Chapter 49 - Declaration of Disbandment (2/2)

“You have my thanks, too, Amy. I wasn’t sure how things would turn out at first, but in the end, you were the best Attacker I could ever ask for.”

“……”

A wave of thoughts jostled Amy’s state of mind. She could quit being a Guild Staff Member and follow Tsutomu, but then, she would not be able to repay Camille’s favor to her. Back when she had gone through a rough phase after her Clan’s disbandment, Camille was the one who had invited her to the Guild and showed her the way forward. Amy owed a great debt of gratitude to her.

The alternative would be to give up on going with Tsutomu. But she did not want to do that, either. Amy believed that the current party would have no problem progressing past the Fire Dragon. With her passion as an Explorer being rekindled in her, she could not possibly resist the possibility.

Seeing Amy keep silent, Tsutomu looked troubled, while Garm sighed quietly. Amy, having found herself stuck between two decisions, looked up as she came to the idea of a way out.

“Tsutomu! You should become a Guild Staff Member, too!”

That was the loophole that she came up with. Guild Staff Members were those who managed the Dungeon’s entrance, and to do that, it was necessary that they possessed strength on a level equal to or greater than the Explorers. Therefore, people like Tsutomu were sure to be highly desirable for the Guild.

Moreover, she knew that Tsutomu could not possibly fail the written exam, and there was no way he would not be accepted after the interview with the Guild Master. There was nothing stopping him from becoming a Guild Staff Member at all.

Amy’s eyes sparkled, thinking she had just come up with the perfect plan. However, Tsutomu did not look one bit more cheerful.

“Sorry, but becoming a Guild Staff Member is… not very desirable.”

“Huh!? You think the test is too hard or somethin’? There’s no need to worry! You’re smart, Tsutomu! And I can help you study, too!”

“The position comes with various restrictions that I don’t want to have, you see. What I want to do is make myself a Clan and explore the Dungeon, after all.”

“Uh…”

Tsutomu had been exploring the Dungeon so that he could return to his old world. He expected that something would happen upon clearing the hundredth layer, but if that were to turn out to be the Secret Dungeon, then it would take up even more time. If he were to take the exam and become an official Guild Staff Member, he would be responsible for his duties while also progressing through the Dungeon, and that was not an option he would want to take.

Amy, seeing that Tsutomu was as non-negotiable as Camille, could not say anything more to convince him. When Amy stopped talking, Tsutomu smiled at her to cheer her up.

“That doesn’t mean I’m going anywhere, though. We can meet up at the Guild as much as we want, can’t we?”

“I know… I know, but…! I want it to be more like… y’know!? Like, you telling me to quit my job and follow you, or somethin’!”

“Now hold your horses… what would you do if I actually said that? Camille would have a problem with that, you know, you suddenly quitting the Guild and all.”

“Ngh…”

“Besides, the job benefits do seem pretty good. I can’t just tell anyone to quit it just like that, you know…”

Having gotten to observe Garm’s lifestyle, it was apparent that Guild Staff Members were treated quite well by their workplace; Tsutomu couldn’t possibly bring himself to tell someone to throw that privilege away to join his clan instead. Moreover, Amy and Garm’s resignations would have dealt a heavy blow to the Guild’s function.

“And now, our party is officially disbanded — That doesn’t mean that we won’t ever get to party up again, though. When another opportunity to do so comes up, please do join me again.”

Tsutomu held out his hand to Amy for a handshake, but she swatted it away.

“…Leave a spot open in your Clan. After I’m done with my work… and repaying the Guild Master for all the help she’s given me, I’ll be right there,” Amy said quickly and bolted out of the conference room, her eyes lit with a spark of motivation.

As Tsutomu was rubbing his stinging hand, Garm nervously approached him and said,

“…Me, too?”

“Yes, of course.”

“Thank goodness.”

Garm’s black tail wagged around; he seemed somewhat relieved to get the answer he had gotten. Then, not even a second later, he folded his arms as if to recover his composure.

“Now, you’ll have to move your things out. Have you found a place to stay yet?”

“Yes. Same place as the last, actually.”

“All right. Let’s get them over there right away.”

“…Thank you very much.”

Tsutomu was grateful for Garm’s natural offering to help. And so they started moving Tsutomu’s belongings to the inn; Garm helped until the very end.

Then, after parting ways with Garm, Tsutomu laid down on the bed in his room.

[So I’m on my own now, huh…]

Tsutomu had spent most of the past two months or so with Garm and Amy. Although he knew that he could just meet them at the Guild, with the party officially disbanded, he could not help but feel a little sad.

Tsutomu guessed, from how the two were behaving, that they might be finding a way to quit their Staff Member positions without causing trouble for the Guild. Both of them had said things implying so — and although Tsutomu felt guilty, he was also happy to hear it.

If that were to happen, then he would have to expand his Clan so that those two would not feel shame in joining him. Thinking that doing so could also serve as a sort of reward to them, Tsutomu promptly sat up.

[Gotta get things moving.]

Tsutomu pushed his hands on his thighs and stood himself up.