"I'll Catch Up Later, So Go On Ahead!" I Said, and Stayed Behind in the Dungeon for Five Years. When I Returned to the Royal Capital, for Some Reason, I Had Become a Great Criminal, So I Decided to Retire. But Outstanding People Keep Gathering Around Me Though... - Episode 9: "The Absolute Guardian" Luster

Episode 9: “The Absolute Guardian” Luster

“Luster. These are people from the bakery we do business with.”

“Mm. I’m Luster. Nice to meet you.”

“Yes. Nice to meet you too!”

“N-nice to meet you…”

I shook hands with Luster. Back then, she still had a youthful look. But now she had grown into a fine adult.

Luster had a skill set specialized in defense and always took the initiative in attracting the monsters’ hate in the dungeon. Her back had looked larger and more dependable than anyone else’s.

Why is she working on a farm now, I wonder. But, the outfit really suited her. It was even giving off a bit of an air of dignity.

“Um. This is some bread we brought as a treat. Please have some.”

“Oh! Thank you as always.”

“Thanks.”

Ordo-san and Luster took the bread and immediately started eating.

“Delicious! As always, top-notch!”

“Delicious… Mm. Delicious.”

Luster munched down the bread all at once. The way she ate looked almost like a rodent.

“Luster-san, are you also a new worker here?”

Lisel asked that, and Ordo-san answered.

“Actually, recently she helped me out when I was in trouble in the forest. Because of that, she’s working with us now.”

“I was in trouble with money and food. So it really helped.”

“Luster apparently used to be an adventurer, and she’s really reliable!”

“Oh. That’s similar to Haru-san.”

“…Similar?”

Luster tilted her head. Ugh… faced with those innocent eyes, I flinched just a little. Luster always had sharp instincts, after all.

“Yes. Haru-san is also a former adventurer.”

“Uh. That’s right.”

“Oh. What a coincidence.”

“Y-yes.”

“Mm.”

“…”

The conversation didn’t go much further… Luster was always calm and composed. And it was impossible to read her emotions from her expression.

What could she be thinking?

“Oh. By the way, Lisel-chan, I had something I wanted to ask you. It’s about wheat transportation.”

“Yes. Got it. Um… Haru-san—”

“As for me, I was thinking, if possible, I’d like to help with some of the work.”

“Oh! In that case, I was just thinking of doing some tilling. Luster, could you teach Haru?”

“Of course. I can do that. Fufun.”

Luster puffed out her chest proudly.

And so, I ended up working together with Luster.

The reason I offered to help was purely because I had become interested in this farm. It’s a vast piece of land. And just imagining that this is where the ingredients for our bread are made gives me a deep feeling.

“Here.”

“A hoe… is it?”

“Yeah. Use this to dig and level the ground. The soil is the foundation, so it’s very important. That’s what Ordo said.”

“I see.”

Once we arrived at the tilling spot, Luster immediately started explaining.

“Just dig. That’s it.”

“Understood.”

She was once called the “Absolute Guardian”. But now she’s just tilling the soil.

Luster inserted the hoe into the earth without waste, then slowly turned it.

Her movements were surprisingly precise and careful.

She never dug the same place twice. It was as if she could sense the structure of the land.

Every time the hoe’s blade entered the soil, the moist black earth softly loosened.

Perhaps this reflected the precision she once had in using her skills when she worked as a tank.

Luster just quietly and accurately tilled the soil.

I, too, silently continued my work.

At the bakery, I usually worked indoors. So doing this kind of outdoor work wasn’t so bad.

“Haru.”

“Yes? What is it?”

“You’ve got good sense. I think you’re doing well.”

“Thank you.”

“My important friend from the past was also a serious person like you.”

Uh… Could she be talking about *Hero Haruto*?

I got curious and decided to ask a little more.

“A friend from the past?”

“Yeah. He stayed behind in the dungeon to protect us and never came back. Everyone says he died and even visits his grave. But, I still believe. That he’ll come back one day. Because Haruto always keeps his promises.”

“I see…”

“Haruto said we should understand how big the world is. That’s why I’m working various jobs while still being an adventurer. It’s surprisingly fun.”

“That’s a good thing.”

“Mm.”

Those were words I once told Luster.

If I revealed my identity now, she might be happy.

But… the fact that I’m now a great sinner hasn’t changed.

I didn’t have the courage to step forward.

I just continued the work.

I’m Haru the baker.

That’s good enough—I told myself that.

“Here. Water.”

“Thank you.”

The two of us silently continued our work and were able to till the soil properly.

We were so focused that time flew by in an instant.

I took the bottle from Luster and gulped down the water.

“Haru, you’re serious and hardworking.”

“Is that so?”

“Yeah. Maybe it’s because you were an adventurer, you seem to have good stamina.”

“Ha ha. I am confident in my stamina, at least.”

“Normally, this much work would tire someone out. But you look as energetic as I do.”

“But Luster-san also has great stamina, doesn’t she?”

“Fufu. Of course I do.”

Luster puffed out her chest proudly.

Yeah. I know.

Luster always had more stamina than anyone.

*Sniff sniff*

Suddenly, Luster brought her face close to my body and sniffed.

“W-what is it…?”

“You smell kind of nostalgic.”

“H-ha ha… is that so?”

“Yeah.”

Luster stared intently at me.

Clearly, it looked like she was suspicious about something…

“Haru-saaaan! Luster-saaaan!”

While we were talking, Lisel came over.

I felt relieved inside.

After that, we decided to head back and exchanged farewells with Luster and Ordo-san.

“Haru. Thanks for today. Here’s a little something for you.”

Ordo-san handed me a paper bag.

It was quite heavy.

Looking inside, I saw it was filled with colorful apples.

“Are you sure? This many?”

“Yeah. You helped out quite a bit!”

“Yeah. Haru did a great job.”

“Thank you very much.”

“Ordo-san’s fruit is very delicious! That’s great, Haru-san!”

“Yeah.”

As Lisel and I turned our backs, Luster called out.

“Haru. See you again.”

“Uh, yes. See you again.”

Luster waved her hand slightly as she said goodbye.

For some reason, it felt like she was smiling just a little.

—

“Haah…”

Back at home, I lay down on the bed.

I stared blankly at the ceiling and reflected on everything that happened.

Meeting everyone again was a surprise. But they all seemed to be doing well. That made me genuinely happy.

I didn’t feel any sign that they had betrayed me.

Then why am I being treated like a great sinner?

Could it be that the problem isn’t with them, but with the kingdom?

I thought I had left the past behind. Yet my thoughts kept circling.

Once again, I couldn’t help but wonder—what is the truth?

But my former companions are doing well, and I’m living a new life.

Maybe I don’t need to know the truth.

However, meeting them again will eventually lead me closer to that truth.

Unaware of that, I drifted off to sleep.