After Defeating Yamata-no-Orochi

And with all that, I became the brave hero who had defeated Yamata-no-Orochi… not once, but twice.

Damn it!! This wasn't supposed to happen!!

"Welcome back, you two. Done with work?"

"… Yeah. It's over."

"Man, Kehma-san, you were really incredible out there! You were so amazing, I can't help but recommend you as an S-rank adventurer!"

Wataru was beaming with vitality. Rokuko, upon seeing his face, muttered an "ah" in realization.

"… So, you had quite the adventure, did you?"

"Not that I wanted to… but yeah."

"I guess getting invited by Wataru was your undoing, huh?"

Maybe he siphoned away all my luck…

It might've also been a mistake to separate from Rokuko, the natural-born lucky girl who could almost resist Wataru's [Super Luck].

In other words, just like Rokuko said—it really was the end of my luck.

"Yeah, I really can't manage without you, Rokuko…"

"W-What's with you all of a sudden? Were you really that lonely without me?"

I glanced at Nerune, thinking I should probably tell Rokuko about Core Number 650.

"Well then, Wataru-san~, this way please~?"

"Huh? What is it? Alright, I'm coming."

"You were pretty much useless, weren't you~? So~… it's punishment time, okay~?"

"W-Wait… I did help carry him around…!"

Reading the room, Nerune took Wataru with her.

As expected of our Dungeon Monster.

"… Anyway, Core Number 650 was there."

"Oh? So that's where the bastard's been hiding. Good to know."

"If you see her at the next assembly, punch her for me, will you?"

"Heh, leave it to me! I'll smack her a bunch with my ceremonial sword!"

Rokuko's fancy outfit sword… That might actually hurt a bit.

"Let's mark the spot on the map and use it as a threat. Got the exact location?"

"Ah, yeah. I made a note of it on the map just in case."

"As expected of you, Kehma! Fufufu… Just you wait, 650…! I'll settle our long-standing grudge once and for all!"

Rokuko let out an ominous giggle. She looked so happy. That's what matters, I guess.

"By the way, what kind of punishment is Nerune giving him? She took him into her room, right?"

"Probably better for Wataru if we don't find out. Let's just forgive him already."

"True… Anyway, let's go out, just the two of us. A date, a date!"

"… Well, work's done and all that's left is to head home."

Might as well do some sightseeing while we're here.

Still, I can't shake the feeling that there's more to this job. Would they really summon a foreign hero just for this minor crisis?

It was Yamata-no-Orochi, sure, but the threat was just one juvenile—not even a fully-grown one.

They could've just rallied a few local warriors. If enough strong ones gathered, they'd have taken it down just fine.

… Could there have been another goal behind this?

Well, that's Wataru's job. My part's done. I'm just here to do some sightseeing and go home.

After all, I'm just a regular guy—village chief of the peaceful Golen village!

"Are you the Hero Wataru?"

While I was sightseeing at a shrine with Rokuko, me dressed in a traditional samue and her in a yukata, someone called out to us.

Turning around, we saw a blue-haired shrine maiden. She was dressed in a familiar red hakama outfit. Her hair was an unusually dark shade for someone from Wakoku—almost black.

"We've been waiting for you, Wataru-sama."

"No, you've got the wrong person."

"But you turned around when I called the name."

"Oh, I've got a friend named Wataru. Anyway, excuse us."

Sensing something fishy, I tried to escort Rokuko away.

But we were suddenly surrounded by men in black samue with faces hidden behind thin black veils—your classic ninjas.

"… What is this, a honey trap scam? I'm clearly with a woman here."

"We've been waiting for you, Wataru-sama."

"I told you, you've got the wrong guy."

I draped Rokuko in the [Divine Blanket] like a shawl. As for me, I was wearing the [Divine Pajamas], so I should be fine.

"Kehma, let's just ignore them and go. I wanna try some of that grilled mochi."

"Yeah, sounds good. So, can you let us through? Wrong guy, you see."

"You jest. That distinctly Japanese black hair of yours is unmistakable."

You are mistaken though…

"My name is Kehma Golen. The Wataru you're looking for is probably cuddling with his girlfriend at the inn right now. Go bother him instead."

"Ah yes, we heard your companion was from the Empire. But you can't fool us, Wataru-sama."

"I'm not trying to fool anyone. I'm just telling the truth…"

"Heh, you're the one who actually defeated Yamata-no-Orochi, aren't you? That confirms it—you're the real Wataru."

Damn it, Wataru! This is your fault for not standing out enough!!

"You used him as a decoy to pose as the real Wataru. Clever."

"No, seriously, he's the real one…"

"So you're saying someone not a hero easily defeated Yamata-no-Orochi?"

"Yeah, well… I just got really lucky by chance."

"That must be the manifestation of Wataru-sama's [Super Luck]."

Yeah, thanks to his luck, all the trouble's fallen on me now.

Just then, Rokuko tugged on my sleeve.

"Kehma, can we go already?"

"Ah, yeah. Right. Well then, we'll be on our way. We're in the middle of a date."

"Oh really… You think we'd just let you go?"

"If you won't move, I'll just force my way through… Are you stronger than Yamata-no-Orochi?"

If so, then you should've been the ones to defeat it.

… Unless this was all just a trap to lure out Wataru.

"Kehma, seems like they want to fight. Should we crush them?"

"Yeah. Doesn't seem like they want cooperation. Which makes them… enemies? An evil organization against the Empire… Might be worth taking them down."

Huh? That's right. If we crush them, it might actually be seen as a good deed.

And if Wataru does the crushing, I can sweep all this mess under the rug!

"Alright! I'll help you out! I'll bring you the real Wataru to fight!"

"Huh? But aren't you the Hero Wataru?"

"I said I'm not!! Your intel gathering sucks! Anyway, come back here tonight. I'll send Wataru your way."

"Trying to run? Not happening. You've got a burden tagging along right now. It's the perfect time to strike."

The ninja dudes began to close in.

Man, I was even offering to help and they still won't listen. Guess I gotta show them who they're dealing with.

"Wind, descend in force and pin down my enemies—[Downburst]!!"

"Guhhh!!"

A modified wind spell knocked the ninjas to their knees.

Of course, Rokuko and I were perfectly fine. She was wrapped in the [Divine Blanket], so she's basically untouchable anyway.

"S-So this is the power of the Holy Sword Ea…! Nghh…!"

"Nope. Not even close. Anyway, I'll send Wataru here tonight! Prepare to be defeated! Now, shall we continue our date, Rokuko?"

"Yes! Oh! Look, they're selling aburaage! I wonder if it's good?"

"Fried tofu, huh? Too bad there's no rice—we won't be getting inari sushi today."

Ignoring the groaning men, Rokuko and I resumed our sightseeing date.

Then, after a fulfilling date, we returned to the inn and told Wataru about those guys.

"Huh? But do I really have to go?"

"Nerune, convince him."

"Wataru-saaan~? You gonna stay useless~, or do just enough to count as work~?"

"I'll do it!! I'm going right now!!"

Whew. That settles it. Now I won't be the only one stuck doing everything.

Seriously… that guy really is lucky.