Published: September 9, 2025
Satou here. The only time I’ve ever seen a triumphant parade with my own eyes was when an Olympic athlete from my hometown won a gold medal and returned. That athlete looked somewhat embarrassed but wore a very proud expression.
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“Um, are you two ready soon?”
Lady Lua spoke softly. Hearing her voice, Aarize finally seemed to realize they were being watched by a crowd. I had noticed a little earlier but, since it was such a wonderful scene, I enjoyed the moment until someone stopped us.
“N-no, no, that’s not it!”
Aarize hurriedly pulled me away and started making excuses to Lua and the surrounding Elves. Among the Elves, I enjoyed watching Aarize’s flustered reaction.
“Is it not?”
“N-no, it’s not that, but…”
She responded a bit sadly, then began nervously explaining. While admiring her spinning eyes and stammering sounds, I started reporting to Jia and the others about why the jellyfish had gone berserk and how to deal with it.
“So, the World Tree must have mistaken the jellyfish because of those eggs.”
“We don’t have confirmation, but it’s very likely.”
I explained the cause of this failure: due to the jellyfish larvae hatched from the eggs, the jellyfish shifted from a “sleeping” state to “frenzy,” and when they eradicated the larvae, they entered a state of “rage.”
I also handed Jia the sample jar containing the jellyfish eggs, thinking actual specimens would be necessary for research.
Apparently, the liaison elder took over reporting to the other clans since Aarize was feeling dizzy.
I asked the Elves here to agree that it was the hero Nameless who defeated the jellyfish. In fact, since I participated in the operation as the Nameless silver mask version, it was easily accepted as one of the hero’s eccentricities. It’s convenient, but I’m curious about what Mr. Daisaku was doing in the past.
Sadly, the jellyfish corpses didn’t contain demon cores. Collecting the jellyfish bodies with their cages seemed futile. Since they were “monsters” no more but “strange creatures,” this makes sense. The experience gained from jellyfish is lower than from monsters. Even after slaying 10,000, the experience barely matches that of seven whale meat.
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Back on the surface, we joined the feast prepared by the Elves who stayed behind. Since the Curry Festival Plaza was too small, a pasture section the same size as the main underground street was opened.
I joined the triumphant parade with the Elves, who had changed into formal attire just for the occasion.
At Lua’s request, I changed into a holy armor that looked like a hero’s outfit.
More accurately, this holy armor was equipment left by Mr. Daisaku. Although obviously too large, once I put it on, it naturally transformed to fit perfectly. I want to interrogate the mechanism for an hour, but since Lua didn’t seem to know either, I postponed it.
Above us during the parade, many feather spirits flew joyfully, scattering flower petals.
A temporary stage was set up in the center, and together with Aarize and the others, we ascended and received cheers. Aarize and the four attendants wore miko outfits, like when we first met.
“Children of Boruenan! The extermination of the pests that have long defiled our Mother World Tree has been successfully completed—”
Aarize reported our achievements in a clear voice to the gathered crowd. She seems uncomfortable with such speeches, but perhaps because they are like family, she’s fine.
“—He is the human tribe’s hero Nameless! Let’s give him a round of applause!”
While admiring her profile, my introduction finished. A bit late, I waved to the Elves.
Eventually, Aarize’s speech ended, the stage was handed over to the band, and the feast began. Some danced in the center to music, others rushed to the many food and sweets stalls around the plaza, everyone enjoying themselves in their own way.
I quickly changed back from hero Nameless to the usual Satou. I returned the hero’s outfit to Lua.