23rd Round The Power of Friendship

Medusa.

During the 4th curriculum, the entire Southern Continent turned into a huge desert, so these monsters were numerous then.

However, at present, the desert occupied only a small part of it. The habitat of the Medusas were limited, which led to a decrease in the number of individuals. Although according to the laws of nature, a decrease in quantity led to an increase in quality.

Hence, Hero Sieg successfully completed his task and returned to the hot springs…

“Meeeeee~”

… With a tamed Medusa.

Medusa usually lured travelers and other monsters by pretending to be a naked beauty stuck in the sand.

The upper part of her body was human, and the lower part was serpentine.

However, her body structure that mimicked the female figure was completely different from humans.

For example, what looked like her breasts were actually humps where fat was stored, like those of camels.

“I’m back.”

“Sieg did well.”

“He even tamed a monster…”

The dummies praised him, and he even said his achievements were “surprisingly great” himself.

That indeed seemed to be the case.

After all, if it weren’t expected from a person, even small achievements would appear tremendous.

It was a simple method that Sieg used in the olden days.

He raised his reputation among the locals by declaring, “I did everything in my power!” Although he actually only killed a couple of weak monsters.

I didn’t like this approach.

However, Disco seemed to appreciate it well, so I decided not to dwell on it.

“Senior, look!”

“Meeee~”

“I tamed a Medusa!”

“Kyu-kyu!”

Sieg, who had lost confidence in himself, was again in high spirits.

And this time, he just communicated that fact without trying to challenge me.

It looked like he had learned his lesson.

However, I was a little surprised. Although the Medusa was a mount, it was difficult to control without the use of special reins.

But he had her under his command.

That was commendable.

▷ Joy: It’s good that student Sieg regained his confidence.

‘… You again?’

▷ Question: Isn’t that obvious? You didn’t think he tamed her on his own, did you?

Sociology Teacher allegedly gave him another pet.

▷ Denial: That’s only partially true. I led him to the Medusa, but it was his high-ranking Male Strength that attracted her. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have been able to rule her without the reins.

That meant he still achieved something on his own.

▷ Confirmation: Yes. Oh, and one more thing. Please do not use your tamed dragon as a vehicle. It’ll make him depressed again.

After that, Sociology Teacher left.

Using Sleloli as a means of transportation?

I could do that. It was great that Sieg had tamed a Medusa, but he was still nothing compared to me, who could ride a dragon.

Regardless, I still had no intention of using Sleloli as a mount.

I only needed her to teach my arrogant junior a lesson.

I smiled and greeted him.

“Good job, Sieg.”

“Haha! Thanks!”

“And I have another companion for you.”

“Companion? A man?”

Of course, he was more interested in her gender than combat power…

Restraining myself, I replied, “A woman.”

“Wow! Is she beautiful?”

“She’s a saintess.”

“Ah?!”

It didn’t turn out the way I planned, considering there were only women in his party now.

Green Cake and Sleloli were asexual dragons, but they currently looked like a female elf and a beautiful girl.

And now a saintess had joined as well.

“Greetings, Sir Sieg. I didn’t think we would meet again under such circumstances. I wanted to join you after you’ve retrieved Mollancoin, but the Ancient Hero insisted that I help you a little earlier than that.”

“Welcome!”

“Kyu-kyu!”

Sieg immediately began to drool.

Disco’s expression distorted, but my stupid junior didn’t notice.

… This wasn’t good.

I should only invite male companions next time. The current number of women in the party should also be reduced.

And there was no better time to do that than now.

“Sleloli, turn into a man.”

“Uh… Alright.”

To begin with, I ordered my pet to switch genders.

Sleloli instantly transformed into a white-haired boy in white clothes.

Green Cake wasn’t a dragon at the moment.

In the scenario, he used a race and gender that matched the tastes of the summoned Hero. Therefore, he had to remain an elf.

But there was also a real elf among his companions.

“Every meeting must come to an end. You’ve done well, miss elf. If we meet again, I’ll treat you to something.”

“This is all very sudden. Did I do something to offend you, or did I make a mistake? I really like you, Hero, even though I heard you’re only some sort of golem.”

Hmm. Weird. Why was she so attached to me?

I didn’t even remember touching her spine or pelvis.

In any case…

“It’s not your fault. However, with a woman as attractive as you next to Hero Sieg, we won’t be able to normally move forward.”

“Sieg…”

“Do you understand now?”

“… You’re so insensitive. Is it because you are a golem?”

“No. That’s because I am a hero.”

The adventure of the Righteous Hero wouldn’t be complete if it didn’t include sacrifice.

“May the blessing of the Great Child be with you.”

“I pray you meet a good man. Mollan.”

I didn’t know if she could find such a person before this world collapsed, but I sincerely prayed for it anyway.

With those two things gone, I had minimized Sieg’s distractions.

Now we had three guys and three girls in our party.

Disco couldn’t be expelled since she was the one conducting the inspection, and the Hero needed the Saintess throughout his adventure.

Three girls were the lowest I could go.

However, it was much better than when there were five of them and only two of us men.

“Ah…”

The elf leaving his party made him feel disappointed, which was all the proof I needed to conclude I made the right decision.

“Sieg! Every meeting must come to an end!”

“I just envy your determination, senior. Without hesitation, you kicked out that beauty from our party and recruited Saintess Illeana.”

“I am a hero, after all.”

“Hero, huh… I didn’t know heroes are so versatile…”

“Then you don’t know anything. The hero must be good at everything. Those who rely on their companions for help are nothing but scums.”

“Oh…”

“… but I’ll add a little power of friendship to your adventure.”

He would never get to the Demon Lord otherwise.

The process itself was important, but one shouldn’t ignore the results either.

I patted Sieg’s spine… No, I patted his back as I spoke to him.

“Let’s find some outstanding men for your party, Sieg.”

“Okay… Huh?”

***

I paired Sieg only with the best of the best.

It wasn’t easy, but just like Saintess E, everyone had their own weaknesses, so I still got them to readily agree.

Sword God Alex (married man)

White Chicken (married woman)

Mercenary King (widowed)

Elf Prince Nasus (married man)

Magic Swordsman Aries (married woman)

Bandit King (harem)

Many people had gathered.

Although there were couples among them, they would be of great help in Sieg’s psychological training to master yin and yang balance.

I introduced them, starting from the Sword God.

“I have to pay a lot of attention to my beloved wife, so don’t expect too much, Hero.”

“Greetings! I’m Alex’s wife, White Chicken! I don’t know if I’ll be able to help you since I have no hands, but if there’s anything I can do for you, please let me know!”

The Snow Woman happily waved her “hands” at us.

“Of course, you’d be of great help! The fact that you’re near me already helps me. I will cut anyone who disagrees into pieces.”

“Our long walk’s making my legs hurt badly, Alex.”

“Ah! Sit on my back. I’m sorry I didn’t notice. I’ll give you a foot massage later.”

“Hehe… You’re the best, Alex.”

“Ahem! Please say it again.”

“Our long walk’s making my legs hurt badly, Alex.”

“No. The sentence after that.”

“You’re the best, Alex.”

“Ahem, ahem!”

… He was the most powerful member of our party.

I had to travel to the Central Continent and lure the Snow Woman to make Alex join us.

Naturally, I couldn’t reveal my identity.

Next was the Mercenary King.

“… Nice to meet you.”

He wasn’t in the best mood, so I decided to leave him be.

I first obtained the remains of his wife, whom he was looking for, then convinced him to join the party using it.

I already used this method during my 1st round.

I paid him this time, however, putting him in a better mood. He was also now indebted to me.

Next…

“Meeting you is a great honor. I am Prince Nasus, and I’ll be joining you throughout your journey on behalf of the Elf Empire. This charming woman is Aries, my bodyguard.”

“I’m Aries. I also help him cope with a bad habit that he inherited from His Majesty.

“Aries!”

“Please excuse where Prince Nasus’s hand is now.”

“Oh! This is embarrassing!”

“… But don’t worry. He is not allowed to touch the breasts of other women.”

“I-it happened by accident! Please believe me!”

Prince Nasus, unfortunately, hadn’t changed for the better despite already having transitioned to the 4th curriculum.

His wife and bodyguard, Aries, came with him to suppress his desires.

Prince Nasus’s goal was to surpass his younger sister, Princess Sylvia, and solidify his position as successor to Elfheim, the pathetic Elf King.

He wasn’t like that before, but Elfheim had a bad influence on him.

Lastly…

“Since I owe my life to Boss Green Cake, I immediately agreed to help! Oh! Ignore the two beauties next to me. For the sake of decency, they will at least greet you.”

“Greetings, I am Shusha, the ninth wife of the Bandit King.”

“Nice to meet you. Like her, I am the wife of the Bandit King. You can call me Catherine.”

“Hahaha! I’ll be in your care, Boss Green Cake and Hero Sieg!”

The Bandit King was accompanied by two of his wives, who were already with him even during the 4th curriculum.

Of course, they weren’t his only spouses. His hideout was filled with other beauties.

Most of them were ageless, half-blooded elves.

“Hey, Sieg.”

“…Yes?”

“Say something to the companions who have gathered here to help you.”

“Oh yes.”

I looked at everyone who gathered before us, from the Sword God with the Snow Woman on his back to the Elf Prince Nasus, who squeezed Aries’s large breasts.

But instead of speaking out, Sieg burst into tears.

“Are you that impressed?”

“Ugh…”

“Heh! I know you’re touched, but this is just my way of helping my junior.”

I put in a lot of effort to bring everyone together.

If there were too many men, the adventure would be too dull, so I added women as well.

My stupid junior was unlikely to appreciate my kindness, however.

Crying, Sieg said, “I must be in hell.”

“What?”

Before him was the power of friendship that he loved so much. I just added a pinch of the power of love to it.

He was a truly ungrateful FFF-ranked Hero.

I was about to teach him another lesson, but Alex beat me to it.

“Did you just call this party hell after my wife joined it?”

“H-hik?!”

Holding the Snow Woman’s buttocks with his left hand, the Sword God picked up Sieg by his collar with his right hand, raising him off the ground as he growled, “If I see you staring at my beloved wife lustfully again, I will show you the true meaning of hell!”

“Kh! I’m s-sorry!”

“Bear that in mind if you don’t want me to slice you apart with my sword before you can even meet the cowardly Demon Lord.”

“Yes! Yes!”

It looked like Sieg’s adventure was going to be great.