”Those of you not in the Hero’s party… I am sorry, but you cannot remain in the castle. Supporting the Hero’s party is our absolute priority, so we cannot provide for you to that extent. I expect each of you to live in the city. Fortunately, there are many excellent combat-oriented Classes among you, so it would be best to become adventurers. Even those in production roles should focus on raising their levels as adventurers at first. High-level stats make using production-type skills much easier, and you’ll receive better treatment at the workshops.”
Other than the Hero, who has to be supported to take down the Demon King, the country probably finds it a headache to deal with us. Our common sense and knowledge are just too different. Back in the God’s Realm (tentative), Support AI-san did say, “Those other than the Hero party may live as they like,” and that’s a lot more relaxing.
Though, honestly, being kicked out right this second is a bit of a problem….
”For at least the start of your careers as adventurers, I will assign a knight to act as your guide. Leading everyone at once is inefficient, so please form parties-even if they are just temporary.”
Whoa, a sudden party formation event.
In this situation, teaming up with women is a total requirement. If we adventure together, there are bound to be moments where I’ll get a look at them naked during campouts or while bathing-a “Lucky Sukebe” moment will come! No, it will definitely come! If we keep adventuring through those kinds of “accidents,” eventually we’ll get close enough to date, and I can finally lose my amateur V-card! Even Support AI-san did say, “If you keep putting in the effort, you will surely be rewarded!”
Now, who’s the lucky lady who wants to team up with me!?
[Mission!]
Success Condition: Form a party with a woman.
Reward: Lucky Sukebe (Occurs by probability).
Glance! Daisuke turned a lecherous, hungry gaze toward the women!
Swoosh! Miss! The women all averted their eyes at once!
[Mission Failed!]
Figures! After having “Onanist” screamed at me over and over like that, there’s no way they’d want to team up! I knew it. I totally knew it….
”Um, I have a question… or rather, a request. Would that be alright?”
While I was busy riding my own emotional roller coaster, Saeki Yuko approached Martina-san with a request.
”…What is it? Speak your mind,” Martina-san said.
”Yes. The Class I was given is ‘Civil Servant.’ It is not a Class meant for combat at all. Also, having just lost my child in my old world… the idea of a job where I have to take lives, even if they are monsters, is emotionally painful for me. If it’s the government or a public office, I believe my Class and knowledge could be of use. Would it be possible for me to work here in the castle?”
”…The country rarely takes in summoned people outside of the Hero’s party, and even a Civil Servant usually kills a few monsters to raise their level a bit. However… I understand your reasons for not wanting to be an adventurer. You won’t get the special treatment the Hero’s party receives, but if you’re okay with that, we shall hire you as an apprentice Civil Servant,” Martina-san replied.
”Thank you so much. Just being hired is more than enough,” Saeki Yuko said.
Oh, the negotiation worked! Good for her. And as I thought, Martina-san is actually quite ki- “GYAHH!?” Hiee! Now she’s throwing her voice at me! Martina-san-no, Martina-sama-isn’t her perception ability a little too high? But honestly, this dynamic is starting to get fun. If I keep this up, I feel like I might open a door I can never close.
”Tch.”
Martina-sama clicked her tongue, looking displeased. I’m the reason, obviously.
”Have you decided on your parties?” Martina-sama asked.
I guess I’ll play it safe and join the working-class guys.
”Is it cool if I join you guys?” I asked.
”Yeah, fine by us,” Kenta replied.
”I would be honored as well-degozaru,” Takuya added.
”I also have no objections,” Makoto said.
”Works for me, man-issu!” Kazuya chirped.
For now, I’ve got a party.
Kenta-kun is a normal-looking, “refreshing” guy; Takuya is on the skinny side; Makoto is short and a bit chubby; and Kazuya is a total beanpole.
”It seems you’ve settled. It can be temporary, but please decide on a party leader. Also, while it doesn’t have to be this second, you should pick a party name. You’ll be asked for one when you register at the Adventurer’s Guild,” Martina-sama said.
”So, about the leader…” I began.
”I can’t do it,” Kenta said immediately.
”Not me either-degozaru,” Takuya followed.
”I am not the man for the job,” Makoto added.
”Don’t look at me! No way-issu!” Kazuya finished.
”Wait, what?” I stammered.
”B-But why…?” I asked.
”In my old world, I only played a little bit of that one famous RPG. Honestly, I’m at my limit just trying to process what’s happening right now. There’s no way I can lead,” Kenta explained.
”For a Ninja to give orders during battle would be to forsake his very nature-degozaru,” Takuya insisted.
”With my formal personality, I am simply not suited to stand above others,” Makoto said.
”If you leave it to me, I won’t be able to give any real orders! I’ll just be shouting ‘Safety First!’ the whole time-issu!” Kazuya exclaimed.
”We’re sorry, but… Daisuke-san, could we ask you to do it?” Kenta asked.
”Ugh, I wouldn’t say I’m the type either, but I guess I have no choice. Fine, I’ll do it. Moving on-any ideas for a party name?”
”How about something like… ‘The Otherworldly Iga Ninja Clan’-degozaru?” Takuya suggested.
”Perhaps ‘The Gathering of the Demon Swords’?” Makoto proposed.
”‘The Promised Victory Sw-‘” Kenta started.
”OUT! STOP!” I shouted.
”…We were all salarymen originally, right? So how about ‘The Leemans’?” I suggested.
”I’m fine with that,” Kenta agreed.
”Hmm, it is a bit plain-degozaru,” Takuya noted.
”True,” Makoto said.
”Kinda feels like it lacks impact-issu,” Kazuya added.
”…Fine, we could go with ‘The Loser-Leemans’ or ‘The Cringe-Leemans’ then? Or hey, how about ‘The Ero-Leemans’ to go with my ‘Onanist’ title? That’s got plenty of impact, doesn’t it!?” I snapped.
”””‘The Leemans’ is perfect-issu!””” the group shouted in unison.
And so, the party of former working-class men, “The Leemans,” was formed.
Summary:
The non-Hero summoned individuals are expelled from the castle and told to become adventurers. Daisuke fails to form a party with any women due to his ‘Onanist’ reputation. He eventually settles into a party with four other men, all former Japanese salarymen, and reluctantly accepts the role of leader.
Trivia:
- Saeki Yuko’s class is ‘Civil Servant’, which is usually non-combat but requires some leveling.
- Martina has an exceptionally high perception ability, catching Daisuke’s internal thoughts/mutterings.
- Daisuke’s party is composed of a Magic Swordsman, Ninja, Blacksmith, and Fantasy Summoner.
- The ‘Inochi Daiji ni’ (Safety First) command is a direct reference to the Dragon Quest AI tactics
Character Insight:
Daisuke is realizing that his juvenile horniness is a byproduct of his physical rejuvenation, yet he is finding a masochistic enjoyment in being scolded by Martina. Saeki Yuko shows pragmatism and emotional depth by negotiating a non-combat job due to her past trauma.
Behind the Scenes:
The name ‘Leemans’ is a pun on ‘Salarymen’ (Sarariiman), reflecting the characters’ former mundane corporate lives in Japan.
TL Notes:
1 ↩ -san: A standard Japanese honorific used for equals or slightly higher status.
2 ↩ Lucky Sukebe: A common anime trope referring to a protagonist accidentally finding themselves in a suggestive or perverted situation.
3 ↩ Civil Servant: Koumuin in Japanese; generally refers to government workers.
4 ↩ Ninja: Takuya specifically refers to Iga, a region historically famous for the Iga-ryū school of ninjutsu.
5 ↩ Leemans: A play on the word ‘Salaryman,’ common Japanese English for office workers.