Louisa walked me to the entrance of the guild, and she was in a good mood by the end. She said she was happy that I was the first person to produce such a surprising result since she became the officer in charge, and she was happy.

(But despite the tension, what about that last suggestion?)

　In the meantime, there's no point in worrying too much about what the Chief will do after he leaves the hospital. It's quite possible that the Chief will accept a sleepover in the stable if it's decided by the pecking order. That's something I'll have to talk to him about.

　I head to the medical center, which is a short walk from the guild, and ask the receptionist to show me the Chief's sick room. Perhaps because her strength had already recovered, she was said to be sleeping on a first aid bed.

　A nurse woman comes out of the first aid room and looks at me to confirm my identity. I answered that I knew her and showed her my license, and she allowed me to see her.

'She is asleep at the moment, but I'm sure she will wake up soon. I'm sure she's in shock from the battle, so please talk to her slowly.
I understand. Is it safe for me to come into your room?
'Yes, I'm fine. If you need anything, call our healers.

　She wasn't a nurse, she was a healer too. I'm curious because I've never seen a professional healing type skill, but that's something I'd know if I could get her to heal me when I took damage. I'm assuming, though, that the rear guard is supposed to stand around and not take damage.

　I knock and get no response, but I have permission to open the door. Then, in a brightly lit room with thin curtains drawn, I find the figure of the Chief asleep with a generous sheet draped over him.

''Excuse me ...''

　I sit down in the wooden chair by the bedside. The Chief's face looks a little pale, but he is sleeping peacefully.

　When she wakes up, what can I tell her first? Should I try not to hurt her pride or admonish her that she shouldn't have been reckless if she couldn't get a party together?

''Hmm........''

　Before he could gather his thoughts, the Chief winced slightly. Then his eyes opened thinly.

'Good, you've found out. 'It's all right now, Chief.'
..........

　I'm worried that he's still unconscious, but the Chief looks at me and smiles when he realizes I'm there.


I'm sorry. But I'm really happy for you. I didn't know what would happen for a while...
'I thought I might have died too, but it wasn't so bad. It looks like the 'Thunderbolt' slowed you down a bit, so you didn't take it seriously. But it hurt so bad I thought my arm was broken...

　I wondered for a moment if I should pretend that the healer had healed me. When I think about what happened when I did the 'assisted recovery', he might choke on what I did in my sleep.

　But before I can be ambiguous, the Chief lowers his eyes as if to think, and then says

''At that time........you mean that the rear (afterbehind) took care of me?
'Oh ... well, um, what do you call it?'
'Well the red demon was already killed or gone then. If the demon didn't cause a whim and run away, then it was the rear and his friends who took it out...

　If it were a normal Chief, he would not believe that I had defeated Redface and would have laughed it off--but something was different this time.

　At first, he had a thorny attitude, just like the usual Chief. But now, he's having a decent conversation with me, and he seems to be choosing his words with care.

''Well you can laugh if I'm wrong in my imagination. But if it wasn't for you, I'd probably be dead. That's a fact, isn't it?
''That's.......I guess that would happen. But I'm just lucky too, so the next time a strong enemy comes along, it won't necessarily work out.
You should have more confidence in yourself when you're successful. That's why you won't get ahead of yourself.


　I'm back to the usual Chief - I guess, but after all, partying with her is a needle in a haystack for me, isn't it?

　However, seeing my unflattering expression, the usual section chief would be in an even worse mood - he suddenly loses momentum and says with his eyes downcast, "I'm sorry.

''........I'm sorry.
'No, no I don't think everything that explorers think is common sense is right. I think that in this world, every job has strengths as you move up a level. Because I believe that I can party with people of any profession and still make a strong party.

　I'm chasing after the weakened Chief and relieving him of the sorrows of his previous life. What the hell am I talking about when I should have had the idea to do so?

　And I'm so passionate about it that I feel embarrassed about something. I had never spoken so passionately in front of a section chief in my company. It was partly because the company culture was such that employees who got hot easily were difficult to handle.

''Well, well, what can I say, I think it's a good idea, Valkyrie. It looks like it's going to be very strong in the future, and the equipment looks cool.
How do you think you're a softie?　It's not like you forgot all the things I said and did to you when you reincarnated or anything. You should be able to laugh at me and make fun of me more. You have the right to do that...
'No, I won't do that. The Chief didn't run away, you know. My sling shot hit him, and after he took a shot at us, he shot his magic at us.

　When he said that, the Chief looked like he was in some kind of panic, and he turned his head to the other side of the room, squirming.

''........That was just frustrating. I couldn't stand being chased around by those rats. It's not like I saved you because you were in danger or anything. You didn't save me.
'Yes, Chief was reckless. But that lit a fire under me. I was lucky to be able to defeat him, but I'm confident that I can defeat him no matter how many times I encounter him.
Does that mean... that your choice of career is so powerful?
''If the conditions are right, we can show our strength. For that reason, I'd like to go with a party member if possible...''

　Having said that much, the Chief is about to look behind him.

''........If you're that strong, can't you gather some strong people?''
'Maybe so. But I'd prefer members who are close to my level. And I'd appreciate it if they thought about how to take skills based on my skills.
You're the leader of this group, so how do you get people to join you?
'Well well Chief, you'd think that wouldn't be a gala for me. I also want to achieve what I want to do in this world in my own way. And in order to do that, I believe that being a leader is the baseline.

　I feel like I'm speaking in a company meeting. I wonder how my presentation about the policy of my leader - how is it received by the section chief?

''So... if you think I'm incompetent and unreliable, you can ask me to leave in the middle. Chief, would you like to join my party?

　The expression on the section chief's face, who had been staring at me, doesn't change and he looks over there. How could this man's pride allow him to serve under a former subordinate? That's just the way it is.

　--The next moment my imagination of giving up so easily was betrayed.

　The Chief returns to his back position and gives me a look. Normally, I would feel that I was being stared at, but now it was different.

''Well you helped me and encouraged me. So I'm not so helpless as to say I won't listen to you or anything.
Well, uh ... does that count as consent?
If you want me to sign, I will. You won't be able to trust anything I say.
Then, Chief.........
You can go ahead and change that manager, since you're the leader.
''Well then........Igarashi-san. I will always try to show you the benefits (benefits) of joining my party, so.......
Hmmm.........there's no need to worry about it, the profit is already there. It's the best thing for me to be alive in this way.

　You laugh like this - and it's so fresh. I guess I've never made this guy that happy before.

　Well, I don't intend to stay in my subordinate's spirit forever. I want to respect his autonomy in taking skills, but I want to make sure he takes what I ask him to take. If you have the skills that you feel are essential, the party will certainly become stronger.

　Chief--Igarashi-san raised his body and sat down on the bed. His body doesn't seem to be anything anymore.

''First, I need to do something about my clothes. This is going to make me stand out and get talked to by some strange people.''
''Haha you're right. Shall we go to the armor shop later?

　A sweater, a tight skirt, and a pair of boots. So being a Valkyrie with a spear is certainly unbalanced.

''........Ah. Come to think of it, I got beaten up, so the pecking order is showing up low.......

　Igarashi-san checks his license. And his hand trembles - he has zero contribution, so he must be ranked pretty low. It seems that there is a negative contribution, so it's probably not the lowest rank, though.


Well, well, it seems so, but Igarashi-san, I have a suggestion, but could you listen to me without getting angry?
'Yeah, yeah ... what the hell?　You look so serious.

　I had simulated several ways to say it in my head, but in the end, I decided that I had no choice but to say it simply.

''Well, um........why don't you come to my quarters, as a temporary lodging? Of course I won't do anything weird, and it's just an emergency measure until the pecking order is raised.......

　So, "What? Igarashi-san looked up at me and replied.

I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I'd like to come in, if it's okay with you, I'd like to come in...
Okay, okay. Well, let's get on with it.
What... where are you going?
It's my dormitory. It's supposed to be a suite, so I think it's spacious.
S-Sweet........is your rank that high...?

　The way he calls me is casually different. It's somewhat softer than calling out - and I think I'm somehow simple enough to feel soothed by that.

　The map to the inn displayed on the license. Let's sit down there first and then go get some dinner.