kscans

53 - Getting Along

After returning from the labyrinth, I took a one-day break and then gathered everyone at the mansion.

Novem and Aria, who form the core party.

Miranda-san and Clara, adventurers from Alamsars who are participating on a temporary basis.

And the useless Poyopoyo, along with the homeowner's younger sister, Shannon.

Including myself, the seven of us set up a place for discussion.

"Why am I included in this? Besides, these people aren't adventurers, are they?"

While drinking the tea provided, Clara asked me. Her gaze was fixed on Shannon and Poyopoyo.

The reason for that was simple.

"...I didn't know how to start the conversation. As for the other two... they're just here for the ride."

The voice of the Third Generation could be heard laughing boisterously from the jewel.

'Riel, you're the best!'

That "best" likely meant "the best" in terms of being hilarious. Today's advisor, or rather, everyone was speaking now in a state of ignoring the rules.

Previously, because my magic power would drain rapidly, there was a rule that only one person could speak or offer advice per day.

I made an excuse to Clara, who was looking at me with judging eyes.

"I mean! I don't know anything about conversations between girls! Besides, there hasn't been an opportunity to talk like this until now..."

Poyopoyo prepared a refill of tea for Clara. Then, while looking at me, they let out a "Hmph" and laughed.

"As expected of a chicken. Even conversations with women are left to the women."

I told myself to endure this. Or rather, the reason I called Clara was that she had more experience as an adventurer than we did.

From her position as a support specialist who had seen various parties, it was important to hear her opinion.

Furthermore, since she already understood our circumstances to some extent, no explanation was necessary.

Novem spoke up.

"Then, let's begin the discussion regarding the future conquest of the labyrinth. Does anyone have an opinion?"

No one said anything.

Shannon opened her mouth.

"I'm not an adventurer. Or rather, I have no confidence in my physical strength."

Shannon, who insisted she had no confidence with total boldness, spoke while brushing back her hair as if she were actually bragging.

It suited her, but when Novem looked at her with a smile, Shannon let out a "Hie!" and fell silent.

Several minutes passed without anyone speaking, so I raised my hand slightly...

"Ah~, well... for my part, I want to break through the thirtieth basement floor without using skills. However, there's the issue of numbers, and you know, coordination..."

Then, without meeting my eyes, Aria spoke.

"Just use your skills. I mean, is there even a point?"

Her attitude was poor.

Novem reprimanded her.

"Aria-san, that attitude is a bit..."

Then, Aria shot back.

"Yes, yes, you're right. I was rude to Riel-'sama,' I'm sorry!"

As Aria spoke loudly, the voice of the Second Generation could be heard from the jewel.

The Second Generation dislikes Aria.

'What's with this attitude!'

The Fourth Generation spoke.

'Isn't she just angry about what happened the other day? You know, Riel shouted at her... she's bottling things up inside. Just look at her with kind eyes.'

The Second Generation replied.

'Like I give a damn about that! That's just the opinion of someone weak for women!'

The Fourth Generation shot back.

'What's wrong with being weak! Men can act tough, but they can't win against women! You muscle-brained idiot!'

The Second Generation—.

'You brat, how dare you speak to me, your grandfather, like that! Get out here!'

'Get out here'—thinking about how the First Generation used to say that often, I felt a wave of melancholy. After finishing the transmission of skills to me and fulfilling his role, he had stopped appearing.

I wonder what the First Generation would say if he saw me now.

(...No. I can only imagine him shouting and fighting with the Second Generation. The First Generation liked Aria, after all.)

As I felt depressed, Aria called out to me.

"S-sorry, okay? Don't get so depressed."

Aria apologized, but seeing everyone's gaze, I hurriedly regained my composure.

Then, Miranda-san spoke.

"I don't mind being called whenever. I've already received credits from Professor Damian, and I've finished the preparations to graduate. Right now, it's more like a hobby."

The academy's system allows one to enter and graduate at any time. It's not a system where you enter and graduate based on a specific period.

Once you earn the necessary credits and receive a certificate, you can graduate whenever you want.

Aria said to Miranda.

"Can you decide that so easily? I mean, do you intend to join the party?"

Then.

"Oh, are you jealous? Do you think your beloved Riel will be stolen? Aria, you're so cute~"

Thinking she was being teased, Aria shot back.

"I-I don't care about this guy! I'm just with him for now so that I can live on my own someday—"

As Aria's face turned bright red, Novem—.

"What are you saying, Aria-san? Regardless of the circumstances, you were saved by Riel-sama. You cannot simply leave the party whenever you please."

"Eh, I can't?"

I ended up asking Novem back.

Novem looked at me in surprise. Then, she explained the reason.

"No, well... we received Aria-san as a reward from the Lord of Darion."

I said.

"That's just a formality, right? It's fine to treat it as void."

Then, Aria slapped the table with her palm. In the silent room, Clara was drinking tea.

Since the tea on the table spilled, Poyopoyo—.

"Hehehe, this is what they call a 'shuraba,' isn't it? I know about it from data."

—Saying so, they began cleaning up and preparing more tea.

"...I knew I was only that kind of woman to you!"

"Why are you getting angry! I just said I have no intention of restraining you!"

While I was wondering why I was being yelled at, the voice of the Fourth Generation spoke.

'I wonder if Riel can't understand the complexities of a woman's heart.'

The Fifth Generation spoke.

'You just think you understand. I couldn't understand it at all.'

Then, the Sixth Generation spoke.

'...Still, the Fifth Generation did well, as long as it wasn't related to children.'

I thought.

(What should I do, these guys are completely unreliable.)

And so, I looked at Novem. However—.

"Riel-sama, that is simply too..."

Then, Miranda-san said with a smile.

"Then, I'll volunteer. In place of Aria."

Volunteer for the party? Or was she volunteering for something else? Miranda-san didn't say it out loud.

Then, Aria, who misunderstood, spoke.

"I-I didn't say I'd hand Riel over!"

Miranda-san, smiling mischievously, said.

"Huh? I thought I said I'd join the party in place of Aria?"

Teased, Aria looked away.

Then, Clara opened her mouth.

"...Riel-san."

"What is it?"

"You womanizer~"

As Clara called me a "womanizer" in a monotone voice, my cheek twitched. It's not that I'm bragging, but for a pure-hearted person like me who hadn't even kissed a woman until recently, to be called a womanizer...

Clara gave her final evaluation of this party.

"It's that, isn't it. A truly classical harem party that is the ideal for men. It's rare to find a party that's this well-formed. In both a good and a bad sense, it's an ideal-type party."

"In a good sense" probably meant it was good for a man's ideal.

I understood that "bad" meant the party wasn't functioning because of that.

I asked Clara.

"I-is there a solution or a way to improve?"

Based on her experience, Clara began to speak.

"Among the parties I know, there were some all-male parties that absolutely never added women to avoid trouble with women. They said that if things get messy with romance, coordination collapses."

Is she telling me to leave?

"Eh, does that mean it'll be solved if I leave?"

Novem interjected.

"That is impossible. Rejected. Not adopted."

Then, Clara also nodded.

"I thought so. If Riel-san disappeared, this party would likely disband. Or rather, your individual levels are reaching the mid-tier. Coordination is... let's say slightly better than an amateur without skills. Even if you leave this party, I think Aria-san would still be a drag."

Clara was supporting Aria, but Aria herself was losing confidence.

"E-even if you say that..."

"Everyone's talent is exceptional. Let's say the average is fifty? In terms of talent alone, this party's average is close to ninety. Even if Aria-san is low, that's a number like seventy or eighty."

Then, Clara continued.

"And, adding another person of the opposite sex besides Riel-san would also be bad. Rather than the romantic situation becoming complicated... the man who joined wouldn't be able to stand it."

Why wouldn't they be able to stand it? Damian was fine.

Besides, for my part, I wanted a comrade I could talk about same-sex things with.

Realizing I didn't understand, Clara said.

"Do you want to be the one lonely man added to a place where beautiful women are swarming around a single man? Do you want to feel a sense of alienation despite being a comrade?"

"...I don't want to feel that."

Having understood, I agreed with Clara.

It meant that if we added someone, a man would be no good.

"One or two people would be a problem, but if many joined, it might be slightly... but this isn't a party that can maintain such a large number, and the foundation isn't there."

Foundation.

The foundation of a party means having members who possess basic skills.

Individual talent is high, but we don't have an adventurer with techniques for scouting or traps.

"A large household is indeed... that's also rejected."

When Novem rejected it, Clara told us the way to improve.

"Let's divide the roles."

"Divide the roles?"

As I tilted my head, Clara said.

"Riel-san, basically, because you can do everything yourself, you have a strong tendency to try and solve things individually. You probably have multiple skills, but you need to divide and polish your techniques, including reserves. Or rather, normally roles are decided first. Once a certain level of skill is obtained, you discuss who will polish what technique. It's common to decide future policies based on each other's aptitudes."

The problem was likely that everyone relied too much on my skills and didn't feel the need for their own. Rather than clumsy techniques, no... my skills had higher capabilities than those of general professional adventurers.

"Basically, scouting, I suppose. The role of walking ahead and confirming safety. Aria-san is suitable for this. I have an acquaintance, so shall I introduce you?"

As Clara prepared a note, Aria received it.

"Next is traps... I think Miranda-san has quite a high aptitude. Just a feeling, though."

When told that, Miranda-san said with a smile.

"That's true. I am quite dexterous."

Clara muttered.

"...People with a personality like yours are good at this kind of thing."

"Something?"

"No, nothing. Then, Novem-san... is unnecessary. I think you should just continue polishing your magic as you are."

Novem said.

"Is that so? That's a bit disappointing. I wanted to be of some use."

The Second Generation interjected.

'Novem-chan is fine just by being there. As I thought, Novem-chan is a good girl~'

While agreeing with that opinion, I waited to see what Clara would say.

But Clara continued.

"That's the gist of it. It takes time to become a professional. But if each person takes a role and gains experience, the party's form will be settled in a few months."

"Eh, what about me?"

When I asked, Clara—.

"You're sufficient as you are. Basically, the leader's job is the operation of the party. Your job is to think about how to operate efficiently. Coordinating everyone's schedules and making plans is also a fine job."

I was convinced when told, but wouldn't it be better if I also polished some technical skill? When I said that, Clara said.

"Riel-san, you steal too much of everyone's work. Entrusting things to others if they can do it is also the leader's job. What Riel-san needs to do is..."

"What do I need to do?"

"How to gather luggage carriers, I suppose. After that, if you invite one or two female adventurers, it'll be perfect."

I gave my honest opinion.

"Somehow, that makes me sound like a jerk. Like... I'm keeping women around me."

"Being kept is the correct expression. It's fine. Riel-san's reputation in Alamsars is subtle, but since your face is good, you'll catch one or two. After that, you just need to spend time building a relationship of trust."

Then, Novem gave her opinion.

"T-that's not allowed!"

"Novem! You're right. That's not allowed!"

"You must find a woman suitable for the House Walt family precepts! Nothing else is permitted!"

Clara tilted her head. I became silent and covered my face with both hands.

Aria seemed uninterested since it was a common occurrence, but only Miranda-san was looking at Novem with a serious expression.

Shannon, who had been listening the whole time, said.

"I'm not involved, right? Why was I called?"

And Poyopoyo too.

"I can be of use as well. After all... I'm a special model!"

I ignored the two of them.

—Aria visited the adventurer Clara had introduced.

Instead of the adventurer's guild, she checked the nameplate of a cheap-looking apartment and knocked on the door.

Then, a muffled voice could be heard from inside the room.

'Who is it?'

"U-um! I'm an acquaintance of Clara-san, and she told me to visit here."

Then, the other person—.

'Clara's little girl? Well, fine.'

As she said that and the door opened, there was a woman with messy hair. She was in her late thirties. There were burn scars on her face.

And her left arm was gone.

When Aria's gaze turned toward the left arm, the woman said.

"Ah~, you're not used to seeing it. Well, you're young, so you probably don't come to the taverns. Well, come on in."

She snatched the note Aria was holding, confirmed it was Clara's handwriting, and let Aria into the room.

The outside was an old apartment, but the inside was tidy. She seemed to live alone, but a prosthetic arm was placed on the desk in the room.

"U-um."

"That's my prosthetic arm. I'm good at this kind of thing. I make a living by making simple magic tools and earning a bit of pocket money. I can't beat the professionals, but I can still get by in Alamsars."

Tools were hung on the wall, and parts were neatly arranged.

She introduced herself.

"I'm [Lyra Icola]. I was born into a family of notables in a small village. My surname is a remnant of that."

Aria also introduced herself.

"I'm Aria Rockwood."

Then, Lyra burst out laughing.

"I know. You're from that party of talented youngsters who completed the pervert's request, right? What does a vanguard like you want with me?"

Aria, who hadn't thought they were that well-known, was surprised for a moment but explained the circumstances.

Then, Lyra, with an exasperated face, pressed her face with her right hand. With eyes visible between her fingers, she looked at Aria and confirmed the content of the request.

"...In other words, you want to learn my style? My style of being a vanguard and doing scouting?"

"Y-yes!"

Then, Lyra said, "I can't really recommend it."

"You can tell by looking at this body, right? Being a vanguard is a dangerous job. It's too heavy a burden for a woman. If you absolutely insist on doing it... be prepared to be covered in scars. You can't complain even if you lose an arm or two."

Aria swallowed hard. But she told herself that this was far better than being unable to do anything here.

(If I run away here, I'll really become useless. That's why...)

"I-I'll do it!"

Then, Lyra covered her mouth and burst out laughing. While Aria was taken aback, Lyra continued laughing while saying, "Sorry."

"My bad. For making you try so hard. This injury was from when I was inexperienced. Basically, the correct way is not to approach if it's dangerous. I'm someone who learned the hard way after acting like an idiot."

While Aria was surprised, Lyra said.

"I've been helped by that little girl a few times. For research in the library, or as a luggage carrier. Basically, we're solo comrades."

"I-is that so."

When Aria said that, Lyra entered negotiations.

"Now, I don't mind teaching you, but I have my own work. I'll make time three days a week. Also, as for the amount..."

Lyra looked at Aria and stated the amount.

"If that girl says so, you must have the aptitude. After all, you're from that talked-about party. For a period of two months, twenty gold coins will do."

Hearing twenty gold coins, Aria was surprised. Or rather, she didn't have that much money. She had received rewards, but she only had about five gold coins.

"U-um, could you possibly make it a little lower?"

"I'm spending my time to guide you, you know? Besides, what will you do for earnings during that time? You're not thinking of getting techniques for free, are you?"

Aria hung her head. Then, Lyra offered a condition.

"Then, I'll take all the earnings from the work we do while I'm guiding you. In addition, you'll help me with my work. How about that?"

"Y-yes! I think I can do that!"

Then, Lyra said.

"Well, there's not that much to teach, though. My style is a vanguard type that handles both scouting and combat. You, what's your weapon?"

When Aria said she used a spear—.

"...It's not bad, but it's not great either. If you're specializing in combat, a spear is fine, but..."

After thinking for a moment, Lyra looked at Aria's chest.

"Is that, by any chance, a Bead?"

"Eh? Y-yes."

Then, Lyra said she wanted to confirm what kind of skills she had. Aria hesitated for a moment but told Lyra.

"Attack-specialized, huh. Much better than a clumsy magic tool..."

"Um?"

"Since you've been using a spear, that's probably what fits your hand best... Aria, are you interested in trying a short spear?"

Aria also began to move in order to establish her own style—.