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

"Now, what should we do tomorrow..."

"Aren't we going to Queres?"

After waking up Runa, we gathered in the living room to discuss our plans for the next day. The plan was to leave Queres tomorrow, return the horses to the Capital in a few days, meet Deus and Green-san, and then proceed with our plan.

"I want to retrieve the horses quickly, but if we go back so soon, they might be looking for us... Oh, I want to go to the Capital soon."

"What, did Heiha and the others cause some trouble?"

"No, we didn't cause any trouble, we just solved a problem..."

"But they're looking for you, aren't they? Then it's the same thing."

As I pondered over what to do, Runa looked at me with a disdainful gaze. We didn't cause the trouble; we just got involved. But it's true that they're looking for us.

"Did we have anything urgent to do in the Capital?"

"Hey, did you forget? We became B-rank adventurers to form a group for the magic stone collection!"

"Oh, right. I completely forgot."

Sisya tilted her head, asking if we had anything urgent. The whole reason we investigated the ruins and came here was for the magic stone collection! How could she forget that?

"Come on, don't lose sight of our goal."

"You're the one to talk, Ookura-dono. Can you tell us what our original goal was?"

"Uh... um... it's... to find a way back to our original world!"

When I started to say "Ga—" (gacha), Noru stood up with a loud noise. I stopped and rephrased it, remembering our true goal. I hadn't forgotten, but I had been so focused on other things recently.

"See, I remembered it, right?"

"Don't be so smug about it..."

"Fufu, since you're enjoying gacha and everything, why not just stay in this world?"

"No, I can't! I still want to find a way back, just in case!"

Estel smiled, suggesting that I could stay in this world. It's true that this world is enjoyable with gacha and even having my own house. But not looking for a way back leaves a lingering unease. I need to find a way, even if just to have it.

"So, you're having trouble because you need to return the horses to the Adventurer's Guild?"

"Yeah, and I also want to talk to Green-san and Deus about forming the group."

"In that case, how about meeting them outside the guild?"

Meeting Green-san and Deus directly without going to the guild... I had considered that, but there's a problem...

"They often go on escort missions, so I need to check the guild to know when they're back. And Green-san and his group have been traveling a lot recently too..."

"It's not practical to keep watch outside the guild, and if we move carelessly, Christoph-san might find out..."

"Then it's best to retrieve the horses and return later, isn't it?"

Before taking on the escort mission, I tried to meet with Green-san and Deus to discuss forming the group. However, neither of them was at the guild, and when I asked about their schedule, I was told it would be more than four days before they returned. They were supposed to be back while we were on the escort mission, and we couldn't ask them to wait.

Keeping watch for their return every day isn't practical. If Christoph-san finds out we're in Brune or Schting, it could become a big problem. He might ask why we returned so quickly and about the horses. He's already shown an interest in our weak points, so I want to avoid further suspicion.

Ideally, we'd return to the Capital openly and return the horses, but there's got to be a way to manage this...

"Alright, let's think differently! Tomorrow morning, let's go to Queres and retrieve the horses!"

"Are you sure? You said they might be looking for you."

"Yes, but the longer we wait, the more people they might involve. It's better to go quickly before they spread the word!"

"Are you sure it's okay?"

"Trust me, I have a plan. Just be ready to go early tomorrow morning."

If we escaped, they wouldn't expect us to return so soon. The incident happened at sunset, so the news shouldn't have spread too widely yet. We can retrieve the horses before the situation escalates. I can check on Adelbert-san's request daily with the Invisible Cloak.

It's a perfect plan! We can completely avoid that flag!

"Estel and Runa, you can stay and rest."

"Huh, why?"

"We'll be back quickly, so there's no need to come."

Tomorrow morning, I'll go with Noru and Sisya to quickly finish the task. We'll retrieve the horses from the stable, and if necessary, use the Beacon to transport them. If that doesn't work, we can use the Dimension Room and then bring them to the Capital a few days later.

Mofuto's pet house can be adjusted to fit the horses. Noru didn't know that and once got stuck trying to squeeze in when it was set to small. I had to rescue her, and she cried a bit—secretly, I found it a little funny.

"Mm..."

"Don't pout, okay?"

"...Fine. But be careful, okay?"

"Thanks."

Estel seemed a bit dissatisfied but agreed reluctantly.

"Runa, are you okay with that?"

"I don't mind. It's better this way."

"She's always so consistent..."

"That's what I love about Runa-san! She's so cute!"

"I'm not happy to hear that from you."

"Don't say that!"

●

The next day, under a sky still dotted with stars, we hid behind a building near the Adventurer's Guild in Queres.

So far, everything's going smoothly!

I opened the map app to check for people around. Most of the townspeople were still asleep, with numerous blue dots indicating their positions. There were no suspicious movements or people hiding near the guild.

Using binoculars, I checked the stable next to the guild. The door was locked, and it seemed unguarded.

I'll have to get the key from the receptionist.

Inside the guild, there were seven people. I need to verify if the coast is clear.

"There are people inside, but no one around. I'll have to check inside."

"Is this part of your plan, Ookura-dono?"

"You're quite good at this, Ookura-san."

"See? More praise is welcome."

Everything's going according to plan. It's great when things go as expected.

I donned the Invisible Cloak and approached the guild, peering through the windows to check on the people inside. The white-coated woman wasn't there. I double-checked and returned to the group.

"Alright! No one inside either! We won this bet!"

"Let's get the horses and leave town, then!"

We entered the guild and spoke to the receptionist about retrieving the horses. After confirming our names and plates, she handed us the key to the stable.

All that's left is to get the horses and leave.

Yesterday's tension now feels unnecessary. This is how you break a flag!

"Too bad we can't explore the town after coming all the way to Queres."

"We wanted to, but we can't help it."

Sisya looked a bit disappointed. We won't be able to explore Queres for a while, but that's fine. Once things settle down, we'll come back and explore to our hearts' content.

We exited the guild and headed to the stable. Just as I was about to unlock it—

"...ta..."

I heard a faint shout or scream.

"Huh? What's that?"

"Ookura-dono! Look over there!"

"No way!? How is she here!?"

Noru and Sisya shouted, pointing to the woman in the white coat running full speed towards us, her expression desperate, as if possessed.

"Found you! Found you!"

"Whoa!?"

She grabbed my shoulder with her wild eyes, dark circles under them, screaming like a curse.

Oh no... the flag I thought I avoided is back. How did she find us?

"Please... huff... let me talk to... huff..."

"Okay, calm down, let's talk."

"Please! Just a talk, not a recruitment or anything, please!"

Oh man, she’s been watching this place from a visible spot all this time!?

Crap... this woman is crazy!

Norl and the others also looked horrified as they stared at the woman.

Desperate to talk to Estel, she gripped my shoulder even tighter and pleaded with tears.

It seems she has no intention of letting us go.

Damn... what should I do...