Chapter 168: New Party Members
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 168: New Party Members
I spent the next few days resting at the mansion and settling various affairs.
Most of my time was consumed by selling monster carcasses and trading rare parts. In the process, my ties with Lady Leah’s family grew even deeper.
“These are Manticore venom glands.”
“This is a fine trade.”
“I’ll say. By the way, you actually managed to set up a merchant association in just a few months?”
“Indeed. I have to show some results. If I don’t, the family will order me back home immediately.”
Leo had signed a contract with the Magic Tower and was exporting various goods to the Keislan Kingdom. It seemed he had used the funds from those ventures to purchase a proper merchant association building within the Labyrinth City.
“Anyway, is the news true? Did you really succeed in seizing the Underground City?”
“That’s right. Though I did die once in the process.”
“I see...”
As I sipped my tea and answered, Leo’s expression turned grave.
“You know an exclusive contract is out of the question, right? There are too many people involved. It wouldn’t just be me; you’d be the one in danger, Leo.”
“I know. That fellow Campbell is involved, after all.”
“Exactly.”
Campbell of the Golden Fragrance was a fellow owner of a Subspace Pocket and the wealthiest merchant in the Labyrinth City. I was currently under contract with him for the Labyrinth walkthrough. Because of that, it would be awkward to sign a double contract with another merchant association.
Campbell was providing materials at incredibly low prices; if I jumped ship now, he would rightfully feel betrayed. You must always maintain a solid relationship with wealthy people. Making enemies of them only leads to headaches.
“Still, since you’re my brother-in-law, I’ll give you a hand. But I have one condition.”
“Name it. The situation now is completely different from two months ago.”
The "nobody" I was two months ago and the man who now held the Underground City were two entirely different people. I had grown strong enough that it wouldn't be strange for me to receive a Platinum Badge immediately, and furthermore, I had gained a monopoly over all the monsters in the Underground City.
I hadn't descended back down yet, so I wasn't sure exactly how much I could control, but if I could manage the Labyrinth within my expected parameters...
‘In practice, I’ve gained an authority equivalent to a Labyrinth Lord.’
At least as far as the Underground City was concerned.
“Accept the Young Lady back as a member of the family. Two months of suffering is enough, isn't it?”
“Understood. The Head of the House only meant she shouldn't return until she showed results. I’ll write a letter to the family.”
The Young Lady had already shown results. In fact, by choosing me, she had perhaps made the best choice of her life.
“And also, could you spread a few rumors back in the Kingdom?”
“Are you planning to manipulate information?”
“It’s not manipulation. Just spread word that the Underground City has been conquered and that an opportunity for social advancement has arrived for the commoners.”
“I see. You’re trying to gather people.”
“Yes. I don’t need useless nobles. I need as many commoners seeking a chance as possible.”
“Are you planning to lead them to their deaths?”
“If they survive, they rise in status.”
“True enough. Just like you, I suppose?”
“Exactly.”
Commoners who haven't entered the Labyrinth yet are like unscratched lottery tickets. It would be great if even one more person with a Subspace Pocket like mine appeared. The more people with good Abilities there are, the easier the Labyrinth walkthrough becomes.
“I’m going to establish an academy in the Underground City.”
“A school? In the Labyrinth?”
“I don’t mean I’m going to build a fancy campus, obviously. I just want to prevent adventurers from dying pointless deaths as much as possible.”
“It’s a good idea, but... aren't you busy?”
“I can just leave the training of the recruits to retiring adventurers.”
Leo nodded as if convinced.
“Then, I’ll be on my way.”
“Right. Stay safe.”
I stepped out of Leo’s merchant building. I had visited almost everywhere I needed to go. All that remained was to head back down to the Underground City.
The 2nd Strategy Team had already descended. They were likely clearing out the remaining monsters. It was time for me to head back down as well. There was little left for me to do on the surface, as Moira and the Tower Lord were handling most of the administrative work.
From now on, I needed to prepare for the 6th floor. And I would have to focus on growing Helena’s strength in earnest.
“Let’s go.”
I had a different set of members joining me for the descent today.
Rosier seemed busy with Church business, and Yuria and Lady Leah were still resting to recover from the aftereffects of the battle.
‘As for Rika, Erika, and Rien...’
It looked like they wouldn't be heading into the Labyrinth for a while. Erika’s mental state had completely shattered, and Rika seemed to be suffering deep trauma from the resurrection—this had been her second death, after all.
Rien was also holed up in her room, refusing to come out. Marin mentioned she was focusing on making things with A2 to try and pull herself together.
To be honest, they weren't essential personnel. They were people who had joined simply because Lady Leah did. Since they weren't immediately necessary, I couldn't stop them from choosing to quit the Labyrinth, nor did I want to interfere.
Frankly, after facing a Demon King, it was only natural for one’s spirit to break. I was the strange one for walking around like nothing happened; it wasn't that they were weak.
‘It’s a shame, though.’
Time to prepare for the new arrivals.
“You’ve arrived.”
“Yes. Are they ready?”
“I’ve prepared seven of them.”
“And you matched the genders as requested?”
“Of course.”
I was currently at the only prison in the Labyrinth City. Most criminals were dragged off to the mines, but death row inmates simply waited for the day of their execution. The Tower Lord had requested their custody from the Council of Nobles, and today, I was taking delivery of seven condemned prisoners.
“Hehe. Looks like you’re the one who bought us?”
“Got some nerve, don't you?”
“For a damn Easterner.”
“Hey, handsome. I’ll treat you real well. Why don't you loosen these shackles?”
The seven death row inmates smirked at me. They still had the spirit to laugh, it seemed.
‘They said these guys were caught early this year.’
That would be before I transferred to this world. I understood they were members of a gang that had been based in the northern part of the Labyrinth City. Some were adventurers who had reached the Silver Badge rank, and one was even capable of manufacturing drugs.
Normally, they would have been sent to the mines, but the Tower Lord had earmarked them as experimental subjects since the beginning of the year, keeping them in prison as death row inmates. Knowing they were going to die anyway, they were acting out.
“Sir, what do you plan to do with these vile bastards?”
“I’m taking them to the Labyrinth. All seven of them are capable enough to enter the Underground City, aren't they?”
“Indeed. They were adventurers, after all.”
“I plan to use them for the reclamation of the Underground City.”
The jailer shook his head as he looked at the seven criminals mocking me.
“Those idiots have no idea what’s coming for them.”
“They’re fundamentally uneducated thugs.”
“I suppose. That’s why they committed crimes in the first place.”
Smart people don't commit low-level crimes. In a place like the Labyrinth City where Platinum Badges roam, anyone who commits a crime knowing they’ll likely be caught and killed can't be very bright.
Well, it didn't matter if they were a bit stupid. The owners of those bodies were about to change soon anyway.
“Follow me.”
“Tch. If these shackles were off, you’d be dead already.”
“A brat like you giving orders...”
“Ptooey. Filthy Easterner.”
They blathered on recklessly. Did they believe they had comrades somewhere who would come to rescue them? Trying to understand the thoughts of criminals is a mistake in itself. I shouldn't bother. They were just crazy.
“What is this place?”
“Why is there a Transfer Stone here...?”
When I led them to the Transfer Stone that had been established in the Eastern Underground Waterway, they finally seemed to sense something was wrong. It was likely very different from what they knew. Originally, there was no Transfer Stone in the Eastern Underground Waterway.
“From now on, you’re going to the Underground City.”
“What? The Underground City, just like that?”
“Without going through the upper levels?”
“Wait! I don't want to! What do you mean, the Underground City?!”
I didn't bother answering their outcries. I knew their crimes. They were scum. I submitted the authorization form I had received in advance to the Guild employee guarding the Transfer Stone.
“You may enter.”
“Thank you.”
As I touched the Transfer Stone, the gate leading to the Underground City opened. I looked at them and smiled.
“It’s time for your execution. Now, get in.”
“What—no, wait!”
I kicked the criminals who refused to move, sending them tumbling into the gate. The seven criminals screamed as they fell into the Labyrinth. They seemed panicked to be entering the Labyrinth instead of the Magic Tower’s laboratory.
Today, I would extract the souls from those bodies and insert the seven Platinum Badge souls I had contracted with. From now on, they would serve as my party members.
It might sound harsh to Yuria and Lady Leah, but the floors below the Underground City were too dangerous. So, I planned to go down first and pave the way. Only then would I bring the rest of the group. Clearing the path from the start with them was simply too risky.
—It’s certainly true that if they died, your mental state would shatter.
‘Exactly.’
Death itself wasn't the problem. I could just resurrect them. The issue was if their bodies were completely destroyed. No matter how well I could manipulate Spirit Chains... if I put the souls of Yuria, Lady Leah, or Rosier into someone else’s body...
Could I say those women were 100% the same people I loved? Even if the soul was the same, could I live in the same house as before with someone who had a completely different face?
I loved Yuria as a combination of her mind, soul, and body. I didn't just love her soul. The same went for Lady Leah and Rosier.
For those I didn't love, like Helena or Freya, it didn't matter much if their bodies changed as long as their abilities remained. But Yuria, Lady Leah, and Rosier were different.
Therefore, for the time being, I would only take them as far as the Underground City. Anything below that was too dangerous. It was better to descend with those whose deaths wouldn't cause my mind to break.