We finished the big kill and started moving towards Sting later that day. As expected, Nohl couldn't move, so I had to carry her on my back.
　Dius and the others were worried about her, but I calmed her down by saying she could move in half a day.
　I'm sure you've got a lot of questions to ask.
　To be able to move normally, even while carrying Estelle on your back, after such a rampage against Kobold.... I'm starting to think that the fact that I can already use recovery magic is an added bonus.

　And that day, we camped out after dark and returned to Sting the next evening.
　For me, I really wanted to leave immediately with the beacon, but I couldn't do that.
　The item gacha, which is a commemoration of the achievement of the Great Defeat, starts today, so I managed to endure it. Because it would be suspicious if I was messing around with my phone out in front of Dius and the others. I did my best.
　I wanted to go back to the inn, but I couldn't leave without reporting back to the Adventurer's Association.

Welcome back, Dius-sama, Okura-sama. How is the defeat of Kobold going?

It's all over but haha, I'm tired of everything.

That's not very nice.

　When we entered the Association, Widge-chan greeted us. Unlike when I went there, the adventurers in the association seemed less numerous.
　They said there were signs of a big defeat in other places, and I wonder if many of them went to defeat it as well?　I don't know them all, but the thought of them going through the same thing makes me want to pray that they come back safely.
　Dius sighs, looking very tired. I felt kind of bad and I apologized.

''Esther-chan and the others........it wasn't at the level of more than I imagined or anything like that.......''

Oh, you've got a good arm, too, don't you?

'Hmmm!　Thank you!

"Hmm........so could you stop hugging me so suddenly.......

　Miggle-chan looked down and muttered as if she was depressed. But as soon as Esther praised her, he looked up and hugged her.
　She looks a bit distressed as she is hugged tightly.
　But still, does Miggle-chan like Estelle that much? Well, it's true that she's cute, so it's not hard to understand why she wants to hug you.

''........Sisha, let me thank you this time. Your supportive magic and recovery allowed me to take more pain than usual.

'I'm glad you enjoyed it. I had a lot of fun, too. If there's a similar opportunity next time, please invite me.

I hate these people.

　Sisha and Gauss are smiling and shaking each other's hands. It's a good atmosphere if you're just watching, but what they're saying is strange.
　It seems that this one was a group of people in some kind of bad shape. Sumika is also nearby, but she is escaping reality by looking at the empty wall.
　Sumika is always around Gauss's side, isn't she? I'm wondering if they're closer than I thought.......I'm a little curious what kind of relationship they have.

''Okura-dono, I'm sorry for being in your debt again,''

'No, you needn't apologize for using it to help me. In fact, I'm sorry to let you use it.

　As I was watching such an exchange, Noll, who was beside me, called out to me.
　I guess it's in response to me moving on my back, but I'm the one who was saved, so I don't have to worry about it.......

''Well, I'm sorry to interrupt your intake, but may I ask you something?''

Oh, yes.

Was the core of this group still the Kobold Road?

'Yes, it was. This is the drop item that fell out when I defeated the Lord.

　As I was talking to Noll, I was approached by Widge-chan. It seems to be confirmation that the nucleus of the group this time was a Kobold Lord.
　So I take out the crown, spear and red cloak of the Lord I picked up. She took the red cloak from it. The proof of the Lord's defeat seems to be the cloak.

''I knew it.......I'm really glad that Okura-san and the others were able to go. I'm sorry, but I'll keep this one for a little while as evidence.

I'm glad you came with me this time, too. We may have been slowed down, but...

　Widge and Dius are patting themselves on the chest and seem to be feeling really good about it.
　Dius is muttering afterwards, as if he is somewhat depressed. If he says he's a drag, what am I, who was played unceremoniously by a spear that leaked out an enemy strike behind me.......

I don't think that's true. If Dius and the others hadn't protected her, Esther wouldn't have been able to use her magic to her satisfaction. Even if Sisha was able to fight, that number would indeed have been uncontrollable.

'That makes me feel a little better to hear that... thank you.

　I replied that to Dius, and he replied with a little laugh.
　It was the first time I fought against such a number of people, but thanks to them, it was much easier for me mentally, as I didn't have to worry about the rear guard getting beaten. It's good to have a lot of parties, after all.
　I heard that Lord is also in the labyrinth, so I want to get more friends so that I can fight more consistently.
　I'd like to see a shield player next time. I don't want to experience flying through the air or rolling on the ground anymore.

●

　I finished reporting at the Adventurer's Association and returned to the inn.
　Me and Dius got 12.5 million G each for the achievement of this request.
　I picked up the dropped items from Kobold and the others as evidence in their own right, but I couldn't bring them all with me.
　I might have been able to get away with it if I put it in my bag, but if I did that, they would have found out, so I decided to bring back as many as I could carry.
　Dius and the others said they couldn't accept half of the reward money, but I managed to get them to accept it because we fought together. I got the Lord's drop items instead, though.
　The golden spear was so romantic and sober that I wanted it, so I'm happy with it.

''Ah, you've finally finished defeating them!

Yes, it is. More importantly, isn't Okura-dono somewhat excited?

It's a mess.

Gotcha?　What do you mean?

　Yes, I was finally able to get back to the inn so I could draw the gacha.
　It's a shame we couldn't do it at midnight this time, but it was inevitable. It's evening now, so there's still plenty of time to spare, but I couldn't wait to get here.
　Seeing me like that, I realized that Esther was a gacha. That's quite a good instinct.
　I haven't told the girls that the Festival of Gacha has arrived yet. I let it slide that I'd tell them later anyway.

''That's where you find out...Esther, you're doing it.

My hobby is brother-watching. I can tell you about your brother, you know.　I can tell just by looking at your face if it's after you've done that.

What is that, sir?

Don't listen!　And stop that hobby now!　No, please don't, please don't.

　What, what, big brother-watching?　Even on days when I wasn't hunting, Esther was often near me, but maybe it was to watch me the whole time?
　And I'm talking about after you do that, after you do that thing?　I don't want you to grasp that, I don't want you to stop.
　She looks at me with a very pretty smile from a stranger's point of view, but from my point of view, that smile makes me feel very uneasy.
　I get down on my knees and tell her to stop, but she smiles and doesn't say anything in particular. A silent refusal, I guess....

''Well, well, that's why I'm going to pull out since the festival of gacha has started.

How could it be possible but how long ago did it start?

　If I didn't, he was going to say something weird, so I forced the conversation away.
　Noll is slightly suspicious, but it's okay, because he's getting into the conversation anyway.

It said something about a commemoration of the completion of the Great Defeat. Well, I got some weird item with it.

　Did that eventually lead up to the Great Defeat?　I think it was a big defeat since it was called an achievement, but I don't know.
　Besides that and the item gacha, I'm sure I received 50 magic stones and SSR items.
　I quickly opened the item column and checked the items I received.

------.
SSR cost reduction
Lower the cost of the target by 1.
Choose carefully as it is used up.
------.

　What about ... what about this?　I can't use it much if it's just down 1....
　If you can get more than one, I think it's a good thing in the long run.

'Hmmm?　Does that mean you can get these things if you do a kind of event like the Great Defeat in this world, just like the magic stone?

They're going to have another big defeat, aren't they?

　Sisha makes a joyful sound when she hears of the great defeat. No, I don't think that's the place to rejoice.
　But still, just like the magic stone goes into your phone when you defeat a demon, if you meet some conditions in this world, do you get something other than the magic stone?
　For example, the labyrinth might be too obvious, and you might get something if you conquer it too. It's also possible to look for other places besides the maze.