50 - Poyopoyo
Visiting the guild in Alamsars, I was wondering how I should obtain the right to challenge the labyrinth.
And so, I had come here to confirm things with the guild staff, but—.
"Huh? Permission has already been granted?"
The indifferent staff member showed me a document.
His attitude was slightly mocking.
"You broke through the fortieth underground floor and successfully completed the academy's request, so you are more than qualified. Or rather, did you come all this way just to confirm that now?"
The middle-aged male staff member had a poor attitude toward me.
More than anything, the surrounding adventurers were giggling as they looked at me.
The Sixth Generation, who was in charge today, spoke.
"That's it. Because you were carried back, they're underestimating Lyell."
The Alamsars guild had never held much affection for adventurers to begin with.
Even after hearing that I broke through the fortieth underground floor, did I still leave the impression of being just another adventurer?
(Normally, wouldn't they take a better attitude?)
As I thought this, the staff member explained to me.
"You achieved the academy's request and even received additional rewards. We have no grounds to complain. However, let us not forget that if the labyrinth is subjugated, you will be the first one suspected."
A managed labyrinth is a mountain of treasure for both the guild and the city.
Having it destroyed is something that must be avoided at all costs.
For that reason, they manage the adventurers who can enter the labyrinth.
Only when a request is issued that is currently impossible to achieve, like Damian's, do they permit general adventurers to enter and exit the labyrinth.
And since we successfully achieved the request there, our abilities must have been recognized by the guild.
Despite being recognized, the reason I wasn't happy at all was because of the staff member's response.
"So from now on, I can challenge the labyrinth as I please?"
"Do as you like. Thinning out the monsters is necessary, and some adventurers are changing their home base. Honestly... I wish you'd consider the position of those managing things."
He complained that adventurers moving on their own would cause problems for the labyrinth's management.
The Sixth Generation laughed.
"Alamsars is an academic city, so they look down on adventurers. I see."
That tendency had existed for a while, and academy students are also registered as adventurers.
To the Alamsars guild, adventurers are existences necessary for the management of the labyrinth. But perhaps they are nothing more and nothing less than that.
(Is that why the talented adventurers flee?)
Looking at the staff member's response, I was appalled, but I felt relieved to know that I wouldn't need to get permission when challenging the labyrinth in the future.
Gathering enough people, applying to the guild, and waiting for permission to be granted takes time.
"I see, then I'll be going—"
As I tried to leave the counter after finishing the consultation, the staff member stopped me.
"Wait. There are many requests in the guild regarding the labyrinth. Let us not forget to handle those kinds of requests as well. Furthermore, there are several parties who wish to be introduced to her... Novem Foxus-san and Aria Rockwood-san. It would be for their own sake as well. I will arrange a meeting, so make sure to show your face at the guild. If the party dissolves, the permission for the labyrinth will be revoked, but that would be better for you as well."
He spoke from a position of superiority, and moreover, he was attempting to poach my companions.
Furthermore, he was operating on the premise that I would dissolve the party.
I might be unreliable, but is it really to the extent that he'd say this?
Hearing that, my ancestors spoke up.
The Second Generation—.
"...Hey now, this guy just picked a fight with us, or rather, with Lyell. Asking to create an opportunity to poach directly from the leader."
Perhaps truly angered, the Third Generation also spoke while laughing.
"I wonder who he thinks he's picking a fight with! Alright, Lyell... shall we refuse him clearly?"
The ancestors were starting to get angry, but I agreed with them.
Perhaps the reason he approached Novem and the others was largely because everyone except me was seen as talented during the labyrinth conquest.
In fact, Novem is an excellent mage, but her main focus is healing magic.
Aria is also a vanguard possessing multiple skills, and considering her age, she's a promising prospect.
(I heard many adventurers come to Alamsars to gather companions, but this is too blatant.)
I spoke to the staff member who looked down on me.
"The guild is mediating poaching? I refuse."
"...This is a measure to ensure their talents are not buried. Among those who have reached out, there are children of nobles included."
Apparently, even if he hates adventurers, he is kind to academy personnel and nobles.
The Fourth Generation spoke.
"This is over-interference, isn't it? A guild should be a fair organization. On the surface, at least."
"You lack fairness. If they want to reach out, could you tell them to stop doing things like threatening through the guild?"
When I spoke with a smile, the staff member seemed to get angry and snapped back.
"You ignorant brat—"
Then, the Sixth Generation told me to mutter something.
"Lyell, tell him you received a present from Damian and are on first-name terms. This will be fun."
With the image of the Sixth Generation's grinning face in my head, I grinned similarly and spoke.
"Actually, through this request, I became acquainted with Damian. I've come to visit his laboratory frequently. I must have taken a liking to him... I even received an automaton."
"Wha, what..."
A guild that is weak-kneed toward the academy.
The staff member, upon hearing the name of Damian, a famous professor at the academy, suddenly began to flounder.
His eyes were swimming in an amusing way.
"You're welcome to confirm it. After all, we are companions who broke through the fortieth underground floor together."
The Seventh Generation gave me advice.
"Hmm. I also dislike adventurers, but these types of people are an eyesore... If you're going to crush them, the sooner the better. Lyell, why not tell Damian, 'I'm being poached by companions, so I won't be able to visit the laboratory from now on'?"
The Fifth Generation agreed.
"It's probably not just this guy, but it'll make a good example."
The ones being poached were Novem and Aria, not Poyopoyo, but—.
I thought that, but then I realized.
(I see, they want me to make him misunderstand that Poyopoyo is being poached.)
It was a malicious method, but the opponent had resorted to such means first.
More than anything, considering the future, these kinds of stories might keep coming up.
(She can't register as an adventurer, but can I count her as combat power?)
I didn't think the sharp-tongued maid was strong, but she was still a companion.
"That's true. Shall I go have some small talk... perhaps that I'm troubled because the guild is helping poach my companions."
When I said that, the staff member looked down.
Whether he was panicking or not, he began to sweat.
The Sixth Generation spoke.
"These types probably lump all adventurers together. Treating them as inferiors, thinking they can take any attitude... He probably took that same attitude with Lyell."
The Fourth Generation spoke.
"They exist, don't they? Idiots like this are everywhere. If they thought about it for a bit, they'd realize there are people it's okay to pick a fight with and people it's not."
The Third Generation spoke.
"This person might not have intended to pick a fight. He probably thinks he's doing it for the sake of Novem-chan and the others. But, yeah... a lesson is necessary."
Not all staff members in Alamsars were like this man.
However, it was a fact that such a tendency was strong.
(Honestly... Hawkins-san feels dazzling even here.)
Remembering Hawkins-san, who worked as a guild staff member in Darion's city where everyone is treated politely, I realized that the atmosphere differs from guild to guild.
"...T-this time, well, I was asked desperately."
To the staff member who began making excuses, I spoke with a smile.
"That's not allowed, right? Well then, I have business at the academy."
Saying that, I left the guild and headed toward the academy, bringing Poyopoyo, who had followed me.
Poyopoyo spoke.
"You're a cruel master for a chicken-boy. He had a blue face. To be so aggressive toward someone in a weaker position than himself... pathetic."
I looked at Poyopoyo, who was laughing with a hand over her mouth, and spoke.
"You're saying that knowing full well, aren't you? Besides, in terms of position, they have the power. Normally, I'm the one in the weaker position!"
Poyopoyo suddenly took on a serious expression.
"I knew that. I heard the conversation. You're having Professor Damian help you. As expected of a chicken-boy. You certainly know how to use your friends."
Should I correct her on the fact that I'm friends with Damian?
Or should I silence her for speaking as if I'm utilizing a friend?
As I worried, the Second Generation spoke.
"Well, it's a fact. But in times like this, you have to cooperate with each other."
The Third Generation as well.
"That's right. Lyell is cooperating with Damian, so this much might be fine. Oops, since you're utilizing Damian, you should listen to a reasonable amount of his requests in the future if he asks."
It certainly took the form of utilizing him.
I should make up for this.
(But Damian's requests all seem like they'll be a lot of work.)
Bringing Poyopoyo, my steps grew heavy as I aimed for the academy.
Upon arriving at the academy, Poyopoyo and I looked at the automatons moving busily in Damian's laboratory.
Damian, sitting at a desk, turned toward us while remaining in his chair.
"Man, ancient people were amazing. Creating such sophisticated dolls that can handle cleaning, laundry, and even cooking perfectly. Now they're too convenient to let go of."
Taking off his glasses and wiping the lenses, Damian spoke thoughtfully.
"The fact that you've activated them... could it be?"
I looked at Damian, but the answer was—.
"I used blood normally. I hate it~, I have to save my first kiss for the ideal woman I'll create in the future. However, Lyell at that time was truly god-like. My research has advanced significantly."
To Damian, who spoke with an innocent smile, I could only answer, "I see."
"Hmph, I, who received my master's first kiss, am different from those mass-produced models over there. As expected of a special model!"
When Poyopoyo's mood improved, the automatons moving around looked this way. Then, their black eyes flickered red—.
"As expected of a special model. To become a burden to the master with that instability and way of speaking."
"Indeed. As a maid, no... as an automaton, you are a failure."
"Do you know? Mass-produced models are a man's romance. A special model is just... hmph."
The black-haired bob-cut maids spoke such things while directing smiles toward us.
It was surprising that these were dolls.
Not only could they hold conversations, but they could do housework better than many women. Aria had gotten teary-eyed several times upon seeing Poyopoyo.
"For me, whether it's mass-produced or a one-of-a-kind piece, my heart..."
Damian shook his head.
"So, aren't you going to ask the questions for Poyopoyo this time?"
The reason I came to the academy was Damian's request, as he was curious about Poyopoyo's progress.
Since the automatons activated later were mass-produced models, Poyopoyo was indeed special.
Damian wanted that information, but—.
"That's it for this time. She can do housework, and while there are problems with her conversation, it's functional. Especially since she's spitting abuse at Lyell, but she seems to be serving her master as an automaton, so there's no problem. I'll investigate the spec-related issues later, but I guess the problem is the memory? None of the automatons know the important parts. It might be because they've just been activated, but it's as if some important memories were extracted... More importantly, what is 'Poyopoyo'? A name?"
Damian looked at Poyopoyo.
She was sitting on the spot, making a sulking gesture.
"It's fine. Until the chicken-boy thinks of a name suitable for me, I will accept the name Poyopoyo. Yes! Until the chicken-boy comes up with a name suitable for me!"
I spoke to Damian while scratching my cheek with a finger.
"I couldn't think of one, so it was just based on the mood of the moment?"
Then, the other three automatons who were looking at Poyopoyo—.
"S-she was given a name!"
"Our master only calls us [Number One], [Number Two], [Number Three]!"
"No, we aren't losing! Our given numbers have never once been called incorrectly!"
Poyopoyo, while looking down, spoke with a smirk.
"Hmph, you mass-produced models. This is the power of a special model."
(I would have preferred the mass-produced models. Even so—)
Despite looking exactly the same, Damian seemed to be able to tell the automatons apart.
As expected of a pervert and one of the Seven Sages of academia.
"A name, huh... I have to think of a name suitable for my ideal woman too. Oh, and there was the matter of the guild."
As if remembering, Damian mentioned what I had asked.
The incident of poaching at the guild.
I had told Damian about it.
"Yeah. Can you handle it?"
"I don't mind. Or rather, the guild gets a lot of complaints. I have a mountain of things I want to say as well... I'll let them know."
I felt a bit conflicted, but the Sixth Generation spoke up, perhaps sensing it.
"That staff member will self-destruct sooner or later by earning resentment. You just happened to be involved. It's a waste to worry."
I gripped the Jewel Orb to indicate my understanding.
"That helps. Now, as for the reward this time, since I had a request, forget about it."
"Is that so? Research funds run out quickly, so that helps."
After that, I spoke with Damian for a bit and left the laboratory.
When I returned to the mansion, Shannon was washing dishes under Novem's guidance.
I heard Shannon's scream from the kitchen, so when I looked in, a rather awkward scene unfolded.
"Hieee~, please forgive me already!"
"That will not do. Miranda-san also told me to teach you thoroughly. Now, once you've washed the dishes, next is cleaning the rooms."
"Ah, Lyell! Don't just watch, help me! It's scary! Novem is truly scary!"
Since Shannon rushed over to cling to me, I pressed my hand against her head.
She flailed her limbs, but Shannon's hands didn't reach me.
"You brought this on yourself. Considering it's punishment for having it easy until now, it's quite cute."
In the end, Miranda-san had forgiven Shannon.
Despite having such a violent duality—having a hidden self created—the surface part must have forgiven her.
Seeing this, the Sixth Generation let out a conflicted voice.
"To think she'd overlap this girl with Mireia..."
The Fifth Generation agreed.
"We were too cautious, but in the end, it was for the best. If Miranda is nearby, she'll be reformed."
Novem looked at me.
"Welcome home, Lyell-sama. And... Poyopoyo-san."
Novem spoke the junk's temporary name with a troubled expression.
"I don't remember giving you permission to call me by name! Moreover, to do as you please in my territory... prepare yourself!"
"You're noisy."
When I slapped the back of her head, Poyopoyo's twin-tails swayed as she slumped forward.
Then, she held the place that was slapped with both hands and looked at me.
"It hurts, chicken-boy. Please treasure me more. I am delicate. When I'm scolded by my master, I sob quietly in the middle of the night."
"...Stop it, it's scary. Besides, are you seriously awake in the middle of the night? What are you doing?"
Then, Poyopoyo spoke with confidence—.
"I am on standby in sleep mode! Since I'm receiving a strange energy called magic power from my master, I'm trying to save as much as possible—Ow!"
I slapped the head again with my palm.
"You're just sleeping! Are you really an automaton!?"
Novem laughed, watching the interaction between me and Poyopoyo.
"You two really get along well."
I looked at Poyopoyo.
It made me angry that she looked a bit happy.
"As I thought, you were lusting after me, chicken-boy. If you just called me, I'd deactivate sleep mode and go to the bed—Ow..."
When I slapped Poyopoyo's head again, I spoke that I was already tired.
Shannon, who was being held back by me—.
"Hey, how long are you going to keep holding me! You treat me poorly!"
The voices of the Fifth Generation and Sixth Generation came from the Jewel Orb.
"She smells like a small-fry."
"Hmm, this girl is..."
Seriously, what were we doing, feeling a sense of crisis toward such a child?