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

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Author Notes: 

There is a report regarding the book version of novel in the activity report.

I would appreciate it if you could read it.

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After six days of escorting, we continued our journey without major issues.

There were occasional monster attacks, but nothing serious.

When Estel's magic proved too flashy, we let Noru handle it... and she charged at the monsters on horseback.

The target was a Black Orc, so there were no combat issues, but Estel, riding behind Noru, screamed in terror.

When they returned, Estel was pale, tearful, and trembling, having been subjected to Noru's wild riding.

Noru got quite a few hits from Estel afterward, and it was understandable.

Later, flying monsters appeared, but Estel shot them down with anti-air magic.

I thought it might be time for my Centibar to shine, but it's still hard to hit flying targets.

"Well, it's peaceful, isn't it?"

"What's peaceful about this...?"

As the sun began to set, we prepared to camp.

At our current pace, we should reach Queres in 2-3 days, thanks to Estel and Sisya's support magic.

I felt relatively at peace, but Sisya didn't seem to share that feeling.

She claimed she felt Estel's presence behind her, despite me being there.

I assured her it was just her imagination and suggested she was tired.

With the campsite ready, we gathered around the fire.

"Um, Estel-san?"

"What is it?"

As I spread a sheet on the ground and sat cross-legged, Estel sat on it with me.

She smiled and tilted her head when I spoke to her.

"Why are you sitting with me?"

"It's fine at night, isn't it? Right, Sisya?"

"Yes! I think that's a wonderful idea!"

"Estel, don't intimidate Sisya."

Estel questioned Sisya, who eagerly nodded in agreement, head bobbing up and down.

I had to stop this before Sisya got a stomach ulcer.

"Estel, she's looking at us again."

"Huh? Oh, really."

"Every day, the frequency of her watching us increases."

"And she's getting quicker at looking away when we notice."

Looking where Noru pointed, Anneli was indeed watching us.

Every time we camped, she watched us, then quickly looked away and returned to her tent when noticed.

"Is she really that curious?"

"It'd be weird if she wasn't."

Even though we've been handling things with water and earth magic, it's still flashy.

Watching monsters shatter from water jets or seeing earth hands crush them must be shocking.

If Estel had used fire magic, it would have been like a mini-sun in the sky.

"Oh, she's coming this way."

"Really?"

This time, instead of retreating, Anneli walked towards us, with Egon following at a distance.

He probably didn't want her wandering alone.

Anneli stopped in front of us, her face red, looking around nervously.

"Um, excuse me?"

"Are you talking to me?"

"Y-Yes!"

Gathering her courage, Anneli spoke directly to Estel.

It seems she finally worked up the nerve.

"Should we leave you two alone?"

"N-No! Please, don't leave!"

When I offered to give them space, she quickly refused, shaking her head.

Maybe I was overthinking it.

I looked to Egon for confirmation, and he nodded, indicating it was fine.

"So, what did you want to talk about?"

"Um... I'm sorry for doubting you before we left!"

Anneli bowed to Estel, apologizing for her doubts at the start.

It seems that was bothering her all this time.

"It's okay, really. It was natural to have doubts."

"R-Really?"

"Yes, really. Why don't you sit down?"

"Um, okay."

Estel calmly accepted the apology and invited Anneli to sit.

"What's your name again?"

"I'm Estel. Nice to meet you, Anneli."

"How do you know my name!?"

"Your father called you that in front of us when we left, remember?"

"Oh, right."

Anneli seemed surprised Estel knew her name, having missed the introduction.

With her nerves easing, Anneli began talking more.

Eventually, the topic shifted to the magic that had intrigued her.

"Estel, you're amazing! I've never seen water magic like that!"

"Thank you. It makes me want to show you more."

"Really? You can do more?"

"Of course. Let me show you my best fire magic—"

"No! If you do that at night, it'll attract monsters!"

"Oh, too bad."

Anneli was excited, but I had to stop Estel from using fire magic at night.

Seeing Anneli's disappointed reaction was hard, but I couldn't risk attracting monsters.

"By the way, why is Estel sitting on you? Wouldn't it be better to sit normally?"

"This is my special seat. Right, Onii-san?"

"When did my lap become a special seat...?"

Anneli seemed curious about Estel sitting on me.

Estel confidently declared my lap her special seat, though I wasn't sure how to respond.

"It does seem like a special seat for Estel."

"I support Estel-san! Please bear with it, Ookura-san!"

"Wait, Sisya, what's with that phrasing?"

"Ah! I apologize!"

Sisya tried to support Estel but ended up fleeing to Noru after a smiling rebuke from Estel.

Poor Sisya... We'll need to let her relax with Runa once this escort job is done.

"Estel, you're an amazing mage, so why are you an adventurer?"

"Is that unusual?"

"Yes, it is. My friends who want to be mages are still studying. It's rare for someone our age to be an adventurer."

Anneli asked why Estel was an adventurer, hinting at her friends in Queres.

"Well, there's no specific reason... but if I had to say—"

"Hmm?"

Estel, pondering with her hand on her cheek, stared at me.

Wait, does she mean I'm the reason?

"Is it for that person?"

"Exactly. Onii-san is special to me."

"Let's avoid misleading statements, okay?"

I couldn't let Estel's words be misunderstood, especially with Egon chuckling in the background.

"So, you're close with Estel. Um..."

"Oh, I forgot to introduce myself. I'm Ookura Heiha."

"I'm Noru Fanya. Call me Noru."

"I'm Sisya Arvi. Nice to meet you."

We introduced ourselves to Anneli, who seemed much more relaxed now.

She seemed to enjoy talking with Estel and us.

"Hmm, I want to show you some magic... Oh, how about this? Eii!"

Estel, feeling bad for not showing any magic, suddenly had an idea.

With a wave of her finger, she manipulated the earth to create something small.

It took shape into a small, detailed figure.

"What is that?"

"A little Onii-san figurine."

Estel had made a tiny, intricate figure of me.

"Wow, it's amazing! It looks just like him!"

"That's a bit... frightening."

Noru and Sisya reacted with awe and a bit of fear at Estel's creation.

Impressive but unsettling to have such a detailed figure made of me.

"It's impressive, but not quite what I expected."

"Oh, how about this?"

Anneli seemed slightly disappointed, prompting Estel to continue with safer, smaller magic displays.

She created small whirlwinds and rainbows, showing a variety of abilities.

Anneli enjoyed the show and left with a smile, waving as she returned to her tent.

Hopefully, this escort mission leaves her with good memories.

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Author Notes: 

There is a report regarding the book version in the activity report.

I would appreciate it if you could read it.

This is so important that I have written it twice. I am so sorry.

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