往路でもそうだったのだが、復路も各地で砂漠の変化を見て取れた。
まずはバスカ荒野だが、プレイヤーの増加に伴って盗賊の数が大きく減少。
移動中に会ったのは残党に近い連中で......
「ま、待ちやがれぇー! ぜぇぜぇ、は、はええっ......! 何だあの馬鹿でかい馬ぁ!?」
「徒歩じゃ無理ですぜ、お頭ぁー!」
どうやっても追いつかれそうも無いのでスルー。
野卑で野蛮でおまけに臭いので、彼女達と長時間向き合わせたくない存在でもある。
「あ、あの! 放っておいていいんですか、ハインド先輩!?」
「あー、いいのいいの! それよりも先に進もう!」
三人乗りで一番後ろになっているサイネリアちゃんが振り返って叫ぶが、俺は気にしないように返した。
盗賊を街の治安維持組織に引き渡すと報酬を受け取れるが、何分手間が掛かる。
「なるべく道中は急いで、各地の要所だけを抑えていこう! 今夜中に着きたいって話だったよね!?」
「はい! 早目にホームを作ってから活動した方が、何をするにも経験値に無駄がないよってシーちゃんが! ね、シーちゃん! ......ってあれ、寝てるっ!?」
リコリスちゃんが驚愕した。
彼女達二人を王都へと急かした当の本人はこうして睡眠中である。
それにしても、これだけ周りが大声で話しているのに起きないのはさすがというかなんというか。
「ハインド、そろそろバスカの街だ!」
「やっぱ盗賊を相手にしなければ直ぐに着くな! 経由するぞ!」
馬の休憩、それと街の主要施設の場所くらいは三人に把握してもらった方が良いだろう。
「ひいっ! 今こっちを見て笑いましたよ、このラクダ!」
「想像よりも大きくて怖いですね......」
「何だかこの顔にシンパシーを感じます。仲良くなれそう」
キャメルマーケットでの三者三様の反応。
三人にはラクダを買ってもらって歩調を合わせてもいいと言ったのだが。
「「「お金が足りません」」」
という簡潔な理由でこの案は不採用。
このままグラドタークに相乗りで進むということになった。
「り、リコ! あんまり揺らさないで......!」
「先輩、歩くの疲れたんでおんぶして下さい。抱っこでもいいです」
「ハインド......甘やかしが過ぎるようなら、二人とも橋から落とすぞ?」
「や、やらないやらない! シエスタちゃん、まだ疲れるほど歩いてないでしょ! ほら、しっかり!」
それを過ぎると、今度は熱風が吹き荒ぶ砂漠へと入っていく。
三人にも外套をまとわせ、グラドタークに乗り直しての移動となる。
「暑いぃぃー、暑いですぅー......バテちゃうー......ゲームなのにー......」
「一人であんなにはしゃぐから......」
三人中二人が暑さにやられ、ぐったりとしている。
といっても現実ほどの不快感があるわけではないので、直に慣れることだろう。
砂漠のモンスターに慣れてもらうために数戦だけ行い、残りは馬の速度に任せてどんどん振り切っていく。
その数戦を見た限りでは前よりも三人の連携が洗練されていたので、俺達の助けはそれほど必要なさそうだった。
こうして王都までで一番広いフィールドであるヤービルガ砂漠を横断し、オアシスの街マイヤに到着。
「あー、生き返るぅー! え、この水、有料なんですか!?」
「リコ......。あ、すみません、今この子の飲んだ分も払いますから......。はい、これで」
「ゴクゴクゴク......ぷへー」
「あ、ちょっとシーまで! 先にお金を払いなさいってば!」
馬用のバケツにオアシスから水を汲みつつ、そんな三人の様子を見たユーミルが俺の方に近付いてくる。
俺達は慣れているので、既に使用料を支払い済みだ。
「遠足の引率をしている気分だ」
「まぁ、いいじゃねえの。偶には世話をする側に回るのも」
「うむ。普段の私は、お前に一方的に世話をされているだけだからな!」
「そこで胸を張ってドヤ顔をする意味は、俺には微塵も理解できんが」
オアシスで休息した後は、残りの道程は三割といったところ。
ルキヤ砂漠でフィールドボス『ヴェノムスコーピオン』を倒せば王都ワーハは目の前だ。
グラドタークで一気に駆け抜け、遂に王都が目視できる位置に。
直後、大きなサソリが砂中から勢いよく飛び出してきた。
俺とユーミルは三人を前に立たせ、やや後方で待機。
「じゃあ、後はお前達のお手並み拝見だ! こいつに関して私達は、基本的に手を出さんからな!」
「パーティ状態は維持しておくから、危なくなったら助けに入るよ。頑張れ」
「はい、頑張ります!」
「お任せ下さい」
「ういー。ほどほどにやりまーす」
フィールドボスには経験値もドロップアイテムも存在しない。
よって、戦闘をしないメンバーがパーティに入っていても特に不都合は起きない。
このフィールドボスは俺達の時は五人で倒したが、リコリスちゃん達の方が当時の俺達よりもレベルが上だ。
先程の戦闘を見た感じでも、それなりに余裕を持って倒せるはず。
鋏を打ち鳴らして大サソリが三人へと迫る。
「みんな、行くよ!」
騎士のリコリスちゃんが大盾を取り出して鋏をガード。
続けてサイネリアちゃんの放った矢が次々とサソリに向かって飛んでいく。
硬い甲殻に矢が阻まれているのを見て、シエスタちゃんが『ライトエンチャント』を使用。
このスキルは全タイプの神官が習得可能な共通スキルなので、バランス型のシエスタちゃんでも使うことが出来る。
サイネリアちゃんの矢が光魔法の力を帯び、『ヴェノムスコーピオン』の体に矢が刺さり始める。
そのままリコリスちゃんがサソリを一人で止め続け、後衛の二人が堅実にダメージを与えていく。
三人の中で指示を出しているのは、主に弓術士のサイネリアちゃんだ。
「リコ、敵が力を溜めているみたい! 何か大技が来るかも! シー、リコを回復させる準備しておいて!」
「分かった、サイちゃん!」
「もうやってるよー。リコー、どう見ても毒持ちっぽい尻尾が怪しいから気を付けてねー」
「え? ――わぁっ!」
ヘイトを集めるスキル『挑発』を連発していたリコリスちゃんにサソリの尾が迫る。
シエスタちゃんの戦闘中とは思えない、のんびりした警告が間に合ったのか間一髪シールドで防ぎきる。
そのままカウンター、右手に持った短めの剣でサソリに一発。
「サイちゃん、シーちゃん、決めてね!」
続けざまに防御型騎士のスキル『シールドバッシュ』を使用して、構えた大型の盾で強打。
それにより『ヴェノムスコーピオン』が気絶モーションを取って、その場から動かなくなる。
「ナイス、リコ! シー!」
気絶時間を利用してシエスタちゃんの詠唱を少し待ち、同時に『アローレイン』と光属性攻撃魔法『ヘブンズレイ』が同時に放たれた。
見た目の通りに物理防御が高く魔法耐性が低い大サソリは、降り注ぐ大量の矢で動きを止められつつシエスタちゃんが放った光線が全て直撃。
光に焼かれてその場から消えていった。
「お見事! 素晴らしい連携じゃないか! なあ、ハインド!」
「本当に。PvP大会が三人出場だったら、もっと良い成績を残せたんじゃないかな?」
俺達の賛辞に、リコリスちゃんとサイネリアちゃんは照れたような仕草を見せた。
シエスタちゃんだけは余り表情を変えず、もっと褒めろとばかりに俺にグイグイ寄って来るのはさすがと言わざるを得ない。
こうして三人を連れた俺とユーミルは、一晩で無事に王都ワーハまで戻ることに成功した。
We did it on the way to the border too, but we looked at the changes in the places we passed through on our way back.
First off was the wastelands of Baska, with the increase in the number of players, the amount of bandits had greatly decreased.
Who we met on our way was something akin to the remnants of the bandits...
[S-Stop right there! S-So fast...! What's with these stupidly big horses!?] (bandit)
[It's impossible for us on foot, boss!] (bandit)
They are unable to catch up to us no matter how much they try so we ignored them.
They are savage, vulgar and on top of that they smell, they are beings the girls would prefer not to meet for a long time.
[I-Is it OK for us to ignore them, Hind-senpai!?] (Cineraria)
[Ah, it's fine, it's fine! More importantly, let's move on!] (Hind)
Cineraria-chan, who was the one riding furthest in the back, asked me and I just replied that she should just ignore them.
It's possible to hand over the bandits to public security and get a reward for it, but that would take time.
[We'll hurry up as much as we can and only stop whenever it's absolutely needed! You wanted to arrive there by the end of the day right?] (Hind)
[Yes! Si-chan said to get our home as soon as possible and then start doing activities so that we don't waste any experience! Right, Si-chan!? ...Wait, she's sleeping!?] (Lycoris)
Lycoris-chan was shocked.
The person that told them that they should hurry up to the Royal Capital was sleeping after all.
Speaking of that, I wonder how it was possible for her to still be sleeping even when there's so many people speaking loudly around her.
[Hind, we are going to reach the town of Baska soon!] (Yuimir)
[As expected, we arrived in no time after ignoring the bandits! Let's go!] (Hind)
We should let the horses rest and at the very least, introduce the important locations to the three of them.
[T-This camel just looked over here and smiled!] (Lycoris)
[They are bigger than what I imagined, scary...] (Cineraria)
[I can feel some sort of sympathy for them when I look at their expressions. It seems like we'll get along.] (Siesta)
That was their reaction when we reached the camel market.
They said that it would be fine if they bought camels and we matched their pace but...
[[[We don't have enough gold.] ] ] (Three of them)
Because of this simple reason, the idea was rejected.
We decided to continue as we had done until now and travel on top of our Grado Turks.
[L-Lyco! Don't shake the bridge that much...!] (Cineraria)
[Senpai, I'm tired from walking so give me a piggyback ride. Carrying me on your arms would be fine too.] (Siesta)
[Hind...if you spoil her too much, I'll drop you both from the bridge you know?] (Yumir)
[I-I'm not going to do that! Siesta-chan, you haven't walked enough to feel tired right!? Come on, do it properly!] (Hind)
After passing through the bridge, we entered the desert where hot winds raged on fiercely.
The three of them put on their cloaks and we got on the Grado Turks and started moving.
[Hooot,so hooot....I can't stand it...even though it's a game...] (Lycoris)
[It's because you were frolicking all the time...] (Cineraria)
The three of them succumbed to the heat and were lethargic.
Though it's not like there's any real discomfort, so they'll get used to it soon enough.
We only got in a few fights so that they could get used to the monsters in the desert, other than that, we avoided them while riding the horses.
From what I could see from those fights, their teamwork has improved since last time, so it doesn't seem like they'll need much help from us.
Like this, we passed through the biggest field on our way to the Royal Capital, Yabilga Desert, and arrived at Oasis town Maija.
[Aah, I'm coming back to life! Eh, is this water free!?] (Lycoris)
[Lyco...Ah, I'm sorry, we'll pay for the amount she has just drank...here's the money.] (Cineraria)
[*gulp gulp*...puheh!] (Siesta)
[Ah, not you too, Si-chan! You should pay beforehand!] (Cineraria)
While filling the buckets for horse use with water, Yumir looked at those three and then came close to me.
We are used to this by now so we had already paid for the water.
[It feels as if we are guiding them on a excursion.] (Yumir)
[Well, isn't that fine? It's not bad for you to be the one taking care of others for a change.] (Hind)
[Umu. After all, I'm the one that is usually taken care of by you one sidedly!] (Yumir)
[I can't begin to comprehend how you would even feel smug and proud of that fact.] (Hind)
After resting in the oasis, there was only about a third of the distance left.
After beating the field boss of Lukia Desert{Venom Scorpion} , the Royal Capital Waaha would be right in front of us.
After running through the desert at full speed on the Grado Turks, finally, the royal capital was in sight.
Immediately following that, a big scorpion jumped out from the sand.
Yumir and I stood a bit of a distance behind the three of them.
[Alright, all that's left is for you to show us what you got! We won't be providing any help!] (Yumir)
[I'll keep track of the party's status so if it gets dangerous I'll intervene. Do your best.] (Hind)
[Yes, I'll do my best!] (Lycoris)
[Leave it to us.] (Cineraria)
[Sure. I'll just do what I can.] (Siesta)
The field boss doesn't give any experience or have any drop items.
With that being the case, having members that won't participate in the party won't prove to be inconvenient.
We defeated this field boss as a party of five at the time, but Lycoris-chan and the rest are at a higher level than we were back then.
Judging from how they fought before, they should be able to beat this boss with ease.
The huge scorpion approached the three of them while making sounds with its shears.
[Let's go, everyone!] (Lycoris)
The knight Lycoris-chan took out her shield and guarded against the shears.
Right after, Lycoris-chan shot arrows in quick succession and they flew towards the scorpion.
Seeing that the arrows were deflected due to the hard carapace, Siesta-chan used {Light Enchant} .
This is a skill that's common in all the different skill trees of Shinto Priest, so it's possible for Siesta-chan, who is a balance type, to use it.
Having her arrows embed with light magic, Cineraria-chan's arrows pierced the body of the {Venom Scorpion} .
Like this, Lycoris-chan stopped the scorpion's movements by herself while the other two were steadily dealing damage from the back.
The one that was giving the orders among them was mainly the archer, Cineraria-chan.
[Lyco, the enemy seems to be gathering power! A powerful skill might be coming! Si, prepare to heal Lyco!] (Cineraria)
[Got it, Sai-chan] (Lycoris)
[I'm already on it. Lyco, no matter how you look at it, that tail looks as if it'll have poison so make sure to be careful.] (Siesta)
[Eh?...Wah!?] (Lycoris)
The scorpion's tail approached Lycoris-chan, who had used {Provoke}  to gather aggro.
With a carefree manner that wouldn't make you think she was in the middle of a fight, Siesta-chan gave a warning to Lycoris and she was able to defend with her shield just in the nick of time.
After that she countered with the short sword on her right hand and slashed at the scorpion.
[Sai-chan,Si-chan, finish it off!] (Lycoris)
Following that, she used the tank type Knight's skill {Shield Bash} , and dealt a heavy blow with the big shield she had equipped.
Thanks to that, the {Venom Scorpion} entered a stunned state and was unable to move from its position.
[Nice one, Lyco! Si!] (Cineraria)
Having used the stun time to chant a spell for a bit, Siesta-chan released the light element offensive spell {Heaven's Ray} at the same time as {Arrow Rain} .
Just as its appearance suggested, the big scorpion had high physical defense but low magical resistance. The huge amount of arrows that rained down stopped it in its place and the beam that Siesta-chan released made a direct hit.
It was burnt by the light and disappeared in that spot.
[Well done! That's some impressive teamwork! Right, Hind!?] (Yumir)
[You are right. If the PvP tournament was a 3 man one, wouldn't they have had better results?] (Hind)
Due to our compliments, Lycoris-chan and Cineraria-chan looked as if they felt embarrassed.
Siesta-chan was the only one whose expression didn't change at all, I guess she wouldn't go as far as to approach me all happily and ask me to praise her more after all.
Like this, Yumir and I were able to successfully return to the Royal Capital Waaha along with those three in a single evening.
VRMMO no Shien Shokunin ～Top Player no Shikakenin～
ＶＲＭＭＯの支援職人　～トッププレイヤーの仕掛人～
https://www.novelupdates.com/series/vrmmo-no-shien-shokunin-%ef%bd%9etop-player-no-shikakenin%ef%bd%9e/
Action Adventure Comedy Fantasy Harem Slice of Life
Adventurers Beautiful Female Lead Blacksmith Brother Complex Calm Protagonist Childhood Friends Clan Building Cooking Crafting Curious Protagonist Dense Protagonist Elemental Magic Fantasy Creatures Game Ranking System Gamers Hard-Working Protagonist Healers Level System Love Interest Falls in Love First Love Rivals Male Protagonist Misunderstandings MMORPG Ninjas Possessive Characters Priests Siblings Siblings Not Related by Blood Sword And Magic Virtual Reality Younger Love Interests Younger Sisters
https://ncode.syosetu.com/n4014ds/
二階堂風都