Chapter 37 (2/2)

“I am opposed to it. They could double cross us.”

Carlos objected. certainly, it wouldn’t be good if they were suddenly attacked from behind in the labyrinth.

“I also think it would be dangerous.”

Gig also objected it.

“First of all, what would be the merits to them?”

Lulu presented a question. For that, Ria responded.

“For one, strengthening their fighting potential. They don’t seem to want to go to a deeper floor.”

On the more shallow floors, there wasn’t a small amount number of equipment from fallen adventurers. But when going deep, you could obtain items from powerful people that had died from going too far.

“Another thing, I want to provoke that child called s.h.i.+zuna.”

s.h.i.+zuna, seventeen years old, was a member of Jaeburg’s preeminent explorer parties, [Thunder’s Fangs]. Her fighting strength was also high. Ria, who was a non-standard, hadn’t had anyone suitable in her age group up till now.

Not only easily defeating her in the duel, had to suffer through not heading back to her table for a while. Her high-held nose had folded a bit.

Both younger than her and stronger than her. Around a person like that, she might want parental affection or something.

“But come on, that kid, wouldn’t she really stab Nee-chan from behind?”

Serge spoke while grinning. If someone were to have a kiss s.n.a.t.c.hed from them by the same s.e.x in front of so many people, they’d probably hold a grudge.

“I also want to object… but… I’ll defer for now.”

Lulu taking a neutral position was unexpected. It was because she knew about her.

When Ria was in the royal palace, just how popular was she amongst the same s.e.x?

Particularly conquering strong willed court ladies and knights, she’d taken pride in her amazing success rate.

By the way, though Lulu was also a target at first, she had stopped making moves on her when Lulu said her contents didn’t match her appearance.

“For me… though I want to go against it, frankly I want to search together with strong people.”

Maal spoke with confidence. Though she went to buy a map of the labyrinth that day, it appeared the results weren’t good and she wasn’t able to get one.

“I agree by the way. An enemy I’ve never fought is much more scary than being stabbed in the back.”

Only Serge was in favor of it. With the results of his Identify, even if the two fought together, Vargas and s.h.i.+zuna wouldn’t be able to defeat the Ogre King.

“For the time being, how about we meet the group’s members tomorrow and decide from there?”

Ria was aggressively in favor of it. Though it was true she liked the parent and child pair, she wanted to spend as little time needed to clear the labyrinth as possible. The Dark Dragon Valis wouldn’t necessarily grant Ria’s wish after all.

Moreover, they had fought against Cordova on the way. It was better for her to be able to tell her father as soon as possible.

Rather than just being concerned over their own safety, she needed to keep an eye on continent-wide movements. On the journey, Ria’s point of view extended significantly.

The next day, the party of eight visited the inn.

There were four warriors for the vanguard, one scout, and three people in the rear guard, two of them being mages.

A group of fourteen people gathering was sultry in itself. Vargas quickly opened his mouth to speak.

“So, how about it?”

“I think it would be good to first decide on our terms for joining forces.”

Towards Ria’s answer, Vargas nodded.

“And at the same time, as for the girl there who’s looking over here with eyes that looks like a murderer, I wonder if you consent?”

Towards s.h.i.+zuna, who hadn’t said anything so far, Ria called out.

Before she could say anything, Vargas reigned her in by raising his hand.

“If she doesn’t agree, she can just leave the party.”

s.h.i.+zuna trembled at the calm voice that said such a cold thing. She understand that her father said that with seriousness.

Though Ria liked to tease people herself, since she disliked seeing other people be teased by others, she didn’t say anything else.

“For magic stones and raw materials from demons, how about two for you all for each one for us?”

They got into talks of specifics.

“Oh, is it fine to not share equally?”

“For the time being, it’s very likely we’ll be holding you back. The same thing for when we find treasures in the dungeon, it’s fine if we use that as the basis. Though if there is a thing where that won’t work, I’d like you to hand it over as consideration.”

“Though I think there’ll be a lot of kinds of magic bags and magic swords…”

“That’s unnecessary. If we need something, it’d be a good warhammer or staff I guess.”

They didn’t need normal weapons at all, they already had magic swords. Though magic bags are expensive, they are commonly sold. Apart from that they also had Serge’s s.p.a.ce-time magic.

“Nee-chan, I want resistance-type Skill Orbs though…”

Though Serge whispered humbly, it was up to the negotiations.

Skill Orbs were things that permanently granted people Skills. Though it was super difficult bestowal magic, it wouldn’t work if the user didn’t have the related attribute for it.

Though Ria was mostly resistant to abnormal conditions thanks to Dragon’s Bloodline herself, Poison Resistance was usually extremely valuable.

Besides, though it wouldn’t grant it if you didn’t have enough magical power, it was probably fine for Serge.

“Since we’ll manage it somehow or another, be patient for now.”

After returning to Casalia, they could most likely prepare general Orbs. Exercising the royal family’s privileges, she would strengthen her comrades.

Though tuning the terms from then on was trivial, Ria generously conceded most as Vargas didn’t ask for anything unreasonable.

“Well then, for now it’ll be a month.”

One month. That’s how long the party of many people would stay united.

Varges presented his hand and Ria grasped it.

His palm was hard and thick, but even so flexible, a palm like steel.

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