Chapter 98: You’re a Great Team Leader
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 98: You’re a Great Team Leader
Checkpoints for preventing the end of the world:
They seemed to be making a fuss amongst themselves, but in the end, Akito will probably insist on taking her.
The event ended well. I even got to see the game’s famous "Akito-Beam!!" pouring out of his eyes, nose, and mouth. I’m satisfied.
In the game, it was Akito’s only truly unsightly moment, so it was hilarious, but seeing it in person was even funnier.
His followers were wailing and making a scene because they were worried about him, but how am I supposed to hold back when lasers are shooting out of his face?
With that power, Akito will save the world.
Assuming he doesn't die, that is.
You might ask, if Akito is that unreliable, why didn't I just take that power for myself?
You have no idea. Later on, someone who examines his body explains it: he survived a one-in-ten-million chance.
I can't even win fifth place in the lottery, and you want me to risk my life on a one-in-ten-million shot? Now that would be insane.
The reason the monsters are fleeing this place like their tails are on fire is because of the barrier Akito used to absorb the power.
It was a barrier that sucked in everything that approached and turned it into nourishment. If anyone else had stepped inside, they would have vanished without leaving even a speck of dust behind.
If he hadn't been of the Daihara bloodline—the family that hogs everything in this game—Akito would have just been another snack for the barrier.
Through this event, Akito absorbed all the power the barrier had collected until now.
It’s not power used for combat, but without it, the world would end.
Another step closer to world peace today.
They’re chattering about something over there; they’re probably trying to stop Akito from taking the demon.
"Lord Akito, she may look like a young girl, but she is a demon."
"But... I can feel her body heat just like ours, and she looks so fragile..."
Well... in a normal situation, this would be the beginning of a movie where a "cancer-inducing" character brings along a monster because it looks cute, only for it to eat everyone later. But this time, I’m actually grateful for Akito’s stubbornness.
That purple-haired demon loli comes from a noble bloodline in the demon world.
Not quite royalty... but in terms of nobility, a Duke? A Marquis? Anyway, she’s the sole survivor of a now-extinct house.
By Akito taking the demon loli, he takes on the role of mediator between humans and demons, eventually achieving peace—it’s a cliché-ridden story.
I quietly watch as the demon wakes up and they start their noisy chatter again.
Seeing Akito reassure the loli because she’s scared of the women around her, it looks like the event is almost over.
They must have reached an agreement to take her, as Akito uses the hat Ailee was wearing to hide the demon loli’s horns.
Now then, shall I make my entrance?
As I approach leisurely, the Samurai is the first to react, shifting into a draw-stance.
"Yo—you’re alive?"
"Yeon-woo!"
Dammit, don't make that kind of face when you look at me.
Akito runs toward me with an expression like a lover meeting after six months apart.
"Are you okay? What about your teammates?"
"Everyone’s fine. One of the agents died, but you guys... seem to be all safe."
"Thank goodness. I was so worried about what might have happened to you. Oh, of course, I believed in your skills so I thought you’d be fine, but... you know how emotions don't always listen to reason."
I know I’m handsome, talented, and cool, but please say those things to the other heroines.
Since I have no desire to be wooed by a man, I look at the girl in his arms.
As soon as our eyes meet, the purple-flavored horn-girl, Lilia Vid... something-something... I can't remember her last name, but anyway, Lilia looks anxious and grips Akito’s sleeve, avoiding my gaze.
"Who’s this?"
"Huh? She’s a... a survivor. We happened to pick up a distress signal and were able to save her."
Hmph. That’s an awkward answer no matter how you hear it.
However, I respond as if I don't care.
"Ah, so that faint mana reaction was from this child?"
"Yeah, so you felt it too and came here? That’s right. In the end, we were able to meet because of her, so she became our lucky guide."
"What’s her name?"
"Oh... come to think of it... what is your name?"
"...Lilia Vid Norbert."
When Lilia says her full name, Shiori flinches.
Since she’s the "intellect" of Akito’s party, she probably knows what the name Norbert signifies in the demon world.
Furthermore, in this world, the only ones who use middle names are high-ranking "pointy-ears" who look down on humans, or a few famous families that survived since just before the brink of humanity's extinction.
Otherwise, they’re demon nobility.
Shiori is the only one who noticed, and luckily, the agents near Ailee are all passed out.
I reach out, and Lilia squeezes her eyes shut in tension, but I just firmly press down on her hat.
If you’re going to hide them, do it properly. Do I really have to take care of every little thing like this?
"It’s better to hide your middle name. It’s too cool, so people will get jealous."
"..."
When I pat her head, her cute, large purple eyes look up at me blankly.
I know, I’m handsome. But make sure to help Akito out.
As I’m tapping her small head that feels like it could fit in one hand, Angelica approaches.
"Yeon-woo, this..."
"Oh, I couldn't grab it because I was busy running away, but you found it. Thanks."
"No, it’s nothing..."
"I’ve grown attached to it and didn't want to make a new one. Thanks, I’ll buy you dinner later."
I can't tell if Angelica is happy or upset because she keeps her head down and doesn't answer.
Frey cursed it so much, but I actually like my Etiquette Infuser.
I twirl the Etiquette Infuser like a baton and speak to Akito.
"My team is over there. Let’s regroup."
I lead them toward the place where my team is resting.
Now that the barrier is gone, this place is no longer a safe zone.
Not that the monsters, who have learned to be wary, will attack immediately, but we should regroup quickly just in case.
Just as I’m starting to get annoyed by Akito chattering right next to me, I see the rest of the group resting.
"Akito!!"
Chika is the first to jump up and run over like a dog meeting its master, and I step aside for her.
The sight of Chika meeting Akito with a face on the verge of tears and hugging Shiori is quite beautiful.
As I thought, she’s only a rabid dog when she’s with me.
The agents look after their fellow escort team members, and we reorganize Akito’s team using the medicine and food from my backpack.
Everyone looks happy, except for Takeo and Emma, who are ignoring each other like a dog and a chicken.
Once the reunion is over, people’s attention naturally turns to Lilia in Akito’s arms.
"This child is a survivor. We received a distress signal and were fortunately able to save her."
"A survivor? Where is she from?"
When an agent asks with a serious face, Lilia buries her face in Akito’s chest out of nervousness.
"She’s still unstable from the shock. Please don't push her too hard."
"...I wasn't trying to push her... I’m sorry."
As soon as Akito uses his trademark "make the other person the bad guy" move, the agent immediately softens his attitude.
Shiori changes the subject, saying that getting to Adrian alive is more important than Lilia right now, and interest quickly fades.
While they discuss what happened to each other after the ambush, I stand a bit apart, guarding the perimeter and using the Eye of Yullat.
Dammit—I still can't see anything.
It’s a good spell, but it becomes useless the moment I hit forest terrain.
Frey says she can monitor the surroundings just by looking at the forest from above, but no matter how much I practice, all I see is "forest."
"Drink some water. You’re the only one working without eating anything."
"......?"
I look back to see Masayoshi and Yukina approaching.
What a strange combination.
As I take the water bottle and drink, Masayoshi glances at the group chatting behind us and asks in a low voice.
"It wasn't a coincidence, was it?"
"...What wasn't?"
"Meeting Akito. It wasn't a coincidence."
...Why does he suddenly become "God Sayoshi" and get all smart at times like this?
Was I that obvious?
It’s not like I can tell him I have game knowledge, and if I just pile up excuses, his suspicion will only grow, right?
This isn't some soft world; if you’re even a slight threat to the Government, they’ll try to eliminate you.
If he gets some weird misunderstanding...
"When Yukina said there was a mana reaction, you agonized over it seriously."
...Did I?
"And then you smiled, as if things had turned out well."
I think I did smile at the thought of seeing the Akito-Beam.
Masayoshi scrutinizes me with sharp eyes, as if he’s possessed by a detective.
An excuse... I need to find an excuse.
"No, well... that is—"
"No need to explain."
"..."
Should I sell out Frey’s name? No, how would Frey know about something like this?
While my brain is spinning, coming up with all sorts of excuses, the corners of Masayoshi’s stiff mouth curl up.
"Lilia, was it? You anticipated that Akito would react to the distress signal that child sent, didn't you?"
"Eh...?"
"That’s why you went to check on purpose."
"Uh... I guess?"
"But since you weren't certain Akito would come and couldn't just wait here forever, you let the team rest and went to check by yourself."
"Maybe...?"
"You don't have to pretend you didn't know. You’re a great team leader."
Masayoshi chuckles and taps my arm.
Excuse me? I’m sorry you’re acting all cool, but you’re completely wrong?
But thank goodness.
The way Masayoshi and Yukina are looking at me with respect is a bit burdensome, but at least they’re jumping to their own conclusions.
After finishing our preparations, we head toward Adrian.
I thought it would be easier with more people, but Lilia wouldn't leave Akito’s side, so Akito couldn't participate in combat.
Furthermore, the number of agents who were already useless increased from two to five, meaning there were more people to protect. In the end, the battles against the monsters were the same as before.
Yes, it means only my team suffered.
I’m sorry, guys. You’re suffering because you met the wrong team leader.
I should at least be grateful that Angelica and Shiori are providing long-range support.
"I’m sorry for making you work so hard."
"It’s fine. There’s a kid to protect. Safety comes first."
Lilia, nestled in Akito’s arms and staring up at me, is so cute that I instinctively reach out to pat her head, but I pull back when I see my hand is covered in monster blood.
Then, Rio, who was being protected next to Akito, interjects.
"Get away from the loli, Apostle."
"Loli my ass. You get away, you pervert."
Since we’ve joined up with Akito and don't need to bury the monsters anymore, I kick the butt of Rio, who has returned to being 0.1% of a person.
I thought things might get easier, but nothing in life goes my way.
But hey, I’m the one leading and suffering, so why are you guys making those faces?
The way the Samurai and Ailee are looking at me is sharp.
Is it because Akito is flirting with me? They look like they’re about to hit someone.
Not understanding, I ask Chika as I walk ahead, and she gives a small laugh.
"They’re mindful of you."
"...I know I’m handsome. But I didn't get the feeling they cared until now?"
If anything, they disliked and loathed me.
Ah, is that also a form of being mindful? Like how you want to look away from filthy filth, but for some reason, you feel the urge to check it one more time.
"Idiot, it’s not because you’re handsome, it’s because of your skill."
"Skill?"
"Yeah. Because it doesn't match your image in Yggdrasil."
"...What’s my image in Yggdrasil like?"
"Cunning trash."
"..."
Miss Chika? It’s good to be honest, but you’re being a bit too blunt.
And that’s not my image in Yggdrasil; it’s just the image you followers made up on your own.
My grades are good and my skills are great, so people like me.
Anyway, it means they saw me as a weakling but were surprised that I fight better than expected.
"Ailee aside, Kurumi might want to spar with you someday."
"Is her wish to lose?"
"Hahaha, if it were yesterday, I would have laughed at you for saying that, but..."
Chika trails off, glances at Akito, and shuts her mouth.
You would have laughed, but... but what? It’s annoying when people do that. Chika keeps walking, looking straight ahead as if she has nothing more to say.
And so, we continue toward Adrian, fending off monsters.
Seeing the sun setting, I was prepared to camp out, but then I hear the sound of an engine in the distance and we encounter a rescue party.
Don't we usually meet them the next day after sleeping over?
Well, the fact that I’m even on this mission means the story has already diverged. My brain doesn't have the capacity to worry about every little detail.
As long as Akito got his power and Lilia, it’s fine.
As soon as the vehicles come into view, we scramble up onto the road, meet the rescue party, and head to Adrian.
The mission went down the drain because of the ambush, so I should at least grab some items from Adrian.
"Welcome to Adrian. You look healthy, so I assume there were no major problems."
The monster blood has dried and is falling off like powder every time I walk—does this look like "no major problems" to you?
I glare at the person making the annoying joke.
Randall Rodrigo.
The shifty-eyed bastard who interrogated me after I did that K-Truck protest to save Haruna.
I don't know why he’s here, but he’s in the original story too.
There has to be someone colluding with the demons to stop the agents who want to investigate Lilia.
However, Randall just looks at me and smiles.
"What? Do I look sexy covered in blood?"
"No, you smell, so why don't you go wash up? I’ll hear the detailed report after that."
"Ah, this child is..."
Randall, who was mocking me sarcastically, turns his gaze to Akito and flinches when he sees Lilia.
It was only for a split second, but for that shifty-eyed bastard to flinch, the shock must have been significant.
"She’s a survivor, but she’s still very shaken. May I stay with her?"
"...Yes... please do. We will provide as much convenience as possible."
Randall answers while barely listening to Akito, staring intently only at Lilia.
To be precise, he’s staring at the hat she’s wearing—or more accurately, the horns underneath it.