The Gathering of White Swords.
It was the most famous and most prestigious meeting among the hunters of Zebludia.
An emperor-hosted affair to which only a handful of hunters recognized for their contributions to Zebludia were permitted to attend—an event steeped in tradition.
I'd never attended one myself, so I didn't know much about it, but apparently a great number of imperial dignitaries showed up in addition to the emperor, and being allowed to attend the Gathering as a hunter was tantamount to a guarantee of success within the empire.
The rumor was that it all started when the emperor summoned Ark's ancestor after the ancestor had fought a death battle and conquered the Treasure Hall that once existed at the site of the imperial capital. The "White Swords" in the name of the Gathering supposedly came from the Treasure Weapon—the holy sword—passed down through House Rodan.
The invitation to the Gathering was a straightforward ticket to glory, but I was in absolutely no mood for it. I wanted to retire as soon as humanly possible.
Just the fact that the emperor would be in attendance was enough to make me not want to go, and the idea that numerous high-level hunters who made this imperial capital their home turf would also be there left me with no reason whatsoever to attend.
Compared to those battle-hardened veterans, I was nothing more than a pill bug.
On top of that, I didn't know a thing about etiquette and protocol, so whenever I attended events like this, I always ended up doing something rude without realizing it.
The starting time was already just around the corner.
I didn't have the luxury of savoring the lingering afterglow of my vacation, so I spent an entire day racking my brains for a countermeasure, but my empty head couldn't come up with a single thing.
Besides, three days from now was way too soon. Ah, right—one day had passed, so it was two days from now.
I absolutely did not want to go. I was starting to get a stomachache.
"I don't want to go… I'm getting a stomachache…"
As I moped around the Clan Master's office whining, Eva let out a deep sigh and said with firm conviction: "No."
Straight to the point. We'd even worked a vacation into the mix to escape, and now it was postponed… Wasn't that cheating? No—it was definitely cheating.
Apparently, the blame fell entirely on the Abyssal Flame Annihilator. The confrontation between the Magic Staff and the Tower of Akasha had turned the capital into a beehive, so they'd had no choice but to postpone.
For an event that had never once been postponed since its inception, this really showed just how terrifying a Level 8 was.
I wanted to complain, but of course I didn't dare open my mouth. One wrong word and I could be burned to ashes. In the hunter world, those without power had no right to speak.
Going back on vacation wasn't an option either. Having already fled once so blatantly, they were surely already exasperated with me, and if I tried to run again, Eva would probably end up fleeing from me instead.
But I really, really didn't want to go. I snapped my fingers.
"That's it—I'll have Ark go instead."
"As… as you know, Ark is referred to as Ark."
That was true. Ark was called Ark.
He was a descendant of the Rodan bloodline, and a regular at the Gatherings. How many years ago had he said he'd been attending…
"…I don't have anything to wear."
"The dress code for Treasure Hunters doesn't appear to be strictly specified… but I did have something prepared. Custom-made."
In response to my flippant remark, Eva brought out a garment hanging on a hanger. It was a tuxedo that looked impeccably tailored.
A tuxedo… I was supposed to go in a tuxedo? ……Absolutely not.
"…I don't remember being measured for a size."
"Citry had it. For that matter, some hunters apparently show up in full heavy armor… but you don't usually wear any armor, Kly-san."
That would make me stick out just as much, wouldn't it?
Let me think about this calmly. First, I didn't want to attend. Absolutely not. Under no circumstances.
I issued a warning to Eva, who was staring intently at me.
"I mean, I don't really care, but… if I bring any of our Party members, there will absolutely be trouble."
"Huh? The invitation is for you alone, as the Party's representative…"
"They're insane."
No way. There was absolutely no way I was going to that death trap alone.
I mean, that hag from the Abyssal Flame Annihilator would be there, wouldn't she? That alone was a dealbreaker. I'd send Anthem instead.
While I was anxiously trying to come up with an escape route, Eva glinted her glasses and offered additional information.
"One companion is permitted."
"Great—I'll bring Ark."
"That won't work."
"I'll bring Anthem then."
"He… wouldn't be allowed into the venue."
Eva's tone was dead serious, and for some reason I felt like I was being scolded.
It wasn't that I thought it was impossible, but bringing Anthem to an event like this could indeed be problematic. He was a towering, intimidating man, and he might unnecessarily provoke the nobles or the other muscle-headed hunters.
If running away wasn't an option, I would grovel with all my heart. I'd stay in the corner, keep my head down, and make sure nobody noticed me. When it came to biding my time and letting things blow over, there was no one who could outdo me.
I'd even be willing to prostrate myself on the ground if necessary. In that case, my companion would have to be someone who wouldn't balk at me prostrating myself.
That narrowed the field considerably… In the end, there was only one option: have Ark send his regrets, and bring along someone as my companion.
"Ark-san apparently always picks one Party member to bring with him. Apparently there are fierce battles to be chosen."
"…That sounds like it'd breed some serious killing intent."
Strong, handsome, and on top of it all, bringing any Party member without causing problems—what a model student. I guess the haves truly were different from the have-nots.
That was when, from overthinking too hard, I let out a massive yawn and narrowed my eyes.
Thinking was starting to feel like too much effort… The Gathering was practically upon me, and I was starting to think I might as well just drag along whoever happened to be free.
I had no desire to make an impression, no ambition to speak of. If I just read the room and spent the whole thing quietly like the country bumpkin I was, the Gathering would be over before I knew it.
That's right—I had the "Dancing Light and Shadow." I could just use that to change my face. Quite a number of nobles were apparently attending, so I could blend right in. And in a tuxedo, there'd be no risk of being exposed by my outfit.
Today, I was… on top of my game.
Grinning to myself at this brilliant idea, I was startled when the door suddenly burst open with great force.
It was Riz. She'd just returned from a long journey, and she was every bit as energetic as always—a welcome sight—but I couldn't help my eyes going wide at her appearance. Eva had frozen solid too.
Riz was wearing a crimson red dress, unlike her usual attire. It was a dress with a deep slit at the thigh. The high-collared design clung tightly to her body, accentuating her slender figure. Sun-tanned skin peeked through the slit, giving her an indescribable allure.
However, the one thing that ruined the atmosphere was the "Origin of the Heavens," which as always covered her legs.
She spun around on the spot with a triumphant air, then said, looking slightly bashful: "Hey, Kly-chan—does it look good?"
"It looks great, but… what's with the getup?"
"Hehehe… The Gathering of White Swords—you can bring one person, right? I got this ready because I didn't want to cause you any trouble with my outfit…"
…No. No no no no no—absolutely not, you. The outfit looked great on her, but this was the worst possible pattern.
And it was ridiculously flashy. Even without anyone picking a fight, she'd go looking for one. She'd pick a fight with the emperor himself.
But… she was ready. She was fully prepared. It wasn't like she was going there just to have fun.
With her cheerful attitude making it seem as though being invited was a foregone conclusion, I couldn't bring myself to say a word.
Yeah, if it weren't such an important event, I'd happily bring her along…
Even Eva was visibly put off by the exuberant Riz. No matter how lax the dress code was, a crimson red dress crossed the line.
It's fine—don't make that face… I already know. I'm not taking you.
Just then, Citry walked in through the door Riz had left wide open.
Citry was wearing a black long dress. Her shoulders and chest were largely bared, showing off her white skin—she'd just come back from the hot springs, but I was so used to seeing her in robes that this was refreshing. She'd even put in a not-subtly-flashy hair ornament in hair that she usually left completely bare, and I found myself staring.
When Citry caught sight of the first visitor, she scowled, but upon confirming the other woman's modest figure, she smiled just at the corners of her mouth.
She turned back to me and put on her most radiant smile.
"How is it, Kly-san? I had this made especially for the Gathering of White Swords! I don't think this outfit will cause you any trouble!"
"…Huh? Ci—what exactly do you mean by that?"
"Of course, my combat readiness is impeccable too. Look… I can't exactly hide my arms, but—"
Blushing, she boldly lifted the hem of her skirt to show me. Pale, almost vein-showing thighs—wrapped in a leather belt set with numerous small potion bottles.
Riz, who'd been given a not-so-subtle provocation, immediately went for the jugular.
"Like Citry could handle a sudden combat situation! Step aside—I'm the one who's going with her!"
"Sis, you don't know any etiquette, do you?"
"Huh? I don't need etiquette!"
No, I think you probably do…
If I had to pick one… it'd probably be Citry. Her dress wasn't overly flashy, and it looked great on her. I was still a bit worried about her close-quarters combat ability, but if it were her, she could cover for me if I messed up.
"Oh, um… Mastaa… if you'd like, I—never mind."
Tino, who'd been peeking her head in, took one look at her two sisters glaring at each other and scurried away before she could even enter the room. She'd probably heard the same information about my attending the Gathering.
The thing is… I'm not going.
"Hey, Kly! Is it true you're going to fight some strong guys?! Take me with you!"
Luke came dashing in with eyes shining, but he had the wrong idea entirely—and bringing along a Luke who wanted to slash everything in sight was just as impossible as bringing Riz.
If I were to bring anyone, it'd be Citry or Lucia… with Elisa as the dark horse, but bringing Citry would sour Riz's mood, and Lucia was in her rebellious phase.
And Elisa was probably MIA anyway. Elisa went missing at the drop of a hat. I still remembered how she'd been half-dead in the desert when I first met her.
After all, her epithet was… "Roaming" Elisa.
"Kly-chan, you'll pick me, right? I'll be a good girl—I promise!"
"Hehehe, Kly-san—tell my sister off! Tell her she's not appropriate for an event like this!"
Riz and Citry, both brimming with confidence, closed in on me. Eva was watching me with a tense expression.
I rubbed my eyes, let out a huge yawn, and spoke.
Ark would be at the venue no matter what. If something happened, he'd handle it.
"Eva—sorry, but… get things ready. I'm bringing someone along."
"……Excuse me?"
Eva's eyes went wide, and she stared back at me in utter disbelief.