128 - The Shape of a Party
Having accepted Crate-san's request, I was transporting supplies to Alette-san and her group, who were camping on the fifth basement floor.
Moving while participating in Crate-san's overly serious party was slow, unlike our usual pace.
There were many differences in how they took breaks and how they moved.
I understood that it would be strange for us to be the same, since the personnel we gathered were different.
My honest impression was.
(They're faithful to the basics, but they're too biased toward combat.)
If they encountered an enemy, Crate-san's way was to overpower them with their boastful armaments. Looking at the equipment they had gathered, they seemed to be imagining a knight order.
(...Or rather, they're too serious.)
After proceeding through the labyrinth, which looked like a reproduction of a cave, we arrived at the entrance to the sixth basement floor, delivered the luggage to Alette-san and the others, and confirmed the contents.
Crate-san was also present, confirming whether the luggage was gathered in the correct number.
Alette-san looked at the food while checking the list.
"Hmm, it's a bit different, but this should be about it. Crate, and Lyell-kun, I thank you both."
Alette-san finished checking the luggage with a smile, but it was Crate-san who voiced an opinion.
"Alette-dono, what do you mean by 'a bit different'? I was told that these were certainly received without mistake."
After a short pause, Alette-san explained to Crate-san.
"...Most likely, there wasn't enough time to gather everything on the surface. I didn't check when I returned to the surface either. The surface seems quite bustling, so there are probably some things that couldn't be gathered. I wasn't exactly complaining? Well, if you're concerned, I shall apologize."
Alette-san apologized, but Crate-san would not back down.
"They weren't gathered? Is that not unacceptable? We must immediately put out a request and have additional supplies sent. With my party, once more—"
Alette-san, who gave a slight wry smile to Crate-san, who seemed about to add that he would accept the request once more, waved her hand flutteringly.
She seemed to understand that it would be a hassle.
"It's no problem. I requested more than enough from the start, and with this much, it should be fine even if we challenge the boss of the seventh basement floor. I'll add to the request next time I ask."
It seemed to mean that the amount of supplies was sufficient.
Crate-san muttered.
"No, however... such things must be done properly."
He seemed unsatisfied, but Alette-san hid her mouth with the list she was holding and spoke.
"The request fee is quite significant. If we ask multiple times, it'll be a deficit. Also, if you're staying the night, I'll lend you a spot."
She seemed to think we would return to the surface after staying one night. She took the pocket watch hanging from her waist and checked the time, telling us that if we returned now, it would be night.
In a labyrinth where the sense of time becomes distorted, such a watch would be necessary.
(Maybe I should buy one too. Though they're expensive.)
Watches capable of withstanding a labyrinth subjugation were extremely expensive.
Crate-san, asked if he would stay the night, replied.
"No, just letting me take a break is sufficient. I must return today."
Since we had arrived later than scheduled, it would likely be night by the time he returned to the surface.
(I wonder if Novem and the others are worried? Or rather, this time, how should I put it...)
Being able to see Crate-san's party up close was a great harvest for us.
However, I also felt like I never wanted to work with them again. Not only were the party's policies different, but the rhythm... anyway, they were too rigid and didn't fit.
There's a limit to how inflexible one can be.
"I see. Then, use the empty space. Also, Crate, hurry up and challenge the sixth basement floor and beyond. It's a hassle for us alone."
To Alette-san's words, Crate-san showed refusal.
"No. My equipment is not yet complete."
Alette-san, with a subtle expression, said.
"I-I see. Ah, Lyell-kun, I have a bit to talk about, so could you stay? I ask your companions to join as well."
When told, I nodded, and Miranda and Aria also nodded with exhausted expressions.
They seemed quite tired from acting together with Crate-san and his group.
"Then, I shall take my break. Lyell-kun, do not be late for departure."
While watching Crate-san's back as he left the area, Alette-san let out a deep sigh.
"Haa~, he has the skill and is serious... but he's too serious, which is the problem. Or rather, I wonder how you managed to come all the way here carrying luggage with him. The earnings couldn't have been very good."
The person who put out the request wondered why we had accompanied them.
She understood well that for two parties, even small ones, to complete a request together, the request fee would be low.
Aria said with a look of dislike.
"It was Lyell's instruction. Or rather, he really is too serious. I think there are other ways to do things."
Then, Alette-san laughed.
"That kind of seriousness cannot be imitated. But it's a fact that he's excellent. He completes any request seriously, and while he has a side that is too obsessed with his own way of doing things, conversely, he is cautious and has high certainty. He's the exact opposite of Albano and the others. I think those guys should have a bit more of a sense of crisis."
I felt that if you added them together and divided by two, you'd get just the right party.
Miranda asked Alette-san.
"Are you going to challenge the boss of the seventh basement floor as well?"
Alette-san, who had been laughing, nodded with a slightly serious expression.
"Yeah, I plan to unlock it soon. Albano and the others will probably come down soon, wanting money to play with. I'm expecting a lot from you all as well."
After finishing the conversation with Alette-san, we took a break and headed for the surface.
...Slowly.
When we returned to the surface, as expected, the surroundings were dark.
The town side was overflowing with noisy voices and light, but under the cold sky, we were truly happy from the bottom of our hearts that we had achieved the request.
From within the Jewel Orb, the voice of the Third Generation could be heard.
『Good work, Lyell. Now, what did you think?』
He was probably talking about Crate-san and the others.
I honestly spun the Jewel Orb with my fingertip. It was a sign of negation.
The Third Generation laughed a little.
『I thought so. Since it's different from your usual rhythm, it probably felt quite difficult. Well, I'll hear your impressions later, but Lyell, shall we go to the guild with Crate?』
I left the empty Mini-Porters to Aria and Miranda and had them return to the porter's location first.
As for me, I had to head to the guild with Crate-san to report the completion of the request.
(I'm more tired than usual. But, Crate-san is...)
"Now, shall we go, Lyell-kun!"
With a refreshing smile, he pointed his thumb toward me.
(This person is really energetic...)
I felt a little envious.
This time, there was no fighting with monsters, and no exchanging of materials or magic stones for money, so I was just going to receive half of the reward.
However, I discovered a good point about Crate-san there.
Without negotiating, he simply split the reward in half. He didn't say things like, "Since you were the luggage carrier, you probably aren't tired."
He was too serious, but he was also serious regarding the handling of money.
The next day.
At the place where we were staying, we were looking at the Mini-Porter that Monica had improved.
Or rather...
"Did you make this?"
There was something different from a Mini-Porter.
A porter like a boat was there. Until now, it had been a square box shape for putting in luggage, but that part had become the shape of a boat.
On both sides, there was even a mechanism for paddling water. There were oars too.
Courteously, the paddling mechanism had been attached to the other Mini-Porters as well.
Monica put both hands on her hips, puffed out her chest proudly, and laughed loudly.
"Ohohoho, did you see that, chicken brat! This is Monica's true power. Since it has legs, it can move on land, and in water, it serves the role of a boat—an amphibious Mini-Porter! Haa, this adorable form is just indescribable."
Everyone looked at Monica, who was hugging Mini-Porter Unit 3, with complete disbelief. They hadn't thought she would go this far.
Clara timidly raised her hand and asked.
"Um, aren't you taking these children along?"
Then, Monica explained that she had prepared rubber swim rings for the Mini-Porters.
"As long as we don't overload them with luggage, it should be no problem. Or rather, please take me along next time! I'll row with all my might! Monica will become this child's engine!"
(I wonder if these paddle-like things are just for decoration?)
While looking at the devices attached to the Mini-Porters, I couldn't help but think that.
I looked at Monica.
"Engine? What are you talking about? But, the eighth basement floor seems to have many water areas, so I wonder what to do about the members..."
As I looked around at my companions, Eva averted her gaze from me.
"Eva? You..."
Eva, covering her face with both hands, said while her ears turned red.
"I'm sorry. I can't swim. Ever since I nearly drowned in a lake long ago, water is no good..."
When Eva dropped out, Shannon also shook her head with all her might.
"No way! A place where there are weird frog-people! I can't swim either!"
I hadn't expected much from Shannon from the start, so that would leave Mei and Clara, but...
Clara also had a pale expression.
"Eh? Clara?"
"I-I'm sorry. I've never swam... or rather, I'd prefer it if the books I bring didn't get wet."
And then, I looked at Mei.
"I can swim, or rather, I can walk on water... so it's no problem."
I said with a smile.
"Don't walk on water. I'm begging you, just act normal. Don't do things that stand out."
Then, the voice of the Fifth Generation came from the Jewel Orb.
『Lyell, what is normal for Mei and what is normal for you are different things—』
Since the lecture seemed like it would be long, I ignored it and looked at the remaining members.
Novem. Aria. Miranda. Monica. Mei.
—Including these five, it would be a challenge with six people.
Looking at the amphibious Mini-Porter, it was a size that seemed capable of carrying six people. If we loaded the luggage into the remaining Mini-Porters, it would be no problem.
However, the members challenging the labyrinth were no problem. The problem was the members staying behind.
"Well, six people should be enough. But will three people be okay?"
Looking at the remaining members, I became a little worried.
I couldn't expect much from Shannon, and Clara looked small and unreliable. Eva seemed like she would go out into the town and play around.
(Adventurers aren't all good people, and when I think about what might happen, I get anxious. I don't want to worry about the surface while inside the labyrinth.)
I wanted to leave the reliable Novem or Miranda behind, but—.
Here, Miranda made a suggestion.
"It is a bit worrying. Why not have Mei stay? She's reliable, and surely she'll stay quiet until we return."
Mei, who was told this, looked at Novem once and then turned her gaze toward me.
I said to Miranda.
"Eh? Mei? Will that be okay?"
She looked small and unreliable, but Mei was a Kirin. In terms of combat power, she was reliable, and if she stayed behind, I could be at ease regarding strength.
Aria said, sounding exasperated.
"Or rather, I think Novem or Miranda would be more suitable here? If you don't like it, I'll stay."
I thought.
(Aria is more active inside the labyrinth. Conversely, leaving her behind wouldn't be much...)
As I pondered, perhaps because she disliked being thought of as unreliable, Mei raised her voice.
"Hey, it's not like I'm always buying snacks. If I just have to protect this place, I can do at least that much. You can go with peace of mind. Ah, but... make sure to leave some pre-made meals."
Monica, knowing she was participating, said happily.
"I can at least do the pre-made meals. Or rather, how many days' worth should I prepare?"
I thought to myself.
(No, can't they just eat at the stalls? Why do these guys only eat store-bought snacks? Normally, that's what you'd do for times like this.)
A party returning from the labyrinth is tired, and preparing meals is a hassle.
One could say that's why the stalls exist.
Scratching my head, I said to everyone.
"This time, I'm also keeping the unlocking of the eighth basement floor in view. I'll earn mainly around the eighth basement floor, but I intend to challenge the boss. The plan is for about five days."
Calculating one day for the trip there and back, I was thinking of exploring the eighth basement and defeating the boss in three days.
The problem was that there was a high possibility the enemy would be a monster that excelled in water, but...
(Well, I can manage with the Second Generation's skills and weapons. Besides, it's about time I switched to targeting big game.)
Up until now, I had spent my time just being surprised by the surrounding environment. But there's no meaning if I don't earn as an adventurer.
At the same time, I wanted to fight the labyrinth boss.
So that I would be called again next time. I have to be considered as a combat asset. Not just by the guild, but by the surrounding adventurers as well.
Novem agreed.
"If Lyell-sama says so."
Miranda glanced at Novem before speaking.
"Fine. Or rather, maybe I should carry a spear too? Aria, lend me a spare."
Aria said to Miranda.
"Don't break it. I bought a replacement, but it's a spear that's easy to use."
Monica, since it had been a while since she participated, said.
"Fufufu, just watch. I'll make you re-confirm that this Monica is the only healing presence within the Amazon army. Besides, the situation of gently wiping a wet chicken brat with a towel is quite... oops, I'm drooling."
And so, in the next labyrinth—.
Me. Novem. Aria. Miranda. Monica.
—it was decided that the five of us would challenge it.
The Fourth (-@∀@) "Lately... Lyell's ignore-skill has been increasing, so it's boring. Ah~, I wonder when he'll finally become Lyell-san."