120 - The Leader's Job
A leader who leads a party of adventurers—their comrades—basically has a lot of worries.
If it were a large-scale operation, perhaps they could just hire someone to handle the management, but you can't entrust money to someone you don't trust.
In my room, I looked at the list of consumables Monica had gathered from everyone and began creating a list of things to purchase.
"Let's see... this is something the party will provide, so that's fine. The problem is Aria. This is definitely something a person should provide for themselves. I mean, Aria is the only one who uses this, isn't she?"
Because we had replaced equipment all at once, Aria was short on cash. I knew she had been visiting food stalls, but since it was within an acceptable range, I had left her be.
If a comrade goes into debt and can't make ends meet, it affects the other members, so a certain level of management is necessary.
A leader has to take care of the party, not just themselves. In other words, there is no time.
"Tomorrow I'll go shopping with Miranda, then Clara, and Aria is..."
Additionally, there's the interaction with my comrades—.
Seeing me like this, Monica was gripping her twin-tails in each hand and looking bored, so I decided to ignore her.
She helps me with various things by my side, and when she gets bored, she makes gestures as if she's sulking. Even now, she's sitting down and singing a sad song to try and get my attention.
"...Monica, if we get everything, budget-wise..."
When I spoke to her, she stood up and snapped both hands upward.
"It's over budget. Specifically, by about ten gold coins! Since it's unclear how much we'll earn in the labyrinth, if we set the budget any higher, we'll have to be prepared for a deficit! Well, compared to a chicken coward's assets, it's a trivial amount."
Even when taking requests, considering the effort of moving the party, it's not the case that any job will do, it was also the leader's job to move the party and turn a profit.
"I don't mind being prepared for a deficit, but getting used to that is a bit..."
While thinking it would be bad if I didn't pull myself together when there won't be enough money no matter how much we have from now on, I heard advice from the Jewel Orb.
The Fourth Generation is strong when it comes to money matters.
'You seem to be worrying, Liel... but I don't think you need to challenge everything with full force all the time.'
When I touched the Jewel Orb, the Fourth Generation continued their explanation.
'I mean, you don't need to operate the party with everyone every time. Just send an appropriate amount of combat power into the labyrinth and let two or three people rest. For Liel's vacation, you don't even have to challenge the labyrinth. Depending on the situation, you could challenge the labyrinth with only two or three people. You have enough personnel to do that now.'
Though the number of people was small, the high individual strength of the members was a characteristic of my party.
'Challenging with everyone is overkill as things stand. If you rotate them appropriately, you can preserve your strength. Besides, it will reduce the consumption of supplies.'
Won't they fail to gain experience equally? I had such anxieties, but it was also a fact that we couldn't move without money.
But—.
(Given the situation with Novem and Miranda, it might be good to rotate and try various compositions. Come to think of it, besides Novem and Miranda, there aren't any others who get along poorly, right?)
I thought it wouldn't be bad to look into that now, and since this was the first labyrinth subjugation in Beim, I felt that various trials and errors would be necessary.
I turned my gaze toward Monica.
"How about the mini-porter for Clara? Does it look like it'll be finished?"
Monica turned both palms upward and shrugged her shoulders.
"Since I can't rent a workshop, it'll be something really simple. It's a rear car with wheels and legs attached to a box, but one is finished."
I had obtained detailed information about the labyrinth, but it wasn't wide enough for a porter to enter. Even if they did, they couldn't go down the stairs.
And Monica calculated that they wouldn't be able to turn corners.
(When it comes to combat in narrow spaces, a small number is safer.)
Originally, I had intended to split the party into two and challenge it, but having only Shannon at the base would be dangerous.
"...Monica, tell everyone that we'll challenge the labyrinth subjugation in rotation. I'll put together the schedule—"
As I said that, the Fifth Generation gave advice from within the Jewel Orb.
'...Summarize the opinions. Also, don't decide on your own. Supplies can be used next time as well, so gather the necessary items and tell everyone today. Hold a meeting. It'll become a pain later.'
Since the Seventh Generation had the skill [Box], I was able to preserve things like food. The reason my party's luggage was small was also because of this convenient skill of the Seventh Generation.
I shook my head, and Monica was waiting for my words.
"—Never mind. We'll buy the necessary things today. But let's discuss challenging in rotation with everyone. Tell them to gather tonight."
Monica nodded.
"That's the best you can do for a chicken coward. Well, some people are out, so it'll be impossible for everyone to be there."
When I thought of the people who were out, Miranda's face came to mind first. Next were Novem, Eva, and Mei.
Since Mei was looking around Beim, Novem was accompanying her as a guardian.
(Clara will be reading for a while once she buys her books, Aria doesn't go out early in the morning, and Shannon... depends on Miranda.)
"I'll tell them when they return. They'll probably be back by night, so at that time... then, once you return, shall we head straight to shopping?"
When I said that, Monica's face turned red.
"I-It's not like I'm happy that I can go shopping with you or anything! I'll hurry and tell them, but don't misunderstand, it's not because I want to go shopping with you quickly!"
She said things like that.
(Why does she do this every time?)
"Then, I'll go alone—"
When I said that, Monica spoke with a straight face.
"That's a lie. I'm incredibly happy, so if you don't take me, I'll complain persistently later. It'll get annoying, so I think it's definitely better to take me. Take me, please. I've been looking forward to it."
"No... you're already annoying enough as it is."
And then, the Sixth Generation gave advice here.
'Liel, don't forget to greet the main members of the labyrinth subjugation.'
(Ah, there was that too.)
A few days later.
While the other comrades were preparing or enjoying their vacation, I was walking in a place I didn't usually visit, with a bottle of liquor in one hand.
I decided to have a narrow-eyed man introduce me to Alette Baie, who would be taking command of this labyrinth subjugation.
Of course, the narrow-eyed man wasn't a direct acquaintance, but I used connections to consult if I could make contact.
It's natural that I wouldn't be introduced if the other party said they wouldn't meet. However, partly because I had been recognized by the guild in a short period, the other party seemed interested.
Permission to meet was granted, and so I made my way there.
(It would have been better if they had refused.)
I thought that because the other party had just returned from completing a request. I had to give my greetings just as the leader himself had gone to achieve a request and had just returned.
I thought it was questionable for a guest to come when someone wanted to relax.
At the same time, my own schedule was tight.
I had told the party members that we would challenge the labyrinth in rotation and got their permission, but what about the rewards in that case? What about the composition? What about the breaks? Various problems arose, and adjusting the opinions was difficult.
(It was good that I listened to the Fifth Generation's opinion.)
While thinking that, I arrived at the place where the target building was.
This area had mansions and buildings like inns lined up. And many adventurers lived around here.
Adventurers who could live in such places were likely the successful type, rather than staying at inns or renting apartments.
A very small number lived incredibly lavish lives, but adventurers who used a building for their party were not uncommon.
"It's here."
As I approached the door and was about to knock, the peephole in the door suddenly slid to the side.
The two eyes looking at me from there were like the eyes of a beast that had found its prey. The purple eyes looked a bit scary.
"What!"
She must have sensed me approaching and reacted first. However, it wasn't a very pleasant reaction.
(I wanted more time to prepare myself mentally.)
While thinking that, the door was opened before I could open my mouth.
"A-Ah?"
While I was feeling bewildered, the person who opened the door and came out was a woman with blonde hair in a bob cut that barely reached her shoulders. She looked to be around twenty years old, or perhaps just under.
And when she came outside, she spread both arms—.
"Welcome, beautiful boy! Now, come jump into my chest! Oh, by the way, won't you sign this document? Right now, you'll get me and my assets! What, even if I'm from a noble family, I'm the fourth daughter. However, I won't let you suffer in life! Moreover, I'm unused—"
Saying "I won't let you suffer!" and such, the other party winked. She was a beauty, but someone who gave a somewhat disappointing impression, and in her hand, she held a document with the word "Marriage" written on it.
From the back, her comrades restrained her.
"Captain Alette! Please, don't go outside! We'll handle it, so please don't appear in front of people any more! It's embarrassing for us too!"
"Stop it. Don't interfere with my marriage hunting! Even so, I long for a prince on a white horse. Inside, I'm a girl! By the way, the gir—"
"That's enough! Even if you're a girl inside, even if your appearance is at the limit of your marriageable age, it's fine! Hurry up and come inside... I mean, who was it! Who let the Captain out of the room!"
The woman, restrained by several men, had a refreshing smile.
"No one can bind me. However, I want to be bound hand and foot by the chains of marriage."
Her comrades said to me.
"...Usually, she's a splendid captain. Really."
I placed the three bottles of liquor I had brought as souvenirs on the ground and pressed my face with both hands as if to hide it.
"A woman I'm meeting for the first time is gouging out my heart."
From within the Jewel Orb, the bored voice of the Third Generation sounded.
'Hmph, don't think you can surpass Liel-san with just that. Our Liel-san goes much further in an unexpected direction.'
The Seventh Generation said.
'The prodigy of the Walt family cannot be surpassed by ordinary things.'
These guys are enjoying this. ...They're the worst.
I understood by intuition.
That this person is also a victim of "after growth."
Her comrades desperately surrounded her and dragged her back into the building. I had heard she was some kind of knight, and indeed, there were many unified parts to everyone's attire.
The man who came out in her place, with a tired expression, wiped his sweat, tidied his hair, corrected the disarray of his clothes, and spoke to me.
"N-Nice to meet you. You must be Liel-dono."
I treated the man as if the previous scene had never happened.
"Yes. Since I'll be participating for the first time in the next labyrinth subjugation, I thought I'd give my greetings. Ah, these are souvenirs."
"...Thank you very much."
I couldn't tell if the man's thank you was for the souvenirs, or a thank you for treating the previous scene as if it hadn't happened.
However, I understood that today was just a bad day.
"Um, since today is just for greetings, I'll take my leave around here."
"Ah, yes. That, if possible..."
I understood what the other party was trying to say. So, I nodded silently.
"I didn't see anything. I didn't hear anything."
The man said to me.
"Thank you. Thank you so much."
The Fourth Generation muttered.
'It really became just a face-to-face meeting. Even though you prepared high-quality liquor as souvenirs.'
The Sixth Generation said.
'Well, you saw the other party's embarrassing side, and the goal of the face-to-face meeting was achieved. It's not all bad, in fact, this is more delicious.'
The Third Generation also said.
'It was the best timing. If anything, next time you meet, why not ask if she always carries that document around!'
The Fifth Generation said.
'The marriageable age these days has extended, huh. I mean, for a noble's daughter, that age is at a level where you'd suspect a defective property.'
The Seventh Generation also said.
'There are cases where the timing is just bad. However, is she a possessor of strength as the next vice-captain? I see... wouldn't that be good?'
The Sixth Generation agreed.
'Yes. Truly wonderful. Now, the problem is how to utilize this, but...'
The successive heads of the family were plotting something.
(These guys are scary.)
Having finished the greetings safely?, I walked while looking at the surroundings as I returned from the home of the adventurer party led by Alette Baie.
It's not uncommon for successful adventurers to have a base in Beim. Some have buildings like mansions, while some parties prefer functional buildings like inns.
(Since expenses will increase, it would be easier for me too if I could have a base somewhere. Even if I have Monica make various things, a place where storage and noise countermeasures can be implemented would be good.)
The current members are comrades who decided to follow me. It might be fine to rent an apartment and have them live there, but I thought that was a bit much.
(It might be better to put on appearances as much as possible. I mean, money is needed to put on appearances... I'll be able to find out what kind of labyrinth subjugation is profitable this time. I have to think about owning a house too.)
As a leader, I had more and more things to think about.
At times like this, I feel it's easier to act as one of the members. And at the same time—.
(That guy Novem has been speaking up less lately. Is he being relied upon, or is it...)
Previously, he had moved around for me in various ways, but I felt a distance had been created since the incident with Celes.
It could be thought that I've been recognized and entrusted, but I also feel a bit lonely.
(...I should probably talk with Novem too. Since he's acting for my sake.)
The reason I can't bring it up might be because somewhere I don't want to be hated.
I'm not the only one putting things off. That's especially true for the successive heads—the Third and Fourth Generations.
The other successive heads also suspected Novem, who was from the Foxuz family, but didn't tell me to question him.
That's how closely they must have been involved with the Walt family. They treated him like a retainer, but perhaps they didn't think he would betray them anywhere.
(Come to think of it, the Foxuz family is a mysterious family too. According to the First Generation, they were originally neighbors or something.)
The Second Generation, the Third Generation, and even the Fourth Generation relied on the Foxuz family. To the extent that people said they seemed to pledge loyalty to the Walt family, not the royal family.
(Someday, I have to have a proper talk...)
On the way home, I felt somehow unwell, and I had a premonition that perhaps I shouldn't ask?