Chapter 21.

Chapter 21. What is Akira's role?

"I have a headache."

"It hurts."

The next day.

There was no sign that they had stayed at the inn, so I went to the 

Adventurer's Guild and found them sleeping at a table in the tavern.

When I shook them to wake them up, they reacted just like that.

"Did you guys' drink until morning?"

 "What do you think? I don't remember." 

"Well, it looks like you drank a lot... Akira's eyes are cold, why?" 

"Why does he look so contemptuous? What did we do?"

Noticing my cold gaze, they trembled.

Do these guys not remember yesterday's terrible joke? When I tried to sleep alone at the inn, I couldn't rest properly because of anticipation and anxiety. I worried about what I would do if these drunks attacked me.

Oh well. I can't do anything about these lecherous fools.

It's the world's fault that these guys are the way they are... No, it's not. Let's face it. I can't change the fact that they're stupid.

Anyway...

"It's fine if you're back to your senses with a hangover, but we should discuss our next steps. Now that Noelle has officially joined, we can take on more difficult quests to increase our adventurer rank, right?"

 "Well, we shouldn't tackle anything too dangerous, but it's better to take on quests that match our abilities." 

"I don't mind doing any quest with Akira, but considering yesterday's quest, I think we need a vanguard."

Noelle said, and Lucia nodded.

"With a strong vanguard, we can handle things more safely. Although there are currently only three of us, we should continue to recruit and aim for a party of four with a solid vanguard."

 "If we want a strong vanguard, we should move up the ranks and recruit while doing quests."

Somehow, they are thinking about it, at least for now.

"If it's the vanguard, I don't have much to do right now, so why don't I just go forward and fight?"

Just as I was about to say that Lucia and Noelle leaned over and cut me off.

"What are you talking about? I can't let a man take the lead!"

 "That's right, it's dangerous, and it wouldn't make Akira look good!" 

"It's too pitiful for a woman to be protected by a man, and the rest of the party will mock us."

 "No, but I... What am I supposed to do?"

 "It's fine for Akira to be protected behind us. Even if Akira doesn't have a specific role, he still has one!"

Noelle pointed her finger at me.

Do they already have a role for me? What is it?

Maybe I just haven't realized it yet. Perhaps I have some hidden power.

That's right! If I've been summoned to another world, it's natural to have some incredible cheat ability!

Lucia and Noelle must have noticed it before I did. A hidden power within me that I don't even know about. Aware of this, my heart races.

"What's my role... What is it?"

Don't be afraid to ask. Lucia and Noelle looked at each other and then spoke confidently.

"I'm motivated when Akira is behind me!" 

"I'll do my best to show Akira my good side and make him fall in love with me!"

"I can fight to protect a weak man!"

 "And when we defeat a powerful demon and he shivers, I can hug Akira to reassure him!"

What's that? Do I have some cheat ability that amplifies their power just by being around?

Am I just motivating these lecherous girls?

Are these girls like elementary school boys who try their best in gym class to impress the girls they like?

I shrug in dismay. After all, it seems I don't have any special abilities. I will continue to be protected by these lecherous girls. As if to encourage me, Lucia tapped me on the shoulder.

"Don't be so depressed. Akira is indeed useful just by being here." 

"Oh, I see. I don't feel that way now..."

At that moment, a loud voice suddenly rang out.

"Emergency broadcast!"

It reverberated not only in the tavern but throughout the town. Perhaps using magic to amplify his voice.

Hearing the word "Emergency," Lucia and Noelle became serious.

We stopped talking and listened.

"There is a forecast for slime rain, so we ask residents to refrain from going out and to stay home for their safety. Adventurers will be issued an urgent quest, so please come to the Adventurer's Guild. This emergency quest does not require any rank. We hope as many people as possible will join us."

The emergency broadcast ended, and silence fell.

What is Slime Rain?

Before I could ask them about it, Lucia and Noelle grinned at me.

"That's good, Akira. Now you can prove that you're useful just by being there."

I have a very bad feeling about this.