Chapter 73

"Compensation? Why do we have to pay such a thing?"

"U-Uh, well... because... we summoned you without permission and caused trouble..."

"Hmph, I already told you, choose either obedience or death. You chose obedience, didn't you?"

"N-No... because, in that situation, we couldn't really refuse..."

Sweat trickled down from the pores on his forehead, sliding down his temple to his chin. He had to somehow string words together to persuade the other party, but his mind was too anxious to think clearly, and the words wouldn't come out.

"Hmph, I already said I would give rewards for achievements. To demand money after abandoning your duties is quite presumptuous."

"N-No... because..."

"Alright, that's enough... This is going to be a tough road..."

Mr. Sato, who called a halt, and Ms. Oda, who played the role of Camilla, both held their heads in their hands.

"S-Sorry..."

"Even without any preparation, this is... quite bad."

"Ugh..."

He visited the temporary quarters of the defense force early in the morning to consult with the teachers. He explained the situation in Reisenburg, the relationship with the Republic of Lanzhelt, and their current situation, as investigated by Fred and Basten. Based on that, they confirmed that the priority in negotiations would be to return to their original world, followed by an apology and compensation.

"Kunifumi..."

"Yes, what is it?"

"About these negotiations, can we leave it to us?"

"To you, the teachers?"

"Yes, me, Ms. Oda, and the other teachers. Since we came to this world, we've been practically useless."

When Mr. Sato looked at her, Ms. Oda nodded in agreement.

"As Mr. Sato said, if we continue like this, we'll remain useless. Of course, we'll keep a close eye on the students' behavior while we're in this town, but honestly, that alone won't maintain our dignity as teachers."

"Ah... I see."

Indeed, during the escape from Lastock, the teachers had only checked the list of students.

"Of course, it's thanks to Kunifumi that we managed to escape to Volzard. I acknowledge your desire to participate in the negotiations. However, looking at the current situation, it will take time to be able to negotiate with that princess."

"Indeed... I agree with what the teacher said."

Honestly, his desire to participate in the negotiations wasn't that high. Moreover, if he imagined himself negotiating, it was clear who was more suited for the task between him and Ms. Oda.

"Kunifumi lacks experience, and we lack information. Which one is easier to supplement... you understand, right?"

"Yes, I think it's better to leave the negotiations to the teachers. However, to negotiate, we need to go back to Lastock, which is dangerous..."

To negotiate in Lastock, they would have to cross the forest of monsters, and it wouldn't be safe to step into enemy territory.

"I'm fully aware of that. Besides, it wouldn't be right for us to sit idly by while Kunifumi risked his life to rescue us. Of course, we can't ensure our safety alone, so we'll have to rely on Kunifumi."

The teachers smiled as they said this.

"How about it, Reinhardt?"

"In this case, it would be better to cooperate."

"Understood, I'll leave the negotiations with Camilla to the teachers, and I'll focus on guarding."

He was honestly quite relieved. If he had participated in the negotiations, it might have been even worse than the practice session.

"By the way, Kunifumi, even if we conduct negotiations, we need to stay in Volzard until they are concluded. Ideally, we should greet the town's leader, but can we contact them?"

"Yes, I can check Mr. Klaus's schedule, but I think he's busy dealing with the aftermath of the incident, so I'm not sure when we can meet."

"I see. However, I was surprised by the number of those monsters. It was like a scene from a movie."

"Indeed, it was quite stressful until we reached the town."

Indeed, as the teachers said, such a large group of goblins was something you'd only see in a special effects scene in Japan, and the sight of them rushing towards us wasn't something you'd want to see. Moreover, unlike in movies or VR games, the air was filled with a nauseating, thick smell of blood, making it even more terrifying.

"Anyway, this isn't Japan, and it's not even Earth. Even in negotiations, our common sense might not apply. What we need is information. Kunifumi, I want more detailed information. Can you gather some materials for me?"

"Understood, I'll compile the information we've gathered about Reisenburg."

"Also, I want to know more about the summoning and return process."

"Yes, but..."

Of course, information about summoning and return is the most important, but it seems to be a secret even within the royal family, and we haven't found detailed information yet. Fred is investigating the Lastock garrison, and Basten is infiltrating the royal castle, but they haven't found anything yet. We've also checked the materials in Camilla's office and private room, but there's nothing about summoning magic, only general information about magic circles.

"I see... Perhaps it has been destroyed..."

"We thought the same, but it's strange that there's no information about the return process, which we were supposed to perform."

"Hmm... I don't want to think about what that might mean..."

If the reason for the lack of information is as we suspect... it feels like a dark shadow has fallen on the path ahead.

"Understood, we'll continue to search for that. I also want to know how much Kunifumi and his followers can contribute."

"Our contributions...?"

"Yes, I mean your abilities. Our greatest strength is undoubtedly Kunifumi and his group, and this directly affects the benefits and drawbacks we can present to Reisenburg."

"So, you're saying we should threaten them by saying that if they make us enemies, it will be bad for them?"

"Depending on the situation. Besides, they have suppressed us with military force. If they attack us again, we need to make them understand the consequences, or they might even invade this town."

"That's true... If they think we don't have any fighting power, it could put Volzard in a difficult position."

"Exactly. In negotiations, we can't just rely on threats, but if we're seen as powerless, we might not be able to negotiate on equal terms."

"Understood, I'll compile that information and send it to you."

However, it would be better to leave the information about Reisenburg to Fred and Basten. As for the abilities of the followers... I'll ask Reinhardt. Yes, instead of doing everything myself, I should ask for help from others. That's what teamwork is, right? Oh, did I get it wrong?

The negotiations were settled, and it was lunchtime, so he went to the cafeteria with the teachers.

"Kunifumi, is the second round starting?"

"Huh... Uh!"

At the end of the path to the cafeteria were the class representative and Manon. Both of them noticed him and waved with a smile, but his face was twitching as he waved back. Why are they together?

"Teacher, can I borrow Kenji for a bit?"

"Sure, we're done with our business."

"Let's go, Kent!"

"Huh? What about eating lunch... Well, we're almost done talking."

Yesterday, his left arm was held by the class representative, and his right arm was held by Manon as they were dragged away. From their expressions, it didn't seem like there would be a bloodbath...

"Why are you two together?"

"What? Is there something wrong with me and Manon being together?"

"No, not really, but I was just wondering..."

"Actually, I'm thinking about learning healing magic from Yuka."

"Really, healing magic... Oh, right, there's healing magic for water attributes too, isn't there?"

I remember there was a bathtub-like thing for water attribute healing magic in the examination room where the class representative was, though it wasn't used.

"Right, Manon, why don't you let Kenji cast healing magic on you? He can use much stronger healing magic than I can."

"Right, Kent, you even healed your own broken bone, didn't you?"

"Uh, yeah... but I don't really understand how it works."

"But when Kenji casts healing magic, you can feel the flow of magic, so try to mimic it. That's how I learned the trick."

"Really? Can I ask you later, Kent?"

"Sure, of course."

From their conversation, it seems they talked about various things while shopping yesterday, and the topic of healing magic came up. Manon thought that if she could use healing magic, she could be more useful. While light attribute magic is more effective for treating injuries and fractures, water attribute healing magic can be used as a base for medicine and to mature Jibula, making it more versatile.

"But if you focus on healing magic, you'll be moving away from dungeon exploration, right? Is that okay?"

"Well... I do have a dream of exploring dungeons like my dad, but since my attribute is different, I can't do the same things."

Manon's father was skilled at using earth attributes to mine minerals in dungeons and made a living from it.

"I could probably explore dungeons, but to find minerals efficiently, I'd need to use earth attribute magic, which I can't."

"Right, but you can move through shadows, so exploring dungeons should be easy for you."

"Yeah, I could probably go in with my hands free."

While having lunch together, he learned that the class representative had been chosen to work as a healer in the defense force's medical room based on her experience during the extreme outbreak. The medical room also treats the townspeople. Manon, on the other hand, would support the rescued classmates in their work and visit the medical room every two days to gain experience like the class representative.

"So, you'll be together every two days?"

"Right, because that way, there's less chance of anyone getting ahead of the other..."

"Huh, getting ahead...?"

"That means no cuddling or kissing in the guild, okay?"

"Ugh..."

"No sneaking into Yuka's room either."

"Ugh... Understood."

The class representative and Manon made a pact not to get ahead of each other. For a while, no hugs or kisses. It's a bit sad, but I'll endure.

They finished lunch while talking about the medical room and the extreme outbreak, and the upcoming negotiations. The classmates nearby were interested in the negotiations and asked many questions, but since they were still in the preparation stage, there wasn't much he could answer.

After lunch, as promised, he cast healing magic on Manon. When he placed his hand on her back to cast the magic, the class representative stopped him.

"Wait, Kenji, not like that. You need to hug her and cast it."

"Eh... Here?"

"Of course, no getting ahead... I need to see it."

But everyone is watching... Well, if it's with the class representative's approval, it's fine. It was a bit awkward, but he hugged Manon and cast the healing magic.

"Ahh..."

Manon let out a small sound and hugged him tightly. Yes, since Manon is healthy, the healing magic flows smoothly through her body. However, the envious gazes of the boys are quite intimidating...

"How was it, Manon? Did you understand?"

"Yes, a little. I could feel it flowing through my body..."

"Right, right, that's it. Try to reproduce that feeling when you use magic."

I don't fully understand it myself, but if it helps, that's fine. After that, the class representative and Manon went to the medical room, and he went to the guild to check on the meeting with Mr. Klaus.

"Hey, Kent, about what we talked about earlier..."

"What did we talk about?"

"About the pact not to get ahead."

"Ah, yes, what about it?"

"Even if we make a pact not to get ahead..."

"There's someone else, right?"

"Uh... Yes."

Right, even if the class representative and Manon make a pact not to get ahead, it doesn't apply to Beatrice.

"So..."

"Manon?"

"When we're together..."

"When I'm with Manon..."

"Yuka? Uh..."

Hehe... Both of them kissed his cheeks. Is this a harem situation?

"Hehe, one more time... Ow!"

"Kent..."

"Don't get too cocky..."

"Okay, sorry..."

They didn't need to pinch his sides together... Ugh. Watching them leave, chatting happily, he felt a bit lonely as he went to the guild to take care of his business. But he couldn't stop smiling.

As he walked to the guild, he saw a line of people entering. Getting closer, he saw that they were younger children.

"Ah! Kent!"

"Huh... Misa?"

The one who ran out of the line was Misa.

"Kent, where are you going?"

"To the guild... Misa, what are you doing?"

"I'm going to the guild too, to see the salamander!"

"Eh, wait... Misa?"

Misa grabbed his hand and tried to pull him back into the line. A woman, probably a teacher, approached.

"Misa, you shouldn't leave the line."

"Teacher, this is Kent. He defeated the salamander."

"Really?"

She didn't believe it at all, which was understandable. A weak-looking kid like him couldn't defeat a salamander.

"Uh... Yes, I did."

Since he actually defeated it, he had to say so, but the children were skeptical.

"Eh... No way, you don't look strong at all."

"Yeah, you're not much different from me."

"Misa, you shouldn't lie."

"It's not a lie, Kent defeated it."

"Lie, lie, definitely a lie!"

"Boo, liar, liar Misa!"

"It's not a lie! Kent is a pervert, clumsy, a crybaby, and a pervert,