121 - The Subjugation Force Departs
After completing the preparations for the labyrinth subjugation, several hundred people gathered at the east gate of Beim to depart.
It didn't reach a thousand, but it was still a considerable number.
(I heard the difficulty was low, but...)
The largest party was the knights led by Alette Baie. There were probably around thirty people capable of fighting, but there were an equal number of support staff.
However, perhaps because they were short on support, they had also hired some temporary help.
As for the other parties, my impression was that the largest had around six members and a dozen or so support staff. My party wasn't the smallest.
The smallest group, according to a narrow-eyed man, was a lightly equipped band led by Albano. They had rented a wagon, but there were only six of them in total.
Krate Benini, who had disrupted the area with a duel commotion, had a party that supported a group of six armed members with an even larger number of staff, as per his usual style.
He had prepared four wagons, and while their equipment was mismatched, it looked like a military march. No, I had participated in a march in Central, but in terms of actual ability, this group was likely superior.
Looking around, parties unrelated to the official force were also gathering.
(What, can anyone just participate?)
While I was thinking that, a guild employee walked toward Alette-san, the commander for this operation.
It was Tanya-san.
Having already finished checking the luggage loaded onto the porter, I watched the exchange between the two from a distance.
Since I had arrived early in the morning, I was near the center of the gathering. Because of that, along with the porter, I stood out among the group of women.
Some adventurers even approached me with leering expressions, asking things like, "Will you start doing business as soon as we get there?"
It seemed there were all sorts of things happening with the labyrinth subjugation in Beim.
(I wonder what they've mistaken me for... Oh, they're talking.)
The voices reaching me were mixed with the surrounding noise, so I couldn't hear everything. However, what I could make out was—.
"Well then, these are the regular subjugation members."
"...That helps, Tanya."
"You seem lacking in spirit. What's wrong, Alette-san? Oh, that's right! Actually, a party I recommended is also participating, so could you let me know how they're doing once you return?"
"...I guess? So, what's their name?"
"The party is conspicuous, so you'll recognize them immediately. It's Liel-kun over there with the blue hair."
Apparently, she knew I was eavesdropping.
When Alette-san looked this way, her face turned pale. When I waved, Tanya-san smiled and waved back modestly.
Alette-san looked down and held her head in her hands.
Once the procedures were finished, Tanya-san approached me.
Looking at Alette-san, who vanished from before me as if escaping, I felt an indescribable emotion.
(Right. It's painful because she remembers... I get it. I understand completely, Alette-san.)
From the Jewel Orb, I heard the voice of the Third Generation desperately suppressing laughter.
'Hey, Liel... make sure to ask if she always carries documents around. Or, ask her right to her face, "Did you find a good person?"!'
(...The Third Generation is somehow the most sinister one.)
I greeted Tanya-san as she approached.
"Good morning. You noticed me, I see."
"You have a conspicuous wagon. Or rather, was it a porter instead of a wagon? I'm surprised you have the item that's been a topic of conversation in Alamsars."
Looking at the porter drawing the attention of those around us, Monica was puffing out her chest nearby.
Thinking that no one was actually praising her, I continued talking with Tanya-san.
"By the way, you mentioned something about regular members."
"Eh? Ah, that. Liel-kun wasn't familiar with the details, was he? Since it's your first time participating, it might be good to remember how that works."
Tanya-san explained that separately from the parties the guild recognizes as being able to participate in the subjugation, they allow parties or solo adventurers hired by those parties as support to participate as temporary participants.
She said that many parties usually complete requests with the bare minimum number of people, but when it comes to labyrinth subjugations, they hire adventurers to provide support.
Of course, it wasn't just those kinds of parties, and even if they hired someone temporarily, it wouldn't work if they couldn't trust the other party.
Even if we were known, it would be difficult to be hired in just about a week.
"Merchants also accompany us, besides adventurers. There are people traveling in the same direction, and even a troupe of traveling performers. Look, they're over there."
Looking over, I saw elves gathered, checking their instruments and such.
They were a bit far away, so I hadn't noticed.
(They have weapons, so they looked like adventurers.)
Looking around, I saw merchants leading several wagons. Well-dressed women were acting friendly toward those around them.
Some were even opening shops in this situation, doing business with the adventurers.
Additionally, there were young adventurers pleading with surrounding parties to take them along, saying they would do anything.
"A small town is created for a limited time. Entertainment is necessary, after all. When moving, the temporary participants also act as guards. The regular members can then challenge the labyrinth with all their might."
"Are temporary participants not recognized?"
Tanya-san said with a wry smile.
"Even as an employee, I can't know everything that happens where I'm not looking. Employees do accompany as attendants, though. I'll return to the East Branch once I've confirmed the participants. You should probably see for yourself."
I nodded, accepting that's how it was, and then Tanya-san spoke.
"Normally, building relationships with those around you through temporary participation is important, but Liel-kun and your group have the skill."
"...Earlier, you told Alette-san that you recommended us."
When I said that, Tanya-san nodded.
"Yes, so please don't betray my expectations."
Saying that with a smile, Tanya-san walked away to confirm the participation of other parties.
――The group that departed arrived at the destination, led by the party headed by Alette.
Miranda walked through the Base and understood the meaning of the words Tanya had spoken.
(A small town really was created. I can't believe it.)
The group had not exceeded a thousand initially, but as time passed, more people gathered, and the number surpassed a thousand.
However, when they moved outside, groups with different destinations branched off.
As a result, about six hundred people arrived after six days of travel.
The subjugation difficulty was not high. However, considering the scale exceeded ten floors underground and there was a boss on every floor, it was thought that it would take time.
The parties actually participating in the subjugation were about one hundred and fifty.
Conducting a subjugation with twice that number of people accompanying them was a different approach from dispatching knights or soldiers.
Immediately after arrival, the employees dispatched by the guild confirmed the members were present.
Then, the mages they brought began to build the Base.
They leveled the land, built walls, and prepared roads.
Just as Tanya had said, a town was truly created.
And the merchants, who unloaded their luggage immediately upon arrival, split into those who stayed and those who returned, heading back to Beim with escort adventurers.
They would bring more supplies again, but upon asking, it seemed another merchant caravan was heading this way. They had reportedly departed a few days later.
Miranda was curious about what the merchants were thinking by doing such a thing, but the other party only smiled ambiguously and refused to elaborate.
The items being sold were mostly weaponry, alcohol, and food. They prepared things that would last.
Some even brought materials and used magic to create stone ovens to bake bread.
After distributing the brought luggage to the primary members, the guild employees set up tents and did paperwork there.
They had horses prepared, likely to maintain regular contact with the guild.
As they started walking back to the area they were assigned, adventurers were already gathering at the tents where the prostitutes were located immediately after arrival.
"Hey, five silver coins is too expensive. How about three?"
To the adventurer haggling, the man who brought the prostitutes smiled.
"Boss, we're risking our lives to come to a place like this to do business. It's no sin to be a little expensive. Besides, the ones I brought are top-grade prostitutes."
The adventurer didn't back down.
"Stop lying! You came here with guards, so that's just not possible!"
However, the man replied.
"Then that's fine. I'll attend to other customers. Besides, we've only just arrived, and the preparations aren't finished yet. If you help us out, I might be able to make it a bit cheaper..."
At the man's suggestive glances, the adventurers said they would help and performed tent setup and other tasks.
Turning her gaze elsewhere, she could hear the sound of instruments, as if the troupe of performers was singing songs.
"It's quite lively."
As she said that, a voice called out.
"That's only natural. When adventurers are making money, it's also the time for merchants, craftsmen, and prostitutes to make money. We're not serious enough to fight for days without entertainment."
Turning around, a man with short blonde hair and drooping eyes was standing there. A one-handed sword with a long hilt hung at his waist.
Miranda responded with a smile to the man who, at first glance, looked like a playboy in light equipment.
"Do you need something?"
The other party also greeted her with a smile. He put his hands on his hips, clenched his right hand, and pointed his thumb at himself.
"I'm Albano. Actually, I'd like to get closer to a beautiful young lady. Well, incidentally, I also want to talk to your leader."
When Miranda subtly let her arm hang so she could reach her weapon, the other party panicked, saying it was a joke.
"Don't get angry! I really want to meet your leader! You're first-timers, right? I don't want things to be disrupted too much, so I want to have a discussion in advance."
When she stopped reaching for her weapon, the other party seemed relieved.
(He seems lighthearted, but his reactions are quite fast. Also, he might be considerably strong.)
As Miranda made that judgment, the other party explained the situation.
"Big Sister Alette basically participates to train her subordinates. She thinks it's fine as long as the money-making turns a profit. She wants to handle the bosses, but other than that, she's generous. She's a grateful commander for us."
Looking at Albano as he explained, Miranda said.
"So, what do you want us to do? If it's to our disadvantage, I don't want to introduce you."
Albano waved his hand.
"That's why I'm saying it's not that. Big Sister Alette is seriously combat-specialized. We're specialized in mobility, or rather, reconnaissance. Well, you can tell by looking, we're the same type."
Looking at Albano, Miranda realized he was the same type as her. He had many tools, was capable of removing and setting traps, and wore light equipment that was easy to move in...
(Come to think of it, everyone was extremely lightly equipped. So the entire party is specialized in that.)
"That's why I don't want you to go too far ahead and disrupt things. I'm sometimes asked to set traps, and I don't want to make an enemy of Big Sister Alette either. It's mutually beneficial. You can go confirm it. After that, I can go greet you."
Thinking he was a diligent man despite his appearance, Miranda confirmed.
"You'll go that far? If I let you confirm, I'll have Liel go over there."
At that, Albano made a disgusted expression.
"That would be a problem. Everyone but me has bad manners. Even without malice, they sometimes provoke people. That's how it turned into a real fight with Krate. Thanks to that, Big Sister's mood soured, and it was a nightmare."
Apparently, he had his own reasons for coming to greet them.
(You can't say your manners are great either, but if others are even worse, that could be a problem. I suppose it's better that he's concerned.)
Miranda didn't think the other party was lying, but she decided to verify.
"I'll go to Alette-san's place to confirm. Let's meet again after that. I should be able to find you if I look around here."
It wasn't a large town.
It was merely a place that had the functions of a small town. There were no villages nearby, though.
"That works. Then, shall we make it tomorrow morning? The troupe is here, so I'll wait there. Work starts tomorrow, so I want to explain things before entering the labyrinth. By the way, what's your name?"
Miranda smiled.
"I'm Miranda. Then, if it's true, let's meet tomorrow. I'll bring Liel along too."
Having finished his business, Albano walked away.
He looked like a playboy, but as someone recognized by the guild, he seemed to have the skill.
(This is different from the Griffon hunt in Central. Everyone around is experienced, so there's more for us to learn. Even so...)
Miranda started walking toward where the porter was.
The place where they had set up a tent was where Liel and his group would stay. Since they couldn't take the porter into the labyrinth this time, they used it as their sleeping quarters.
As she approached, Liel and the others, who had arrived, were checking the supplies they received from the guild.
They were food items, such as hard bread and dried meat.
Monica was thinking with a serious expression about how to cook them.
Liel was checking Clara and the small porter-like thing he had named the Mini-Porter.
Mei was lying on the ceiling of the porter, yawning.
Eva showed interest in the singing she could hear, fidgeting and being cautioned by Novem.
Shannon, exhausted just from the travel, had her legs hanging out of the porter's cargo bed, looking limp.
Novem was checking the luggage along with Eva.
Then, Miranda saw the staff Novem held.
(Purchased in Beim, huh. I wonder why there was a need to lie.)
The silver metal staff had a simple design. The handle part was made to look like blackened wood.
Both ends were silver, and the design of the top part was simple for a mage's staff.
Then, Miranda remembered Liel's reaction when he saw the staff.
'That looks like Novem's staff.'
How was it similar? Miranda hadn't asked to confirm such a doubt, but she knew from having an informant investigate that Novem had received something like a staff from his family.
(There's a possibility it's different, but the timing is too good.)
Miranda grew wary of Novem.
Then, Novem turned around to look at Miranda.
It was as if he had noticed her from the beginning.
(...Someday, I'll strip away your disguise, Novem.)
Returning to her companions with a smile, Miranda was thinking such things――.