CH 187

"Ah, there's an <Aral> over there. Can you drive, Ester?"

"Please leave it to me. <Accelerator Drive>!"

"Squeak!?"

A koala-ish monster <Aral> immediately turned into particles of light with the super overkill attack. The one who did that was naturally Ester’s operated mechanical carriage rush attack, <Accelerator Drive>.

It has been around 30 minutes since Ester began to handle the carriage. We are now trying to battle the monsters after she has familiarized herself with the controls.

No, it's more like overrunning them I think? After all, they are being one-shotted.

We just began with a lighthearted feeling to give it a try but this is quite addicting.

Monsters are like trash. Fuhahaha!

Even Ester has become quite addicted to the <Accelerator> skill and raising her proficiency more and more.

Hahaha, I know it! Fun is what makes a person mature! That's right, defeat those trash with that spirit, Ester! Though it doesn't give any XP and we can't retrieve the drops either.

"Zephyr-dono, this is really amazing! <Drive Turn>!"

"I know right?"

Oh, another two <Aral> turned into light particles. Ester has already grown up to the point she doesn't need my instruction to hunt down the monsters. That's right, it's a good trend indeed! What superb control. Now, even I’m also having the itch to go wild.

Man, I really want to try being a <Knight> at these times. Even though it was the players who controlled them originally in the game! Kuhh, Ester is having so much fun!

Just when I was staring at Ester, the <Student Handbook> buzzed.

"Oops, it's a message from Shizu. We should return now."

"...... Yeah, I have practiced enough, let's return."

Ester looks unusually reluctant. Well well, she doesn't want to stop enjoying it, huh.

"Relax, Ester. I'm going to make you work to the bone today"

"!! Okay!"

Ester replies cheerfully and speeds up the carriage.

Although I wanted to say we don't need to be in such a hurry, I know the principles very well.

Enjoyment is justice!

We returned to the spot where we split up under the stunned gazes of other first year students as we passed by on the way. First years have considerably increased in lower dungeons. I wonder if all of them have high ranking jobs?

The high ranking job holders will just continue to increase exponentially from now on. After all, the people from research facilities, or more like the academy itself, are pouring all their effort into making it happen. Though the only thing they are doing is Slipo marathons (Arena style).

"Welcome back."

Shizu bows with graceful movement at our arrival. Her movements were mesmerizing. Do all butlers and maid, including Celestine, perform such refined bows? The quality is just too good.

Speaking of Pamela, she waved her hand cheerfully at us. Somehow, I feel more at ease now.

"Oh, we're back. Sorry to make you wait."

"It's fine-desu! We were also enjoying our dungeon exploration-desu!"

"That's what matters then. Having fun is the most important thing in dungeons. Come, hop on, we’ll talk the rest later. Directly to the boss room, Ester."

"Leave it to me."

The time to hunt small fries is over.

Beginner lower grade dungeons only give a measly amount of XP, the drops are too cheap and above all, even material value is too low.

I just want to quickly defeat them three times and proceed to the mid-grade dungeons.

After making sure Shizu and Pamela have boarded, Ester starts the carriage.

"This is more comfortable than I thought."

"That's right-desu. Such a comfort is simply unthinkable inside a dungeon-desu."

Pamela and Shizu passed on their first impressions from behind.

There's a small window in between the driver seat and inside of the carriage which makes it possible to converse, so I joined in their conversation.

"I know, really. I don't know why the dungeons' floors are perfectly level and with wide roads, but it's quite comfortable to run the carriage. Of course, a poorly made carriage might not be able to achieve this but this is a top grade carriage made from recipes that comes out of a <Gold Chest>. Even if it accidentally collides against something, it will automatically nullify almost all of the shock, plus the pleasant ride experience"

"How terrific, this vehicle is."

"Yeah. It's completely different from the carriage we usually ride on-desu"

Just like Pamela mentioned, a <Mechanical Carriage> is an equipment while Segway or usual carriages are items. That's what differentiates them.

Because HP will take all the brunt of the equipment, it relatively raises the comfort level of the ride. In case of items, shock will be returned and monster's attack will easily destroy them since the user can't act as a substitute for the damage the vehicle took.

Of course it also comes with a price, equipment basically can only be handled by suitable job holders else they wouldn't be able to use it, meanwhile items don't have that restriction and anyone can use them.

"It's the right time, and I have lots to explain to you guys on the way, so, shall we start? 一一 Ester, just continue to drive on the path I point out. Drive safely."

"Roger!"

I said first half to the inside of the carriage and second to the Ester.

Pamela and Shizu are still not at the point where they can efficiently deal with monsters. So I don't know what kind of side effect it might have left to increase their level only through power leveling in this situation. I think I should also inform them about such things.

It wouldn't take too long for their Lvs to reach 20 with power leveling, which would be just right at time to unlock their next tree. I'm worried that unlocking their tree before they can familiarize themselves with their skill might leave them to use their powers in a strange way.

Another thing is our future course, guild policy, what will be our goal and so on.

The carriage traverses through the dungeon with moderate speed while I explain these things to them on the way.

Overrunning the monsters and avoiding the humans, we passed through while ignoring the first year students whose eyes fiercely contracted, turning pupils into almost point size as they moved sidewards to free up the road.

A commotion seems to have risen behind but whatever.

The unstoppable carriage makes its way to the safety area of the lowest floor before noon.

As expected of a high class product.