself to the fullest.

...What the f*ck is wrong with you?

　I look at Noll, who is back to her normal state, and the crush I saw earlier when I saw her smile is gone. I want my crush back.
　Is there a time limit?　You're like a star warrior........