Chapter 195

“Don’t worry. Soon as I learn how to tie it, I’ll be doing it myself. Don’t need you doing this forever!” “Hmph. Ma-kun, Mommy’s cross again!” “That’s not something to get mad about! You should want me to grow up!” “So mad!” A mother’s heart is full of mysteries. The party finished breakfast and headed to the Adventurers Guild. Masato took the lead. There was no telling when that receptionist might be watching. The passersby were all potential clients. He had to keep it together, and his gait was as beautiful as it was swift. The rest of his party was struggling to process this. “My arms are killing me…,” Wise grumbled. “But anyway, something’s up with Masato. Porta, appraise him.” “Okay! …Hnggg…it’s definitely the real Masato! He’s always cool, but today he’s extra cool! He seems so grown-up!” “Porta, try appraising him more closely. There’s clearly something wrong with him. Masato is never this put together.” Medhi’s comment was especially rude. But Masato just laughed it off. “It’s all part of growing up!” he said. “I can’t be a kid forever. You guys should follow my example!” “Ugh, I hate it. You’re Masato! You’re supposed to be incompetent! …Mamako, please say something. This isn’t the son you know!” Wise slapped Masato’s back emphatically. Mamako was trailing along at the back of the party, a deep frown on her face. “Mamako? What’s wrong?” “……Hmm? Oh, Wise? What is it?” “That’s what I’m asking. Something on your mind?” “Perhaps Mamako is merely worried about Masato. Does he seem off to you, as well?” “Mama! Is Masato sick?” “Well…” She gave her son’s back a long look, hesitating…then ran to catch up to him. “Ma-kun is always Ma-kun. Mommy’s adorable son. Nothing will change that. Right, Ma-kun?” “Whoa!” She’d put her arms around him tight. Her large chest squeezed up against him, but Masato was used to that now. It didn’t bother him. “Telling you to stop doing that gets me nowhere, so I won’t—but at least try and keep it to a minimum, okay?” “Oh, I will. The minimum necessary hugging.” Squeeze. “That wasn’t a request to press against me harder! Also, once we reach the guild, I want us to be all serious business, so try and cooperate.” “Okay, I promise. So until we get there…” Mamako immediately started walking very slowly, and he had to drag her along. The girls stayed behind him, still scowling. But his mind was made up. “C’mon! Let’s defeat that receptionist!” “Ma-kun, we can’t defeat her. We need to make friends.” The party reached the guild. Inside, they found Demon Lord Hayato by the quest board. Despite Mamako’s powerful scolding the day before, he looked happy to see her. A very durable Demon Lord. “Hero and party, good morning. I trust everyone slept well?” “We certainly did. I’m relieved to see you alive and unharmed.” “I appreciate your concern. Let us continue the trial—but first…” Hayato eyed Masato and his necktie curiously. Masato looked mildly sheepish. “Did you have a change of heart?” Hayato asked. “Yeah, I guess. Figured I should try and do this right. Laugh if you wanna.” “There’s nothing to laugh at. I’m impressed—it really feels like you’re trying to do your part for society. I’m proud of you, son. But the color of that tie isn’t exactly to my taste…” “Just so you know, Mom picked it out for me.” “W-well, it’s very nice! Beautiful, even! Ha-ha-ha!” Mamako just smiled back at him. A lovely smile. Definitely a smile. “S-so allow me to present you with a trial.” Hayato took a posting from the board and handed it to Masato. It read: INTRODUCE PEOPLE TO THE LOVELY ITEMS OUR COMPANY IS DISTRIBUTING! Basically a door-to-door sales job, lugging these “lovely” items from house to house. As Masato read it over, Medhi leaned in for a look. “That’s definitely not a job for a combat-class adventurer. Your father is winding you up. He’s saying if you can’t even handle a task like this, you aren’t worthy of anything greater.” “Ah-ha. Dick move.” “No, no, not at all. I was suggesting we handle this quest together.” “Together? You mean, just the two of us?” “That’s right. The Demon Lord quest is entering the middle act. You and I will face off directly on the job.” “Heavens! The Hero vs the Demon Lord! On a sales run?!” Medhi gave a dramatic shout then stifled a laugh. “That’s more like the Masato I know. What a relief.” “You think this is sad, huh? You would. But work is work. I’m gonna take my dad on with pride.” “I’ve never worked in sales, either, so it’s uncharted territory for both of us. Will you accept this quest, Masato? If you can.” “I got this. I’ll conquer the reception desk and earn the right to challenge the Demon Lord!” Hayato slapped him on the back, and Masato headed into battle. The receptionist was leaning back like an empress on her throne, radiating an aura of authority. “My, my, the boy from yesterday—Masato, was it? Have you learned nothing? Attempting another job you are wholly unqualified for? Ah, youth. Tee-hee-hee.” “I’m not the boy I was yesterday. Today I’m here to win.” “We’ll see about that. It’s up to me whether you’ve earned the right to challenge the Demon Lord! …Ultimate Art: Receptionist Search! Hngg!” The receptionist looked Masato over: hair combed neater than the day before, expression resolute, and…a well-knotted tie. She seemed nonplussed. “Y-you’re actually… No, that can’t be right. You’re at the age where you think leaving the top button of your dress shirt undone is cool! But not only is it buttoned, you’re wearing a flawlessly coordinated tie! Madness!” “That’s how I roll. Make your call! This round belongs to meeeeee!” “No—noooooo!!” Masato waved an arm dramatically, slamming the posting down on the counter! The receptionist took one look at it—and buried her head in her desk. “Hmph…you win.” “Awesome! I won! Victory is mine!” “Well done, Masato!” “You did it, Ma-kun! Mommy knew you could!” Hayato and Mamako both rushed in and gave Masato a double-sided hug. Congratulations! Congratulations! Thank you! Words of praise and gratitude echoed all around! Also. “Uh, Masato only won thanks to Mamako’s taste in ties. Maybe I shouldn’t point that out, though.” “And this posting is just as pathetic as the job we did yesterday. This was hardly even a challenge to begin with.” “Um…the receptionist lady did a great job playing along! I’m glad!” The girls in the peanut gallery offered their own commentary. Only Masato and Hayato would be taking this quest. Which meant… “Welcome! How many?” “Four. I think a patio table would be lovely.” “Right over here. I’ll just fetch your menus.” Mamako and the girls were at a café. Relaxing at a table by the side of the road. They were in Meema, the site of the World Matriarchal Arts Tournament. There was no active tournament, so they were just here to enjoy drinks and people-watch. “Are you girls ready? I think I’ll just have tea.” “I want a parfait! It looks so good!” “I’ll have the tea and cake set.” “I’m gonna have this pancake set. The tea’s gonna go perfect with this show across the street.” All eyes turned to the other side of the street, where… A middle-aged Traveling Merchant with a large bag on his shoulder was standing with Masato and Hayato, each of whom was carrying another large bag in both hands. They were on the job. “I’ll go first and show you how it’s done. Watch and learn.” ““Yes, boss! Take it away!”” “Okay, then…” The Merchant went up the front steps to one house and knocked on the door. “Hello! Pardon the intrusion. I’m here to introduce you to a few lovely ite—” “We’ve got plenty. Go away.” The owner of the house barely cracked the door open and immediately shot him down before slamming the door in his face. Harsh treatment, but the Merchant didn’t bat an eye. “That’s how we do it! A thick skin is key here. Now go split up all the houses on this street between the two of you.” ““Yes, boss!”” The Merchant headed to another district. New salesman Hero Masato and new salesman Demon Lord Hayato were off! “It’s on, Dad! I’m gonna show you what this hero’s got!” “Prepare to bow before the might of the Demon Lord, son!” “Which of us will sell the most?” “Fight!” Masato took the houses on the right, Hayato the houses on the left. Both were off to a running start. “I’m gonna win this! I have to!” Masato ran up to the first door and knocked. “Yes?” A nice old lady! Promising. Masato put on his best smile… But the old lady struck first! “Oh, no, thanks. Pardon me.” “Huh? No, wait—!” She’d taken one look at the bag in his hands, knew he was a door-to-door salesman, and shut that door tight. His pitch failed. “Argh, fine… Next!” Recovering, he knocked on the door to the right. He heard someone running up, and the door opened—and was closed again instantly. All he heard was a voice behind it saying, “Go away!” Encounter failed. “They’re rejecting me way too fast… Even metal slimes let you see ’em before they flee…” This did not seem an impasse he could break through. He was already on the verge of tears. How was the Demon Lord doing? He turned to check… “Get the hell outta my face!” “Bwuh?!” The old man at the door had flung a bucket of water at him. The drenched Demon Lord looked over at Masato. Both of them had tears in their eyes. This job is worse than I imagined! father and son thought alike. Meanwhile, problems at the café. “Mama! Calm yourself! You can’t go over there!” “Please, don’t stop me! I must be with Ma-kun! He’s trying so hard! How can I just watch?! Mommy will buy all the products he’s carrying!” “Not allowed! Get a grip! …Argh, Medhi! Do something!” “Don’t put this on me! I can’t exactly beat Mamako down, can I?” “Fair. Then we’ll have to restrain her with brute force!” The relaxed teatime people-watching had somehow transformed into a desperate scramble to keep Mamako from vaulting over the patio railing, wallet in hand. Since Meema citizens had proven hostile, the Merchant led Masato and his father to the seaside town of Thermo. As the tower dungeon loomed above, they began their rounds. “We didn’t sell a thing in Meema, so…I at least want one sale here!” “New contest, Masato: Let’s see who makes a sale first!” “Yeah! And the contest ends the moment one of us manages it!” “Naturally!” Having lowered their hurdle significantly, their motivation was boosted accordingly. Meanwhile, on the beach… Someone else was getting really motivated—Mamako, in a swimsuit. “Wise, Medhi, Porta… Would you mind letting me through?” Her expression grim, Mamako took a step forward across the hot sand. Her boobs rocked, doing their best to escape her suit. But the girls, also in swimsuits, couldn’t let her go. They desperately tried to block her path. “No, we can’t!” Wise shouted. “Not one step farther!” “Mamako, snap out of it! Please!” Medhi begged. “We’re just here to play on the beach!” said Porta. “We’re not here to buy anything!” “I only need a moment. I won’t be long! I’ll just buy one… Ma-kun, I’m coming! Hee-hee-hee…” “She leaves us no choice!” Medhi yelled. “Bury Mamako in the sand! Everyone—charge!” ““Hahh!”” Between the three of them, they managed to get Mamako onto the ground and started heaping sand on her. “Eep! Her boobs are deflecting all the sand!” “How bouncy can one pair be?! So jealous!” Was it even possible to keep Mamako down?! Oblivious to the girls’ struggles, Masato and Hayato set to work. “I’ll take the houses over here!” “Then I’ll take this side. Forward!” Both knocked at the same time! Masato’s side opened first. A middle-aged woman! Oh, I know her… Definitely one of the moms from Mom’s Guild. She’d helped with the tower conquest. But all her memories of Masato were sealed away. She was looking at him like a total stranger. “Who might you be?” “Nice to meet you! Sorry to just drop in. I’ve got some new items to show you!” “Oh, you do? A door-to-door sales pitch, hmm? Not really my thing…” She’d mustered a vague smile and started to close the door. Another bust…? No! Masato had spotted a change. This was a mother! Masato had adventured with his own mother long enough to know how these creatures operated. “One moment, please! I’ve got some slightly unusual accessories to show you!” “Accessories? Oh my, that is tempting. I suppose I could take a look, at least. Just a peep, mind you.” “Okay!” Brooches, earrings, necklaces, handbags—anything categorized as an “accessory” would always get their attention. That was a mother’s nature! Possibly all women. Masato quickly got his bag open and pulled out the merchandise and explanatory notes. He was selling little crystal balls. “Er…what are those?” “Accessories for your room! Take a closer look, ma’am. These glow just by holding them up! Amazing, right? Like magic! Your children will be delighted. For the foyer, the bedroom, or one of each!” He was hoping to make a sale, but then— “Yo, got a sec?” “Huh…?” Someone behind Masato called out to him. He turned around to find a mohawk-sporting roustabout scowling ferociously. Pocchi. Memories sealed—didn’t remember Masato at all. “H-hello! Can I help you?” “Don’t gimme that salesman crap. C’mere.” He grabbed Masato by the scruff of his neck and dragged him away. The street was now filled with rough-looking men—and another one was manhandling the Demon Lord, who looked just as crestfallen as his son. They soon found themselves kneeling on the ground, surrounded by burly young roustabouts. “Lemme make the introductions. We’re a bunch of nice guys hoping to become daycare workers. We protect this here town and all the children in it.” “I have no idea what daycare has to do with this…” “Dad, just hear him out. It’s a hundred percent true. Shocking, I know.” “So there we were, on patrol, and we find you punks. Selling crystals. Bullshit artists!” “What is your issue with our approach?” Hayato inquired. “Not long ago there was a big mess here. A creepy salesman sold everyone crystals that turned out to be bombs!” “That was you, though, Pocchi.” “Wha—?! Don’t bullshit a bullshitter, man! I’d never do that!” He’d yelled his way out of this one. “So we’re gonna take you two over to the guard station! On your feet!” “Don’t treat us like criminals… We’re innocent, I swearrrr…” Work was interrupted for an interrogation. The perils of the modern workplace. In a fragrant room with mood lighting, Mamako let out a rapturous breath. “Mm…no, not there…ahh…” She was sprawled on a bed without a stitch on her as six hands assailed her body. The instant they touched her sensitive spots, her back arched and her ample bosom, covered in sticky fluid, heaved. No matter how she protested, the hands wouldn’t stop. “You like it here? Heh-heh-heh. Then… Hyah!” “Eep!” “How about here?” “Aah!” “Mama! How’s this?” “Nooo…!” Wise, Medhi, and Porta’s hands were all slick with oil, assaulting Mamako.