01x11 - Welcome to the Party

[bunniefuu]

Ah, Mr. Lizel.

I never thought you'd ask to see me.

Forgive me. I know you're busy.

It's fine. I'm always glad to see you.

By the way, I see a new face.

It's related to the matter at hand.

If he offends you, I can
have him wait outside.

If he's your friend, he's welcome.

Now then, I'd love to
enjoy a leisurely chat,

but why don't we get business
out of the way first?

I believe you have some questions for me.

I'd like to ask what you
know about the Forky g*ng.

Too formal.

My apologies.

If you know something about
them, please tell me.

I wish I could, but I can't simply reveal

what we've learned
through our investigation.

What shall I do, then?

Perhaps you'd accept this.

Marvelous! This is a strategy
guide for the Crystal Ruins.

I genuinely respect your choice.

I'm glad you like it.

This is a bribe.

It's merely a gift.

I'll even throw in the scale of the
subterranean dragon we defeated

in the hidden room we
found through that book.

From the bottom of my heart, I love you!

I can hardly say no after
receiving these lavish gifts.

We've discovered some information
on the Forky g*ng,

but they're secretive about their
higher-ups. It's a nuisance.

Higher-ups?

Perhaps you'd call them original members.

In other words, those involved
in the formation of the g*ng.

The elite members.

Exactly.

They're a large g*ng, but honestly,
they're the only threats.

Aside from that, they're just
rabble until someone needs them.

At least, that's what I believe.

Right on the money.

What do you know about their boss?

According to rumors, he's a redhead.

Is his red hair this beautiful?

I don't know the exact shade.

Do you know who he might be?

Actually, you could say I've found him.

You never disappoint, Mr. Lizel.

So, who is he?

Do you recall the commotion at the
merchant's guild the other day?

Yes, the staff scandal.

I heard he was arrested. Where is he now?

He's being held here.

We're planning to discuss his punishment
with the merchant's guild.

If he's in police custody,
then we can rest easy.

Have you gone to see him in person?

His hair is a rather
bright reddish brown.

What about the adventurers
he was working with?

The adventurer's guild handed
them over to us last night.

They're members of the Forky g*ng.

That hasn't been reported to me yet.

I thought I recognized them,
and I just recalled where.

I saw them when I was attacked by men
claiming to belong to the Forky g*ng.

He's telling lies to make the story fit.

Nobles operate according
to their own rules.

When were you attacked?

I was attacked once on my
way back from Marcade.

We fended them off, though.

They've snuck into the adventurers' cells

and re-educated them by now.

The guild staff is the boss, right?

Right.

Repeat after me. We are the Forky g*ng.

We are the Forky g*ng.

I see. Then we should keep that
staff member in our custody.

But now I don't know what to
do with the rest of the g*ng.

I'd like to strike preemptively and arrest
them while they've lost their leadership.

Then you'll need him now.

He's one of the founding members
of the Forky g*ng you mentioned.

Hello!

I only care about this guy now, so
the bandit g*ng is just a hindrance.

He even knows where their bases are.

He seems like a rather nasty fellow.

Honestly, I'd rather not mess with
them if they're all like him.

Then I'll round them all up.

I have something to
discuss regarding that.

I know. You want me to consider
extenuating circumstances for him.

You see right through me.

Is this why your gifts
were so lavish this time?

Did you think I'd say no to you?

Thank you.

Making an enemy of Mr. Lizel would hurt
me more than antagonizing the bandits.

Let me ask you this.

Have I met your expectations?

So much that I'd say I love you
from the bottom of my heart.

What an absolute honor.

You're merciless when others
harm those close to you.

It's retribution. People
should behave themselves.

You haven't said anything to
the staff member, have you?

No, but I doubt it'll be a problem.

Want me to handle it?

No, let's let the viscount handle it.

I don't want you owing any
favors because of me.

He won't see it that way.

Taking credit for arresting
the bandits will satisfy him.

Now there are no problems
standing in our way.

Welcome to the party, Eleven.

Looking forward to it, leader!

Shut up.

Ow!

Congrats to me on joining the party!

Is it too late to reconsider?

I wouldn't have invited him in
the first place if I would.

That's my leader.

What? Who is whose what?

I dare you to say that again.

I said this person is my leader.

Know your place, you impudent stray dog.

I'm not scared of a pet dog
who's had his fangs removed.

Rein it in.

You're free to fight, but
try not to bother others.

I won't force you to be friends,
but do try to reconcile.

Okay!

Very well.

Stop picking fights on purpose.

My blades aren't durable, you
know. Be more careful with them.

You're normally so calm.
This is unusual for you.

My apologies for the trouble.

It's no trouble at all.

Nobody gets along with everyone.

I'd rather have that, too.

Shut up.

I'm gonna go bother them.

You specifically have a problem
with Eleven, don't you?

Yes.

You don't mind someone joining my party?

The more people to protect
you, the better,

and I don't intend to
object to your decisions.

Let's get him registered with your party.

Thank you.

Oh, Mr. Lizel.

Welcome to...

Hello.

I let him join our party.

Are you still upset about it?

Not that I'd leave him even if you were.

What? Oh...

These two will get along just fine.

This guy can be merciless sometimes.

Hey.

But, I mean...

You're just meeting our newest
member. Hold your head high.

I-I can't!

But...

If that's Mr. Lizel's decision,
I won't oppose it.

Then I look forward to
seeing more of you.

Huh? Oh, um, sure.

You seem really scared
of me for some reason.

What's that about? Do you know?

Know what?

Good, they're friends now.

Anyway, Judge, about our visit today...

Y-Yes?

I'm looking for a blade for him.

Just a blade?

Yes. I'm planning to have some
equipment made for him after this.

Oh, really?

Gil said an adventurer prepares
as much as they can.

Huh.

He's actually teaching him something.

I don't remember that.

In that case, what kind of
blade are you looking for?

I don't know much about blades.

Whatever's easy for him to use.

I'd rather not compromise on that.

First, sharpness matters most.

I prefer a thin blade, too.

Oh, but nothing damaged.

With an arc like this
and a grip this heavy.

Nothing ugly.

Not too flashy either.

But it should have some ornamentation.

Also, something matte would be perfect.

Got anything like that?

It'd be quicker to have something made.

I do have one—rather, a set of blades.

Just one set?

It's incredible he has anything
that meets that criteria.

You really don't know anything
about blades, do you?

You're supposed to give a bunch of
conditions and pick the best fit.

Actually...

This meets all your conditions.

Nice! I knew I could count
on your acquaintances!

Why does he even have
something like that?

Well, it's Judge's shop.

This is them.

Oh, wow. I've never seen twin
labyrinth blades before.

The secondary left blade
is a little short.

The grip's a bit short. Perfect for you.

Shall we get these?

Yes.

By the way, can you afford these?

No problem.

I'd like a holster for these, too.

I'm planning to gather
some equipment after this.

Why not have that made at the same time?

Come to think of it, I don't
have any materials left.

Then Gil will share his.

Sure.

What?

I get the Blade's leftovers?
Now that's a luxury.

What do you think?

Good. You look like an adventurer now.

Should you be saying that?

And I've always been an adventurer.

It's very cool, especially
the fluffy part.

Just this?

Too flashy.

Better than all black.

That was close.

Your appearance is already flashy.

You'd stand out if your
clothes didn't match.

Of course, leader. You get it.

With new equipment, I feel like going
somewhere with tough enemies now.

Then let's go to the guild and
find a suitable labyrinth.

Really? Oh, can I have a bite?

Gil doesn't say much, so I
make most of the decisions.

It's not because I'm the leader.

Then would you do something
with me if I asked?

Of course. We're a party.

Get used to it.

I still need some time.

Gil, are you ready to go?

Yeah.

Then let's go.

Do you know?

Know what?

If he's just an adventurer or
if this is some kind of joke.

Yeah.

Will he tell me someday?

If he needs to.

He's probably just forgotten to tell you.

I could see that.

Hey, check this out. Isn't this amazing?

Was he involved in designing that?

No.

It's good that it shows
off how stupid you are.

Let's take this outside!

Gil, which job would you like to take?

Do whatever you want.

What do you think, Eleven?

Any jobs the Blade would struggle with?

Don't you want to test your equipment?

Why not take on some elementals?

I'm not great against enemies
resistant to physical attacks.

And it'd be hell on my exposed skin.

Gil had no problem cutting them.

Don't use him as your standard.

If we're going to take on elementals...

I never said I'd do it!

Then how about this job?

Seriously? Harvesting water
elementals while they're alive?

You always choose weird jobs.

It'll be amazing if we can manage this.

How, though?

I brought a bottle.

Is it a special bottle?

It's an ordinary bottle.

Shall we go?

He can be dumb for someone so smart.

I know what you mean.

The elementals should be around here.

There's one.

That's not a water elemental.

They'll show up eventually.

You've got the advantage against them.

How do non-mages defeat these?

We use swords of the opposing element.

But anti-magic swords work just
fine, regardless of element.

To think you'd find something
like these at a normal shop!

That was a good purchase you made.

The Blade's got an
anti-magic weapon, too.

He'd probably be fine without one.

Well, what should we do now?

Give me the bottle.

It's not working.

So they turn back into mana when trapped.

Perhaps the core defines the element.

But if the core itself is formless,

it's hard to imagine there's a
way to turn the mana into water.

It probably functions like water magic,
but how is the mana structured?

Behind you, Blade.

Got it.

If the mana dissipates the
moment it's separated...

Beside you.

Could we store the core in here?

I doubt that.

Oh, but...

Try again with this.

Sure.

Oh, wow!

But how?

I created a fake core by imbuing
it with the water element.

Because it breaks apart without a core?

Yes, though I don't know why.

Won't it disappear once
we exit the labyrinth?

Then we'll have to accept that we failed.

You're okay with that?

If we're finished with the
job, let's go to the boss.

Wow!

If you dodged like that in your old
equipment, you would've been burnt.

I wouldn't have tried that before.

This actually protected
me from all damage.

Gil.

Blade!

You're awesome!

I wouldn't let you do
that without gloves.

Loser.

Yikes!

Thanks, leader.

You're welcome.

Okay, let's get the core.

This thing is hard.

The core is an ordinary core, yes?

Only the surface is hard.

Does it have a defensive shell?

I can't cut it!

Okay.

It's getting back up. Hurry.

I'm trying.

This is so ineffective,
I can't tell if it's working.

Can't you help, Blade?

I'm sure you can handle
it yourself. Probably.

What do you mean, "Probably"?!

Did it work?

Oh, right. These things
have death throes.

What? Tell me sooner!

Unbelievable. How could you forget?

I can't remember every little thing.

How are you unscathed?

I'm not.

It's still a little smokey.

Ow.

Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot
I was holding this.

Why would you do that?

I happened to see it while
you were protecting me.

I didn't want it to burn.

I love this beautiful red color.

Thank you for protecting me.

You're welcome.

Wasn't that a boss? What were the spoils?

It's supposed to be a
max-level magic stone.

The blast blew it away.

Last time I left without it because
I couldn't be bothered to find it.

What a waste!

Well, the job's done.

I should go.

Thank you for your work.

I could fight with my old equipment.

Win, torment,

and k*ll.

But not protect.

I'll protect him next time, too.

What should I ask for in exchange?

Next time: "A Country Without Lizel."