Chapter 217: Ruler (1)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 217: Ruler (1)

A portal was a kind of innate magic that only a few schools dealt with. In this game riddled with all kinds of death flags, I didn't have to explain how much of a cheat this spell was. Making it possible for you to return to the city without having to wait for the labyrinth to close? That was an unbeatable survival tool in itself.

Well, it doesn't come without its limitations, though.

The way to counter it was widely known so it wasn't easy to use it as an escape during battles against other people. In addition, it could only carry a maximum of thirty people at a time. This was also the reason why upper-floor expeditions were almost always composed of groups of thirty.

More importantly, once they use it once, a wizard can never use the spell again.

Note that this was different from in the game. Originally, only an archmage who had reached rank one could use the Portal spell, and once used, that wizard would die. However, this was 150 years into the future from the time of the game. The six schools that possessed the formula for the Portal spell had come together for a joint study and created a way for even lower-ranking wizards to use this magic. I didn't know the details since I wasn't a wizard, but I knew that ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠it was only possible for someone to use it once in their life.

I'm sure there won't be any wizards who will refuse to use the spell in this situation, either...

So how many of them were in the labyrinth? Well, it would be quite a few. Finding a wizard who could use Portal magic was the top priority for large clans, and the schools offered up wizards who could still use the spell to support expeditions.

Still, even if you gather everyone and their mother, it won't be more than 150.

That meant that, realistically, fewer than 4500 people would be able to escape this hell through the portal.

Official palace knights, and the elites of large clans that had their own wizards... In actuality, it's safe to say everyone else will be abandoned.

The more concrete the numbers became, the more I realized what a ridiculous thing they were planning to do. These numbers were different from that time with the Lord of the Third Floor. At the very least, tens of thousands of adventurers would die here.

Yet this is the decision they made, huh?

Shoving aside the dizzying feeling, I continued walking through this logically. What may have been the most important thing at this moment was why the captain of the Royal Guard had made this decision.

He probably determined that the path to the second floor was blocked or no different.

It was impossible to get out of the first floor. No, it may have been possible, but it would cost more lives than just a few fleeing through the portal. And so, the captain had made this decision. It seemed he felt that preserving his troops as much as possible and returning to the city was strategically the right thing to do.

"I see you are here again."

I turned around at the sudden presence behind me and froze in place.

Geez, you surprised me.

"Was it Bjorn Yandel?" I didn't know when he'd shown up, but the captain of the Royal Guard was right behind me. His name was...

"Marco Elbern."

"You have a good memory for a barbarian."

Normally, I wouldn't back down here and would fire back at him, but I replied delicately this time. "Thank you for the compliment." He was the most powerful person in this place, after all. Even if it was short, the chance to speak with him alone was a godsend. After thinking it over for a long moment, I asked him something, deciding to be straightforward like the barbarian I was. "I see you're looking for wizards capable of portal magic. Are you planning on running away?" First, the most important question that would confirm whether I was right or not.

As soon as he heard the question, Elbern's eyes hardened. "You are very much a barbarian in this sense. No one else would have dared to ask me directly."

Well, as you can see, I am a barbarian.

When I just stared back in silence, Elbern asked a question of his own this time. "Where did you hear that?"

That was enough for me. So, it was true. I had wondered if maybe he had some other plan in play here.

"I heard the knight give instructions to the administrator."

"...He's not vigilant enough. Or was careless for being near a barbarian." From the look in his eyes, it seemed the knight would end up being punished for that, but that had nothing to do with me. I was just about to get us back on track when the captain continued, giving me an unreadable look. "Hmm, or I guess you could also be smarter than I thought. I should just tell you at this point. The administrative officer gave me information about your team's composition."

"...You looked into me?"

"I had a feeling I'd be interested soon enough."

Interested, huh? Is this a good thing or the opposite?

It ended up being both. "I can take you and the wizard if you promise to serve the Imperial Army for just one year." He was offering me a ticket to ride the portal back home. The problem was that it only had two seats.

"And the rest?"

"You know already what the choice I have to make is."

Fuck, so they're below his standards. I thought I leveled them up enough over the past few months.

"So, what will you do?"

I was at a crossroads.

"I want you to answer me now. I don't have much time."

Should I choose my and one other teammate's lives? Or gamble with everyone's?

"Can you... win?"

"Don't worry. We will definitely return home alive."

A fleeting conversation I had had in the past flashed through my mind.

"I..." I answered without hesitation. "I will not abandon my team."

Perhaps my brain had turned into a barbarian's too.

***

[The second Lord of Terror has been slain.]

[The third Lord of Terror has been slain.]

[The fourth Lord of Terror has been slain.]

[The fifth Lord of Terror has been slain.]

Time passed. I kept quiet about the conversation I had had with the captain.

"Keep the news about the portal to yourself, if you value your teammates' lives."

His threat was a factor, but I also didn't feel the need to mention it. The news would spread quickly enough on its own. And it indeed did.

"Mr. Yandel, have you heard the rumors?"

It was impossible to keep thousands of people quiet, especially if they were not a tight-knit group. The captain's portal escape plan was spread by word of mouth and it didn't take long for it to reach Raven's ears.

"Yes, I know."

"...What are you going to do? Do you think it's just a rumor too?"

Mr. Bear and Missha turned toward us at that question. I guessed they had discussed it among themselves already before asking me. Well, there were probably only a few people who hadn't noticed the oppressive air filling this cave.

As soon as he heard the question, Elbern's eyes hardened. "You are very much a barbarian in this sense. No one else would have dared to ask me directly."

Well, as you can see, I am a barbarian.

When I just stared back in silence, Elbern asked a question of his own this time. "Where did you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠hear that?"

That was enough for me. So, it was true. I had wondered if maybe he had some other plan in play here.

"I heard the knight give instructions to the administrator."

"...He's not vigilant enough. Or was careless for being near a barbarian." From the look in his eyes, it seemed the knight would end up being punished for that, but that had nothing to do with me. I was just about to get us back on track when the captain continued, giving me an unreadable look. "Hmm, or I guess you could also be smarter than I thought. I should just tell you at this point. The administrative officer gave me information about your team's composition."

"...You looked into me?"

"I had a feeling I'd be interested soon enough."

Interested, huh? Is this a good thing or the opposite?

It ended up being both. "I can take you and the wizard if you promise to serve the Imperial Army for just one year." He was offering me a ticket to ride the portal back home. The problem was that it only had two seats.

"And the rest?"

"You know already what the choice I have to make is."

Fuck, so they're below his standards. I thought I leveled them up enough over the past few months.

"So, what will you do?"

I was at a crossroads.

"I want you to answer me now. I don't have much time."

Should I choose my and one other teammate's lives? Or gamble with everyone's?

"Can you... win?"

"Don't worry. We will definitely return home alive."

A fleeting conversation I had had in the past flashed through my mind.

"I..." I answered without hesitation. "I will not abandon my team."

Perhaps my brain had turned into a barbarian's too.

***

[The second Lord of Terror has been slain.]

[The third Lord of Terror has been slain.]

[The fourth Lord of Terror has been slain.]

[The fifth Lord of Terror has been slain.]

Time passed. I kept quiet about the conversation I had had with the captain.

"Keep the news about the portal to yourself, if you value your teammates' lives."

His threat was a factor, but I also didn't feel the need to mention it. The news would spread quickly enough on its own. And it indeed did.

"Mr. Yandel, have you heard the rumors?"

It was impossible to keep thousands of people quiet, especially if they were not a tight-knit group. The captain's portal escape plan was spread by word of mouth and it didn't take long for it to reach Raven's ears.

"Yes, I know."

"...What are you going to do? Do you think it's just a rumor too?"

Mr. Bear and Missha turned toward us at that question. I guessed they had discussed it among themselves already before asking me. Well, there were probably only a few people who hadn't noticed the oppressive air filling this cave.

"Kharon, you can't even lift that greatsword? How can you call yourself a man!?"

"I-I can lift it! Look!"

"Ohh! Then you're half a man!"

The barbarians had been playing around with a single adamantium greatsword for almost an hour. Sometimes I envied their lack of concern and the way they could keep moving forward with no worries.

"Uh, Mr. Yandel...?"

"Oh, sorry, I was thinking about something else for a second." I tried smiling as cheerfully as I could and patted Raven's shoulder. "Don't worry about the rumors! Everything will be fine!"

It will work out. I will make sure it does.

I just wanted these guys to keep on going without concern. We only needed one person to be constantly suspicious and anxious about the traps and enemies that lay ahead.

"Ugh, why are you being so unnecessarily positive?!"

"That's what being a leader is."

"Ugh, okay, stop slapping my shoulder!"

I ended the conversation there and closed my eyes again, falling into thought. They had all revolved around the same thing as of late: how could we all survive and get back to the city together? I cycled through the same problem thousands of times, made countless plans and discarded them, and with each plan I came up with, checked each numerous times for variables and miscalculations.

It has to be perfect.

If plan A didn't work, plan B. And if that didn't work, plan C. Whenever there was time to spare like this, I ran simulations from start to finish and assumed the worst in each one.

Whooom!

As if to remind me that the tipping point was nearing, a weak vibration began to run through the ground beneath me.

"That's already the eighth."

That was the eighth Lord of the Floor to appear. This had happened multiple times over the past several days, so Raven and the others didn't seem particularly concerned about it. That was because they didn't know what happened when the ninth Lord of the Floor was defeated.

That's probably why there have been no protests despite the rumors. Most will think the idea that the knights are going to portal out is nonsense.

From the perspective of the average person, there was no reason for leadership to use portals to escape. They didn't know about that special event.

"Anyway, I guess it's nearby, judging by the screams..."

"It may come this way, so be on guard."

We waited until the Lord of the Floor was defeated, staying alert just in case. Just then, I sensed a presence from behind us.

"Please make way!"

A group moved quickly through the passageway, pushing through adventurers like a dispatched ambulance. Sticking to the walls, they soon ran past us like the wind.

"It's the Eramel Star Clan."

Judging by how they were moving toward the screams, it seemed this group from a well-known, large clan was on their way to defeat the Lord of the Floor.

"Since support is on its way, it will get dark again soon."

The Lord of the First Floor could be taken down with just thirty adventurers. With the proper strategy, it was possible with even fewer. I smiled bitterly.

"Kharon, you can't even lift that greatsword? How can you call yourself a man!?"

"I-I can lift it! Look!"

"Ohh! Then you're half a man!"

The barbarians had been playing around with a single adamantium greatsword for almost an hour. Sometimes I envied their lack of concern and the way they could keep moving forward with no worries.

"Uh, Mr. Yandel...?"

"Oh, sorry, I was thinking about something else for a second." I tried smiling as cheerfully as I could and patted Raven's shoulder. "Don't worry about the rumors! Everything will be fine!"

It will work out. I will make sure it does.

I just wanted these guys to keep on going without concern. We only needed one person to be constantly suspicious and anxious about the traps and enemies that lay ahead.

"Ugh, why are you being so unnecessarily positive?!"

"That's what being a leader is."

"Ugh, okay, stop slapping my shoulder!"

I ended the conversation there and closed my eyes again, falling into thought. They had all revolved around the same thing as of late: how could we all survive and get back to the city together? I cycled through the same problem thousands of times, made countless plans and discarded them, and with each plan I came up with, checked each numerous times for variables and miscalculations.

It has to be perfect.

If plan A didn't work, plan B. And if that didn't work, plan C. Whenever there was time to spare like this, I ran simulations from start to finish and assumed the worst in each one.

Whooom!

As if to remind me that the tipping point was nearing, a weak vibration began to run through the ground beneath me.

"That's already the eighth."

That was the eighth Lord of the Floor to appear. This had happened multiple times over the past several days, so Raven and the others didn't seem particularly concerned about it. That was because they didn't know what happened when the ninth Lord of the Floor was defeated.

That's probably why there have been no protests despite the rumors. Most will think the idea that the knights are going to portal out is nonsense.

From the perspective of the average person, there was no reason for leadership to use portals to escape. They didn't know about that special event.

"Anyway, I guess it's nearby, judging by the screams..."

"It may come this way, so be on guard."

We waited until the Lord of the Floor was defeated, staying alert just in case. Just then, I sensed a presence from behind us.

"Please make way!"

A group moved quickly through the passageway, pushing through adventurers like a dispatched ambulance. Sticking to the walls, they soon ran past us like the wind.

"It's the Eramel Star Clan."

Judging by how they were moving toward the screams, it seemed this group from a well-known, large clan was on their way to defeat the Lord of the Floor.

"Since support is on its way, it will get dark again soon."

The Lord of the First Floor could be taken down with just thirty adventurers. With the proper strategy, it was possible with even fewer. I smiled bitterly.

I don't know why they keep going after the Lord of the Floor when they're going to abandon us anyway.

The Lord of the First Floor had no loot, dropped no essences, and even if you managed to preserve its remains through Distortion magic, they weren't all that valuable, either. The only reward you got for defeating it was that you could then be promoted to a rank-four clan, where the real benefits began. That was why this guy was mostly used as a test. Like a rite of passage for reaching a certain level, it was a monster that most people defeated just once.

Is it guilt? Like, "We did our best 'til the end"?

The thought came to mind but there was probably a more realistic reason. They had to seem like they were doing their part until right before they were about to leave so that those left behind wouldn't notice.

"Kyaaaaaa!"

About twenty more minutes passed and we heard a loud scream in the distance, after which the red-hot crystals turned off. That meant that the Lord of the Floor had been dealt with.

"It'll be day five tomorrow, so we just have to hold out for two more days."

I checked the time every once in a while and continued to revise my plans. Soon, it was 10:07 p.m., around two hours after the eighth Lord of the Floor had been defeated. No, in other words...

"God damn it!"

...About four hours before all hell would break loose.

"Everybody get inside! The rumors were true!"

"Those bastards from the palace are running away and leaving us! Stop them!"

A commotion erupted inside the cave.

***

"You bastards! Get out, get out of the way!"

"Back off, adventurer. If you come any closer, I will cut you down."

"Either way I'm going to die so—!"

Slice! Thud, roll.

At that exact moment, in the central zone where the barracks of the imperial knights and large clans were located, an adventurer's head fell to the ground.

"Anyone else coming closer?"

Their hesitation at the knight's murderous threat only lasted so long.

"What are you doing? Push!"

"I'm getting out of here! I said I'm going!"

"Ahh! My arm! My arm...!"

Adventurers rushed like moths toward the blinding light of life. This was a scene that was playing out in all the passageways connected to the central cavern simultaneously.

"The real enemy is out there, yet they are eager to shed unnecessary blood."

The captain of the Third Royal Guard and the cause of this situation, Marco Elbern, clicked his tongue and asked his lieutenant, "What is the current percentage?"

"A little more than half have escaped."

"Half, huh? This will take much longer than we planned."

If they ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠had been able to use the portals to escape to the city all at once, this commotion would not have happened. However, portal magic tended to suck in mana from the surrounding area, so the only option was to cast the spells sequentially.

"It is our turn soon. Leave this to the remaining knights, Captain."

Elbern followed the lieutenant to the center. A new portal was opening just in time, emitting a dazzling light.

Whooom!

Elbern let go of all his regrets and slowly approached the portal.

"Please, take me too!"

"Aaagh!"

With every step he took, he heard a mixture of emotional screams and the clang of weapons.

Rattle, rattle.

Elbern paused in front of the portal, suddenly remembering a conversation he had two days ago.

"I will not abandon my team."

He was an impressive man in many ways, very much a barbarian, yet not at the same time. And he was also a bit disappointing.

"I misunderstood you, it seems. I never thought you would make the wrong choice."

He had lost interest in the barbarian at that moment. It was on a sheer whim that he had made that offer in the first place, but to think that man wouldn't take advantage of his good fortune...

"Keep the news about the portal to yourself, if you value your teammates' lives."

He intended to leave after that threat, but at that moment, the barbarian said something strange.

"You feel guilty."

"Guilty...?"

"That must be why you're disappointed that I refused."

At first, ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠he couldn't understand what he was talking about. But soon, a cold voice filled the space between them.

"You wanted me to convince you that your choice was the right one, no?"

Elbern hadn't been able to argue. Even he hadn't noticed it himself, but for a split second, he thought that the man might be right.

"Knight, I am different from you. So don't use me to placate yourself."

The conversation with the barbarian had ended there. They would probably never talk face-to-face ever again.

"Captain, we must go."

Elbern looked up and stared ahead. Unlike the dark labyrinth around him, the sliver of the city he could see through the portal was bright. It was the only city in this cursed world, the place he had to protect, the last stronghold.

"For Rafdonia."

He pushed himself through the portal. This was the choice he had to make.

***

Finally, the moment of truth was here. I closed my eyes for a moment, gathered my breath, and repeated my mantra.

Do what you have to do.

I opened my eyes. "Everyone, follow me. We're moving toward the center."

"Pardon? What are you going to do there?"

What else was there to do? By the time we arrived, all kinds of talents abandoned by their various groups would be drowning in despair.

First, we'll need to match their weight class.

We had to gather our forces. That was the first step toward survival.

I don't know why they keep going after the Lord of the Floor when they're going to abandon us anyway.

The Lord of the First Floor had no loot, dropped no essences, and even if you managed to preserve its remains through Distortion magic, they weren't all that valuable, either. The only reward you got for defeating it was that you could then be promoted to a rank-four clan, where the real benefits began. That was why this guy was mostly used as a test. Like a rite of passage for reaching a certain level, it was a monster that most people defeated just once.

Is it guilt? Like, "We did our best 'til the end"?

The thought came to mind but there was probably a more realistic reason. They had to seem like they were doing their part until right before they were about to leave so that those left behind wouldn't notice.

"Kyaaaaaa!"

About twenty more minutes passed and we heard a loud scream in the distance, after which the red-hot crystals turned off. That meant that the Lord of the Floor had been dealt with.

"It'll be day five tomorrow, so we just have to hold out for two more days."

I checked the time every once in a while and continued to revise my plans. Soon, it was 10:07 p.m., around two hours after the eighth Lord of the Floor had been defeated. No, in other words...

"God damn it!"

...About four hours before all hell would break loose.

"Everybody get inside! The rumors were true!"

"Those bastards from the palace are running away and leaving us! Stop them!"

A commotion erupted inside the cave.

***

"You bastards! Get out, get out of the way!"

"Back off, adventurer. If you come any closer, I will cut you down."

"Either way I'm going to die so—!"

Slice! Thud, roll.

At that exact moment, in the central zone where the barracks of the imperial knights and large clans were located, an adventurer's head fell to the ground.

"Anyone else coming closer?"

Their hesitation at the knight's murderous threat only lasted so long.

"What are you doing? Push!"

"I'm getting out of here! I said I'm going!"

"Ahh! My arm! My arm...!"

Adventurers rushed like moths toward the blinding light of life. This was a scene that was playing out in all the passageways connected to the central cavern simultaneously.

"The real enemy is out there, yet they are eager to shed unnecessary blood."

The captain of the Third Royal Guard and the cause of this situation, Marco Elbern, clicked his tongue and asked his lieutenant, "What is the current percentage?"

"A little more than half have escaped."

"Half, huh? This will take much longer than we planned."

If they had been able to use the portals to escape to the city all at once, this commotion would not have happened. However, portal magic tended to suck in mana from the surrounding area, so the only option was to cast the spells sequentially.

"It is our turn soon. Leave this to the remaining knights, Captain."

Elbern followed the lieutenant to the center. A new portal was opening just in time, emitting a dazzling light.

Whooom!

Elbern let go of all his regrets and slowly approached the portal.

"Please, take me too!"

"Aaagh!"

With every step he took, he heard a mixture of emotional screams and the clang of weapons.

Rattle, rattle.

Elbern paused in front of the portal, suddenly remembering a conversation he had two days ago.

"I will not abandon my team."

He was an impressive man in many ways, very much a barbarian, yet not at the same time. And he was also a bit disappointing.

"I misunderstood you, it seems. I never thought you would make the wrong choice."

He had lost interest in the barbarian at that moment. It was on a sheer whim that he had made that offer in the first place, but to think that man wouldn't take advantage of his good fortune...

"Keep the news about the portal to yourself, if you value your teammates' lives."

He intended to leave after that threat, but at that moment, the barbarian said something strange.

"You feel guilty."

"Guilty...?"

"That must be why you're disappointed that I refused."

At first, he couldn't understand what he was talking about. But soon, a cold voice filled the space between them.

"You wanted me to convince you that your choice was the right one, no?"

Elbern hadn't been able to argue. Even he hadn't noticed it himself, but for a split second, he thought that the man might be right.

"Knight, I am different from you. So don't use me to placate yourself."

The conversation with the barbarian had ended there. They would probably never talk face-to-face ever again.

"Captain, we must go."

Elbern looked up and stared ahead. Unlike the dark labyrinth around him, the sliver of the city he could see through the portal was bright. It was the only city in this cursed world, the place he had to protect, the last stronghold.

"For Rafdonia."

He pushed himself through the portal. This was the choice he had to make.

***

Finally, the moment of truth was here. I closed my eyes for a moment, gathered my breath, and repeated my mantra.

Do what you have to do.

I opened my eyes. "Everyone, follow me. We're moving toward the center."

"Pardon? What are you going to do there?"

What else was there to do? By the time we arrived, all kinds of talents abandoned by their various groups would be drowning in despair.

First, we'll need to match their weight class.

We had to gather our forces. That was the first step toward survival.