Chapter 418: Uphill Road (5)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 418: Uphill Road (5)

I chewed on beef jerky as I walked. Not just me, but the entire crew.

"Ugh... I-I think I'm going to throw up. I ate too much, I can't anymore..."

Some had complaints but that was only a small number. Even as we speed-walked uphill, everyone forced themselves to gnaw on the jerky. We were all well aware that this was the last time any of us would have a full stomach.

"Mr. Schuitz! N-No... Baronet Yandel!" We were still stuffing our faces when Marrone, the wizard from Team Five, came up to me. "The detection spell we installed ten minutes ago was triggered!"

"They were much closer than we thought, then." If they ran at full force, they'd reach us in just a few minutes. "Everyone, throw away the boxes of food!" I shouted and threw the box of jerky I was holding in one of my arms down the cliff. We had to reduce our load as much as possible if we wanted to increase our speed.

Whip!

Most threw the boxes without hesitation as soon as my orders were issued, but some people's hands twitched in clear distress at the thought of throwing out food—namely those in the melee roles such as paladins and knights.

"Damn it, I can still eat more...!"

It was funny watching them say that with jerky stuffed into all of their pockets but it wasn't like I didn't get where they were coming from. I felt the same way.

Why do I feel like my stomach is already empty?

This fuel-inefficient body of mine cried out for more food no matter how much I ate.

Looks like the good times are over, then.

"Marrone, cast a new detection spell so we can figure out how fast they're moving."

"Okay!"

Once Marrone installed a new spell, we officially began picking up speed. Of course, the increase wasn't that drastic. If we were speed-walking along the banks of the Han River earlier, now we were basically running a slow marathon. About seven minutes of jogging passed us by.

"The spell went off!" Even though we'd picked up the pace, they managed to narrow the distance by three minutes.

"This is a headache."

The squishy priests and wizards were already being transported on piggyback, so we only had one other option now. After all, survival was determined by what you were willing to sacrifice.

"Throw away all the backpacks containing insulation stones."

I gave up on the insulating stones that helped us maintain our body temperature. If you didn't count the tents and sleeping bags that had already been thrown away with the sleds, these were the heaviest of our supplies. The food would naturally go away as we ate.

"Damn it, now we have to fight against the cold too?"

"What are you all doing?! Throw it all away!"

"We have to keep running anyway, so let's not dwell on it too much!"

When we gave up on the insulating stones, we were able to speed up, as expected. This was thanks to the lessened burden on the non-combat crew, who had been carrying it all on their backs. Before long, good news rolled in.

"The spell was triggered. This time it was exactly seven minutes and thirty-seven seconds!"

The distance issue started to resolve itself. Of course, moving faster meant we felt even more like death, though.

But they'll be in the same boat.

From now on, it was a battle to see who could hold out the longest. This harsh environment put us on a level playing field. Just as we'd had to make sacrifices, they'd soon have to make a choice too. Case in point:

"...W-What do we do? Th-they suddenly got faster. There's only a six-minute difference now!"

We'd been running without letting up for five minutes, snacking on beef jerky as we went. Yet the seven-minute barrier we'd managed to maintain so far had been broken. How could that be? The answer was simple.

"Their numbers went down! To twelve people!"

The enemy had given up their biggest advantage, their numbers, to catch us.

Did they hand over all the food and send the rest of their people back down?

That seemed like the most likely possibility. The ones still chasing us would starve on the way back, but if they pushed through three days of hunger and managed to reach the bottom, they'd be able to eat until their stomachs exploded.

But twelve, huh?

Somehow, we ended up with double the number of people.

I still don't know if we can win.

Of course, we'd have to bump into each other at some point. However, now was not the time for that.

"W-What do we do? They'll catch up to us in no time!"

What do you mean, what do we do? Since they gave up one thing, we need to give up one more. That's fair, right?

"Throw away all heavy metal equipment. Of course, we have to be able to fight, so leave the shields and weapons."

"What?!"

Without another word, I was the first to take off the equipment covering my body and throw it down the cliff.

"Y-You're really going to go that far?"

"You were screaming about how we're all going to die earlier, but now you think it's a waste?"

"No, but—"

"Good. Then throw it. You can pay for new equipment with the loot you have stored up in sub-space."

"Man... Throwing away equipment while being chased by the enemy... You really are nuts."

The front line, for whom metal armor served as a lifeline, grumbled but ultimately followed my instructions to take it all off and replace it with thick fur clothing.

"Six minutes! Same as before!"

As a result, we were able to maintain our distance of six minutes. The enemy would probably be shocked right about now, wondering why they weren't closing in.

I wonder what kind of expressions they'll be wearing when they meet up with us naked later.

Okay, picturing that gave me a little more strength.

Step. Step.

We ran uphill like that for a long while.

"...This is my first time learning that people can actually sleep while running."

"One minute... I just need a one-minute nap..."

Just then, the status quo changed.

"What the heck? The spell should've been triggered by now..."

The detection spell that had been activating every six minutes up to this point didn't go off. Why? Did they have a way of avoiding detection?

No. If they did, they would've used it a long time ago.

But they'll be in the same boat.

From now on, it was a battle to see who could hold out the longest. This harsh environment put us on a level playing field. Just as we'd had to make sacrifices, they'd soon have to make a choice too. Case in point:

"...W-What do we do? Th-they suddenly got faster. There's only a six-minute difference now!"

We'd been running without letting up for five minutes, snacking on beef jerky as we went. Yet the seven-minute barrier we'd managed to maintain so far had been broken. How could that be? The answer was simple.

"Their numbers went down! To twelve people!"

The enemy had given up their biggest advantage, their numbers, to catch us.

Did they hand over all the food and send the rest of their people back down?

That seemed like the most likely possibility. The ones still chasing us would starve on the way back, but if they pushed through three days of hunger and managed to reach the bottom, they'd be able to eat until their stomachs exploded.

But twelve, huh?

Somehow, we ended up with double the number of people.

I still don't know if we can win.

Of course, we'd have to bump into each other at some point. However, now was not the time for that.

"W-What do we do? They'll catch up to us in no time!"

What do you mean, what do we do? Since they gave up one thing, we need to give up one more. That's fair, right?

"Throw away all heavy metal equipment. Of course, we have to be able to fight, so leave the shields and weapons."

"What?!"

Without another word, I was the first to take off the equipment covering my body and throw it down the cliff.

"Y-You're really going to go that far?"

"You were screaming about how we're all going to die earlier, but now you think it's a waste?"

"No, but—"

"Good. Then throw it. You can pay for new equipment with the loot you have stored up in sub-space."

"Man... Throwing away equipment while being chased by the enemy... You really are nuts."

The front line, for whom metal armor served as a lifeline, grumbled but ultimately followed my instructions to take it all off and replace it with thick fur clothing.

"Six minutes! Same as before!"

As a result, we were able to maintain our distance of six minutes. The enemy would probably be shocked right about now, wondering why they weren't closing in.

I wonder what kind of expressions they'll be wearing when they meet up with us naked later.

Okay, picturing that gave me a little more strength.

Step. Step.

We ran uphill like that for a long while.

"...This is my first time learning that people can actually sleep while running."

"One minute... I just need a one-minute nap..."

Just then, the status quo changed.

"What the heck? The spell should've been triggered by now..."

The detection spell that had been activating every six minutes up to this point didn't go off. Why? Did they have a way of avoiding detection?

No. If they did, they would've used it a long time ago.

I ran uphill for another ten minutes while puzzling over this, but the detection spell remained silent.

Looks like the enemy is reaching their limits too.

They'd stopped to rest. In other words...

"Halt!"

We could rest and take a breather too.

"Everyone rest! You can sleep if you want! I'll wake you when it's time to leave!"

As soon as I gave the order, the crew collapsed on the spot, not even able to cheer. Those who were particularly exhausted practically passed out.

‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠

"Mister, aren't you resting too?"

"I'm going to look around for a moment."

"I'm sorry. I want to go with you but I don't think I can..."

"Don't be sorry. Get some rest, quick."

"Okay..."

Erwen soon turned around, looking exhausted, and plopped down next to Amelia. Though she didn't get along very well with her, they fell asleep right next to each other. We had to share body heat now that we had no insulating stones. I chuckled at the sight for a moment before taking a walk around the perimeter. While most of the crew was either eating or knocked out, I noticed someone doing something unusual.

"Kaislan, what are you writing down?"

"Ah! I was recording what you said earlier, Schui—no, Yandel."

"What I said?"

Kaislan held out his notebook instead of answering.

"I will take on the hardest work. I will do even the dirty work no one else wants to do. ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠I will be the first to wade into the bloodbath and if someone has to get hurt, I will be that person. So, follow me. If your lives are going to be thrown in the trash anyway, I'm saying throw them at me instead!"

Jeez, reading it in writing was making me self-conscious. Still, it wasn't like I could scold him when he was recording these events with such sincerity.

"...You have a good memory."

"Well, what else is a good memory good for? I'll probably never forget these words for the rest of my life."

This guy needed better hobbies. Feeling embarrassed, I scolded him for wasting our precious break writing this down, saying it was pointless.

Kaislan only shrugged with a quiet laugh. "You never know."

"Huh?"

"If this record will end up capturing a great moment in history."

Jeez, there he goes, going on about history again. Come to think of it, this guy has always liked that sort of thing.

I straightened my back and patted him on the shoulder. "We have to get back home alive if we want to be recorded in the history books."

"Ah, that's also true. Yes, we have to get back alive..."

"Get some rest. You can write that all down once you're back in the city."

"I will."

After my conversation with Kaislan, I headed toward Erwen.

A wizard who had been curled up nearby with her head on her backpack opened her eyes. "Baronet Bjorn Yandel." It was Versyl Gowland.

"Ah, did I wake you? Sorry—"

"I'm the one who should apologize."

"...Huh?"

"I'm sorry. For leaving you guys on the first floor that day."

I ran uphill for another ten minutes while puzzling over this, but the detection spell remained silent.

Looks like the enemy is reaching their limits too.

They'd stopped to rest. In other words...

"Halt!"

We could rest and take a breather too.

"Everyone rest! You can sleep if you want! I'll wake you when it's time to leave!"

As soon as I gave the order, the crew collapsed on the spot, not even able to cheer. Those who were particularly exhausted practically passed out.

"Mister, aren't you resting too?"

"I'm going to look around for a moment."

"I'm sorry. I want to go with you but I don't think I can..."

"Don't be sorry. Get some rest, quick."

"Okay..."

Erwen soon turned around, looking exhausted, and plopped down next to Amelia. Though she didn't get along very well with her, they fell asleep right next to each other. We had to share body heat now that we had no insulating stones. I chuckled at the sight for a moment before taking a walk around the perimeter. While most of the crew was either eating or knocked out, I noticed someone doing something unusual.

"Kaislan, what are you writing down?"

"Ah! I was recording what you said earlier, Schui—no, Yandel."

"What I said?"

Kaislan held out his notebook instead of answering.

"I will take on the hardest work. I will do even the dirty work no one else wants to do. I will be the first to wade into the bloodbath and if someone has to get hurt, I will be that person. So, follow me. If your lives are going to be thrown in the trash anyway, I'm saying throw them at me instead!"

Jeez, reading it in writing was making me self-conscious. Still, it wasn't like I could scold him when he was recording these events with such sincerity.

"...You have a good memory."

"Well, what else is a good memory good for? I'll probably never forget these words for the rest of my life."

This guy needed better hobbies. Feeling embarrassed, I scolded him for wasting our precious break writing this down, saying it was pointless.

Kaislan only shrugged with a quiet laugh. "You never know."

"Huh?"

"If this record will end up capturing a great moment in history."

Jeez, there he goes, going on about history again. Come to think of it, this guy has always liked that sort of thing.

I straightened my back and patted him on the shoulder. "We have to get back home alive if we want to be recorded in the history books."

"Ah, that's also true. Yes, we have to get back alive..."

"Get some rest. You can write that all down once you're back in the city."

"I will."

After my conversation with Kaislan, I headed toward Erwen.

A wizard who had been curled up nearby with her head on her backpack opened her eyes. "Baronet Bjorn Yandel." It was Versyl Gowland.

"Ah, did I wake you? Sorry—"

"I'm the one who should apologize."

"...Huh?"

"I'm sorry. For leaving you guys on the first floor that day."

I wondered what she was talking about. That was a long time ago.

"Do you remember when I said I sincerely regret that at the banquet? I really meant it. After I woke up, when I heard about the things you achieved in the Crystal Cave, I felt so ashamed and embarrassed."

"What's there to be embarrassed about? It was a call any leader would make. I would have done the same."

Versyl Gowland's expression tightened at my sincere words. "Don't joke. You never would have done that."

Her evaluation of my character was undeserved. If I had been given a ticket out of there with enough seats for all my team members, I would've taken the portal out right away. It was only because I was abandoned that I'd worked so hard to survive, not because I had some sort of heroic mission driving me.

But I guessed she thought differently. "You are like the eye of the storm. No matter how strong the winds are blowing at you from all directions, you never get caught up in them."

Jeez, why are you wasting such complicated metaphors on a barbarian?

I stared at her blankly, wondering if maybe this was some weird attempt to gauge whether I was an evil spirit, but Versyl let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Maybe that's why... why people gather around you even in the fiercest of storms."

"It... just turned out that way."

"...Maybe I shouldn't have said that. I wasn't trying to add to the weight on your shoulders. You were going over there to rest, right? Sorry for taking up your time."

"It's okay. You get some rest too."

That was how my conversation with Versyl ended. Afterward, I passed some of the other sprawled-out members of our squadron and lay down near Erwen. The wizard would wake me when the detection spell went off so I was going to get some shut-eye in the meantime.

Eye of the storm, huh?

It was a compliment that didn't suit me all that well. Unless what she meant was that my life was surrounded by bad luck—that everyone around me got swept up in my misfortune.

"Mister! Wake up!"

It felt like I had only closed my eyes for a few seconds. "Was the spell triggered?"

"Yes. We have to leave quickly."

God damn it.

Instead of going away, my fatigue seemed even worse.

"In formation!" I wished I could sleep longer but I quickly got up and ready to leave.

How long has it been since, again?

"Marrone, time?"

"Five minutes... Five minutes!"

As the chase continued, the distance between us and the enemy gradually began to narrow. Their speed didn't necessarily increase, either. We were just that much slower.

Huff... Huff...

It seemed it was impossible for us to recover our stamina with such a short rest. Well, the fatigue we accumulated from over two months of arduous travel was on a whole other level than theirs.

"W-What do we do? They'll catch up in no time!"

"Why don't we fight instead? If we tire ourselves out any more, we won't even be able to fight back properly later."

Anxiety grew among the crew. I checked the time. It was right after midnight. In other words, only one day left until we escaped Glacier Eye entirely.

One day... might be cutting it close, but it's possible.

I wondered what she was talking about. That was a long time ago.

"Do you remember when I said I sincerely regret that at the banquet? I really meant it. After I woke up, when I heard about the things you achieved in the Crystal Cave, I felt so ashamed and embarrassed."

"What's there to be embarrassed about? It was a call any leader would make. I would have done the same."

Versyl Gowland's expression tightened at my sincere words. "Don't joke. You never would have done that."

Her evaluation ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of my character was undeserved. If I had been given a ticket out of there with enough seats for all my team members, I would've taken the portal out right away. It was only because I was abandoned that I'd worked so hard to survive, not because I had some sort of heroic mission driving me.

But I guessed she thought differently. "You are like the eye of the storm. No matter how strong the winds are blowing at you from all directions, you never get caught up in them."

Jeez, why are you wasting such complicated metaphors on a barbarian?

I stared at her blankly, wondering if maybe this was some weird attempt to gauge whether I was an evil spirit, but Versyl let out a self-deprecating laugh. "Maybe that's why... why people gather around you even in the fiercest of storms."

"It... just turned out that way."

"...Maybe I shouldn't have said that. I wasn't trying to add to the weight on your shoulders. You were going over there to rest, right? Sorry for taking up your time."

"It's okay. You get some rest too."

That was how my conversation with Versyl ended. Afterward, I passed some of the other sprawled-out members of our squadron and lay down near Erwen. The wizard would wake me when the detection spell went off so I was going to get some shut-eye in the meantime.

Eye of the storm, huh?

It was a compliment that didn't suit me all that well. Unless what she meant was that my life was surrounded by bad luck—that everyone around me got swept up in my misfortune.

"Mister! Wake up!"

It felt like I had only closed my eyes for a few seconds. "Was the spell triggered?"

"Yes. We have to leave quickly."

God damn it.

Instead of going away, my fatigue seemed even worse.

"In formation!" I wished I could sleep longer but I quickly got up and ready to leave.

How long has it been since, again?

"Marrone, time?"

"Five minutes... Five minutes!"

As the chase continued, the distance between us and the enemy gradually began to narrow. Their speed didn't necessarily increase, either. We were just that much slower.

Huff... Huff...

It seemed it was impossible for us to recover our stamina with such a short rest. Well, the fatigue we accumulated from over two months of arduous travel was on a whole other level than theirs.

"W-What do we do? They'll catch up in no time!"

"Why don't we fight instead? If we tire ourselves out any more, we won't even be able to fight back properly later."

Anxiety grew among the crew. I checked the time. It was right after midnight. In other words, only one day left until we escaped Glacier Eye entirely.

One day... might be cutting it close, but it's possible.

I didn't have to think it over for long. I always said this, but survival was a series of choices. Those who stood at a crossroads always had to make a decision: what would I give up this time? My answer to this question was very simple.

"McKelly Rayothers!" I immediately stopped the march and called out to one of the wizards. He was the only one in this expedition who knew how to use the spell I needed.

"What's wrong?" the wizard asked, clearly nervous about the fact that I stopped everyone to talk to him.

"You said you could use the Portal spell when I asked last time. Is that right?"

"Yes... I did say that... but what about the Portal spell?"

Oh, that. It's nothing big.

"Use it. Right now."

At my command, a look of confusion appeared on the wizard's face. "The... Portal? Here?"

It wasn't that I didn't get it. The Portal spell commonly used in the labyrinth these days was the improved version. It could only be used once in a lifetime. Of course, considering our current situation, I was sure he wouldn't complain about using up his one shot here.

"I don't understand why you're making such a request. The Portal spell doesn't work past the sixth floor."

The improved Portal spell only worked up to the sixth floor. If you used the Portal spell on the seventh floor, you were only wasting a precious, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

What a polite explanation. You think I don't know that?

"McKelly Rayothers." There wasn't much time so I skipped the exposition and lowered my voice. "I'll explain why later so do as I say for now. We need that spell right now."

"...Okay. I'll prepare it right away."

"How long will it take?"

"Considering the mana density of our surroundings, one minute should be enough."

"Then please get on that."

As soon as the conversation ended, the wizard started casting and I quickly fired off new instructions to the squad members staring at me blankly. "We'll be moving as soon as the Portal spell is complete so get ready! From now on, we're traveling in a breakthrough formation!"

"...Breakthrough formation?"

"Is he planning on fighting them here?"

The rest of the crew had questions about my commands too. However, the team leaders at least set up the formation according to my wishes before approaching me.

"Why are you using Portal magic all of a sudden?"

"Especially when we're running out of time to escape?"

"I'm most curious about the breakthrough formation. Are you thinking of changing directions?"

They carried out my instructions out of trust, but it seemed they were still curious as to the why. "The route we'll be taking from now on will be more difficult."

"...More difficult?"

"A difficult path for us will also be a difficult path for the enemy."

"...Wait, what are you talking about?" Kaislan tilted his head in a way that told me he still didn't understand. And that was when it happened.

[McKelly Rayothers has cast the rank-one spacetime spell, Portal.]

The spell was completed, and a powerful cluster of light began to form, though only for about a second.

[The darkness of the labyrinth has interfered with spacetime.]

The portal fizzled out before it could even ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠properly take shape. As a result, McKelly would never be able to use Portal magic again in his life. That was probably why he was looking at me in such despair right now.

Dddddd!

But I hadn't been aiming to get out of here with a portal in the first place.

"W-What the—?"

The entire canyon shook with what felt like an earthquake and the crew stood on high alert.

[Special Condition – Momentary Stimulation has been met.]

I knew the improved version of the spell would work. Though it came with many drawbacks, it was still technically classified as rank-one spacetime magic.

Whew... it worked...

Things had gone according to plan for now, but I still couldn't shake the grim curl of my lips. My warrior's intuition was already telling me that today was going to be an especially difficult day.

[The Glacier Wizard Cariathea has appeared in the area.]

I didn't have to think it over for long. I always said this, but survival was a series of choices. Those who stood at a crossroads always had to make a decision: what would I give up this time? My answer to this question was very simple.

"McKelly Rayothers!" I immediately stopped the march and called out to one of the wizards. He was the only one in this expedition who knew how to use the spell I needed.

"What's wrong?" the wizard asked, clearly nervous about the fact that I stopped everyone to talk to him.

"You said you could use the Portal spell when I asked last time. Is that right?"

"Yes... I did say that... but what about the Portal spell?"

Oh, that. It's nothing big.

"Use it. Right now."

At my command, a look of confusion appeared on the wizard's face. "The... Portal? Here?"

It wasn't that I didn't get it. The Portal spell commonly used in the labyrinth these days was the improved version. It could only be used once in a lifetime. Of course, considering our current situation, I was sure he wouldn't complain about using up his one shot here.

"I don't understand why you're making such a request. The Portal spell doesn't work past the sixth floor."

The improved Portal spell only worked up to the sixth floor. If you used the Portal spell on the seventh floor, you were only wasting a precious, once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.

What a polite explanation. You think I don't know that?

"McKelly Rayothers." There wasn't much time so I skipped the exposition and lowered my voice. "I'll explain why later so do as I say for now. We need that spell right now."

"...Okay. I'll prepare it right away."

"How long will it take?"

"Considering the mana density of our surroundings, one minute should be enough."

"Then please get on that."

As soon as the conversation ended, the wizard started casting and I quickly fired off new instructions to the squad members staring at me blankly. "We'll be moving as soon as the Portal spell is complete so get ready! From now on, we're traveling in a breakthrough formation!"

"...Breakthrough formation?"

"Is he planning on fighting them here?"

The rest of the crew had questions about my commands too. However, the team leaders at least set up the formation according to my wishes before approaching me.

"Why are you using Portal magic all of a sudden?"

"Especially when we're running out of time to escape?"

"I'm most curious about the breakthrough formation. Are you thinking of changing directions?"

They carried out my instructions out of trust, but it seemed they were still curious as to the why. "The route we'll be taking from now on will be more difficult."

"...More difficult?"

"A difficult path for us will also be a difficult path for the enemy."

"...Wait, what are you talking about?" Kaislan tilted his head in a way that told me he still didn't understand. And that was when it happened.

[McKelly Rayothers has cast the rank-one spacetime spell, Portal.]

The spell was completed, and a powerful cluster of light began to form, though only for about a second.

[The darkness of the labyrinth has interfered with spacetime.]

The portal fizzled out before it could even properly take shape. As a result, McKelly would never be able to use Portal magic again in his life. That was probably why he was looking at me in such despair right now.

Dddddd!

But I hadn't been aiming to get out of here with a portal in the first place.

"W-What the—?"

The entire canyon shook with what felt like an earthquake and the crew stood on high alert.

[Special Condition – Momentary Stimulation has been met.]

I knew the improved version of the spell would work. Though it came with many drawbacks, it was still technically classified as rank-one spacetime magic.

Whew... it worked...

Things had gone according to plan for now, but I still couldn't shake the grim curl of my lips. My warrior's intuition was already telling me that today was going to be an especially difficult day.

[The Glacier Wizard Cariathea has appeared in the area.]