Chapter 17 - Party Breakup
We were exploring the Southern Cave when we came to a fork in the road.
"Hey, which way should we go?"
Keiji-kun also seemed lost and turned around to ask me.
"That's right: ...... Hmmm: ......"
It's hard to know which is better, even if you think about it.
"You can use your skills to get a map or something."
I decided to learn a skill with a different idea.
"Oh, good idea!"
"I'll look for something too. ...... No, I'll keep an eye out for enemies."
"Yes, please, Erwin."
『Well, you're up, Heruko』
I call out the name of my partner who may be ...... dependable in her own way.
『Yes, yes, let this trusty helmsman take care of you! I'm going to introduce you to the perfect skill here. It's called [Auto Mapping!]』
『Mapping. I'm sure you can guess what it is, but can you please explain it to me?』
『Sure. This is a handy feature that automatically (auto) maps out the places you have walked and the areas you have seen. You can call up the map at any time. It's a standard feature in RPGs.』
『Okay, I'll take that then.』
【Auto Mapping Level 2】 New!
I chose a candidate from the translucent window and acquired a new skill.
I had a hunch that level 1 would be useless, so I raised the level of the skill by one.
I spent a total of 6 points, leaving me with 49 points.
I'd like to get some other skills because my overall level has gone up and I've accumulated quite a few points, but ...... I've got two people waiting for me now, so maybe later.
"I've got "Auto Mapping" skill. Let's go right first."
"" Got it! ""
Sounds good. We took out the few goblins that came out without difficulty, and finished exploring the cave.
"What a piece of cake! We should have come to the dungeon earlier. We also found a treasure chest."
"I guess so."
"But we don't know what kind of enemies we'll encounter. We'd better be careful. We should go more cautiously."
Erwin started to say that, but since this is a beginner's area, it didn't seem to me that we needed to go so carefully.
"Umm ...... eh?"
"Anyway, let's go back to the city once. We've gathered some magic stones and fangs, and I want to exchange them for cash."
"Eehh? There's still some time before dusk, you know? Erwin."
"Sigh......"
Erwin didn't argue with me, he just sighed, but it seems like he's very frustrated.
"This cave was a piece of cake, so why don't we ask the guild if there is a better place?"
"Oh, you're right!"
It's easy to take them for a ride like this: .......
How should I act――?
Unlike class committees and club activities, it's pretty tough mentally because a bad move could cost you your life.
If it was a club activity, you could learn from what your seniors were doing or ask them what you didn't understand.
But that's not the case with heroes people.
We don't have any seniors.
No,......, they say that they call up once every few years, so if I search in the city, I might find a senior heroes.
"Alright, let's go ask, where the dragon is!"
"Errr, ahaha."
This is going to be tough later. Leaving Keiji-kun hurrying ahead of me, I spoke to Erwin.
"Erwin, when we get back to the city, why don't we look for the hero who was summoned before us?"
"Why?"
"That's because I'd like to ask them how to get back to Earth and some tips on adventuring. ......"
"I see. But they don't necessarily have the same level or experience as us. I heard that high level adventurers go to other countries."
"Eh, I see."
"There are no dungeons or strong enemies in the Kingdom of Vernia. Besides..."
"Besides?"
"I think I'd rather be here than back on Earth."
"Eh? Why?"
"Because I'm free. I was going to be a doctor over there. ...... No, my parents just expected me to be a doctor. Honestly, I've learned that I'm not very good with kids. I don't want to do pediatrics."
"Hmm, I guess not all kids are like Keiji-kun."
"Still, I'd like to have a more level-headed conversation with you."
"So. Then the way to go home is ......"
"Of course, I know that Serina and Kojima-sensei want to go back to the original world, so I'll let you know when I find a way. I just want to break up the party."
"Eh?"
"I told you before, didn't I? Magicians should go to a magic school. That's the theory in this world. But you guys are swordsmen and warriors, right? If you want a magician, you can recruit someone else to your party."
"Oh, no. But we're the heroes. ......"
"You're right, but I'm sorry, we can't work together until I learn magic properly."
Erwin looked straight ahead and said. It looks like there's no point in trying to convince him of this.
"...... Sigh, I get it. Then let's disband. Keiji-kun! I have something important to tell you."
"Oh, what it is?"
I told him that the party would disband, and he readily agreed.
"Hehe, now I'm going straight to the dragon!"
"No, please, wait until you level up."
"I know!"
I'm still worried, but I don't feel like going along with Keiji-kun actions either.
After all, it's my life that's at stake.
"Well, be careful, both of you."
"Yeah, I'm fine!"
"Yeah, and take care of yourself, too, Serina."
Even though we ended up disbanded, it didn't mean that we had fallen out.
The three of us shook hands firmly, and then parted with a smile and a wave. An adventurer's guild employee who was watching us at the counter said regretfully.
"Hmm, I thought Serina and the others were a good party."
"It can't be helped. Erwin is going to learn magic, you know. By the way, do you know how ...... Alec is doing?"
That middle-aged guy who doesn't have a shred of camaraderie.
"Oh, I heard he's added Ione to the party."
"Eh? Who is that?"
The name of a woman I didn't know came up. I hadn't heard of her before, but I felt a stirring in my heart.
"Yeah, she's the daughter of the Welbard Kenjutsu Dojo. She's very skilled with a sword, just like her father."
"Is that so."
I guess she's not a slave. But I'll have to find out how it happened.
If he's using strange means to get her into his party, I need to get her out.
Let's start asking around.
First, I go to the tavern and ask about the Kenjutsu Dojo and Ione.
"Yeah, that's a good dojo. The owner, Welbard-sensei, is very kind and courteous, and the prices are reasonable."
"Do you know anything about Ione?"
"Ione? Yeah, she's blonde, and has fluffy hair. About the same length as yours."
Long hair, almost down to her waist.
"What else does she have?"
"You'll know her when you see her, no matter what her features are. She's an incredibly beautiful woman, you know?"
"Eh, R-really?"
The buzzing in my chest increased even more.
"That's right. But she's turned down every guy who's tried to woo her."
"But today, I saw Ione hunting caterpillars with a middle-aged man."
"Tell me more! Didn't she seem threatened?"
"No, no. It was just a normal, harmonious party. I don't think there's anyone in this country who could threaten Ione, and Welbard."
"I doubt it."
As I headed to the dojo, I saw a small boy coming from across the street. He had a wooden sword in his waist. I had a hunch that he was related to the dojo.
"Hey, do you have a minute?"
"What is it? Is there something you want to ask me? Nee-chan."
"Yes. There's someone named Ione at the Welbard Kenjutsu Dojo down the street?"
"Oh, Ione? Well, she's a bit of a cocky fellow, but she's very skilled. She's as good as me, maybe a little better!"
He said proudly, and rubbed his freckled nose with his finger.
"Ehh?"
I looked at the boy again, but I didn't need to [Appraisal] him. He looks weak.
"But lately, she's been acting strange, you know. She's been paying a lot of attention to the new guy who came in. I'm not talking about Welbard-sensei, by the way. I'm talking about that pouty-looking guy, Alec."
"I know him. Does Alec ever bully you?"
"Ha! Nee-chan, I'm a real swordsman, even if I look like one. I'll beat the crap out of some new guy who just joined us yesterday!"
I'm not sure if I'm a full-fledged swordsman or not, but if I'm this strong, I'll be able to compete with Alec on equal terms. That was an unnecessary worry.
But after listening to the this boy's story, I became more and more confused about the situation.
It was as if Alec had picked up a girl and succeeded in getting Ione to join him.
That's impossible! Who would like that guy?
I went back to the inn, pissed off.
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