152. I want you to be here




 Inside the Cyclodungeon Society building, the president's office.
 When I had finished my approximate investigation of the sulfa, I visited here to report back.

 Clint, who greeted me, listened to the end of my story and stood up with open arms.

''That's great, Satou. I didn't expect you to come back to investigate so quickly.
I've been fortunate and blessed with good company.
''No, no, it would have been impossible if it wasn't for Satou. From what I've heard, it's an egregious obstacle for adventurers with high level limits and adventurers who are used to attacking with a party.
It's hard to be a person who needs a weapon.
Mmm-hmm.

 You'll level up in the dungeon, but from what Emily, Celeste, and Eve report, it's only up to three rounds before you go level 5. Even if you go into the dungeon with them in the first place, you'll be sent to individual rings and forced to play solo.

 While the drops are low - even if they're F-final, you can still earn money, but it's a very people-oriented dungeon.

'So I really appreciate it. With that information, I can release the dungeon to adventurers tomorrow.

 He didn't say it, but "that's how you get more tax money," which put Clint in a good mood itself.

 He poured a pile of sugar cubes into the tea that his secretary had made, and then stabbed the sugar cubes, cut up like yokan, with a toothpick and threw them into his mouth.
 The amount of sugar is enough to give me diabetes just by looking at it.

'Satou is a lucky boy for Cyclo, isn't he?
Hmm?

 All of a sudden?

''It's been smooth sailing for Cyclo ever since Sato arrived. I've got Selenium, Aulum is practically under my control, and Sarfa will soon be in a position to bring in adventurers. All of this has happened since Sato arrived and what he has done for us.
I just did what they asked me to do, that's all.
'I don't know. Will you accept this year's award for the year?
"Award of the Year?

 I've never heard of this word before.
 I have some idea of what it means from the letters.

That's right. That's right. The local dungeon association is responsible for announcing and awarding the achievements of those who have made a significant contribution during the year.
'Not that kind of thing: ......
I'd appreciate it if you'd take it.

 Clint looked at me with a straight face.
 It was a strange thing that the award giver was asking for it.

'People who are active will be honoured, and the adventurers will be inspired by it. That way--
-and more tax revenue, I see.

 The point is to motivate the workers. I see.

That's why we're so grateful for your help.
I'd appreciate it if you would.
'Thank you! Satow has always helped me out a lot. Yes, the award also comes with a cash prize, in the form of a pension. That's another thing that inspires me.
Okay, I'll take it.
And,

 Is it still there? I'm surprised.

I've decided to buy the house where Sato lives now from the Dungeon Association. We won't charge any rent as long as Sato lives there.
No, it was pretty big and expensive. The curse has been lifted and it's a normal life, so it's not an expensive property anymore.
And,
Still?

 Before I could catch my breath, Clint suggested one thing after another to give me the benefit of the doubt.

     Stars.

 We left the Dungeon Society and met up with Alice, who was waiting at the front of the building.
 She was crouched beside a building, frolicking with four fellow monsters.
 Depending on how you look at it, she might look like a girl playing with dolls on the street, a pretty heartening sight.

'Here you go.'
Did you finish your report?
Yeah, .......
What's up? You look kind of complicated, don't you?
Hmm.

 I crossed my arms and twisted my neck.
 I'm honestly confused, I'm confused.
 I don't understand why Clint is treating me so well now.

 I walked shoulder to shoulder with Alice and told her what happened inside.

'It's because I want Lyota to stay in Cyclo,'
Do you want me to stay?
'Yes! I've been consulting with the chiefs about that sort of thing.

 The village chief. I think it's the village chief of Indor, where Alice is from.
 It's also the village where I went out to rescue the dungeon called Aulum when it was born.

"We gave her a place to live and everything. Was there a woman or something?
I found .......

 Around the end, Clint brought up that kind of thing as well.
 You know, introduce them to nice girls, show them where to find nice girls.
 That sort of thing.
 I said no to that, of course. It's not in my nature.

"You know, I'm going to have to coerce you into doing that, and I want you to stay in town.
Why again?
It's at .......

 Alice stops as she's about to say it.
 For some reason, she stares straight ahead with a smirk on her face.

 A cyclo city, a main street with people coming and going.
 Beyond that, there are boys dressed in unpolished attire.

 They are similar to when Alice came out of the village, in dress and atmosphere.
 They all looked like young people who had just arrived in Tokyo.

This is Ciclo, the farming town. ......
Good luck!
Yeah, let's do it.

 The boys are encouraging each other, and it's a funny sight.
 But that's not all.

I'm going to be like Ryota Sato.
Me too.
Me too, me too.

 Go to ......?
 What did you say? Will you end up like me?

 Turning to the side quizzically, Alice grinned in exactly the same way as before.

'This is one of the reasons,'
Could it be: ......
'Yes! Lyota is a new adventurer's dream. When I'm here, there's just one aspiring adventurer after another.

 I didn't know that was going to happen .......

"'Aim! Lyota!

 The circle of boys was embarrassing for me to watch.

 On top of that, it was doubly embarrassing to see the people around me saying "Go for it" in a normal way.