After rescuing the Elven Country, the next day after I safely returned back home, I sprawl on the bed weakly.
When I woke up that morning, I was hit by multiple sicknesses; sore throat, a fever and diarrhoea. Must be from the muddy water I've consumed during the fight with the dragon yesterday. Truly a bad idea to get bathed with water during midwinter.
I immediately treated myself with Recovery Magic, but my strength was totally sapped since I overworked myself for a whole day yesterday. I was ordered by Ann to recover for several days until my strength recovered.
Naturally, I will be rewarded.
After the heroic act, I went to sleep for the rest of the day.
On the next day, even after resting the whole night, the exhaustion remains. Though, it has become easier.
Ellie and the others went to Garland Fortress, and from what they've gathered, the army did march their troops yesterday as planned. They dispatched half of their full forces. It seems that they are trying to make the elves indebted to them.
There is no hidden motive behind us helping the elves! Are what the other soldiers kept on saying.
Since there were quite a lot monsters scattered around the Elf Forest nearby the kingdom, it's better to kill them, and a large amount of manpower is required to do so.
There's not that much damage inside the kingdom, but the exterior of the walls received a good beating due to what I did yesterday.
I don't think they will leave it as it is.
From the looks of it, the messenger was seen coming in and out of the country. The situation inside has been recovering piece by piece too. Even the adventurers were gladly welcomed inside the Elf Country.
As for us, for now we heard no people talking about our involvement. I'm sure Lily-sama is upholding her promise to keep everything as a secret.
"We did a great job!"
Ellie is quite dissatisfied, but it was a promise, and nothing good will ever come by being in the light.
Our rewards are the large amass hunting fees, as well the two dragons body. The bodies of the dead monsters that we've collected were not few either. I was thinking of recovering the Earth Turtle King's remains as well, but it seems that only its shell have value, as its meat were not tasty.
"Earth Turtle King, I want to try eating it."
We already heard how its meat has bland taste, but as usual, Tilika wants to try it.
"Do you still have the Earth Turtle King that I've defeated?"
Even if there are no remains left, the Earth Turtle King originates from the Demon Realm. It won't hurt to hunt there for a while.
"That is fine."
Tilika seems fine with it, but Ellie might be opposed to the idea. Ann seems content now that the quests are clear. Sati will not complain.
"Maybe we can take this opportunity to rank up to 'A rank'. I don't see the reason why not."
"It's not good! This chance might not appear again."
"I'm sure there will be another one."
There are only four quests issued for the last six months. By looking at the recent trends, there is a high possibility that we will be pressed against another issue in the future.
"Do you really think so?"
"Perhaps. That's why, there is no need to hurry to become a hero. Let's hand in the recognition to those adventurers this time. Truth is, they really helped save our tails."
For the time being, Ellie can settle with that reasoning.
In 20 years, this world will be destroyed. This time, it was just a prelude.
There should be many other opportunities in the future. My mood feels heavy thinking about it.
I honestly need to tell everyone about it sooner. But, I still want to maintain this peaceful life, even if its just for a while. If the destruction of this world is known, then there will be no more peace left for me.
I wonder if everyone can migrate somewhere safe.
"What if I dig underground and built a bunker, where it's large enough for everyone to relax? I'm sure it's safe enough."
With the amount of mana I currently had, it might take forever to create an underground city.
"Absolutely not."
"There is no way I can agree to such a thing."
"Masaru, think about it more seriously."
And here I'm seriously saying it……I was instantly rejected by everyone besides Sati.
"But the fight this time, I believe it was the toughest……"
"In the end, my judgement is more correct. I'm not saying that Masaru's decision was wrong."
Sergeant-dono did say that an adventurer can choose to live a cowardly life.
"But thinking of escaping all the time, isn't that too cowardly?"
Ellie said it harshly.
That time, if I didn't saw the dead body of the elves beyond the wall, then maybe I can contain myself more not to issue our withdrawal. Perhaps.
The difference between the factors that affected me and Ellie's judgement if whether the enemies have broke through the wall. She believes that we still can go on even if the wall was broken, whilst I think otherwise. There is a reason behind me acting 'cowardly'.
"That is why I insist everyone to retreat……"
After a while, Ellie seems to understood it.
There is no doubt that I'm a pantsy, still I've to make some excuses. I don't want to leave bad impressions to my wives.
"Me and Sati are fine with it. I have plenty of skills, and we are capable of melee combat as well."
"I'm ready since I decided to become an adventurer."
Ann said it firmly……
"Isn't it for Masaru to decide?"
Tilika throws out a question. Am I prepared……though, there is no way I'm not.
Just about.
"To some extent, I'm prepared. Didn't I go out to kill the dragon in the end?"
Even though half of things that I've done were impulsive acts, I think they still counts.
"Right. There is nothing that I can say if Masaru is not ready himself."
"Well, there is no reason to be worried about me. What I'm worried the most are you guys."
"Aren't you being a tad bit too overprotective? If it's just Orc then even us can defeat it without relying on magic."
Since Ann Cudgel Martial Arts is level 4, she can still handle small fries by herself. [Editor Crywolf641: Okay guy's I was just confused as you are whrn reading this sentence so please just ignore its un edited. 😥]
"What will you do if you encounter a big fish like an Orc King?"
"I would have to try first……"
She still need to stack up her battle experience. Just by raising her skill alone, it's take time to master them, and the anxiety while using it remains. I may consider finding someone who can shield us again, but the guy must fit the role pretty well.
I decided to consult with them about this and also their skill points after my recovery.
"For now, lets take it slow while it still freezing outside. When the spring comes, we can become active again."
"Agree. This time around, everyone did very well."
No one is objecting to my suggestion of taking a days off.
"By the way, we need to decide what to do with the rewards that we got from the Earth Turtle King's Quest."
"Eh? We have that quest? What the, how come I never heared about it!"
Ann raises her voices in dissatisfaction.
"No, it was right before we defeated the Earth Turtle King. Immediately after I defeated it, I heard a *patapata* sound. Since Lily-sama is around, there is no way I can go telling about it then, didn't I?"
"That's also true, but……"
"So, we received the rewards? What kind of rewards?"
Ellie interjected while briging up the rewards.
"The rewards are not decided yet. Maybe this time, He will listen to our request. Anything specific that you want?"
"Masaru finished the quest alone. Masaru get to decide."
Ann agreed with Ellie. What reward is good then.
"Magic Sword? But that kind can be bought with money."
Said Ellie. She is right. It's fairly expensive, but it can be bought with the money we currently possessed.
"Is there anything that you can't afford with money alone? We already collected a lot of Skill points now……I wonder if I can expand my Item Box. What about the Magic Ring."
"That is good. Are you going to wear the ring, Masaru?"
Ellie's remark raises the tension inside the living room. Ann is fidgeting. Tilika casting a glance at me. I also want a little……. what should I do?
"S-should I get three, I wonder?"
I'll try to say it.
I write my request for three pieces of Magic Ring, and three Magic Rings were delivered as soon as I finished writing.
"Ah, I didn't ask for Sati……"
As expected, I can't request the ring without asking for Sati's portion along the way.
"I don't need anything. I've already received a lot from Masaru-sama since our meeting."
Her pure responses hurt my heart. I'll embrace you a lot once my strength has recovers.
Even if I decided not to become a hero, it's a challenge to save this world. I inquired Ito-Kami in my diary regarding the matter, but according to our contract, I should do things freely.
Regarding the contents of the contract, I did not remember the exact details as clearly as half a year ago. But the records of it were properly kept inside my first journal.
How admirable, the past me. The first time I enter the Adventurer Guild make it a minus, though.
I'm required to finish the job till the end. There is no right to refuse. When the clear condition was satisfied, I will return back to the starting time with the starting age. I will only be paid for the amount of time I spend here. If I'm active in this world, I will receive bonusses. If I wish to leave this world, I'm not recommended to hole up in the town within the period of 20 years before the destruction of the world. It is fine to test the skills and I'm free to save this world however I see fit.The others are good, but since the clear conditions are not explained, I send an inquiry and received a response.
Survive for 20 years. Avoid the destructions of the world.It seems that clearing either will enable me to return back to Japan. However, what is the destructions of the world?
Seems like He has no intention to answer that. Whether it be a Demon or an Evil God, I'm sure that God knows something, but I didn't receive any information just like usual. Seems like the only way to know is to explore everything myself.
In this case, I need to solidifie our preparations for the upcoming battle. This is a crisis of my wive's world after all.
Nonetheless, how far can I fight with my life on the line, or will I give up and return back to Japan, plus can this be done with a single person in the first place? No matter how hard I think, I can't arrive into a conclusion. I have insufficient information, and my preparations are nearly not enough.
Looking at me thinking hard, everyone leaves to give me some space.
After three days of rest, looking at this issue makes me instantly tired. I'm grateful that I have all the time I need to think these over.
In the end, six months after I arrived at this world, in other words, after half a year, I decided to tell them everything. It's not a problem which I can decide alone, which makes me muster my courage to tell the truth.
The night of the third day of rest.
I've finally approved of being recovered fully. I tried to demand for my rewards from Ann.
"Didn't you say anything? I've been doing it all the time when you were bedridden."
"Wrong! That's not what you said!"
"Eh, wait a minute. Just calm down first, alright?"
"No. This is unforgivable."
For three days, I endured myself!
"I-I understand. I'll hear what you want to say, so please calm down first, okay?"
"Then, you will do anything?"
"O-only for today?"
I get to do various things. It's a pity that my strength run out fast since I was still sick.
"Is it that bad?"
I didn't do some new wild thing at all. Just some kind of play.
No, it might come out as a bit perverted, but I believe that it's an ordinary play in Japan, yeah. It's just not as popular in this world.
"I will never do that again. But it did feel good……"
Hoho. Then, I will try these with Ellie and the others next.
Sati will do whatever I asked her to, that's why I find it hard to set the limit when we do it. Tilika usually just let me do whatever I want.
"There are other ways to do it too."
"Mhmn~ let see. Perhaps, occasionally."
The fun I can have at night has increased.
Editor:Riaju Explode! 💣💣💣