My job is to investigate other worlds!　~ A dull ex-salesman, but easily liked by girls of different

Preparations are underway at the river's edge.

A well-sharpened shovel is very versatile, and it works great for civil engineering work. As a weapon, you can poke it, cut it, hit it, and it's strong and easy to put force into. As a tool weapon, it is definitely better than a crowbar.

I have no idea what Ryota is talking about... I'm about to run out of energy.

You're getting better!　When you say it's time to go to the limit, you mean it's time to go live now, right?

'Huh?　Am I making myself understood?　We've been able to talk this through, haven't we?　Is that a Japanese dialect?

Sorry. I was so tired that I couldn't help but blurt out the promise of the Death March.

'Sorry, sorry. Want to take a break?　And thanks to the Mog, we're ahead of schedule.

It's a bad habit I often forget when I focus on my work. Reflection--

We quickly put down our tools and took a break. And the topic of conversation is this strategy.

'Me. I'm not sure I can take down a muscle orc with a mithril shield?

Don't worry. I know I can beat Midea with a three-point shot.

You were great at it in practice. "You'll be fine, Midea. I'll make sure of that.

'But if you fail, Ryota could die!　I'm afraid of succeeding in practice...

'There are certainly no absolutes in anything. But I made this decision because I knew that Midea could do it. I'm the leader, so I'm responsible for the consequences of my orders. Midea's only responsibility is to do what she says she's going to do. That's the rule of the job. I'll take care of the mistakes, so don't be afraid, okay?

Even if you're not in the military, whether you succeed or fail, the responsibility for the outcome rests with the one who directed you. If Midia is held accountable, it is only when she fails to follow instructions.

But failure is scary, isn't it? I'm scared, too, and I know what I'm talking about.

No, I don't!　I'm not afraid of failure!　The fact that Ryota.... might die... scares the hell out of me!

There will be no one to protect me......... I understand now that Midea didn't say those words because she was worried for such a reason, even the quintessential me. But what kind of words can I say to her to make her feel safe?　I don't know.

Anyway, shutting up is the least tasteless thing you can do!

I don't care if it's a lie!

We've got to get the pain out of this kid first!

You're not dying too soon. Midia is more of a worrier than I thought. How could I do something so dangerous without an escape route?　Of course they would abandon the village and flee in a heartbeat if they felt they were in trouble, don't you think?　If I look so good that I'm willing to risk my life, then your eyes are a knothole, okay?

Midia suddenly crouched down and began to cry in earnest.

Where did I go wrong!　You thought I was going to run away and leave Midea, didn't you?　Because I said you weren't a good guy?　Is it because you made fun of the knothole?　I don't know!　I don't know, but we have to do something!

When I say run, I mean all of us!　There's no way I'm abandoning my precious Midea. Besides, we're partners in the exterminator's business now, right?　And I'm sorry to call you a knothole, but everyone is young. You don't have to worry about it while I'm around.

He managed to get his eyes out of my hands, which were blocking his face... but his eyes are red like a real rabbit's. It's hard to think that I made this kid sad and I want to die.

'Ryota won't run away. That's why I knew you were lying to me but the tears you're crying now are different than before, okay?　My precious Midia, I'm so glad you called me your spouse (partner).

Oh my God!　There's a horrible mistranslation occurring at a time like this!　Non-spouse buddy!　

But seriously, if I say it's different, maybe I'll be sadder than I was before... and if I affirm that, I'll be stuck with it. I feel like I could die either way.

But I'm not ready to give up!

'Of course you do. I want you to be happy because I love and care about you and I want you to be happy!　And now, my trusty work partner, right?　I wanted to reassure you that I was scared and I'm sorry I lied to you.

Did I get a last-minute or iridescent answer?　...I have to choose every word carefully. I feel like I'm in a minefield, I'm in a cold sweat.

'You were my business partner ... but!　

Ha!　 I'm not going to win this one by any means. I think it's foul.

I'm in trouble, this is tough. I don't feel like the pinch is gone. But it's still ta!　I'm not out yet!

'Ha, yes. I'm happy too. I want more and more of Midia to be happy (...).

Please!　Notice the subtle difference in wording!

The truth is, I've only talked to Ryota recently when I needed to, and I was under the impression that he was actually an obstacle, a burden, and that he was going to be thrown out. The employee contract is also renewed for three months, so it was always hard for me to think that the time to qualify for the Alp was the time to do it.

Window flowers!　I can't believe you signed up for this shit!　That's just a term contract.... No wonder everyone's nervous about such a contract!

...even if it's a window flower, you can't just take it for free...

'Ryota's words reassured me for now. But I don't want to be just a business partner. I've spent most of my life traveling with my father, so I don't know anything about love. But it's not like a normal love affair. You are going to have to be able to stay with me for a while because you love me.

A fatal wound to a rotten old man's soul. On top of that, I don't have enough level or experience at all. Furthermore, at my age, I have to respond to this and avoid giving a clear answer while also saving myself from pain.

No, it's too much of a stretch.　I never thought I'd be in this situation in my life!