#1077 Creating a Place to Go Home

It’s still me, Brown Kato, the  S-Rank adventurer.

Just as I was about to bolt from the crushing weight of responsibility, someone called out to me...

It was Momoko, a fellow adventurer.

“Ugh, you’re still wearing that sorry look on your face! The baby’s already been born, so how long are you gonna keep sulking?!”

Momoko’s technically my junior. When she first joined the guild, I was her mentor, teaching her the ins and outs of adventuring.

Given that, you’d think she’d treat me with a bit more respect, but nope, she’s always giving me an earful the moment we meet. What’s up with that?

Is it just her personality?

“Besides, there’s nothing respectable about a guy who gets someone pregnant and then runs away from responsibility! Got any complaints?!”

None whatsoever...!

Faced with Momoko’s flawless logic, I could only shut up.

“Seriously, Pink Tonton has already given birth, why are you still running away? You’ve had plenty of time to sort yourself out, haven’t you?”

W-Well, even if you say that...

No matter how much time passed, I just couldn’t muster the courage to face reality!!!

I couldn’t come to terms with the fact that I was going to be a father!

Even the guild master, Silver Wolf, chewed me out and beat me up.

But still, I was too scared to take responsibility.

“See? He’s hopeless like this. Maybe someone like him would jump at the gods’ offer?”

Momoko muses, directing her words elsewhere.

Wait, gods?

As I stand there, utterly confused, a massive figure appears in mid-air...

“Hmm, thy cowardice surpasseth even what I had heard,” the figure says with a sigh.

Who is this guy?!

“This is Lord Hades, the god of the underworld and protector of demons.”

A real, honest-to-goodness god?!

What the—?!

I’ve been in this world for ages, but I’ve never seen a god before!

So they really do exist!

Suddenly stumbling upon one of the world’s secrets is mind-blowing, but what’s even more puzzling is what a god wants with me?!

“Apparently, the gods are feeling guilty about summoning people from other worlds and are running a campaign to send them back as an act of atonement. But we’ve all gotten used to this world, so it’s kind of an unwelcome favor at this point.”

Yeah, that makes sense.

Having spent years here, I know that most people summoned by the Hero Summoning Ritual were folks who didn’t fare well in their original world and came here seeking a fresh start.

Many seized that chance and made something of themselves; not many would want to return now.

“But maybe someone like you, Kato, might be thinking about going back.”

Guh-!

Momoko’s words feel like a dagger to my heart.

I-I mean, sure, I’m dodging responsibility left and right...!

But to flee to another world is a bit much...!

“If thou dost apply forthwith, thou canst return to the time when thou wast summoned, keeping the skills granted as campaign gifts and thy memories intact, to start anew in that world.”

What?! A time-travel package?!

Like a do-over loop?!

And I get to keep my memories and abilities? That means I can use the cheat powers I gained here to dominate back home?!

“We have secured the cooperation of Father Cronus, who possesseth the power of time manipulation. It seemeth he felt responsible as a fellow god for the misdeeds of the celestial deities.”

“Even in the realm of gods, sensible ones get dragged down by the foolishness of idiots...”

This is like, all pros for me, isn’t it?

If I return with newfound knowledge and abilities, I can totally succeed.

That world’s difficulty level is way easier compared to this one.

Enticed by this devilish offer, my heart begins to lean heavily in that direction.

...But then, a certain doubt weighed heavily on me.

“Um... I have one more request.”

“And what might that be?”

Wow, he’s surprisingly easy to talk to.

More approachable than I thought.

“Could you also turn back time in this world?”

And I’d like to undo the fact that Pink Tonton became pregnant with me.

Even if I go back home, it would be too irresponsible to leave behind a child without a father.

I want her to have the chance to find happiness without being tied down by me.

“It would appear he still retaineth some compassion to care for others.”

“It’s still fundamentally rooted in his desire to escape, though.”

They’re really giving it to me...

But I can’t help it!

I know I’m a coward and a spineless wimp!

But even a wimp can care about others!

Especially someone like Pink Tonton, with whom I’ve shared something special...!

She’s truly an incredible woman.

Despite probably having a tough childhood as a therian with animal traits, she’s succeeded as a mercenary and adventurer and even boosted pro wrestling’s popularity.

She’s proactive, energetic—the best woman ever.

Precisely because she’s so amazing, she’d meet someone better and lead a happier life if she weren’t involved with someone like me.

Please, oh god.

Give Pink Tonton a chance to redo her life!!!

“That won’t be necessary.”

Huh?!

I turn around at the sudden voice...!

And there stands Pink Tonton!

Holding our newborn babies?!

“Even if you return to your original world, please let me stay as I am. Please don’t take these children away from me,” she says.

But!!!

If I go back home, I can’t just leave you alone with our two children...!

“I understand. Even though we’ve had children, I can’t force you to stay. If you wish to return, I have no right to stop you.”

But...!

“Even so, I want a keepsake of the time we spent together. When I switched from being a mercenary to an adventurer, you, an S-Rank adventurer, kindly helped me. No one has ever been that kind to me before...”

Pink Tonton is a boar therian.

I’ve heard that prejudice against therians is still strong.

It’s easy to imagine the unjust hardships she must have faced to get here.

“Kato, even though you’re a great person, you never acted arrogant and you didn’t treat me poorly for my background. Working with you was always pleasant and fulfilling.”

Well, back in my world, we were constantly told not to discriminate based on race.

Plus, I know firsthand how awful people who look down on others can be.

Why would I have any reason to dislike Pink Tonton just because she’s half-beast?

“Before I knew it, working with you became so much fun. I thought that if we could not only work but also live together, it would be even more wonderful. But if you wish to return to your original world, I can’t stop you,” says Pink Tonton. “At the very least, could you leave these children with me? With these children, who are proof of our time together, I can continue to live energetically.”

No.

That’s not it.

It’s not that I want to go back; I’m just trying to run away.

I’m trying to throw everything away and escape, terrified by the weight of responsibility.

But that’s not right.

That won’t do.

Before worrying about responsibility, I shouldn’t abandon someone who loves me.

Being with the person I love is more important than anything!!!

“Oho, it appears the matter hath been nicely concluded.”

“Just as planned. By making such a harsh proposal, things ended up settling down. But honestly, it’s troublesome that they can’t express their feelings without going this far...!”

”But thus, he wilt not return to his original world after all? Then verily, my concern hath been entirely in vain, hath it not?”

“You should realize that your meddling was unnecessary, god...”