"Alright, it's time for our customary celebration! First of all—Welcome everyone. We, the «Eden», are extremely delighted to have you! Let's work hard, and be a catalyst for each other, and conquer dungeons together! A toast to our new additions!"

"Cheers!"

We raised our glasses and toasted! With eight new members, and Tabasa-senpai making it nine, the party unfurls in full swing. Yesterday, right after the class reshuffle, we had a small get-together in class, so we decided to have the main event today.

Currently, we had 20 members in Eden, 14 in Arc-Arcadia, and three «Helpers», bringing our grand total to 37. It's getting harder to gather everyone, but today, we managed to have everyone for this celebration. It's a good day indeed.

Our venue was the Guild House. Between test periods, class changes, and dungeon exploration, we've slowly redecorated and unpacked, transforming it into a true Eden-style Guild House.

One of the large rooms, once the Round Table meeting room of Temple Saber, was now our banquet hall. Usually, it's a cozy space for everyone to relax, much like the large common room back at D-rank guild room—meaning it's overflowing with plushies.

The room was bigger now, so maybe that's why? I felt the number of plushies had multiplied. Were my eyes tricking me, I wonder?

"This truly is a bright and wonderful guild."

"Tabasa-senpai, are you enjoying yourself?"

"Of course. Hannah has been looking after me so well."

"I-It's nothing big. It's really nothing much at all!"

Tabasa-senpai walked near me, striking a conversation. Hannah followed behind her. After all, she was one person who could get along with anyone almost immediately. Before long, she'd managed to become friends with Tabasa-senpai.

"Um, Zephyr-san, this might not be the place to talk about it, especially at a celebration like this, but would you mind hearing the lowdown on my former guild?"

"Ah, sure, go ahead. Dias-senpai already filled me in a bit."

The guild battle with Temple Saber was exactly two weeks ago. Since then, Dias-senpai's White Saber has taken over as the parent guild, and they've been busy, but managing to get by.

"It appears Renandal continued to be the guildmaster, and remained in his position. And my position, the sub-guildmaster, seems to be filled by a girl named Rushia."

Dias-senpai, too, mentioned that. I actually thought Casanda-senpai would take the role, but apparently he's not in a state to do so right now. He hadn't recovered from her slump yet.

"Thanks to Dias's hard work, half of Temple Saber's members are starting to pick themselves up. He's been telling them to switch gears quickly, or job hunting will become even tougher. His words worked like a charm, or to be precise, too well. Well, 'good medicine tastes bitter,' so reflecting deeply is a good thing."

There was a slight edge to Tabatha-senpai's words. She still seemed to hold a grudge about the «White Throne» incident.

"Sixteen of Temple Saber's members are third-years and will be graduating this year. Dias is determined to get both the people and the guild back on their feet before then."

"That's Dias-senpai for you. I truly admire him."

That's the very picture of a knight to me. His job might not be the «Knight»—it was «Justice One», a «Noble» job—but he certainly was one. And his job, too, certainly fit well with his nature.

That seems to be the gist of White Saber's report. I then moved on to another topic I was curious about.

"Anyway, I hear you've been teaching Noel and the others a lot?"

"Oh my, you heard it? Well, I'm still the highest level and a senior after all, so I've been teaching them various things."

Tabasa-senpai, having joined Eden, was tackling her role in her own way. Currently, she's passing on all the know-how she's gained at this academy to the junior members.

I also learned a few things from her, and it was fascinating how many relevant real-world there were. Truly, she was our senior, and someone who'd reached A-rank guild by her own merit, her experience was valuable.

We promised to set aside some time to talk more deeply.

Aside from Noel's group, she also had been teaching Hannah about which potions and items were useful where, and what kind of items senior students were looking for. Since the Guild House could set up a shop on C-street, the production team was currently deciding on the products to sell there.

"Hanna, make sure you don't overdo it, okay? Keep up the good work!"

"Of course, Zephyr-kun! But I'm really looking forward to opening a shop now!"

Hannah's venture into dungeons had drastically dropped ever since she awakened to the joy of a production job. She's also a supporting pillar of the guild now, and I hoped to support her as much I could.

She had been selling her items alongside her friends from «Production Major» at a flea-market-like place called Mart in the «Alchemist Department». But she'd grown out of it, and a place like that wasn't enough. So, she's thrilled to finally have her own shop and seems to be looking forward to it immensely.

Furthermore, she'd even roped in the aforementioned friends too. I really must meet them sometime soon to thank them for taking care of our Hannah.

"It wouldn't do to monopolize Zephyr-san. I'll take my leave now."

"Oh, me too, Zephyr-kun, see you later!"

"Alright, you two, have fun!"

Noticing that some of the new members were observing us, Tabasa-senpai chuckled and left with Hannah to join Sierra.

Then, some of the new members who had been watching us approached. Leading the group was Elisa, the older twin, with the appearance of a 10-year-old, purple hair, and red eyes.

"How do you do, Zephyr-sama? We thank you for your kind invitation today."

"Huh, who are you?"

I unwittingly did a double take hearing Elisa, who greeted me like a young lady, daintily lifting one side of her skirt.

"Dear Sister, it's too late to try and put on airs now. Teacher, thank you for the invitation."

Behind her, Fina, in her usual demeanor, approached. She didn't offer the same kind of greeting as Elisa, just a normal one.

"Come now, that's not true! I have to make sure I leave the impression that everyone sees me and thinks, "Ah, Elisa-chan is truly a capable girl!"."

"Did something happen?"

"It's not a big deal, Teacher. It's just, seeing how many strong members the guild has left her shivering in her boots."

"Hey now, Fina-chan, is that really the best way to put it?!"

I see. So, Elisa was nervous. However, her next words revealed more to it.

"Because I'm a demon girl, I feel like it's bad if I don't give off a good impression~."

"Ah, I see. So Elisa's costume is also part of that impression."

Elisa had not only changed her hair and eye color but also wore two new pieces of equipment to this welcome party. They were a head accessory called «Horn Headband - Demon Girl's Edition» and a back accessory called «Wing Set - Demon Girl Style».

As you could imagine from the names, she was wearing tiny devil horns and a bat-wing costume. She was actively promoting herself as a demon girl. However, this actually made her look cute, giving everyone a very good impression.

"It's quite ingenious of you to show it off yourself."

"I'm currently shouting to the world, 'Demon girls are cute!'"

«Devil» category jobs were unknown to this world, so there was a chance it might be misunderstood, or left with the wrong impression. Elisa was trying to improve the image.

Uh, I certainly hadn't thought of this.

"It's my fault. As the guildmaster, I should've been setting an example by supporting you."

"It's perfectly fine, you know? Everyone in Eden is so nice."

"Yes, not a single person looked at my sister in a negative light. On the contrary, they looked at her kindly. We're both being pampered, myself included."

"Well, of course."

Because both of them were incredibly cute. It's only natural that the plushie-loving members of Eden would flock to them. They both look like dolls.

However, I think I could guess the source of Elisa's anxiety. After all, this was a chance to boost their image, or rather, their friendliness!

"Alright, both of you, come with me."

"Hmm? What's up?"

"Teacher?"

"There are some people I want to introduce you to."

With that, I led the twins to where Lulu and Celia were. Lulu and Celia's gazes had been intensely focused on them for a while now. And I was about to add more fuel to that fire.

"Elisa, Fina, try shaking hands with each other, both hands, face to face."

"Huh, I don't mind, but?"

"Yes."

The two sisters obediently shook hands, both hands. Their appearance was strikingly similar to those plushies. Lul's sparkling eyes widened even further. I then introduced the two to Lul.

"Look, Lulu, the «Plushies of Angel and Devil» have come to life!"

"So it's really like that! Lulu guessed it for a while now!"

"Whoa!"

"Kya!"

At my words, Lulu pounced on Elisa and Fina.

"Wow, unbelievable! So cute! It's amazing! They're like real humans, they're moving! Lulu couldn't help but impulsively jump in!"

Oh! Lulu narrated her actions as she hugged Elisa and Fina. Someone, please take a screenshot!

Lulu, who usually managed to control her impulses even with her most beloved plushies, was now pink-cheeked and hugging Elisa and Fina. What adorable scenery!

Elisa and Fina were initially flustered, but gradually accepted Lulu and started patting her. 𝑓𝓇𝘦ℯ𝘸𝘦𝑏𝓃𝑜𝘷ℯ𝑙.𝑐𝑜𝓂

"It's amazing! The plushies have become humans! Please be Lulu's friends!"

"Huh? O-of course!"

"I don't mind either, Lulu-san."

"Yay!"

It was probably my imagination that the demon girl Elisa flinched at Lulu's blinding innocence. As Lulu's voice echoed through the large room, members started gathering, wondering what was happening.

"My, oh my, how cute!"

"Truly, they're so adorable."

"Are those two twins? I've never seen them before!"

"Th-they're cute, too cute!"

"L-Lulu alone is so adorable, but now there are more. Is it okay for something like this to happen? Yes, it is! Zephyr-dono, you've outdone yourself! This is the true essence of a cute and precious sight! My lifespan has been extended by their overwhelming cuteness!"

The female members—Lana, Ester, Noel, Lacritta, Celia, and others—gathered as they made talk. Promptly, the other also followed up. Oh, wait a minute. Did you just say your lifespan increased, Celia?

Meanwhile, the twin sisters blinked, looking around with wide eyes.

"I asked these two to take on Angel and Devil jobs. The older sister, especially, is incredibly dedicated. She said that if she's going to be a demon, she has to look the part, so she dyed her hair like the demon girl from the «Plushie of Angel and Devil ", put in colored contacts, and even wears a demon girl costume. She's really gone all out."

"What dedication! And that outfit suits you so well, you're adorable!"

Lana chimed in perfectly with my explanation. That's Lana for you; she always says exactly what I want to hear.

Then, surrounded by the girls, the twin sisters were showered with compliments like "So adorable~," "She's truly dedicating herself to become the best Demon Girl~," and "They really do look like dolls." Their appearance, coupled with their charm, instantly made them the guild's darlings.

Before long, it wasn't just Lulu, the twins went into embrace of other girls too. Well, this should significantly boost their friendliness with everyone. Amidst the hug jostling, my eyes met Elisa's, the older twin, through a small gap. She wore a soft, relaxed smile, an expression of gratitude and exhaustion visible faintly.

I gave her a thumbs-up in return.

T/N - Just a heads up, I read about the illustration page error—though it's been couple weeks since then—and have fixed it. All the illustration, coloured and b&w should be now properly in their places.