63. Strategy Meeting

※Below was translated by Sephallia. Thank you very much.

“…”

“Just how long do you intend to sulk, Simone?”

“I’m not sulking! This is just how I always am!”

“Alea-chan, please try and understand, Simone-chan must be feeling awkward.”

“Lily-sama! If you understand that, couldn’t you just leave me be!?”

When Simone flared up in a rage, Lily-sama responded with a faint smile.

The sun had set, in our usual timezone it would be eight in the evening. We had settled into lodgings the Naa Empire provided us students who’d been teleported. We previously had made reservations for hotels through our academy, but as a result of the monster attacks all of those hotels had temporarily shut down. Fortunately, Philine-sama quickly made the necessary arrangements for us to stay here. Our accommodations weren’t luxurious, but it was nice enough that I doubt I’d hear any complaints for the duration we’d need to stay.

“It’s really unfortunate you lost all of the penny candy you bought for yourselves, but…”

“Wow dad, guess things have a way of just working out.”

“H-How delicious…!”

Having suffered a sudden attack, we were forced to abandon most of our luggage, only taking necessities. Sympathizing with our situation, Lambert-san shared the penny candy that he’d brought to promote Frater’s new product with us instead. We now surrounded the pile of candy, treating ourselves to renew our energy for tomorrow’s ordeals.

“This ‘liquorice’, I’d love it if the stores back in Bauer stocked it too.”

“Huh, it doesn't sell well outside of the Empire. Alea, you sure have a unique taste for things, don’t ya.”

“A-Apparently it was a recommendation made by Claire-sama’s precious friend.”

We continued to chat as we enjoyed the penny candy. Then, out of nowhere, I looked all around the room. I couldn’t help but feel something was missing and I simply couldn’t settle down.

“A-Are you looking for Mei-chan?”

“Ah…”

Lily-sama was absolutely right. Because of what happened at the gates, Mei and I were now rather far apart. Us twins had almost never been this far away from each other, especially not for this long. That must be why I couldn’t help but feel restless.

“That’s no good, I shouldn’t be like this.”

“But well, Lily thinks it’s only natural.”

“Yeah, she’s right. Let’s do this quick so y’all can get back to flaunting your love triangle.”

When the two of them encouraged me, cracking a joke along the way, I couldn’t help but feel I was blessed to have gotten to know them.

“So, we’re hitting up the dungeon tomorrow, yeah?”

After finishing off the penny candy, we began to talk of our plans for tomorrow. This time too, Simone pulled out her notebook to organize our discussion.

“Our group is made of four, Alea, Lily-sama, dad, and―me.”

That’s right. Simone had decided to join our party.

“I don’t want to drag y’all down, but I actually have a role to play so…”

“You’re the only one that can use that Magic Tool, so there’s no helping it.”

With her pen already in one hand, she held up a strange bag in the other―this was another one of Lambert-san’s inventions.

“A Magic Tool for storage, hm… is that really such a big deal?”

“I-It’s rather difficult to take at face value, but if what Lambert-san says is true, Lily thinks it sounds like an amazing item…”

At a glance it really just looked like a small leather bag. But according to Lambert-san, it was a magic bag that could store anything regardless of its size or weight. Even if we had to in order to repair the gate, it would take much more time and labor having to make several trips to the dungeon. We really didn’t have the luxury of time on our side, and that was when Lambert-san suggested we use this bag.

“On top of that it was made so only a demon could use it… Dad, really…”

“Simone-chan, you’re so very loved.”

Lily-sama chimed in with a giggle. Despite Lambert-san’s claims that the magic tool only happened to turn out that way, it seemed to me as though he was trying to develop new magic tools specifically for his beloved daughter. But well, speculation aside, we should gratefully make use of this new invention.

“I learned the basics of combat through lessons at the academy, so I should be able to handle myself, but what about my dad?”

“I’m sure Lambert-sama learned enough to fend for himself as well. I mean, he was the vice-leader of the old Institute’s Order of Knights after all.”

“The Institute’s Order?”

Hearing a collection of terms she was unfamiliar with, Simone had a huge question mark plastered on her face.

“It was something like the Bauer Royal Institute’s student council. You had to pass a rigorous exam and selection process, so apparently its members were all considered to be the Institute’s elite.”

“Hmm… My dad was…? Really…?”

“Well, it shows that you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover.”

As an aside, Mother Rei and Mother Claire were once part of the Royal Institute’s Order as well. I hadn’t heard all the specifics, but I’d heard that… for better or for worse, a lot happened.

“That said, my dad and I are probably gonna have our hands full taking care of ourselves, so we’re gonna have to rely on y’all to do the actual fighting.”

“Right. Lily-sama! It’s our chance to show the fruits of our love!”

When I regaled Lily-sama with my usual energy,

“Ah… ehm… yes…”

I thought she’d act evasive as she always did, but Lily-sama’s cheeks flushed pink before she shyly shifted her gaze to the floor.

“Oh? Oh dear oh my?”

“Huh!? N-No, i-it’s nothing, there’s nothing…!”

“No, I wouldn’t ever let something like this slide Lily-sama. Yes, yes! I see, so you’re finally ready to respond to my love!”

“That’s… not… it…!”

“What are you saying, I know I’m right. Alright then, our feelings have been confirmed it’s time you join me in a passionate ki―”

“Have some self control.”

Simone swiftly whacked me with the corner of her notebook.

“That hurts… Simone, what was that for?”

“Sure Lily-sama’s reaction was a little different than usual, but think about the TPO. We’re currently in a state of emergency.”

“But that’s exactly it! Simone, haven’t you ever heard of the suspension bridge effect?”

“That’s not something you should actively try and exploit.”

I could only click my tongue in response.

“Well, fine. Lily-sama, we’ll continue where we left off after we’re back home safely in Bauer.”

“L-Lily would much prefer you just forget this ever happened…”

And so, back to the matter at hand.

“From what dad said, the dungeon will not only have demons but monsters specific to the ancient ruins as well.”

“Oh? I’m more than ready for the challenge.”

“L-Lily wants to get through the dungeon as peacefully as possible…”

“Same. I heard that the monsters and traps unique to the ancient ruins don’t go out of their way to attack, so we should try to avoid them. For the traps we’ll be relying on my dad.”

“It’s reassuring to have him with us.”

I suppose I’d get the chance to see one of the world’s top scholars on Magic Tools in action.

“I think that’s about it. Anything I missed?”

“Wait, just one question. Just what kind of parts are we going there to retrieve in the first place?”

I felt that was the most important thing to cover.

“Well, it’ll be dad’s role to distinguish what parts we need or not, but apparently the main thing we’re looking for is the dungeon core.”

“Dungeon core?”

“Just like it sounds, the dungeon has a crystallized core. It’s the physical core from which the dungeon forms, so.”

According to Simone, the core is always located at the deepest part of the dungeon, often protected by a powerful monster. It seemed that dungeons themselves were also in some ways organic, and dungeon cores were analogous to monster cores.

“Alright, so if Lily-sama and I can beat that powerful monster, we’ll be fine, right?”

“You put it really simply, but can you do it with just the two of you? Philine-sama said that she’d assign us more people if deemed necessary.”

“There won’t be a problem. There’s nothing out there that Lily-sama and I can’t ha―”

“H-Hold on. L-Lily had forgotten until now, but Alea-chan, what about your colorlessness? Are you okay now?”

Lily-sama urgently redirected the conversation. Guh, I can’t believe she remembered.

“Unfortunately I can’t really tell. Lily-sama, could you please hit me with some sort of water-based attack magic?”

“Eeh!?”

“We don’t really have any other way to check, do we?”

“Lily-sama, it doesn’t have to be a big spell, just hit me with something so we can see if it gets nullified.”

“O-Okay.”

Lily-sama took my hand with one of hers while forming a gun shape with her other before pointing it at my arm.

“Water Bullet.”

The small water bullet shot straight into my palm. The bullet caused a small depression where it made contact before it splashed, wetting the area.

“Looks like it wasn’t absorbed.”

“Y-Yes, looks like it…”

“This is rather odd, isn’t it…?”

“Alea, do you otherwise feel unwell?”

“No, I feel absolutely fine.”

“Hmm… This might be outside of my dad’s field of expertise, it might be best to see a doctor.”

Simone mumbled something as she seemed deep in thought.

“Well, it’s not like us thinking about it anymore is going to help. I’ll just have to fight being aware that I can’t rely on my colorlessness.”

“Ain’t that quite a big difference?”

“Just who do you think I am? I’m the God of the Sword, Alea Francois! This is no big deal, not even a handicap.”

“You sure talk big, like I said earlier we’ll be relying on you.”

“Just leave it to me.”

Simone stretched out her fist and I matched her for a quick bump. Meanwhile, Lily-sama was still clearly worried as she watched us.