c1-c20 · 009-ch9

Chapter 9: The Various Factions Dance (Part 2)

―――S-rank Raid Clan "Diacele"・Vice-Captain's Office

"Nabra Vice-Captain~"

A girl appeared soundlessly from behind as Nabra, a bald man, was relaxing in the vice-captain's office while drinking black tea.

"......It's Mirara. Don't just come in without permission even though I locked the door. At least use the door."

"What does it matter~ We're recruiting members right now, aren't we?"

"Recruiting members? ......Ah, you mean that explorer who swings around that wooden stick."

"It's not a wooden stick, it's a deck brush~ Did you properly watch the video~?"

"Same difference."

"Hey Vice-Captain, don't you want him? That guy."

"Sigh...... You know..."

Nabra deliberately set down his teacup and let out a deep sigh.

"It's only mid-tier clans, and even then, only the weak ones who can't prepare their own combat forces that would want someone like that. Certainly, an outstanding individual is attractive, but in a dungeon, if they can't keep up with existing coordination, they're ultimately meaningless and just get in the way. In other words, only those who don't understand that, or groups that don't even have proper coordination yet would seek someone like that. ......Even you should understand that much, Mirara."

"Hmm~ Vice-Captain, you're really saying that~?"

"......What are you trying to say?"

Mirara grinned as she peered into Nabra's face. Then, bringing her mouth close to his ear, she whispered.

"What if I told you...... Sandai-ren is on the move?"

"......!"

Seeing Nabra's expression change, Mirara laughed like a child as she hopped backward.

"Ahaha! It's already become a rumor~ The story that a large number of Sandai-ren explorers are heading toward Shinjuku Dungeon~. Is there any purpose other than search and capture~? And because of this information, even more clans are going to move than expected~"

"Even so......"

"Ehh~ You don't get it~. Listen, this is a chance, you know?"

"A chance?"

Seeing Nabra's reaction, Mirara quietly smirked, knowing she finally had him hooked.

He didn't realize that he was already caught in her trap.

"Vice-Captain~, what is Diacele's current goal~?"

"That goes without saying. Conquering Shibuya Dungeon. We simply don't have enough manpower to stay in the deeper levels for long, which is why the Captain personally went out to search for the missing personnel."

"That's right~?"

"However, it's not for combat strength. It's personnel to handle information relay and supply runs for the conquest team."

"Exactly, that's it. That's why I said now is a chance. A chance for us to replenish our personnel."

Hearing Mirara's words, Nabra held his breath so she wouldn't notice.

"......Continue."

"What's needed for exploring the depths, the unknown regions, isn't pure combat power. Investigation ability, exploration speed, traversing capability, and adaptability. These are important factors even for members whose role isn't combat, right?"

"Yeah."

"Then, while all those mid-tier clans are scrambling to find that mysterious uncle, isn't this a situation where we can make easy judgments? Promising clans are just sitting there for the taking~"

"......"

"And~ we can do pruning, not just harvesting~? If they seem like they'd get in the way, that is."

With both hands, she made snipping scissors gestures as she said this with a smile.

Nabra crossed his arms and thought it over. He weighed the merits and demerits, considering them carefully. Naturally, the demerits included the scandals that would occur if Mirara's mood soured.

Then, after a long silence, Nabra let out a large sigh as if resigning himself.

"Sigh...... You really are good at making things sound reasonable."

"Right~? So, what do you say~?"

"......Fine, I'll pass your other work to someone else. Go to Shinjuku or wherever you want."

"Alright~!"

"But if there are no results, you know what'll happen, right?"

"Geez~ I understand properly~. Results come first for Diacele!"

Facing Mirara who was hopping around innocently, Nabra felt his stomach twisting in pain. He was starting to reconsider whether he should have given permission after all.

"......So, what's your real objective?"

"Ahaha, Vice-Captain knows me well~"

Ignoring Nabra's troubled expression, Mirara laughed out loud.

"Of course, because it seems interesting~"

With those words, Mirara disappeared soundlessly from in front of Nabra. Alone in the vice-captain's office, Nabra finished his now-cold black tea.

"Hahh...... That Mirara, doing whatever she wants just because the Captain isn't here......"

In the now-quiet room, Nabra took out his smartphone and turned it on. On the screen was footage of an uncle in work clothes activating an ultra-long-range explosion magic.

He paused the video at a certain scene and zoomed in on the uncle's face on the screen.

"But this person...... I feel like I've seen him somewhere before......"

―――Steel Rescue Group "Barrier Sister"・Chapel

In the solemn atmosphere of the chapel, before a goddess statue that gleamed in the sunlight streaming through the windows, a woman in ceremonial robes knelt on one knee, offering a quiet prayer.

A young girl in similar robes approached her.

"Lady Towa, may I have a moment?"

"Sister Rose. What brings you here at this hour?"

Without breaking her prayerful pose, the person called Towa responded to Rose. Rose took a moment to steady her breathing before speaking.

"May I go to Shinjuku Dungeon?"

"Shinjuku Dungeon?"

Hearing "Shinjuku Dungeon," Towa looked puzzled.

"That labyrinth has already been conquered. I would think we have no business there compared to other labyrinths currently being explored."

"Even so."

Sensing the firm resolve in her tightly-knit voice, Towa stopped her prayer, stood up, and turned to face Rose.

"Then may I ask the reason?"

"To...... search for someone."

"A person search. The Steel Rescue Group's doctrine, the first one......"

"Without distinction of good or evil, grant the blessing of purity to those who bear wounds."

Towa stared intently at her eyes as she answered smoothly. Towa certainly saw the burning light deep within those eyes.

"You're searching for someone not for yourself, but for a stranger?"

"......Yes. ......No, perhaps this is personal after all."

"......Fufu."

Seeing Rose like this, Towa couldn't help but laugh innocently.

"Lady Towa?"

"Oh, I apologize. ......You've been with the Steel Rescue Group for about a year now, right? I feel like I can finally see your human side."

"That is...... I apologize."

"There's no need to apologize. Hmm...... This is just my guess, but for the next 3 days...... no, about a week, the Shinjuku labyrinth will become active. During that time, we can expect injuries similar to other labyrinths."

Towa pulled a thick book from subspace and flipped through its pages.

"I was thinking of sending some apostles to Shinjuku, but if it's you, who became S-rank the fastest, you should be sufficient on your own."

"......Yes, I swear. I will dedicate my entire being to saving as many lives as possible."

Hearing those words, Towa closed the book, and with the same hands that had just been praying to god, she now offered a prayer for Rose.

"Go, Sister Rose. May the goddess and spirits bless you."

―――Negomin, aka Nego Kirika's Home・Bedroom/Streaming Room

"Uwaaaaaaaaa I'm happy but I'm not haaaaaaaappy"

My soul's scream didn't leak outside at all thanks to the soundproofing equipment I spent money on. Thank you, soundproof room.

I press F5 on my keyboard and refresh the page over and over. Each time, the number displayed below a certain video keeps getting bigger and bigger.

That video is from yesterday's stream of mine.

"Amazing, it hit 7 million views in just one day...... That's more than the song cover I put out recently......"

I also quickly put out a clip of just the relevant scene yesterday, and that's flying with views too. This has never happened since I started my channel.

A wave, a big wave is coming my way.

......But I also know I'm not at the center of the uproar.

"Ahh I wonder if I'll meet him again~ If I do then maybe we could collab and......! ......Just kidding...... sigh"

I stop my meaningless page refreshing and leave the soundproof room. Then I dive straight onto my bed that still has the warmth of having just woken up.

"Haaaah feels good...... Making money while just sleeping is the best......"

That's right, this situation should be amazing. And yet......

"Why, why am I feeling this painful?"

Ever since I finished streaming and came home yesterday, it's been like this. Like something black and soft is stuck deep in my heart.

I know what it is. This is probably...... my pride as an explorer.

"Haaa~~...... It's way too late now."

I lie on my back looking up at the ceiling, reaching my hand out as if to grab the sky.

I should have given up on the proper path a long time ago, and yet.

"Aah geez, snap out of it, Nego Kirika! With this chance arriving, the viewers are waiting for my next stream! My job is to stay on camera for as long as possible!"

I jump up abruptly and slap both my cheeks hard enough to hurt. This is an important timing as a streamer, too important to be worrying about these cloudy feelings. No time to be sleeping.

"I'll do a serious stream and gain as many fans as possible!"

Today was supposed to be my day off, but plans change! I'm not stupid enough to miss this chance!

I grab my dungeon gear nearby and quickly get ready.

"Alright! Time to go, Shinjuku Dungeon!"

―――――――――――――

Thank you for reading this far. A bunch of stuff came up, but as long as you remember Sandai and Rose, you'll be fine for the upcoming developments. And Negomin too.

To everyone who always supports me, thank you so much. If you thought this work was good or you're curious about what happens next, I'd be happy if you bookmarked or followed! If you leave a star too, I'll be overjoyed.