59 - Preparation for the Conquest
"Hmm, I wonder if it should be like this?"
Poyopoyo and I, having improved Porter, were agonizing over the fully assembled version in the warehouse.
We just couldn't decide on the final, most important part.
"That's a bit... how about something like this?"
Poyopoyo was also troubled. The completion of Porter—which they called the fruit of our love—was proving difficult, and we were exchanging opinions.
Furthermore, the ancestors inside the jewel were chiming in.
The Second Generation—.
『Hey, now, is that position really okay? The balance is definitely off.』
The Third Generation was more serious than usual.
『No, how about deliberately putting it on the opposite side? It might look strange if you only look at that spot, but if you consider the overall balance—』
The Fourth Generation spoke.
『...No, normally it's just in the middle, right? I can't imagine it anywhere else.』
Even the Fifth Generation, who usually seemed uninterested, was serious.
『Hey, Riel... let's add cat ears. It'll definitely be cuter that way.』
The Sixth Generation rebelled against the Fifth.
『What are you talking about! Horns, horns! Riel, a man needs horns, right!』
The Seventh Generation took a middle ground.
『You should just attach something that looks like either horns or ears. The important part is these round, sparkling eyes!』
The round cylinder in my hand had two round, cute eyes. Poyopoyo had embedded glass beads into it.
That's right.
We couldn't decide on the position of the head.
In the warehouse, Aria, who had recently become particularly masculine, was watching us with a sigh.
I knew she was exasperated. However, we couldn't afford to mess up the final touches after coming this far.
Aria spoke, sounding fed up.
"Do you even need a head? It's just for decoration anyway, right? Then just stick it anywhere. Or rather, don't you just not need one?"
It was a logical point.
She wasn't wrong.
And that was exactly why she was wrong.
Poyopoyo scoffed and said,
"Those large breasts of yours are also just decoration now, aren't they, Aria-san of the former Viscount house, who has become increasingly masculine lately."
Poyopoyo put a hand to their mouth and let out a forced laugh.
I looked at Aria seriously and said,
"Aria, we're being serious. Please don't interfere."
Voices of agreement echoed from the jewel.
Starting from the Second Generation.
『Shut up, brat!』
『Cat ears, huh... horns are a no, but ears might be good.』
『Appearances should be safe! It's better if it's endearing and becomes popular. Don't do anything reckless!』
『Rabbit ears would be fine too.』
『Why are horns no good...』
『No, wouldn't it be better to just keep it simple as it is? If you add horns or ears clumsily, those lovely eyes won't stand out.』
—No, I was wrong.
Everyone except the Second Generation hadn't even listened to Aria's words.
I decided to back Aria up. I was starting to feel sorry for her. Though, Aria probably didn't think she was pitiful.
Even now, she was glaring at Poyopoyo with a vein popping on her forehead.
"...Sorry, Aria. But we're seriously agonizing over this. This is for Porter... it's something important for our comrade."
Then, Poyopoyo looked at me, raised one hand, and hopped on the spot. Their twin-tails bobbed up and down fluffily.
"Yes, yes! I too am a comrade of the important chicken coward and the delightful Amazon army! I am the maid-type automaton who provides healing to everyone! Therefore, I believe the name is important!"
This time, Aria scoffed.
"Hah, 'Poyopoyo' is just fine. You piece of junk."
Poyopoyo looked at Aria and said,
"You've picked a fight with me... very well. I accept. From today on, Aria-san's meals are decided to be high-calorie. I hope you gradually gain weight and become anxious. I'll even prepare midnight snacks for you. I'll make you authentic, sweet, and delicious treats!"
I tilted my head, wondering if that would actually be effective.
When I looked at Aria, she had a frustrated expression.
The Second Generation said,
『Look at that. Aria's getting into the rhythm of it somehow.』
"That's cheating!"
And then, Poyopoyo laughed. What a nasty smile.
I thought,
(This thing... can it make expressions like that? Ancient people are amazing.)
Poyopoyo brushed back one of their twin-tails and declared,
"Cheating? Is that a compliment? I'll use any means necessary for the sake of the chicken coward! —Ow!"
I hit Poyopoyo's head with Porter's head. It made a pretty good sound.
"Don't blame it on me. More importantly, where should Porter's head go..."
Then, Aria spoke.
"Just put it around there already. How long are you going to fuss over every little thing..."
Poyopoyo and I were surprised when we looked at the position Aria pointed to.
"That's it, that's great, Aria! Now Porter's head position is decided. Thank you."
When I gave her a smile, Aria had a complicated look on her face. Whether she was happy or exasperated... it was a complex expression.
"U-uh? If you're happy with it, then... huh?"
Poyopoyo also nodded.
"It's frustrating, but rather than the front side... it's certainly a wonderful position compared to being in the center."
The ancestors also spoke.
『This one is surprisingly capable.』
『In that case, all that's left are the ears...』
『Wonderful! As I thought, appearance is important for making money! This will make it popular with the customers!』
『The position doesn't matter. The problem is what kind of ears to attach!』
『Horns are no good, or so they say...』
『Unnecessary things aren't needed. If the head is shifted to the side, strange decorations are just in the way!』
Together with Poyopoyo, I attached the head.
When operated with magic, Porter's head moved. I had attached a ball around the neck area to create a mechanism that allowed it to pivot.
The head that Poyopoyo had worked hard on for an entire day was wonderful.
"Perfect!"
"Porter... you've grown so much."
I praised it highly, and Poyopoyo shed tears. Aria watched the scene with a dubious expression.
Porter, specialized for conquering the Alamsars Labyrinth, had a low chassis and wide wheels.
Rubber that Poyopoyo had brought was wrapped around the wide wheels. From above, the main body was rectangular, sized to allow it to turn corners in the labyrinth with a bit of leeway.
The luggage area had a ceiling, and the side panels could be deployed to become shields.
Since the front had thick armor, it could also block passages. The leg sections for descending stairs were shorter than before.
However, if the shields were deployed sideways and the legs braced themselves, it became a sturdy wall.
The lantern hanging from the ceiling was also made so that the light could be adjusted.
We worked hard for no reason.
Poyopoyo said,
"I wanted the shields to be separate."
I agreed, but it was rejected due to a problem.
"It can't be helped. Clara and I will operate it in turns, but regardless of me, Clara..."
She could operate one, but Clara found it impossible to operate two or more units.
She seemed to have practiced by borrowing small dolls, but it wasn't going well.
"I'll also participate in combat. Depending on the situation, I'll use magic. In that case, it's inevitable."
We had planned to compensate for the lack of manpower with Porter, but basically, we didn't have enough members to conduct combat either.
As Poyopoyo and I were talking seriously, Aria spoke.
"...I mean, why can you be so serious about a luggage-carrying doll that can only be used here?"
Hearing that, Poyopoyo and I—and the ancestors—all spoke at once.
"It's Porter!"
"Please at least remember the name. It is Porter, who has a more splendid name than I do, the fruit of my and the chicken coward's love!"
『『『We told you, it's Porter!』』』
Perhaps because we had been preoccupied with Porter for a while, even the ancestors had started to feel an attachment.
Porter is surprisingly impressive.
—At the Alamsars Guild, Novem had come to submit documents to challenge the labyrinth.
Miranda and Shannon were with her.
Shannon had her fingertip in her mouth, her eyes tearing up.
To register as an adventurer, one pricks their fingertip and lets the guild card memorize the blood. She was trembling during that process.
It seemed she was scared.
"Why do I have to become an adventurer! I'm only thirteen! And I'm powerless..."
Hearing this, Miranda placed both hands on Shannon's shoulders.
The way she smiled made her look like an older sister comforting a younger sister. Being beautiful sisters, it was a truly picturesque sight.
Around them, some adventurers were warmed by the sight of the two.
But—.
"Did you intend to stay like that forever? That won't do... those who do not work, shall not eat, right?"
As Miranda's fingers dug into Shannon's shoulders with a smile, Shannon desperately shook her head up and down.
"Y-yes, that's right, Big Sister! I was wrong!"
Novem held two sheets of paper.
One was for the actual event a week later.
It was a document stating the goal of reaching the thirtieth underground floor, and the other was a document for challenging the labyrinth while bringing Shannon along.
She had no intention of making Shannon fight.
However, she couldn't just leave her alone at home. For that matter, Miranda had decided it considering Shannon's future.
A daughter of a Viscount house—however, her public position was that she had been cast away to Alamsars because she was visually impaired.
Novem said to the two of them,
"Both of you, once we submit the documents today, we will enter the labyrinth for Porter's test with Riel-sama and the others. Are you ready?"
Shannon was not used to the labyrinth.
There was a unique feeling of suffocation.
To get her used to it, she was being brought along today.
(If she can't handle it, I can't leave her alone at the mansion, so perhaps I'll have her stay somewhere.)
She couldn't leave a girl alone in the mansion.
The necessary supplies for challenging the labyrinth had already been prepared. Since the food items were reserved, they just had to go pick them up.
Depending on Porter's condition, if Shannon seemed unable to cope, they would leave her behind.
Actually, everyone intended to leave Shannon behind. Only Miranda was the one trying to bring her along.
"I'm ready. Shannon, make sure you listen to what your support senior says. Understood?"
Shannon replied to Miranda.
"I don't want to be a luggage carrier. Also, I hate being clingy... there are no baths, right? Hie! I'm lying! I'll properly listen to what that glasses-person says!"
When Miranda made a fist and smiled, Shannon accepted out of fear.
Novem felt a sense of incongruity that Miranda was trying to force Shannon to come along.
After finishing the submission of documents at the guild reception, they left the guild to meet up with Riel.
On the way, they were called out to by adventurers who realized they were Riel's party members.
Near the stairs exiting the guild, they encountered a group of three.
There, Novem remembered Rondo and the others she had met in Darion.
"Oh, are you comrades of 'The Carried'? Hey, when are you doing business with Porter next time?"
"The Carried? What, his comrades are all beauties? No wonder he doesn't bite on those kinds of stories."
"Hey, you're troubling them. Sorry. Tell Riel we're counting on him next time too."
Novem exchanged greetings and parted with the adventurers, then Shannon spoke.
"What? Is he called 'The Carried'? It suits him."
Then, Miranda's fist landed on Shannon's head.
Shannon writhed in pain.
As Novem watched this with concern, Miranda spoke to her.
"He's quite popular, isn't he? 'The Carried Riel'... it's a strange nickname for an adventurer who carries luggage."
Novem said,
"It's likely irony in the way of adventurers. Besides, the impression of Riel-sama, who broke through the fortieth floor, returning while being carried must have been strong."
To Novem's unremarkable response, Miranda looked around with a serious expression for just a moment.
When Novem noticed this, she instantly discovered a suspicious person in the direction of her gaze.
(...Is that why Miranda-san is trying to bring Shannon-chan along?)
For the past few days, Novem had also felt the sensation of being watched.
She had thought it was because Riel was a topic of conversation in Alamsars, but it seemed there was also malice involved.
(...I should avoid moving alone. I'm worried about Aria-san, though.)
Aria was receiving guidance from an adventurer.
That seemed to have ended, but she was still meeting with that adventurer to talk.
Since she seemed to be enjoying herself, Novem couldn't tell her to stop, but she decided to warn her.
Before she knew it, Miranda's gaze was on Novem.
"...It feels like you've noticed, doesn't it?"
Novem gave Miranda a wry smile.
Since she was being viewed with caution, she was troubled about how to handle it.
"No, I just looked where you were looking, Miranda-san."
"I see... Shannon, how long are you going to keep acting in pain? Let's go already."
Miranda's gaze remained suspicious.
Even receiving that, Novem's emotions did not change. She considered her a candidate for Riel's harem members.
Taking the pained Shannon with her, Miranda descended the guild stairs—.
Having challenged the labyrinth for Porter's fine-tuning, I looked at Shannon.
"What?"
"No, aren't you feeling suffocated? You know, like it's hard to breathe. Normally, the atmosphere makes it tough at first."
When I said that, Shannon looked at me and scoffed.
She was riding on Porter's ceiling, swinging her legs back and forth.
"The density of magic is a bit thick, but this is nothing."
Despite the habit of riding Porter because she was tired of walking, Shannon was remarkably assertive.
"Hey, don't swing your legs so much. Or rather, why are you wearing a skirt in the labyrinth? I can see inside."
When I warned her, Shannon raised her voice.
"Nooooo, Big Sister! This guy is peeking at my underwear!"
While I thought that sounded bad, Poyopoyo was in the middle of adjusting Porter.
Clara, who was watching seriously, didn't even hear Shannon's voice.
Aria was waiting at the entrance of the room we had entered for fine-tuning.
"It's because you came in a skirt. Do you even have any motivation? Or rather, that piece of junk over there is also wearing a skirt. Though she's never shown her underwear."
A truly masculine opinion.
Poyopoyo looked at Aria and said,
"Why would I need to provide service to someone like you? The only one allowed to see my underwear is the chicken coward."
I answered immediately.
"I'm not interested, so just wear pants."
Poyopoyo shouted back.
"You're telling me to take off this outfit and wear something else! This is my formal wear, my battle suit... I will maintain this attire even on the battlefield!"
—What on earth is this thing talking about?
And then Novem said to Shannon,
"You can't see from that position, so it's okay, Shannon-chan."
I corrected her, not wanting Novem to misunderstand.
"No, I have no intention of looking. For the most part, I'm not interested in this thing's underwear."
Then, Shannon threw a shoe at me. It hit me in the face and hurt a little.
I thought for a moment, (This one's actually capable.)
"What do you mean 'this thing'! Even so, I was called one of the beautiful sisters in Central! I was told I looked fragile and that people wanted to protect me!"
The Third Generation's voice came from the jewel.
『They're sisters who are good at playing the innocent, aren't they? I'm looking forward to the second and third daughters.』
I could imagine the Fifth and Sixth Generations being silent with a dubious feeling for some reason.
Miranda-san was drinking water from a flask during the break.
For some reason, she had a way of drinking that made one's gaze stick. She was just drinking normally, yet my eyes were drawn to her.
Miranda-san said to Shannon,
"If you want people to look, you can't stay in children's clothes forever. Why not wear something more provocative?"
She giggled as a joke, and Shannon's face turned red.
Then, while receiving the shoe I had thrown back, she muttered.
Seeing her catch it with her hand while looking down, I realized that she certainly could see more than an average person.
"This isn't my kind Big Sister..."
I shot back,
"What did you do to that kind Big Sister?"
While I felt the newly added Shannon was noisy, I looked at Miranda-san and thought.
(If Shannon hadn't done anything, the current Miranda-san wouldn't exist, right? ...I wonder which would have been better.)
I fell into thought for a little while.