This is a Beta Test?! - A Literally Broken System

Sure enough, the moment we arrived at the Portmaster's Office, the sight of a dingy facade stared me right in the face as we stood at what I could only describe as a smaller, more dilapidated version of a house back in [Kotosa]. Clearly, this thing had seen better days, the salty air rusting over what few steel components there were on the sides of the building as it proudly against the water.

"This is the place," Shizu excitedly declared after what felt like hours of walking through the long stretch of port that littered the coastline. "Let's go in, yeah?"

Looking to my side, Guidance and I shared a look before we shrugged as one, having had no choice but to follow Shizu around like lost puppies for the past few hours. I had suggested splitting up, but Guidance mysteriously refused. Well, her motives were as clear as day, but I'd like to pretend that the dev wasn't enjoying ogling her own OC again.

Yep... Definitely not doing that with her.

"I suppose so."

With a nod, I followed Shizu into the building, Guidance trailing behind me as Shizu led us inside. Almost immediately, the sight of two of our supposed party members graced my vision. The paladin stood ever vigilant by what looked to be the reception area, while the smooth talker was casually sitting on the couch, a rose twirling between his fingers as he gave us an acknowledging glance.

"The Princess has arrived!" the armor-wearing guy declared as soon as his eyes made contact, my ears ringing at the volume of his righteous voice. "Our mission has officially begun, Shade!"

"So it would seem," the smooth talker, well, smoothly replied from his seat. "The ever radiant princess and her equally beautiful retainer have graced our presence once more."

I stared at the suit-wearing man with incredulity. The guy didn't even acknowledge my presence, his eyes locked solely onto my lady companions with the obvious intent of flirting with them.

"Greetings, Maruki. Shade," Shizu coolly greeted the two, her demeanor doing a sharp one-eighty by the time she uttered the latter's name. "I'm to assume that you've both waited long enough?"

"We've just arrived ourselves, My Princess!" Maruki heartily declared, his back practically straight as he stood at attention. "As is our duty, we then waited patiently in this exact spot until your arrival!"

A faint slap echoed from my side. Shizu had uncharacteristically facepalmed, and I didn't know whether to follow her lead or to just question Guidance about her dubious tastes in character personality.

"You're giving me that look again, Moriya," the dev maliciously smiled at me. "Stop it."

"You're the one constantly thirsting over her own characters," I fired back. "Don't tell me you also like your men being utterly loud and, well..."

"Dumb?" she finished the sentence for me. "No, I don't. I at least know to add some diversity to my story. God knows I've read a lot of garbage that's just full of hotness with no substance."

I raised an eyebrow at Guidance's shameless admittance. Though, I don't think she ever realized what she was saying as she rolled her eyes at me. Ah well. I should go back to the conversation at hand.

"And I appreciate it, Maruki," Shizu let off a strained smile. "Anyway, have either of you talked to the Portmaster yet?"

"We've both decided that it would be prudent to wait for your arrival, My Princess," Shade answered with his usual suave tone, his eyes never seemingly leaving the rose in his hands in an attempt to look cool. "As far as I know, the [Rig] assigned to us by the Emperor is already fitted with the best the Empire has to offer."

"So we just have to get to it then," I supplied, the man simply nodding at my words. "I hope we don't have to do anything else then."

"If I recall, we just have to talk to the Portmaster to unlock the [Rig] system," Guidance absently chimed in. "It'll just be a quick talking quest.... assuming it'd still register as a quest."

I let out a sigh, both in resignation and confusion as the prospect of yet another system was thrown right to my face. I haven't even used the glamour stuff yet, and here was yet another menu that I'll inevitably have to navigate?

"I just hope it works as advertised," I chuckled. "If this [Rig] thing's our primary mode of transportation, then I would like for it to not sink from right under us."

"Imperial engineering will prevent such a thing from happening, [Somatic] Moriya!"

I flinched at Maruki's loud tone, my ears ringing as I quickly covered my right ear with my hand. "Can you tone it down a notch? You're too loud, you know."

"This is my indoor voice, [Somatic] Moriya!" the armor-wearing man yelled out, completely unapologetic with his words as he gave me a salute. "My duty is to serve the Empire as best I can! If I should have to shout it out, then I shall without so much as wavering in my conviction!"

I... I didn't whether to laugh or sigh at what I just heard. And looking at my companions, I could only assume that they were thinking the exact same thing.

"Let's just talk to the Portmaster," I suggested with a sigh.

"I-I agree!" Shizu hastily backed me up with a strained smile. "The sooner we can move, the sooner we can strike a decisive blow for the Empire."

"A splendid idea!" I winced at yet another yell coming from Maruki, the man quickly moving towards Shizu's side as he stood at attention. "Lead the way, My Princess!"

"I shall keep Lady Guidance company then," Shade smoothly stated, already having slid into the dev's side with the slickness of a trained playboy. "I'm sure her beauty will make our task a whole lot easier than it's supposed to be."

I could only sigh as I gave Shizu a pitying look. Technically, she was still in charge of this dysfunctional crew, and I could already see the stress forming on her usually energetic cheer. She gave me a commiserating look, a clear call for help if I ever saw one.

"I'm no leader, Shizu," I chuckled. "At best, I'll be playing adviser."

The princess sighed, "Thank you, Moriya."

I let off my own sigh as we finally walked towards the Portmaster's office. Between Guidance giggling madly at having Shade's attention, and Shizu being pestered by an overbearing knight, I was left to my lonesome as I positioned myself between the two pairs. I guess it'll all work out.

Hopefully.

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