Chapter 522: Giant Island (1)

Translator: RaidenTL

Chapter 522: Giant Island (1)

Sixty new adventurers had entered Basement Floor One. They were all momentarily dumbfounded when they noticed us alive and well, but after snapping out of it, they came up to us and introduced themselves.

"Baron Yandel, so you really were alive. It's an honor to meet you. I am the captain of the Armin Adventurer Group, Myul Armin."

Although they weren't one of the Four Great Clans, the Armin Adventurer Group was well-known and well-respected. They were famous for continuing to go on quests even after the war began.

"Megnon Nias. I lead the Ainpelial Clan."

Ainpelial, huh? I had never heard that name before.

"I am Bjorn, son of Yandel."

While our group had been a mishmash of different people, it seemed all of the new arrivals were members of those two organizations.

Cautiously, Myul Armin broached a question. "But... aren't you surprised to see us here?"

"We sort of guessed that time is still passing in the outside world."

"...Pardon?" Myul Armin flinched before immediately looking at my companions. Was he trying to see which one of us might be a player?

Before his suspicions could grow any further, I quickly continued, explaining, "We obtained a clue during our expedition that suggested as much."

That wasn't technically a lie. In hindsight, we had more than enough information from the village chief to have come to that conclusion on our own.

"Ah..."

"But how did you know that we were still alive?"

The one who answered was Megnon Nias, who looked to be in his late thirties. "I assume you know about the gathering of evil spirits that takes place every month, right? Well, information about this place has already spread to the city through them."

Okay, but what's with the way this guy is talking to me? He's acting like we're equals. Does he think he's better than a noble?

Myul Armin seemed to notice the look in my eyes and rushed to interrupt the exchange. "He speaks the truth, but because of the source, everyone was still a bit hesitant about trusting it. However, most accepted the possibility of your survival, Lord Baron."

"I see."

Right, that should be enough to avoid any suspicion that I was an evil spirit. Now came information gathering.

"But you guys did pretty well for yourselves. You already figured out a way to open the portal."

"We're nothing compared to you, Baron Yandel. But there were lots of clues from the evil spirits. With the ancient carving discovered on the headstone, we were able to make a connection to Sculpture Temple and figure it out from there."

"Then are you two clans cooperating?"

"Temporarily."

This Nias guy really was a blunt bastard. How could I use that against him?

Just as the thought popped into my mind, Myul Armin once again noticed and kept the conversation flowing. "We met up at Sculpture Temple, and since we didn't have enough time, we decided to pool the pieces we already gathered together to open the portal."

"Oh, for reference, our clan had two fragments, and his clan had one."

"...Yes. That's true. That is why the number of members we each got to bring was adjusted to match that ratio."

Ah, I'd been wondering why one group had forty and one had twenty. So that was the rationale.

"Right, so now that we've shared our piece, can we get some information about this place?" Nias asked without a shred of self-awareness. "Since this is a new floor, I figure we need some info before we officially begin our expedition."

Hah, how long was this guy going to keep disrespecting me?

What, am I not a real noble to you just because I'm being nice?

"You speak as if we somehow owe you."

When I lowered my voice, only then did he pick up on my obvious annoyance and change his tune.

"That wasn't what I meant... It's just... I get the sense that we'll be running into each other quite often until we find an exit, so I feel it'd be beneficial for us to exchange information."

"Is that so?"

"Um, you'll find us to be of great help to you as well, Baron Yandel. Isn't the Anabada Clan on the smaller side?"

Even though we hadn't spoken for long, I had already made up my mind about this guy.

"In comparison, we of the Ainpelial Clan may be small compared to the Four Great Clans, but we are by no means beneath them in terms of performance. I guarantee it. And next month, the members that weren't able to enter today will be entering as well—"

He would only get in my way if I kept him around. As soon as I came to that conclusion, I cut him off. "There's no need for all that. I don't need your help, so you can handle yourselves."

Megnon Nias flinched, staring at me in stunned silence for a beat before realizing I wasn't joking. "...You're making a foolish decision. What if we discover a way out before you do?"

"From the looks of things, I doubt you will."

"...You'll regret this."

"Yeah, well, most people who say that end up being wrong."

"Hah!" He snorted in open contempt before calling for his clan members and preparing to depart.

Having watched this exchange, Myul Armin seemed worried. "Is it... really okay to send them off like this?"

"Oh, yeah, I guess sending them off like this would be wrong." I nodded in agreement before calling out to the guy just as he was about to take off. "Wait."

"...Hah! Did you change your mind?"

"Shut up. Come here."

I beckoned him over with my finger, and though he looked insulted at the summoning, he still obediently came up to me, an impatient look on his face that seemed to demand I not waste his time.

Smack!

So, since he was in such a rush, I was quick to slap him on the back of his head.

"Ack!"

I did expect it from how smooth his head was, but it was a satisfying smack.

"Wh-what do you think you're doing?!"

"Oh. I just wanted to smack you."

"...What?" He blinked, clearly stunned by my response, but that wasn't my problem.

What are you going to do about it? Snort and glare at me again?

"That's all I need from you. Go on your way, now." When he stared at me in silence, I asked, "Is there a problem?"

"...You really can't trust the rumors."

In a clear show that he didn't want anything to do with me, he quickly gathered his clan and left. As I fought back a laugh at the sight ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠of him running off with his tail between his legs, Myul Armin asked, "...Why did you do that?"

Ah, that? "Because I figured this would be my only opportunity."

"Only opportunity?"

I just shrugged.

Hah, how long was this guy going to keep disrespecting me?

What, am I not a real noble to you just because I'm being nice?

"You speak as if we somehow owe you."

When I lowered my voice, only then did he pick up on my obvious annoyance and change his tune.

"That wasn't what I meant... It's just... I get the sense that we'll be running into each other quite often until we find an exit, so I feel it'd be beneficial for us to exchange information."

"Is that so?"

"Um, you'll find us to be of great help to you as well, Baron Yandel. Isn't the Anabada Clan on the smaller side?"

Even though we hadn't spoken for long, I had already made up my mind about this guy.

"In comparison, we of the Ainpelial Clan may be small compared to the Four Great Clans, but we are by no means beneath them in terms of performance. I guarantee it. And next month, the members that weren't able to enter today will be entering as well—"

He would only get in my way if I kept him around. As soon as I came to that conclusion, I cut him off. "There's no need for all that. I don't need your help, so you can handle yourselves."

Megnon Nias flinched, staring at me in stunned silence for a beat before realizing I wasn't joking. "...You're making a foolish decision. What if we discover a way out before you do?"

"From the looks of things, I doubt you will."

"...You'll regret this."

"Yeah, well, most people who say that end up being wrong."

"Hah!" He snorted in open contempt before calling for his clan members and preparing to depart.

Having watched this exchange, Myul Armin seemed worried. "Is it... really okay to send them off like this?"

"Oh, yeah, I guess sending them off like this would be wrong." I nodded in agreement before calling out to the guy just as he was about to take off. "Wait."

"...Hah! Did you change your mind?"

"Shut up. Come here."

I beckoned him over with my finger, and though he looked insulted at the summoning, he still obediently came up to me, an impatient look on his face that seemed to demand I not waste his time.

Smack!

So, since he was in such a rush, I was quick to slap him on the back of his head.

"Ack!"

I did expect it from how smooth his head was, but it was a satisfying smack.

"Wh-what do you think you're doing?!"

"Oh. I just wanted to smack you."

"...What?" He blinked, clearly stunned by my response, but that wasn't my problem.

What are you going to do about it? Snort and glare at me again?

"That's all I need from you. Go on your way, now." When he stared at me in silence, I asked, "Is there a problem?"

"...You really can't trust the rumors."

In a clear show that he didn't want anything to do with me, he quickly gathered his clan and left. As I fought back a laugh at the sight of him running off with his tail between his legs, Myul Armin asked, "...Why did you do that?"

Ah, that? "Because I figured this would be my only opportunity."

"Only opportunity?"

I just shrugged.

I mean, you can't really smack a dead guy, right?

Anyway, since that guy was gone, I didn't spare him another thought. Instead, I focused on the one remaining.

"So, you're Myul Armin?"

"Yes, Your Lordship."

"I'll call you Myul."

"It's an honor, Lord Baron."

"So, what's your plan from here on out?"

"Ah, actually... Before that, there is something I need to relay to you."

"To me?"

I was curious what he had to say, but it turned out this was about the post that had been uploaded to the Ghost Busters forums the other day—the one about the person stuck on an island waiting to be rescued.

"Considering you're alive and well, the story about the people stuck on an island must also be true. Which is why we were planning on going that way first."

"Your reason being...?"

"We need to save the people we can save. And since we don't have much information about this place anyway, I figured it was better to go somewhere specific rather than wander around aimlessly."

"Well, that's true."

Myul was the complete opposite of the guy from before. Even though we hadn't spoken for long, I could tell that he was pretty trustworthy.

"Could you...perhaps let me know if there's anything that we might need to be wary of here? I know that there's a chance I'm being presumptuous, but it'll be of great help in protecting the clan members who put their trust in and followed me here. Ah, of course, I'll compensate you accordingly for anything you're willing to share."

"Well, as long as there's ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠compensation." I smirked and gave him exactly two pieces of information upfront. "If you see an island, have a proper look at it before getting any closer. We almost approached one a while back and it turned out to be a floating Tol-Lapupa."

"Surely you don't mean... that rank-one monster?"

"Yeah. That's the only one we've seen so far, but you need to stay vigilant."

Myul's expression darkened at the news. "...So there could be more rank-one monsters around. This truly is a dangerous place."

"But what's even more dangerous than the rank-one monsters is 'rainy season.'"

"Come again...?"

"On your fourteenth day here, monsters will start to rain down from the sky, and this will continue until the twenty-first day. So you'll need to find somewhere to hide until it passes."

I then went on to explain the level of the monsters that could appear during the rainy season, and Myul blanched. "So when you said earlier that it would be your only opportunity... this was what you meant."

"That's right. Anyway, we'll be leaving now, so good luck."

"Pardon?"

Myul was clearly taken aback by my abrupt farewell, but I didn't bother answering and instead walked toward where my companions were waiting. For things like this, you needed to completely break the other side's spirit.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Hmm, he should've tried to stop me by now.

Why wasn't he? Were rank-one monsters and the rainy season not enough to scare him?

Tsk, then does that mean I'll have to be the one to make the offer myself?

"Lord Baron—!"

Just as the thought crossed my mind, Myul called out to me from behind. I slowly turned to him, poker-faced. "What is it?"

"It's just..."

"Speak quickly. I don't have time."

"...Could we perhaps join forces with you?"

That was exactly what I wanted to hear.

However, I made a show of being unimpressed as I looked Myul up and down. "Hmm... With you?"

"Yes. We won't ever get in your way. And we will hand over command to you as well."

Myul then went on to explain that the Armin Adventurer Group, the clan he was captain of, had in its ranks quite a few adventurers who had a proven track record of hunting down the Achievements of Gabrielius.

I already knew all that, and as I mentioned before, these guys were pretty famous—and in a very good way.

"Your offer isn't too bad, but how will we split the loot?"

When I got straight down to business, Myul thought it over for a moment before answering. "Since you were here first and know a lot more than us, I won't try to be greedy, Your Lordship."

"Give me specific numbers."

"I will forfeit our right to any mana stones entirely. However, in return, please give us half of the essences and any other drops on this quest."

Haha, look at this guy. An adventurer was still an adventurer, no matter how much of a good guy they seemed to be.

"We'll split the mana stones equally, but the rest of the loot—including essences—will be split seventy–thirty. And we'll have first pick, of course."

"Could we remove that priority by lowering our share to 20 percent?"

"No."

When I instantly shut him down, Myul's brow furrowed. He seemed to be deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons of what essentially amounted to indentured servitude.

But now was the time to hammer the final nail into the coffin.

"Myul Armin, this is ultimately your decision. However, keep this in mind." I looked directly into his eyes as I spoke. "I—Bjorn, son of Yandel—will never give up on my allies, no matter the situation."

That, at least, was 100 percent the truth. Now the only question was whether my honesty would get through to him.

"...We'll accept that offer."

With that, I acquired twenty elite slaves.

***

The Armin Adventurer Group joining us was such a huge boon that I didn't even feel bad about wasting the last few days here on Stone Island. And it only got better and better the more I got to know them.

Four rank-three adventurers, twelve rank-four adventurers, a priest, and four wizards... Their party comp was so strong that I frankly couldn't understand why they accepted a deal that was no different than a slave contract.

I'm pretty sure they'd even be able to defeat a rank-two monster so long as their team is decently in sync.

After assessing my newly acquired forces, I greeted each of the members of the Armin Group one by one.

"I am Bjorn, son of Yandel. I'll be in your care."

"I-I am the wizard of the group, Sharlot Emblut...!"

"Really? You'll need to keep your strength up, then. Here, take this jerky."

"Th-thank you!"

"All right, what's your name?"

"I-I am Brian Emblut..."

"Emblut?"

"Ah! Sharlot is my younger sister."

"Oh, so both of you became adventurers. Impressive! So, what's your name?"

"Ah, I'm..."

It took quite a bit of time to get everyone's names, but it was worth it.

I have a good feeling about this.

By some stroke of luck, there didn't seem to be a single Hans in the lot.

I mean, you can't really smack a dead guy, right?

Anyway, since that guy was gone, I didn't spare him another thought. Instead, I focused on the one remaining.

"So, you're Myul Armin?"

"Yes, Your Lordship."

"I'll call you Myul."

"It's an honor, Lord Baron."

"So, what's your plan from here on out?"

"Ah, actually... Before that, there is something I need to relay to you."

"To me?"

I was curious what he had to say, but it turned out this was about the post that had been uploaded to the Ghost Busters forums the other day—the one about the person stuck on an island waiting to be rescued.

"Considering you're ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠alive and well, the story about the people stuck on an island must also be true. Which is why we were planning on going that way first."

"Your reason being...?"

"We need to save the people we can save. And since we don't have much information about this place anyway, I figured it was better to go somewhere specific rather than wander around aimlessly."

"Well, that's true."

Myul was the complete opposite of the guy from before. Even though we hadn't spoken for long, I could tell that he was pretty trustworthy.

"Could you...perhaps let me know if there's anything that we might need to be wary of here? I know that there's a chance I'm being presumptuous, but it'll be of great help in protecting the clan members who put their trust in and followed me here. Ah, of course, I'll compensate you accordingly for anything you're willing to share."

"Well, as long as there's compensation." I smirked and gave him exactly two pieces of information upfront. "If you see an island, have a proper look at it before getting any closer. We almost approached one a while back and it turned out to be a floating Tol-Lapupa."

"Surely you don't mean... that rank-one monster?"

"Yeah. That's the only one we've seen so far, but you need to stay vigilant."

Myul's expression darkened at the news. "...So there could be more rank-one monsters around. This truly is a dangerous place."

"But what's even more dangerous than the rank-one monsters is 'rainy season.'"

"Come again...?"

"On your fourteenth day here, monsters will start to rain down from the sky, and this will continue until the twenty-first day. So you'll need to find somewhere to hide until it passes."

I then went on to explain the level of the monsters that could appear during the rainy season, and Myul blanched. "So when you said earlier that it would be your only opportunity... this was what you meant."

"That's right. Anyway, we'll be leaving now, so good luck."

"Pardon?"

Myul was clearly taken aback by my abrupt farewell, but I didn't bother answering and instead walked toward where my companions were waiting. For things like this, you needed to completely break the other side's spirit.

One step, two steps, three steps...

Hmm, he should've tried to stop me by now.

Why wasn't he? Were rank-one monsters and the rainy season not enough to scare him?

Tsk, then does that mean I'll have to be the one to make the offer myself?

"Lord Baron—!"

Just as the thought crossed my mind, Myul called out to me from behind. I slowly turned to him, poker-faced. "What is it?"

"It's just..."

"Speak quickly. I don't have time."

"...Could we perhaps join forces with you?"

That was exactly what I wanted to hear.

However, I made a show of being unimpressed as I looked Myul up and down. "Hmm... With you?"

"Yes. We won't ever get in your way. And we will hand over command to you as well."

Myul then went on to explain that the Armin Adventurer Group, the clan he was captain of, had in its ranks quite a few adventurers who had a proven track record of hunting down the Achievements of Gabrielius.

I already knew all that, and as I mentioned before, these guys were pretty famous—and in a very good way.

"Your offer isn't too bad, but how will we split the loot?"

When I got straight down to business, Myul thought it over for a moment before answering. "Since you were here first and know a lot more than us, I won't try to be greedy, Your Lordship."

"Give me specific numbers."

"I will forfeit our ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠right to any mana stones entirely. However, in return, please give us half of the essences and any other drops on this quest."

Haha, look at this guy. An adventurer was still an adventurer, no matter how much of a good guy they seemed to be.

"We'll split the mana stones equally, but the rest of the loot—including essences—will be split seventy–thirty. And we'll have first pick, of course."

"Could we remove that priority by lowering our share to 20 percent?"

"No."

When I instantly shut him down, Myul's brow furrowed. He seemed to be deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons of what essentially amounted to indentured servitude.

But now was the time to hammer the final nail into the coffin.

"Myul Armin, this is ultimately your decision. However, keep this in mind." I looked directly into his eyes as I spoke. "I—Bjorn, son of Yandel—will never give up on my allies, no matter the situation."

That, at least, was 100 percent the truth. Now the only question was whether my honesty would get through to him.

"...We'll accept that offer."

With that, I acquired twenty elite slaves.

***

The Armin Adventurer Group joining us was such a huge boon that I didn't even feel bad about wasting the last few days here on Stone Island. And it only got better and better the more I got to know them.

Four rank-three adventurers, twelve rank-four adventurers, a priest, and four wizards... Their party comp was so strong that I frankly couldn't understand why they accepted a deal that was no different than a slave contract.

I'm pretty sure they'd even be able to defeat a rank-two monster so long as their team is decently in sync.

After assessing my newly acquired forces, I greeted each of the members of the Armin Group one by one.

"I am Bjorn, son of Yandel. I'll be in your care."

"I-I am the wizard of the group, Sharlot Emblut...!"

"Really? You'll need to keep your strength up, then. Here, take this jerky."

"Th-thank you!"

"All right, what's your name?"

"I-I am Brian Emblut..."

"Emblut?"

"Ah! Sharlot is my younger sister."

"Oh, so both of you became adventurers. Impressive! So, what's your name?"

"Ah, I'm..."

It took quite a bit of time to get everyone's names, but it was worth it.

I have a good feeling about this.

By some stroke of luck, there didn't seem to be a single Hans in the lot.