It has passed one week since Tina became a bard. Tina has taken training at the training ground, Shota and Ebaist has stayed in the town of Llylgamyn. They have gathered at the Gilgamesh Tavern, and bagan to make managements from now.
"I think that we should gain at least one fighter," told Ebaist his view firstly.
"But you seem to be able to stand in fighters, don't you?"
Shota gave a question to Ebaist, because every priest-spell-caster in Ethelnaat, where Llylgamyn exists, is endowed with physical strength independently of race or sex. In addition, Ebaist has learned a certain level of skills of fighting with rod, so he could fight in advanced position.
"Perhaps, I can do it. But, I have learned those skills to protect myself. Furthermore, I have made journeys so long, and it made me gain so much vitality. I would like to dedicate myself to my own job, so we need another expert at fighting such as Max," said Ebaist.
Indeed, Ebaist is the only expert in this party. Tina does two jobs at the same time. Even though Shota is a samurai, when he does something but fighting, it will emerge a weakpoint. In this point, Ebaist's view is correct.
"But, how do we find the company? We are so-called penniless people, I'm afraid that we can't get good companies," said Tina. Shota thought not only the same thing, but another thing that she said so clearly.
"Excuse me?" A woman spoke to two men on a sudden. She is so glamorous that are incongruous for tavern where rowdy person gathers.
"Who are you, sir?" Ebaist Asked her.
"I'm Marcia, the master of the Gilgamesh Tavern. Gilgamesh, incidentially, is my dear."
The name of Gilgamesh Tavern is derived from the famous Gilgamesh, who was the king of adventure, and he stopped and completed the great "job" here. But the fact that accurate master differs from him is not, is not known to forigners very much.
"Sorry but, have we done wrong things?" Shota said.
"No. But I think this tavern get together experienced fellows so that it is hard for novices like you to stay here," said Marcia. Tina was obviously disturbed to hear about it.
"So, Do you mean that there are some difficuty in finding companies?" Tina Asked Marcia.
"Yes. But, don't warry about that," said Marcia. And Ebaist asked, "What does it mean, sir?"
"Lulun, who was one of waiting staffs of this tavern, has left and set up new one. There gather many novices, so it's easy to speak to them. Furthermore, they teach various things useful for exploring. I think it will give you reliefs," said Marcia.
"Then, shall we go the Lulun's Tavern? I'm afraid of staying here, because we have encountered something happened the other day," Tina said so. Fortunately, that lizardman who has hit Tina doesn't seem to be here.
"We prefer experienced persons rather than norvices, but I think that they would not come with us," told Ebaist his view.
"Yes, you are right. Now, Let's to the Lulun's Tavern!" Shota said so, and they left the Gilgamesh Tavern to seek adventurers at the Lulun's.
"They have the same thing as my dear..." Marcia said to herself with sending them off.
The three novices have reached the Lulun's Tavern without any trouble. The air of there seemed to give them some relief, as Marcia told. But, they have been so surprised inside. A man found and spoke to them.
"Hi! You've decided to find someone here, haven't you?"
"Ah, yes... what!? Why are you here?" Shota said.
"Sorry. Please forgive me what I do." It was Max, who is also come to the Lulun's Tavern to take a break. And he asked, "Are you also refused to stay there because of being novice?"
"Not exactly. The master of The Gilgamesh Tavern recommended us to come here," answered Ebaist.
"So that, you are still seeking companies, aren't you?" said Max
"Does it mean you've already finished?" TIna asked Max.
"No, I have just made my choices. And I have also been to the agent, but..." Max obvously wants to say something.
"'But'? what do you want to say?" asked Shota.
"Listen to me..." Max said so and began to tell the intercation between them.
Tammo: I see. You want to go to The Center Stage, don't you?
Max: Ah... yes. (What is the center stage?)
Tammo: FINAL-ANSWER?
Max: What!? What are you saying?
Tammo: Do you do the Final-Answer, or the Drop-Out?
Max: F... Final-Answer...
Both of Ebaist and Tina were openmouthed at what Max told.
"What is that question...?" Tina wondered, but Shota remenbered what his master has watched, and said, "Ah, I have heard about it, but can't remember well."
"Put that aside. I'm gonna introduce you may choices briefly."
Max said so and took out 3 pieces of paper from his bosom. they were copies of candidate list, which had the following summary:
| Name | Class | Sex/Race | Lv. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ken'ichi | G-Ran | M-Elf | 5 |
| Judy | G-Lor | F-Human | 2 |
| Angela | N-Ran | F-Human | 10 |
| Flash | N-Fig | F-Human | 7 |
After showing the lists, Max said, "I've said already, I have only made my choice. If you want, I will introduce these ones. How about you?"
Shota has thought for a while, and said, "Hum, it sounds good idea, for we are still strangers here."
"Excuse me but, What would you say to coming with us, sir?"
Ebaist, who has some interest in Max, tried to ask him for joining them.
"No, thanks. To tell the truth, I have some reasons why I can't go with you," Max answered.
"I am so sorry for my rudeness. I am afraid that I have asked you for what I should not ask," said Ebaist.
"Don't mind, it's not problem." Max said so and left the Tavern.
"Well, in the case of our party," Tina already began to manage the party though she has become only a week ago; "Shota will fight in advanced position, and Ebaist and I will support the vanguards with spells. About spells, Shota and I can cast mage's spells and Ebaist can priest's. So, we need two vanguards and one rearguard. I hope the vanguards could cast archemist's or priest's spells, and the rearguard could archemist's or psionic's. It's enough on thief's skills because I have learned it. Is there someone suitable?"
"We need at least one pick for vanguard," Shota said, "and we could find the person who has some useful skills for us, if the things allows."
But, Ebaist told very importnat thing: "But I am afraid that the things seem to be the same as what we met at the Gilgamesh Tavern. How should we find the candidate?"
They might be able to find companies for this time, but they didn't have the trigger. But, Shota has made up his mind.
"Ah, excuse me but..." Shota began to speak to the man sitting by the nearest table, who had strange aura. The reason why Shota did so was because he believes that the simple is the best.
"Yes?" the man answered. He drank a cup of liquor and stood his sword againt the table with putting his hat on it. He didn't seem to have any company.
"I think you must be an adventurer. Will you join our party?" Shota asked him for joining into the party.
"Well... I wouldn't mind. But, why do you ask me?" The man said.
Shota began to think what he shuold say, but he wondered if he understood by telling his thought.
"Well, you look like the singer my master loves..." Shota said at random. But he felt that it's not wrong, though he couldn't understand the reason.
"Ha, ha, ha! You tell so interesting thing. I like that," said the man, then he emptied his glass and stood up.
He looked in the age of 20's and was tall but medium build. At first, Shota thought him as a fighter because he had a sword, but the sowrd was so narrow that we thought we did a mistake. The prime reason why Shota felt he was strange was his clothes. He looked a kind of aristcracy staying in private house by wearing them. It made him look smart, or, to give it a harder name, made him away from an adventurer in look.
"My name is Flash," he began to itroduce himself to them, "the swordman of La-Pas Le-Pas. I will help you as a fighter."
Shota and Tina got confused because they heard a strange word, but Ebaist seemed to be calm.
"La-Pas Lu-Pas? That may be..." said Ebaist, "Yes, I remember. I have seen the name in the book I have read once."
"What a coincidence! So, do you remember the name of Tycho?" Flash asked Ebaist.
"It is the name of the author. His full name is Brahe, Tycho. I hear he was an astronomer," said Ebaist.
"Uh, it's almost. If it is Tico Brahnni, it becomes bingo," said Flash so and smiled.
Ebaist and Flash has talked with something about the book, but Shota and Tina haven't because they could't understood what they do. So, they began to think how to get another company.
"We have suceeded in getting a fighter. I hope one more person," said Shota.
"I hope the person could cast archemist's or psionic's spells," said Tina.
"According to the list Max gave us," said Shota, "there are at least two persons who can cast archemist's spells. Our party now consists of two vanguards and two rearguards. I hope the fifth member have many skills. How should we find him or her?"
(To be contunued to the next chapter...)