World Strongest Rearguard – Chapter 23

Translator: pinky onee-sama    Editor: anirhapsodist

Note: From now on “Reliability” will be changed to “Credibility” as recommended by a fellow TL.
It was fairly mentioned in some chapters especially on seeker’s accomplishments. Please do take note of this change. My apologies for this error.

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Pleasant Talk

Louisa asked me to wait at the guild’s plaza and so I found myself waiting once more – viewing the scenery around me.

With the excessive size of the Juggernaut, couriers used a transfer skill to deliver it to the dismantler’s place. It’s rather unfortunate that I couldn’t deal it to Lye Carton since there was only a single place in the 8th-District that can accommodate the said enormous demon.

I thought that I would regret being unable to treat Melissa to some rare materials. However, I have learned that the 8th-district dismantlers will work on the Juggernaut altogether, which includes Melissa. The thick bones, with the size of a log, seems suitable as a high-grade building material. The claws will be materials for luxury glass, and as a whole, there exist many ways to use the other remaining parts as well. 

(The dismantlers perform such a crucial role, huh. Without them, the seekers cannot hold true to their job. How I wish I could have one of them as my companion.)

As a rule of thumb, Elysha took top quality materials from the fanged orcs. It seems though that the value of these materials remain the same, even if they are left at the hands of a dismantler. Well, if you really couldn’t bring everything, you’ll opt to take only those of a better value.

Regarding the materials we’ve discarded like those watadama, some seekers found value in gathering them. In the labyrinth, you can get overloaded, so some are discarded. Also, defeated demons that are left unattended for long hours will have their ownership forfeited. Taking them will not affect karma, so other seekers can acquire them.

“Thank you for waiting, Atobe-sama.”

“W…Welcome back. I see that you’ve got a change of clothes at the guild.”

“Yes, if I walk outside in my uniform, I would end up conspicuous. …I don’t have any comments about my attire, but as a receptionist, we easily receive greetings from men. There was also an official guild notice to dress modestly whenever we go outside.”

Although she said modest, her appearance greatly changed when she loosened her previously bounded up hair. Her adult-like clothes presented an air of confidence, even though her soft body lines lay exposed.

 (For her vertical sweater, it will surely grab attention… It may be of an orthodox design in this world, but why is there a notch on the chest?)

“Hm? Is something the matter, Atobe-sama?”

I thought Karma would increase, but that was not the case. It was stated that “It depends on the relationship”, a relationship wherein one can have a good look without reserve. –Given that it can mean trouble, it is best to avert my gaze on those forbidden places.

“No, I was just surprised because your appearance changed quite a bit and as I have thought, the ON-OFFs of working women are amazing.”

“Fufu… the staff who are most likely serious at work are the ones who change a lot after working hours.  I do not change much, but I definitely love alcohol. So I may end up being a talkative.”

“I think that’s fine. I like to drink and watch everyone in front of me get excited.”

“Atobe-sama, will you still act like a Rearguard, even at drinking parties?”

“No that’s not it. It has often been said from long ago that it’s nice to enjoy things while you are young…”

Louisa-san is enjoying herself. She is not acting that reserved either. How did we even form such a favorable relationship on the second day of our meeting?

Igarashi-san also reconciled with me, but I believe that there’s something amiss. — I’ll be living with her until today, and beyond my position as a companion, I won’t be expecting anything else in the foreseeable future.

 (…Why am I remembering what happened last night? Am I regretting that I didn’t make a move? No, it’s only because of my support skills that I’m being liked.)

Pondering whilst walking, a guy came running from the opposite side and came into a collision course with Louisa-san.

“Watch out…! That’s dangerous! I guess he was in a hurry.”

I instinctively pulled Louisa-san’s hand. There were no other options, and I didn’t want her to get hurt.

“There is as much as three-thousand people here, so it will be crowded around the guild… Louisa-san?”

“N-No, uhm… I was just thinking that I might end up drinking too much tonight.”

“Eh..? Well, moderation is better. If you drink too much, it will kick in the following morning.”

Although our conversation gave me a hunch, Louisa-san seems to be in a good mood.

She lines up beside me, then we resumed to walk. Somehow, I get this feeling that we are being stared upon, but she openly smiled and merely brushed it off.

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Tonight, the tavern is packed. “How I wish I could have secured a seat before it became this crowded”, I said to myself when I entered the establishment, but Igarashi-san was there, waiting.

“Atobe-kun, our seat is over there. The wider table was vacant so I… Oh! You also invited the lady from the guild? Not bad!”

“I’m sorry for showing up so unexpectedly.”

“Oh, please don’t mind it, I’ve also been indebted to you. You’ve been in-charge of Atobe-kun since he came to decide on his job, am I right?”

“Yes, although now I feel like it’s predestined. I have never expected to be in charge of such a talented person like him.”

“This person has always been to my rescue… we were boss and subordinate previously, now, it has been reversed… now I’m the subordinate.”

“Well, is that so? Boss and subordinate..? He said he only spoke you at the company. You’re only an acquaintance…”

“Eh? Even so, but we started talking about a lot of things since we got reincarnated. I don’t feel that reserved about him either.”

(Why do I feel like some kind of strange power keeps leaking from them, even though they’re just talking and smiling at each other?)

 “Atobe-kun, you’re the leader. Please take the seat at the center, okay?”

So she said. Come to think of it, it’s my golden opportunity to see Igarashi-san at a drinking party.

(Igarashi-san rarely hangs out, even when a drinking party starts early. I didn’t know she had a curfew at that time and everyone said that she was just that bad at socializing…)

 Since the president had his eyes on Igarashi-san, it was expected that she won’t attend on drinking parties for the regular staff. — There were people who said that. At that time, I believed those rumors about her. I feel ashamed of myself.

“…Are you recollecting memories back when we were at the company? I can tell just by watching you make that sort of expression…”

“Oh, N-No. Do you like to drink alcohol, Igarashi-san?”

“There was a bit with my father’s relationship. If I don’t go home early, he will sulk for not serving him alcohol.”

A local celebrity, a strict father on her curfew. I guess he was a very doting father. –Now, I’m quite sure Igarashi-san’s family is grieving. There is nothing I can do for her family, but I can help her to keep moving as always so that she can enjoy herself, even for just a little and feel a sense of reassurance as the day passes by.

“Let’s forget about that and let’s go have a seat. Louisa-san, feel free to sit next to Atobe-kun.”

“I’d rather not, Igarashi-san. For now, it should be the leading roles of the party.”

“I-Is that so? Then… Will Suzuna-chan or Theresa-san be okay to sit next to him?”

“Eh~, please put me in as a prospect too. I am also grateful to Arihito-san, so I should serve him the drink. I’m good at serving liquor you know~?”

“You can’t. Atobe-kun said he was not very good dealing with gyaru-like kids.”

“Oho~, aren’t you just jealous towards a younger girl~?”

Both of them should settle this. Why is Louisa-san also feeling restless? — isn’t she already an adult?

“There is a saying that we often commit many mistakes when we are younger. Are you sure you are reflecting properly?”

“Y-Yes, I’m reflecting properly, okay?~ Arihito onii-chan, how old were you again?”

“O-onii-chan..? I may be a bit older, but I wonder if I can actually get used to it?”

This career woman and this gyaru got bad chemistry. Observing them actually made me nervous, but Misaki seems to have calmed down after hearing me talk. I’ll have to patch this up.

Theresa and Suzuna sat quietly alongside each other and it was somewhat a peaceful atmosphere. Although Theresa’s equipment remained as it is, Suzuna has changed her red and white clothes. She changed into the ‘town girl’ style of clothes as like Igarashi-san has called it. Her ponytail remains unchanged, and her nape which took the light of the bar was nothing short of dazzling.

“Onii-chan~, do you like old-fashioned girls? You keep on looking at Suzu-chan.”

“W-Where did that ever come from? Such topics are forbidden.”

“Eh~, so it’s no good? You prefer someone older?”

Misaki is trying to extract my preference by any means possible. I have to acknowledge that my preferences are not in any way biased. –But I have to be careful not to sell myself out and say that I personally like vertical sweaters.

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All you can drink and all you can eat if you have at least six people. The charge was one gold coin. It was very cheap.

Surrounding a rectangular table, Teresa, Suzuna, Misaki sat on the opposite side, Luisa, me and Igarashi-san on this side.

Everybody ate so marvelously, liquor was filled one after another. I half-emptied the miniature barrel-like tankard, poured on it, drank from it, then repeated. In the process, my consciousness slowly fell on a subtle daze.

“Eh? Onii-chan? You in a good mood to drink a lot~?”

Misaki stood from where she sat and took my mug for a refill. Suzuna also came along with her.

“Well, I have a good tolerance for liquor. Are you minors drinking your juice properly?”

“Suzu-chan used to make sake back at the shrine, am I right?”

“M-Misaki-chan… that was because it was a tradition since the times of old, and I didn’t drink the sake I made.”

Igarashi-san reacts to the few words spoken by Suzuna. Is it something like amazake that you were making back at the shrine? Is there a little alcohol content in that?

“Suzuna-san, why is your job at a shrine? Is your family house perhaps located at a shrine?”

“Yes, my father was a priest and I often helped at the shrine.”

Was that the reason why she chose the shrine maiden job? Well, a shrine maiden suits her, and I also believe any high school girl of an average household has the likelihood to choose that job. In reality, during the shrines busiest season, a great number part-time shrine maidens are hired.

“Arihito-san, here… please take this”…

Is Suzuna a bit nervous? The sake uncontrollably flowed from the bottle and a small portion was spilled. Some were caught in my pants but it was nothing too serious.

“Oh, I’ll clean it myself. Don’t worry about this.”

“No, I have my handkerchief, so I can immediately… I am truly sorry.”

Suzuna wipes my pants while blushing. Handkerchiefs are valuables in this world, so I’m sorry to have you use it for such a thing.

“I’m sorry. I’ll pour it better this time.”

Suzuna pours the sake once more. This time it went well. At first, I thought that it would take some time getting along, but that was not the case.

Again, I emptied the tankard to about half. If it’s about one or two refills more, then it should be okay.

“…Atobe-kun, shall I pour you some more? Maybe you’re already full, but…”

“I’m all good. Shall I pass for the section chief?”

“Is Kyouka onee-san the section-chief? Oh, if it’s the case I would also want to know how you ordered onii-chan around as a subordinate.”

“O-ordered around…?  It’s not like that… and I can’t say anything further.”

Igarashi-san felt despondent while she recalled her demon-boss era. I also hope that you can bear to mind not to say anything unnecessary to Misaki.

“Well, I don’t really care anymore. I’ve been indebted to Igarashi-san since I came here.”

“…You don’t have to be so humble. I’m the one indebted to you many times over.”

Igarashi-san takes a bottle of sake and pours some into my mug.

I’m still on the impression that it will still take some time until the both of us can really reciprocate each other, but there’s no need to hurry because even in this world, we still go out as a team.

Before trying to place the mug on my mouth, Louisa-san poured fruit wine on the glass of Igarashi-san.

“You’re only drinking juice, you know? How about having a clever toast for this occasion?

“S-sure! I was planning to drink at any moment now so…”

“Louisa-san, your glass is also empty. There’s still a lot to drink, isn’t it?”

Theresa can also drink alcohol, and she drank undisturbed while chewing on some meat dishes.

Her entire skin shed a hint of being flushed and the face behind her mask looks tender as well. — She may not have that much tolerance for alcohol.

“Theresa can you still handle one last drink?”

“……”

When I got up and asked, she nodded and handed me her glass. I’ve been in Theresa’s care from the first day of being here. As a gesture of gratitude, I poured her something to drink.

“Well, then shall we drink? …Everyone, cheers!”

“CHEERS!”

A toast with all the glasses and mugs. I also got to be the last one to drink from my mug.

It’s not every day that I get to drink this much. There’s ample time to spare for Theresa’s official enlisting, so until then, let’s just continue this pleasant talk over drinks.