I need to tell you something.
After dinner, I plan to go see Leila-san
and have Theresia officially added to our party.
I want to return Theresia to her human body.
Is there a way to do that?
Yes.
If this transformation can be undone, they can return to their original form.
There must be precedent for undoing the transformation,
though I don't know the way to do it yet.
Um... I'm not terribly knowledgeable about it myself, but...
It's said that, to undo a demi-human transformation,
one must go to the cathedral in District 4.
The cathedral?
But it isn't easy.
Very few Seekers have ever managed to reach District 4 from District 8.
I've only made it as far as District 5.
So if we're going to head for District 4,
we'll face more dangers than we would staying here in District 8.
I wouldn't blame any of you for refusing to go.
I want to hear how you all feel.
THE WORLD'S STRONGEST REARGUARD
A LIFE-OR-DEATH MIXED BATH
This is a matter of life and death.
I can't force them into it carelessly.
But I still...
I'm going.
Theresia-san has helped me out a lot.
Igarashi-san...
Besides, I know you wouldn't try to rush things
and put us all in unnecessary danger.
Even at the office...
you never let your coworkers push themselves too hard.
In fact, if no one stopped you, you'd push yourself too hard.
S-So, um... you need someone to keep an eye on you!
To add to that, if I may...
Given Mr. Atobe's talents, even if we take our time and travel carefully,
I'm sure we'll reach District 4 eventually.
I'm going, too!
Staying in the same place all the time is boring!
And besides...
my instinct as a Gambler tells me I'll live longer if I'm with you!
Well, I can't let that instinct turn out wrong.
I want to help, too.
But...
it was Elitia-san who invited me along,
so I'll make up my mind after hearing her thoughts.
As you guys know, I have problems.
This sword is called Scarlet Emperor.
It's found in treasure chests dropped by a certain Named monster...
and it becomes the inherent job of the one who equips it.
So that sword is the reason you're...
I was originally a Swordfighter,
but I turned into a Cursed Blade...
and its inherent skill, Berserk,
activates automatically when I get another's blood on me.
And I can't unequip this sword.
You weren't able to look it up before equipping it?
The group I was with, White Night Brigade,
collects chests from Named monsters
and uses the gear obtained from them to get stronger.
They don't appraise anything because it doesn't matter if the gear is cursed.
They can't refuse to equip it, either.
So they'll do whatever it takes to get stronger, huh?
Even if they have their reasons, that's extreme.
I wanted nothing more than to get stronger, too...
but I regret that now.
I feel like this sword has turned me into someone completely different.
So... I kind of relate to Theresia.
I'll help.
I appreciate it.
In return, would you help me, too?
I have my reasons for needing to start moving forward again...
and I can't do it by myself.
We'll help each other. We need to undo that sword's curse anyway.
We'll search for a way to do it as we go.
I think that's a good idea.
Sounds like we have a plan.
So that's that, then!
Thanks, everyone.
Ms. Igarashi! Why don't we chat a bit longer?
Good idea! The night's just getting started!
They've definitely hit it off.
Let's go!
Yeah! Let's go!
You're going to the mercenary office, right?
I'll walk these two back to your place.
Okay. I appreciate it.
I'm going with Eli-chan!
"E-Eli-chan"?
No one's ever called me that before.
I've been called "Eli," but...
Then is it all right if I call you "Eli-san"?
You're coming along too, right?
I've never visited a man's home before, but if you're all with me...
Well, shall we go?
Let's go drinking!
Second stop! Second stop!
Hey, you're back.
If you return late, there'll be limitations on your next hire.
Good thing you made it in time.
I have 100 Copper Tickets.
May I make Theresia an official member of my party?
I thought a newbie, even one like you,
would take at least a month to get this many.
I never expected you to bring them the very next day.
Things just sort of fell into place. Part of it was luck.
I'll continue to act with caution,
especially if it'll help make Theresia human again.
I think of it as my job to give demi-humans a place to belong,
but that's not my true goal.
I want to give them their souls back,
but I lack the strength.
A brilliant, honest Seeker like you is my ray of hope.
O-Oh, no, I'm not really...
It's just that Theresia was the first companion I found here.
Don't be so modest. That was my own, honest opinion.
Sometimes I feel like I can kind of understand how she feels,
even if she can't speak.
I won't know if that's just a baseless assumption or not until I can talk to her.
Saying demi-humans have feelings isn't an easy claim to make,
but Theresia does seem more open to you today than she was yesterday.
I can't help thinking that.
Thank you.
I hope that's the case, too.
Take care of Theresia.
I will.
Theresia, you don't need to stay behind me.
You can walk wherever you want.
Does that mean you'll always walk in front of me?
As my vanguard?
That's right. You can walk wherever you want.
Just stay a little bit in front of me when we're in battle.
That'll let me help you, like I did before.
Hm? You want to hurry and get home?
Why don't we take a little detour?
I'll be counting on you from now on, Theresia.
Huh? She's asleep?
Yes...
Misaki-chan borrowed the bed and...
Well, that's pretty daring.
She must've been tired. A lot happened today.
I'm sorry.
Well, if she's resting comfortably, we'll just leave her.
Mr. Atobe.
Welcome home.
We're gonna have a bath. Take care of the rest, okay?
Oh... If we go back to our lodging now, we'll be too late to use the bath.
Why don't you get in with us? You can borrow some clothes.
Arihito, when your rank goes up, you need to think about where you'll stay.
Huh?
That's right!
After today's Seeking, Mr. Atobe is ranked 7th in District 8!
Wow!
That's my Atobe-kun.
You can move to a royal suite now, but the cap is eight residents,
so Ms. Suzuna and Ms. Elitia's lodging would be automatically canceled.
Why would that happen?
First of all, a party can't have more than eight members.
So the rooms a party can use
need to allow a total of eight people.
Different lodgings have different capacities.
I see.
Being in a better room lets us recover our health and magic faster, though...
I think the logical thing is to have the whole party living together.
T-Together?
A-All right, then. I'll think about it.
Things have finally settled down.
You should have a seat and relax, too.
Wait, did you want to have a bath?
W-Well, you can sit anytime.
ACQUIRED SKILLS: DEFENSE SUPPORT LV. 1, ATTACK SUPPORT LV. 1, SUPPORT RECOVERY LV. 1
I leveled up today, so I guess I can get a new skill.
AVAILABLE SKILLS MORALE SUPPORT LV. 1: RAISES MORALE OF PARTY MEMBERS IN FRONT BY 10 POINTS
REAR VIEW: SPEND 5 POINTS TO EXPAND VISION TO COVER REAR FOR A SET PERIOD OF TIME
HAWK EYES: IMPROVES ABILITY TO MONITOR SITUATIONS WHEN IN THE BACK
REAR STANCE: FIXES USER'S POSITION TO BE BEHIND THE TARGET
BACKDRAFT: AUTOMATICALLY COUNTER WHEN ATTACKED FROM BEHIND
Backdraft...
I'd appreciate that since I'm always in the back,
but the rest look neat, too...
Theresia, do you have a license?
Could I see—
You want me to look at your back?
It's not illegal to put the Slave Seal on demi-humans.
So this is...
Your license?
DISPLAYING SLAVE SKILLS FOR "THERESIA" LIZARD SKIN LV. 1: AN INHERENT DEMI-HUMAN SKILL THAT INCREASES DEFENSE AND RESISTANCES
ACCEL DASH: MOMENTARILY INCREASES SPEED SCOUT RANGE EXTENSION LV. 1: INCREASES RANGE AT WHICH ENEMIES CAN BE DETECTED
It says "slave" instead of "mercenary" now...
So you just had me rewrite your license?
One skill point left.
Let's think about which skill to get.
Oh, Onii-chan, you're back.
Oh, you're awake?
Suite beds are so amazingly comfy!
I hope you don't mind me using it from now on!
I'm happy to have you.
I'll be useful to you someday!
Having me around makes it easier to find treasures and stuff!
Hey, speaking of... why did you put "Gambler" for your job?
I thought something like that might be fun!
I've only ever drawn the best luck in my fortunes,
and I kick butt at card games and stuff!
The last lottery ticket my family bought won us 100,000 yen!
You really do have good luck, huh?
You can count on me!
Hey, where are the others?
In the bath.
Think I can get there in time? I'm gonna try!
Well, I guess I should go, too.
Go on inside while the others are in there.
See you later.
I've got it all to myself.
Huh? Oh, if you need shampoo or anything, help yourself.
Someone who lives here?
I didn't notice anyone coming in...
Yes?
Th-Theresia?!
L-Listen, Theresia... This is the men's bath!
You're not supposed to come in here!
N-No, I know you can't take off your armor.
You can't help that...
Wait, no! I mean, use the women's—
That should keep anyone else from coming in, at least.
It doesn't solve the actual problem, though...
So you can take that stuff off?
Okay, but that aside, you should head to the women's...
You came to wash my back for me... or something?
If she thinks she's doing me a favor,
I shouldn't keep acting all freaked out.
Thanks, Theresia, but you don't need to show so much courtesy.
It's only natural that I'd get in the bath by myself.
I don't feel left out or anything.
O-Okay, you can stop now!
Theresia, my back's clean now! Let's go soak!
I appreciate the thought, but what am I gonna do going forward?
Theresia, starting tomorrow, you should use the women's bath...
Theresia?
Theresia?!
She overheated?
Oh, right... Lizardmen are lizards, so...
she's heterothermic?!
Please let me call you "Ms. Kyouka"!
THE WORLD'S STRONGEST REARGUARD
Louisa-san, wanna hit up a third spot?
People who add demi-humans to their party are quite rare,
so I had no idea such concerns could arise.
C-Calling it a "concern" makes me feel like I did something wrong.
W-Well...
You're a very serious guy, so I'm not trying to accuse you of anything.
Theresia, were you okay with that?
Sharing a bath with a man doesn't bother you at all?
So you wanted to show your gratitude to Arihito-san.
Look at you, Onii-chan, doing all that in secret!
Just kidding. I trust you, personally.
Anyway, ready to decide who sleeps where?
Seven routes to determine your sleeping fate!
Sleeping in the same room with any of them seems kinda dangerous...
But I wouldn't know how to explain why.
MISAKI ELI SUZUNA ARIHITO THERESIA KYOUKA LOUISA
Okay. Everything should be fine if we're in separate rooms.
I guess my luck of the draw isn't so bad, either.
Theresia, we don't have to take turns staying awake.
Eh, she'll probably go back to bed soon.
ACQUIRED SKILLS MORALE SUPPORT LV. 1 RAISES MORALE OF PARTY MEMBERS IN FRONT BY 10 POINTS
HAWK EYES: IMPROVES ABILITY TO MONITOR SITUATIONS WHEN IN THE BACK
This'll do. I'd like to have Backdraft,
but skills that benefit the party come first.
So this is Hawk Eyes?
I feel like the area I'm aware of is broader now.
This could come in handy.
Not bad... for a rearguard.
Not... bad...
You, too, Kyouka-oneesan?
All of you, too?
Ms. Kyouka, what should we do?
None of us will ever get any sleep at this rate.
I also... um... well, you know...
I guess Theresia couldn't sleep, either.
Is this... because of Atobe-kun's...
He's certainly sleeping well.
He looks so cute in his sleep.
Careful! Don't get too close!
Oh, my... Mr. Atobe...
Wh-What are you doing, Misaki?
Such big hands...
Just a little bit should be fine...
Ms. Kyouka, is something the matter?
I, um... don't think it's right to do stuff like this while he's asleep...
It's all right as long as we keep it secret.
We should go to bed now.
Yes, that's enough.
I'll arrange a suite viewing and a Chest Cracker when I'm on the clock.
I'm going to check in with the Dissector first, so I'll see you there.
By the way...
What is it, Atobe-kun?
Did anything strange happen while I was asleep last night?
N-No, nothing!
Oh, okay.
Welcome! Thanks for dropping by!
That gear you made for me from the Redface's materials
already saved my life yesterday.
Well, I'm glad to hear you're all right.
Since that Juggernaut's so big,
I've got everyone from every Dissector shop in District 8 dividing up the work.
My daughter's itching to put her talents to use on it.
Incredible... Two Named in two days?
We managed to win, but I think luck played a big part in it.
This is making me want to go into a dungeon again.
I bet I'd get to dissect all kinds of rare monsters if I went with you guys.
What would you like to do with the materials when we're done?
Could you hold onto them?
I'd like time to think about whether to sell them or make equipment.
Understood.
We should be good leaving the rest to them.
They did help us out once before.
So now we can go for our viewing of the royal suite and...
...the Chest Cracker.
I wonder what could be in this thing.