Chapter 1159 - 交流部隊移動中
Although it pales in comparison to the Great Rock-Eating Hive, the Grotto of False Tears—where one can expect high-quality mineral resources—is visited by no small number of players... or so one would think.
However, the number of dungeons existing in Arcadia is what it is. The occurrence of population density so excessive that it could be called a "popular spot" in existing online games is a considerably rare case, even now, four years after the service began and many "playgrounds" have been recognized.
For example, the Spiral Crimson Tower, which still shows daily bustle due to the influence of a certain someone, or the Shadow-Infested Arena, where challengers reportedly exploded in number due to the influence of a certain someone and another certain someone, fall into that category, but it goes without saying that these are exceptions among exceptions.
In short, a "popular spot" in Arcadia is merely a place where "it is not unusual to encounter other parties"...
"I'm glad there were few people today."
"What are you saying after going on a rampage with that much lack of self-restraint?"
"I-I'm sorry. I was told not to hold back, so..."
Ten-odd minutes after this and that.
Together with the five-person group Nene was accompanying—a close-knit party whose leader was the sole woman besides Nene, Anemone—the three girls had left the rocky mountain area peacefully without encountering any other players.
And so, what ran across the wasteland making a clattering, lively, yet light sound was—
"Ya—, this is my first time riding a 'Follower Carriage'. This is pretty good."
The "Follower Carriage" Nia mentioned... that is, an individual means of transportation pulled by a large land-dwelling Stardust Beast (Lim). A vehicle in the history of Arcadia with a shape similar to a horse-drawn carriage in reality.
...To be precise, it was the "first vehicle put into practical use by players," but there was no doubt it was a great achievement. It began appearing around the end of last year, but seeing how it had reached the general public like this, its spread seemed to be progressing smoothly.
That said, Sora and Nia, who were close to the fastest means of transportation (a certain someone) in the virtual world, had neither a connection to nor a need for it. The same went for Iris, who was basically faster running with her own specs.
Therefore, for all three of them, this was their first ride.
A wooden loading platform with a hood roof. Nia poked at the heavily designed carriage from atop the moving platform—likely emphasizing atmosphere on purpose—and the other two gave silent affirmations to her words.
As Sora nodded "hum-hum" and Iris blinked quietly and calmly—
"Nhehehe..."
"I-It's not that much..."
Immediately, about two sad creatures began to fawn. The evasion-tank dual-wielder Left and the skirmisher greatsword-user Right respectively tried to act humble, but indeed.
It was because these two were the masters of the two large lizard-type Stardust Beasts (Lim) pulling the Follower Carriage.
...Well, how should one put it, it was also a bit...
"...Rather than a carriage, it's more like a rickshaw."
Just as the words Iris leaked suggested, it was a sight where the word "amusing" fit better than "cool." The sight of two large lizards running not on four legs but on two legs, gripping the handles with their forelegs (hands?) and sprinting at full speed, was, to put it mildly, entertainment.
"A-Haha... B-But, it's fast!"
"It is fast. Even on such a bumpy road."
However, the horsepower—or rather, lizard-power—output by the two Stardust Beasts (Lim) and the performance of the carriage were impressive. Setting aside comparisons to a certain shooting star as a taboo, being able to expect stable progress at a speed close to two hundred kilometers per hour without requiring effort was a revolutionary advancement in Arcadia.
"Until recently, this was difficult, wasn't it?"
When Sora asked for details on the knowledge she knew but was uncertain about—
"Yeah. An engine that could provide enough horsepower to exceed a player's running speed, tires to traverse Arcadia's diverse environments (bumpy roads) without distinction, and the durability not to break even if encountering some trouble, and so on... well, how should I say it."
"Realizing each one was possible, but it was difficult to consolidate everything and build something practical. —Especially the engine; miniaturization was stalling, and on top of that..."
Nia, Iris, and...
"T-The cost issue was immeasurable... If we were to use Universal Currency Catalyst (Luna) directly, bankruptcy would be inevitable, and if we tried to utilize other resources, further mechanisms and equipment would be needed for power conversion and extraction, which would again push the realization of miniaturization further away..."
Nene—a Mako (Magic Craft) engineer who apparently specialized in mineral resources and energy-related research in Arcadia—joined the explanation in a "if I may be so bold" manner.
"Haa... It's really, how should I put it..."
"It's already basically in the field of science and such, isn't it? Actually, it seems people who work as scientists or engineers in reality were involved in the development of this Follower Carriage. It's a world Nia-chan doesn't know."
Sora and Nia expressed their admiration, and Iris also gave a small but certain nod, perhaps out of respect for the engineers of the virtual world. And then, it was a natural flow.
"...By any chance, are you also involved in the development?"
"Heah!? E-Er, umm..."
Knowledge, and the skills possessed. When Iris threw out the question, suggesting it wouldn't be strange if that were the case, Nene's shoulders jumped, and after flusteredly stammering for a few seconds—
"J-Just a little bit...? No, um, really! Just a tiny bit... though."
""Oh—""
"You're wrong, really, I didn't do anything significant, it's out of the question (!)!"
She nodded very, very, very slightly, was admired again by Sora and Nia, and once again fell into a state of flustered panic, covering her face with both hands and crouching down. Her suspicious behavior was at its peak.
Whether it was because she was nervous in front of famous people, or because she was still shaken by the previous events, or perhaps she was just like this normally... there was no way to know, but the three girls, who had begun to sense she was quite an amusing character, turned lukewarm gazes toward her... and,
It was at that timing.
"—Alright, you lot. Don't just stand there staring lovestruck forever; work has arrived. If you want to show off your good side, you'd better brace yourselves, though it's probably impossible."
From the position corresponding to the driver's seat of a carriage. The female leader who managed the party members—or as she called them, "subordinates"—raised her voice. Her voice was unexpectedly cute in contrast to her sisterly way of speaking... but putting that aside.
If she, who was acting as the lookout, had spoken meaningfully, the situation was self-evident.
"......Wolves?"
"The Wandering Gray Wolf Pack (Graiva Wolves). They're normal enemies that randomly encounter in the wasteland areas throughout the Divine Creation Garden. ...Hm? Sora, is this your first time seeing them?"
"It might be... my first time, I think..."
"I see... Well, they shouldn't be that rare of an enemy, but."
"Um, probably, it's because I... don't really walk on the ground much..."
"............I see."
"............Yes."
"Um—, is this a time to be acting all peaceful? I can see a wh-o-o-ole lot of them, though."
—And so it was.
A pack of wolves that could be called familiar friends to any player who frequently traveled or went on expeditions. The figures of the wandering-type enemies, which numbered in the dozens or even reached a hundred in large cases, were, as Nia said, "a whole lot"... and were heading straight for the Follower Carriage.
In that case.
"Um—"
Just as Sora, who recognized dealing with large crowds as her specialty, was about to stand up.
"No no no, please stay seated!"
"We are but inadequate commoners, ashamed even to show our skills!!"
"But providing everyone with a journey that requires no effort is something we can do!!!"
"Let's do this, boys!! Let's finish this quickly and return to paradise (chatting)!!!!!"
About four sad creatures leaped out.
The men, who had jumped off the carriage with their respective weapons in hand, gallantly stood against the tsunami of wolves... Beside Sora, who watched their retreating backs with her mouth agape.
"Now, now, let's leave it to them."
Nia, also wearing an exasperated expression, pulled the girl who had half-risen back into her seat.
"Watching over them is perhaps the best courtesy we can show."
Iris, remaining calm with a blank expression, watched over the valiant heroes as she said.
"Y-You're both so calm..."
Sora, who had been plopped back down into her seat, wore a wry smile, unsure of what kind of face to make.
"Honestly... I'm sorry for these foolish men, how embarrassing."
As Anemone let out a sigh,
"H-Hiee..."
Nene, who as usual spared no effort in letting her heart be shaken, watched the start of the battle in terror.
[Author's Note]
It's peaceful.
By the way, although there was a possibility of encountering them during the expedition with the Tiger Siblings that was sent via ground travel a long time ago, the encounter rate with enemies itself had drastically decreased because of the intimidation-type skills the tigers possessed.