Chapter 92
Chapter 92
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 92
Chapter Title: Those Left Behind (2)
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"Are you serious?"
Apellion asked, half-believing and half-doubting.
It was hard to believe.
"You're saying you'll take on Phoenix?"
"If it's possible, I was just saying I'd give it a shot."
"And you're trusting me to help you with that, so you're handing over the Saint's Sword in advance?"
"Yes. Honestly, it doesn't matter much to me whether you or Bern takes it. That said, it'd probably be better in your hands, Apellion."
"......"
"Of course, this is all under the condition that Bern joins Phoenix too."
Either way, as long as both accepted the proposal, the outcome wouldn't matter to him.
'Though it'd be a bit better if it went to the archer.'
The Saint's Sword was one of the best items for covering an archer's weaknesses.
It'd be hard to find anything comparable among weapons available up to stages 4 or 5.
"If the info in the books I read is correct, it'll be the perfect weapon for you, Apellion."
"Tch. I finally put my greed aside, and now you're complicating things again."
"If you adapt to the Saint's Sword, you should be able to maintain solid standing even within Phoenix."
"......Aren't you planning to use it yourself? Or better yet, why not just join Phoenix with us and compete for it?"
"Hmm."
Regin thought for a moment before shaking his head.
"It's a bit tricky for me to join a guild right now."
"......I see."
"Yeah. I've got a contract with a noble—sort of a deal. They might not want me joining a guild."
It was about Preton.
Regin was acting as a go-between for Preton, head of the Delbach family, and Chimihi.
'Nobles don't want explorers under their wing joining guilds or the like.'
Guilds were essentially alliances of explorers.
They operated like businesses at times, and from a noble's perspective—where personal power mattered most—they didn't want the strength of their contracted explorers diluted.
'They want to use them like private soldiers, but guild affiliation muddies that.'
That's why direct contracts with nobles usually came with good terms.
Explorers wouldn't choose nobles over guilds unless there were clear advantages.
"Well, there are always exceptions. Some guilds are run by nobles. But the one I'm contracted with isn't like that."
"......Hah. You've already got a sponsorship deal with nobles?"
"For now, yeah."
"That's fast—too fast. Though nobles do have an eye for promising talent."
Apellion pondered before continuing.
"If you're already under contract, joining a guild right away would be tough, yeah."
"Exactly."
"But I still don't get it all. You don't need to target Phoenix specifically, do you?"
"Hmm."
Regin gazed at Elsiva's sword still embedded nearby as he spoke.
"Someday, I might have more things—more people—I want to protect."
"......Hmm."
"At that point, I won't be able to rely on some noble I'm just contracted with."
It was a mutually beneficial arrangement, after all.
Even if it worked for him, that noble wouldn't take responsibility for everyone Regin wanted to protect.
"I figured I'd eventually need people I can trust and the power that comes with them."
He couldn't say it here, but another person had influenced this decision.
'Chimihi. Once he starts moving in earnest......'
Chimihi probably wouldn't hold out easily under mounting pressure.
If he could forge a proper alliance with Preton, that might not be an issue.
But Regin had suggested Chimihi build his own forces, which could change the dynamic.
'The ore halcon mine. Instead of handing it over outright, I nudged things so Chimihi could claim it.'
Given his personality, Chimihi would've jumped at Regin's suggestion.
Just look at Merian—daughter of the Peresian family that owned the mine—and her attitude right after talking with Chimihi.
It meant Chimihi had decided not to hand her family over to Preton.
'So someday, Chimihi and Preton might clash.'
Regin saw Chimihi as the trickiest foe if turned enemy.
Better to help him and bring him to Regin's side.
For that, he'd need some foundation.
'......I'm not just aiming to survive alone.'
He'd decided, talking with Manannan: if he was going to live, he'd live properly.
So he had to move even more diligently.
The more he wanted, the more preparations he'd need—doubled, at least.
'If I can maneuver Phoenix to that extent...... it'll be a good step in the process.'
* * *
"Alright. I accept your proposal."
In the end, Apellion took the Saint's Sword and agreed to bring Regin and Bern into Phoenix Guild.
"I swear the explorer's oath. Unless there's no other choice, I'll honor my bond with you from here on."
Apellion clasped his hands and bowed his head.
It was the same oath Celia had once made to Regin and Greg.
Empty words on the surface, but in this world, it carried as much weight as a written contract.
Breaking an oath sworn on an explorer's pride meant losing trust with every other explorer out there.
'That's why it's not something you swear lightly.'
This was the second time he'd seen it, after Celia.
In a way, these moments held meaning for Regin too.
'Isn't this different from the game? There might be no next chance for me.'
In the game, he could've survived solo, died, and just made a new account.
But this life might be his last.
To prepare for the final phase, Regin had to pull every lever available.
If people swore to help along that path, it made things feel a bit more secure.
'Just like with Elsiva.'
It meant allies to blaze the trail together.
"For now, why don't you try holding the Saint's Sword."
With their discussion settled, Regin eyed the massive hammer-form Saint's Sword.
Apellion nodded and reached out.
Wuuung—!!
The hammer, infused with the Orc Lord's mana and glowing, reacted.
"Hup."
"......Is something wrong?"
"......Doesn't seem like it. It's just reacting to my mana—mingling with it."
Apellion gave an awkward smile.
A strange sensation flowed through his hand.
It felt like the Saint's Sword was probing his mana, then—
Wuuung—
The Saint's Sword began to change shape.
The white-and-red glowing mass gathered and dispersed repeatedly.
"......!"
"It's attached to the bow."
"I-Is this how it's supposed to work?"
"No idea. I've never actually used the Saint's Sword myself."
He'd used it a few times in the game, but not for real.
It wouldn't be like the game, where you just read the inventory description and clicked equip or unequip.
'The mechanics have to be different.'
Even a detailed game like DAT had limits in simulating systems.
Take Hog, for example.
No way to tame it in-game, no matter what—unless using magic.
'But here, there were other ways to ride Hogs around.'
The Saint's Sword might work more freely than in the game too.
"Can you give it commands?"
"Commands?"
"Yeah. It doesn't have a true ego, but as a mana-forged weapon, it might have some rudimentary awareness."
"......That's complicated. Hang on."
Apellion fiddled with the bow thoughtfully.
It had coated his usual bow in mana.
"Like this, huh."
Swipe.
As he moved his hand, the Saint's Sword began separating from the bow.
Soon able to shape it freely, Apellion formed it into a round orb and gripped it in his right hand.
"Got it. I can overlay it on a weapon or shape it into one on its own."
"You're adapting fast."
"Felt weird at first, but then it started moving like an extension of my mana."
"Hmm."
Regin nodded.
An item usable as reinforcement or standalone weapon.
The pinnacle of versatility.
"Really...... are you sure I should have this?"
Having tested it, Apellion looked apologetic instead.
"It's not just a weapon. It's a mana construct. That means it'll be useful for you as an enchanter too. You could layer it on a cloak for a shield."
At first, Regin—who didn't use weapons—might've seemed a better fit.
But now he got it.
This wasn't a simple weapon; it'd be a huge boon for Regin.
'Not that I don't feel a little regret.'
Regin shook off the lingering thought cleanly.
"I've thought it through and made my decision."
"......"
"No need to feel sorry, and I'm not changing my mind."
Having the Saint's Sword would help.
It had cheat-level performance up to floor 20.
'But it's not the only answer.'
That's why he'd been fine with getting it from the start—or not.
'......It has drawbacks to match its strengths.'
That's why he gave it to Apellion.
An archer could avoid those pitfalls, at least somewhat.
Regin recalled the runs where he'd taken the Saint's Sword route.
—I sense mana I despise.
Wyvern Forest.
The main theme of floor 21 hosted one such encounter.
'A dragon.'
Like an avatar of the ancient witch, it could think and converse with players.
Considering dealings with the dragon, the Saint's Sword became a liability.
And for Regin—who needed to craft regeneration scrolls—that was the worst scenario.
"I'll find something better suited to me later."
He meant it.
Something as good as—no, better than—the Saint's Sword, with fewer flaws.
A core item for an enchanter existed in this tower.
"So no need to feel burdened. You swore the oath earlier. Better to focus on holding your own in Phoenix."
Grip.
Apellion nodded, clutching the bow coated in Saint's Sword.
"Yeah. For my promise to you. And......"
"......"
"Our leader would've wanted it too."
His eyes looked sharper than before.
The defeated expression from when Elsiva's sword pierced him was gone.
"Thanks. For reminding us why we survived."
He recalled the goal he'd planned with his leader: to rise to the top faction in Phoenix's infighting.
"Then......"
Regin glanced around as he continued.
"Let's get out of here. Leave this damn tomb behind."
* * *
Wuuung—
After recovering Bern's group and all the bodies, they exited the Red Portal one by one, starting with Regin.
'About three days passed?'
Less time than expected. He'd braced for at least four.
This counted as clearing ahead of schedule.
The 7th Floor outside the Red Portal lay shrouded in darkness.
Sniff, sniff!!
Squeeee!
They emerged at the same house ruins they'd entered from, greeted by a familiar sound.
"You really rode in on Hogs?"
Manannan asked, eyes wide.
The two Hogs, tied with rope, were squealing.
"Hmm."
It was past dinner, into night—they hadn't eaten properly.
"Since we're here, let's have a Red Portal survival celebration feast."
Greg, Celia, and the whole group eyed the Hogs.
No one showed it, but mouths were watering.
......Squeee?
Only the two Hogs sensed the chill and squealed in fear.