Evil Avalon

Chapter 119-Meeting with a smile

(TL:By Rafael,valhallatls.blogspot.com)

Spread before my eyes were gigantic machinery, tightly packed, while dozens of craftsmen moved among the machines, creating a symphony of metal sounds and sparks.

"How about this! The heart of the Tenma Corporation, which we take pride in, the 'DUX Dachs'!"

Kurosaki-san, her chest puffed up, approached me with heavy breaths. Today, she was once again wearing her black dress with a large frilled white apron, perfectly dressed as a maid. Despite her appearance, she was not only the leader of the Tenma family's combat butlers, known as the Black Butlers, but also a top-notch adventurer.

"Our company engages in various product developments tailored for adventurers, you know? Among them, the one we emphasize the most is the 'DUX Dachs,' a brand of equipment manufactured right here in this workshop. Even top-ranked clans and high-level adventurers use our products, you know?"

While opening the lower part of her chin and sipping from her tea cup, Tenma-san explained the details of the workshop in a muffled voice. Her full plate armor was so flawlessly polished that it reflected the surrounding lights like a mirror.

That's why I'm currently visiting the Tenma Corporation, managed by the Tenma family.

Located about a 30-minute drive from the adventurer school, there is an area where several workshops and buildings stand in a row. The entire area is affiliated with the Tenma Corporation. With a staff of tens of thousands, they are the largest domestic company specializing in adventurer-related equipment and one of the leading manufacturers in the world.

Our shop, "Narumi General Store," once considered placing the DUX brand from the Tenma Corporation to attract customers. However, even the most affordable items cost over a million yen, so the risk of not selling them was high. Regrettably, we had to give up. Only top-notch shops in the adventurer guild buildings or a few large-scale shops serving multiple raiding clans can afford to stock this level of equipment. It is a brand of equipment that I aspire to display in our shop someday, once it grows larger.

"But... it seems like they use mithril in the production process... Is it safe outside the magic field?"

"Of course. The Tenma Corporation has obtained special permission from the government to use an artificial magic field. We are different from other armor manufacturers in terms of trust, track record, and reputation!"

While nibbling on a piece of tea cake, Kuga-san, wearing a cat-eared hood, asked in a muffled voice.

While nibbling on a piece of tea cake, Kuga-san, wearing a cat-eared hood, asked in a muffled voice.

Yesterday, Tenma-san invited me to a tea party through an email, and since I also had something I wanted to discuss, I quickly replied with an affirmative answer. Today, when I arrived at the meeting place on time, I was surprised to find Kuga-san, who had also received the same invitation email. During the class competition, these two seemed like cats and dogs, but maybe they are actually on good terms.

Kuga-san's question was about mithril. In the dungeon, mithril is so light that it floats on water, but outside the magic field, it behaves like silver, without the same properties. Its weight, hardness, and malleability all change significantly. If mithril-related equipment is manufactured in a place without any magical energy, wouldn't the armor end up deformed unexpectedly?

However, according to Tenma-san, the manufacturing site visible below us uses an artificial magic field generator approved by the government, so there is no problem. The use of artificial magic fields is strictly regulated by the country, considering safety and security. However, the Tenma Corporation has earned immense trust through its research achievements and armor production to the extent of receiving a noble title. That's why they have been granted permission. This workshop is the only place in Japan where armor made from dungeon materials is produced on such a large scale.

"Do you understand the greatness of the Tenma family a little now? And the young lady will eventually inherit everything in the Tenma Trading Company and become a special person who stands above tens of thousands of people!"

The maid pointed at me, her chest puffed out proudly. In the workshop where state-of-the-art machines were lined up, with numerous skilled technicians and a corporate value of tens of trillions of yen. I understand that inheriting all of that is incredibly amazing, but why is Kurosaki-san saying this to me?

"Well, you know... The reason I invited both of you, Narumi-kun and Kotone-chan, to the tea party today is... Well..."

"Young lady, do your best!"

Tenma-san fidgeted nervously as she rubbed her full plate armor together, while Kurosaki-san clenched her fist and cheered her on. It's refreshing to see her like this, as I'm used to seeing her always bright and nimble. I can't help but wonder why she called Kuga-san "Kotone-chan," even though it seems difficult for her to say.

"Um... How about forming a party together?"

"A party?"

"..."

Does she mean becoming hunting companions? However, Tenma-san always goes hunting efficiently with her powerful Butler Corps, the Black Butlers. So, what does she mean?

"Well, you see, most of the time when I level up, I just hit things hard in safe situations... But I can't forget the intense exhilaration and sense of accomplishment we had when the three of us fought desperately together. Also, there's the 'team battle' that emphasizes role-playing in the autumn exam, right? So, I want to practice before that... What do you think?"

Tenma-san listed her reasons rapidly. Come to think of it, there is a team competition in autumn, isn't there? It's not like participating in a single event like the class competition; it's an exam where multiple quests, such as hunting magic stones and monsters, are completed by multiple people.

The team competition is scored by teams rather than by class, so party members can be from any class. However, considering the level difference, factional relationships, and hostility towards other classes, it is common to form a party with classmates. The team competition requires careful consideration of whether you want to cover your own weaknesses, specialize in specific abilities, or simply aim for strong individuals. Party formation is a complex task.

I've heard that many people in higher classes are already forming fixed parties and diving into dungeons in anticipation of the team competition. In our class, Majima-kun and Akagi-kun, for example, are conscious of team battles and are practicing their tactics and coordination with their fixed elite members.

As I watched Kuga-san next to me, I saw her lightly nod and readily accept Tenma-san's invitation.

"I agree... Leveling up alone is tough, and besides... It seems like we can eat delicious food..."

"We have prepared Mediterranean cuisine tonight, with fresh seafood as the main dish. Would you like the usual blood orange juice to drink?"

"That... sounds good."

Kuga-san, who has been invited to meals many times and has been able to eat delicious food to her heart's content, is said to have no expression, but she seems excited at the thought of having a luxurious dinner tonight. She has definitely been won over by Kurosaki-san.

On the other hand, it can be seen that Tenma-san, who says, "Please don't hold back and eat as much as you want," also highly appreciates Kuga-san. They fought together, relying on each other's backs during the Lesser Demon battle, and it seems that not only does she recognize her abilities, but there is also a sense of trust and bond between them.

(Well, Kuga-san is the strongest heroine after all.)

Even though she may appear unfriendly and sloppy, she is an extraordinary heroine among the students of the Adventurers' School, being the strongest aside from the players. Depending on how the events unfold, she can further enhance her abilities. It is undeniable that she should be someone to have on your side, despite her somewhat peculiar personality. In that sense, Tenma-san also has the potential to undergo further transformations through events.

(This invitation is a godsend for me.)

Arthur's urging emails to "invite Tenma-san" arrived almost every day, and the pressure from Kuga-san to go dungeon diving increased day by day. I have already discussed it with Lisa, and we are both willing to cooperate with each other. In my mind, it was already decided to invite Kuga-san and Tenma-san for hunting... The problem was how to invite them.

The girl in full plate mail, who is currently smiling in front of me, is the daughter of a super giant corporation and a baroness from an ultra-high-class family. She is always heavily guarded by her butlers at school, making it impossible to approach her, and all my emails and calls are checked by the butlers, effectively shutting me out.

If I were to forcefully break through this impregnable guard and make contact, it might lead not only to a confrontation with the butlers but also a serious battle with Kurosaki-san. Despite her elegant and beautiful appearance, this maid possesses incredible abilities and skills, so it would be troublesome if she perceives me as an enemy. That's why it was helpful that Tenma-san took the initiative to invite me.

"If it's fine with me, then of course, I'm okay with it."

"R-Really!? Thank you, Narumi-kun! With the three of us, we can go anywhere!"

"Milady, include me as the fourth member!"

"If Kurosaki is there, we won't be able to practice team coordination!"

Although Kurosaki-san supported the idea of forming a party with the four of us, including herself, Tenma-san insisted on forming a party only with students, considering the school's exams. Thus, a heated argument ensued between the two. I wished they had discussed these matters thoroughly in advance.

After a brief back-and-forth, it was ultimately Tenma-san, the party leader, who prevailed. Although Kurosaki-san muttered under her breath, looking at me with a stern gaze, "If you lay a finger on Milady while I'm not around, I'll kill you," I decided to ignore it. Now that the party formation was settled, I had a few important things to discuss.

"Tenma-san, Kuga-san, there's something I've been entrusted with. Can I show it to you here?"

"Huh? Sure, go ahead. But entrusted with... Is it a magic bag? Whoa, there's so much stuff!"

"...Are these... weapons?"

I lifted the pouch I had placed on the ground. It was a magic bag (improved) that not only had a large capacity but also greatly reduced weight. Even outside the magic field, the bag's effect seemed to persist, but if left unattended for too long, the contents could explode and burst out, so caution was necessary.

As I turned the pouch upside down towards the ground, a multitude of worn-out or dented weapons came clattering out. The total weight was easily around one ton. Kurosaki-san furrowed her eyebrows, approached, and examined them closely.

"These aren't just scraps of iron. I can sense a faint magical power, so they might be made of mithril alloy. Let's investigate them."

Kurosaki-san took out a stick-shaped device with "Tenma Shokai" written on it from a shelf behind her. It seemed to be a magical tool for examining the mithril content based on magical power, specific gravity, and light reflection. It was impressive to see such a device casually lying around, as expected of Tenma Shokai.

"As weapons, they have all exceeded their lifespan, but the mithril content in each one exceeds 0.1%, making them likely high-quality mithril alloys. With this much, we could probably make two to three swords of pure mithril... But where did these come from?"

To release the constraints of a demon, Arthur had been collecting "that thing" endlessly with his spider body. During that process, a large number of mithril alloy weapons were obtained, but Arthur's clothes and armor are of a higher grade than pure mithril, so he no longer needs mithril. Therefore, as an apology for causing trouble during the class competition, or rather, as a symbol of getting closer, he entrusted these weapons to Tenma-san and Kuga-san.

"I was asked to pass these on to you as an apology from my friend. Do you remember the demon with the horns on its head? His name is Arthur."

"...That little runt... I remember him. I'm very interested."

"He was incredibly strong, right? I also couldn't help but leak out...Ah It's nothing"

It seemed she remembered him well. Perhaps I also bear some responsibility since I went on a rampage back then.

(TL: wait a min.....the leaking stuff is correct not a error)

 

"And one more thing. I want you to take this too."

"...A letter... an invitation?"

Curious, the two of them received the white envelope with tilted heads. As they looked inside, their confusion deepened.

"Hmm? Does it say 'Thump! First-ever 'That' Gathering Tournament!'... Hmm. What does 'That' refer to?"

"It also says at the end, 'The winner will receive luxurious prizes, and there will be participation rewards'... It's very intriguing..."

This is an invitation to Arthur's "That" Gathering Tournament. The prizes are drop items that can be obtained around the 38th floor where Arthur's residence is located. In this world, items beyond the 30th floor are not circulated in auctions or have any market value. It's uncertain what kind of items will be awarded, but they will undoubtedly be valuable.

Moreover, both of them. They managed to decipher such illegible, worm-like handwriting quite well.

"I can't allow my precious young lady to be taken to such a dubious event—"

"It sounds fun! I'm definitely participating! Nariumi-kun, you're joining too, right?"

"Of course. My friends are planning to participate as well."

"Oh, young lady! You might be deceived by a wicked man!"

Despite Kurosaki's attempt to reject their participation with a stern gaze and low voice, Tenma-san enthusiastically stood up and expressed her willingness to join, causing Kurosaki to panic and stumble.

Originally, it was planned for just Satsuki, Lisa, and me to collect "That" together for Arthur, but Arthur grew impatient with me for not inviting Tenma-san and insisted, adding luxurious prizes to the event and making it into a grand affair.

However, if it's an event like this, it would be easier to catch Tenma-san's interest and invite her, and if we can continue to hold such events in the future, it might accelerate the collection of "That." It's a strategy that kills two birds with one stone.

"...But the event venue is written as 'Dungeon 15th Floor.' The event seems to be tomorrow, but it's impossible to make it in time if we go now."

"Oh, right! If we run, could we make it somehow?"

"Young lady, that would create a monster train!"

Although it's possible to reach the 15th floor in one day by relying on physical enhancements and running at full speed on the main street, doing so would create a gigantic monster train behind us, which would make headlines in tomorrow's newspapers. So, what should we do? Well, there's a solution to that, so there's no problem.

"I'll guide you to the site tomorrow, so don't worry. Shall we meet at the Adventurers' Guild Plaza?"

"...Is there a special method involved? ...I'm curious."

"Kurosaki, please prepare for tomorrow. Is one suit of armor enough? Oh, there was a cuter one, right?"

"Young lady, please consider it a bit more cautiously!"

With this, we can take the first step toward the capture event for the two of them. If I can stay close to Tenma-san, I can support her in the curse-lifting event, and by increasing my intimacy with Kuga-san, I might be able to guide her away from the destructive events that might occur in the future.

At the moment, both of them are unable to fully demonstrate their abilities due to their constraints, but once they are released from their restrictions and become free, they have the potential to grow into heroines rivaling the player. The problem is that we are completely unprepared for advancing the capture event.

Ideally, considering the levels and the progress of the events, I would have wanted to take action later. It would require dealing with powerful monsters and national organizations, and if done casually, it would cause collateral damage, so thorough preparation is necessary. Moreover, unlike in games, everything is a one-shot opportunity. Failure is an instant bad ending, so it is not permissible. I wanted to master more events, raise my level, and increase the certainty before moving forward.

(However, before the game story becomes unstable—)

As I looked at Kuga-san, who was devouring pastries with remarkable speed, cheeks bulging like a squirrel, and Tenma-san happily discussing which armor to wear, my desire to steer them towards a happy ending grew stronger.

Suppressing the growing sense of urgency deep within my chest, I smiled and led the way into tomorrow's meeting.

TL Note- Well this Chapter was good but leaving that aside from tomorrow schedule will get messed up as my exams are starting so hope everyone will understand. 

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