Monster no Goshujin-sama - Volume 13 - Chapter 19

Chapter 19: Contact with the Exploration Team

Our meeting with the exploration team was, at most, to give our greetings, so the people of Aker weren’t participating. The dragons of Draconia were a different matter. They were here as my guards, and Katou had suggested we select mostly men from their group to avoid giving the exploration team a bad impression on our first meeting.

Arriving at the designated room a little early, I chatted with the others while ruminating about the exploration team. Honestly speaking, I had mixed feelings about them. By leaving as the first expeditionary force, they’d lost control of the visitors who’d been left behind. There was no mistaking that they’d been the trigger leading to the Colony’s destruction.

However, I knew that they’d had no ill intent. The exploration team’s members were generally driven by virtuous intentions, and even now, that hadn’t changed. Not having experienced the Colony’s destruction, their values remained the same as from their time in our old world. They followed a respectable moral compass and saved people from the threat of monsters.

Naturally, that wasn’t necessarily the case when they were driven into a corner. The fake savior uproar in the southern Empire and Juumonji’s attack on Fort Tilia proved this. Still, when the exploration team was moving as a single entity, there was no real need to worry about that.

The same had applied when they left on their journey from the Colony. Even though they were outrageously strong, there had been no guarantee the expedition would be safe. For example, they could have encountered a situation where their powers didn’t help. Nevertheless, they’d challenged the Woodlands for the sake of contacting the people of this world. Behind their actions was definitely a desire to save the powerless students who’d been left waiting in the Colony.

The majority of the members who’d participated in the first expeditionary force were optimistic. Even if they hadn’t recognized the danger of their actions, they had made their choice with good intentions. Plus, their choice had a certain logic behind it. If they’d done nothing, there would’ve been no future for the Colony. They’d only have been prolonging the inevitable.

That said, it would’ve been totally unrealistic to take around seven hundred hindrances through a forest packed with dangerous monsters. That was why, out of around three hundred exploration team members, only one hundred elites had gone into unknown lands while the rest, including two of the upper brass, had stayed behind to protect the Colony. That had been the appropriate decision at the time.

Seeing that the Colony had fallen, one could say that their outlook had been too naive. But what should they have done instead? It would be unfair to criticize them when I didn’t have an answer to that.

Such was my belief now, but that was only possible through calm analysis. When the Colony had collapsed, as one of the people who’d gone through a hell I wanted to forget, I was unable to accept it on an emotional level. Because of that, my wariness toward the exploration team always took the fore. It was just as I had told Shiran not too long ago.

Shimazu’s offer for me to join the exploration team required me to set aside these emotions and make a proper decision. I believed my meeting with Nakajima Kojirou today was a good opportunity to figure that out...which was why I was a little bewildered.

“Oh? Are you Majima Takahiro?”

Having finished with their business, the exploration team entered the room. There were four of them. A tall boy stood at the front, facing me with a carefree smile. His features were so handsome that they seemed perfect for television.

“I’m the exploration team’s leader, Nakajima Kojirou. I’m pleased to meet you.”

He spoke with an air of excitement that didn’t seem entirely diplomatic and held out his hand for a handshake.

“I’m Majima Takahiro,” I said, standing up from my seat. “Thank you for everything you’ve done regarding this matter with the margrave.”

“You don’t need to thank me. It did it because I wanted to,” he said, laughing and slapping my shoulder.

I’d heard about him from Iino already. He really did have a sociable personality. He led the strongest martial force in this world and had always been extended every courtesy as a hero on his journey, but he didn’t act self-important in any way whatsoever.

And yet, he had a peculiar presence about him that prevented people from treating him lightly. It wasn’t just a superficial thing like his handsome features or balanced build; something within him oozed out, making his presence more prominent. In all likelihood, this had nothing to do with the tremendous power he’d gained by coming to this world. It was simply his disposition by nature.

In addition, he was top class among all visitors in battle, he had the leadership skills to have gathered everyone in the early days of our arrival in this world, and he was good at making decisive judgments. Such was the exploration team’s leader. It made sense that he led an entire group of cheaters.

It was precisely because of who he was that I found his attitude toward me somewhat baffling. Sitting next to me, Lily seemed to think the same thing, because she whispered in my ear quietly.

“He seems super friendly...or like, really, really happy?”

That was it. The leader of the exploration team was facing me with genuine favor that far exceeded simple courtesy. His attitude was the same toward my servants too.

“And you’re Majima’s servants, right? I heard about all of you from Iino.” After taking a seat, Nakajima looked at the others one by one, addressing them with a carefree smile before turning back to me. “It must’ve been tough until now. I’m sure many in this world look at you with prejudice because you have monsters as friends.”

His words contained consideration and heartfelt sympathy. It was enough to bewilder me a little. Iino had said that Nakajima had shown an interest in us when she rejoined the exploration team. I hadn’t known the extent of his interest, though.

Strangely enough, it was as if he were meeting his favorite artist or athlete or something. He had been treated as a hero in this world, so it felt kind of backward for him to act like this. However, our side was apparently alone in feeling that way. Nakajima leaned forward quite a bit as he continued.

“I’ve always wanted to meet you. I’d love to hear all about your jour—”

“Um, Leader? Please calm down. Majima is shocked,” a cool voice cut in. “I understand you’re glad to meet him, but please control yourself.”

It was a girl who gave off the impression of an intellectual.

“But Moeko...” Nakajima protested.

“You’re the exploration team’s leader. You need to keep your composure,” she said, snappily stopping his objections before turning to me. “Nice to meet you. I’m Kuriyama Moeko.”

She didn’t even smile. Her expression was less than civil, but it wasn’t as if she had any reservations about us. She just greeted us plainly. Her lack of courtesy could be because that was the kind of person she was.

“Aah. So you’re... I’ve heard of you,” I said. “Nice to meet you, Kuriyama. You’re the exploration team leader’s assistant, right?”

“It’s nothing that impressive,” she said.

Despite her own claims, she was clearly talented. In truth, I’d been told that she and Nakajima had pretty much conducted all the negotiations with the exploration team. She seemed difficult to approach, but that was mitigated by Nakajima, which kept the exploration team running smoothly. Regardless, Kuriyama remained humble.

“I just handle the busywork,” she said. “I don’t have a nickname or anything, but everyone here aside from me does. There are several others who’ve yet to arrive, but I believe they’ll be here shortly.”

Currently, seven nicknamed cheaters were in the exploration team:

The Sword of Light Nakajima Kojirou.

The Multiplex Kubota Yousuke.

The Fairy Ring Shimazu Yui.

The Almighty Vessel Okazaki Takuma.

The Skanda Iino Yuna.

The Indomitable Will Ishida Tetsuo.

The Stalwart Snow White Mitarai Aoi.

Furthermore, there were four nicknamed cheaters whose whereabouts were unknown:

The Beast of Darkness Todoroki Miya.

The Absolute Blade Hibiya Kouji.

The Sturm und Drang Yuzukisono Rui.

The Dragon Jinguuji Tomoya.

As a member of the exploration team, Kuriyama was a cheater, but she had no nickname. If I had to say, she was more like me. She could create weapons using shadow magic with her inherent ability, but she wasn’t very capable in a fight. She’d participated in the first expeditionary force because her abilities as an assistant had been highly valued.

Receiving a nickname required possessing combat strength that could influence the fate of the world. Of those who were afforded such a title, Nakajima, Kubota, Shimazu, Iino, and Ishida were in this room. It was a little unexpected that Mitarai hadn’t come, but we were here to greet the members of the exploration team, so she didn’t have to be here. Rather, it was more curious that Okazaki wasn’t here when he was supposed to be, but I’d been told there were issues with his personality and it happened pretty often. The exploration team members didn’t seem to pay that any mind, so I moved on to greeting the remaining two I hadn’t met yet.

“I’m Kubota. Nice to meetcha.”

“Ishida Tetsuo.”

Kubota casually raised his hand, whereas Ishida bowed his head with a curt greeting. They weren’t as friendly as Nakajima, but they didn’t seem to think badly of me or my servants either. Perhaps Shimazu had spoken to them beforehand.

“Anyway, sorry ’bout this,” Kubota said after our greetings were over. “I’m sure our leader acting all giddy is a bit of a shock. Just let it pass.” He chuckled cheerfully. “He’s been dying to meet you for a while now.”

“That badly?” I asked.

Kuriyama had mentioned the same thing earlier. I turned to look at Nakajima, and he returned a charming smile.

“Of course. I’m something of a fan of yours, after all,” he said.

“M-My fan...?”

“Ha ha. There’s no need to be surprised. You’ve just accomplished so much.” His shoulders shook with laughter. Going as far as saying he was my fan was probably a joke, but his favor for me was real. “Just as I said before, having monsters as servants must’ve made it hard to survive in this world. I’m sure you’ve searched for trustworthy allies through all the adversity, created a place for yourself, and continued your journey while warding away all the troubles that have come upon you. And now, you’re the hero of Aker. It really is impressive.”

“That’s all happenstance... I merely protected what was dear to me. It just ended up that way. The real heroes are people like you and the others of the exploration team.” I wasn’t flattering him or anything; that was my true opinion. “I’ve heard the exploration team has been handling monsters all across the country. You go out of your way to save people in need you’ve never met. I’m sure you’ve helped far more people than I have.”

“I won’t deny that,” Nakajima said, nodding, “but I haven’t overcome any adversity. Unlike you, that is. Adversity, crises, trials, and hardships. Every time trouble blocks your path, you have the determination to overcome it. I think highly of you for that.” He smiled as if he was enjoying the conversation and spread out his arms. “I’ll put it simply. I love people like you who give it their all.”

It didn’t seem he was lying. The exploration team’s nicknamed cheaters all smiled wryly as if this was a common occurrence. Still, they all faced their leader with favorable attitudes.

“You’re making it stuffy in here, Leader,” Kubota teased, and everyone laughed. This was likely normal for them.

“Well, sorry,” Nakajima said with an amused smile of his own. He shrugged, then turned to me once more. “Anyway, that’s why I’m on your side, Majima. I hope we can continue to work together even after this issue with the margrave is over.”

“I’m...glad to hear that. It’s really reassuring,” I said, thinking I had to say something.

This was going better than expected. At this rate, it seemed I could maintain a friendly connection to the exploration team. Due to this, the conversation naturally flowed to the next topic.

“Oh yeah, there were talks of Majima joining us, right?” Kubota said. “Shimazu’s been real gung ho in getting things moving. She even went around getting signatures.”

“That I have,” Shimazu said, nodding.

“How’s that going?” Kubota asked.

“Currently, around sixty percent are in agreement. At this rate, I think it’ll soon be seventy or eighty percent.”

“Hmm, not bad at all. You’ve put in some work.”

“It hasn’t only been me... Rather, I’ve accomplished very little. When I left the capital to get Majima, it was only thirty percent.”

“Hmm. I guess some guys changed their minds after seeing a buncha names already. So does that make Majima one of us now?”

“No, that’s still to be determined,” Shimazu said. “It’s up to Majima.”

“That so?” Kubota asked, looking a little surprised. “Why not just join us?”

“Majima has his life in Aker to consider,” Kuriyama interjected.

“Well, it’s not like he has to join us,” Nakajima said, nodding along. “There have been others who have left us as well. I intend to respect everyone’s will.”

“Well, that’s the kinda guy you are,” Kubota said.

“I will, of course, welcome you if you join,” Nakajima added, turning to me again. “So, how about it?” His eyes were full of hope. He was sure to respect my will, but setting that aside, he wanted me to join.

All eyes turned to me, waiting for an answer. I’d met with the exploration team and gotten a feel for how they saw me. I had more than enough information to make a decision.

“I...”

After mulling it over for a few seconds, I started to answer—but right before I could say anything, the door to the room opened with a thud. Everyone turned to look.

“Hang on right there.”

With a stern expression, the Stalwart Snow White Mitarai Aoi returned all our gazes.