第８８８堀：いざ出発！の前の検査 (Part1)
**Chapter 888: Pre-Departure Inspection**
**Side: Kaya**
“...Alright, everyone, we’re heading out.”
“See you later!”
“We’re off.”
As we spoke, everyone saw us off with smiles.
“Well, I don’t expect you to run into any hostility, but if things look bad, just hurry back,” Seraria said.
“Indeed. Even if you’re using your Doppelganger forms, we don’t know how much damage your real mind or body would take if you were severely injured or killed. Especially you, Riel—make sure you listen to what the others say, okay?” Eris added.
“In short, don’t push yourselves. Oh, and we’ve packed plenty of snacks, but try not to overeat,” Ratz chimed in.
They were right. Even if this was our usual way of operating via Doppelgangers, injuries still caused pain, and we had no idea what would happen if we actually "died" in that state. We couldn't afford to be complacent just because we were using substitutes.
“...Naturally. Our priority is Yuki’s safety and our own lives.”
“It’s fine, Eris. I’ve been growing, too, you know.”
“Haha, Ratz, this isn’t a picnic, you know.”
While we were having that exchange, Mauve and the others were receiving their own send-offs.
“Take care, Uncle Mauve and the rest of you!”
“If you find anything interesting, please bring back souvenirs.”
“That’s right. I think I’d like some dragon meat.”
“Labyris. If you say that, you’ll end up fighting the Dragonkin.”
“Setting aside Aslin and the others’ requests, Labyris, yours is the only one that’s impossible.”
“Well, let’s pray it doesn’t come to that.”
“Still, a Dragonkin village... I wish there was at least some commercial spirit to sell souvenirs.”
Aslin and Firia were as innocent as ever. Labyris was being her usual devious self, and Shera was there to keep her in check. But as Curse pointed out, whether there would actually be anything to buy was questionable. Since there was no human traffic, it was unlikely they had a gift shop. Well, if that was the case, we’d just bring back some ores or plants we found in the mountains.
“Zargis. Make sure you come back alive. And bring back the research results properly.”
“Actually, even if you die, just make sure the results make it back! Especially the ore! We might be able to forge incredible weapons from it.”
“Ah... look, Zargis. I don’t want to lose a good friend like you. Please return safely.”
“Only you, Taizo, understand my feelings. Oh, since you’re at it, could you please clean my lab while I’m away...”
“Well, I have work piling up, so if you’ll excuse me.”
“What!? Surely I deserve at least that much of a reward!?”
Zargis was his usual self, too. I questioned whether it was really okay to have someone like him along as a researcher, but since Yuki said it was fine, I didn’t have much to say.
Finally...
“No changes to the plan. We’ll connect a gate to the town near Dragon Mountain and secure a base camp. From there, we’ll begin our visit—or rather, our exploration—of the mountain. Zargis will conduct the survey first, so don’t go running off on your own.”
“I know, I know.”
“Leave it to me, Yuki-san.”
With Yuki’s brief pre-departure instructions, we were set to head out on our first real adventure in a long time.
That said...
“This is the gate to Gartz. Everyone, please line up in order.”
Our first step was to move to the existing gate near Dragon Mountain. Since the mountain sat between Gartz and Roschur, and Gartz was closer, we decided to go there first.
“Whoa, it’s crowded as expected. Hey, why don’t we just use the usual work gate?”
“No, Riel. We’re going incognito this time.”
“...Right. If we publicly announce that we’re on an official mission and then fail at Dragon Mountain, the criticism will be focused entirely on us.”
“Isn’t that obvious?”
“That’s the problem, Riel. Since we’re right before the intercontinental exchange, people will start wondering if we’re actually okay.”
“Oh, I see. So we’re going strictly for personal reasons, then?”
As Tori said, on the surface, this was just a private matter. We were just acting as individual adventurers taking on a job for the first time in a while. If we moved publicly as Weed, it wouldn't just be about the failure; our mere presence could cause a massive stir. There was even the possibility that certain factions would start complaining that Weed had no business getting close to Dragon Mountain.
“Well, just think of it as an adventure after a long break.”
“Yeah. A search of an unexplored region by a composite party. The client just happens to be Zargis.”
“On the surface, at least.”
That’s right—Milly and the Grand Master had pulled some strings to make this look like a personal request from Zargis.
“In that case, could you show some sympathy for your client and carry some of this luggage? Even if it’s a dummy load, having extra baggage is a pain.”
“It’s not even that heavy. We’re carrying full expedition gear ourselves.”
“...We’re carrying things we don’t want to carry, too. Just endure it.”
“...Yes.”
Zargis started whining, but we all shut him down. I’ll admit, the way he’s been treated lately is a bit pitiful, but we couldn't afford to spoil him.
As we were talking, it was finally our turn.
“Next, please step forward... wait, what are you all doing?”
We thought we could just pass through, but we were stopped by the gate staff—an Orc.
“Oh? Didn’t you hear? It’s adventurer work, just work.”
“Yes. We have a request we need to head out for.”
“...I see. I’ll need to confirm this with my superiors. For now, here are your exit permits.”
We handed over our passports. We used these for all general exit and entry management at the gates; Yuki and Eris had decided it was the easiest system to manage.
“Understood. Please step to the side and wait. Hey, check with the Immigration Bureau. This involves the departure of VIPs. Next customer, step forward!”
The Orc gave instructions and immediately moved on to the next customer. He seemed like a very capable worker. As we watched him work...
“Ah! It’s Riel-sama! And Tori-sama too! Are you going out?”
“Yep, that’s right. Are you going somewhere too?”
“Yeah! I’m going sightseeing in Gartz today!”
“That sounds fun. But make sure you listen to your mom, okay?”
Riel and Tori smiled as they greeted a child who seemed to be a resident of Weed. I caught the eye of the mother standing next to them and gave a slight nod.
“Yeah! I’ll listen to what Mom and Dad say!”
“That’s good. You’re a smart kid.”