Departure

Since there wasn't really any need to pack, the trip preparations were basically done once we took care of a few things—letting the village know we'd be gone for a bit, posting some job requests, and stuff like that.

As for clothes, my usual adventurer's travel outfit from when I went to the capital would do just fine. Honestly, wearing the [Divine Pajamas] tracksuit underneath is super comfy. Rokuko's got the [Divine Comforter].

(Nerune's gear was sorted out during a shopping date with Wataru—of course, on Wataru's dime.)

With all that settled, we welcomed the Three Heavenly Kings to the village.

Thanks to the beach route and some positioning tricks by Soto, even this remote village—Golen Village—is now easily accessible from the capital.

"So yeah! I'll be in your care again for a while, nya! I'll protect the peace of the village, nya!"

"Welcome, all three of you. I've arranged for Misha to handle negotiations with the Adventurers' Guild… Well, my deputy village chief did. Amelia, please take care of the village administration, and Dolce, the inn."

I assigned each of them jobs—Misha, bursting with enthusiasm as always, and Amelia and Dolce as well.

"Of course. With you and Lady Rokuko away, we'll fill the gap. Don't worry."

"… Why am I in charge of the inn, though? I don't really like being around people…"

It was kind of by process of elimination. Dolce seemed like the most suited for undercover work and interacting with people when necessary.

She also just seemed the most capable.

This time, it was me, Rokuko, and Nerune heading out with Wataru.

The busiest place while we'd be gone? The inn. Since two of us are leaving, Dolce—the most competent—was the obvious pick.

"If you want, you can use any of your subordinates who can take human form. You'll need to pay their wages yourself, or file it under expenses with Haku."

"… Alright, I'll summon three Wraiths that can transform. I'll go sleep in the church basement again, then…"

Wow, she immediately covered the manpower gap. Classic Dolce. That's a huge help.

"If your subordinates can handle the part-time work, that's great. Just make sure they listen to Kinue and the part-time leader. Oh, and if you can also take care of Rokuko's behind-the-scenes tasks as the inn's owner…"

"Easy. Sounds like a vacation, really…"

"Nya!? Dolce's got it too easy, nya!"

She's literally doing most of the work, though?

Misha, you can delegate to your subordinates too, you know. Actually, I encourage it.

"Fine, then I'll just throw everything at that guild rep—what's her name, Silia?—and call it a day. Job complete! Easiest job ever! … Still, I am the guildmaster of the capital's guild, and I'm being told to handle negotiations with a backwater outpost? That's some messed up management, nya!"

"I just really don't want you doing customer service at the inn."

"Wise call. You've got good instincts, Kehma… But I don't think I can delegate my job as deputy village chief. What should I do?"

Can't exactly throw that at someone else, yeah. But—

"It's fine. I'm just the figurehead village chief—I don't actually do much."

"Oh, really? That's a relief…"

"Yep. At most I do the occasional sermon for the Beddhist Church."

"… I'm also a senior member of the White Goddess Faith, you know."

"Then all the more reason to attend as a guest. No worries—we've got a cozy relationship with the White Goddess Faith."

"That's true enough."

Alright, jobs assigned and bases covered.

"So, Kehma, when do you plan to leave?"

"Now that everyone's here—tomorrow. I'm leaving the village and the dungeon in your hands."

"… I'll make sure to protect the dungeon in Lady Rokuko's place…"

"If enemies show up, I'll just beat them all up, nya!"

Love the enthusiasm. Though now that the Holy Kingdom stuff's settled, I doubt anyone dangerous is coming anytime soon.

Anyway, we'll throw a welcome party tonight for the Three Heavenly Kings.

Looking forward to working with you all while we're away!

 

＊ ＊ ＊

 

And so, on the day of our departure, we met up with Wataru—who'd been staying in the village—at the tunnel that leads through Mount Tsuia toward Pavuera.

"I heard from Roppu-san—you hired a B-rank adventurer as a part-timer? That's pretty extravagant."

"Well, Haku-san said she'd cover any extra expenses, so it's not coming out of my pocket."

Even if she didn't, the inn makes enough that we'd be fine—no risk of going into the red.

"Alright then, Amelia. I'm counting on you to look after the village… and Dolce and Misha."

"Understood, Rokuko-sama… Nerune-san, please take good care of her."

"Of course~ Leave it to me~"

Amelia, standing in as the representative for the Three Heavenly Kings, gave Rokuko and Nerune a respectful bow.

"Wataru, you take good care of Rokuko-sama, too."

"Right. And Amelia-san—take care of the village."

"Kehma-san's probably fine, since he can take care of himself."

"… Excuse me?"

"Heh. Don't worry—I'll protect Nerune and Rokuko with everything I've got!"

Not gonna argue I can handle myself, but still — don't forget I exist, yeah?

As Wataru chatted with Nerune, Amelia-san leaned over and whispered to me.

"… By the way, aren't any of the others from the dungeon seeing you off?"

"Oh, that? I said my goodbyes yesterday. It's not like I'll be unreachable—it's not that big a farewell."

Even if I couldn't get back with Soto's help, I could just use the Dungeon Master's messaging system, or force my way back with a maxed-out [Teleport].

And even that's not impossible—I've got barrels of mana potions. Not to mention the divine beddings having restorative effects too.

"If anything comes up, just message me."

"Understood. Safe travels."

And with that, Amelia saw us off as we departed for Wakoku.