MTLNOVEL Chapter 308.1
Chapter 308.1. Saving The World With An Economic Boom, Right?
When we arrived at the training grounds, the crowd was insane. Far more people had gathered than I had expected. Why are there so many people here?
I looked around, wondering if there was some kind of event going on. Some of these people didn’t look like adventurers at all. Why are there guys wearing happi coats?
“Konoha’s here-nya. Didn’t you know?”
“Huh? Konoha? Oh, so that’s why there’s so many people.”
Karin, who had somehow appeared next to me, was wagging her cat tail. Ah, I see. Konoha’s here, so that explains the commotion.
“Why did she come to the training grounds? I didn’t hear about this.”
“She’s planning to make a guerrilla appearance to appeal to the common folk-nya. Konoha’s strategist suggested it-nya.”
Karin, who had grown from a girl into a beauty, wagged her tail in front of me as she explained. Lately, she’s become even more charming, with a touch of allure. She’s still a colonel in the military, but apparently, she’s got dirt on the generals and does whatever she pleases without working. Typical of an information broker. I just hope she doesn’t get quietly eliminated.
“A strategist, huh? I hope Konoha doesn’t get completely taken advantage of.”
Her tail kept swishing annoyingly in front of me, so I grabbed it and enjoyed its fluffiness. As always, it felt great to touch. Soothing, even.
I have an idea who the strategist is. It’s the girl who became Konoha’s strategist after Rei disappeared.
“Mou~! You can’t just pet my tail-nya~!”
“I’ll pet your cat ears too, so it’s fine, right?”
Despite her words, she pushed her head toward me, so I rubbed her soft cat ears while trying to see the front of the crowd. But there were so many people that I couldn’t see a thing.
“Guess there’s no helping it.”
[Shadow Move]
I moved from shadow to shadow, reaching the front in an instant. There, I found Shingen with his arms crossed, looking serious, while Yukihana was holding back a yawn, her eyes teary.
“Yo, Sakimori. You made it.”
“My lord. Good day to you.”
Even after three years, Shingen was as lively as ever. It’s hard to believe he retired as guild master due to age. He’s just an old man who ran away because he was too busy. Yukihana, as always, wore a disheveled kimono. Elves don’t age, after all.
“So Konoha’s here?”
Konoha was explaining the basics of being an adventurer to the crowd. Her fans kept trying to cheer, so she glared at them to keep them in line.
“I thought today would be easy since I didn’t have to explain much. I didn’t expect this many people to show up.”
“Konoha’s the talk of the town now. She’s the president of a company that exterminates monsters, helps the poor, and creates high-performance magical tools.”
Shingen sighed, admitting he’d underestimated the situation. Yukihana shrugged and agreed. Konoha might be the most famous person in Japan now. She even has statues erected in several cities. She hated the idea, but apparently, her maids suggested a campaign for it.
“Well, if it isn’t Sakimori. It’s rare to see you at the training grounds.”
A little fox came trotting over, speaking in human language. It was Yoko, who had cleverly become Konoha’s strategist. It had been a while since I last saw her, so I picked her up and wrapped her around my neck like a scarf. She was so fluffy and comfortable. I petted her with one hand while greeting her.
“Seems like you’re doing well.”
“Indeed. I’m busy as the Sword Saint. My value as a strategist is skyrocketing too. Hehe.”
Yoko spoke proudly, so I chuckled and petted her. It had been a while since I last felt this.
“Hey, Amano Sakimori! You’re being indecent in public!”
Konoha, who had been explaining the dangers of goblins, turned bright red and shouted at me. Indecent?
“Hey, Yukihana. Is there something weird about me?”
“Hmm… Karin’s expression is a bit… Well, the little fox is hard to tell from the outside.”
Yukihana gave an awkward, hesitant reply. Karin? I was still petting her tail, so I looked over and saw her breathing heavily…
“I’ve fallen-nya~! But it’s fine now-nya~!”
She was saying something incredibly inappropriate. The little fox nodded in agreement, seemingly feeling the same way.
“………Well, it’s fine, right? I’m just petting an animal. It’s not like I’m doing anything weird.”
“No, it’s bad for the eyes, so stop. At least do it where no one can see.”
“You’re acting like Sakimori, but that kid seems dangerous.”
At Yukihana’s warning, I let go of Karin’s tail. Shingen chuckled, but I guess he’s right. I was just petting a tail, though. Well, I’ll stop fooling around.
I shrugged and put on an act of repentance, looking at Konoha, who was glaring at me. She seemed about to say something, but…
“That’s enough, miss. If you keep saying things like ‘indecent’ just because a pet is being petted and looks comfortable, people will think you’re frustrated.”
Her maid advised her, and Konoha quickly composed herself. She’s quick to recover. She must have been trained by dealing with seasoned businesspeople. She looked dignified and mature.
“Amano Sakimori. Let me know as soon as Rei returns from her overseas trip.”
“Yeah, next time.”
Rei is officially on an overseas trip to search for survivors of the Earth Federation Army. In a way, it’s true, so there’s no problem.
Konoha seemed about to say something else to me, but she took a deep breath and returned to her explanation.
“People have been forgetting about the dangers of goblins lately, so I want to show you all firsthand. Ohki-kun, please.”
“Got it! Leave it to me! I’m Ohki Honda Tadakatsu Reborn! I’ll show you how to fight goblins. It’s fine if I defeat them, right?”
A large man appeared, holding a wooden sword. This guy hasn’t changed a bit. He kept glancing at the maid, who noticed and blushed, clenching her fist in front of her chest to cheer him on. Seeing that, Ohki-kun skipped forward.
He’s currently making moves on the maid. He seems to be getting somewhere, which puts him in a good mood. The maid’s lips curled into a sly smile, so I think he’s being played, but if he’s happy, it’s fine.
“Now, I’ll summon a virtual goblin. Come forth, virtual goblin!”
Konoha waved her hand dramatically, and a small green monster jumped out from the crowd. Nowadays, there are items that can summon virtual goblins for practice.
“Gobuu, that’s right. Gobuu gobuu.”
The virtual goblin raised its tiny hands and let out a threatening cry.
“Goblins may look weak, but they’re formidable enemies. Ohki-kun will play the role of a civilian today, so it’s safe, but normally, you’d get seriously injured. Watch this battle to see how dangerous they can be.”
“Wait, Miss Konoha? I’m fighting this goblin? I think I’ll pass—”
“Do your best, Ohki-kun. If you pretend to lose, everyone will understand how dangerous they are! Just pretend to lose. By the way, what do you want for dinner?”
“Got it! S-sorry if I defeat it. Take this!”
Ohki-kun seemed about to say something to Konoha, but the maid cut in, and for some reason, he got motivated. He was also excited about the maid’s home-cooked dinner. Though the maid was holding a takeout menu.
“Begin!”
“Gobuu gobuu, that’s right.”
Konoha lowered her hand, and the goblin, clad in cheap green fabric, shot forward like a cannonball, headbutting Ohki-kun in the solar plexus before he could even react, sending him flying.
“Guh!”