Volume 2 Chapter 25 Threats of the Not-So-Distant Future
"Alright, let's talk about the future... as Omega."
Sakurako-chan kicked things off, looking all official.
"First, let me say it again—no need to stream the level-up for 'Valkyrie.' Also, still not feeling the whole Omega livestream thing."
"Got it."
"Good. Now, about that place... The dungeon where that 'Talking Monster' you special-ordered keeps showing up—how's that sound?"
"Absolutely, please!"
I beamed. A dungeon filled with talkative monsters? Sign me up!
"Haa... Normally, Seekers avoid that place. But hey, if it works for leveling up 'Valkyrie,' might as well take advantage of it."
"So, which dungeon is it?"
"Okinawa."
"...Okinawa!?"
Oh! A famous tourist destination! Beautiful beaches, warm weather, overpriced souvenirs!
"Yep. The dungeon's in Uruma City, smack in the middle of Okinawa. There's only one dungeon there, called 'Ryukyu Dungeon.'"
"Ryukyu... Dungeon. Ah, but..."
"What?"
"Well... I'm a student. I got classeez."
"Hmm. That's an interesting interpretation of Kansai dialect."
Ouch.
"Anyway, I get it. So, I—no, the Shinjuku Gyoen Guild—will pull some strings to get you an extended leave."
"Oh, the power of bureaucracy!"
"...Something like that. But to keep things looking normal, we're filing it under a 'special training camp for elite high school Seekers.' That way, even if people notice 'Yuki Takeru' doing something weird, no one will question it."
"I see!"
Genius. Sakurako-chan, you are the puppet master of paperwork. This should keep suspicions at bay while I team up with Rie-tan and Sagawa as the 'Hero Brigade.'
No way anyone's connecting 'Yuki Takeru' to 'Omega' now!
"So, you leave next week."
"Got it."
—
Later that day...
"But man, Okinawa, huh? Never been."
"Hey, hey, this isn't a vacation."
"I know that."
"Sounds awesome! I wanna go too!"
Kisaragi-san made the classic 'pleading hands' gesture at Sakurako-chan.
Yeah, no.
"What are you talking about?! You're staying here to monitor 'Sagawa (Sample-kun)!'"
"Oh, right! (Tehepero!)"
...Namu.
"Next week, I'll give you the travel tickets and all the gear you need the day before. Be here on time."
"Understood!"
"You'll meet up with the 'Valkyries' on-site. A navigator will be waiting. Follow their instructions."
"Got it!"
"And if I even catch you playing tourist, I will personally administer... punishment."
"Y-yes, ma'am..."
Gulp. Terrifying.
And with that, the meeting wrapped up.
* * *
"Wow, can't believe I'm actually sitting here with Takeru-kun."
"What's with the nostalgia all of a sudden?"
Back at the guild master's room, it was just Sakurako and Kisaragi. Takeru had already left, and the two of them sipped coffee in peace.
"It just feels like things moved so fast, you know? One minute he's a secret, next minute—boom!—he's out in the open."
"Are you getting sentimental?"
"Something like that."
They clinked their cups and took a sip.
"By the way, Sakurako. Still no leads on Empress Mare?"
"None. Ever since she popped up in the Ikebukuro dungeon, I've had my spies tracking her, but nothing. Not even a whisper."
"Not even your spies? That's concerning."
"It's not her, though. It's that cooperator of hers."
"Cooperator?"
"That person in white robes."
"! Oh, right. The one who used that super-rare magic—'Advanced Darkness Attribute Magic: Hiding'—to help her escape, right?"
"Exactly. My guess? That person is handling all the sneaky, behind-the-scenes stuff while Empress Mare just punches things."
"...That tracks."
"You were close with her too, huh? Just like Takeru?"
"Yeah. I never met Takeru in that other world, but Empress Mare was kind of like our... mutual friend."
"Wow. That's an oddly deep connection."
"And there's one more person."
"...Demon Lord Vega?"
Sakurako nodded.
"Takeru told me Demon Lord Vega suddenly started a war against humanity. Full-on invasion. But by then, I was already gone from that world, so I don't know the details. Everything I know is secondhand. But the thing is... that's not something Vega would do. It just doesn't make sense!"
Her voice was tense, frustrated. A hint of tears welled in her eyes.
"...Sakurako."
Kisaragi watched her carefully.
"...Ah! Nope! Not the time to dwell on that!" She shook her head. "More importantly, a 'Talking Monster' appeared in Shinjuku Gyoen dungeon today. A rare one. And get this—'Monster Baron' himself was sent to track down Takeru... and he found him."
"That means Empress Mare is about to make her move."
"Exactly."
"So before that happens, Takeru needs to level up his 'Valkyrie' and we need to mass-produce the 'Trans Potion' he brought over from the other world. That's top priority!"
"Got it."
"I'm betting Empress Mare is going to launch an all-out attack using the 'Talking Monsters.' We need to be ready. Which means mass-producing that potion ASAP... Kisaragi, I'm counting on you!"
"Aye aye, captain!"
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