The World's Strongest Rearguard (世界最強の後衛 ～迷宮国の新人探索者～)

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.