Chapter 24 - Party Formation

____________________「U~hm……….. Which one should I choose I wonder?」

The next afternoon after the duel. The worrying Aria is placing her index finger on her lips.

She is in Vulcan’s armor shop.

Standing in front of the dagger section.

The result of yesterday’s duel.

Both of Aria knives have big chips on the blade due to Kassman’s fierce assault.

Since restoring it is impossible, she decided to get a new pair of daggers.

She’s come to the shop this afternoon due to the hangover from drinking the previous night and because Vulcan, the shop owner is diving into the labyrinth in the morning.

And that Vulcan is………

「NYaaa~!　Tama-nyan is as cute as usual nya~n! 」

She’s borrowing Tama from Aria. She places Tama in between her bare breast valley wrapped in overalls as usual. For some reason she’s completely charmed by Tama’s loveliness, her eyes are that of a girl in love.

「Nya~o……..」

And then, Tama is squinting his eyes with a satisfied look in the midst of his hazy consciousness. Even if his body is still that of a kitty, he’s a knight inside. The reason for his sleepiness is due to yesterday matter.

「Ah, this looks good」

Aria found an item she liked from the lineup of daggers.

She quickly tries swinging it the moment she picks it up.

Byu――n!

The knife creates a sound as if tearing through the air when she tries swinging it.

Aria could feel that this one is easier to handle than her previous weapon.

「Oh, This feels nice. The price is……………..」

Aria shows a bitter smile. A weapon that is easy to use is naturally expensive. Yesterday―― Before the duel to be exact, she managed to bring an orc arm in addition to the usual goblin ears, though Aria’s purse is still full to the brim, if she buys the knife she tried just now, her profit will vanish in a moment.

Naturally she feels hesitant due to the maintenance fee and other daily costs.

「Nyah, Aria-nyan?　Sorry even though you’re troubled over choosing your weapon, do you want to hear my advice?　I don’t think that some advice will be bad for you」

「What might your advice be?　It’s rare for you to give advice, isn’t it? 」

It’s mostly Aria who is consulting Vulcan about her weapon, but it’s rare for Vulcan to give advice to Aria, her customer.

Aria is puzzled over what just happened.

「The truth is, I’m currently looking for an adventurer partnya~. If it’s okay with you, can I come with your party nyaow? 」

「E……….. EH?　Me, with Vulcan-san!? 」

「That’s right!　Even if I say this myself, I don’t think it’s bad for you to be partnyaoring with C rank adventurer like me」

「It’s my pleasure of course. But ……. Why me?　I mean I’m just a D rank adventurer, moreover, Vulcan-san should have a splendid comrade in your own party called “Sakura”-san, who is a former knight…………」

Aria is delighted hearing Vulcan’s invitation. Because Aria herself is desperately looking for female adventurer comrades. The matter of her always taking solo quests up until now is because there’s no skilled woman adventurer around her and she’s bad at handling men. Naturally she’s more than happy when Vulcan sends such an invitation to her seeing as she’s already on good terms with Vulcan and due to Vulcan’s higher rank.

But then, that raised another question.

The situation right now is just as Aria said, Aria is a mere D rank adventurer, barely graduating from being a novice.

And then, there’s Sakura the former knight, Vulcan’s comrade and a B rank adventurer.

「If you’re referring to rank, then there’s no problem. I mean, I see you as an adventurer with bright prospects, I’ve heard various rumor about Tama-chan’s power in yesterdays duel too!　Moreover……」

「Moreover? 」

Vulcan is vigorously praising Aria and Tama. But, seeing her slight hesitation when Vulcan is about to continue, Aria is nodding at her.

「Moreover, Sakura-chan dissolved our party just yesterday nyaa. She told me that she’s pregnant with the child of “A trap magic user who came from the spirit world” nyaaa……….」 [Note : This part is referring to another Ginyoku-sensei work(they’re actually in the same universe), Tama and Aria also made a cameo in another one of her latest work but well……….. That’s another story]

「Aah……… Such things happen huh…….」

Even while wondering about the meaning of “Trap magic” and “spirit world”, Aria is still nodding at her.

Visitor who say that they come from the spirit world aren’t a rarity in this world, the pregnancy of one of the member of the party is often become the source of a dissolving of a party.

…… In fact, that trap magic user and Sakura does have a connection with the “Sword Saint” who is yearned for by Aria but……. That’s also another story.

「Thus, do you want to form a party with meaow?　If it’s now, I’ll give you a “party privilege” discounted fee for the weapon」

「In that case, I have no reason to refuse your offer. You agree with me right, Tama? 」

「Nyan! 」

Aria is replying again to Vulcan’s party invitation.

Tama is also replying with an energetic voice.

(Master’s comrades increasing is a good sign. It’ll decrease the risk of her dying and moreover, Vulcan is the owner of a store. Truly a dependable person)

Tama also does not object to the idea of forming a party with Vulcan.

「Well then, we’ll start our activity from tomorrow morning. Let’s meet in the guild OK-nya? 」

「Yes, no problem. Fufufu, please take care of me then, Vulcan-san」

「Please take care of me too nya~n! 」

Aria and Vulcan are exchanging a handshake.

A beautiful elf with porcelain white skin.

And a tiger-eared beauty with wheat colored skin.

And then, an elemental cat.

It’s the formation of a unique party in the labyrinth city.