102 - The Master of the Harem
Only Novem and I showed our faces at the East Branch Guild.
This was because we needed to accept a request at the reception desk.
However, in Beim, accepting a request doesn't necessarily mean starting the job immediately.
A time limit is set, and the request must be completed within that period.
Since the East Branch is a dispatch-type guild, most people head to the guild in casual clothes unless they are a party about to depart.
It seems that if a party's credibility is high, it's possible to efficiently take on multiple requests.
Of course, since we've only just arrived, we have no credibility in Beim. Or rather, because we got into a scuffle, we're starting from the negatives.
Upon arriving at the guild, I could see people in casual attire among the adventurers preparing to depart.
They wore robes and had weapons hanging from their waists. But that was all.
They didn't give the impression of being on their way to a job. Some were chatting brightly with the guild staff at the reception, while others were checking the conditions with serious expressions.
And some were protesting, unsatisfied with the contents.
The reason we visited the East Branch so early in the morning was to accept a request. To gain the guild's trust, we need to complete numerous requests.
And once we raise our evaluation in Beim, we'll be able to challenge the Labyrinth.
To be able to challenge the Labyrinth as soon as possible, we decided to value steady accumulation from the start.
In the midst of this, the person who handled my reception was Tanya-san.
(With this many receptionists, it's this person again?)
Black bobbed hair. And the slender Tanya-san had a slender chest to match.
"...Are you thinking something rude, Liel-kun?"
"N-no. Nothing like that..."
"Your gaze was on my chest. Sorry they're completely flat. Shall I assign you some grueling work?"
Novem apologized to Tanya-san with a look of regret.
"I'm sorry. I believe Liel-sama... didn't mean any harm."
I couldn't exactly say, "Sorry, I did," so I just gave Tanya-san an ambiguous smile and apologized.
She smiled slightly, appearing not to mind.
"Well, if I cared about things like that, I wouldn't be working as a receptionist at the Adventurers' Guild. Also, regarding Liel-kun's party, since this is your first job in Beim, I'm going to test you a little."
A single document was pushed across the reception desk, which had dividers on the very long counter.
Taking the request form, I checked the contents.
"...Monster subjugation?"
Tanya-san nodded and explained the request.
"It's a request from a village a three-day journey one way from Beim. Grey Wolves have reportedly been spotted nearby. Please report the completion to the reception within twenty-five days. The number may have increased, but be prepared for ten or more."
Grey Wolves are monsters resembling wolves. The biggest difference is simply whether they possess a magic stone when killed.
However, they attack in packs, are larger than normal wolves, and prioritize attacking humans.
"The village is safe, right?"
When I confirmed this, Tanya-san shrugged.
"Beim's weakness is its food self-sufficiency rate. We cherish the nearby villages. For that reason, we've built walls even around small villages."
Because the territory is truly small, self-sufficiency in food is unrealistic.
However, they buy food from the surrounding areas using funds obtained through trade, magic stones, materials, treasures, and rare metals.
But at the same time, this is Beim's weakness.
"Is buying alone not enough?"
As I said that, the voice of the Seventh Generation came from the jewel.
"Just because the self-sufficiency rate is low doesn't mean they can do nothing, Liel. They probably want to show the surrounding countries that they can provide for themselves to some extent, so they aren't taken advantage of."
I resisted the urge to nod upon hearing that, and Tanya-san gave a similar response. The difference was the latter half.
"If we do nothing, we'll be taken advantage of. We'd be forced to buy food at high prices. Besides, many of the people in the villages around Beim were once adventurers. They are places that support the second lives of retired adventurers. Because of that, they aren't easily wiped out by monsters."
Hearing that, I thought those people could probably handle it. Seeing my expression, Tanya-san seemed to understand and explained.
"You're thinking, 'Then don't put out a request,' aren't you?"
"No, well..."
"They'll fight if things get dire. But most of them are retired. If they wanted to fight of their own volition, they'd still be adventurers. In other words, they don't want to take the lead in fighting. Well, I've heard there are other reasons... there are various things. Various things."
I wanted to know what those "various things" were, but it didn't sound like an interesting story, so I stopped asking.
Then, I looked at the request form.
"I won't say it's easy, but it's a request we can take."
Novem nodded as well.
"I think it's achievable. But what did you mean by 'test'?"
Tanya gave a beaming smile and said,
"It's to see your abilities."
Novem looked like she was about to say something, but stopped halfway and nodded at me.
"We'll take it. We can decide the departure time ourselves, right?"
Tanya-san nodded and asked me to sign the document, then took the paper back once I had signed.
"It doesn't matter to us how you achieve it. Though, if you engage in criminal activity, the guild will have to take disciplinary action. Requests like this are also meant to let you learn the Beim way of doing things."
She probably meant for us to warm up with an easy request and learn how work is handled in Beim.
I received the sheet with the request details and the document to be handed to the requester from Tanya-san, and then left the reception.
On the way back.
I spoke with Novem.
"Now then, three days each way... but this feels like something we could do if we used horses."
As I muttered this while looking at the map, Novem nodded.
"That's true. If we go on foot, it might be tough unless we depart tomorrow."
Judging by the request form, most of the twenty-five days would be spent traveling.
Even if we arrived at the target village, we'd likely have to complete the request and return within a few days, or it would be tight.
"Twenty days on foot for the round trip? The period available for the request, including preparation, would be two to three days... normally speaking, that's tough."
Novem nodded.
"Since she said she'd test us, the fact that we didn't confirm the means of transportation might be a point deduction from their perspective."
I gave a wry smile.
I thought it would be impossible on foot, but at the same time, I felt it was possible if it wasn't on foot.
Looking at the amount on the request form, I understood that if we rented a horse carriage for preparation, there would be almost no profit left.
Novem chuckled.
"You didn't ask on purpose, did you?"
"Well, we have plenty of time. There was no need to ask."
With twenty-five days, we could return with room to spare. As for preparation, one day would be enough.
The voice of the Third Generation spoke.
"Hmm, Liel... let's handle this request with a bit of leeway."
When I touched the jewel, the Third Generation explained with an amused tone. He really seemed to enjoy outsmarting people.
He has quite a personality.
"Listen, this is probably a skill test. Not of strength, but of something more important. Shall we call it mobility? They're seeing how much distance you can cover in how much time."
The Fifth Generation seemed convinced as well.
"Since she said it's a dispatch-type guild, that would be an important issue. If you're slow at moving, it's hard to assign work even if you're strong. There are probably other things they're looking at... the former adventurers might be involved too."
The Seventh Generation spoke with distaste.
"Dirty people. That's why I hate adventurers!"
The Fourth Generation seemed exasperated by the Seventh.
"What's with that now? We've done similar things—no, even worse things—at times, haven't we?"
The Seventh's hatred for adventurers was considerable, so it was purely an emotional argument.
Moreover, guilds exist even in the House Walt territory.
The Seventh had also utilized adventurers. So, while he might not be satisfied, he likely understands.
The Sixth Generation summarized.
"In that case, the guild might also be testing our attitude over there. If it's just Grey Wolves, the retired adventurers in the village could probably handle it, but that's the point."
The Third Generation sounded delighted.
"There's no need to show them our maximum speed. Let's move with a bit of leeway and handle things with composure. If they know we can do it, they'll try to exploit us. Wouldn't it be better to be thought of as adventurers who are 'somewhat capable'?"
I gripped the jewel and looked at Novem walking beside me. However, Novem was looking at the jewel—no, at my hand.
"Liel-sama, you do that gesture often. Has it become a habit?"
She probably wasn't blaming me, but Novem watched my actions closely.
Perhaps she'd been curious about it for a while.
"I-is that so? No, it's just that since it's reliable, I end up gripping it. Is it a habit? Well, it's not a strange habit, so it's fine, right?"
Novem smiled.
"I suppose so. Sometimes you roll it with your fingertips; is there a difference in meaning?"
Thinking she was being unusually inquisitive today, I vaguely brushed it off.
"I hadn't noticed... more importantly, the timing is awkward. It's too early for lunch, so shall we take a break somewhere?"
Looking around, there were rows of cafes.
Among the shops used by adventurers and the residents of Beim, some had signs saying "Preparing."
Some had adventurers eating inside.
(Is their sense of time different? No, I heard that your internal clock goes haywire if you've just come out of a Labyrinth.)
Clara had told me that, but we have Monica.
Because of that, since she tells us the time accurately, our sense of time doesn't go haywire even if we stay in a dark Labyrinth for many days.
Novem said,
"More importantly, we have to tell them that we've accepted the request. I'm sure they're waiting."
Nodding, I began walking toward the inn.
"Hey, Novem."
"Yes?"
What I asked Novem as we walked was about Miranda and the others.
Since Novem revealed everything at the Fanbayle mansion, the atmosphere of the party had been somewhat strained.
No, rather than strained, it felt businesslike.
It didn't look like Miranda was doing anything behind the scenes. It might be that I just hadn't noticed, but when I checked carefully with my skills, there was nothing.
Yes, nothing.
There was almost no conversation in the current party.
Novem was often with Eva.
Miranda was with Shannon.
Clara was basically alone, though she sometimes acted with Novem or Miranda.
Aria often argued with Monica, but she was mostly with Miranda.
Monica... basically seemed uninterested in anyone but me. She took care of everyone, but there was a clear difference in temperature compared to how she treated me.
"Do you think you can get along?"
I didn't specify what.
Novem nodded with a smile.
"It'll be fine. We can get along well in Beim too. With Liel-sama's abilities, you'll undoubtedly become a first-class adventurer."
I scratched my head.
"...I see."
In other words, Novem seemed intent on maintaining the status quo with Miranda. If they both adhered to non-interference, it was much better than fighting needlessly.
However—.
(Is this really okay?)
Shouldn't I do something about the relationship between the two? That's what I wondered.
Night.
I was inside the jewel.
In the Fifth Generation's Memory Room, I was lying flat on my back on the ground. My breathing was ragged, I was drenched in sweat and covered in blood... Even after that subsided, I couldn't get up.
The Fifth Generation held a one-handed sword in his right hand, but its blade had several gaps in it.
A whip-sword.
The Fifth Generation, the wielder of that sword, looked down at me without even being out of breath.
"Your movements are worse than before. You're easily fooled by feints. Additionally, you're not putting enough power into it. Your concentration was wavering."
After summarizing my points for reflection, he made the whip-sword in his right hand vanish. The saber that had been thrust into the ground near me also vanished.
"...Are you still thinking about what happened this morning?"
As if noticing my feelings, the Fifth Generation sat down and spoke to me.
"I'm not particularly interested in a harem, but we're comrades in the same party. I wonder if there's a way we can all get along..."
When I pushed myself up, the Fifth Generation pressed his hand to his forehead in exasperation and shook his head.
Since the Fifth Generation also had a harem, if you will, I decided to ask if he had any advice.
"Is there some kind of solution? Would it be better to have them talk things out?"
The Fifth Generation replied,
"You're asking me? I feel like you're asking the wrong person... well, I guess I'm the only one."
From what I'd heard, the Sixth Generation also kept concubines. But the Seventh had mentioned that it seemed to be quite a struggle.
After all, having seen a harem, the Seventh had decided he wanted only one wife because he hated it.
"Did the Sixth Generation fail?"
When I asked, the Fifth Generation waved his left hand in denial.
"Idiot. It's more likely that it wouldn't go well. Think the other way. Could you forgive it if Novem had other men? How would you feel if she said she liked you just as much and suggested you all live together?"
When I shook my head vigorously, the Fifth Generation nodded.
"If there were five or six men around Novem, could you love only Novem?"
I agonized over that for a moment, but denied it completely.
Because my heart couldn't accept it.
"As I thought, a harem is no good. For me, Novem alone is enough... but I understand the situation isn't that simple. Still, a harem is a bit..."
"It's no good. Maybe a mistress at best? In political marriages, it's common for both parties to take mistresses after children are born. I'm not in a position to interfere in those matters... though the House Walt was certainly distant from such things. However, in your case, it's difficult because those girls' goal is you. If they gave up, they wouldn't follow you."
The reason the First Generation joined the pioneer group was the heartwarming desire to be a match for the person he loved.
But in my case, setting Eva aside as a special case, the others were after me.
The Fifth Generation was concerned about that too.
"What should I do?"
The Fifth Generation stated clearly.
"Do nothing. Listen, unless things become dire, absolutely do not interfere in the relationship between those two."
The answer was the surprising "do nothing."