Volume 2 Chapter 31 Reunion With The Archrival
My weak voice surprisingly caught the attention, and the three members of my party rushed over.
"Wade-kun...! ...It's you."
"Sandra, right? You took care of me out a bit before. Is this a thank-you visit from back then?"
"Shouldn't both of you prepare yourselves a bit more? I still don't quite understand the situation."
Ice and Clay were already emanating a hostile atmosphere, while Toxy remained cautious.
I hadn't really intended to be kidnapped, so when I looked at Sandra, I couldn't help but wonder.
"...I didn't expect them to show up so soon."
Huh? Which is it? Her expression is so blank that I can't gauge how serious she are.
This is bad... Caught between an excessive confidence that I can overcome any situation if I get serious, and the current state where I absolutely can't bring out that seriousness, I can't grasp the situation correctly.
I feel like I might blurt out something like "Let's do our best, everyone!" in this precarious situation.
"Wade's friends, huh. We're going to a wedding ceremony now, so don't get in our way. Well, you probably can't stop me (Atashi) anyway."
Snap, a crackling sound like static electricity resonated around Sandra. Occasionally, a glow reminiscent of lightning ran around her.
At this, Clay said,
"Let's leave aside how much of that statement is a joke. Sandra-san, what you're holding is our leader. I don't know why Wade-kun isn't resisting, but it would be troublesome if you took our leader away."
"Troublesome? Are you guys troubled, is there a problem with me?"
"Let me rephrase that."
Clay said,
"I want to settle this through words. You see, besides Wade-kun, you think we're insignificant. But, to be honest, that's not true."
"Oh? It doesn't seem that way to me though."
"Oh, no way. You got into a conversation where you didn't even know anything. And at that moment, your defeat was sealed―――Ice-san."
"Ice Blow."
"Kippi!"
Before I knew it, there was a snowman made of ice on my head. Sandra, in a flash, bristled all over and turned into lightning, exclaiming, "Thunder Speed!" as she fled.
"I won't let you escape."
Next to attack after Ice was Toxy. In an instant, she nocked an arrow on the bow she always carries, released it. And the poison she had put on the arrow dispersed in the air the moment it struck a tree.
"Cough, cough. My body won't move."
Sandra, who had materialized at a distance, seemed to have collapsed after inhaling the poison mist.
With Sandra, who had been holding me, gone, Clay rushed over in a light tone to catch me as I was free-falling.
"Hey leader, how are you feeling? Or should I call you princess?"
"It's fine to joke around, but Ice is watching seriously behind you, Clay."
"Ice-san, let's give Wade-kun some attention."
"Hehe, got it. Wade-kun, you're so cute when you're all flustered..."
Having been entrusted by Clay, Ice took me with a big smile. She hugged me to her chest, patting me on the head repeatedly. Um, her chest, it's right there, and my face, um...
Meanwhile, Toxy brought Sandra, who couldn't move from deep in the forest.
"Enemy secured~. Hey, I want to play with the chill Wade too!"
Toxy left Sandra behind and came towards me. Sandra was dropped unceremoniously to the ground.
"I was just teasing a bit, but this treatment is harsh. *sniff*"
Oh, so it was half-joking after all. I can't tell with that expressionless face.
Due to our playful antics, Sandra, who was escorted by us, was sitting on a chair in the party house, bound.
"It's just a simple tea..."
"Thank you for your consideration. But before that, please untie the ropes. I can't drink."
Sandra said calmly to the tea offered by Ice. Ice replied,
"Just as planned..."
"Ice, that's a bit too mean. Please untie her."
"Boo... It was just a joke."
With a rare look of dissatisfaction, Ice untied Sandra's restraints at my words.
While watching that, I drank tea and devoured snacks. It was because my magic power had run out. It's said that sugar intake is essential for magic power depletion.
"So, as I was saying..."
After confirming that all of us were seated and the restraints were removed, Sandra said,
"As promised, I came on a date with Wade. I'm Sandra."
"I won't acknowledge that."
"Even though you lost, your dignified attitude is rather refreshing."
"Looks like the chill Wade time is over... What a shame."
Ice with no mercy. Clay being sarcastic. And Toxy poking my cheek without showing any interest. Do these guys lose their common sense when I'm around?
I have to deal with this.
"Well, if the date is about respecting each other's wishes, then I guess I'm fine with it."
"Wade-kun!? Wade!?"
"Wade-kun, you're quite the sinful guy."
Clay, be quiet.
"By making such a flashy move, your real intentions must be different, right? If you really planned to abduct me, you should've used a gag to shut my unmotivated mouth and then used magic to kidnap me immediately."
As I guessed, Sandra narrowed her eyes.
"But in reality, you waited for the three of us, and even provoked us. It seemed more like you wanted to 'see the abilities of party members other than me' from my perspective. Am I wrong?"
Reaching out her hand, Sandra started clapping enthusiastically.
"Wow, Wade, you're really something. Your insight is impressive for just graduating from training camp. You're definitely special. Now, the issue is with those three over there."
Sandra looks at the three.
"I could see the strength and teamwork between Ice-chan and Poison-chan. They're quite skilled. Earth-kun is quick-witted, but leans more towards sword skills. However, his ability to come up with strategies seems high. Depending on that, all three might pass."
"Sandra, what are you talking about?"
Sandra answered my question.
"I was kicked out by Eujary and now I'm broke. I'm in such dire straits that I don't even have a place to sleep."
"That's tough luck."
"So, I thought of earning through quests, but to my surprise, there's suddenly a limit on the number of people allowed."
"Oh, that's a recent development."
"Thanks to that, the mortality rate of adventurers has halved. I heard it from the receptionist."
Wow.
"So, I'm looking for new party members. But teaming up with random weaklings is gross, so that's a no-go. I don't care about levels, but I need someone with a fiery spirit who's ready to go all out."
"I see."
"And the chosen one for my party is Wade."
I was pointed at by Sandra.
I asked the party members,
"So, what do you guys think?"
"I, um, I don't really like Sandra-san..."
"She might be strong, but I feel like there might be some tension brewing."
"Honestly, having more than half of the party members as women might affect our survival rate, so I'm a bit hesitant about it. Not to sound biased as a woman myself."
Seems like the general consensus is against it. The smooth acceptance when Toxy joined the party was probably because she's Toxy, which I just realized now.
"This Sandra-chan is in for a big shock."
With an attitude that I couldn't tell if she was relaxed or not, Sandra, expressionless, held my cheeks in her hands.
Then, Sandra spoke.
"So, what about Wade? Will you include me or not? The others don't matter. Wade's opinion is the most important."
"Even though you lost."
In response to Toxy's words, Sandra said,
"Oh, you still haven't realized it was my 30% power limit?"
"Ugh! Grrr...!"
Thinking that Sandra seemed stronger in comebacks than expected, I replied,
"It depends on your appeal. Currently, we don't feel the need to add more members, and the impression of other companions towards you isn't that great. So, you need an appeal to change that. That's what I think."
"I see, it's logical. When someone says something logical, I feel like saying something illogical. I'm a contrarian."
"Haha. So, what kind of appeal will you make?"
Sandra took out a piece of paper from her pocket.
On the desk, there was a paper spread out with 'Wyvern Subjugation Quest' written on it.
"Recently, a Wyvern has appeared in the nearby mountains. It's a disaster-level monster for humans."
Sandra looked at me.
"Wyverns are not often seen around here, so if you miss this chance, it might not come again for years. And of course, Wyverns are powerful monsters. To accept the quest, you need a silver-grade bow."
With that, Sandra touched the silver bow adventurer badge on her chest.
"In short, I have tickets for a super rare monster hunting event that can only be done now."
"Okay, I agree."
"Deal done. Congratulations. Let's keep going all the way to marriage."
I and Sandra shook hands firmly.
"If you bring up such a story about this boar, he'll definitely add you to the party right away!"
Toxy sighed beside me.
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