Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Raising the Lowest-Ranked Adventurer, the Heroic Girl – Wasn’t I Just a Substitute Old Man?

Chapter  43   The new hero

A group of eight men and women sat around a large table in a spacious and immaculate room.

“Ugh… Why do we always encounter those bastards? Damn it!”

Among the men and women gathered, the women were Miyano and her companions, while the men were my former teammates.

Meanwhile, I was sprawled across the table, uttering pathetic complaints.

Currently, we had gathered for a post-match gathering and to express gratitude to Yasu, who had provided us with equipment.

But why was I making such a fuss in a restaurant, even though we were in a private room? The answer was obvious. It was all because of that damn monster. Why did I have to encounter irregularities four times in my life? It’s not normal, is it?

“Well, you know why, right? You’re popular with the dungeons,” one of my former teammates remarked.

“So, are irregularities the dungeon’s way of showing affection?” I retorted.

“I wouldn’t want any affection like that,” he replied.

“Same here, you idiot.”

I frowned at their words but none of them took me seriously.

“Well, well, you survived, so it’s all good,” one of them said.

“Yeah, this marks the end of our adventures. Consider it a final commemoration,” another added.

Commemorating encounters with irregularities… What an unpleasant commemoration. Most people die in such encounters, and that’s supposed to be a commemoration?

“Um, well…” Miyano hesitated, feeling somewhat bewildered by the situation.

Well, I guess that’s understandable. Apart from me, they barely know this middle-aged man. It’s challenging to behave as usual in such circumstances. Well, at least Abe and Asada seem to be acting like themselves, and thanks to them, even Kitahara manages to enjoy the meal somehow.

“Oh, Hero-chan, did that talk we had back then help you?” Hiro suddenly addressed Miyano, and she smiled and nodded, slightly awkward.

But did they really have any connection like that?

“What’s up? Did you talk to Miyano about something?” I asked.

“Well, you know, since teaming up with some stranger you don’t know except for our recommendation might be a little awkward, I got in touch and had a conversation about you,” Hiro explained.

“I didn’t hear anything about that,” I responded.

“Because I didn’t say anything,” Hiro shrugged.

Based on Hiro’s conversation, it seems like it happened quite early on, right? In that case… Ah, was it during that time when Miyano called me to school because she wanted to have a team discussion? I remember feeling an odd sense of distance from her during that time, and now I realize it must have been because of this guy.

“Well, it’s all over now, don’t worry about it.”

“Who wouldn’t worry when someone tells you not to worry?”

“That’s exactly why you shouldn’t worry. It’ll make you bald.”

You guys are the ones causing things that make me worry, you idiots.

“I watched the video from back then.”

“Eh… Y-you watched it!?”

“Well, of course. I’m an adventurer, after all.”

I shifted my gaze and noticed that Miyano and the others were being teased by Kei and Yasu.

“Y-You guys watched it too…?”

“How about it? Weren’t we cool?”

“Yeah, we were awesome.”

“Asada-chan was amazing, smacking the monkey’s leg so powerfully.”

“More than that, I think it was impressive how I took on the whole opposing team alone.”

“But it wasn’t just one person, right? It was all thanks to Abe-chan’s confusing environment setup. And Kitahara-chan acted as a decoy by running away. After escaping, she positioned herself in a good spot where she could be quickly rescued. Well, that’s what you call a team victory.”

As Kei and Yasu said that, Asada, Abe, and Kitahara smiled and started enjoying the food in front of them, showing no signs of discontent.

“Well, Miyano-chan might actually receive the title of a true hero.”

“Oh, speaking of that, it seems the decision to bestow the title has already been made.”

Kei casually responded while sipping his drink, but is that really true?

“Huh?”

“Yeah, it’s true. But I guess it’s understandable if you think about it.”

Miyano let out a dumbfounded voice, but I, for one, find it understandable.

A hero is someone who can single-handedly conquer dungeons and destroy gates, possessing the power to handle any enemy that comes their way. They instill the belief that everything will be alright as long as they’re around. That’s what makes them heroes.

If they witnessed the blow she dealt to that Irregular, it’s only natural for her to become a hero.

“Well, yeah. When you unleash such an incredible attack, you can’t just be treated as an ‘ordinary elite.’ The title itself is still undecided, though.”

“W-Why would that be…?”

The title represents the hero, like a badge of identification. If they wield fire, they would be called the ‘Hero of Flames,’ and if they possess exceptional swordsmanship, they would be known as the ‘Hero of the Supreme Blade.’

However, in principle, an official announcement about a hero being chosen shouldn’t be made until the title is decided.

So why does Miyano seem to know information that even I don’t know? That seems to be the meaning behind Miyano’s words.

Yet, Yasu casually pointed at himself and nonchalantly spoke his mind as if it were an ordinary matter.

“Oh, I’m actually the son of the president of a company that deals with adventurer-related equipment.”

“Well, well, a rich kid, huh?”

“I’m the third son, and I was practically exiled due to my lack of talent.”

“Shut up!”

During this battle, I prepared various tools, but all of them were arranged through Yasu’s connections. Even though he’s considered somewhat of an exile, it’s not like he was disowned, so there’s still a connection, and it was faster and cheaper than if I had arranged everything myself.

“But, that was not my own power. It’s largely thanks to Igami-san.”

“Oh, him. The one wearing the mask of normalcy but is actually quite abnormal.”

Don’t joke around, I’m the one representing normalcy here. I just didn’t want to die, didn’t want to let others die, so I put in the effort with a determination not to die.

You can ignore that. There are various things even within the association, so it’s not something we can openly praise, but those higher up are aware of it.

“Is that so?”

“Yeah, well, there are various complications and nuisances around that.”

I heard that giving a third-class adventurer a title would prompt other third-class adventurers to demand one as well, leading to chaos.

There seem to be other things going on, but I don’t really care. Even if I’m slightly stronger than others or have achieved something, I’m still just a third-class adventurer. I can’t and don’t want to stand alongside the top-ranked adventurers.

“Well, enough about that. Dig in, dig in! If there’s something you want, feel free to order! It’s on Koo!”

“Maybe even have a drink? We won’t stop you today.”

Kei and Hiro are offering alcohol, but they’re underage. And while it’s true that I’ll treat Miyano and Yasu, who helped with the procurement of tools, you guys won’t be included.

“You idiots. It’s obvious we’re going to stop. And… I won’t be paying for your share either.”

“What!? Are you kidding me? How much do you think we ordered?”

“I don’t know! Pay for it yourselves!”

While saying such ridiculous things, we enjoyed our meal.