A Bottom-Tier Adventurer Devoted to Supporting Their Idol Activities: Every Time, They Offer Rare Materials and Stir Up the Elites - Episode 23: Departure Ceremony

Episode 23: Departure Ceremony

Despite the early morning hour, the royal capital’s central plaza was already ablaze with the fervor of the gathered crowd.

The knights standing in neat formation on the stone pavement had their armor gleaming in the sunlight. They were sparkling like waves of silver.

At the center of the scene stood a man on the stone platform—Leopard, the Captain of the Black Panther Knights. His presence commanded attention.

Clad in jet-black armor that seemed to absorb all light, he gazed down imperiously from the stage.

Behind him waited the mages of the White Orchid Magic Corps. Their pure white robes were fluttering in the wind.

Further back, beyond both the knights and mages, stood the adventurers. From beneath rugged armor and travel-worn gear, their ambitious eyes gleamed.

This was no ordinary march.

This was a proud departure ceremony for an expedition to wipe out a ruthless bandit gang threatening villages near the Kingdom’s borders.

More than a thousand civilians surrounded the plaza. Their eyes were brimming with hope as they watched the stage.

Some prayed, some clenched their fists, others cheered with zeal.

Eventually, Leopard stepped forward slowly.

The voice of the man who commanded the knights bearing the name of the Black Panther rang deep and clear across the plaza.

“We, the Black Panther Knights, carry out the king’s command—to mercilessly crush the bandits infesting our border!”

He drew his sword and raised it high.

Like his armor, the blade was jet black. It exuded a mysterious power that whipped the crowd into a frenzy.

Cries of “Leopard-sama!” rang out from the women in the square. It further fed the rising excitement.

When Leopard’s speech ended, a blond, green-eyed woman stepped forward to address the crowd—Paola, Captain of the White Orchid Magic Corps.

“We, the White Orchid Magic Corps, stand with the Black Panther Knights to destroy the bandits lurking at the border and restore peace to our kingdom!”

This time, deep, booming voices of men shouted, “Paola-sama!” and the roar of the crowd grew even stronger.

Leopard stood beside Paola.

High-pitched cheers from women, and deep, rumbling roars from men mixed together into chaos.

“Depart!!”

With that cry, Leopard and Paola began to move.

The knights and mages boarded the carriages prepared in the plaza. And the adventurers followed behind.

The expeditionary force proceeded down the main street, showered in cheers, and eventually left the royal capital.

#

Once the expeditionary force had left the capital, the broadcast ended.

I packed away the tablet into my backpack and replayed the scene in my mind.

The one who stood out the most was, of course, Leopard, Captain of the Black Panther Knights.

A rare black-haired man in the Kingdom of Linde. He’s a towering figure. He’s clad head-to-toe in black—armor, sword, everything.

They call him the Black Guardian.

Tall, sharp-featured, and handsome, he has a huge fan base.

Given both his strength and popularity, it makes sense that he was appointed leader of the expedition.

The next standout was Paola, Captain of the White Orchid Magic Corps.

A classic beauty with blonde hair and emerald eyes. Her chest isn’t that big.

Still, she’s hugely popular with the people. So of course the camera followed her and Leopard.

But that doesn’t justify NOT SHOWING ELLEL-CHAN!!

She only appeared for a split second in the whole broadcast.

If you blinked three times, you’d miss her.

“You’ve got to be kidding!! Is the cameraman blind or what?! Ellel-chan is clearly the cutest and most captivating of them all!! Pay more attention to Ellel-chan, damn it!!!!”

I exploded in rage inside my room.

Normally I’d get complaints from the neighbors. But today, I was safe.

Why? Because everyone from the Snake’s Nest had gone to watch the departure ceremony.

Some even joined the expedition themselves. They were trying to make a name for themselves.

There were rumors of a hefty bounty for each bandit’s head.

Naturally, I didn’t join.

“Alright then… Time to get ahead of the expedition and find a good spot to wait for them.”

The mission was officially to “subjugate the bandits.” But in truth, the enemies were mercenaries hired by the Empire.

Their weapons and supplies likely came from the Empire. And their supply lines were probably well-established.

Considering the forces under the border margrave had been pushed back, it meant the mercenaries were highly capable.

If we face them head-on, it could drag into a prolonged war.

And if that happens, the knights and adventurers will start getting mentally strained.

And they’ll definitely start ogling the female mages from the White Orchid Magic Corps to relieve their stress.

Which means Ellel-chan is in danger!!

There’s a huge chance that a bunch of perverts with lustful eyes will start closing in on her!!

It’s my duty to bring this expedition to a swift end and ensure Ellel-chan’s safety!!

I slung my usual backpack over my shoulders, strapped a dagger to my waist, and left the Snake’s Nest.

#

The march from the royal capital toward the northern border went smoothly.

Camping in towns and villages along the way, the force advanced right on schedule.

On the fifth day, they camped in the middle of an open grassland for the first time.

As sunset approached, the knights of the Black Panther and the adventurers hurried to pitch tents.

The first tent set up was a large one. It was where the expedition’s top members gathered:

Officers from the Black Panther Knights and White Orchid Magic Corps, plus Lamberto, an A-rank adventurer representing the others.

They sat in a circle on folding chairs. They were discussing the path ahead.

“As planned, the night watch will be handled by the adventurers.”

Leopard gave instructions to Lamberto.

The veteran A-rank adventurer was skilled in diplomacy. He responded in a mild tone, “Leave it to us.”

Leopard nodded with satisfaction—then a mischievous grin crept onto his face.

“By the way, I hear that so-called ‘Demon King Slayer’ is participating in this expedition. What kind of adventurer is he?”

Lamberto’s brow furrowed slightly—“That again?”

“Don’t hold back. I want a clear picture of our forces.”

“Very well. The adventurer known as the Demon King Slayer is named Tomage. He’s a B-rank adventurer. And he specializes in magic swords.”

“Hmm,” 

Leopard said, urging him to continue.

“However, that’s not his main strength. Tomage seems to be an Awakening-Type. He’s defeated several powerful monsters. But in each case, he has no memory of it. In the battle against the Demon King, a separate personality awakened and unleashed his true strength. It allowed him to win.”

Leopard rubbed his chin, groaning.

“Hmm… That kind of wild card is hard to use in group battles. Unless a powerful enemy appears…”

“Exactly. It’s best to consider Tomage as a ‘trump card for emergencies,’” 

Lamberto replied.

Leopard nodded in agreement.

Beside him, for some reason, Paola looked like she was trying not to laugh.

“What’s so funny, Paola?”

Leopard asked with a puzzled expression.

“That Tomage… he’s the one who always sends gifts to our newbie. It’s just kind of funny that a powerful Awakening-Type adventurer is such a dedicated fan of a young mage…”

“Wait, Tomage’s doing oshi activities…?”

“Kids these days, I don’t get them,” 

The veteran Lamberto muttered, tilting his head.

“Well, it’s his personal freedom. Lamberto, you’re a bit too stiff.”

“I hear that a lot these days.”

Lamberto scratched his head and chuckled.

With that, the strategy meeting ended.