Volume 2 Chapter 32 Preview
I'm feeling pumped up, decided to go check on the Wyvern that day.
It was supposed to be just a reconnaissance mission, with Sandra and me knowing the details being enough, but it seems the other members didn't think so.
"I'll always be by Wade-kun's side..." said Ice.
"If we're going, I definitely want to examine the information with my own eyes, so I'll be joining this time," said Clay.
"I'm good at hiking, and besides, I'm a bow adventurer, so count me in," said Toxy.
In the end, all five of us ended up going to scout the Wyvern.
"Actually, Wade should be the one taking the most rest, right?"
"There's no need for words."
Even though I recovered my magic power through snack intake, it was still minimal overall.
After using magic to its fullest on numerous targets and enduring for several hours, it's no wonder a little snack won't fully restore me.
"Thanks to that, I learned a new magic spell, but unfortunately, it seems I won't be able to use it until at least tomorrow."
"But, Wade-kun, you got too excited during reconnaissance and dashed out without proper preparation. It seems we can avoid such a situation."
I raised both hands in surrender to Clay's teasing.
"Okay, okay..."
And Ice kept patting my head endlessly.
"You guys are such good friends."
Seeing that scene, Sandra said so.
Now, we're in the forest.
It was on the way to the mountain path where Wyverns had started to settle.
"I've been through many parties, but it's been a while since I've been in such a close group."
"Is that so? I always thought most parties had a strong sense of camaraderie."
At my place too, there's a similar case with Frain's party. When someone in Frain's party gets injured and can't move, Frain is desperate to earn money.
It's probably to support the other members. Despite appearances, he really cares about his comrades.
But Sandra shakes her head.
"Not really. Parties that continue from graduates tend to get along well, but they usually disband quickly. It's difficult to have everything align - skills, personality, and goals."
"Is that so?"
"Yes. That's why it's common to join a party where everyone's skills match and they share the same goals at that moment. Personality doesn't matter. As long as everyone does their job properly and doesn't force interactions, even if there are differences, they can still work together."
"In that sense," Sandra continued.
"At first, I was planning to recruit Wade from this party and gather other members as well. But I found out that the other members are surprisingly capable, and they seem to be hiding something, so I thought it would be better to continue as we are."
"Eh, were we secretly about to be disbanded?"
"Wade, a party that doesn't match in strength will naturally fall apart without you doing anything. If I intervene, it will just happen sooner."
Sandra, who speaks calmly, receives harsh looks from the other members.
"...So, if our strengths don't match in the future, are you saying we'll be disbanded...?"
"That's right. A party with mismatched strengths is a seed of misfortune. It's better to disband it before it's too late."
"We didn't ask for that."
"I'm not doing this out of kindness. I'm just doing it because I want Wade."
"...Hey, even if you say you're joining the party, don't you have any intention of getting along better or making an effort?"
In response to Toxy's question, Sandra answered.
"I only show affection to those I've come to like. As an adventurer, I strive to be true to myself in my actions. If being disliked is the result, then so be it. Even if there are people I dislike, as an adventurer, it's part of the job to work with them or die."
"I see, you're quite the die-hard. Having a silver rank at a young age is quite something."
In response to Clay's sarcasm, Sandra said "Thank you" and faced forward.
"...By the way, why did you start liking me, Sandra?"
Not wanting the atmosphere to remain awkward, I decided to at least create some sort of starting point and asked Sandra.
Sandra replied as follows.
"Insanity."
"What?"
"At first, it was your face. Something about it caught my attention. But I fell for your insanity of trying to take on two silver ranks despite being a copper rank. I love that kind of reckless and adventurous foolishness."
"I see."
When it comes to getting along with the other members besides me, it might be difficult, I thought. At that moment, Ice muttered,
"...If that's the case, you'll fit in right away."
"Huh? Why?"
As we were having that conversation, Sandra gave us a signal with a "shh."
"Hide. In the bushes."
""""Roger.""""
We all quickly hid in the nearby bushes. Soon, a huge shadow appeared on the road ahead.
"(Earth Dragon)"
Sandra, who was hiding next to me, whispered softly.
"(If the Wyvern wasn't around, the real boss of this area would be deeper in. The Wyvern's presence has forced it to move its habitat. As a result, other monsters have also moved, disrupting the ecosystem.)"
"(Is the Earth Dragon being threatened by the Wyvern?)"
It's a bit different from what I imagined.
"(Yes. Because it's weaker in terms of power, the Wyvern harasses from the sky unilaterally to secure its feeding grounds. The Earth Dragon is strong but not very smart, so it can't retaliate and just runs away.)"
Is the wyvern overall better? Well, it's a different world. That's how it goes.
"(I see, so we need to hunt it.)"
I'm itching to take on that huge body, but I'll hold back this time. I want to face strong enemies with all my might. Being in a state where I can make excuses to myself is just crap.
As I hold my breath like that, the earth dragon passed by us.
We start to emerge one by one from the bushes.
"I see, looks like we need to hunt this quickly."
"Yeah. And if there's an earth dragon, the wyvern should be nearby. Probably playing around the foot of the mountain."
"Thanks for the guidance, Sandra. That's why let's pick up the pace a bit, everyone. But before that, anyone feeling tired?"
No one nods in response to my call.
"Alright then. Let's go. Sandra, keep up the good work."
"Understood. ...Wade, you really were the leader. I thought you were just an ace in name only, not a real leader."
"During battles, it's Clay's turn to take over. Since we're not fighting today, I'm doing my job as the leader properly."
When I shrugged my shoulders, Toxy playfully laughed, saying, "If you were always like this, you'd be even more reliable."
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