Welcome to the Special-Grade Guild! ~ The Beloved Elf Poster Girl Soothes Everyone’s Hearts ~
Chapter 129

129. Side Story: Sauradite 3 (Part 3)

Epink, as before, started scattering bubbles. Bubbles that caused small explosions when touched, bubbles that trapped you inside, bubbles with all sorts of traps. Ugh, I want to analyze this ability! I want to incorporate it into my own creations! But that’s not important right now. How is Reki going to fight? He’s stronger than most monsters, but struggles against groups and strong individuals. There’s no way he could win in a normal battle.

“Come on, come on! How are ya gonna beat me, little boy!?”

Reki didn’t even react to Epink’s obvious taunts. Oh, he’s matured, hasn’t he? A while back, he would have been fuming.

“Whatever. I have no intention of fighting you.”

“Haaah!?”

Even I tilted my head at his words. Reki, completely unfazed, suddenly transformed into his beast form. Hmm, that beautiful fur. The way the colors change depending on the angle, like soap bubbles. So mesmerizing. Looking closely, I could see that Epink was also mesmerized. Ha ha, I see what you’re doing, Reki.

『Why are you with Nemo? You don’t actually worship their boss, do you?』

Reki, in beast form, asked this. Epink, who’d been staring blankly, hurriedly shook his head and then frowned.

“Hmph, I was raised… badly! But Nemo, they accepted me, even though I’m a good-for-nothing, a reject. So, I’m in their debt! You gotta repay your debts!”

I see. It’s true that Nemo has a reputation for gathering thugs, but that’s how they earned people’s loyalty, huh? Their sense of duty slightly increased my opinion of them. But the fact that they can’t think for themselves is a problem.

『Hmm, but you’re misunderstanding something, aren’t you?』

“Wh-What do you mean?”

『Repaying your debts and obeying everything they say, those are different. Becoming a convenient pawn, that’s not repayment, it’s just compensation. They’re basically saying, “Obey us, because we saved you,” right?』

Epink was speechless. Maybe he was realizing something.

『Those who save you out of kindness don’t expect repayment. Even if you want to do something in return, you should think for yourself, do something for their sake. It’s not repayment if it’s out of obligation.』

“Even so…! I have no choice but to obey! It’s true that they saved me. I work for them, in exchange for my freedom!!”

I felt like I could hear him screaming internally. “What do you even know? I don’t even know what to do!” He clenched his fists, gritting his teeth. Hmm, I wonder if the other Nemo guild members, those who aren’t fanatics, feel the same way? The fanatics like Razield would be difficult, but those who blindly obey, like Epink, they might be persuaded.

『Then our guild would work too, wouldn’t it?』

“…H-Huh…?”

『You can come to our guild if you find someone you can trust, someone strong. Of course, you’d have to work hard to earn their trust. But it’s better than enduring that pressure from above, don’t you think?』

So, Reki’s strategy was basically poaching. Well, he’s got a troublesome personality, but if we were talking about that, there are barely any decent people in our guild. There was still a chance to save Epink. Reki glanced at me, asking what I thought, and I nodded slightly.

“Respect your friends. Never stop trying to improve yourself. If you can do that, there’s a high chance you’ll be accepted. You’re skilled, after all.”

“W-What are you talkin’ about…!? I, I’m…!”

He was wavering. Proof that he was questioning his current position.

And as if to finish him off, Reki emanated a pale rainbow light. Ah, so soothing! This light heals the heart. Unconditionally, regardless of whether you’re an enemy or ally. It’s less effective against those who are too deeply shrouded in darkness though. But this ability of his, healing people’s hearts, was truly valuable. Haa, I’ll just let him heal some of my daily stress too, while he’s at it.

『Don’t be so negative. You should think, “I can do it.” Is that confidence of yours fake?』

“Wh-What!? It’s not! My ability’s powerful and convenient! The only reason I wasn’t kicked out is because I’m strong!”

The rainbow wolf’s lips curled up slightly. That’s Reki’s counseling. His words might be harsh and blunt, but they resonated. And he’d used his healing light to drive those words home.

『Then there’s no problem. Just think about it. …And you’re tired, aren’t you? Why don’t you get some rest?』

“Wh-What are you talkin’ about…?”

『No one’s going to interrupt your sleep. No one’s going to wake you up suddenly, just to give you orders.』

“…!”

Epink’s eyebrows furrowed. I see, I see, they must have been working him hard. All he needed was some rest. It can’t be helped, I guess Saura-san will give you a little bonus.

“I’ll put up a barrier and set some traps around you. I’ll guarantee you a good night’s sleep.”

“B-But…”

『You don’t have to give me an answer now. You can’t think properly when you’re tired. Just get some rest. I recommend listening to the healer.』

Reki intensified the healing light, enveloping Epink. The offensive bubbles Epink had created also vanished when they touched the light. This light is invincible, in a way.

Unconditional kindness is the ultimate salvation.

Well, in Reki’s case, he usually can’t do this “counseling,” because of his personality.

“It would be perfect if you could do this in human form too.”

I grumbled this as I watched Epink, sleeping soundly, with a truly peaceful look on his face. It’s a shame that he can only use this healing light in beast form!

『It’s not like… I can’t…』

“!? What!? This is the first I’m hearing about it!”

Do it then! All the time! Reki flicked his tail, looking annoyed, and turned his face away. Not cute.

『…What kind of expression should I make…』

I take it back, he’s cute.

So, basically, he’s just not sure what kind of expression to make in human form, so he transforms into his beast form? How stubborn…

“Well then, I guess it’ll be a while before you’re recognized as an adult by the Don.”

『! I-I can do it! Someday… or rather, soon, definitely… !』

“Hmm? Well, I’ll wait! Don’t get your hopes up.”

『I-I mean it! I always keep my word! 』

The best way to motivate Reki is by bringing up the Don! He’s grown a lot since Meg-chan, a subordinate, appeared. I was excited to see how he’d develop from here on out.

“Well then, it seems like we’ll be able to handle this Nemo attack. Thanks to Juma’s idiocy and Reki.”

I had been prepared for a more intense battle, but it seemed like it would end quickly. I’ll have those who are free head over to deal with the monsters. And maybe I’d ask Leo and Tioris to prepare some snacks.

“All that’s left is to protect this city from the monsters, until the Demon King issue is resolved. It’s going to be a battle of endurance!”

『…You’re going to contact everyone, right? Get on.』

“Yay! Really!? Thank you!”

『No touching!』

What a precious experience! I lightly jumped onto Reki’s back, wrapping my hands around his soft, beautiful fur. I suppressed the urge to rub my cheek against it and gave him the signal to go. My heart was being healed, just by riding him. I had to be careful not to relax too much and fall off.

Right, let’s go! Hi-ho! Reki! Ah, you’re going too fast!!