NOVEL NEXT Chapter 33
He Said That Going Back Home Made Him Homesick
“Nooo! I want to live here too!”
“Stop saying stupid things and get ready to leave!”
A woman standing nearby slapped the young man who was yelling. Or rather, she punched him. Even though she hit him without hesitation, the young man continued yelling as if nothing happened. Meanwhile, the woman who punched him was clutching her arm in pain.
It was no wonder.
He wasn’t someone who could be hit by a woman’s slender arm without consequence. The young man was a wolf beastman. Beastmen have much stronger bodies than humans. Among them, carnivores like wolves, lions, and tigers have especially well-developed muscles and don’t feel pain easily unless it’s a vital spot.
High-level beastmen specialized in defense can deflect arrows with their bodies. To be precise, they catch or deflect them with their muscles, a fact that humans usually react to with, “Huh? Are you kidding?” But unfortunately, it’s true.
So, it was only natural that the woman’s fist hurt more than the wolf beastman’s head. Moreover, the woman was a halfling, a race known for their small stature. Halflings are dexterous and nimble, and even when fully grown, they are only the size of human children. Therefore, her body wasn’t strong enough to withstand hitting the wolf beastman, and she ended up hurting herself instead. …But she couldn’t help hitting him because of her personality.
“…Sorry, Archet.”
“It’s fine, Ali-danna. We just came to report that we’re doing well after a long time…”
Archet muttered distantly as she rubbed her aching fist. Tifaana, who was checking if Archet’s hand was injured and cooling it with a damp cloth to alleviate the pain, looked concerned. Archet’s small halfling hand was red and swollen, looking very painful.
“Um, I made lunch…”
It was at that moment that Yuuri popped in. The young man who had been yelling stopped abruptly. His gaze was fixed on the basket Yuuri was holding. Beastmen have better senses than humans. Additionally, the young man was a wolf beastman. Wolves are part of the canine family, so they have a keen sense of smell. That’s why he stopped.
“Lunch?! Yuuri, is it meat?!”
“Ah, yes. There’s teriyaki meat that Barloi-san said was delicious yesterday. And sandwiches, and cookies for dessert…”
“Meat! Meat!”
“Shut up, you muscle-brained wolf!”
Archet retorted to the excited wolf beastman, Barloi. This time, instead of hitting him with her hand, she took out her favorite hammer from the magic bag on her waist and struck Barloi with it. Although it was a small hammer to match her halfling stature, its surface was coated with metal, making a surprisingly good sound.
However.
“Arch, that hurts.”
“Shut up! It’s your fault I’m so busy hitting you!”
“But Yuuri made the meat from last night! Meat! Meat!”
“Quiet, muscle-brained wolf!”
Archet swung again. Barloi, catching it with his head, muttered irritably that it hurt. He didn’t seem hurt at all. Yuuri watched with a stunned expression, while everyone else ignored it as usual. …The trainees were the only ones gaping. The older and mentor-like members were unfazed.
Barloi and Archet, the lively duo, had been part of the Scarlet Lynx a few years ago. Barloi, a martial artist, and Archet, an item master, trained together and steadily rose in guild ranks with their party. They came to greet their former mentors in the capital city of Drahel after a long time.
They stayed for a night, and that’s when the problem arose, leading to Barloi’s outburst at the beginning.
In short, the muscle-brained wolf was spoiled by Yuuri.
If they stayed for a night, they would naturally have dinner at the hideout. The cooking apprentices, including Yuuri, weren’t troubled by an extra person or two. They were used to it enough. They could manage if notified in advance. So, they prepared the usual Scarlet Lynx meal, and the wolf was hooked instantly.
Of course, Archet also enjoyed the delicious food. They didn’t have such meals when they were there, and there wasn’t even a dedicated cook. She cheerfully remarked how lucky the current members were. Being an adult, she just appreciated the good meal.
But Barloi was different. He was a muscle-brained wolf with various disappointing traits. However, it’s important to note that wolf beastmen are generally thoughtful. They have the qualities to lead a pack and are both smart and strong. …But Barloi was one of the occasional disappointments born among the wolf beastmen, all muscles and no brains.
That’s why his friends forcibly placed him in the Scarlet Lynx, judging that he would die in a dungeon within three days if not drilled with the basics. Their judgment was correct, and thanks to them, Barloi learned the basics, graduated, and is now a respectable adventurer.
“I miscalculated… I knew this fool was a fool… But I never thought he’d be spoiled so easily…!”
“It’s not your fault, Archet. Barloi is just as foolish as ever.”
“…Tifaana, you still have that calm face, but you’re scary when you’re angry, aren’t you?”
“It’s in my nature.”
“I see.”
Archet and Tifaana spoke on equal terms partly because they were close in age. Also, Tifaana was training to become a mentor when Archet and Barloi were members. This fostered a sense of camaraderie between them.
“I can understand how Barloi feels, though.”
“Even you, Kule?”
“Think about it, Archet. Barloi only had a taste. But we eat Yuuri’s cooking every day. Every day!”
“…Oh.”
Kurresh, who was usually a playful joker, spoke seriously, making Archet quietly listen. Tifaana and Ali averted their gazes, understanding what he meant. As mentors, they viewed it somewhat objectively.
“When we leave, we can’t eat it anymore. Maybe when we visit, but not every day!”
“Calm down, Kurre. You’re aiming to be a treasure hunter, right? You’ll travel far, right?”
“Yuuri makes lunchboxes that last long!”
“You’re spoiled too!”
Archet slapped Kurresh’s head with her palm. She didn’t use a weapon out of kindness. Doing so to a human like Kurresh would cause serious injury. While injuries could be healed with recovery potions, only skilled mixers could make those. Particularly skilled pharmacists excel at it. Recovery potions aren’t cheap.
“It’s not just that! Yuuri is great at sewing, cleaning, and laundry!”
“What?”
“He airs out the futons when we’re away, mends torn clothes…! He even helps with cleaning when we’re short on time!”
“He’s not your mom!”
“He can be our mom!!”
“Don’t agree, idiots!”
Archet slapped Kurresh and Lelei’s heads. Being smaller, she had to jump to reach them. Halflings are nimble and can close such gaps with a jump. However, such physical abilities aren’t meant for comedic retorts.
Archet, holding her head in frustration, noticed Ali, who would normally join in, staying silent. Ali gestured with a wave as if to say, “It’s hopeless.”
As for Yuuri, called “mom”.
“I’m a guy, so being a mom is impossible, I think?”
His response was off the mark. Though he essentially acted like their mom, he didn’t care about being treated that way. He just enjoyed doing housework.
“Yuuri, that’s not what I meant.”
“Is it? Oh, Archet, here are the rest of the lunch boxes. There are five members in your party, right?”
“Yeah, five… Did you make them all?”
“Yes.”
Taking the basket of lunchboxes from the smiling Yuuri, Archet asked, confused. Yuuri’s response was nonchalant. Putting them carefully into her magic bag, Archet sighed softly.
“You’re spoiling them too much.”
“I’m just doing what I like.”
“…Well, if you’re okay with it.”
Sighing, Archet looked back. There stood Barloi, insisting on staying, and Ali, telling him to leave.
“I’ll make this my base too!”
“We don’t have room for graduates! Leave!”
“Please, Dad!”
“Who are you calling Dad?!”
Barloi stepped on Ali’s single-status landmine. Ali’s fist, which shouldn’t have connected, landed a critical hit, sending Barloi flying. Yuuri and the trainees were the only ones surprised; everyone else was used to it.
The secret was that Ali used [Magic Eye] to find Barloi’s weak spot and delivered a critical hit. No matter how tough, weak points exist, and [Magic Eye] could find them. Diagnostic skills are cheat-like.
In the end, Barloi persisted with his tantrums until his party members came to take him away. His friends offered condolences for their muscle-brained wolf.