27 - Companions
A morning like any other.
The only difference was that for the first time since Aria and I started fighting, we were heading outside to hunt monsters.
I had replaced my saber once again, and while the weapon shop owner looked at me with exasperation, he provided the same model.
He had even gone so far as to tell me that I should seriously tour the weapon shops of Central to buy a high-quality saber that suited me, or perhaps consider changing my weapon entirely.
It wasn't so much a matter of obsession, but rather that I was accustomed to using a saber, so I figured I would stick with it for a while.
As we joined up with Zelfie-san and headed toward the guild, things seemed rather noisy.
At the second-floor reception, a bulletin board labeled "Emergency Request" had been added near the counter.
Many adventurers cast their eyes toward it, but after their expressions turned grim, they headed back to the bulletin boards they normally used.
"Did something happen?"
When Novem asked that, we also became curious and decided to go check it out.
Aria seemed interested as well, but Zelfie-san's expression was somehow troubled.
As we walked toward the board, what we saw was a request for the search of a party that had failed to return by the deadline, as well as an investigation of that region.
"I remember you telling me, Zelfie-san, that a search party is sent out if they don't return by the deadline."
As I recalled what Zelfie-san had taught me, she nodded. However, upon seeing the names written on the document, she shook her head.
"That's half right. I only told you the official story, but in reality, they investigate why a party went missing. There are countless reasons—bandits, monsters, or even labyrinths. It's so that the next group heading out doesn't fall prey to the same thing."
Half right.
The purpose wasn't rescue, but to investigate why they had vanished.
In other words, rescuing the missing party was a secondary priority.
As Novem looked at the request form, she seemed to notice something upon seeing the ages of the party members.
"Were these people perhaps employing an instructor from the guild?"
Zelfie-san nodded quietly and spoke with a bitter tone.
"That's why I told them. That they should have retired quickly... There's no point in dying after coming this far."
One of the names written on the request form had a red horizontal line drawn through it.
That signified that a horizontal scratch, meaning death, had been carved into the name on their Guild Card.
—In other words, they were dead.
Whether it was a blessing or the beginning of the end... the five young adventurers seemed to be alive.
"U-Um... someone is going to go rescue them, right?"
Aria said this while looking around, but while the adventurers looked at the emergency board, they weren't attempting to take the request.
"...The veteran adventurer who died was a high-ranking powerhouse even in Darion. Even in a town where beginners gather, he was a man of skill among the mid-ranks. If that man died, then..."
—To put it simply, it was difficult.
While Darion had many chore-like jobs, the Lord took the lead in monster subjugation and labyrinth conquest.
This was convenient for newcomers who had just become adventurers, but it was a source of dissatisfaction for those who had moved past the beginner stage.
Whether you'd call it a local orientation or not, while some certainly chose to stay in Darion and continue as adventurers, most left Darion for towns or cities that better suited them.
"This is bad. The guild was recruiting adventurers for the labyrinth subjugation that occurred recently. The Lord's soldiers haven't returned yet either."
A labyrinth had appeared, and the guild had been recruiting adventurers for its subjugation.
Because of that, many parties confident in their combat abilities had left Darion.
(Come to think of it, I remember hearing something like that before.)
Recalling the rumors the adventurers had been discussing, I looked around the guild.
It wasn't that there were absolutely no skilled adventurers left. However, the fact that they were recruiting like this indicated that there were no adventurers willing to take the request.
"...I heard that the guild provides a reward for taking emergency requests,"
Novem wondered why the other adventurers weren't participating.
Then, Zelfie spoke.
"Life is more important than rewards. There are some who challenge it because they want to make a name for themselves... but this is troublesome. The location they headed to is a dangerous place. An unskilled party will be wiped out."
Not everything in Darion could be called safe.
In places where people didn't live, there were inevitably few opportunities for soldiers to go and subjugate monsters.
As I was looking at the request form near the counter, Hawkins-san called out to us.
"Zelfie-san, do you have a moment?"
"...Boss."
Hawkins-san, who was projecting a sterner atmosphere than usual, called Zelfie-san and immediately began speaking.
"Have you seen the request form?"
"I have. However, based on the content, I feel like the request could have been posted much sooner. What happened?"
The deadline by which it would be strange for them not to have returned had long since passed.
And yet, the emergency request was only issued today.
"...It was an error on our part. My apologies."
"An apology isn't going to cut it. I'm sure it wasn't your personal mistake, Boss, but lives are on the line here. What about the others who headed toward the location of the request?"
Permission is not granted to head to a location where an emergency request has been issued.
However, since the initial response was delayed this time, there might be other adventurers who headed to the same dangerous location.
"They must have been lucky. The parties that usually use that area as a hunting ground are heading toward the labyrinth. But as a result, we can't find any adventurers willing to go."
"Why don't you just go yourself, Boss?"
Hawkins-san didn't say anything in response to Zelfie-san's joke.
(Both of them seem a bit angry.)
From what I could hear, they might have been acquaintances.
"Um, Hawkins-san. Why did you call Zelfie-san?"
When Novem confirmed, Hawkins-san apologized to us as well.
"This is an emergency request from the guild. We will be borrowing Zelfie-san temporarily. The guild will guarantee the expenses and the number of days for that period."
It seemed we weren't counted as combat assets.
(That's only natural.)
As I was thinking that, I heard the Second Generation's voice.
'Does the guild's response in these situations differ by town? From what I recall, I think I heard they'd force people to go.'
The one who answered the question was the Sixth Generation.
'The era is different, and the guild's response has likely changed... but since the adventurers of Darion seem to be of low quality fundamentally, perhaps these things happen often?'
My ancestors were quite composed.
There was no need to panic, but it felt a bit dry.
Zelfie-san looked displeased, but after letting out a sigh, she nodded.
"I can't refuse a request from the Boss. However, I'd like to know how the guild intends to move on this."
Hawkins-san closed his eyes for a moment, and after a short while, he opened them and answered.
"The opinion from above is... that while it was a staff error, it's judged as something that could happen to anyone. No particular disciplinary action will be taken."
"...Boss, we can't accept that. I hated that man because he had a foul mouth, but there are many adventurers he saved. I hated him, but even I was helped by him two or three times. And you expect us to be satisfied with that?"
The conversation was moving in a completely different direction.
The three of us were left behind.
"So Zelfie-san is leaving for an emergency request. In that case, what should we do today?"
I considered today's plans.
Chores would be fine, but since there were three of us, I wanted to go outside and hunt monsters.
I wanted to feel my growth quickly, and more than anything, if I stayed like this, I'd only get better at chore-type requests.
(Actually, the other day, I was even invited to come work for them.)
I remembered the site foreman telling me to quit being an adventurer and come work for him, and how I had declined with a wry smile.
It wasn't that I disliked it, but it would be impossible since I couldn't support the other two with those earnings.
Aria said while looking at Zelfie.
"I wonder if Zelfie will be okay? After all, a skilled adventurer even by Darion's standards died."
Novem calmed Aria down.
"It might not be monsters or bandits. Accidents are also a possibility. However, I don't think Zelfie-san will be alone."
There was a party of six, one was dead, and the rest were missing.
The possibility of an accident was certainly high.
As I was thinking that, the First Generation spoke to me.
'Riel, you participate too.'
I wondered why so suddenly, but the First Generation seemed to have a reason.
The Third Generation also agreed with the First Generation.
'That might be for the best. Or rather, as with these kinds of requests, efficiency increases fundamentally if Riel is there.'
The Sixth Generation also agreed.
'With my and the Sixth Generation's—the old man's—skills, finding them would be easy, and we could avoid danger.'
(That's right, if I use my ancestors' skills, the efficiency would be on a completely different level from others.)
In particular, the skills of the Fifth and Sixth Generations became an incredible skill when used simultaneously.
A map of the surroundings would appear in my head, and if I got within a certain distance, I could know the positions of allies... monsters, and traps, as well as that information.
But if I said I wanted to participate, would Hawkins-san be convinced?
The Second Generation felt the same as I did.
'If Riel says he wants to participate, will they be convinced?'
As for the Fifth Generation—.
'What's the merit of participating? They're people unrelated to Riel. Besides, if he stands out too much, I think the lowered evaluation he worked so hard for in Darion will become meaningless.'
Hearing those opinions, the First Generation spoke.
'Merit? I don't know about any such thing. But if we let her go like this and an adventurer named Zelfie dies, I won't be able to sleep well.'
The Seventh Generation replied with an exasperated tone.
'Surely, is that also for Aria's sake? I don't think there's a need to go that far. If she dies here, it just means that was her limit.'
The Fourth Generation ended the fragmented opinions and questioned me.
'Now then, the opinions are split like this... what's Riel's opinion?'
Asked for my opinion, I instinctively touched the Jewel Orb that had become my necklace.
It was true there weren't many merits, but if the First Generation went this far, it might be dangerous.
I acknowledged the First Generation's keen intuition.
(Can I solve this problem?)
I believed that if I used my skills, the probability of success would certainly increase.
I possessed skills that were that excellent.
However, to participate, I needed to persuade them. Hawkins-san and Zelfie-san. And I would have to ask Novem and Aria to stay behind.
After thinking about various things, I reached a conclusion.
"Novem, could you wait in Darion with Aria? I think I'll take the emergency request with Zelfie-san."
'Try to be a bit more firm...'
'No way. After acting so cool, this is the situation?'
'You left the persuasion to Novem-chan, didn't you, Riel?'
'There's a better way to put that. What do you mean by backing down there?'
'He'll just have to steadily polish his negotiation skills.'
'Well, given the circumstances so far, isn't this about right?'
'You lot... is that all you have to say to my grandson! Riel worked hard too! He resisted Novem and the others participating until the end, and in the end, he participated in the emergency request!'
(Stop it! Don't defend me any further, Grandfather—Seventh Generation!!)
On top of the wagon, covering my face with both hands, I listened to the voices from the Jewel Orb speaking in order starting from the First Generation, my ears turning red.
I noticed casually that even if I covered my ears, the voices were heard clearly.
Since those around me couldn't hear, I thought they weren't emitting sound... but it was very annoying.
The voices of my ancestors that could be heard even if I blocked my ears—.
The reason my ancestors were complaining was due to the current situation.
The guild had provided two wagons and prepared the necessary supplies with guild funds, and we had formed a temporary party to begin the investigation.
Starting with Zelfie-san, the usual members were me, Novem, and Aria.
Additionally, Rondo-san and his trio were included in the members this time.
We had also borrowed one driver from the guild.
"H-Hey, are you okay, Riel-kun?"
When Rondo-san asked me worriedly, Novem, who was sitting next to me, was also worried.
"Riel-sama, do you perhaps have a cold? You were fine until a moment ago."
While Novem was flustered, Aria seemed tense. She was clutching the red orb at her chest.
Rachel-san was speaking to such an Aria.
"Is that a skill-sealing orb? Those are rare these days. How many skills are inside?"
"U-Um, including mine, they said there are five."
As Aria answered nervously, Rachel-san's eyes sparkled upon hearing it.
"That's amazing! As a magic tool, it would be worth a hundred to two hundred gold coins. Since it's red, it's a vanguard-type skill, right? Is the combination okay?"
The combination of skills is important.
Speaking of the skills I possess, there are skills that exhibit incredible effects when used simultaneously, like those of the Fifth and Sixth Generations.
However, the orb cannot set these kinds of combinations.
It simply records the skills manifested by those who inherited it, without selection.
"I'm sorry. I don't really understand..."
As Aria looked apologetic, Rachel-san hurriedly comforted her.
"D-Don't worry about it! I've heard that people who have orbs can't choose, so it's normal not to care. Even so, if you have five skills, you're an immediate asset."
Being told that, Aria looked down even further.
"...I can't use them all yet."
Hearing that, Larf-san, who was holding a spear, let out a sigh.
"Read the room, Rachel. That aside, your party is the opposite of ours. It's troublesome when men and women are together. I feel lonely on the side because Rondo and Rachel put out a pink atmosphere... So, which one is Riel's girlfriend? I suspect it's Novem-chan."
Larf-san brought up the topic to ease our tension since the travel would take time.
(I-I'm grateful. Rather than listening to the ancestors' nagging, this kind of conversation—)
As I was thinking that, Novem spoke.
"No, neither of us is Riel-sama's—"
"Novem!!"
I hurriedly covered Novem's mouth, but it seemed I was too late. The face of the downward-looking Aria was also turning red.
Rachel-san—.
"Eh, you're joking, right, Aria-chan?"
Then, Aria—.
"He got my family heirloom back, and he also saved me from being sold off... and so..."
"Say it clearly! It leads to misunderstandings, so say it clearly at times like this!"
As I hurriedly turned toward Aria, the released Novem spoke.
"It is not a misunderstanding. Riel-sama saved Aria-san, and now the three of us are living under the same roof."
At Novem stating the facts with a smile, Rondo-san's cheek twitched as he smiled.
"Eh, is that what they commonly call a harem-like situation?"
Novem answered clearly—.
"It is not what is commonly called a harem, it is actually a harem. There are only two right now, but I intend to increase the number steadily from here on."
Looking at Novem announcing this with a smile, I just gaped.
I wouldn't say she couldn't read the room, but there was no doubt she was speaking seriously.
Larf-san placed a hand on my shoulder.
His mouth was smiling, but his eyes were not.
Similarly, Rondo-san's hand landed on my other shoulder.
Unlike before, Larf-san spoke in a low voice.
"Let's hear more about this, Riel."
Rondo-san was the same.
"That's quite enviable, Riel-kun. I'd definitely like to hear how you achieved that, but before that, I must speak to you as a man about the importance of treasuring a single woman."
Larf-san was also the same.
"That's right. Now we don't have to think about how to kill time until we arrive. We'll teach you thoroughly, so be prepared, Riel."
Novem talking about harem expansion with a smile, and Aria and Rachel-san listening with red faces—.
It seemed there was no one on this wagon who would help me.
—Zelfie, who was driving, listened to the voices of the young adventurers coming from behind.
She had yelled at Riel and the others when they said they wanted to participate in the emergency request, but she had been persuaded by Novem and allowed them to accompany her.
Moreover, since she couldn't give Aria special treatment, she had let her participate as well.
In terms of ability, their individual capabilities were high.
And this time, three adventurers who were also highly capable as a party were participating.
They likely wouldn't fail under ordinary circumstances, but she was still anxious.
"Honestly, they sound so happy... it's not a picnic."
While listening to the joyful voices from behind, she remembered being told the same words once.
Those were words spoken to her by the adventurer who had died.
'Zelfie-chan, it's not a picnic, so let's calm down a bit.'
She realized later that he had been teasing her to ease her tension.
He was rough and had a foul mouth, but he was a caring adventurer.
She had memories of exchanging bitter words when they met at the guild, and competing in drinking contests at the tavern.
"Come to think of it, I promised to treat him to drinks because I lost a bet."
Zelfie looked up at the sky, mourning the colleague she had spent many years with as a fellow adventurer in Darion.
That he should have retired sooner was her honest feeling.
It was a dangerous job. If one could leave, it was better to leave early.
"Geez, you're the one who said there's no point if you die..."
Though he had always dealt with her in a confrontational manner, Zelfie recognized him as a fellow adventurer.
Precisely because she recognized him.
"I'll make you settle the score. Definitely."
Zelfie's eyes emitted a sharp light—.