[Reberu] ga Arunara Agerudesho? Mobukyara ni Tensei Shita Ore wa Gēmu Chishiki o Ikashi, Hitasura Reberu o Age Tsudzukeru - CH 117

The flow of time in the ‘Netherworld’ is different from the real world.

So, even if you spend a few days in the ‘Netherworld’, not that much time would’ve passed in the real world.

After deliberating about the future course of actions with Iris who had come to pick me up and leveling at the ‘Tower’ to calm my soul, I returned to the real world.

Seeing the academy dungeon remained closed as before, I strengthened my determination to resolve the situation.

I figured that if I were to go to the elves’ territory just like advised by Big bro Thoth, I’d need a guide who was familiar with the area, so I decided to have Ethel, who had the exaggerated setting of being a former saintess candidate, to accompany me.

She’d probably hate the idea, but she’d definitely agree if I tempt and make her yield with an insane amount of money. With that in mind, I searched for her around the academy.

Then as I walked while looking out the window, I spotted Ethel walking in the corridor on the other side of the building, so I jumped out of the window, used one of Shishū skills – ‘Nuiage: Cat’s Path’ to create paths of thread, and made use of it to cross the air.

I knew from the direction she was walking that Ethel’s destination was the academy director’s room, so I sticked outside the window, and an interesting conversation reached my ears from inside.

What a godsend; now I got a just cause, banzai! I shouted delightedly inwardly. Then, I showed my presence and… well, you know the rest.

“UuuuUUuuUUu… Googogogo….”

“Sakurai-san, Ethel-san is making strange growls.” (Iris)

“Ethel is currently like someone who has blew up all their money in casino, so don’t touch her.” (Sakurai)

Together with Iris who is grabbing my left arm tightly as though not to let me escape, I pull along the bugged Ethel’s hand with my free right hand.

Although I’ve decided to go to the elves’ territory with Ethel, her original companions are Amanai and Akano.

Taking a member of their party without permission may cause them to hold a grudge against me later.

I figured that even if we’d gotten more familiar with each other, I should give them a notice, so I’m now heading to the place where Amanai and Akano probably are.

“Eh, Sakurai-kun. You’ve awakened.” (Reika)

“Hm, Sakurai? I see, you’ve come back from the Netherworld.” (Higaki)

I walked here thinking that they’d be around this area considering the requests I had given to them, and just as I expected, we encountered Akano, with Higaki next to her.

Although them being together was a scene I often saw in the game, this pairing feels a little unfamiliar to me because they’ve only begun to be involved with each other recently.

Or rather Higaki, don’t you have anything more to say to me?

I hit my head and died, y’know; shouldn’t you show me some concern?

“With how you screamed like a madman, I thought you’d definitely hold quite a lot of regrets, so I was sure you’d reach the ‘Netherworld’. It’d be a waste of my time to worry about such an obvious matter.” (Higaki)

“But though you said that, you did arrange him to be hospitalized him in a fluster, didn’t you, Ao-chan?” (Reika)

“That’s only because I didn’t know how he’d bug me later if I didn’t get his head healed. Well, still, even if the injuries did get healed, nothing could be done to the inside of his head.” (Higaki)

Hahaha, what nonsense are you speaking, Higaki. Even though you had even cracked my skull about a month ago.

However, today I’ve awakened to the spirit of social service and generosity welled up within me; plus, my injuries did recover already, so I’ll swallow the lines that have gone up to my throat.

“By the way, I’ve something to talk about with Amanai, but where’s he?” (Sakurai)

“If you’re looking for Hayato, he’s helping out in the shopping district. We’re on the way back from shopping the requested stuffs ourselves, wanna go with us?” (Reika)

“Higaki is helping out too?” (Sakurai)

“I was also involved in Amanai’s case after all, this is just a form of atonement to him. I do think it’s a bit strange that I ended up having to help complete Sakurai’s punishment as a result though.” (Higaki)

“Hmmm.” (Sakurai)

“What, you’ve got something to say?” (Higaki)

While having such back and forth, I hand over Ethel – who is still bugging, groaning “Gogogogo” – to Akano, pass over Iris to Higaki, and receive the luggage they’re carrying instead.

The luggage is surprisingly heavy, so I do some muscle training while moving.

I lift up and down the luggage to put load on my arms… hm~, the experience points gain is garbage, but it’s better than not getting any, I guess.

As I keep walking while doing muscle training – looking like a child playing with their groceries if seen from the side – we arrive at the shopping district.

Speaking of the request in the shopping district that I handed over, there should only be a request to help a vendor fix their signboard… now, where’s Amanai.

As I’m looking around in search of Amanai, I spot a crowd in the inner part of the shopping street, and I can hear Amanai’s voice coming from there.

“He become a vendor, huh. How should I put this… unimaginable?” (Sakurai)

His ikemen face can be said to be just like that of a ‘hero in a story’, so I think he clears the ‘eye-catching’ requirement of being a vendor, but that’s not all there is to the profession; you also need to be a proactive person with a lively voice to attract customers.

However, Amanai gives off the impression of someone with essentially passive personality and is introverted due to his low self-evaluation.

Therefore, I don’t think he can handle it in that respect.

It’s not that I’m worried… but, if he shows a clumsy appearance, I’ll be kind enough to look away and keep my mouth shut.

“That would have been the case if it’s the previous Hayato, but with various things he went through in the academy festival, he’s going to be fine.” (Reika)

“I can see a strong ‘heat(enthusiasm)’ from the center of the crowd over there, and I don’t think it’s the unpleasant kind.” (Iris)

Akano and Iris respond to my words.

If the childhood friend who understands Amanai more than anyone and the owner of the magic eyes who can see people’s ‘heat’ say so, then it looks like Amanai can handle being a vendor without any problem.

Learning that, the kindness that has welled up inside me suddenly dissipates, so I start feeling like leaving him alone and going to the elves’ territory as soon as possible.

But perhaps she senses that, as Iris stares at me suspiciously, so I quickly head for the crowd, saying, “Let’s go see how Amanai’s faring, hahahaha!”

“Come on, come and see! The highlight of the day is Banana-chan! She was born in the eastern outer wall, Jereon agricultural area! The countess who governs the area fell in love with her at first sight, then she had a couple of magicians to attend her day and night to maintain its quality, before letting the Corbucci Firm to transport her over! Our firm guarantee her taste! I mean, look at her bright yellow color, see how beautiful she is! Ripe bananas are really delicious, I have you know! Try eating them by dipping them in caramel, or by frying them, I guarantee you, they’ll be so good! Your husbands will also be dumbfounded when they taste it because how good they are! Our boss, Frederico Corbucci-sama pleaded the countess-sama to let him transport them so that the people that reside in this city can have a taste of them! Liking the Boss’ enthusiasm, the countess gave agreed and told the Boss to carry the bananas politely! You can get them at bargain price of only 400 gold a hand! Come and buy!!” (Amanai)

“He’s really fired up, ain’t he?” (Sakurai)

“See? I told you so.” (Reika)

At the center of the crowd that comes into my view is Amanai Hayato – in a tank top, exposing his strong arms, and with a hachimaki (a kind of headband) around his head – yelling with a very refreshing smile.

I’m surprised at his veteran vendor-looking appearance, whereas Akano boasts about him as if proud of her own achievement.

“Onii-san, please give me a hand of bananas!”

“You sure have eyes for good stuffs, Young Lady!” (Amanai)

“Oh my, to call me a young lady! I think I’ll have another hand!”

“Thank you for your patronage!”

He even mastered the technique of sucking up to middle-aged ladies. People do change, huh… I’m surprised.