23 - Aria Rockwood
About an hour's walk from the city of Darion, we—
the four of us: me, Novem, Zelfie-san, and Aria—were dealing with monsters.
In that place near the forest, monsters that had settled there would appear.
It was dangerous to enter the forest to fight, but if there were no obstacles outside the forest, the four of us... effectively three of us, could manage.
"Riel-sama, I am ready."
Once Novem's preparations were complete, I slashed at an approaching Goblin with my saber.
The Goblin's right arm, still clutching its club, flew through the air, and I immediately leaped backward.
"Do it, Novem!"
At my instruction, Novem used magic.
"Earth Spear!"
Thorns emerged one after another from the ground, assaulting the Goblins.
We would enter the forest and intentionally act in a way that provoked them. That way, we could stimulate and lure the monsters out of the forest.
We fought the monsters that emerged as a group, but this required a decoy. Naturally, Zelfie-san did not lend a hand.
As an instructor, her job was to step in and stop us if we tried to do something beyond our capabilities.
And if our lives were in danger, that was when Zelfie-san would help.
I took on the role of the decoy.
Entering the forest, making random noises to attract monsters—that was the role, but I had the skills of my ancestors.
And the Fourth Generation's skill was quietly impressive.
The Fourth Generation explained his own skill.
For some reason, an image of him pushing up his glasses came to mind.
"It's a simple increase in movement speed, but it's genuinely practical. The mana consumption is on the lower side compared to other skills, so it puts less strain on the current Riel."
The Second Generation gave me advice while watching my combat.
"Using Full Over pinpointedly, and being able to temporarily use the Fourth Generation's [Speed] as well, huh... It's a shame that using other skills simultaneously is impossible."
If I used the Fourth Generation's or Fifth Generation's skills simultaneously, my mana would run dry in an instant.
Taking breaks, I searched the surroundings for enemies and lured out Goblins, who were easier to deal with.
The inside of the forest was harsh for me, but it was possible to escape using the Fourth Generation's skill. Even in an unfamiliar environment, I could produce enough movement speed to sufficiently escape from an opponent.
In the forest where the footing was poor, this was a great help.
Additionally, once I entered the forest, I could deal with monsters acting alone.
Right now, rather than collecting materials, I wanted to defeat monsters and feel my growth as quickly as possible.
Once the battle ended, I looked around.
"Novem, take a break. Aria, I'll ask you to keep watch. ...I'll go around collecting materials."
The only things that could be collected from Goblins were the tools they held and magic stones.
I had heard talk of processing their hides, but the butchering of humanoid Goblins was somehow mentally taxing.
It was proof that we were still not used to such work.
Seeing the sequence of events, Zelfie-san clapped.
"You've gotten better. Also, having someone who can double as a mage and a healer is a big deal. Especially having a vanguard to protect Novem is a big plus."
Zelfie-san praised Aria, but the girl's gaze shifted slightly downward.
She probably understood who among us had the easiest job.
"Your movements have improved since before, so let's stick with this for a while. Normally, the plan was to save up a certain amount of funds by this time and prepare to explain the next job much later... but you lot are rich. It'll be fine to move to the next step a bit later."
The reason we were "rich" was that we had subjugated a bandit group using the support funds received from the lord.
At that time, we exchanged the treasures the bandits possessed for cash and secured our funds. We could survive for a while without working, but staying as I was would be unacceptable.
As it were, I was already being called the useless noble Riel in the city of Darion.
(I acted so that it would become that way, but it's still quite irritating.)
I was trying to be patient, but I hated the idea of my actions remaining those of a useless noble.
I approached the Goblins, which had been shredded by Earth Spear, to collect their tools and magic stones.
Then, Aria touched my shoulder.
"I'll do it, so Riel, please keep watch."
"Eh? But..."
When I looked at Aria, it seemed she hated the fact that she wasn't doing anything and wanted to at least handle the collection.
Zelfie-san scratched her head and took an attitude of leaving it to me, and Novem was the same, just watching me.
It probably meant "do as you like."
At a time like this, the First Generation seemed like he would say something like "Don't push Aria-chan too hard!", but no voice came from the Jewel Orb.
Instead—
"Riel, keeping watch is also an important role. In case of emergency, let Aria-chan, who can move without fatigue, focus on watching. Once the magic stones and such are collected, Riel can enter a break as well."
It was the Second Generation's response.
When I hesitated after seeing Aria's serious expression, the Second Generation spoke.
"...Don't let her do other jobs when you can't even handle keeping watch properly. She's been entrusted with an important job, and she's telling you to change it because she's dissatisfied? The leader of this party isn't Novem or Zelfie. It's you. If you don't pull yourself together, the party will fall apart in no time."
Convinced by the Second Generation's opinion, I asked Aria to keep watch.
"...I'll do the collection. Aria, please keep watch."
When I said that, she had a frustrated expression on her face.
The Third Generation chimed in.
"I can understand the feeling~. You want to work hard in various ways, but you end up spinning your wheels. I don't think she's disregarding the watch, though."
However, the Second Generation's opinion did not change.
The Second Generation might favor Novem, but he had no such feelings for Aria.
It wasn't that he disliked her, but he wanted her to fulfill her role.
"Aria."
When I called out to her, Aria muttered a small "Yes" and returned to her watch.
Taking a sigh of relief, I proceeded to collect magic stones from the Goblins, a task I still wasn't used to.
Having entered the forest as the decoy, I checked the surrounding situation.
When I activated my skill, I discovered several reactions of enemy monsters nearby.
"There are many Goblins. Other than that, Horned Rabbits? These are the ones most common nearby."
As I said that, the tone of the First Generation and the others changed.
"Horned Rabbits!? Kill them! Exterminate every single one of them!"
The Second Generation was the same.
He spoke out to me as I pushed through the grass with a short sword in a place where the trees were close together and weeds grew thick.
"Every single one of those pests must be eradicated! There is no mercy for them!"
The Third Generation was also different from his usual aloof impression.
The deviousness he occasionally showed was now fully on display.
"Hahaha... Riel, let's eradicate as many as possible here to protect the fields. Riel gets the food for growth and is happy. The farmers are happy that their fields aren't ravaged. Yes, it's all win-win."
Since I had entered the forest as the decoy and was currently alone, I could speak aloud.
"You guys are a bit scary. Do you hate Horned Rabbits that much?"
At that, the First Generation spoke on their behalf.
"How much damage do you think our fields took because of those things! As soon as we find them, we'll chase them to the ends of the earth and deliver the final—"
But there, one person had a different opinion.
Surprisingly, it was the Fifth Generation.
"...Isn't it fine? We should forgive them. Look, they don't attack unless we attack them first."
I was surprised by this unexpected side of the Fifth Generation, but the other members were different.
In particular, the rage of the First Generation, Second Generation, and Third Generation, who had owned fields, was incredible.
"So cuuuuute! When I look at their fluffy fur, I just want to skin it!!"
"I agree! How much do you think we suffered because of them!"
"Search and destroy!"
The Fifth Generation talked back to the three of them in anger.
"Stop messing around! Those things have nothing to do with Riel's growth! Riel, look for other monsters immediately!"
The Jewel Orb became noisy, but since I had taken a break, my mana had recovered a bit.
However, it wasn't infinite.
"I wish you'd just stop. If I collapse here, I'm the one who dies!"
While complaining, I silenced the ancestors and performed the surrounding search again.
However, as expected, the most common reactions nearby were Horned Rabbits.
"My mana decreased because of a pointless commotion."
I discovered a Horned Rabbit with white, fluffy fur nearby.
As I approached while holding my short sword, the opponent must have noticed me, as it threatened me with its sharp front teeth.
In terms of size, it was probably slightly larger than a baby? Its eyes were sharp, and I couldn't think it was cute at all.
It remained wary of me, and then it leaped.
"Evade sideways just like that and slash. The opponent cannot change its posture in mid-air."
Told by the First Generation, I executed it.
As it jumped with its sharp horn thrust forward, I moved sideways and slashed. When I swung the short sword in a horizontal line, the white fur was stained with blood.
"NOOOOO!!"
The Fifth Generation's heartbroken scream could be heard.
(He gave a pretty cold impression at first, but does he like animals? Or rather, cute things?)
If he kept screaming like this, I felt like I would run out of strength in the forest.
Judging that this much result was enough for this time, I confirmed that the Horned Rabbit fallen on the ground was dead, put it in the leather pouch I had, and left the forest.
As I headed toward the place where the three were waiting after leaving the forest, Novem stood up and waved.
However, something was definitely off.
As I approached with the leather pouch on my back, Aria was teary-eyed.
"What happened?"
When I asked Novem, it was Zelfie-san who answered.
"Ah~, Aria said she could be more active. Just a little bit, you know."
Apparently, as an instructor, Zelfie-san had scolded her.
Something must have happened while I was gone, but Zelfie-san looked awkward.
"Scolding the daughter of a former boss is tough."
When the Second Generation said that, I thought about Zelfie-san's feelings for letting her into the party to take care of her despite that.
(Maybe she couldn't just abandon her. Lord Bentlar also mentioned that Zelfie-san did it to let the Rockwood family live in Darion.)
Zelfie-san was an adventurer under the influence of Lord Bentlar, the lord of Darion.
While usually working as an adventurer, she reported on the state of the city and the guild.
That wasn't necessarily a bad thing; rather, it showed Zelfie-san's competence.
When I first came to Darion, the guild introduced an instructor, saying they couldn't leave conspicuous existences like us alone.
At that time, they were only recognized as two children of a suspicious noble.
"Was she fifteen or sixteen? That age can be difficult to handle, but her identity was clear, and the only people she could rely on were Riel and Zelfie. If she becomes a full-fledged adventurer, she'll be a valuable asset."
To the Second Generation's opinion, the First Generation did not interfere this time.
Recently, the frequency of the First Generation making a fuss... has become less than before.
(Maybe I've been somewhat accepted?)
"That said, this is bad. Her feelings are spinning their wheels. Should we have Novem follow up with her?"
The Second Generation's opinion was half-hearted, but I also thought that since they were both girls, they might be able to say what they wanted to each other.
"Now, what shall we do today, Riel?"
Zelfie-san asked for my opinion, perhaps to change the atmosphere.
Then, Aria requested to continue.
"I'll take on the decoy role next! So, let's keep going. I haven't really done anything today..."
Hearing Aria's opinion, the Second Generation gave me instructions.
It was likely an opinion based on experience leading people, rather than as an adventurer.
"Let's go back. Fatigue is visible in Riel and Novem overall. Zelfie is an instructor and cannot be considered a combat asset, and Aria, who seems likely to rush ahead, is out of the question. Besides, it seems the daily quota has been achieved."
The Second Generation looked at the whole picture and told us to return.
My opinion was the same.
Mostly because my own fatigue was severe.
(If they hadn't made such a fuss halfway through, I could have gone one more time.)
While feeling frustrated, I announced the return.
"...Let's go back. We've earned enough for today."
When I said that, Zelfie-san looked a bit relieved.
She might have thought I would propose to continue.
Novem didn't seem to object.
Though they didn't show fatigue, their movements felt a bit sluggish, perhaps because they had been tense during the battle.
Only Aria was different.
"Wait! I can still do it. I'll take the decoy role!"
Zelfie-san let out a deep sigh, but the Second Generation spoke up here.
"Riel, you declared the return. Make Aria understand."
(This is my first time doing this kind of thing...)
It couldn't be helped even if I hated it.
If we failed due to fatigue, it would affect our future activities.
Moreover, if we returned in a completely exhausted state, it would be terrible if we encountered monsters on the way.
"Novem and I are at our limit. We'll be exhausted by the time we get back. I want to return and prepare for tomorrow."
Being told that by me, Aria fell silent.
She probably understood that continuing alone was impossible.
I saw Aria's expression—she understood, but she wasn't convinced.
"Now, let's move quickly. Hurry up and check your luggage!"
Told by Zelfie-san, we began preparations to return to the city of Darion.
Then, the First Generation whispered to me.
"Riel, show your face a bit today. I have something to talk about."
It was surely about Aria. Thinking so, I touched the Jewel Orb that was my necklace and replied.
Looking around, Novem was glancing at Aria slightly.
The gaze, which wasn't exactly a glare, just looked at Aria and then immediately returned to their own hands.
They seemed to be checking their luggage.
(I wonder what Novem thinks of Aria.)
I was simply curious about Novem's feelings.