It"s decided that we"ll partic.i.p.ate in the dungeon subjugation, so we started preparing for it in a great hurry under Zelphy-san"s instruction.

I who went out shipping looked at the memo while checking if there is anything that I forgot to buy.

I walked on a street with many pa.s.serby while looking at the food supply inside a brown paper bag. There are a lot of foods with long preservation time like cheese and so on. I also bought various other things.

「The food should be prepared by the guild……」

Toward me who is complaining even while purchasing the items, the ancestors" reaction is varied.

The Second said that I should obey Zelphy-san"s instruction.

『You should obey the opinion of someone experienced. Or rather, there are a lot of things that even we cannot make judgment about.』

Although the ancestors had experience subjugating dungeon from the position as feudal lord, this is their first time partic.i.p.ating as adventurer.

Because they don"t know about adventurer"s style in this, they are obeying the instruction while observing the situation.

The Sixth seems to be irritated that we cannot gather people.

『It"s different from us who could gather people with a single order.』

It seems that with their position as a feudal lord, the ancestors could gather soldier and also personnel for rear support when they proclaimed their intention to subjugate a dungeon.

I also want more people, but I have no other people other than Rondo-san and his party who I can trust.

It was then, the Fifth was the only one expressing a different opinion.

『Setting that aside, shouldn"t we test "that thing"? After all we haven"t test it since coming back because of various matters. I want to at least judge whether it"s usable or not before the dungeon subjugation.』

That thing──it"s about the silver weapon that was left behind when the First vanished from inside the Jewel after finishing his role to entrust all his Arts to me, the great sword inside the room of round table.

The ornamental part of the Jewel was made from rare metal. I don"t know what kind of metal was used and what kind of manufacturing process was done to it, but it seems the Jewel can become a weapon.

It"s one of the things other than Art that the First left behind for me.

The Third agreed with the Fifth"s opinion.

『Certainly that"s important. Right now Lyle is using saber as weapon, so he is unable to deal with hard opponent. If he can use that great sword, then it feels like you won"t have any problem with enemy to a certain level.』

I glanced at the saber hanging on my waist and fell into thought.

I thought several times about changing my weapon, but I was unable to decide no matter what. Besides, it"s also a fact it"s better to use the weapon you"re most familiar with.

In fact, I can just use magic against opponent that is resistant to blade.

If it"s the current me who has gone through "growth", I won"t faint in the middle of battle. ……I want to believe that I won"t.

The Fourth summarized the opinions.

『Then, perhaps it will be better to use this holiday rather than when going outside for work. Let"s invite Novem-chan and go outside.』

「Invite Novem?」

I don"t understand the reason of taking Novem alone while leaving Arisan and Sophisan behind. If Zelphy-san come along it"s also possible to receive various advice from her.

「Is it no good to test it while coming back from work?」

Then the Seventh sighed.

『Lyle, you aren"t quick on the uptake. We"re telling you to go out alone with Novem while you"re at it. You know, something like a picnic.』

It seems they are telling me to go out alone with just Novem. When I"m thinking whether there is a need to mind about such thing to that extent, the Fifth said to me──.

『Never mind that, just go. Every day you are acting together with her, but this and that is different. Let"s see, today"s weather is also good, so invite her right away.』

Urged by the ancestors, I finished the shopping and invited Novem to have an outing.

I returned to the inn, placed down the baggage, and invited Novem to go outside the city.

We purchased food and drink before going outside lightly equipped. We headed to a place with good scenery near Dalien, then we sat down under a tree there and talked.

「It"s unexpected, to think Lyle-sama would invite me.」

My heart felt pained for some reason when I saw the happy looking Novem. There is no way I can say that actually it"s because I was urged by the ancestors……

「I, is that so? The weather today is good, and I also had finished with my schedule so…」

While I"m covering up with a laugh, I could hear teasing voice from inside the Jewel. Starting from the Second in turn,

『Novem-chan looks really happy. Perhaps she was actually waiting for Lyle?』

『Is Lyle a type that won"t feed the fish he has already caught?』

『Get stabbed, you d.a.m.n enemy of woman.』

『……That kind of att.i.tude isn"t good at all.』

『Well, we should make him learn about this too bit by bit.』

『After all recently it feels like you are neglecting Novem while paying attention to Aria and Sophia.』

I wasn"t particularly neglecting Novem. But, it"s a fact that I wasn"t really attentive to her because it was like we were together from morning to night everyday.

I"m reflecting inside my heart while listening to Novem talking.

「Come to think of it, how is it going recently? You know, like Arisan and Sophisan? Just some time ago various things happened, and it was awkward with them until recently……」

Until just recently, I couldn"t converse properly with the two of them.

Especially in regard to Arisan, i might have made her angry because she wouldn"t even talk to me.

Recently she finally returned to usual, but sometimes I would feel there is distance between us.

Novem looked at my face and made a troubled expression.

Is there any problem that is that serious?

「Well, that"s……as expected I also cannot defend Lyle-sama in this. I think it can"t be helped that Arisan was angry about that matter. Ah, but it"s not like she hate Lyle-sama. Arisan and also Sophisan are aware of Lyle-sama.」

I"m grateful even just knowing that I"m not hated.

It"s tiring to work with such awkwardness present.

The Third spoke in exasperation.

『Lyle was in the wrong for taking the meaning of I don"t mind even if I die in a literal sense after you told her the moon is beautiful. We also cannot defend you in regard to that.』

What was bad about it?

The ancestors won"t tell me even when I asked them.

「That"s good, I think? Well, as expected if I"m hated, then I will feel down, or something.」

The people who I got close with after coming to Dalien. Getting hated by those people would feel painful for the current me.

Novem smiled.

Novem is dressed lighter and a bit stylish than usual. Her appearance feels fresh even though the difference is only slight than normal.

「There isn"t really any problem among us. The three of us are getting along quite well. We went out together before this, we"ve also opened up to each other more compared to at the beginning.」

It seems they have gotten along well with each other to the degree that they would go shopping together. I"m feeling relieved hearing that, but the Fifth spoke to me.

『Don"t just take the meaning of her words literally.』

The sentence was somewhat filled with actual feeling.

But, it"s a good thing that the three of them are getting along well, so I"m happy.

「I see. That"s great.」

「Yes. That"s why, please don"t worry, Lyle-sama.」

We keep chatting like that, or rather Novem asked me about the plan from here on while we are talking about various things. When the instructional period in Dalien is over, the plan of the future will be important whether I like it or not.

「Lyle-sama, will we stay for a while in Dalien for a while like this? We have some leeway monetarily, though I think with our current capability we will be able to manage even if we move to other place.」

With the exception of area where extremely specialized skill would be necessary, they would be able to obtain considerable result everywhere they go with their current party members.

Dalien is a city that is kind to rookie adventurer. But, to put it another way, it"s also a lacking city for adventurer that is strong to a certain degree.

I looked up to the sky while answering.

「I still haven"t decided but, I"m thinking to leave Dalien when the instructional period is over. After all it looks like Ventrsan also doesn"t want us to be here too long.」

From the view of Ventrsan, I am a troublesome person due to my status as the former heir of a house of count. He surely doesn"t want to keep me in reach forever.

Then Novem make a certain suggestion.

「In that case, I recommend going to the academy city next.」

「Academy city? ……You mean Arumsaas?」

The academy city Arumsaas is a peculiar city under the rule of Bahnseim Kingdom. It doesn"t have a feudal lord, in addition its greatest characteristic is that it"s managing a dungeon.

As to be expected from a city that is called an academy city, an educational inst.i.tution called the academy exists there.

「Eh? Are we going to enroll into the academy next?」

When I said that, Novem shook her head.

「No, as expected we don"t have the leeway financially for that. I don"t think it will be pointless, but enrolling and studying for a few years will be difficult for our financial.」

Then why? While I"m thinking that, Novem told me various things.

「The academy is famous in Arumsaas but, but people also gathering there for the library, private school, dojo, and so on. There are also a lot of private school and dojo that are teaching the necessary skill for adventurer, so that place is just fine to learn something while challenging the dungeon there.」

Here, the Third snapped at the word library.

『As expected the library is really appealing.』

The Seventh recalled something while explaining.

『It"s unusual how it doesn"t have a feudal lord but, that place should have a strange dungeon under its management too. There are a lot of scholars there, I heard that kind of people gathered there in the past and the city they created became the academy city.』

The Third who heard that said to me.

『Lyle! Let"s go to Arumsaas! I believe that surely you will be able to learn a lot of thing there! If possible, let"s also consider the possibility of staying there for a long period!』

This person, he recommended Arumsaas to me just because he likes book.

The Second is a bit exasperated.

『More importantly, isn"t it better to move to a city that is more severe situation than Dalien?』

A city that is more severe than Dalien, that means it will be a city where adventurer will have easier time to earn money.

I replied to Novem.

「I"ll think about it. But, Arumsaas huh……」

In my imagination, my personal impression of it is a city with many scholars, and many young n.o.ble coming there to study.

Even if we don"t choose it as our next destination, it might not be bad to stop by there someday to look around.

「Lyle-sama, come to think of it you have one other business isn"t it?」

I suddenly remembered from Novem"s words. I stood up and tightly grasped the Jewel. I was too relaxed that I forgot my objective at first.

「That"s right. I planned to test this thing.」

Novem is looking affectionately at the Jewel I held. And then, she told me various things.

「I heard that among the rare metals there is a metal that can change shape. The ornamental part of the "Gem" that Lyle-sama has might be created from that kind of metal too.」

「Is that so? I heard that the material was presented from Forxus House though.」

The Seventh said something like that. He said that he asked for ornament to be created for the Gem that was the heirloom of Walt House using the rare metal presented from Forxus House.

Novem"s expression turned troubled.

「I didn"t know until that far. My apologies.」

It seems to be a matter of a really long time ago, so perhaps it can"t be helped that she doesn"t know about it.

「I think it will go fine but……」

Saying that, I walked out from under the tree and took distance from Novem. I don"t understand what"ll happen, so I took some distance just in case.

I grasp the Jewel with my right hand and then imagine the great sword in my mind.

When I become able to imagine the great sword that looks like a zanbatou the First left behind for me, I felt the Jewel turning hot.

The chain gets off from my neck, wrap around my right hand, and the weight of the necklace is gradually getting heavier. When I thrust my right hand in front of me, the silver metal wriggles and changes shape.

『This is, really……』

The metal amount of the necklace and the silver metal forming the shape of a great sword in front of me──they"re clearly different, even that single fact is surprising.

And then after a while, the figure of a great sword with the Jewel embedded in it appeared. Many parts of it are resembling the great sword that the First used. It was exactly the same with the great sword floating inside the room of round table of the Jewel.

I couldn"t lift it up with one hand. My left hand reached out and I lifted the great sword with both hands.

I looked up at the great sword that is shining from the sunlight hitting it. The great sword that is as tall as me looked really reliable.

「Amazing. Besides it feels familiar to my hand……hm?」

I immediately noticed an abnormality.

「Wait a second, wait a second!」

I"m tightly grasping the handle with both hands, but the great sword is starting to shake by itself. It"s getting heavier as though it"s rampaging, and then it"s sucking up mana from me.

The Second panicked.

『Oi, what"s this──』

The Third calmly instructed me.

『Lyle, dispel it right away. The situation is strange──tsu』

The great sword was trying to absorb all the magic power that I have. The voices of the ancestors are cut off.

When I was about to lower down the sword tip to the ground from being unable to endure the weight and shaking, the great sword that sucked my mana ignored me and slammed onto the ground powerfully.

The ground is gouged with terrible sound, the soil whirled up, and the ground felt shaking from the impact. I get showered with soil and become covered with mud, but I have no composure to be bothered by such thing.

「Lyle-sama!」

I could hear Novem"s voice calling at me from afar, but at that time the great sword return to the form of Jewel and I collapsed on top of the gouged ground.

I cannot hear the voices of the ancestors from inside the Jewel.

The silver part that is wrapped around my right hand. And then the Jewel settled on my palm. I was watching them inside my thinning consciousness. It seemed I fainted from running out of mana after so long.

「……It absorbed all the mana I had.」

The great sword that wouldn"t listen to what I told it at all was a weapon that was hard to handle even if it was powerful.

Evening.

When I came to myself, I was sleeping on Novem"s lap.

「Are you alright, Lyle-sama?」

The worried Novem is stroking my forehead. I"m sweaty and terribly tired. But, it"s not to the degree of being unable to stand up.

「……How long I fainted?」

The surrounding is getting dyed in orange. It felt like quite some time has pa.s.sed. Novem smiled in relieve while answering.

「I think it"s around three hours.」

So I lost consciousness for three hours. It seemed that Novem was looking after me the whole time.

I"m feeling guilty to her.

「I was the one who invited you, and yet I made you looked after me……sorry」

When I said that, Novem shook her head. Her brown hair that looked shiny was. .h.i.t by the orange light and gave me a different impression from normal.

「No, I also had fun. But, perhaps it"s better to not use that weapon too much. From what I saw, it looked like it was running wild.」

The great sword felt fitting in my hand, and it also had destructive power. However, it"s a troublesome weapon that is hard to handle and sucked all the mana I had.

I closed my eyes.

The problematic sword and the First"s figure overlapped with each other in my mind.

「It will make it easier if I can master its use though. ……I"ll try training with it for a while.」

Perhaps because my mana still haven"t fully recovered, I couldn"t hear the voices of the ancestors from inside the Jewel.

Novem is looking worried.

「I don"t want Lyle-sama to force yourself too much though.」

I slowly lifted my upper body.

「But, I also cannot stay the same like this.」

At first I only thought that I obtained a convenient weapon, but the silver great sword was greatly problematic no matter how I looked at it. With my current self, I"ll definitely faint after using it.

I somehow stood up and took a deep breath.

I look at the place that was gouged by the great sword"s attack and nod.

「It"s no good unless I"m practicing in further place I guess.」

It seems the strength of one attack is abnormally powerful, a crater of several meter was created there. My legs are still staggering, so Novem stand up and support me.

「Are you alright? Won"t it be better to rest a bit more?」

I shook my head.

「No, it"s fine. I"ll rest slowly after returning. I have to take a bath too.」

My whole body is dirty. When I lightly brushed my clothes, sand are falling to the ground.

I"m getting supported by Novem while sighing and muttering in my heart.

Nothing is going well.

──The city of Dalien is bustling with the story of the newly born dungeon.

In the bar that was used by adventurers, the young adventurers who were dreaming to get rich quick were making ruckus joyfully because they could partic.i.p.ate in the dungeon subjugation.

Zelphy was staring at that situation with a bitter thought.

「They"re really carefree. Even though I"m having a headache because of the unexpected partic.i.p.ation.」

Zelphy who gulped down her alcohol banged the cup on the table. Anyone who saw her could clearly see that she was in a bad mood. No one was approaching her.

But, that was only until a single middle aged adventurer who didn"t read the atmosphere came.

「What"s with you, ain"t that fine? The young should at least go that far. Those who are acting clever will decide their own limitation by themselves and won"t grow.」

The man, Dalel was laughing while saying that some recklessness was necessary. He approached Zelphy and drank alcohol together.

「Or is there any problem? He looks really capable to me though.」

It seemed that Dalel saw Lyle and got the impression that he was a capable person. That in itself was something that Zelphy was happy about.

After all the adventurer he trained was recognized.

「He also got a lot of unreliable side to him though. And yet, he is a guy who is resolved when it"s time, so surely he got some kind of thinking for the matter this time too. But you know, I said it"s still too early.」

Zelphy wasn"t opposing the partic.i.p.ation in the dungeon subjugation because she wanted to be mean.

The problem was, there was little information about a dungeon that hadn"t been born for long, which increased the danger. Besides, it also had a lot of difference from the normal monster subjugation. There was also a necessity to act jointly with other party. Lyle was overwhelmingly lacking in experience regarding those things.

Dalel largely opened his mouth and laughed.

「The young miss Zelphy was also someone who did a lot of reckless things in the past though. Haha~, it"s nostalgic.」

Dalel was already a veteran adventurer when Zelphy was still a rookie. At that time he possessed strength that it wouldn"t be strange even if he moved to other city.

However, Dalel didn"t leave from Dalien.

「You"re like an old man talking about the past.」

When Zelphy made fun of him, Dalel gulped down his alcohol. And then he laughed again.

「That"s true. My sons too have become able to support themselves and have their own family. I also have a grandson too already, I too am an old geezer now.」

Zelphy"s expression turned complicated hearing that.

(You got a grandson already when you"re still 40? Even though I"ve only finally get married.)

Zelphy asked Dalel in order to change the topic.

「How long that kind of old geezer will continue to work? Even your body must have already nearing its limit right now.」

Dalel talked to Zelphy inside the noisy bar that was bustling with adventurer.

「As expected even my earning is getting bad. You know, I talked to the guild some time ago about retiring, but then they asked me if I want to become an instructor. I instructed several group of youngsters but, even doing that is getting d.a.m.n hard now. That"s why, I"m going to retire this time.」

Dalel spoke of retirement with a grin. Zelphy ordered more alcohol and asked the continuation.

「What"s your plan after that? You"re planning to kick back and relax in your old age?」

「Yeah, the guys I"m training right now will finish taking lesson from me after the dungeon subjugation this time. That"ll be the end. When I retire, I"m thinking of becoming soldier. An offer from the feudal lord-sam came through the guild. It will be days of guarding the gate or in a post somewhere.」

An adventurer with experience as abundant as Dalel was rare, his behavior and reputation were also good so the feudal lord planned to hire him as soldier.

Zelphy was a bit relieved hearing that.

After all in the world, adventurer who retired and became broke wasn"t few.

「I see. Good for you.」

When she was considering treating him alcohol for celebration, Dalel asked Zelphy.

「By the way missy, the youngsters at your place and my youngsters……who do you think are better?」

Hearing Dalel"s teasing words, Lyle and his party floated in Zelphy"s mind and she immediately answered.

「Mine I guess. They"re lacking experience but, they"re overflowing with talent that compensate enough and then some for that. There are two magicians, and one of them specializes in it, while the other is a swordsman. The other two have Art. Everyone of them is excellent.」

Lyle and others who only some time ago were getting teary eyed from cleaning gutter or dismantling monster. However, recently they had become appropriate looking as adventurer.

Dalel was grinning.

「What?」

「No, at my place it"s not clear whether those guys got talent or not. But you know, I think those guys are really capable. Well, perhaps I"m also biased causes I"m the one training them until now. How about it? Do you want to bet which party will obtain better result in the next dungeon subjugation?」

Zelphy made a displeased face at Dalel"s suggestion.

(I never won any bet against this guy huh.)

Since the past, Zelphy had never won in any bet against Dalel. She recalled that, but then she noticed that there was something that made her convinced that she would win against Dalel who was suggesting this.

(Well, it might be better for Lyle and the others to get a bit of painful experience. Even if I lose it"s not bad if I think of it as me treating him to commemorate his retirement.)

「That"s fine, that bet……I"ll take it.」

Like this, the compet.i.tion between the adventurer party that Dalel trained and Lyle"s group was decided in the corner of the noisy bar──.