Using Gacha to Increase My Companions and to Create the Strongest Girls' Army Corps

"Ookura-dono, are you really leaving so soon?"

"Hm? Yeah, we’re heading back right away. But let me report to the adventurers’ guild first. I need to return the horses too."

The escort mission was over, and all that was left was to head back, but first, we needed to register and receive the reward at the Queres adventurers’ guild. We also had to temporarily hand over the two horses we were with. When we show up at the capital’s adventurers’ guild, we’ll have to return these horses, so we’ll need to bring them back to the capital later... Can’t we just transport them with the beacon?

"Finally, we’ll get to see Runa-san again."

"You recover quickly, don’t you?"

"Yes, resilience is my strong suit."

Sisya, who had almost passed out because of me, was now back to her energetic self, raising her fist in excitement. Maybe she was just thrilled to finally go home after finishing the escort mission.

"Priests are amazing."

"Sisya is a special case, though..."

I think she’s beyond what you’d call resilient... Noru’s comment made it sound like all priests were like her. Our perception of priests is starting to get warped.

"Hey, onii-san. I feel like we're being watched..."

"Yeah, I noticed too. Is it me? Is it my fault again?"

"It might be partly Ookura-dono’s fault..."

"Seems like most of the stares are directed at Estel-san."

As we were heading to the adventurers’ guild after asking for directions, Estel spoke up. Ever since we entered the town, it felt like people dressed as mages were often looking our way. I thought it was just me, but most of the gazes seemed to be on Estel. And when they glanced at me, they quickly looked away, startled.

Hmm, is there something about Estel that’s drawing so much attention? Maybe because this is a stronghold of magic, they’re interested in another mage?

Pondering this, we continued to the adventurers’ guild, attracting many curious stares along the way.

●

Upon arriving at the adventurers’ guild, we handed over the horses to a nearby stable before heading inside. Being a magic city, I expected to see many mage adventurers here. But to my surprise, there were none inside. Instead, the adventurers seemed surprised to see Estel.

Huh? Is it possible that there are barely any mage adventurers in this magic city? ...Now that I think about it, they could earn more by creating magical items than by being adventurers.

"Excuse me—"

"Yes, please wait a moment."

I called out since no one was at the reception, and a young woman with short brown hair came running out from the back.

"Sorry for the wait... Who might you be?"

"Um, we just arrived from the capital today..."

"Oh, adventurers! Welcome back from your long journey."

When the woman saw me, her expression tightened. I showed my adventurer’s plate, and she sighed with relief, placing her hand on her chest. ...Did she think I was suspicious?

"Since it’s your first time here, please hand over your plate."

"Sure, here you go."

"Oh, B rank! And that girl behind you is a mage, right? Oh, I need to calm down... Please fill out these forms while you wait."

As usual, I handed over my plate. Seeing the silver plate, she exclaimed in surprise, then looked at Estel and gasped. Hmm, even in the magic city’s guild, they’re surprised to see a mage. How few mage adventurers are there?

The receptionist gave us some forms and took the plates to the back. She returned just as we finished filling out the forms, handed back our plates, and we gave her the forms.

"Everything looks good."

"Thank you. We also escorted a request to Queres, so here’s the proof."

"Understood."

We handed over the proof of our escort mission and received the 600,000G reward.

"It’s my first time seeing such a young mage as an adventurer."

"Ahaha... It’s just a coincidence."

The receptionist seemed very interested in Estel. As Anneli had mentioned, it’s not just rare but unheard of to see a mage adventurer.

"Are there really so few mage adventurers?"

"Yes... There aren't many. Although there are a lot of mages in Queres."

Hmm, so maybe the people in town were staring because they saw a young mage adventurer? And when they looked at me, they were thinking, “Who is this dangerous person?”

●

Having figured out why we were being stared at and completed our business, we left the adventurers’ guild.

"We finally made it here. I’d like to explore a bit, but... should we skip it for now?"

"Yeah... We’re attracting too much attention. We can come back later in casual clothes."

It seemed that Estel stood out a lot in her usual attire. Since we were tired from the escort mission, we decided to save exploring Queres for another day. Besides, we didn’t want Sisya to start making a fuss.

"Ookura-dono, you’re finally aware. At least take off that hat."

"If you cover yourself properly with the shroud, you won’t stand out so much."

I wanted to retort to Noru, but maybe the hat was too much. I quietly put away my petasos and covered myself with the shroud. Oh no... With the adamant helm and black robes, I look incredibly strong! The bar isn’t visible either, and from an outsider’s perspective, I must look really formidable.

"Before we go back, should we buy a souvenir for Runa? We can’t take our time, but still."

"Agreed!"

"Yes, let’s get some food!"

"Isn’t that because you’re hungry, Noru?"

"Th-that’s not it!"

We couldn’t take our time, but let’s buy something for Runa. She’s been home alone all this time... She might have just been sleeping, but still.

Since we needed a quiet place to use the beacon to return, we started moving, keeping an eye out. Along the way, we heard shouting from afar. Curious, I looked and saw a white mannequin-like figure running toward us. A woman in a white coat clung to its back, her face pale as if she were about to die.

What... is that? A monster? And it’s heading this way!?

"Get out of the way! Move!"

The crying woman and the white mannequin rushed at us. We could’ve dodged, but there were people behind us. If we moved, someone might get hurt. Noru started to draw his sword, but I stopped him and stepped forward. Destroying it might cause trouble later, so...

"Argh!"

The mannequin closed in on me. The woman clinging to its back looked even more terrified. Just as it was about to collide with me, I extended one hand forward and grabbed the mannequin’s head, stopping it. The impact was light, not painful at all.

Even though I had stopped it, the mannequin kept trying to move, its arms flailing and feet kicking. The woman had fallen off due to the shock, so I lifted the mannequin by its head to prevent further movement.

Wow... I can’t believe I did that. Is it because of my level and equipment? Experiencing Smiter’s charge probably made me think I could handle this easily. Before, I wouldn’t have thought to catch a mannequin like this.

"Ookura-dono, are you okay?"

"Yeah, but is she?"

The woman on the ground wasn’t moving. She must have fallen hard on her back.

"Miss, are you alright?"

"Ouch... Yes, I... Oh my god, you’re holding it with one hand!"

Estel poked the woman gently, and she finally sat up, rubbing her waist and adjusting her glasses. Then she looked at me holding the mannequin and gasped in shock.

"Oh, you’re injured. Let me heal you."

"My wounds... they’re gone..."

The woman had scraped her hand, and her clothes were torn in several places. She must have gotten hurt clinging to the mannequin. Sisya noticed and cast a healing spell, instantly mending her wounds. Sisya’s actually being a priest!

"What should I do with this?"

"Oh, that’s a mannequin. Its magic is disturbed... there."

Estel studied the mannequin, then lightly tapped it with her staff, and it stopped moving.

"It stopped..."

The woman was astonished. Oh no, this is bad.

"Okay, I’ll leave this here. Let’s go."

I placed the stopped mannequin in front of the woman, signaled Noru and the others, and quickly left the scene.

"Phew, that was close..."

"Why did you panic?"

"Well, I smelled trouble... thought we’d better leave quickly."

"Yes, we can’t delay our reunion with Runa any longer!"

We stopped the mannequin and healed the woman, so it should be fine. Staying there would’ve caused trouble. Since Estel mentioned magic disturbance, she’d have been bombarded with questions. Good thing we escaped while she was in shock...

"A magic city indeed, having things like that."

"Yeah, though it was out of control... we could’ve been seriously hurt."

A magic-powered golem, maybe? They need to make sure such things don’t run loose... There must be more intriguing stuff here, but let’s head home today.

●

"Runa-san! Sisya’s back!"

Upon returning home from Queres, Sisya ran inside, shouting. How excited is she?

"She’s just thrilled."

"She’s happy

, let it be."

"I’m bringing Mofuto!"

Noru ran off excitedly but returned looking downcast.

"Ookura-dono... Mofuto’s not there..."

"Seriously?"

"And Sisya’s not back either. Is Runa not here?"

Mofuto wasn’t in her room. Sisya, who had rushed ahead, hadn’t returned either. What’s going on? Let’s check on Sisya.

Entering the hallway leading to Runa’s room, I saw Sisya standing at her door, hands clasped over her mouth.

"What are you doing?"

"Shh! You’ll wake Runa-san!"

She motioned for silence. Inside, Runa and Mofuto were asleep. Mofuto lay on a towel beside Runa’s head, both sleeping peacefully.

"They’re sleeping together."

"So envious..."

Noru was visibly restless. Does she not sleep with Mofuto?

"Who’s there..."

"Did we wake her?"

Runa stirred, rubbed her eyes, and looked at us drowsily.

"Sisya?"

"Yes, it’s Sisya."

"I see..."

She came over, looked up at Sisya, then suddenly buried her face in her stomach and hugged her.

"R-Runa-san’s hugging me!"

"Hey, you okay?"

Sisya was ecstatic, but she bent over in pain, still smiling. What kind of grip does Runa have...?

"Runa, wake up!"

"Huh? Noru?"

Noru shook Runa’s shoulder. As she fully woke, she jumped back, realizing she was hugging Sisya. Sisya fell to the floor, relieved.

"You okay?"

"Yes... it was worth it."

"She looks so peaceful..."

Sisya smiled blissfully. Is this true love? She does seem more priest-like now...

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Author Notes:

I’ve posted character designs in the activity report. Please check them out if you’d like.

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