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

"Ookura-san, I have a request for you. Would that be alright?"

As usual, when I headed to the adventurer's guild in Queres, the receptionist greeted me with this request. It's been a while since the last bamboo forest exploration, so it's been a while since we've had a request. Since then, we've only been focusing on gathering magic stones without taking any requests.

Hmm, we've already collected over 600 magic stones, so we have some leeway. But I still want to gather more magic stones, so depending on the request, I might have to decline.

"What kind of request is it?"

"Yes, it's a request related to the magic stone you brought in last time. It's a request from the research institute analyzing it."

From the research institute, huh? If they're requesting us, then...

"It seems they need a material to analyze the magic stone, and they want you to obtain it."

"A material, you say?"

"Is it something rare that the research institute doesn't have it?"

So it's related to that magic stone after all. It hasn't been progressing much since we handed it over, so they might be trying various methods. In a place like Queres, they should have most magical materials, so as Noru said, it might be something rare.

"Yes, that's correct. They need a magic source stone from a monster called Lupes Rex in the Rugen Valley, located north of Queres."

"A magic source stone... I've never heard of it."

"It does sound unfamiliar. Is it something even adventurers don't know about?"

Another stone, huh. It feels like magic-related stuff involves a lot of stones. Well, it's for the magic stone, so it's not surprising... But a valley, huh. That sounds like a rough place. And the monster called Lupes Rex sounds tough.

"They want to use a whole stone for analyzing the shattered magic stone... The reward is 3 million G. Will you accept the request?"

"Three million G... Alright, I'll take it."

They want us to get the material for analyzing the magic stone they are working on, and they are offering a reward of 3 million G. This is something that also involves us, so we should accept it. Plus, it would only take us 2-3 days to get there and defeat the Lupes Rex. I decided to accept the request, got the details about Rugen Valley and Lupes Rex, and left the guild after receiving a map.

As I was thinking about the Rugen Valley based on the receptionist's explanation, Noru spoke up.

"You look worried. What's wrong?"

"Well, getting a reward of 3 million G for a single material makes me wonder how difficult it is to obtain a magic source stone."

"Yeah, Lupes Rex sounds pretty tough based on what we heard."

Rugen Valley is reached by riding a horse to a village partway, then walking from there. It takes over 10 days one way, so it seems farther than the distance from the capital to Remri Mountain.

It's a valley between rocky mountains with a river flowing through, and Lupes Rex is said to emerge from the rocky mountains. Lupes Rex camouflages itself as part of the rocky mountains, making it hard to find and difficult to defeat. Its movements are slow but its defense is high, and not many adventurers can defeat it. They warned us to be very careful of its rolling attack, which is fast.

There are other monsters in the valley that camouflage as rocks and drop gemstone raw materials. They also seem to be rock monsters, so they might be tough, but if we can defeat them, it could be a good place to earn money.

"Well, defeating it shouldn't be a problem. It's probably weaker than Grandis."

"That's true. We've been focusing on gathering magic stones again lately, so this might be a good change of pace."

The valley is likely wide, and with the monsters camouflaging, finding them might be harder than fighting them. They said the easiest way to find Lupes Rex is to knock on slightly larger rocks. If we encounter it, defeating it should be easy, so we just need to think about how to find it quickly.

●

We returned home and told Estel and the others about the request. Then, we set off for Rugen Valley. Since it's a long-distance trip, Sisya and Runa stayed home, while Estel, Noru, and I traveled. We planned to place beacons, return home at night, and go back in the morning, so it would take us 2-3 days.

When I told Runa we wouldn't be gathering magic stones for a few days due to the long-distance travel, she had a very happy smile on her face...

"It's been a while since we've had a request, but this one seems quite far."

"Yeah, it takes over 10 days by horse and on foot. But with the carpet, it should only take 2-3 days."

"Since it's a valley, moving around there seems tough. Estel, will you be okay?"

Now that it's mentioned, exploring a rocky mountain valley might be tough for Estel. There will likely be slopes and difficult terrain, and I worry about her stamina. But since we're dealing with hard monsters, we need her magic attacks. I was worried, but Estel, sitting on my lap, turned and showed a determined look.

"I've been trained enough. If we move slowly, I should be fine."

"...Alright. But if it's too much, don't hesitate to say so, okay?"

"Yes, I understand. If that happens, I'll ask you to carry me."

"Sure, leave it to me... Although I might get tired myself."

"That's where you should stay cool until the end."

"Hehe, that's what I love about you, onii-chan."

Walking on flat ground is fine, but climbing rocky paths might tire me out, even with Estel being light. I'll do my best, but if it gets too tough, I'll ask her to cast support magic or rely on Noru. Admitting when something is too much is my policy!

"By the way, I'm looking forward to Rugen Valley. They say there are monsters that drop gemstone raw materials."

"Oh, do you like gemstones?"

"It's not that I like them, but... there's a certain romance to it."

"For me, I'd be happier with monsters that drop food... Do you think they'll drop edible rocks?"

"Maybe rock salt?"

When I mentioned gemstones, I felt excited, but Noru and Estel didn't seem that interested. I thought girls would like shiny things, but I guess not. Noru is only interested in food, asking if there are edible rocks. Estel doesn't seem excited about gemstones either. She'd probably prefer magic stones.

After a few hours of chatting...

"Onii-chan, there's something I've been meaning to ask."

"Hm? What is it?"

"Have you and Sisya been up to something recently?"

Estel suddenly asked a question that made my heart skip a beat. What? Why? How did she know? Could it be about what happened with Sisya? No, there's no way she would know that. Even Sisya wouldn't talk about that incident. I tried to find out what she meant after the incident, but she never told me. I haven't mentioned it since then, hoping to forget about it.

Setting aside why she suspected, I should give a safe answer. If I react strangely, it might raise suspicion.

"Nothing's going on."

"Really?"

"Yeah, really."

"I see..."

I replied briefly with a straight face, and Estel also responded briefly. It felt like she was even more suspicious... No, it's fine, definitely fine.

"Is something bothering you?"

"Well, it's just... lately, I've noticed a little quirk when onii-chan looks at Sisya."

"A q-quirk? What kind?"

A quirk? Did I do something weird when thinking about Sisya...? Estel mentioned before that she watches me closely... Could that be it?

When I nervously asked what kind of quirk, Estel smiled and answered.

"Hehe, it's a secret. But if nothing's going on, it must be my imagination."

"Yeah, it's your imagination. Nothing's changed."

Noru said it was just imagination, so I decided to push that narrative too. Phew, saved.

"Yes, it must be. Sorry for asking something strange."

"No, don't worry about it, haha."

After a slight pause, Estel seemed convinced and dropped the topic. I laughed it off and continued chatting casually as we flew on the magic carpet towards our destination. After that, I felt Estel pressing closer, but that must also be my imagination.

------------------------

Author Notes:

   Thank you for always reading.

   It's already on sale in some places, but tomorrow is finally the release day for volume 2.

   I've made several additions, so even those who've read the web version can enjoy it... I think.

   Thank you for your continued support.

------------------------