#1245 S-Rank Adventurer Momoko’s Final Chapter 

And so, with all that done, Momoko finally reaches completion as an S-rank adventurer. 

Just as she can sense any presence, she can now also erase her own completely, a rare and priceless talent for an adventurer. 

Although, honestly, it sounds a bit more like an assassin’s talent than an adventurer’s. 

“Not entirely wrong,” says Forest. “But rather than simply expanding the concept of ‘killing,’ this ability also reflects the legend from which the skill originated.” 

Which means? 

“The skill’s name, Goddess’ Scythe, is based on the tale of how a fallen mother earth goddess was slain. The story goes that a monster who could turn anyone to stone with a glance was decapitated by a hero wielding a great scythe. And the hero did it while the monster slept, creeping up silently, killing even the sound of his own footsteps.” 

That’s a bit too underhanded and sneaky for someone called a “hero.” 

But that legend gave shape to the skill, pairing the god-slaying blade with the art of erasing one’s presence. 

“If the skill’s creator really was the goddess Athena, that would make even more sense. After all, she wasn’t satisfied with merely degrading the mother earth goddess—who once brought fertility to the land—into a monster. She even sent a hero to finish her off and supplied him with various divine tools to guarantee the kill.” 
“No doubt she wanted to recreate her most glorious legend… though the result was such an impractical skill…” 

The two Lifeless Kings lay into her with zero restraint. 

“Anyway, I’ve nothing more to point out. You can leave now. I’m merely an existence that passes time. Beings like you, brimming with dreams and hopes, are far too stimulating for me.” 

With those words, the blue light glowing in the hollow of the tree fades away, leaving nothing but a dark hole. 

“As you can see, Forest is a Lifeless King fused with plant life. Holding a conversation like this is rare. Plants have no need for consciousness or thought, after all.” 

Sensei supplements: 

“And yet, the thinking ability inherited from the Lifeless King will eventually fade if left dormant. That’s just how life works. All that remains is the primal instinct to grow and spread. Combine the Lifeless King’s omnipotence with a plant’s unending urge to propagate, and you get the worst natural disaster imaginable; one that won’t stop until it covers the entire world.” 

So, to prevent that, the Adventurer’s Guild regularly sends adventurers to stimulate Forest’s mind? 

“Indeed. Thought is reason, and reason is what keeps instinct in check. Someone with the ambition and aggressiveness to climb to the highest rank will certainly be stimulating enough for Forest's mind." 

Even Forest, who usually embodies a kind of effortless “go-with-the-flow” naturalness, takes the initiative to give advice this time. 

That alone shows just how many layers of meaning this expedition must carry. 
As expected of the Adventurer’s Guild, there’s a reason they’ve managed to keep running all these years. 

…Still, this feels a bit like elderly care. 

“Dealing with Lifeless Kings is usually like that,” says Sensei in a way that somehow feels convincing. 

“Allllllll right! Whatever the case, I’ve gained a new power and boosted my base abilities through training! Now! At last! I’m truly the woman most worthy of being an S-rank adventurer!!!” 

Momoko raises her triumphant cry. 

I’ve been tagging along out of curiosity until now, but… yeah.  
I think we can wrap it up here.  
It’s starting to feel a bit drawn-out. 

“Well then, all that’s left is to return to Guild HQ and receive official recognition! Let’s head to the royal capital right away!!!” 
“Dear, Junior and Norito have already fallen asleep.” 

Ah, right.  
We’ve been pretty lively today, so it’s only natural they’d run out of energy. 

Guess we’d better head straight back to the farm. 

“Huh? Wait, you’re not going to drop by Guild HQ?” 

What are you talking about, Momoko?  
Parenting is always a race against time. 

Our kids are in their growing years, so before they wake up from their nap, we need to have dinner and bath ready. 
Therefore, we’ll head home in the shortest, fastest, straightest route possible!!! 

“Wait, then what about me?! You’re just going to leave me here after dragging me along this far?!” 
“You can make it back on your own, right? An S-rank adventurer should have no problem with that.” 

Exactly.  
Think of it as the true final trial to become an S-rank adventurer. 

Come on. Compared to everything you’ve been through so far, this is easy peasy lemon squeezy. 
You know the saying, “You're still an S-rank adventurer until you get home!” 

“That phrase doesn’t make sense here! At least say ‘It’s not over until the quest is complete!!!” 

Oh, Sensei, would you like to join us?  
We’re heading to the same place anyway. 

“In that case, I’ll gladly accept…” 
“Then share some of that kindness with me, tooooo!!! Hey! This is turning into one of those old Nipp*n TV challenge specials!!!” 

And so, we set off. Sakamoto the horse cart, engage! 
Thanks to our haste, we make it home before the kids wake up. 

We feed them a good dinner, give them their bath, and tuck them in for another healthy night’s sleep. 

And then, a few days later… 

*** 

I get a summons from Silver Wolf and hurry to Guild HQ. 
Apparently, today’s the day Momoko finally returns. 

In the meantime, his “persuasion” of Golden Bat...also known as a 24-hour lecture, has paid off, and he has secured his approval. 

Now, with Momoko's arrival, a brand-new S-rank adventurer will officially be born. 
The Guild HQ is already packed with spectators, all eager to witness this historic moment. 
The atmosphere is practically that of a long-distance marathon finish line. 

And there, faint in the distance...a silhouette! 
It’s Momoko! Momoko has finally arrived!!! 

What a moving sight! The crowd goes wild! 
After all those long trials, the end is finally here! 

I almost feel like breaking into a chorus of a triumphant song. 

And then, at last...she reaches the goal! 

“I’ve returned…! Adventurer’s Guild, I have returned!” 

Well done, Momoko! 
Whack! 
Huh? Why’d she hit me? 

“Adventurer Momoko, you’ve done well overcoming so many trials. In fact, you’ve probably suffered the most of any in history on the path to S-rank.” 
“That doesn’t feel like much of a compliment...!” 
“Without question, we can finally grant you the title of S-rank adventurer. I hope you’ll accept it sincerely this time.” 
“I humbly accept…!” 

Maybe she was too exhausted to pull any more stunts, but she accepts it without fuss this time. 

And thus, at long last... 
The new S-rank adventurer, Momoko, is born into this world! 

“Three cheers for S-rank adventurer Momokoooooo!”  
“With this, adventurers grow stronger still!!!” 
“Another glorious page in adventuring historyyyyy!” 

Fueled by the marathon-like excitement, the crowd’s emotions surge to an almost absurd level. 
Let’s just say they’re in “the zone.” 

“Indeed, Momoko’s promotion to S-rank will surely bring further stability and growth to the Guild,” Silver Wolf says, his eyes misty from the atmosphere. “Now that you’re officially S-rank, there’s something I’d like to give you.” 
“A gift?! Is it money?!” 

She’s still a young woman, so her obsession with material goods is strong. 

“A code name. You know S-rank adventurers each have a unique one, right?” 

Like Golden Bat or Silver Wolf, yeah? 

“It’s an important symbol that distinguishes S-rank from the rest. You could call it their brand. By using it, an S-rank adventurer presents themselves as the complete, flawless top tier!!!” 

And now, Momoko will have one too…?! 

If I recall, S-rank code names usually have a color in them.  
Following that… but wait, Momoko’s name already contains something color-related.  
So… 

“...Peach Momoko.” 
“Noooooooooooooooo!!!” 

Momoko’s scream of pure rejection echoes. 
 

“No! Absolutely not! I’ll accept the idea of a code name, but pick something else! Anything elseeeeeeeeee!” 

Peach Momoko’s cry of refusal soars into the royal capital’s skies. 

And thus... 
S-rank adventurer Peach Momoko is born!!! 

========== 

Momoko is jp for peach 

“you're still an s-rank adventurer until you get home” is a parody of the common jp phrase 「帰るまでが遠足です」 (“the trip isn’t over until you’re home”) often told to schoolchildren on trips