kscans

Chapter 193 - Departure Preparations and Words of Gratitude

Hayato was steadily making preparations to go to the floating island.

The airship's capacity was fifty people, the same as a large ship in this game. Most of the members were decided, but the members of Daedalus were each busy and found it difficult to participate.

Ash and Ren were busy with real-world matters. Outside of their work at the cafe, they were dedicating their time to practicing as actors, so they had no spare time. Just like with the salvage operation, they would not be participating.

"Sorry about this. We wanted to go if we could, but it doesn't feel right to be playing around while our parents are working so hard. They told us to go and stretch our wings once in a while, but we want to catch up to them as soon as possible."

"Me too. I would have loved to unleash my curse power in a new field… but I think I'll have a bit more free time after we finish shooting the movie, so I'll accompany you then!"

"Understood. Well then, you two, maybe next time. If I find anything interesting, I'll let you know later."

Mist seemed to be having various problems with her former clanmates and couldn't participate this time either.

"A former clan member has fallen ill, so I'm busy dealing with that. I will definitely go next time."

"Ill…? Um, I see. That's a shame, but I think that's more important, so please don't worry about it. On the contrary, if there's anything I can do to help, I will, so please don't hesitate to ask."

"That would be a great help. When the time comes, I will certainly take you up on that. Well then, please be careful."

Maris was in a similar situation, apparently busy with Tamer-related work.

"Right now, there's a lot of illegal trading of rare animals and poaching, so I'm investigating that. It's completely unforgivable!"

"I'm surprised by how serious your answer is."

"Surprised…? Well, that's the situation, so it's a bit impossible for me to go. I'm extremely interested in the animals on that island, though."

"I think there will be many more opportunities to go from now on, so I'll be counting on you then."

"Understood. If you find any interesting monsters, please let me know later!"

And Diite couldn't come either.

"I want to go with you, but it seems impossible after all."

"That's a shame. By the way, is everything okay with the hacking situation?"

"It seems we're just about to resolve it. We've identified the general location, so once we have the evidence, there shouldn't be a problem. However, there is something that bothers me a little."

"Bothers you?"

"I've learned a lot from my own investigations, but I think Infinity could have handled hacking of this level on its own. I don't really understand why it's taking so much trouble."

"I don't really get it, but is that how it is?"

"Yes. But that will soon be over. It's a shame the timing didn't work out, but please have fun for my sake as well."

"Then let's go together next time. Once everything is over, I'll help you blow off some steam."

"I'll look forward to that and do my best."

After such conversations with the members of Daedalus, in the end, Hayato's clan consisted of only four members. Hayato, Esha, Relic, and Lunaria.

All nine members of Kokuryu would naturally participate, and the members of Black Rose would of course go if Lunaria was going. Then there were ten from Cecil's Dragon Busters and ten from Sonia's Treasure Hunter Guild.

The members were basically the same as for the salvage operation, with Lunaria participating instead of Diite. Losing a healer was a problem, but they gained a powerful attacker, so it could be said that their overall annihilation speed had increased, but their endurance had decreased.

He had also invited the Hero, Ivan, and Noat for song support, but both had declined.

"Lunaria is one thing, but those Black Rose folks are terrifying. And it's going to take several days, right? I feel like my life would be in danger, and I wouldn't be able to sleep peacefully. Sorry, but I'll pass."

"I want to laze around at home. More importantly, is dinner ready yet?"

Neither had a very good reason, but he couldn't force them to come if they wouldn't be useful, so he gave up.

He left the base in Rose's care while he was away. He also asked her to take care of Noat and the Black Knight who was locked in a room.

"Noat-sama is one thing, but wouldn't it be better to release the Black Knight-sama? There seems to be no merit in keeping him confined here."

"I thought it would be better to do that too, but when I told him Lunaria-san would be living here for a while, he apparently said it was fine to stay as he is."

It wasn't something Hayato had heard directly, but information from Rosalie. He had no idea why that was happening.

"However, is not Lunaria-sama going to the floating island? She will not be back for several days, correct?"

"Apparently, they talked about that too, and he said it was fine as long as she was coming back. So, I'm sorry, but could you take care of the Black Knight-san as you normally would? He's not a guest, but he's one of Lunaria-san's subordinates, and he's not an enemy either."

"Yes, if that is the case, I understand. I have received a memo with notes from Rosalie-sama, so I believe there will be no problem. By the way, I think the meal of only bread crusts is some kind of mistake. Does he perhaps like them?"

"I think it's just harassment, so please give him a normal meal."

"As you wish."

With these matters settled, there were no problems with the members, and no worries about the base.

All that was left was for Hayato to prepare the items, and then they would be ready.

He didn't know how long they would be there, but he made a large quantity of items to sell in the shop, and on top of that, he prepared many items necessary for the adventure. Furthermore, he didn't know if he could get materials for production items at their destination, so he also prepared various materials.

Hayato checked the list of items to prepare and began to craft them.

On the night before their departure, Hayato, Esha, and Relic were drinking their respective beverages in the dining hall.

Just a short while ago, they had been enjoying a lavish dinner to build up their energy for tomorrow.

Lunaria and her group had already returned to the third-floor hall, where a sugoroku tournament was being held. Rose and Noat had also already returned to their rooms, leaving only the three of them here.

"…And so, Master, it seems the neighbors think that, to put it mildly, they want you to get stabbed."

"I'd like to know what they'd say if they didn't put it mildly…"

"It is very similar to the Harem Incident that occurred at the Maid Guild. Yet Hayato-sama is unharmed. From a man's perspective, it must be an enviable situation."

"Isn't that too unreasonable? And do people really think this is an enviable situation…?"

"From the outside, it probably looks enviable. From the inside, it's a laughable situation, though."

"It's laughable…?"

They had already finished their preparations and checks for tomorrow. They were ready to depart at any time, so for now, they were just chatting.

Normally, Relic would have gone home by this time, but today he had stayed behind to talk with Hayato and Esha.

When their casual conversation came to an end, Relic looked at Hayato with a serious expression.

"Hayato-sama, I actually wanted to thank you. Thank you."

"Um, for what, exactly?"

"For Sonia. I was grateful that you handled the case she brought to you without a single complaint. Now, the Thieves' Guild has changed its name to the Treasure Hunter Guild and has become a legitimate guild. Sonia also seems to be having more fun than before, and it is all thanks to you, Hayato-sama."

"It's a little embarrassing when you say it so directly. But please don't worry about it. I had fun too."

"However, there were also things like being targeted by Ban, and I have caused you a lot of trouble…"

The reason Hayato was targeted was different. Relic and Sonia were not involved in that. However, that was a real-world matter. He couldn't say that.

"That's all part of the adventure. It's not Relic-san's or Sonia-san's fault, so please don't worry about it. If you absolutely must, you can pay me back on our adventure starting tomorrow, so there's no problem."

Relic looked a little surprised, then immediately smiled.

"Thank you. Sonia and I will do our best starting tomorrow. Well then, it is getting late, so I shall take my leave."

"Yes, please be careful. I'll be counting on you tomorrow as well."

Relic bowed politely at Hayato's words, then left the base.

Only Hayato and Esha remained in the dining hall.

"Relic is so dutiful, or something. He could just show his gratitude through his actions instead of words."

"And Esha, you could use a few more words."

"Is that so? Then, thank you very much. You are so generous, Master, for letting me eat as many chocolate parfaits as I want."

"I didn't ask you to express gratitude for a future that's not going to happen. You're joking, right? Why did you look away?"

"More importantly, we have an early start tomorrow, so let's log out soon. If we stay here, we'll be made to join Lunaria-sama's sugoroku game. That game has a rule that you have to entertain Lunaria-sama, so it's difficult."

"I'll bet. No, more importantly, about the chocolate parfaits… alright, we'll talk after we log out. If this is about the virtual reality, that's one thing, but if it's about the real world, I'm going to be seriously angry."

Hayato checked the pre-made chocolate parfaits in the storage just in case, then logged out in his room.