THE ADVENTURER OF EDEN
3.10 "Shiki and Anna"

"Party! Fucking party!"

"For our victory, the victory of the Adventurers Guild!"

"Thought everyone had survived the monster invasion!"

The Adventurers held a large party in the office hall of the Adventurer Guild. They toast, eat the leftovers they can get.

Although the state of the city was destroyed, victory could still be celebrated. The residents also agreed to celebrate, as none of them were killed. The population in Guildtown was around 400 people and the number of Adventurers was 200 people.

They all managed to survive after fleeing out of the city, to a village near the city. However the Adventurers lost dozens of their comrades and dozens of adventurers were injured.

Although the most severe damage is the destruction of 60% of the city, but they are relieved to minimize the occurrence of casualties.

Credits are certainly pinned on the 4 Adventurers Pillar and the 3 Princesses brought by Shiki. Theo was also very helpful and so was chairman Silva as their leader.

But as per the information they obtained, the attack on the Adventurers Guild was not the end of NARAKU terror. It was not impossible in the future, NARAKU would attack the Adventurers Guild again.

...

Shiki and Alicia shared the information they got from Mira to Silva in his room.

"so. The information on their general's name is important information. Although it will be difficult to get information on who their chairman really is" Silva said on his desk.

"4 Their general's name was "Prince of Slaughter" which was clearly Artha Blackmore. The second prince of the Asteria Kingdom who slaughtered his own family a year ago."

"Wise Odin; I have only heard that name for the first time. Despite his name, I think he's a powerful mage, or he might not..."

Alicia also thinks so about Odin. "I also think so about this Odin, if he's a powerful mage, it means he's the one who tampered with this Apollon, and..."

"... IT CAN'T BE USED BY ME!" Alicia shouted in annoyance as she slammed Apollon onto the floor.

""Don't get slammed either!"" Shiki and Silva snapped the comic.

"I've fought so far, but Apollon can't be used! I want to cry, but I won't cry." Alicia became sad and disappointed, she really did not believe Apollon could not be used by her 

"Don't worry, Princess Alicia. We will be ready to help of course. After this I will gather Vira and the mages, then discuss this with them." Silva told Alicia that.

"Thank you chairman Silva, that would be a big help" Alicia replied, although the disappointment on her face was still there.

"Then Silver Wolf, to me, this name was most shocking. They were the name of the bandit group that controlled Norden State, the largest country in the northern continent." Silva told Shiki and Alicia.

"REally?!" Shiki.

"Wait, are you going to tell me one of these NARAKU generals is a bandit group?!" Alicia was shocked to hear that.

"Possibly so, but it could be their chairman who is the General NARAKU." Silva says.

"Who's their chief's name?" ask Shiki curiously.

Silva shakes. "Eitherway. The name of their chairman is not spread in the public, but the fact that Silver Wolf is the ruler of the Norden State is true" Silva replied.

"But you know that much chief..Why is it possible that you are from the northern continent?" ask Alicia.

"Yes." Yeah." Silva nodded; "And Norden State has not been a peaceful land since long ago, that's why I went to Asteria."

"And Silver Wolf has controlled Norden State for at least 10 years." Silva told me again.

"That's it, bandits again." Shiki understood, he did not want to deal with them anymore, but if Silver Wolf was a bandit group and was also affiliated with NARAKU, then the confrontation would come sooner or later.

"The present "norden State is a lawless state, and the bandits rule over it. There's a pretty big possibility if NARAKU's base is there" Silva said.

"But we need to investigate that, there are still many things we need to find out about NARAKU." Alicia says that, of course there is still a lot to do, NARAKU is a group of******* which is very dangerous.

"The last name is Dr. Goblins..." Silva was talking about the Monster-shaped man the Adventurers fought against during yesterday's attack.

"He knows me and you, Shiki, but I don't know him myself."

"There are other generals who came along besides Kira and Mira?" Shiki just found out. Alicia blinked, she knew Vira told me about someone who was being fought by chairman Silva.

"Yes, he's not on the front lines, that's why you didn't see him. I think he escaped after Kira and Mira were defeated even though his goal was to target Anna, plus he was blown up by Vira's attack earlier, but I'm sure he's still alive."

BRACKET! Shiki kicked the table in shock hearing that; "Anna's been targeted?!"

"Now that Anna is fine, you don't have to panic. But I'm gonna have him put off that resign, and-"

Shiki was shocked; "Anna wants to resign?!"

Silva was shocked; "You don't know?!"

...

"I'm flabbergasted." Silva sighed, Shiki went from there looking for Anna.

Alicia closed her eyes only, she knew Shiki's feelings for Anna and love was something that could not be forced. Alicia believes Shiki knows it better than anyone, because her love for Anna is blind love.

***

Shiki runs looking for Anna in a busy city with everyone still in need to rebuild the city. Shiki met Gina at the reception desk, and she said Anna was still at their boarding house; she said;

"Now who's protecting Anna?!" ask Shiki to panic.

"I don't know! He left alone! And don't be mad at me, you idiot...!" Gina was irritated and Shiki also showed an irritated face before she left from there;

"Oi, Aniki! Comehere!" Yui shouted at him, but Shiki did not hear and walked out of the Guild.

"Senpai is in such a hurry, I'm sure he's very busy today" Theo said.

"Hurry to see the receptionist, maybe yes!" Yui was irritated, and Warren laughed there; "That's obvious!"

Yui frowned, she did not understand why Shiki still liked married women like Anna. Yui feels down about this, because she knows, if Shiki will be serious about something/someone she likes.

...

Gasping for breath, Shiki reaches Anna's place; her contract is heavily damaged by the attack of a giant python that appears in the middle of the city.

"Well..." Anna sighed; "When lived a week before me - huh? Shiki-kun?"

Anna realizes Shiki is coming from her left side. Shiki adjusted her breathing, making herself calm before she asked Anna about this; "Anna... Are you serious about resigning as a receptionist?"

Anna was surprised Shiki knew, and she smiled. "So, so you already know."

"Yes, but resigning now is not the right time. You were targeted by NARAKU! If you leave this city, I'm afraid no one can protect you!" Shiki shouted that to Anna.

"Yes, I already know, many people say I was targeted by NARAKU during the battle. I also thought so, the chairman has asked me to think about resigning this." Anna replied with a slight smile.

"Yet Shiki-kun... I'll stay in this town-"

Shiki was happy to hear that. "are you serious?!"

"Yup, but I'll bring my husband and son here." Anna smiled, and Shiki's reaction instantly turned 180° so upset by frowning her forehead;

"That's another option. Moreover, I am pregnant right now, and with my husband by my side, I believe I can forget my feelings for you, Shiki-kun." Anna says that, she has intentions for Shiki.

Shiki can only look up, shocked to hear Anna is pregnant and her intention to bring her husband to this city so that she can forget her feelings for Shiki.

💠💠💠

Two years ago, that meant it had been a year since I became an Adventurer. There was nothing special about me being an Adventurer during that year, but it was fun because all the Adventurers in the Guild were good people.

When I thought life as an Adventurer became boring, a woman came into my life.

"I'm Anna, from today I'm receptionist "5", so please help."

The mature woman introduced herself politely in front of the Adventurers. I remember that woman, her introduction was not the first time I saw her.

I thought I had met Anna before, but after I asked, she said it was the first time we met.

Maybe just a dream? We may have met in a dream! I said at that moment and Anna chuckled softly.

That was the first time I blushed, my heart throbbed, maybe this was the love of youth. But I can't deny it, Anna is...

The woman who first made me fall in love...

💠💠💠

Anna tells Shiki that she decided to take her husband and son to the Adventurers' town to get away from the terror of NARAKU. Then in order to forget the feeling to Shiki because she is pregnant with her second child now.

"so. I think it was the best decision I could make" Shiki said, smiling.

"When you went to Star Island with Princess Reina, I went back to my husband's house. We found out that I was pregnant, and my decision to resign was already unanimous by then." Anna explained again; "I feel it's time for me to restart again... By forgetting this feeling and loving my little family more."

"So right, it's been a stupid feeling from the beginning." Shiki replied and she apologized; "I'm sorry to you, Anna, for these two years, I became the man who troubled you, making you feel the feeling of betraying the husband you love."

"I tried to snatch you from your husband, but I realized you never"

Anna stroked Shiki's head, then hugged her. "Don't say that. I've enjoyed all the memories of the two of us over the past two years. So.you too, Shiki-kun..."

"...don't forget our memories together, ok?"

Shiki blushed and smiled understandingly. "Of course!"

After Shiki left and Anna sat down sighing in disbelief. He doesn't lie, he's honest with Shiki and of course it's Anna's plan to stay in town even if it's not as a receptionist anymore.

However Anna knew what Shiki was like; although she was distraught, there was a sense of relief when she saw Shiki's previous reaction.

"I really said it, Shiki-kun is indeed an understanding adult man; he will easily be able to move on from me, because he himself is close to the three women."

***

Yui is partying with the Adventurers, and Alicia is discussing with Vira and the mages about Apollon. While the two were still busy at the Guild late in the evening, Shiki returned to her apartment with a face of despair;

But... "Shiki-san!" Reina was happy when Shiki arrived.

"Reina's..." Shiki blinked looking at the black haired woman.

Then the two of them enter the apartment; reina is originally willing to enter, but she does not know the keys to the apartment were taken by Shiki. So she waited for Shiki 30 minutes ago after returning from helping the people in the city.

Shiki provides snacks and ice syrup to Reina, and nanya; "So...what are you doing in town?"

"I helped a lot of people, and I was sweating! Luckily Shiki-san gave me iced syrup, it will be a relief" Reina said before she drank the syrup.

Shiki just smiles. Her face was still down after Anna said that earlier. She did not want Reina to realize that, yet this black-haired woman had a strong sensitivity;

"Shikishi... Uh, did something happen? The look on your face became unusual." asked Reina, she realized it.

"really? Maybe I'm just tired."

"I've never seen you tired."

Shiki was astonished to hear that.

Shiki saw Reina, the woman was worried about him. Shiki justifies that because he is his client and Shiki is his adventurer, if something like this interferes with their Quest, then it will be more troublesome later.

"I want to tell you something.but don't laugh at me, okay?"

"uh? Is that a funny story?"

Shiki chuckles. "Maybe!"

...

Reina is shocked to hear Shiki's story about her relationship with Anna, who wants them to end their feelings. Anna will bring her husband and children to this city to avoid the terror of NARAKU; she will;

"I'm expecting. One of you will try to end your feelings and Anna is the one who has to do it because she has a husband and children" Reina said.

"I think the only thing Shiki-san can do is "receive this" and "move on", it's much better than contemplating on without realizing it."

"That's the easiest way, but I can't! I told you, right? Anna was my first love, and I-"

"Aahaha..." Reina laughed, and Shiki saw her seriously because the woman was laughing; "Why laughing?"

"No, I've never been in love before. But I love hearing about love. So I wanted to tell you.I'm sure Shiki-san can move on easily, because..." Reina smiled and told me the reason;

"You have "the three of us" who are by your side in your last quest, Shiki-san!"

Shiki fell silent, pondering over what Reina said, and it did have a point. Close to the three princesses, Shiki had never felt this lucky before;

"Ah, you're right." Shiki smiled; "You guys are "my harem" she said."

Reina chuckles. "I'm sure if Yui-san and Alicia-san are listening, they're not happy to be called "harems"..." Shiki chuckled, agreeing with what Reina thought about Alicia and Yui.

"Talk about them, let's cook dinner." Shiki invites Reina to cook together.

"OK!" Reina happy.

...

Shiki's true favorite, as soon as she sees Reina tucking her black hair and wearing an apron. Shiki immediately blushed, let alone her wearing her trademark outfit, which featured her thighs and cleavage.

"Reina's..." Shiki called out to the black hair lady who was cooking.

"You said we met two years ago, didn't you? I don't remember about that."

"Ah, right, it's just a lie." Reina chuckles saying that.

Shiki was shocked to hear that. "That's just part of your acting?!"

"Uh, sorry..." Reina felt guilty. "Everything I said back then was mostly acting, including the reward part of me marrying you."

"That's nothing new, you've said it before." Shiki raised both shoulders.

"Shikishi... Yesterday, I told you that Shiki-san should be held responsible?"

"I'm in charge...?" Shiki tilted her head in confusion.

"Uh, Shiki-san must not have heard it. I ask for your responsibility, Shiki-san!" Reina turned off the stove and told Shiki that she was cutting vegetables.

Shiki blushed, shocked of course. This girl suddenly asked for responsibility as if they had both had sexual relations before.

But with such a seductive body that Reina had, there was no way that no man would want her with Reina.

"I get it, so take what responsibility you want." Shiki said that.

"Good, I just want your responsibility. To complete this quest until it's over." Reina said that while chuckling, and she held both of Shiki's hands.

Shiki smiled at that, her tension rose earlier and Reina said the obvious thing was so.

"Why do you doubt me about your quest commitment? I will finish well." said Shiki, actually he does not like his commitment in doubt, but Reina's remarks are a proof that this woman's commitment to looking for her father is very serious.

Shiki did not know if this was acting or not, but she did not want to doubt Reina. He wanted to trust this woman, a woman who might be his match in the future.

"That's right, Shiki-san is such a man." Reina turned her face away, blushed and her heart was very warm right now.

The two of them were still holding hands, Shiki looked at Reina, their faces facing each other. Shiki's heart was also pounding, this feeling was something Shiki had felt before on Anna.

"Shiki-san, another one.There's something I want to tell you."

"What about?" Shiki was curious, this woman broke the moment with a question.

"Hey, hurry! You're late, Alicia!"

"I know! Don't rush! Shiki's not going anywhere either!"

"Ups, it seems they both came." Reina let go of her hand. "If they know we're in a romantic mood, they'll get angry."

"true." Shiki agreed. It was arguably a romantic atmosphere, but their relationship was only limited to adventurers and clients. Formal relationships like her and Anna.

Alicia and Yui open the door, and Yui shouts "Aniki! Are you all right?!"

"It's not that I'm worried about you, but I'm guessing you're cooking good!"

"Welcome, Alicia-san! Yui-san!" Reina smiled at them.

"Sit down, let's have a little meal" Shiki said with a smile.

"GOH!" The two of them were shocked when they saw Shiki and Reina cooking together. But the three of them still eat together, the atmosphere is crowded with three heroines. Shiki who brought the food saw the three of them chatting well.

(I think Anna was right, and Reina said it clearly. I was able to move on from her easily, thanks to the three of them.) Shiki thought with a smile.

...Chapter 3.10 "Shiki and Anna" - finished...

...Arc 03: Guildtown - done...