Chapter 53

As expected, or rather, as a matter of course, all the girls had completely used up the 3,000 helts I gave them.

Who was the ringleader, you ask? It goes without saying, doesn't it?

"Regarding the expenses for living in the temporary quarters of the defense force, including the meals at the cafeteria, I will cover them, but I can't provide any other money..."

When I explained the support plan to the girls gathered in the conference room, I was asked a question by Kobayashi-san.

"Does that mean... well, it's mainly Takayama, but the compensation for the burned shop will be covered by Kunitaka?"

"Yes, I think if we put all the money we have, it should be enough, but we don't know how much they will charge, so I can't afford to give extra money."

"But, is it really Kunitaka's responsibility?"

"Of course, in reality, it's not."

"Then, can you let the boys pay for that and support the girls as originally planned?"

"Hmm... Do you really think that's possible?"

"Ugh... I was just saying..."

The girls aren't responsible, but I'm in a bad mood, and my response ends up being blunt.

"Like Donovan said this morning, we are not welcome here. If we cause such a disturbance and don't make a proper apology or compensation, we can't complain if we are abandoned. I hope you can give up on your overly lenient thinking..."

Looking around the faces of the girls gathered in the conference room, half of them look remorseful, and the other half look like victims, as if to say, "Why me?"

"Indeed, we were summoned by Camilla against our will, but that has nothing to do with the people of Volzard. Whether you like it or not, we have to live here until we find a way back to our original world..."

Even if I try to explain the current situation, more than 30% of them seem to pout even more.

I almost want to abandon everything, give up on going back, and live freely in Volzard.

"That's all I have to say. Do you have any questions?"

"Um... about the horseback riding training..."

Sakurai-san seems to really like horseback riding, but I can't meet her expectations.

"Sorry, you'll have to negotiate that yourself. I'm going to focus on rescuing the rest of the group."

"Understood... sorry..."

"Since there don't seem to be any other questions, I'll be going now."

I entrusted the rest to the Bumpy Sisters, Honmi-san, and Sagara-san and left the conference room. As soon as I did, I heard complaints, but I plugged my ears and slipped into the shadow world.

Next, I need to go to the guild and apologize to Donovan.

I can't deal with these brats anymore.

When I arrived at the guild, Donovan was working alone as usual, but the pile of documents on his desk seemed higher than usual, probably due to the aftermath of the brawl.

"I'm sorry..."

"Kent, is that you..."

"Yes, I'm very sorry for the trouble I caused."

"Hmph... Indeed, you caused trouble, but it's not your fault."

"But... It was the people I brought who caused this..."

"You take too much responsibility for everything. Before the registration, I warned them, and they still caused a disturbance. You should be prepared for the consequences..."

"No, I don't think they are prepared at all... and, please, not exile..."

I bowed deeply, almost touching my forehead to my knees, and begged.

"Hmph... That depends on their attitude. In Volzard, once you reach a certain age, you bear the same responsibility as adults. You should be able to judge whether it's allowed to wield weapons or cast magic in the city."

"Yes, I'm not saying they are innocent, and I hope the punishment will be fair according to Volzard's laws, but please, if possible, spare them from exile."

I bowed deeply again and begged.

If they are exiled, when we finally find a way back to our original world, we'll have to search for them.

I can't bring back Iwasaki, and I can't increase the number of people who can't return.

"Kent, you won't be able to say that Klaus's story is crazy anymore."

"Yes... I'm aware, and I'm sorry."

"I'll consider it... but don't expect too much."

"Yes, thank you... and I want to apologize to Klaus as well..."

"Sure, come by on Tuesday morning after the weekend. He should be at the guild then."

"Understood, I'll do that."

"Kent, don't do anything on the day of rest tomorrow. Just hold a kobold and go to sleep. You've done well enough, got it?"

"Yes... yes... Excuse me."

Although his words were blunt, I almost cried at the consideration in Donovan's voice, so I quickly slipped into the shadow world.

Malt, Milt, and Murt, who had been listening to the conversation, came over with their tails wagging.

"Master, can we be together all day tomorrow?"

"Can you carry us?"

"Pet us, pet us a lot!"

"Sure, let's take it easy tomorrow?"

"Yay! Take it easy, take it easy!"

Watching Malt and the others run around me, my heart calms down.

All that's left is to take care of the class representative, and today's tasks will be done.

Tomorrow, I'll follow Donovan's advice and sleep while petting Malt and the others.

I shadow-traveled to Lastock and met up with Fred and Basten.

"Master Kent... You should rest now..."

"That's right, you don't have to suffer for those people..."

"Yes, but the class representative is not involved in the disturbance and is working hard..."

Usually, I would peek at the class representative and wait for Elna to leave, but tonight, I asked Fred to watch and waited, petting Malt and the others until it was time.

Three of them gathered around me, rubbing against me, urging me to pet them.

The perfect fluffiness, even though it's a product of my imagination, is very soothing.

"Master Kent... The caretaker has left..."

"Understood, everyone, wait here..."

I left Malt and the others in the shadow world and entered the class representative's room.

"Good evening... Yui."

"Kento...? Is something wrong?"

"Huh... Why?"

"Your voice sounds really tired..."

I can't do this, I can't take care of the class representative in this state.

"Yes, actually..."

I didn't have the confidence to deny and brush off her concern, so I told her about the brawl.

"Unbelievable! Are they stupid?"

"Sorry, I wasn't paying attention..."

"No! Kento did nothing wrong. You... you work so hard every day... uuuu..."

The class representative, who hugged me tightly, cried for me.

I also hugged her back, wrapping my arms around her back.

"Thank you... thank you, Yui."

"I'm sorry, I left everything to you..."

"No, I'm not alone. I have many strong followers."

"Followers...?"

I told the class representative about my followers, starting with Reinhardt.

"Someone is always with me."

"Always... even now?"

"Yes, Basten, Malt, Milt, Murt, come out."

"Eee..."

The titanium-colored skeleton that came out of the shadow gave a proper knight's salute, and Malt and the others looked at the class representative, who was hugging me, with envious eyes.

"Cute..."

"Right, right."

"Can I touch them?"

"Yes, it's okay."

"Fluffy..."

The class representative, with a wobbly gait, walked straight to Basten.

"Is it you?"

"Eh? Because, they are so cute, wow, this feels like metal, doesn't it?"

Basten seems confused by the compliment.

"Basten was a squad leader in the knight corps and is a spear expert. I reinforced him by imagining sandblasted titanium."

"Wow, so cute!"

Yes, I can't understand the class representative's standard of cuteness at all, with her sparkling eyes.

"Master, is this female one of your mates?"

"Eee... Not yet, but she is important to me."

"Uuu... Then, are we rivals?"

"Hehe, she is just as important as all of you."

"Woof, then she is one of us."

Malt and the others, who had been a bit wary until then, seemed to accept the class representative, wagging their tails slowly... but the class representative is still focused on Basten.

"Master Kent, this is a bit embarrassing..."

"Yes, sorry Basten, just a little longer."

The class representative is looking at Basten from head to toe, as if to devour him.

"Hey, Kento, why doesn't Basten fall apart?"

"Hmm... Because he's a skeleton? Some kind of magic is at work?"

"Wow... Hey, Kento, is Basten strong?"

"Well, on a different level. I think even all the knights here together couldn't beat him."

"Hmm... Eh?"

Suddenly, the class representative turned and looked at me.

"Hey, Kento, when you rescue us, what do you plan to do with the knights here? Kill them?"

"No, just use a drug to make them sleep."

"Phew... I'm glad. I don't know what I would do if you said you were going to kill everyone."

"If the knights are killed, there will be no one to protect the city."

After explaining about the activation of the Demon Forest and the knights being the only ones to protect the city if monsters cross the river, the class representative nodded vigorously.

"Since I have more followers, I don't need to rely on the rescued people. I plan to rescue everyone here within a week."

"Kento, what about the teachers?"

"Don't worry, I know where they are and plan to rescue them all at once."

"That's great, you're amazing, Kento."

The class representative moved away from Basten and hugged me again gently.

"I'll let you know when the detailed plan and the date are decided."

"Understood, I'll tell everyone to keep hope and be ready to escape at any time."

"But be careful not to be noticed by the Re