#1232 Momoko’s S-Rank Adventurer Visit Hopping: Okutama 

Right now, I, Hero Momoko, am on a warrior pilgrimage. 

Being told to go around meeting active S-Rank adventurers just to become one myself sounds logical at first glance, but the more I think about it, the more it just feels impossibly unreasonable. 

What makes me say that? Well, the next S-Rank adventurer I have to visit lives in the middle of nowhere. 

As in, outside the Human Kingdom. 
Far. Really far. 
Just getting there is its own kind of trial. I mean, it is training to become an S-Rank adventurer, so of course it's going to be intense… but did you really think I’d say that?! 

The next S-Rank adventurer I need to meet apparently lives at a brand-new settlement that’s being developed. 
They say there are a bunch of people living there already clearing trees, leveling the land, doing the usual pioneering stuff. 

And the S-Rank adventurer I’m after is actually leading all that. Taking charge, working on the front lines. 
I guess when you're top-tier, you get assigned to build entire communities, too. That’s… a lot. 

Anyway, I totally feel the hardship now. It took me days just to get here. 

Although, I was able to hop on a train near the end of the journey, which made things a whole lot easier. 

…Wait, a train?! In another world?! 
I was shocked when I found out!  

I was just arriving at the last major town before the settlement, thinking, “All right, one last push to go,” when I started asking around about directions… 

— “Just hop on the train and it’ll take you right there.” 

I straight-up thought, “Are we sure this is the right genre? Is the editor gonna flag this?” But when I saw the real thing, my brain short-circuited. 

It wasn’t the worldbuilding that was flawed. It was the world itself!!! 

It’s Tsu*asa! 
Not the one with the lightning kick, but the one with high-speed trains!!! 

…I never thought I’d run into a 400-series in another world… 
There’s no way this wasn’t the doing of some isekai’d tech nerd who fast-tracked civilization here. 

But once I got on, it was as comfortable as you'd expect. Scenic views, smooth ride, and I even got a station bento box. 
The shumai bento was out of this world. 

And then, finally, I arrived! 
The settlement! 

Whew, talk about rural life beyond expectation. 
You step out of the station and all you can see is trees and grass. It feels like I wandered into the deep woods of Okutama. 

“Okutama’s got more than just trees and grass, you know!!!” 

Eek! What the-?! 

This worn-down-looking guy who’s suddenly yelling at me is… the Saint?! 
What’s he doing here?! 

“Well, I just happened to be checking on the site when I heard someone dissing Okutama, and I couldn’t just ignore it…” 

Why are you so loyal to Okutama? 
Also, wait, you’re connected to this settlement? …I’m starting to get an idea of where that train infrastructure came from. 

“But man, what a weird coincidence running into each other like this. What are you doing here, Momoko?” 

Good question… 
Back when I was desperately trying to find the Saint, I couldn’t for the life of me track him down, and now here he is, out of nowhere. 
It’s like finding a shiny enemy variant after you already beat the boss. Is this the work of the infamous Loot Drop Sensor…? 

Still, the Saint’s probably the most dependable person around right now.  
I couldn’t count on him back then, but maybe this time I can cling to him for help without shame. 

So, I explain the reason I came to this Okutama-like land and what I’m after. 

“Ah… So you’re trying to become an S-Rank adventurer? You’re living the isekai dream, huh?” 

Excuse me, I didn’t get reincarnated here... 
I’m still a normal girl. If I had been reincarnated, I’d at least want to become a villainess noble or something fancy. 

Anyway, you’re not one to talk. You’ve been enjoying this otherworld life in your own way too, haven’t you? 

“I've got a good idea who this S-Rank adventurer you’re looking for is. I’ll take you to him.” 

Really? 
Talk about good luck right after encountering the Saint. 

But are you sure? Don’t you have stuff to do here? 

“I was planning to check in on them anyway, so it’s no trouble at all.” 

Well, in that case, I’ll gladly take you up on the offer. 
I follow behind the Saint, and soon we arrive at a spot where a boy, probably younger than me, is sitting. 

…What is he doing? 

“Uuuugh… No good! It keeps looking so forced! Damn it!!!” 

He’s totally stuck on something. Super frustrated too. 

In front of him is… a potter’s wheel? 
You know, the thing that spins while you shape clay with your hands? 

“Looks like you’ve really gotten hooked on pottery, huh, Corey?” 
“Wha-! Lord Saint?!” 

It looks like he just noticed us. 
He must’ve been really focused. 

“S-Sorry! I didn’t even realize you were here! I can’t believe I let someone get this close without noticing… What kind of S-Rank adventurer am I…?!” 
“Don’t worry about it. People lose track of their surroundings when they’re truly immersed in something.” 

His puppy ears droop as he sulks. 
…Wait. Puppy ears?! 

What the heck?! That’s supposed to be a cute girl-exclusive feature! 

“Ever since he took Aileron's pottery class, Corey’s been totally obsessed. I wonder what it is about ceramics that speaks to his soul…” 
“Pottery is the universe, sir! A person’s entire life experience is reflected in the vessels they make! I’m still a novice, with hardly any life behind me, that’s why I can’t create the deep, meaningful pieces others do! I need more experience!!!” 
“Right…” 

He’s clearly putting his heart into it, even if he’s struggling. 
That whole “passion meets frustration” thing… it’s kind of heart-melting. 
So is this what people mean by kemonomimi shota? 

“Anyway, you’ve got a visitor.” 
“Huh? Who?” 
 “This is Momoko. She came from the Adventurers’ Guild. Apparently, she’s here to challenge you to a duel to become an S-Rank adventurer.” 

That’s not what I said! 
Where are you getting this deathmatch narrative from?! 

“What?!” 

Corey springs to his feet, immediately dropping into a combat stance. 

That flawless movement… he’s definitely an S-Rank adventurer. 
I’ve got no idea where to even begin to attack. 

“You...intend to kill me and steal the S-Rank title for yourself?” 

No, no, no, no, no!!! 
That’s not how this works! 

I’m just doing this country-wide pilgrimage because Silver Wolf and that stupid bat told me to prove my worth to other active S-Ranks. 

Didn’t you get the memo from Silver Wolf or anything?! 

“Nope. I haven’t heard a thing from the Guildmaster recently.” 

THAT DAMN WOLFFFFFFFFFFF!!! 
You’re the guildmaster! Can you please do your job properly for onceeeeee?! 

“If there’s been no official word from Guildmaster Silver Wolf, then your claim is highly suspicious! Are you just trying to cheat your way into S-Rank? The guild cannot allow such recklessness!!!” 

I swear it’s true! 
Even if I can’t prove it, I was handpicked by Silver Wolf to be an S-Rank candidate! 

And then that jerk bat just had to object because I was a “special case,” sonow I’m stuck running all over the country like this! 

In other words, I’m a special candidate!  
I’m aiming to be an S-Rank through the special route, okay?! 

“I never heard of such a thing! If you were serious about becoming an S-Rank, then why didn’t you take the promotion exam that was just held?!” 

Because I had something more important going on at the time! 
I was focused on finding the Saint’s Farm with every fiber of my being! 

“The location of that very exam was the Saint’s Farm! You missed the S-Rank exam looking for the place where it was being held! You’ve just outed yourself!” 

What?! 
Seriously?! 
Why didn’t anyone tell me that?! If I’d known, I would’ve charged in headfirst!!! 

“Momoko, do you know the saying, ‘the longest way round is the shortest way home?’ 

You’re the last person I want to hear that from right now, Saint! 
Even I’m remembering the whole “Blue Bird of Happiness was at home the whole time” thing! 

“In any case, I can’t just ignore someone pretending to be a Guild messenger and treating the S-Rank title like it’s some plaything! As someone entrusted with the rank, I have a duty to protect its integrity, even if I’m still wet behind the ears!!!” 

You’ve got it all wrong, puppy boy! 
I may not have proof, but I am following the Guild’s orders! Can’t you just believe me?! 

But even as I plead, the tension just keeps rising and a full-blown showdown feels inevitable! 

==========

okutama is a little town just west of tokyo known for its scenic views

the tsubasa censor was a reference to both captain tsubasa, a retro series about football, and the shinkansen category

unrelated but just a small personal update, the typhoon has long since left our area. please expect multiple updates to be rolling in again! thank you for being patient