v-rustl

#1247 Profit-Seeker 

My name is Highlands. 

Since the days of the old royal dynasty, I’ve served as a feudal lord in the Human Kingdom. 

A lot has happened over the years... 
During the reign of the royal family, I grudgingly obeyed their endless calls to arms, convincing myself it was all for the sake of defending the land and its people. So, I fought the demons half-heartedly. 

At the same time, I did the usual work of a feudal lord: clearing land, managing waterways, ...

#1246 Otherworldly Railway Extension Project 

While we’re busy hanging out with Momoko, it seems the world outside has been making moves of its own. 

Apparently, there’s been some talk about wanting to extend the railway... 
Huh? What’s this about? 

“The railway that Lord Saint has created is a truly magnificent tool!!!” 

That’s the Demon King speaking. 
He’s dropped by the farm again today... what’s this? 
A business meeting? Or maybe politics? 

“I’m...

#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 t...

#1244 The Finishing Touch to the Blow 

And so, Momoko ends up spending her days training in the Forest of the Lost. 

“Hon-dabaaahhh! Shateraaaahhhh!!!” 

The training is brutal enough to be called the final exam for an S-rank adventurer. 
Tree branches sharpened like swords, leaves flying like shuriken, and roots bursting from the ground to attack like hidden traps. 

Momoko dodges them all by a hair’s breadth, leaping and spinning. 
It’s been going on for quite a while now, b...

#1243 The 22nd Surname 

Forest the Lifeless King. 

…Which makes me picture him as either related to Mori Ranmaru or Mori Yoshiro. 

But nope, that’s not it. 
Turns out, the Forest of Lost Paths itself is the Lifeless King! 

I can almost hear it saying, “I never thought I’d start growing mushrooms just from staying still for thirty years.” 

…So then, even this extremely rare jungle-type dungeon type is…? 

“It is only possible ...

#1242 A Living Dungeon 

"What a terrifying dungeon! You can’t even get inside!" 

Seriously. 
Who would’ve thought there’d be a dungeon that basically says ‘Turn around and go home’ right at the entrance? 

What do we do here? 
There’s no way this is everything, right? 

How are we supposed to move forward? 
Do we need some kind of item? 
Don’t tell me it’s one of those systems where you can’t enter until you’ve progressed far enough i...

#1241 The Forest of Lost Paths 

Thus... 
We finally reach our destination, the real Forest of Lost Paths. 

“We’re finally here…!” 
“That was seriously rough…!” 

As expected, we end up at two similarly named places before getting here. 
We wasted a ton of time and energy in the process. 

 
This forest confuses you before you even get inside…  
The name Forest of Lost Paths isn’t just for show, huh? 

“Made it, made ittt.”...

#1240 The Forest of Confusion 

We have arrived at the Forest of Lost Paths. 

When you say the Forest of Lost Paths, it has that classic ring to it—so familiar, so generic. Like the kind of dungeon name you see in every RPG at least once. 

And yet, here it is, unfolding right in front of us in all its glory. 

"Fo, fo, forest of lost pathsss.” 
“Come at us, Riiin.” 

My kids are clearly hyped. The dungeon energy is getting to them. 

“Hey… seriously, ar...

#1239 Family Ride 

It’s me. 
Yay, we’re going out today! 

When you’ve got a family, you’ve gotta do at least one proper trip a year, right? 
Someplace far enough that you’ve got to stay overnight. 

Junior and Norito are older now, so they’ll be able to understand and remember the sightseeing spots’ significance, history, and their impressions of them. 
I'm sure even Shotaro will have some kind of lasting memory from this... 

Today’s the da...

#1238 A Lonesome Dragon’s Ramen Discovery 

Changing the subject. 
It’s me. 

The ultimate! The strongest! The terrifying existence before whom all in this world must bow, Grinzel Dragon Veil! 
No one can ignore me!!! 

Well, except I’d prefer to be ignored today. 
I’m here disguised in human form, after all. 

Today, I’ve come to the royal capital.  
I dropped off Master and their entourage. Honestly, I could’ve just headed home, because what business would I have...

#1237 The Journey Goes on Forever 

Come to think of it, how did Silver Wolf and Kato even manage to land hits on Golden Bat? 

“There’s a lot to it, but the biggest factor is prediction. You anticipate his movements and place your attacks where he’s going to be.” 

…And there it is. Something insanely high-level again! 

“Of course, Golden Bat isn’t going to make it easy for you to predict him. So, first you throw out two, three feints to guide his movements, narrowing his options. E...

#1236 Momoko’s S-Rank Adventurer Visit Hopping: The Finale 

“Nuooooohhh! Hero’s Secret Technique, Ginko Strip Slash!” 
“Whoop.” 
“Hero’s Hundred Rending Strikes!” 
“Hyop.” 
“Hero’s Meteor Blade! Hero’s Tornado Cyclone Slash! Hero’s Megaton-Baribari-Vulcan Sword!” 
“Hahaha, come on now, is that all you’ve got?” 

Momoko’s relentless flurry of attacks doesn’t even graze Golden Bat. 

It’s like he’s predicting her every move in advance—smooth, minima...

#1235 Momoko’s S-Rank Adventurer Visit Hopping: Aloof 

“Miss Momoko! Thank you so much! With you here, I can rest easy about everything at headquarters!” 
“No problem! I’ll handle every single S-rank adventurer task perfectly, so Murshela, you just focus on chasing your feelings here! I read somewhere that a woman in love is at her most beautiful!!!” 

Momoko throws her full support behind Murshela’s love life. 
The two click instantly, becoming fast friends with a deep mutual understanding. 

So…...

#1234 Momoko’s S-Rank Adventurer Visit Hopping: Youth 

It's me. 
The Saint. 
On a clear winter day, I took Sakamoto for a ride to check in on the people living in the Farm Kingdom. And there, I ran into Hero Momoko. 
Yes. Ran into her. 

It feels like bumping into a monster that’s not supposed to spawn in this area. 

Apparently, she's come to visit Corey, one of the current S-rank adventurers, as part of her journey to earn her promotion. 

Naturally, my main character instincts kick in. &n...

#1233 Momoko’s S-Rank Adventurer Visit Hopping: The Boy 

Hero Momoko in crisis! 

Standing in front of me is an S-Rank a dog-eared shota adventurer! 
The clash is seconds away from erupting into a full-blown battle! 

“I dislike needless bloodshed. But as one who bears the title of S-Rank adventurer, I cannot afford to go easy on my enemies. I will annihilate the enemies of the Guild with everything I’ve got!” 

In an instant, the dog-eared boy snaps into a battle stance. 
His aura is practically ...

#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...

#1231 Momoko’s S-Rank Adventurer Visit Hopping: Fisticuffs 

“A sparring match... with Kato?” 

The suggestion leaves me, Momoko, totally confused. 

A sparring match? With Kato? 
That means a duel, right? Or maybe a fistfight? A full-on battle? 

“Is it really that surprising? You see this all the time in manga, right? Any issue comes up and it’s either settled with a fight or a food contest.” 

Yes, in manga. 
I know this kind of thing happens in this world now and then, but even so, I...

#1230 Momoko’s S-Rank Adventurer Visit Hopping: The Married Couple’s Arc 

From Hero Momoko to S-Rank Hopeful Momoko! 

To claim the title, I’ve gotta conquer every trial thrown my way! 

“Sorry about this, Momoko. Things got a little complicated,” says Silver Wolf, looking apologetic. 

But I shake my head.  
It’s okay. Thank you for worrying about me. 

 I’ve survived my fair share of tight spots.  
This kind of trouble is nothing. 

That ridiculous bat may have cooked up these so-cal...

#1230 Momoko’s S-Rank Adventurer Visit Hopping: The Married Couple’s Arc 

From Hero Momoko to S-Rank Hopeful Momoko! 

To claim the title, I’ve gotta conquer every trial thrown my way! 

“Sorry about this, Momoko. Things got a little complicated,” says Silver Wolf, looking apologetic. 

But I shake my head.  
It’s okay. Thank you for worrying about me. 

I’ve survived my fair share of tight spots.  
This kind of trouble is nothing. 

That ridiculous bat may have cooked up these so-called tr...

#1229 A Trial for the S-Rank Adventurer 

Yo, it’s Momoko. 
I used to be a hero, but now I’m also gonna be an S-rank adventurer!!! 

The Adventurers’ Guild put in a request for me. 
Well, sure, I’ve known for a long time that I’m strong, but it’s still nice to have that officially recognized. 

Apparently, S-ranks are in short supply right now for a bunch of reasons, and they’re desperate to fill the gap ASAP. 
It sounds like the perfect time for me to shine. 

Just ...

#1228 A Hero Becomes an S-Rank Adventurer 

I'm Momoko the Hero. 
…Well, I guess I’m not really a hero anymore. 

The old Human Kingdom that summoned me has long since collapsed, and there hasn’t been a war big enough to need a hero in ages. 

There’s no real “hero’s role” left in this world, so I’ve been just kind of drifting, figuring I’ll live how I want from now on… which leads to days spent aimlessly doing nothing in particular... 

Until one day, the guildmaster called me ...

#1227 Railway Relevance, Summarized 

Thus, the Otherworld Railway makes peace with the Wagon Guild. 

After a fierce race, the railway cars and Sakamoto lock eyes, sharing mutual respect. 

“You were blazing out there! Let’s race again sometime!” 
“We won’t lose next time! Let’s go all out, fair and square!” 

The otherworldly railway cars beam with 100% sportsmanlike rivalry. 

On the other hand, Sakamoto, being a horse at heart, doesn’t reply with words. Instead, ...

#1226 The Power to Bring Things to a Happy Ending 

A dragon has invaded. 

Normally, you’d hit the “Abort” button on every program in an emergency like this, but these guys simply refuse to stop racing. 

At this point, I’d reckon all of them have lost their minds. Still, there’s no room for second thoughts: everything hurtles forward at the speed of light. 

“Gwaaaahahaha! Catch me if you can, slowpokes!!!” 

Leading the pack is Veil, the dragon.  

In dragon form, she lives up ...

#1225 A Chaotic Salvation

The carriage-vs-train race is about to begin. 

It’s the sort of concept you can’t help but think, “What even is the point of this?” 

The rules are to depart from Rondmelt Station, make your way to Farm Station, and that’s it.  
The route is up to you, though. But of course, the train can’t leave its rails, so really only the carriage side gets to choose. 

Depending on the path you take, could you possibly outmaneuver the train… or is it i...

#1224 Help Has Arrived 

And that’s how our train-vs.-carriage delivery duel went down. 

Unsurprisingly, the carriage side won in a landslide. 
It was bound to happen. The train team might as well have tried to build a scale model with pruning shears. 

Precision work is out of the question, so the meticulous carriage crew takes the cake. 

But it’s not that I wanted the train to lose.  
I just hoped this match would spotlight everyone’s strengths and weaknesses, s...

#1223 The Mantis' Carriage 

This abrupt summon has left me baffled. 

What’s all this carnival hullabaloo? 
All I heard from Miss Kimeri was something interesting is happening so I should come. 

“There really is something interesting.” 

Oh, Miss Kimeri?  
I never thought a governor would lie, given how buttoned-up the office is. 

If you’re plotting something shady, I’ll rat to Ariaros! 

“Not at all! Today’s event is going to be both...

#1222 The Victims of the Paradigm Shift 

The name's Cretes Ponaka. 

I’m the head behind the Wagon Guild that handles logistics nationwide. 

Hauling goods by carriage is trickier than it sounds—there are turf wars, delicate ties with merchant houses, and a single misstep in a deal can turn deadly. That’s why mediators like me are indispensable. 

Our job is to allocate our drivers from crowded cities to remote villages, making sure every shipment flows smoothly.  
Thanks to us, no town ev...

#1221 The Tracks Go On and On Forever 

My grand plan to build an otherworldly railway finally sees completion today. 

Two lines stretch out from Farm Station, one toward the Demon Kingdom, the other toward the Human Kingdom, each linking the nearest towns by iron track. 

Now, transporting goods within this newly opened network will be a breeze. 

To thank the city representatives who helped make this happen, we held a grand ceremony, and it went off without a hitch. 
I may have gone a bit ov...

#1220 The Loop Line of Missing Each Other 

I, Kimeri, am riding the test run of this so-called Otherworldly Railway right now. 

So far, there hasn’t been a single hitch; in fact, it’s almost too comfortable.  

The carriage we’re in rockets forward at dizzying speed, leaving the world outside far behind.  
Peering through the windows, the scenery is even more astonishing than I dared imagine. 

I never pictured the landscape streaming past at such a blur.  

And the glas...

#1219 The East-West Lines of Love 

I am Kimeri, Rondmelt’s female prefectural governor. 

Lately, our town’s importance on the world stage has been skyrocketing.  

Why? Because not far from here, the Farm Kingdom is rising from the ground up. 

And when the Demon King himself declares, “That kingdom will grow bigger and bigger,” everyone pays attention. 

The town I govern is the one closest to the Farm Kingdom. 
Sure, there’s still a decent distance between us, but co...