Reducing the Numbers (1)
"It seems you're getting along well with the priests. That's a relief."
Sister Melody looked at me with a puzzled expression.
"Me?"
"Yes."
"There wasn't really anything noteworthy."
"You chatted with the priests and shared delicious food with them. I'd say that's more than enough."
"......"
She must have realized I was watching her with a contented smile. Perhaps that was why she offered no further reply and simply focused on her meal.
Some time had passed since we had completely severed ties with the prince. When I told Princess Reciel that the prince had finally given up on me, she pretended not to be pleased, yet she couldn't quite hide her delight. With her mind at ease, she seemed fully concentrated on preparing for the expedition. She had even arranged this gathering to introduce the new members who had joined.
Is the princess finally starting to care about teamwork?
During the first labyrinth expedition we had never gathered separately for introductions, but it appeared she intended to do so this time. I was curious to see how she had organized the team, and I also wondered how the comrades I had shared life-and-death struggles with in the labyrinth were faring during their rest period.
"You may or may not remember, but today is the day of your appointment with the princess. I'll need to step out—how would you like to handle it?"
"I'll accompany you."
Since Sister Melody had to enter the labyrinth anyway, this was convenient. It would also give me a chance to introduce her to the rest of the team.
After finishing our daily duties, we headed to the appointed location together.
"Has no one arrived yet?"
We had reached the restaurant a little earlier than the promised time. When we stepped inside, not a single person was there to greet us.
"The other guests haven't arrived yet, so please have a seat and wait."
"Ah, yes! It looks like we came a bit too early."
"It seems so."
At the owner's words we chose suitable seats and sat down.
"You've met Princess Reciel several times, so you already know her, correct?"
"Yes."
"For today's team members, would it be all right to introduce you as a holy knight? The princess already knows, but the others don't, so it should be fine."
"We usually avoid revealing our true identities during operations."
"I thought as much. Then introducing you as a holy knight will do nicely."
The position of heretic inquisitor was not something one could proudly announce to the world. With so many people involved, there were naturally parts one hesitated to reveal outright.
Who knew? The information might end up completely in Prince Loras's hands. Of course, since Princess Reciel had chosen the team members with great care, the information probably wouldn't leak easily.
Still, caution is best.
If I honestly revealed that she was a heretic inquisitor, the others might form preconceptions. And if any team member treated her with bias, it would leave a bad taste in my mouth as well.
"Here they come."
The party arrived right on the edge of the appointed time. But there were far fewer people than I had expected.
"You're early."
Princess Reciel acknowledged me with a glance.
"We arrived only a short while ago."
"Good. Everyone, take your seats. Let's begin."
"Aren't there still many people missing?"
"This is the full team."
Huh?
"We're entering the labyrinth with only the people here?"
What had happened to all the original comrades? Were we really going in with this small a number? Of course, there was no strict standard for how large a labyrinth expedition force should be.
Some teams go in with only five people.
Even so, the difference in scale between the first and second expeditions was so drastic that I couldn't help feeling bewildered. Last time we had nearly fifty members; now we were down to less than half that.
"Yes. We had to choose between expanding the numbers or reducing them. If one option had to be chosen, I decided that shrinking the team was better. That's how it ended up this way."
"Reducing the numbers has advantages, but it carries disadvantages as well."
The primary advantage was safety, naturally.
"I know that. However, the more we increase our numbers, the more our safety actually declines."
Because that would raise the chance of Prince Loras planting spies among us.
I found myself nodding at the princess's explanation.
"So we couldn't choose to enlarge the scale. Besides, irritating as it is, the prince is not the sort to sit quietly while we greatly expand our expedition. He would certainly have maneuvered to pull them into his own team."
If he rallied the surrounding nobles by asking why two members of the imperial family needed separate expedition forces, the situation would turn unfavorable for Princess Reciel. But if we operated a small-scale team, the prince would likely deem it better to ignore us. Just as the princess despised the prince, he would have no desire to keep a princess who loathed him inside his own expedition.
Moreover, if the two of them ended up on the same team they would have to share the credit, which he would hate.
From the beginning this had been a choice with a predetermined answer: compromise with reality.
"So we ended up making a drastic change to the team composition. There was no other solution."
"You've worked hard."
Making this decision must have required considerable thought. Moreover, looking at the current lineup, it was obvious she had agonized over it. She seemed to have excluded all personal feelings.
Among the childhood friends she used to associate with frequently, several faces were missing. In their place stood commoners who were known for genuine skill.
These people are absolutely necessary. Every one of them is a familiar face.
Real skill couldn't help but stand out. Those without ability naturally came to depend on those who possessed it. In that respect, it was clear Princess Reciel had chosen the personnel solely for the sake of the objective, casting aside all personal emotion.
So she hadn't simply been sitting idle.
Honestly, I had assumed she left team management entirely to the leader and paid it no mind. The fact that she had assembled the roster this way meant she had been quietly observing the members closely during the first expedition.
"Although our numbers have shrunk, I do not believe we have grown weaker."
Even though I had only confirmed the faces of those attending the dinner, I already had a good feeling about the second labyrinth expedition. She had swept away every unnecessary person and carefully selected only those who were truly needed, so the princess's words were no empty boast.
"The next expedition will last a full three weeks."
Since not many people had been caught by the traps yet, the labyrinth would continue spitting people out whenever the terrain changed. We therefore planned to take full advantage of that and explore as deep into the labyrinth as possible over the three weeks.
"The focus of this three-week expedition will be on learning to work together. We still know far more about what we don't know about one another than what we do. We lack the tight bond of comradeship required to fight with our backs to each other. Time will eventually solve this, but I want to hasten that process. It will be good for our team's future."
As mentioned earlier, the team was a mixture of commoners and nobles. No matter how capable the commoners were, nobles might still be reluctant to associate with them. Commoners, for their part, disliked arrogant nobles just as much.
That was why I couldn't help being surprised by Princess Reciel's words.
To think she had been reading the subtle currents between them. I must have been looking down on her too much.
I felt I needed to reflect on that sincerely. She hadn't shown it outwardly, but many around her must have regarded her with suspicion. Even I, if I placed my hand on my heart, could not claim to have been entirely free of doubt. Still, I did have an excuse: Princess Canaby had asked me to look after her. Moreover, I had witnessed her throwing a fit at Prince Loras. I had been anxious on her behalf, yet she had been growing rapidly all on her own—so much so that my worry had been unnecessary.
At this level, she certainly qualifies to lead a small-scale expedition.
Even adults can learn from children, and once you recognize that a child has grown and improved, you should acknowledge it coolly.
"I already visited each of you individually to obtain your consent, so I doubt anyone will say anything different now. Nevertheless, let me state it clearly once more. I will not tolerate any action that threatens the harmony of this team!"
Princess Reciel swept her gaze across her childhood friends.
"Being a noble does not give you permission to look down on your comrades. The moment you step inside the labyrinth, you must regard one another as equals regardless of status. The same applies to the commoners. No one here should refuse an offered hand. Do you all agree?"
She had said she visited everyone individually for consent, yet this was the first I had heard of it. As I looked at the princess with a questioning gaze, our eyes happened to meet.
"You required no visit. Words were unnecessary. Who would presume to lecture whom?"
I nodded naturally at her words. It was true that my agreement wasn't needed here. After all, I had never discriminated against anyone because of their status.
"I will not demand that you respect him as much as the priest. That would be impossible from the start. But I hope you will at least show the effort to emulate him."
"Of course, Your Highness."
"Gladly."
The nobles gave splendid replies in agreement, while the commoners, who would be grateful as long as the nobles refrained from acting arrogantly, answered with enthusiastic nods.
"Enough of the heavy talk. Now it is time to enjoy this gathering. Bring out the food!"
At the princess's command the waiting staff streamed in carrying dishes.
"Ooh!"
"Whoa! It's liquor!"
The princess smiled contentedly at those who cheered.
"Eat, drink, talk, and enjoy yourselves! I permit anything except fighting one another."
"Thank you!!"
"Let's drink!!"
"Yeah~!"