Chapter 172 Choice 

Part 2

　However, what’s going on…… The second slot had also become available.

　That’s when Ahrun, who was present at the meeting, spoke up.
Apparently Ahrun wasn’t afraid of 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》.
I guess that’s because she was the Master of his Clan, but I really envy his courage.

“Master, let’s get into the main subject.
Even if it is impossible for Master to participate, I am sure there are several powerful Magi in 《Hidden Course (Ma Tsue)》 who are worthy of this prestigious mission.” (Ahrun)

“Fumu…… That is for 《Infinite Variety (Senpen Banka)》 to decide, but…… Righttt, Altobaran, since you brought this up, why don’t you go? I am sure it would be alright if you take Marie with you.” (Rosemary)

　Marie, Marie, heh.
It was the girl who previously hurled at Arnold with Ahrun at the coffee shop.
　Like Ahrun, I think  she is quite young, but they are Members 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》 choose, so there shouldn’t be a problem.
I personally have a better impression of them than 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》.

　Maybe he didn’t expect what she said, Ahrun stared in wonder.

“Certainly, Marie and I will be able to handle most things.
But since he came here to invite Master, isn’t there…… Only one single place available?” (Ahrun)

“………… Is that so?” (Rosemary)

　《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》looked at me.
That alone sends me a shiver down my spine.
　It is true I intended to only use one slot, but if that was the case, there was no problem in having the two of them.
So I gladly accepted.

　While nodding accordingly, I ensured that she owed me one.

“Aaah, I’ll do something about this.
If they can handle most things with the two of them, I just have to make sure that Ahrun and Marie only count as one place.
What do you think?” (Cry)

“…………” (Rosemary)

　《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》 fell silent, and Ahrun opened his eyes.

　Will I be able to force this through? Isn’t it impossible? Well, either way, the other slots aren’t all filled up yet, so it wasn’t a problem.

’

　That’s when 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》 laughed out loud.
The furniture in the room *gatagata* trembled and I involuntarily shuddered.

“Hiiihihi!! So, you’re telling me that my Altobaran and Marie are only worth half a person?” (Rosemary)

“No, I didn’ sa――” (Cry)

“But, right.
Certainly, with the circumstances being the circumstances…… I shouldn’t let Altobaran go.” (Rosemary)

　The conversation was proceeding without me.
I have no problem with Ahrun, but 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》 is the type that doesn’t listen to people.

　《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》 strongly hit the floor with her staff, and said in a shouting voice.

“The fact that our situation is all *gotagota* messed up is our own problem.
I will give you our Vice-Master,  Term Apokris, to accompany you.
You also must know him, he is a Level 7 Magi, there is no problem with that, right?” (Rosemary)

“Y-Yes” (Cry)

　I know his name, but I haven’t interacted with him.
I don’t even know his face.
　However there was no way I would argue with her.
I just *kokukoku* nodded my head like a puppet.

 

§

 

 

　I return to the Clan House after the two mind-draining events with Gark-san and 《Abyssal Fire of Destruction (Shin En Kametsu)》.

’

　My eyes widened as I spoke with someone I know――It was Lyle who was sitting by the window in the Lounge.

“Eh? Ark isn’t here?” (Cry)

“You didn’t know? Seems like he is on a top-secret mission and won’t be back for a while.” (Lyle)

　That Ikemen1 was really useless.
He wasn’t here when I wanted him to be, so I seriously can’t stand it.

　Ark, who is a strong ally, was indispensable for me to spend my time peacefully between the unfamiliar members, Term and Kechakchakka.
However, there was nothing I could do if I couldn’t make contact with him.

　There aren’t many people who could fill Ark’s shoes.
Regardless of his strength, Ark was a very good mental tranquilizer.
　I slumped down on my chair and crossed my arms.
I thought while *tonton* tapping my arm with my finger.

　I found two people, three more to go…… Three more, heh.
Three was seriously a half-ass number.

“Do I take the previous Dark Pot Party…… However, if I do that, Tino would be left out.
As expected, doing that would break my heart.” (Cry)

“W-What are you thinking about, Master……” (Lyle)

　I’m kinda getting tired.
I feel like I have used up all my energy I can use in a day when I went to the two places earlier.

　I don’t care anymore…… We are just insurance anyway, and who knows, maybe a miracle will happen and nothing will happen.

　I asked Lyle, who was sitting in front of me.

“Lyle, you wanna go? It is as the Emperor’s escort though.” (Cry)

“Puh……… *Gohogoho* Cough, cough, I-I’m not goinggg! I’ll never gooo! Don’t invite me with the same tone as if you asked me! “Wanna go grab a bite?”” (Lyle)

’

　Could it be that being the Emperor’s escort wasn’t that prestigious?

　I looked around the Lounge, but everyone was *bunbun* shaking their heads.
Is it possible that I am not charismatic enough?

　But this is troubling.
If I don’t get someone, I will be yelled at.
I was told to gather five people, I can’t tell them that I couldn’t gather enough people.

　I don’t even care who it is anymore, I just need to fill the places…… Of course, the higher the Level, the better.

　There was another Level 8 in the Imperial City, but unfortunately, I am not acquainted with him.

　Sven? Is one of the places for Sven? 《Iron Cross (Kurogane Juji)》 was highly regarded for its stability as a Party, but its individual fighting strength wasn’t particularly low.

　I can’t think of anyone else who would be suitable…… As I was thinking this, I suddenly saw two people coming into the Clan House from outside the window.

“!!” (Cry)

　In this Clan, there are two really big problematic Party.

　One is the party I belong to, 《Strange Grief (Nageki no Borei)》, and the other one is a Party whose Members all consist of 『Spirit People (Noble)』 who naturally look down on the human race which is Party with a problem that is bound to happen,  《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai2)》.>

　Because of their nature, 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 rarely comes to the Clan House, and I don’t have many opportunities to meet them, but just now, the Leader and Members of 《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 came into the Clan House.

　I can only think of God telling me to take them.

　With a few exceptions, all 『Spirit People』 are all highly skilled Magi.
　《Starlight (Hoshi no Seirai)》 is also one of the top Magi Party in the Imperial Capital.
Their abilities are well known.

’

　Their race being their race, their personality are like that, but they absolutely don’t mean any harm, so for me who didn’t have any pride, they are relatively easy to get along with.
　By the way, the only people the 『Spirit People』 respect are those who are deeply versed in Magic, and as Lucia’s older brother, I am treated quite leniently.

　Well, it is quite doubtful if they can get along with the Emperor, but since the personality of 『Spirit People』 are well known, I think I can get away with a, “Ah, it can be helped if they are like that as they are 『Spirit People』”.

　Besides, they are people who stand out in some way, so if you include them in, all the attention will probably go towards them.

　Well, this is…… I was a little worried because I unexpectedly had two free slots, but it looked like it was coming together nicely.

 

TL notes:

Thanks for reading!
Just in case you didn’t understand, the Spirit People are the Elves.
And we are finally seeing one of the Party that was mansionned waaaaaay back in the first arc!
But if Lyle went to the escort mission, I can only see him as the comic relief of the Party XD
Tchao à plus!

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Footnotes

Ikemen: It means handsome dude.Hoshi no Seirai: Literally translated to Lightning Spirit’s Star.