Chapter 468: Landowner (3)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 468: Landowner (3)
The first thing Count Alminus did before even filing the lawsuit was start a battle of public opinion. Why, one might ask, did he do that? He was guaranteed a certain share of the loot so long as he filed the lawsuit and went to court, so what was the point of trying to sway public opinion? After thinking it through, I reached the only likely conclusion.
Count Alminus doesn't want this to go to court.
If my hypothesis was correct, then there was a high chance that this entire lawsuit was just a formality. Perhaps the more appropriate term for it would be intimidation or a scare tactic. He was making the difference in our stations a point of contention, warning me that I should fall in line or else things would only get worse for me.
Count Alminus doesn't need the money.
It must be about saving face. Although I hadn't been a baron for long, I understood just how much reputation mattered to nobles. In this world, there were only winners and losers, and letting me steal something of his would inevitably make him the loser. That had to be why he was trying to sway public opinion in his favor. So how was he doing so?
He's spreading rumors that I don't have the skills to take on a Lord of the Floor with my clan in the first place.
Strictly speaking, he wasn't wrong. By laying the groundwork and claiming that I wasn't strong enough to take down a Lord of the Floor without the Sawtooth Clan's help, he could then start to throw gasoline on the fire.
Bjorn Yandel heartlessly stole the Lord of the Floor's loot from the Sawtooth Clan, even after they put their all into defeating the beast. Is that what a hero would do?
The count must have immediately clocked that the source of my new house's power was my reputation.
"Hm, so you applied to raid a Lord of the Floor without discussing it with us first?"
"...Yes!"
When I went home and told them my plans for our upcoming expedition, Amelia glared at me. However, the ice in her gaze melted more quickly than usual. She sighed, the look in her eyes shifting into that of a parent whose kid had just made a mess, then switched to problem-solving mode. "Don't you know just how many five-person clans have ended up decimated while trying to defeat a Lord of the Floor?"
"I know. I also know just how much more dangerous a raid is with only five people, which is why most people go in groups of twenty to thirty instead..." And those twenty to thirty people were usually all adventurers skilled enough to reach the sixth or seventh floor. "But don't worry. I have a plan."
In-game, the Lord of Terror was originally designed to be defeated by five people. That was the only way you could unlock the full reward for killing him. Some people were apparently aware of that, which is why clans of only five people had attempted the raid before. However, the groups who were willing to risk their lives on that gamble came few and far between. There had been maybe about two or three attempts over the past hundred years.
But it's actually easier to clear it with five people rather than thirty, as long as you know the right attack strategy.
That was the very reason I chose the Lord of Terror as our next target. Defeating that particular boss with five people would be an even greater feat than defeating Riakis. Once we succeeded, any doubts about my abilities would be put to rest.
Auyen, who had been quietly listening to our meeting, started to fidget in his seat, looking uncomfortable. I'd been wondering for a while why he was even present for this conversation, but I didn't bother asking.
Yeah, I guess he's one of us now, given what he went through with us.
"Rockrock."
"Yes, Baron Yandel. What do you need?"
I told him exactly what he was hoping to hear. "You don't have to join us this time, so don't worry."
"Ah... I-I see..." He let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Then who's going to be the last member?" After sending Auyen off to his room, we began to discuss our strategy, starting with who would fill our open slot. After a long discussion, we finally came to an agreement.
"Yandel." Amelia caught me as I was heading back up to my room to rest. "I think you've been making too many enemies lately... Shouldn't we slow down for now?"
In other words, I was going around drawing too much attention and too soon.
"Take the count. We'd have been much better off if we just avoided provoking him in the first place, or even paid him the share he wants."
Amelia's concerns were entirely valid. The count, and many of the other powerful nobles keeping an eye on us, had a long history of ruling over this land. Watching me, a non-human, ascend to the position of baron and chieftain of the barbarians in quick succession had to have been disturbing for them. But...
"Amelia," I said in an unwavering tone, "even if you're scared of being hunted, the moment you run away with your tail tucked between your legs, that's when you get shot."
This was a long-held belief of mine.
Amelia merely stared at me like I'd lost it.
***
The next day, Erwen and I went out alone for the first time in a while. We were headed to Raven's lab in the Magic Tower.
"Ah, you're here?"
"It's been a while, Raven."
"I heard about you officially becoming a baron. Congratulations. I tried to visit you, but you never seemed to be home."
"I've been really busy lately."
It had been a long time since I'd last visited her lab. Unlike last time, however, it was covered in a thick layer of dust.
"...My lab is pretty dirty, isn't it? I've been stuck with my unit in the capital, so I haven't been able to come back here for a while."
"Thanks for helping. I didn't expect you to cut into your break time for us."
"Hey, of course I did. This is an opportunity to study an essence from a Lord of the Floor. Any self-respecting wizard would jump at the chance."
Well, she wasn't wrong, but there was no wizard out there as trustworthy as her. I tried asking Versyl Gowland as well, but she had no confidence that she'd be able to help since she specialized in magic tools rather than essences.
"After you contacted me, I did a little more research into Riakis's essence. It's a rather fascinating one."
"That makes sense."
"Well then, shall we start...?"
When Raven stepped forward with a disturbing grin on her face, Erwen stepped back. Even though she'd been quiet and obedient this whole time, she finally opened her mouth to ask, "...Mister. Can't we just test it without her? Like we used to?"
Erwen may not have been excited about being treated like a science experiment, but there was nothing I could do. "I told you, we need the help of a wizard to properly understand your new powers. You can do it, right?"
Yeah, I guess he's one of us now, given what he went through with us.
"Rockrock."
"Yes, Baron Yandel. What do you need?"
I told him exactly what he was hoping to hear. "You don't have to join us this time, so don't worry."
"Ah... I-I see..." He let out a deep sigh of relief.
"Then who's going to be the last member?" After sending Auyen off to his room, we began to discuss our strategy, starting with who would fill our open slot. After a long discussion, we finally came to an agreement.
"Yandel." Amelia caught me as I was heading back up to my room to rest. "I think you've been making too many enemies lately... Shouldn't we slow down for now?"
In other words, I was going around drawing too much attention and too soon.
"Take the count. We'd have been much better off if we just avoided provoking him in the first place, or even paid him the share he wants."
Amelia's concerns were entirely valid. The count, and many of the other powerful nobles keeping an eye on us, had a long history of ruling over this land. Watching me, a non-human, ascend to the position of baron and chieftain of the barbarians in quick succession had to have been disturbing for them. But...
"Amelia," I said in an unwavering tone, "even if you're scared of being hunted, the moment you run away with your tail tucked between your legs, that's when you get shot."
This was a long-held belief of mine.
Amelia merely stared at me like I'd lost it.
***
The next day, Erwen and I went out alone for the first time in a while. We were headed to Raven's lab in the Magic Tower.
"Ah, you're here?"
"It's been a while, Raven."
"I heard about you officially becoming a baron. Congratulations. I tried to visit you, but you never seemed to be home."
"I've been really busy lately."
It had been a long time since I'd last visited her lab. Unlike last time, however, it was covered in a thick layer of dust.
"...My lab is pretty dirty, isn't it? I've been stuck with my unit in the capital, so I haven't been able to come back here for a while."
"Thanks for helping. I didn't expect you to cut into your break time for us."
"Hey, of course I did. This is an opportunity to study an essence from a Lord of the Floor. Any self-respecting wizard would jump at the chance."
Well, she wasn't wrong, but there was no wizard out there as trustworthy as her. I tried asking Versyl Gowland as well, but she had no confidence that she'd be able to help since she specialized in magic tools rather than essences.
"After you contacted me, I did a little more research into Riakis's essence. It's a rather fascinating one."
"That makes sense."
"Well then, shall we start...?"
When Raven stepped forward with a disturbing grin on her face, Erwen stepped back. Even though she'd been quiet and obedient this whole time, she finally opened her mouth to ask, "...Mister. Can't we just test it without her? Like we used to?"
Erwen may not have been excited about being treated like a science experiment, but there was nothing I could do. "I told you, we need the help of a wizard to properly understand your new powers. You can do it, right?"
My persuasion must have worked because Erwen nodded. "Yeah..."
Witnessing this exchange, Raven burst into laughter. "Ms. Erwen, you're the same as ever."
"I don't see how that's any of your business."
"Well, fair enough. Then come over here."
The tension in here was so thick I could barely breathe. They used to call each other by first name and get along so well. I wished that everyone's relationships would go back to the way they used to be, like the good old days before I went missing.
Back when I was going to add Erwen to our team, I brought her along with us wherever we went. And I thought she and Raven were slowly growing closer...
I didn't know what had happened to change that, but I figured it was up to them to sort things out. Rather than focus on their relationship, I focused instead on the experiment.
"Here, put your hands in these bracelets."
They were the same bracelets I had to use back when Raven was experimenting with the Corpse Golem's essence. How could you even call those things bracelets, though?
"...Ugh."
As soon as Erwen sat down on that terrifying chair, the bracelets(?) on the chair snapped shut, locking her arms in place.
"Not to worry. I'm just going to slowly insert a magic conductor into your blood vessels to monitor your vital signs. Shall we get started?"
Raven proceeded to go through the initial stages of the experiment, and once she was done, she asked Erwen to use her new skills.
"I know this is your first time and it might be difficult for you, but just try to visualize it as clearly as you can. It might help to think of the name that the Great Sage gave the ability when you—"
"I know how to do it, so please be quiet. Let me concentrate."
"All right, then. Well, I'm just a wizard, so I'm sure you are much more of an expert than me when it comes to these things."
Within a few seconds of Erwen closing her eyes, something started to change. Outwardly, there was no noticeable difference.
Beep. Beeeep. Beeeeeep!
However, the graph on the magical device connected to Erwen started to fluctuate wildly. She had successfully activated the essence's active skill.
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has cast Fusion.]
Fusion was a transformation-type skill similar to Transcendence, though the way it worked was a bit different.
[All of her Passive Skills have fused together.]
While Transcendence affected active skills, Fusion affected only passive skills.
I wonder how this will turn out.
I thought back to each and every passive skill currently in Erwen's possession.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Attribute Strengthening.]
The rank-five Evan essence had a passive skill that buffed each of the Four Great Attributes—Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Absolute Focus.]
The passive skill of the rank-four Ritcanon essence she received from the palace amplified the damage dealt by all casting-type skills twofold.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Harmony.]
The rank-five scout Ertes essence's passive skill converted Soul Power into Natural Power.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Half Blessing.]
My persuasion must have worked because Erwen nodded. "Yeah..."
Witnessing this exchange, Raven burst into laughter. "Ms. Erwen, you're the same as ever."
"I don't see how that's any of your business."
"Well, fair enough. Then come over here."
The tension in here was so thick I could barely breathe. They used to call each other by first name and get along so well. I wished that everyone's relationships would go back to the way they used to be, like the good old days before I went missing.
Back when I was going to add Erwen to our team, I brought her along with us wherever we went. And I thought she and Raven were slowly growing closer...
I didn't know what had happened to change that, but I figured it was up to them to sort things out. Rather than focus on their relationship, I focused instead on the experiment.
"Here, put your hands in these bracelets."
They were the same bracelets I had to use back when Raven was experimenting with the Corpse Golem's essence. How could you even call those things bracelets, though?
"...Ugh."
As soon as Erwen sat down on that terrifying chair, the bracelets(?) on the chair snapped shut, locking her arms in place.
"Not to worry. I'm just going to slowly insert a magic conductor into your blood vessels to monitor your vital signs. Shall we get started?"
Raven proceeded to go through the initial stages of the experiment, and once she was done, she asked Erwen to use her new skills.
"I know this is your first time and it might be difficult for you, but just try to visualize it as clearly as you can. It might help to think of the name that the Great Sage gave the ability when you—"
"I know how to do it, so please be quiet. Let me concentrate."
"All right, then. Well, I'm just a wizard, so I'm sure you are much more of an expert than me when it comes to these things."
Within a few seconds of Erwen closing her eyes, something started to change. Outwardly, there was no noticeable difference.
Beep. Beeeep. Beeeeeep!
However, the graph on the magical device connected to Erwen started to fluctuate wildly. She had successfully activated the essence's active skill.
[Erwen Fornacci di Tersia has cast Fusion.]
Fusion was a transformation-type skill similar to Transcendence, though the way it worked was a bit different.
[All of her Passive Skills have fused together.]
While Transcendence affected active skills, Fusion affected only passive skills.
I wonder how this will turn out.
I thought back to each and every passive skill currently in Erwen's possession.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Attribute Strengthening.]
The rank-five Evan essence had a passive skill that buffed each of the Four Great Attributes—Water, Fire, Wind, and Earth.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Absolute Focus.]
The passive skill of the rank-four Ritcanon essence she received from the palace amplified the damage dealt by all casting-type skills twofold.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Harmony.]
The rank-five scout Ertes essence's passive skill converted Soul Power into Natural Power.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Half Blessing.]
The passive skill attached to the rank-five wolf monster Kalban's essence gave you buffs at regular intervals.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Pursuer's Eye.]
The rank-four Metcrow's passive skill tripled all stats related to sight and adjusted long-distance attacks accordingly.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs the Food Chain.]
Lastly, the passive skill attached to the rank-three monster Heaven's Adjudicator's essence—which she obtained with the help of the elves after our team disbanded—increased all damage dealt to monsters in proportion to the target's level. While not as destructive as the active skill Rupture, it was an extremely valuable skill to have, especially considering it was passive.
Since the Lord of the Floor's essence isn't included in Fusion, that should be it.
I had no idea exactly what form a fusion of those skills would take. With how many essences there were in Dungeon and Stone, it would have been physically impossible for me to experiment with every combination one by one, even more so because I didn't play the jailbroken version of the game.
...Though I'm pretty sure I tested every possible combination of high-rank essences.
I did find quite a few powerful combinations that way, but attaining any of those was more a long-term goal rather than anything achievable in the near future. The only thing we could do now was see what her current combination of passive skills would create.
[The energy of Chaos fills Erwen Fornacci di Tersia's body.]
That was why it was essential to have a wizard's help here. It wasn't like I could read the system log to see what was happening.
"How do you feel? Does anything feel different?"
"I'm not sure."
"Really? Then we'll have to go through the checklist." Raven continued to experiment on Erwen, just as she had done to me. Of course, the experiment couldn't be completed within a single day. "I've taken the whole month off, so please come here every day from now on."
With that, Erwen's calendar for the month was filled.
***
[The energy of Chaos fills Erwen Fornacci di Tersia's body.]
[Her Soul Power and Natural Power increase significantly in proportion to her level.]
[When dealing damage to monsters rank four or below, additional Chaos-type damage will be inflicted.]
[While active, all damage she receives will be circumvented through the consumption of Soul Power.]
***
Even after checking my visit to the Magic Tower off my list, I still had a busy schedule ahead of me.
"A lot of people have been saying strange things about you lately. Of course I'll help. I'll do my best to put those rumors to rest."
I met with the lower-rank adventurers I helped in the labyrinth, and they quickly assured me that they would provide their testimony if needed.
"A fierce battle took place at the top of the Dragon Mountains, and apparently, one of the Seven Powerful was even killed. Oh, and there's one more thing you should know—"
I also visited Versyl Gowland to get updated on information related to the war and anything else I may have missed.
"Bjorn! Let's go to the holy land! They need you there!"
At some point or another, something happened with the tribe, so I needed to visit the holy land as well.
"...It hasn't even been a month yet! What do you know about being a blacksmith? To properly melt Mystium, I first need to prepare the proper equipment... Huh? You weren't trying to rush me? Don't lie!"
On top of that, I stopped by the dwarf's forge to check on how disposing of the loot and melting down the metal I gave him were progressing. Even in the game, you needed to make sure to click on each gauge frequently so they'd be completed as soon as possible.
...Has it been half a month already?
I was starting to grow more and more exhausted as the days dragged on. That night, I returned home late, collapsed onto my bed, and squeezed my eyes shut. Unfortunately, it wasn't time to rest yet. There was one more job I needed to get done before I could get some sleep.
[Your soul has resonated and is being drawn into a different world.]
...All right, let's see.
The passive skill attached to the rank-five wolf monster Kalban's essence gave you buffs at regular intervals.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs Pursuer's Eye.]
The rank-four Metcrow's passive skill tripled all stats related to sight and adjusted long-distance attacks accordingly.
[The energy of Chaos engulfs the Food Chain.]
Lastly, the passive skill attached to the rank-three monster Heaven's Adjudicator's essence—which she obtained with the help of the elves after our team disbanded—increased all damage dealt to monsters in proportion to the target's level. While not as destructive as the active skill Rupture, it was an extremely valuable skill to have, especially considering it was passive.
Since the Lord of the Floor's essence isn't included in Fusion, that should be it.
I had no idea exactly what form a fusion of those skills would take. With how many essences there were in Dungeon and Stone, it would have been physically impossible for me to experiment with every combination one by one, even more so because I didn't play the jailbroken version of the game.
...Though I'm pretty sure I tested every possible combination of high-rank essences.
I did find quite a few powerful combinations that way, but attaining any of those was more a long-term goal rather than anything achievable in the near future. The only thing we could do now was see what her current combination of passive skills would create.
[The energy of Chaos fills Erwen Fornacci di Tersia's body.]
That was why it was essential to have a wizard's help here. It wasn't like I could read the system log to see what was happening.
"How do you feel? Does anything feel different?"
"I'm not sure."
"Really? Then we'll have to go through the checklist." Raven continued to experiment on Erwen, just as she had done to me. Of course, the experiment couldn't be completed within a single day. "I've taken the whole month off, so please come here every day from now on."
With that, Erwen's calendar for the month was filled.
***
[The energy of Chaos fills Erwen Fornacci di Tersia's body.]
[Her Soul Power and Natural Power increase significantly in proportion to her level.]
[When dealing damage to monsters rank four or below, additional Chaos-type damage will be inflicted.]
[While active, all damage she receives will be circumvented through the consumption of Soul Power.]
***
Even after checking my visit to the Magic Tower off my list, I still had a busy schedule ahead of me.
"A lot of people have been saying strange things about you lately. Of course I'll help. I'll do my best to put those rumors to rest."
I met with the lower-rank adventurers I helped in the labyrinth, and they quickly assured me that they would provide their testimony if needed.
"A fierce battle took place at the top of the Dragon Mountains, and apparently, one of the Seven Powerful was even killed. Oh, and there's one more thing you should know—"
I also visited Versyl Gowland to get updated on information related to the war and anything else I may have missed.
"Bjorn! Let's go to the holy land! They need you there!"
At some point or another, something happened with the tribe, so I needed to visit the holy land as well.
"...It hasn't even been a month yet! What do you know about being a blacksmith? To properly melt Mystium, I first need to prepare the proper equipment... Huh? You weren't trying to rush me? Don't lie!"
On top of that, I stopped by the dwarf's forge to check on how disposing of the loot and melting down the metal I gave him were progressing. Even in the game, you needed to make sure to click on each gauge frequently so they'd be completed as soon as possible.
...Has it been half a month already?
I was starting to grow more and more exhausted as the days dragged on. That night, I returned home late, collapsed onto my bed, and squeezed my eyes shut. Unfortunately, it wasn't time to rest yet. There was one more job I needed to get done before I could get some sleep.
[Your soul has resonated and is being drawn into a different world.]
...All right, let's see.