CH 197

Today's May 1st, and the academy looks particularly vibrant today.

Not to say about the staff frequently going in and out in the aristocrat's dormitory, causing commotion, even the usually gentle dorm mother looks quite hyped.

With today also being the final appraisal day, I heard that academy is generally much busier on this day.

But of course, <Eden> is operating as usual today too. There's basically no one in our guild who need to fret about this, hence we're going to carry out our usual schedule, dungeon raid.

"Today's another wonderful day for dungeon raids, let's quickly decide on a party!"

"Truly, you really are unperturbed as always"

Said so Sierra, slightly amazed at my plan to carry out everything as usual while a storm is brewing in the academy.

We're currently in our guild room, discussing our today's schedule.

It's such a rare chance that all the members have been gathering from quite recently after such a long gap, that's why I think it would instead be rude to them if I don't make best of this and let them know the joy of dungeon

I would be sorry for everyone if I don't do that.

"Today's the last day for us, first years, to be exempt from classes and since we are going to start a new page of our youth, academy life, I want to raise others level to 30 today"

It was the plan I had long ago decided on. Others don't seem to have any objection either.

"Hmm, this party formation...... Are you really going to bring two parties and do a joint exploration?"

"Yup. Today's target is the beginner-mid grade dungeon, <Battle wolf of the shallow forest dungeon>. Because this is the least used dungeon among students. We can grind to our heart's content since it's almost empty today. That's why I think it would be more efficient to do join party raid than one"

I replied to Sierra's query. The main point is our cooperation.

Well there is a limit to how many people can be in one party, but at least, you can explore the dungeon with 2 or more parties. You can also say <Joint exploration>.

Although the XP or rewards everyone receives will be much lower, the exploration becomes quite easy in a joint party.

However joint exploration is effective only upto the boss battle, as it's already set, only five people at once can fight the boss at the same time. One more person and they will be expelled from the boss room.

Well, not including some exception like <(Guest) bracelet> of course.

That's why, today's goal is to merge the party of Lulu, Celia, Celestine with Shizu and Pamela and have them grind the boss. I also intend to carry them along with Ester so there will be a total of 7 people.

When I explained it, a hand raised up quietly.

The first to pose a question and so punctually raising the hand was none other <Eden>'s top attacker, Ester.

"Yes, Ester, ask"

"Thank you very much. What I want to ask is , can't we use <(Guest) bracelet>? We don't need to break the party as I can just equip the <(Guest) bracelet> and accompany it as a party of 6 members?"

"If it was just so easy. <(Guest) bracelet> will break if you start fighting. It's considered as entering battle mode each time Ester run the carriage over monsters. Once equipped, you can't unequip the bracelet midway in the dungeon, you would be treated as a different party when it breaks which will continue to be in effect until you left the dungeon. Since everything is same no matter we do it by hook or crook, we might as well start with 2 party from the beginning"

Of course, we can travel to the lowest floor while defeating monsters that come our way, but carriage would lose its meaning that way.

Carriage's role is to carry the party to the lowest floor as quickly as possible while ignoring the monsters. It's no different from exploring on our own if we still have to proceed while defeating them one by one.

Besides, Ester carriage can only carry upto 7 members. So unless two party members equate this, it's not practical. It's all together another matter when carriage size increases though, then it can easily carry 3 or 4 parties.

Lana, Sierra and Hannah are going to join the remaining party of Rika and Karua in their exploration of <Tsukumo bamboo forest dungeon>.

"So that's why. Thank you very much for explaining"

"Welcome. Since no one has anything to ask, let's commence today's dungeon raid!"

" " "Let's go!" " "

At the end of my remark, the guild room buzzed with the energetic reply of Lana, Lulu and Karua.

Parting away with Karua and Rika's team at the dungeon gate, I and Ester, along with other 5 new party members, quickly dived into the <Battle wolves of the shallow forest dungeon>, and set off to our destination in a carriage.

The first thing I wanted to do is to let new members, who aren't acquainted with each other, introduce themselves and exchange greetings.

"Celestine, I feel it's been ages since we have chatted like this, no? Let's do our best!"

"Yeah, it's been a while-desu! Best regards-desu!"

"Same here, it's been a while, Shizu-san. Pamela-san. I will be in your care today"

The three members of <branch family> greeted each other. Gracious, I almost forgot that the three of them were introduced by <Eden>. They obviously know each other.

"Lulu is Lulu! An energetic <Lolita hero> fighter! Nice to meetcha!"

"I really can't get enough of Lulu's cuteness. I'm a <Spiritualist> Elf, Cecilia. Please, feel free to call me Celia. I specialise in magic attacks, so I took a rearguard position. Let's do our best together"

Continuing after them, Lulu's cuteness overloaded greetings quickly won the heart of everyone, softening the atmosphere and Celia introduced herself politely in the end.

It's been 5 days since they have joined the guild but this is their first time facing each other. As expected, when it's about how to get closer, nothing beats a gathering.

I was peeking at the carriage's inside through the window, sitting next to Ester and was glad to see everyone getting along. Especially energetic Lulu and Pamela hit it off with self-paced Celia

Shizu and Celestine on the other hand seem to have assumed the listener's role.

"Pamela-san and Shizu-san cleared the ghost dungeon yesterday, right?"

"That's right-desu! We somehow cleared it, albeit borrowing the help of Hannah and Sierra most of the time-desu!"

"Amazing"

Pamela and Shizu challenge the <Ghost cave dungeon> yesterday to not clash off with our exploration. Looks like Sierra has safely taken her revenge, given how much she hates ghosts.

She has grown up. I should congratulate Hannah and Sierra sometime later.

Pamela squirmed in embrassemeny, receiving the praises of Lulu and Celia.

"I'm content with all the praises-desu! I don't need anything else-desu!"

"Please have some tea"

"I mean, anything except the tea-desu!"

"I also have sweets. Please have some, Lulu-san. Celia-san too"

"Thank you! Lulu likes sweets!"

"Thank you very much, Shizu-san!"

"Shizuuu, that was deliberate, right-desu?"

"I would never do such things. So, you also want to have some?"

"...... B, Bon Appetit-desu!"

As long as they are getting along.

While I was busy back and forth giving instructions to the Ester as the carriage raced through the dungeon and ascertaining the situation from the assistant passenger seat, we arrived at the deepest floor without any hitch, running over the countless monsters.