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

"Fuu, after half a day, this request will be almost finished."

Watching over the students gathering experimental materials, I take a breath. There haven't been any problems since yesterday. Once today's gathering time ends, this escort request will be as good as done.

"But you can't let your guard down! Even if nothing happens here, we still have the way back. The trip isn't over until you return home!"

"That's true, but Noru, you don't mean it in a playful sense, right?"

"Of course not!... Oh, there's another delicious-looking fruit here."

While lecturing me, Noru busily picks the fruit from the trees and stuffs them into his bag. It's unclear whether he enjoys gathering them or is just excited about eating them later, but he has a big smile on his face. I really don't want to hear this from Noru. Even Estel has her hand on her cheek, looking exasperated.

"Talking about not letting your guard down while happily collecting fruit..."

"But these fruits are really delicious. I understand why Noru-san is so engrossed in picking them. We should bring some back as souvenirs for Runa-san."

"That's fine, but make sure you're watching the students for any dangers."

"Of course!"

Sisya joins in with Noru, picking some fruit as well. What are we, the escorts, doing getting so involved in gathering fruit...? Well, I suppose they'll react immediately if something happens, and I'm monitoring everything with the map app.

After giving a bit of caution, we each scatter to keep an eye on the students. Estel sticks with me, so we're walking around together, talking.

"That girl hasn't come to see us today."

"Yeah, maybe she's given up after yesterday?"

"Who knows? She didn't seem like a bad kid, but she was strangely hostile towards me."

"Yeah, towards me and the others, she wasn't like that. The only reason I can think of is..."

"Anneli. I wonder what they talked about."

Since yesterday's encounter, Myra hasn't come near Estel. We saw her briefly this morning, but now she's nowhere to be seen. Estel handled the situation with ease yesterday, but she seems a bit unsettled now, probably curious about what Anneli said. It's understandable... though thinking about it now won't solve anything.

"Hmm?"

"Brother, what's wrong?"

"Some students are heading off to a distant spot. We need to go warn them."

"Oh dear, even though they were told not to. Let's go."

While keeping an eye on the map app during our rounds, I notice four blue dots moving further away. It looks like four students are heading off. We can't just leave them, so Estel and I go after them. The blue dots move erratically, speeding up and then stopping suddenly. What are they doing...?

As we approach the location, we see four students, two boys and two girls. The boys are running around, chasing a small white object. It's the running radish-like plant we saw yesterday.

"Alright! It went that way!"

"Got it—whoa!?"

One boy directs the plant towards the other, who tries to grab it. But just as he's about to catch it, the plant makes a sharp turn, dodging him. Then it moves a bit away and starts taunting the boys, lifting its root-like legs up and down. What is that plant...?

"What are they doing?"

"Chasing that strange plant..."

It seems they chased the plant all the way here. As we get closer, we see the girls watching with disapproving looks. One of the girls is Myra. Did they get dragged into this by the boys?

"Hey, we should head back. We'll get in trouble if the teacher or adventurers find us."

"Yeah, and we can look for more Kakekkon plants over there."

"But we can't just let it go after we almost caught it!"

"Exactly. A little further won't hurt."

It seems the girls are trying to get the boys to return, but the boys are insistent. Guess I'll have to step in and get them to head back.

"Excuse me, but you can't do that."

"Whoa!?"

"Whoa, you scared me..."

"See, we got caught."

"Oh, Ookura-san..."

The boys jump at my sudden appearance. The girls seem relieved but also surprised. Myra glances at me, then at Estel. Estel smiles at her, but Myra looks away without responding. Estel's smile freezes slightly. I'll have to console her later.

"Let's head back, everyone. You can't trouble the adventurers any further."

"Fine, whatever."

"Phew, let's go. This place is creepy."

"At least let me use magic on that Kakekkon! I can't leave without trying!"

"No, you can't!"

Myra insists they return, and the boys reluctantly agree. However, one of them pulls out a short staff and aims it at the plant. Despite Myra's protests, he chants a spell.

"Wentus!"

Nothing happens at the tip of the boy's staff. I thought he failed, but the plant suddenly moves sideways, and a small stone behind it flies off, hitting a tree. An invisible attack—wind magic. And the plant dodged it... that plant is impressive.

"Darn, I missed!"

"Hahaha, what are you aiming at?"

"What are you doing!? Let's go back now!"

"Hey, that tree... is it moving?"

"Huh?"

The girl points at the tree hit by the stone, which is now shaking. Its branches wriggle, and the soil around its roots starts to rise. A Trent... here?

I start to move to protect the students, but the Trent extends its branch-like tendrils towards the boy who used the magic.

"Whoa!?"

"Watch out! Step ba—ugh."

I knock away the branches with my bar, but more tendrils sprout from the part I cut. I tear them off, but then I see countless more tendrils reaching out. I really hate this thing.

"Ei!"

Estel's familiar chant comes from behind me, and a fireball shoots towards the Trent. It explodes on impact, and the tendrils retract.

"Close call... Thanks, Estel."

"You're welcome. But this thing... it's really resistant to magic."

The Trent, only slightly charred, begins to move forward again. Estel frowns at its resilience. This thing really is tough against magic.

"What is that thing...?"

"A monster!? That huge tree is a monster!?"

"See, I told you we should have gone back!"

"A Trent... I can't believe there's such a monster here..."

The students are terrified, some sitting down and freezing in fear. Myra, though seemingly calm, is clenching her fists tightly. We can't let them panic; I need to calm them down.

"Everyone, please stay calm! There's only one of them, so just move back and stay still!"

Despite my words, the students remain paralyzed with fear. Just as I think it's no use, Estel turns and speaks to them with a smile.

"Don't be afraid. We're B-rank adventurers, after all. This kind of monster is nothing for us. Just stay calm and watch."

"...You're right. Everyone, let's stay calm. As she said, Ookura-san and his team are B-rank. They can handle a Trent without any issues. Let's move back and stay quiet."

Encouraged by Estel, Myra also calls out to the others, helping them regain their composure. They stand up and move away from us, calming down. Phew, that was close. Thanks to Estel and Myra, we managed.

But then I notice more trees shaking behind the Trent. No way... Checking the map app, I see more red dots appearing—12 in total. Five are heading towards where Noru and the others are, and seven are coming our way.

"Uh, Estel... this is bad. Seven more Trents are coming our way... and some are heading towards Noru and the others."

"Oh dear... that's not a funny joke."

Including the one in front, there are eight Trents. We can handle one, but eight is too much, especially with the students behind us. And I can't call for Noru's help with Trents heading their way too. We can't use the beacon to escape since the students aren't part of our party. What do we do...?

"No choice. Brother, I'll use the skill."

"But..."

"Noru and the others aren't here, and we have no other options."

"...Alright. I'm sorry, but can I rely on you?"

"Leave it to me."

Estel smiles and is enveloped in a purple aura, indicating she's activated her skill. The students are murmuring in confusion. Meanwhile, I contact Noru via the transceiver, making sure the students can't see.

'Ookura-dono? Is something wrong?'

"I'll be brief. Trents have appeared, and five are heading your way. Take care of them."

'Eh... wait—'

I end the call before hearing the reply. I need to focus on the immediate threat.

"Alright, let's get this done quickly. Ei!"

Estel's red grimoire floats around her, joined by blue, yellow, and green ones. She fires a fireball at the first Trent, which explodes and envelops it in flames, contained by a wind barrier. As the wind dies down, the Trent is reduced to ashes, turning into light particles. Her magic is as brutal as ever.

"What... is that?"

"No way... I've never seen anything like it..."

"Eek!? What!? What is that!?"

"Calm down! She's on our side! Please, calm down!"

One student panics, but Myra calms them down. Though she's

 clearly shaken, she's managing to keep the others in check. I really didn't want to show Estel's magic like this, but we had no choice.

I direct Estel using the map app, and she intercepts the incoming Trents with various spells—fireballs, earth domes, wind and water blades. The students, now more terrified of Estel than the Trents, watch in awe. She's reliable but definitely scary.

"Brother, any more Trents?"

"No, that's all of them."

"Good."

With most of her skill duration remaining, Estel has defeated all eight Trents. I was worried, but we managed without any injuries.

"Let's head back quickly. I'm worried about the others."

"Right. Ah, thinking about the aftermath of using the skill is depressing..."

"Really, thanks. I'll carry you back, so rest up."

"Oh, how sweet. Sleeping on your back makes it worth the effort."

Since she's used the skill, Estel won't be able to move properly today. She sighs, touching her cheek. But when I offer to carry her, she brightens up, smiling happily. Carrying her isn't enough to repay her efforts, but if it makes her happy, I'm glad.

●

After defeating the Trents, we hurried back to the orchard-like area with the students. Along the way, Estel turned pale and collapsed from the skill's backlash, and Myra and the others looked on, feeling guilty.

Returning to the orchard, we find the students and teachers gathered together. Noru is holding a drawn sword, looking around warily, with Sisya doing the same with her staff. Did they fight the Trents? This might change the students' view of priests...

"Ookura-dono! Are you alright?"

"Yeah, we're fine!"

Spotting us, Noru waves and shouts. The map showed they handled the situation well too. After reuniting with Noru and the others, we lay Estel down on a sheet on the ground. She sits there, looking down, clearly exhausted.

"Estel-san looks unwell. Did she get hurt?"

"No, it's the backlash from using a skill."

"You were fighting too, Ookura-dono... I was worried when you suddenly called."

"But it's good that everyone is safe. Thanks to your warning, we have no injuries here."

Even without the warning, I believe Noru would have been on guard, but I'm glad I contacted them just in case.

While I'm comforting Estel, the teacher's voice booms angrily.

"Hey! I warned you not to go far from the group!"

"We're sorry..."

The four students, including Myra, are being scolded and look dejected. Myra and the other girl seem to have been dragged along, so it's a bit unfair. But the boys need to reflect on their actions. It's understandable at their age, but they should avoid dangerous behavior. I should apologize to the teacher too.

"I'm really sorry. We were here, but we still let the students get into danger."

"No, no! If it weren't for you, it would have been really dangerous! That knightly woman is amazing! And the priest? was incredible in battle!"

"Uh, haha... well, thank you..."

Noru I get, but... what kind of fight did Sisya put up? The teacher sounded confused about her being a priest.

After finishing with the teacher, I'm about to return to Estel when I'm called.

"Ookura-san."

"Oh, Myra-san. What's the matter?"

"Is she... Estel-san... okay?"

Myra looks at Estel with concern and asks me about her condition. Oh, she cares.

"Yes, she'll be fine. She's just a bit overexerted from using too much magic."

"I see... I'm really sorry for causing this."

"It's our job, so don't worry about it."

"Thank you... Can I talk to Estel-san for a bit?"

"Uh, sure."

Myra wanting to talk to Estel? I didn't expect that. If she’s not hostile like yesterday, it should be fine. As she heads to Estel, Noru and Sisya look at me. I signal them to come over, and they move away, leaving Estel and Myra alone.

"Excuse me, can we talk?"

"...Oh, what is it?"

"Thank you for saving us earlier."

"Don't worry about it."

When Estel looks up, Myra bows and thanks her.

"I'm sorry for my attitude earlier and yesterday."

"Don't worry about it. If you keep bowing, I'll feel bad. Anneli's friend doesn't need to be so formal."

Hearing this, Myra blushes and fidgets.

"...T-thank you. And... I'm sorry!"

She seems to want to say something but runs off before she can. Estel tilts her head, confused.

"She ran off."

"That looked promising. We probably don't need to worry now."

"Yeah, but..."

I think she won't be competitive anymore, but... I have a bad feeling about something else.