Chapter 93

The office, exposed to the elements, was covered with a cloth that flapped in the wind. Still, it was better than nothing.

Amelia entered the office with a beaming face. It was good to see her so happy.

In the small room, her presence was quite significant.

It had been three days since the second squad's members last gathered. Everyone seemed to have recovered from their fatigue.

With all the personnel present, the morning meeting began.

"---So, we have to go on an urgent expedition."

Due to the expansion plans, a long-term expedition was decided.

Apparently, there would even be days off during the mission.

"The main task is to defeat the giant scorpion, but we also have the duty to escort the members of the Magic Research Bureau."

It seems that the members of the Magic Research Bureau encountered a giant scorpion while conducting a local survey in the Sapphire Desert.

The survey is nearing its conclusion, and they want to carry out the monster extermination and the local survey simultaneously.

"Thus, we will split into two groups: the giant scorpion investigation and extermination team, and the Magic Research Bureau escort team."

First, the members of the giant scorpion investigation and extermination team were announced.

"First, me, and then Urgas."

"Yikes! I mean, yes, sir!"

Urgas was glared at by the captain. It was an honorable mission. I silently cheered him on, hoping he would do his best.

"Then, Zara."

"...Yes, sir."

"Lastly, Lietzlotte."

"Me?!"

It was an unexpected selection. Lietzlotte had thought she would be in the escort team. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"What, are you dissatisfied?"

Lietzlotte pointed out that it might be better to split the long-range attackers into two groups.

"Well, usually that would be the case. But this time, our escort target is a mage."

"Oh!"

I see. Since the Magic Research Bureau member is skilled in long-range attacks, Lietzlotte was assigned to the giant scorpion investigation and extermination team.

"Well, it's like this. This mission is more dangerous. I'll give you the right to refuse."

"Oh, then I'll take the escort team!"

Urgas immediately tried to exercise his right to refuse, but---

"You're not allowed."

"Ah, that's harsh!!"

His request was immediately denied. Poor guy.

It seems Lietzlotte was the only special case.

As the only daughter of a marquis family, dangerous missions are her own responsibility, it seems.

"What will you do?"

Lietzlotte, asked provocatively, glared at the captain and declared:

"I am a knight, after all. I will fulfill the mission given to me!"

Wow, Lietzlotte, you're so cool.

To take on the task of exterminating a giant scorpion without hesitation.

She joined the knights to study magical beasts, but now she is a fine knight.

"I see. I'll count on you. There are no other women, but Zara is there, so it's fine."

What kind of statement is that? It sounds like Zara is just a token woman.

Zara had a look of exasperation, her eyes narrowed.

"The Magic Research Bureau escort team will be the rest of you: Berrie, Gar, Lislis, and Amelia."

"Albume-chan?"

A voice came from the leather bag in my hand.

"Oh!"

I had completely forgotten.

I raised my hand and said, "I'm sorry," and asked for a moment.

"Actually..."

I untied the leather bag and turned it upside down on the desk, letting Albume fall out.

"Heaven!!"

With a mysterious cry, Albume fell straight down.

"You!"

The moment Albume appeared, the captain grabbed her firmly.

"What are you doing here!"

"Yaaaaaah, your face is so scaryyyyyy!!"

"..."

Albume said the captain's face was scary, which only made it more terrifying.

"Are you here to cause trouble!?"

"Noooooo!"

"Ah, Captain, really, it's not that. Albume is here to help the knights... Ah, right, I have a letter from the marquis!"

I should have shown the letter first, before Albume.

The captain, still holding Albume, let her go with a flick of his hand.

Albume did a somersault and landed gracefully.

The captain frowned and read the letter with a stern expression.

"...I see. If the contractor approves, do as you please."

"Is it okay?"

Albume's eyes sparkled, and the captain leaned in close and said:

"---But if you cause any trouble, I'll boil you and eat your bones!!"

"Yaaaaaah!"

"Ah!"

"Hey, Lislis, why are you scared too?"

"A, just... sorry..."

It was really scary, though. I couldn't say it, but...

Albume was trembling on the desk, so I picked her up and put her back in the leather bag.

"Is there any other questions besides the dragon carriage?"

The captain seemed to be saving the dragon carriage for last, making it more dramatic.

"Captain, how much candy can we buy?"

A question from Urgas.

"Candy? Do you have time to go buy it?"

"Ah..."

His innocent question was quickly dismissed.

The captain glared around the room, asking if anyone else had questions.

"Ah, um..."

Albume asked a question from inside the leather bag. Her voice was muffled, so I asked if she wanted me to open it, but she said, "It's scary, so it's okay."

"What?"

"Which team is Albume-chan on?"

That's right, Albume hadn't been assigned to either the giant scorpion investigation and extermination team or the Magic Research Bureau escort team.

"You'll go with Lislis. You're on the Magic Research Bureau escort team."

"Understood."

Albume said softly, "I'm glad."

Since no one else had any questions, I raised my hand.

"Lislis, what is it?"

"Yes. What about the portable rations?"

From the last expedition, the storage was completely empty.

We also had limited space and could only prepare one meal at a time.

Usually, there would be a week or so between expeditions, so this was the first time we faced this situation.

"Rations will be specially provided this time. Don't worry."

"Oh, I see. Understood."

I was relieved.

However, it would be the first time eating the knight squad's rations. I was excited to see what they would be.

"The rations are already loaded onto the dragon carriage. You can buy clothes and other necessities on site."

The Magic Research Bureau would provide the budget. Moreover, this time, they would stay in inns instead of camping, which was a pleasant surprise.

"By the way, Lietzlotte, isn't the place with the Sapphire Desert a tourist spot?"

"Yes, it is."

The city of Anis, surrounded by the desert, is also known as the second capital and is a very prosperous place.

It is a famous tourist destination, and the main attraction is, of course, the Sapphire Desert.

"Have you seen the Sapphire Desert, Lietzlotte?"

"Once, a long time ago. About eight years ago, I think?"

"Wow, that's great. Does it really glow at night?"

"Yes, it does. It was very, very ethereal."

The sand of the Sapphire Desert glows a pale blue at night.

The principle behind this is a mystery, but the most likely theory is that the magic contained in the sand becomes active at night and emits light.

The members of the Magic Research Bureau were conducting a local survey to investigate this mechanism.

"So, the survey will be at night?"

"That's a possibility."

According to the captain, it wouldn't be clear until they arrived on site.

As expected, for a mission decided on the spot, the information was thin.

Finally, the captain explained the dragon carriage, their means of transportation.

"The dragon carriage is a joint development by the Monster Research Bureau and the Magic Research Bureau. It's a vehicle pulled by an artificial dragon that flies through the air."

"Wow..."

It sounded a bit unsettling.

Incidentally, it had been tested and would be available to the public in six months.

I thought it would be expensive, but apparently, it would be quite affordable, making air travel accessible to everyone.

"Wow, I thought this would be something only the nobles would use."

"You noticed, Lislis."

The captain smiled slyly, like a bandit who had just hatched a wicked plan.

But that wasn't important.

"What do you mean?"

"Once it's proven safe over the next few years, the nobles will use it."

"Oh, I see."

The nobles would only use it after it was thoroughly tested and proven safe.

I was a bit scared of what they were planning.

"Lislis, what about you?"

"I will---"

Whether to ride the dragon carriage or not.

I looked back at Amelia.

"Quack, quack!"

"Amelia..."

Amelia said, "You don't have to push yourself. It's okay, I'll follow you even if you don't ride with us," with a slightly sad tone.

She had noticed that I get motion sickness.

"Wh-What are you saying, Amelia! We are always together!"

I hugged the melancholic Amelia tightly.

"Albume-chan is also scared, but we'll go together!"

"Quack!"

---So, I decided not to ride the dragon carriage and to travel with Amelia.