A Rousing Welcome at the Research Institute! Let's Raise the Real-World Standard.

"Hey, hey, hey! 【Hero】-kun! I've been waiting, waiting for you!"

"Oh, excuse us."

"Excuse us..."

"You're not intruding at all, so don't worry about it. And you too, young lady—make yourself at home. Sorry I can't even offer you tea, haha!"

We'd just arrived at the Research Tower.

After a short wait, someone at reception showed us to a room, where an incredibly energetic older man welcomed us. Behind him, researchers in white coats were packed shoulder to shoulder, though none seemed inclined to step forward.

"Ah, I haven't introduced myself! I'm Miston, head of the Research Institute! There's no man more handsome than me in this institute!"

To my surprise, this old guy was the director—in other words, the head of a research institution.

His face was as square and rugged as the weapon shop owner's back in the 〈Nameless Beginning Village〉. Was that handsome-man comment a joke?

"Oh, I'm—"...