kscans

Chapter 286 - Parting with the Samurai

From the morning, a cloudless sky stretched out over the sea.

Today was the day they returned to the western country. All the members had gathered at the western port in the Eastern Country. They were waiting for the scheduled ship to arrive shortly.

Only two people had come to see them off, Simon and Benitsuru.

Benitsuru had a complicated expression, while Simon was smiling normally.

At yesterday's banquet, Benitsuru had been on the verge of tears, proposing that they extend their stay for a few days, but unfortunately, it was rejected. What probably helped persuade her was the kimono she was wearing now.

The kimono was generally pink, but Rosalie's design changes had made it more gothic lolita-style, with many frills and belts. Furthermore, the hem was much shorter than a normal kimono, becoming a skirt type that only reached above her knees. Underneath, she wore shorts.

"So you guys are really going home... Oh, right. What do you think of this? As the Princess, I really like it."

Benitsuru spun around to show Hayato the kimono. She then drew her sword from its scabbard with her right hand, swung it horizontally, then vertically, and returned it to its scabbard with a clean motion.

It felt like her movements were more fluid than in her previous kimono. Hayato thought the design was likely easier for the active Benitsuru to move in.

"It looks great on you. I think it's a kimono that expresses your energy well, Benny-chan."

"R, really? Being told that to my face is a little embarrassing! You shall have a reward! Though I don't have one!"

Her previously complicated expression vanished, replaced now by a bashful one.

Perhaps to hide her embarrassment, Benitsuru started slapping Hayato's back repeatedly.

"Um, could you not hit my back? My HP is going down."

"Ah, sorry. Thanks, I'll definitely take care of it. And this sword too. I'll hold onto it firmly to keep myself in line!"

"That's right, Benny-chan, you're a person of importance, so you need to be able to make the right decisions more than anyone. Do your best."

"Yeah, I'll learn a lot from Simon. Oh, I want to thank Lunacchi and Rozacchi too, so I'll be right back!"

Benitsuru said this and energetically headed towards where Lunaria and the others were.

Then, Simon approached.

"Hayato, I am indebted to you for many things. The Ten Swords and the ninjas are imprisoned, and the Princess seems to have gained a sense of responsibility. All of this is thanks to you. Originally, it was only supposed to be about destroying the cursed blade, but you helped us, and I am truly grateful."

"Don't worry about it. We help each other in times of trouble, right?"

"Well, perhaps... That's right, I don't know if you'll use it, but I wanted to give you this. The manufacturing method for my famed sword, Meitou Kitsutsuki, and the Princess's sword, Meitou Houou."

"Eh? Are you sure?"

"Of course. In the first place, Hayato, you can make the Yatagarasu. Compared to that, I think these two are weaker swords, but I have nothing else to give you."

"As a production job, this makes me happy. I'll be able to make more things. But now I'm in a bind. I don't have anything to give you two in return."

"What I just gave you is our thanks, so if you were to return that favor, we would be the ones in a bind. Besides, I have received five swords from you, Hayato, and a kimono as well. I've grown so fond of them that I'll continue to use them. I still haven't repaid you enough."

"I see. If you like it, then that's the greatest reward for a creator."

"I was a little troubled, though."

"What do you mean?"

"I liked the kimono so much that I've been wearing it constantly. And I've become embarrassed to expose my skin. I didn't think anything of it before, but as a samurai, it's a bit of a problem."

In the first place, the reason he gave her the kimono was that it was a problem for Ruth's education. It was also the Maid Chief's strategy to prevent Gil from seeing Simon's abs.

"I'm sorry about that. It's because I asked you to keep wearing the kimono I gave you, isn't it?"

"You're so serious, Hayato. It was a joke, so don't apologize... Besides, the story about being embarrassed to expose my skin is only in front of a certain someone..."

Simon's voice trailed off towards the end. Hayato couldn't hear it and tilted his head.

"I understood it was a joke, but I couldn't hear the last part... what did you say?"

"It's better you didn't hear... More importantly, Hayato, I said it yesterday, but if anything happens to you, I'll come running. If you're in trouble, don't hesitate to contact me. Well, I'd be happy if you contacted me even if you're not in trouble."

"I'll count on you then. And you too, of course. Let me know if anything happens."

"Mm. I shall do so... Well then, I will go say my greetings to the others."

Saying so, Simon went around to each person, bowing his head and offering his thanks.

As this was happening, the scheduled ship entered the port.

It seemed there were no passengers on the ship, and the crew was only unloading the cargo they had brought. Once they finished loading the cargo from the Eastern Country, they would depart.

To avoid being late, Hayato and the others boarded the ship immediately. Everyone paid their fare, and once the captain had a satisfied look on his face, it was time for departure.

One of the crew members shouted, "We're setting sail!" Then, the ship began to move.

On the pier, Benitsuru was crying her eyes out.

"C-come back soon! I mean it!"

Benitsuru's voice was tearful, but she shouted loudly, waving her hand with such force it looked like it might come off.

And Simon, with a smile, said just one word in a loud voice, "Take care!"

Hayato and the others waved back at the two of them.

Among them, Lunaria was waving with teary eyes. It was probably because she had become quite good friends with Benitsuru. The other members were waving too, but not to that extent.

They kept watching until the port was out of sight, and once it disappeared, they were free to do as they pleased.

They were heading for the Royal Capital's port, but it would take two hours. Until then, they had no choice but to stay on this ship. Perhaps they weren't the type to sit around idly, as they each started doing various things, like fishing or petting Maris's pets.

As Hayato was wondering what to do, Esha, Ash, and Ren approached him.

Ren's eyes were like a hawk's, as if she were hunting prey.

"Hayato-san, what were you and Simon-san talking about? I felt a certain, suspicious atmosphere."

"Eh? He was just thanking me. And he taught me the manufacturing method for a sword. I was thinking of trying to make it later. I'm excited to see what its stats are."

Ren closed her eyes and furrowed her brow, then her eyes snapped open.

"Not guilty!"

"Of what?"

Ren's strange verdict was out, but if he was not guilty, that was fine, Hayato thought, and turned his mind to future plans.

The final exploration site was Skyscraper Babel.

Ash and Ren's father, Veru, was currently in the process of conquering it with his companions. Like the Necropolis, there was a transfer device called a portal, and if someone had been there once, anyone could start from that floor.

Veru and his team had already conquered up to the vicinity of the top, so all they had to do was take Mist and the others there. That would complete their collection of medicinal knowledge.

"What should I do when we get back? We have work at the cafe from the afternoon, but Veru-san and Mist-san don't need to log out, so should I introduce them?"

It was unclear whether they would start the Babel conquest immediately upon returning, but Hayato thought he should make arrangements so they could cooperate at any time.

"Dad said he greeted Mist before we left, so there's no need for a formal introduction. Also, I told him we're scheduled to return today, and he said he'd come to the base. You shouldn't have to do anything, Hayato."

"Oh, really? Then I don't need to do anything special?"

"I believe you need to make a chocolate parfait. As a product for the shop, of course. However, I would not be averse to receiving one for a snack."

"You don't have to be so roundabout, I'll make you one. Like you said, Esha, I need to restock the items we sell at the base, so I'll have to make a lot of things... Alright, I'll make a large batch of products to sell at the shop for the first time in a while. Chocolate parfaits and puddings... no, I need to make what everyone wants to eat. I have to make good use of this knife that's finally back with me."

At Hayato's words, Esha and Ren high-fived.

Seeing the two of them, Hayato thought that since he had the ingredients, he might as well make it for them right away, and began to cook on the ship.