An Incompetent Explorer Who Failed to Make His High School Debut but Mastered Being a Human Being

Episode 163: What was protected

"Welcome back."

""Welcome back.""

 When we return to Spa Resort Emotional, there are traces of battles all over the first floor, but luckily, thanks to the efforts of the explorers under exclusive contract, they were able to somehow repel the monsters, led by Sakakibara-san, we are greeted by a large number of employees.

 However, I don't understand their intention.

"Umm, what happened?"

 I ask Sakakibara-san.

"Thank you very much for protecting us ESJ, no, this town, not just last time, but this time as well."

 The words and actions that came from her make my eyes spin. With her at the lead, the people who welcome us deeply bow their heads.

 However, although we are certainly tired, we were just hunting small-fry monsters in an easy-to-hunt place.

 Compared to the people in the Emergency Response Department, I don't remember doing anything that would have been so appreciated.

"No, it was the same as last time, but we only exterminated the small-fry monsters, so please don't be so formal."

"No, no, we can't do that. I have consulted with my superiors, and we have been ordered to show you around with the best hospitality."

 I hurriedly raise my head and try to stop their overly-formal attitude. However, Sakakibara-san has a stubborn attitude.

"No. That kind of response makes my shoulders stiff, and I can't feel at ease, so can I somehow request of you?"

 Feeling troubled, I tell her that such a response will have the opposite effect.

"A, alright. I understand. We still have a long way to go, such as letting our customers take care of us. But we want you to understand that we are truly grateful."

 It seems that my feelings have been conveyed, and the employees hurriedly return to their normal demeanor, but Sakakibara-san holds her hand against her chest and appeals to me with an expression full of desires written on her face.

"Y, yes. Understood."

 I can't do anything but nod while being taken aback by her serious words.

"Most of the employees here are from this town. We held our breath as we watched Satou-sama's fight from the window. Even if the monsters aren't that strong for Satou-sama and the others, they were nothing but a threat to us ordinary people, and if there were that many of them, we would have had a tough fight. However, you were the first to realize the situation, separated the city from the sea, and could have escaped, but you stopped the monsters approaching from the sea. We were watching you from behind. A certain amount of them came to the city, but our contracted explorers managed to do something about it, thanks to the efforts of the people in the Emergency Response Department, the people of the city weren't hurt that badly. And it's all because you guys were holding the sea in check. I'm really thankful to you."

 Sakakibara-san expresses her thanks to us as if to represent the feelings of the employees.

""Thank you very much.""

 When Sakakibara-san bows her head at the end, the employees also bow.

 Starting with Sakakibara-san, everyone has a serious expression on their face, and not a single person is joking around or making fun of us.

 Seeing that, I can tell that they really appreciate us from the bottom of their heart.

 I didn't intend to be thanked, I just did it because I didn't want harm to come to the city, but having someone thank me like this definitely saved my heart.

 They made us realize that it wasn't just the things we failed to protect, but the things we did protect.

"There were things that we were able to protect."

 Nanami mutters as if to represent my feelings.

"Aah, that's right. It's true that there were many lives and things lost, but there are also things that we were able to protect."

"Yeah. You should be more proud of yourself. You fought without running away from that horde of monsters, and defeated them."

 When I mutter in agreement with Nanami's words, Rei put her hand on my shoulder and gives me a gentle smile.

"You're right, Rei. We worked hard too, so can we take it easy and rest a bit?"

"Yes, of course."

 When I smile back, she nods firmly.

"I'm exhausted!!"

"Really!!"

"I apologize, but I don't want to go through that never-ending battle again!!"

"Ufufu. I'm definitely tired."

 Everyone but Rei is slumped in place, and Rei looks at us with a smile.

 I'm not physically tired, but I'm mentally exhausted. It seems as though everyone else is the same.

"Ara ara, you look tired!! Then, why don't you stay here one more night tonight?"

"Oh, that's right. What should we do?"

 Looking at our faces, Sakakibara-san gives me a proposal with a big smile on her face, so I ask everyone for their opinion.

""Agreed!!""

 Everyone shouts in unanimous approval.

"Come on, everyone, our heroes seem to be tired. Let's use all the skills we have to heal and polish them!!"

"Roger!!"

 As soon as it was decided that we would be staying consecutive nights, Sakakibara-san yells at the gathered employees to come over to us.

"Uwaa!?"

"Kya!?"

"Hey!?"

"Wh, what are you doing!?"

"Hmm."

 Surrounded by the employees, all of us are picked up by multiple employees and carried off somewhere.

"Where are you taking me!?"

"Ufufu, is it heaven?"

 When I raise an upset voice, Sakakibara-san laughs bewitchingly.

 I won't go into the details, but after that, we were melted into a mush by the Spa Emotional employees, forced to spit out the fatigue of the day, and completely healed our bodies and minds.

 Thanks to that, we became shiny inside and out like newborn babies.