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

A few days after being invited to Adelbert-san's house, we departed from Queres early in the morning to begin the escort mission. Maera-chan came to see us off before we left, exchanging farewell greetings with Estel and the others. What a sweet girl she is.

As usual, Noru, Estel, Sisya, and I were on two horses, flanking Adelbert-san's carriage from the front and back. Naturally, I was riding behind Sisya. There was no other choice since I couldn’t ride alone.

"You’re still riding behind me on the way back, Ookura-san. Practicing with Centibar is fine, but you should also practice horseback riding."

"Well, I don't get many opportunities to practice, and I don't ride often."

"Goodness, you shouldn't be so complacent. We'll ask Noru-san to teach you next time."

"No, not Noru. She's pretty strict..."

Please spare me. Noru is harsh when it comes to teaching. It's like being pushed off a cliff by a lion.

"Anyway, it seems like we'll have a smooth trip back."

"The Trent issue is resolved, so there shouldn’t be any problems this time."

When we came to Queres, Trents were blocking the road, but since we solved that issue, the return trip should be trouble-free. Still, we need to stay vigilant, so I'm using the map app to keep an eye on the surroundings as we move.

"Once we return to the Capital, are you going to seriously consider buying a house like we talked about?"

"I'm seriously considering it, but houses in the Capital are expensive. We should be careful and select wisely."

"We could buy a cheap house just for the Beacon, but it’s preferable to have a livable place."

Buying a house in the Capital is a good idea, but deciding on the type of house is tricky. Should it be a livable home or a small house just for the Beacon? Large houses can easily cost over a hundred million... We don’t have that much money. We need to carefully consider our options.

When we arrive in the Capital, I also want to discuss magic stone hunting with Deus and the others. I’d like to hear opinions from Grin-san and the rest as well. It's going to be busy once we return.

"I want to spend time alone with Runa-san in the Capital’s house. She’ll only have me to rely on... hehe."

"That's a dangerous vibe, so no."

"Why not?"

Sisya made a creepy laugh while wiping her mouth. My instincts scream that I shouldn’t leave her alone with a young girl in a house. Runa is already so dependent on Sisya; there's no need to make it worse.

●

As night began to fall, we stopped for the day. Like last time, we set up camp a bit away from Adelbert-san’s group. While sitting around the campfire and eating, Anneli-chan came over to Estel, happily chatting with her. Meanwhile, I was having a silly conversation with Noru and the others...

"Noru-san, please teach Ookura-san horseback riding next time."

"Hmm, horseback riding? Leave it to me!"

"Stop it! Not Noru, anyone but Noru!"

Hey, are you really bringing that up now? Noru looks so eager... I have no idea what she’ll do to me.

"Why are you so against it? Trust me, I won’t go too hard on you."

"More like a sinking ship than a lifeboat. Noru is too strict."

"That's not true! At most, your legs will be a little weak after."

"That’s way too much!"

Don’t call it "a little weak" when I can’t even stand! Noru’s training would likely get me riding, but it’s too terrifying.

"Anneli-chan was right; you guys seem to have a lot of fun."

"Of course. It’s always entertaining."

Huh? Were they watching our exchange? And they think it’s fun... It’s all Noru’s fault.

"Ookura-san, is everyone in your party except you a girl?"

"Yeah, it's just the four of us."

"Eh, Ru— mmph!?"

"That was quick reflexes to cover her mouth..."

Sisya quickly moved behind Runa to cover her mouth before she could finish. I knew she’d slip up. Anneli-chan tilted her head but didn’t press the issue.

"Wow, really? ...Estel, good luck."

"Thanks."

What’s with that? She just told Estel to do her best... Estel smiled and nodded... What kind of understanding do they have? Did they talk about something at the mansion?

"Ookura-dono, Sisya looks like she’s struggling."

"Huh? Oh..."

While pondering the exchange between Estel and Anneli-chan, Noru poked my shoulder. I turned to see Sisya desperately trying to remove my hand from her mouth, looking very distressed. I quickly let go.

"Bwha! Hah...hah... Ookura-san, don’t get lost in thought while covering my mouth. At least leave my nose free..."

"Sorry, sorry. I didn’t mean to."

I accidentally covered her nose too. As I scratched my head and apologized, Noru gave Sisya a thumbs-up.

"What’s going on?"

"Sisya is being treated similarly to me now. We’re comrades!"

"No, that’s not true. Right, Ookura-san?"

"Hmm, hard to say. You might even be worse than Noru."

"No way!"

While Sisya is easier to view as a woman, her blunders surpass Noru’s. Both are easygoing but differ in certain aspects.

●

On the sixth day of the mission, we encountered several monsters but handled them without issue, making good progress. We were already halfway from Queres to the Capital. I thought we’d have an uneventful trip, but then the map app showed something concerning.

"...Huh?"

"What’s wrong?"

"There are multiple blue signals on the map ahead, and they’re stationary."

"No monsters around?"

"None. It doesn't look like they’re being attacked, but we should still be cautious."

There were blue dots ahead on the road, indicating non-hostile entities, but it was suspicious enough to warrant a check. I told Egon-san to stop the carriage and discussed with the others.

"There are people?"

"Not sure, but they’re not enemies."

"Why would they stop here?"

"We should check it out."

Everyone agreed it was safer to investigate, so Noru and Estel stayed to guard the carriage while Sisya and I went ahead. After a while, we saw the scene—a carriage stuck in the ground, pointing skyward.

"That carriage is in a bad state."

"Whoa... What happened here?"

A large hole in the ground had swallowed the back half of the carriage. Several people stood around it, one looking out for danger, likely an adventurer like us. We decided to approach cautiously, as startling them could be dangerous.

"What’s going on?"

"Oh, adventurers. What happened here?"

I showed my guild plate to signal we weren’t enemies. The man, a C-rank adventurer, looked relieved.

"B-rank adventurers... Sorry for the suspicion!"

"No problem. What happened?"

"Suddenly, the ground collapsed. Probably a Talpa."

"A Talpa? A monster?"

"Yeah, it’s rare but digs tunnels underground, causing collapses like this. Damn..."

I hadn’t heard of this monster. A large mole-like creature, maybe? Big enough to cause a carriage to fall in.

The adventurer sighed, looking at the fallen carriage. We couldn’t just ignore this.

"Is the person sitting over there your client?"

"Yeah, injured hands and head. We’ve patched him up, but he’s in pain..."

"Any other injuries?"

"We’re fine. The horses, though..."

"May I treat him?"

"You’re a priest, right? Please do."

"Ookura-san, handle the carriage, please."

"Got it."

Sisya was finally acting like a priest. I should help with the carriage, which two men were struggling to lift.

"Ugh... No use!"

"Not budging!"

"Can I help?"

"Huh? Who are you?"

"Just a passing adventurer."

The big man eyed me warily. Understandable, given the situation.

"I’m on an escort mission too. Let me help."

"Well, okay..."

With permission granted, I joined them. The carriage, though smaller than Adelbert-san's, was heavy. But with my strength...

"Here we go."

I lifted the carriage, moving it out of the hole. Strengthening myself and better equipment really made a difference.

"No way! Alone?!"

"What the...?"

The men gaped at me. Well, I am stronger now.

"Finished here. How’s it going, Sisya?"

"Done here. Let's move."

Sisya rejoined, and we prepared to leave.

"Ookura... You’re the one who fought Deus!"

"The Ookura?!"

Which Ookura...? Hearing Deus’s name, they must be from the Capital.

"Thanks a lot. We owe you."

"No problem. Is your carriage okay?"

"A bit banged up but manageable."

"Glad to hear it."

The carriage seemed okay for now.

"If you’re ever in the Capital, let me thank you."

"No thanks needed. By the way..."

"Right, I’m C-rank adventurer Dorf."

"I’m Heiha Ookura. Nice to meet you."

We shook hands, adding a new contact. Maybe I could ask them to join magic stone hunts someday. After chatting briefly, I returned to Noru and the others.

"Are they okay?"

"Yes, thanks to Sisya."

"I do my best

."

This time, Sisya shone as a priest.

"Always a priest at heart."

"Ha, good one."

Ignoring Sisya's joke, we continued towards the Capital.