139 - Chivalry
I headed to the guild, bringing Novem along with me today.
I had already decided on the request I wanted to take after gathering my companions, but there was a possibility that another party had already snatched it up.
That said, I couldn't spend forever talking to my companions and wasting time. I had a few candidates in mind—which request to take, and if that was impossible, then this one—but I brought Novem along to consult with her in case those were gone and I found a new request I wanted to take.
(If it were Aria, I wouldn't be able to trust her judgment on this sort of thing.)
I'm not saying Aria is bad, but she's still completely preoccupied with her own affairs. She doesn't have the leeway to think about the other companions, so Novem or Miranda are better suited for deciding these things.
Clara would be next, perhaps?
As usual, it was crowded, but since it was early morning, there were fewer people than usual.
Looking around, I saw some of the adventurers I had worked with during the labyrinth subjugation. Among them were some adventurers I didn't particularly want to meet.
"Yikes! That woman."
The one looking at me with a disgusted expression was Erhart, who was on his way to work. He wasn't carrying his greatsword today, but his tank top remained unchanged.
(I think it's still cold, though.)
While feeling exasperated, I gave him a light greeting. Novem also gave a slight bow.
"That's harsh. You seem to be doing well yourself."
When I said that, Erhart looked proud.
"Damn right! I've already reached the point where I can get a Rank B evaluation. Once I save up some money and get my equipment sorted, I'll head to the labyrinth subjugation and surpass you in no time!"
Watching Erhart's back as he headed outside with his companions, I felt somewhat happy about his growth.
"To think he's working seriously... I wish he'd just buy a jacket."
At my words, Novem gave a wry smile.
"There must be something he refuses to compromise on. Conversely, the metal armor around his waist is quite prominent."
Erhart's equipment was unbalanced between top and bottom, but I didn't see it this time. Usually, he wears metal armor around his waist and legs.
"I guess it's unnecessary for chore-type work. But he seems to be doing well."
I felt a bit relieved.
If something happened, I wouldn't be able to sleep well.
(Especially after being told to give my regards to Marianne-san.)
As I was thinking that, I encountered an overbearing acquaintance with a refreshing morning smile. It was Crate-san.
"Good morning, Liel-kun!"
This time, I almost let out a "Yikes!" but Novem greeted Crate-san.
"It's been a while."
"Hello, Novem-san. You're bringing a different woman every day, aren't you?"
The smiling Crate-san probably meant no harm, but those around us felt differently. Envious looks and pitying glances pierced through me.
From within the Jewel Orb, the Fourth Generation spoke.
'The kind of guy who means no harm is the worst.'
The Third Generation laughed.
'If he could do things according to a plan, he'd be a hateful person, but he doesn't seem that dexterous, so he's a good guy. If you keep your distance, he seems like he'd be a good ally.'
I also greeted him, Crate-san was dressed casually. Even for "casual," his personality showed in how neat his attire was.
His collar was firmly fastened, and his clothes had almost no wrinkles.
"I always think this, but you're very tidy. You don't seem like an adventurer."
At that, Crate-san smiled.
"Is that so? I'm not sure if I should be happy or sad that you think so. But our ultimate goal is official appointment, after all."
Now that he mentioned it, I felt like I had heard something like that before.
"Official appointment?"
When I said that, Crate-san slapped his puffed-out chest with his right hand.
"Yes, we are a party that gathered to become knights! We are training ourselves until the day we meet the lord we ought to serve."
I thought he was an overbearing person, but he must be disciplining himself for the sake of his goal. Though I felt it might be going a bit too far.
Then, Crate-san looked at the clock inside the guild.
"Oh no, I must be going. Well then, excuse me, Liel-kun!"
Watching Crate-san leave with a smile, I found myself waving back.
Looking at Crate-san, the Seventh Generation remarked.
'I admire the spirit, but why an adventurer...?'
The Seventh Generation hates adventurers. Since they don't often give the "correct" opinion at times like this, I left them be.
Then, Novem called out to me.
"Liel-sama, it's your turn."
Looking ahead as told, the adventurers who had been talking at the counter were moving away.
(Tanya-san is at the reception today.)
Looking like a capable woman with a bob cut and glasses, she was as polite and fast in her work as her appearance suggested.
I went to the counter with the documents and greeted Tanya-san.
"Hello. It's been a while."
"Yes, it has been a while. What can I do for you today?"
"I'm thinking of taking a request. Can I take this one?"
When I placed the documents down and pointed, Tanya-san looked at the materials in her hand and fell into thought.
"There's already a party that has taken that one. Would you like to see new materials? Also, it would be a huge help if you could take this request right now."
The request Tanya-san wanted me to take was one that took a lot of time but had a low reward.
"Isn't that a bit too harsh?"
When I said that, Tanya-san seemed to understand.
"We think so too, but there are circumstances that make it problematic if no one takes it. Also, if you do take it, we'll buy any magic stones obtained during the extermination at a slightly higher price."
As I pondered this, Novem checked the purchase price.
"How much? Also, will this request be credited toward our evaluation?"
Tanya-san had a troubled expression.
"A ten percent markup is fine. Though it depends on the quantity. However, regarding the evaluation... would it be acceptable if my evaluation went up instead?"
Novem looked at Tanya-san, who had tilted her head slightly and was smiling.
"That's out of the question."
Tanya-san gave a wry smile.
"I thought so. I would refuse it too."
I was inwardly surprised that Tanya-san had tried to push such a request on us. However, I was glad I brought Novem.
I might have accepted it myself.
Novem spoke with Tanya-san.
"Then, is it possible to take this one and this one simultaneously?"
"It is possible... but in that case, it would be a help if you could take this one on your way back."
Novem looked at me, and I checked the contents.
(Looking at it as a quota, it's a bit much. Processing two would be enough. Besides, if I take a third, I'll have no leeway left this month.)
I said,
"Taking that much would be tough this month. I don't want to lose too much leeway."
At that, Tanya-san shrugged her shoulders.
"About that, I think this kind of situation will continue for a while."
"Eh?"
When I looked at Tanya-san's expression, it was serious. Tanya-san informed me that requests would increase for a while—no, rather, the number of adventurers taking requests would decrease.
"It's not certain, but the countries of Zain and Rolfis have entered a state of tension. I don't think they'll move immediately, but even so, both camps are gathering manpower. If things go poorly, armies in the tens of thousands will clash."
Hearing that, Novem said,
"That was Alette-san's home country, wasn't it?"
Tanya-san nodded and continued her explanation.
"I don't know if you and your group will participate, but if it reaches that scale, adventurers will join in droves. The volume of requests will increase, but since the number of adventurers taking them will decrease, the guild will naturally have to—in order to process them."
In order to process them, they'll likely increase the quota.
(This is bad. So requests will increase for a while.)
Hearing this, Novem also seemed to be deep in thought.
However, cheerful voices came from within the Jewel Orb.
The Third Generation said,
'Ho, a war in the tens of thousands, eh?'
The Fourth Generation added,
'The preparations will be grueling. If we're going to have Liel participate, we'll want information.'
The Fifth Generation also spoke.
'Either ride the winning horse or overturn a disadvantage... if it's the latter, we might be able to increase the number of allies, which is Liel's goal.'
The Sixth Generation disagreed.
'Winning and spreading one's name is also good. That way, it'll be easier to gather people. Besides, Liel has no experience in large-scale battles. Overturning a disadvantage would be difficult.'
The Seventh Generation said,
'It's a chance. Let's move toward active intervention. That said, nothing starts without information.'
Among the successive heads, the opinion was coalescing toward having me participate.
(...And my opinion?)
After returning to the inn, Novem and I explained the situation we heard at the guild to everyone.
Since we gathered in my room, the room felt cramped.
Monica prepared tea for everyone, and we held our consultation while drinking it.
Shannon said,
"...The amount of requests we take will increase? Why not just refuse?"
It would be easy if we could, but the guild is troubled because there are no adventurers to take the requests.
If we just acted as usual here, there would be things the other party couldn't accept.
Or rather, I intend to take some of them to a certain extent because I want to put the guild in my debt.
Miranda said to Shannon,
"We're consulting because we can't do that. Assuming we take requests with little profit this time, what do we do next? If we only take requests, it'll be tough financially."
Basically, our sources of income are the rewards and the magic stones or materials obtained on the way there and back.
Unlike the labyrinth subjugation, the reward amounts are lower.
If we do a large number, the request fees would result in a decent income, but I had another opinion.
"Speaking of which, regarding the upcoming war between Rolfis and Zain... we'll participate too."
Hearing that, Eva looked slightly interested. As expected, as a singer, she must have a longing for the battlefield.
I didn't think it was interesting to watch, but it's a fact that heroic songs are loved by many people.
"It's improper, but I'm interested."
However, Mei, being a divine beast, didn't seem to understand.
"Killing each other among the same species. I can't understand it. Well, since there are so many of them, I guess it's just an extension of a territorial dispute."
It is a territorial dispute itself.
Clara said,
"But at our scale, we won't be counted as a significant force. Even if the quality is high, mercenary groups still value numbers. It's not guaranteed that we can earn money by participating."
We don't have the know-how to participate as a mercenary group and make money. However, I have people who are knowledgeable in that area.
The Fourth Generation gave me advice.
'Liel, say that you'll conduct information gathering. In the meantime, we'll split up between requests to gather the necessary supplies.'
I spoke up.
"Participation is decided. However, for the time being, we'll prioritize information gathering. Depending on the results of the information gathering, we might forgo participation, so our policy will be to gather information while taking requests."
When I conveyed my decision, Aria looked a bit bewildered.
"But, does that mean... if we participate, we'll be fighting people?"
To Aria, who was looking around at everyone, Miranda said,
"If we're going to experience it eventually, it might be good to get a feel for the atmosphere once. However, I hate pointless deaths. If I think it's reckless, I'll oppose it."
Rather than saying she hated it herself, she seemed worried about whether I would take reckless actions. When I nodded, Novem spoke.
"Alette-san told me to ask Liel-sama to write a letter of introduction, but perhaps she was in a hurry. Alette-san will likely return to her home country, Rolfis, so if we side with Zain, we'll be enemies."
When everyone remembered Alette-san, they felt something because she's a person who's hard to hate. Moreover, Alette-san is undoubtedly capable.
I can't say for sure that we could win without a scratch if we met on the battlefield. No, we, who are participating for the first time, would be prime targets.
Monica said,
"Hmm, this is a bit problematic. If it were a bit sooner, it would have been greatly useful... well, as long as this Monica is here, a performance equivalent to one against a thousand is guaranteed. After all, I am a maid!"
I laughed through my nose.
"There are ten thousand enemies, what's going to happen with just you? Even if you face a thousand alone, how many are left? Besides, why is it reassuring if you're a maid?"
In response to my question, Monica spun around, swaying her twin-tails, pinched her skirt with her fingers to lift it, and gave a beautiful bow.
"That's just how maids are. Besides, the current me is the full-option version! Things that were impossible until now have become possible!"
I had only seen her increase the number of convenient tools for cleaning and cooking.
I gave a vague reply and looked at everyone.
"Anyone opposed to participating... no one, then. So, from now on, we'll focus on taking requests. But at the same time, I think we should leave some members in Beim to gather information."
With nine people, it should be possible to achieve requests while leaving a few behind.
Then, Miranda raised her hand.
"Is something wrong, Miranda?"
"Yes. I've asked a few information brokers in Beim for work before. At that time, I made an acquaintance with a skilled broker. I'll introduce them to Liel."
She said this with a smile, but listening to her, I remembered.
(She said she had Novem under surveillance. So she had already investigated the information brokers first.)
Miranda added, saying it was just an extra.
"I've had them investigate the countries around here. Including Vanseim. It might be better to act after hearing that."
I looked at Miranda. There were various things I wanted to say, but since I had made a statement about accepting everything, I couldn't criticize her for acting on her own.
(And besides, it is benefiting me.)
If this were something that hindered me, I would warn her, but—.
"Understood. I'll meet them. Also, I'll say thanks. However, it would be helpful if you could consult me from next time."
To me saying that, the Fourth Generation spoke.
'Liel, shall we pay the request fees to Miranda-chan? She must have spent a considerable amount. Liel should bear the cost.'
I gripped the Orb and said to Miranda,
"By the way, tell me the expenses incurred. I'll pay."
Miranda brushed the hair over her ear back.
"Oh, then should I say a hundred or two hundred gold coins?"
Since she said it as a joke,
"Fine. If that's how much it cost, I'll pay."
Then, Miranda's expression became serious.
"I'm lying. But I do want you to handle these kinds of exchanges properly. I'm happy to be trusted, but being loose is no good."
Thinking she was conscientious, I nodded and confirmed the expenses incurred by Miranda.
The Sixth Generation said,
'As expected of Miranda! This saves us the trouble of looking for an information broker.'
Then, the Fifth Generation spoke.
'Are you an idiot? There might be even better brokers. Besides, we'll need more information from now on. Will one or two be enough?'
After obtaining everyone's consent, I stood up and decided to begin action.
(Now, I wonder what the situation is exactly.)
It probably won't all be situations favorable to me, but right now, I need to use whatever I can to defeat Celes.
(I can't afford to be naive.)
That's what I thought.