Chapter 11: The Fated Day… But It Doesn’t Matter to <Eden>
May 1st.
The academy grounds were in a frenzy.
Even in the nobles’ dorms, staff were rushing in and out, and the normally warm, gentle dorm mother looked unusually busy.
Today was the Final Measurement Day.
They said it was the single busiest day of the academy year.
But for <Eden>, today was business as usual.
None of us needed to undergo measurement, so while the rest of the school was caught up in the chaos, we headed off for our regular dungeon attack.
"Alright, another fun dungeon attack today! With that said, time to announce the party divisions!"
"You really don’t waver, do you?"
Sierra gave me an exasperated look, seeing how I insisted on carrying on as normal even when the whole academy was in turmoil.
Right now, we are gathered in <Eden>’s guild room.
Not a single member was missing. With everyone here, not proceeding as usual would’ve been the real discourtesy.
They’d all made the effort to show up today—of course, we’d do a dungeon attack.
"Today’s also the last day freshmen are exempt from classes. From tomorrow, regular lessons begin. So today’s goal: get everyone’s Job level to 30 or higher."
It was the same target we’d set all along, and no one objected.
"What’s this note here? It says ‘joint exploration with two parties.’"
"Right. Today’s main dive is the <Lesser Wolf’s Shallow Forest Dungeon>, a ranked Beginner Mid-tier dungeon. Students don’t use it much, so we’ll practically have the place to ourselves. That makes it perfect for two parties to run together."
I answered Sierra’s question. In short, co-op play.
Dungeons allowed multiple parties to explore together.
This was called Joint Exploration.
Two parties meant ten people, three meant fifteen, and so on. Experience and rewards were spread thin, but brute force made the run much smoother.
However, the rule was that only five challengers could enter the boss chamber. A sixth would simply be rejected by the gate. (Well, there were exceptions, like with a <Bracelet of 『Guest』.)
So today’s plan was to merge Lulu, Cheria, and Celestan’s party with Shizu and Pamela’s party, running boss loops together. With Ester and me carrying, it would effectively be a seven-person run.
As I finished explaining, a hand went up sharply.
The one who always followed procedure to the letter was <Eden>’s strongest attacker, Ester.
"Yes, Ester?"
"Thank you. Question—why not just use a <Bracelet of 『Guest』>? With them equipped, instead of splitting into two groups, we could form a six-person party and take them together."
"Good thought, but no. A <Bracelet of 『Guest』> breaks as soon as combat occurs. Even if you ran over monsters with your <Mount>, it would still count as fighting. And once broken, the system treats you as a separate party until you leave the dungeon. In other words, we’d end up in the same situation. So it’s easier to just go in as two parties from the start."
It was technically possible to avoid combat and dash straight to the bottom floor, but that defeated the purpose of a carriage.
The carriage’s whole role was to plow past monsters at high speed and carry allies directly to the bottom. If we stopped to dodge or fight everything, it’d be no different than just running.
Besides, Ester’s carriage could seat seven. As long as we kept both parties to seven total, she could carry them all. No reason not to take advantage of that. And as the carriage leveled up, it could eventually transport three or even four parties at once.
Meanwhile, the rest—Kalua’s group—would team up with Lana, Hanna, and Sierra to challenge one of the Beginner Upper-tier dungeons, the <Tsukumo Bamboo Grove Dungeon>.
"I see. Thank you for explaining."
"Sure thing. Anyone else have questions? …No? Then let’s start the dungeon attack!"
"""Yeah!!"""
Lana, Lulu, and Kalua’s energetic voices filled the room in response to my declaration.
Leaving Kalua and Rika’s party behind, Ester, I, and five of the newer members dove into the <Lesser Wolf’s Shallow Forest Dungeon>. We quickly pulled out the carriage and set off.
Since most of them hadn’t had much chance to talk with each other before, I had them exchange light greetings and introductions along the way.
"Celestan, it feels like it’s been ages since I spoke with you like this. Let’s work well together today."
"Long time no see, desu! Looking forward to it, desu!"
"It’s been a while, Miss Shizu, Miss Pamela. I look forward to working with you today as well."
The three from the "Branch Families" exchanged greetings. Come to think of it, all three had joined <Eden> thanks to Lana’s introduction. No wonder they already knew each other.
"Lulu is Lulu! I’ll fight full force as a 【Lolita Hero】! Please take care of me!"
"Lulu really is adorable. I’m an elf, a 【Elementalist】, Kacheria. Please, feel free to just call me Cheria. I’m a magic attacker, so I’ll mainly be striking from the rear. I look forward to working with you."
Lulu set the mood with an introduction overflowing with cuteness, and Cheria followed with a polite bow and a graceful greeting.
It had been about five days since the five of them joined the guild, but this was the first time they’d really had a proper conversation. I’d have to arrange a social gathering soon.
Sitting beside Ester in the front, I glanced back through the carriage window. Everyone had started chatting comfortably.
Especially Pamela, Lulu, and the easygoing Cheria—they seemed to hit it off right away and were already having fun.
Shizu and Celestan, on the other hand, looked content just listening.
"So Pamela and Shizu, you cleared the <Ghost Dungeon> yesterday?"
"That’s right, desu! Sierra and Hanna helped us a whole lot, but somehow we managed to take it down, desu!"
"Wow!"
Yesterday, Shizu and Pamela’s group tackled the <Ghosts Cave Dungeon>, making sure not to overlap with our own run. Even Sierra, who should’ve been terrible with ghosts, challenged it with them and managed to redeem herself.
They really gave it their all. I’d have to thank Sierra and Hanna later too.
When praised by Cheria and Lulu, Pamela wriggled bashfully.
"Being praised that much only makes me happy, desu! Nothing else is coming out, desu!"
"Here, some tea."
"Eh, tea is the only thing I can offer, desu!"
"There are sweets too. Please, help yourselves, Miss Lulu, Miss Cheria."
"Thank you! Lulu loves sweets!"
"Thank you, Shizu."
"Shizu, you did that on purpose, didn’t you, desu!?"
"No? Would you like some too?"
"…F-fine, I’ll take some, desu!"
It was good to see them getting along.
Watching their cheerful exchange through the window from the front seat, I gave Ester instructions as we sped the carriage through the dungeon.
After mowing down more monsters than I could possibly count, we finally reached the bottom floor safe and sound.
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