Chapter 559: First Clear (4)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 559: First Clear (4)
Hearing came back to me in a jumbled cacophony.
"...Ritman Powel is confirmed dead!"
"Mailden Betimore of Squad Three is confirmed dead!"
"Garon Nilgrains of Squad One is confirmed dead!"
Desperate voices rang out around me.
"Mister! Are you awake? Hello?"
"Priest, why is he not waking up?"
"It's... I think he'll wake up if we wait a little longer..."
"He sustained a severe head injury. Is that why it's taking so long?"
My companions were worriedly chattering right over my prone form. And beneath the din, I could pick out Missha's voice, mumbling to herself.
"If something goes wrong... I'll have to use that..."
What is she talking about? My brow furrowed, but I couldn't focus past the ringing in my ears and the exhaustion still clinging to me.
"Well then... it seems the baron is all healed, so I will go and tend to the other—"
"What the hell are you saying? He hasn't woken up yet! Where do you think you're going?"
"Tersia, stop."
"What do you mean stop? Are you not worried about Mister—"
"I mean that's unnecessary. He's awake."
"...What?"
Ah, I got caught. I'd wanted to sort through some of the chaos cluttering my mind before opening my eyes. I needed to figure out our status, anyway. I could pretend to be asleep and procrastinate all I wanted, but I'd still have to face reality eventually.
"Captain!"
"Oh! Bjorrrn! I was worried!"
"Hah..."
As I opened my eyes, my comrades all let out sighs of relief.
Rather than reassuring them that I was fine, I jumped straight to the most important question. "Did any of us...get hurt?" I wasn't usually the type to be so indirect, but what I was really trying to ask was whether any of our people died.
Amelia instantly understood my question and answered, "Glow Isius died."
Glow Isius was a member of the Armin Adventurer Group's wizard trio. He was a young man in his thirties. Whenever he saw me, he always joked about how I needed to give him more time and funding if I wanted him to get anything done.
So, he had died.
"...And?"
"We didn't have any other deaths. We had a few injuries, but aside from one exception, everyone else's were minor."
"I see..." I closed my eyes for a moment and let out a deep sigh. Everyone remained quiet as I did, granting me a moment of silence. Although what felt like hundreds of aborted thoughts were swirling through my mind, I focused on one and one alone.
The things I need to do... Let's get to it.
"I remember that wolf chomping down on my head, but what happened after that?" I asked. "Tell me everything that happened after I lost consciousness."
For some reason, Amelia seemed hesitant. "...As soon as you were bitten, Tersia fired her arrow."
That meant that Concentrated Fire hadn't been fully charged when Erwen let it fly.
"The hit made Kashan let go of you, and Karlstein and I took advantage of its surprise to run in and save you."
That arrow had created enough of an opening for them to rescue me. However, things only went downhill from there.
"...After that, all of us faced off against Kashan together, and a lot of people died. That's all. Oh, also, unfortunately, we weren't able to get an essence—"
"Don't skip over the details."
All of us faced off against it together, and a lot of people died—this wasn't a story that could be summed up in a single sentence. I needed to know.
Sensing my resolve, Amelia let out a sigh and gave me the answer I was seeking. "Yandel, after you fell unconscious, a huge vacuum appeared in the front line. We needed someone to fill that void, so... Dozens of knights ran in."
"What about Jerome Saintred? What, did he stay in the back and watch this all happen?"
"Actually, he didn't. He'd been waiting back there specifically for something to go wrong, and when you fell, he was the first to run forward. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have been able to save you."
"...I see. Sorry for interrupting you. Continue."
"The commander joined the battle, but things still weren't going well. And then, in the end, he changed our orders. He commanded the soldiers in the back to join the battle and fight too."
The soldiers in the back were stationed next to the long-rangers—the wizards, priests, and special-ability users—to protect them. So even they had been mobilized.
It was a call I could see the merit in. The battle had already been nearly over when I'd fallen. Rushing to kill the wolf as fast as possible would have been the best way to decrease our casualties.
"But his plan had a fatal flaw." The issue was that no one could manage the wolf's aggro properly. "Kashan attacks the most threatening individuals first. As such, most of its attacks were aimed at the commander, but it was a very unstable situation."
Every time it swatted at them with its massive paws, the neck of a knight flew off, and every time a wizard fired off a powerful blast, the wolf would turn to charge at them.
"That was when Glow Isius died."
And with that, the wizard trio became a duo.
I was wondering why they didn't want to tell me how he died...
Were they thinking that he wouldn't have died if I had stayed up?
...Well, that was true.
"We faced the wolf for three minutes after you fell unconscious, and then the commander finally drove his sword through the wolf's forehead and ended the battle. After that, the stone gate closed and then opened again, showering the area with light. It's been about ten minutes since then."
I paused to take that all in.
"How is that?" Amelia prompted. "Did that answer all of your questions?"
"For now."
A knight I recognized from Squad Three approached us as our conversation trailed off into silence. "Lord Baron, you're awake! The commander is calling for you!"
"...I'll be gone for a bit."
"I'll be helping the injured," said Amelia, "so don't worry about us."
I eventually followed the knight over to Jerome, who had lost one of his arms and was sporting a hole that punched clean through his gut. He was currently being healed by a priest.
"The hit made Kashan let go of you, and Karlstein and I took advantage of its surprise to run in and save you."
That arrow had created enough of an opening for them to rescue me. However, things only went downhill from there.
"...After that, all of us faced off against Kashan together, and a lot of people died. That's all. Oh, also, unfortunately, we weren't able to get an essence—"
"Don't skip over the details."
All of us faced off against it together, and a lot of people died—this wasn't a story that could be summed up in a single sentence. I needed to know.
Sensing my resolve, Amelia let out a sigh and gave me the answer I was seeking. "Yandel, after you fell unconscious, a huge vacuum appeared in the front line. We needed someone to fill that void, so... Dozens of knights ran in."
"What about Jerome Saintred? What, did he stay in the back and watch this all happen?"
"Actually, he didn't. He'd been waiting back there specifically for something to go wrong, and when you fell, he was the first to run forward. If it weren't for him, we wouldn't have been able to save you."
"...I see. Sorry for interrupting you. Continue."
"The commander joined the battle, but things still weren't going well. And then, in the end, he changed our orders. He commanded the soldiers in the back to join the battle and fight too."
The soldiers in the back were stationed next to the long-rangers—the wizards, priests, and special-ability users—to protect them. So even they had been mobilized.
It was a call I could see the merit in. The battle had already been nearly over when I'd fallen. Rushing to kill the wolf as fast as possible would have been the best way to decrease our casualties.
"But his plan had a fatal flaw." The issue was that no one could manage the wolf's aggro properly. "Kashan attacks the most threatening individuals first. As such, most of its attacks were aimed at the commander, but it was a very unstable situation."
Every time it swatted at them with its massive paws, the neck of a knight flew off, and every time a wizard fired off a powerful blast, the wolf would turn to charge at them.
"That was when Glow Isius died."
And with that, the wizard trio became a duo.
I was wondering why they didn't want to tell me how he died...
Were they thinking that he wouldn't have died if I had stayed up?
...Well, that was true.
"We faced the wolf for three minutes after you fell unconscious, and then the commander finally drove his sword through the wolf's forehead and ended the battle. After that, the stone gate closed and then opened again, showering the area with light. It's been about ten minutes since then."
I paused to take that all in.
"How is that?" Amelia prompted. "Did that answer all of your questions?"
"For now."
A knight I recognized from Squad Three approached us as our conversation trailed off into silence. "Lord Baron, you're awake! The commander is calling for you!"
"...I'll be gone for a bit."
"I'll be helping the injured," said Amelia, "so don't worry about us."
I eventually followed the knight over to Jerome, who had lost one of his arms and was sporting a hole that punched clean through his gut. He was currently being healed by a priest.
So this guy took some pretty hard hits too.
"It's a relief to see you looking well, Your Lordship."
"I think you're worse off than me right now, to be honest."
Jerome let out a strained laugh and didn't say anything to that, instead turning to his deputy commander. "All right, the baron is here as well... Ebost, report!"
With all the leaders in one place, the debrief began.
"The First Expedition Group has accomplished an amazing feat by defeating the Wolf of Prophecy, Kashan, today. It is an achievement that will surely be recorded in imperial history. Unfortunately, we weren't able to acquire an essence that could be offered to the palace..."
As the report continued, I was once again reminded of just how dangerous rank-one monsters were.
"Twenty-seven people sustained moderate injuries and have already made full recoveries, four are still suffering from serious injuries, and a total of twenty-eight were killed in action."
Twenty-eight dead soldiers, twenty-one of whom had died in the three minutes I was unconscious. Of those who died in battle, our Squad Four only suffered one casualty. No one could refute that this was nothing short of miraculous, but there was also a concrete reason our numbers looked like they did.
"Count Saintred," I called. "I heard that you commanded Squad Four to retreat to the rear at the end of the battle." After I fell unconscious and Kashan began running rampant, the commander sent Squad Four back to the relatively safer rear. "Why did you give that order?"
It wasn't that I was displeased with the order—not by any means. In fact, I was incredibly grateful for it. But that didn't mean I didn't have questions about why he gave it.
"That's because if you die, then we will have failed one of the objectives of this expedition, Your Lordship. For that reason, I commanded the entirety of Squad Four to fall back and protect you."
"...What?"
"Your Lordship, our expedition group didn't just come down here to hunt mere monsters. And I have never, save one time, ever failed a mission."
This mindset was beyond all comprehension. Was his mission really that important to him?
"No matter how many people die in the process, if we save you and return to the city, the mission will be a success," he concluded.
I genuinely didn't know what to make of this guy anymore. The last time we talked, I'd had the thought that we could have been friends if not for the situation we were in.
I said the only thing I could. "Understood. That answered my questions."
"That's good to hear. Then can we continue with the meeting?"
When I nodded and took a step back, the deputy commander paused for a moment before resuming the meeting.
"Those are all the casualties we have to report, so I will move on to the next item on the agenda."
The next topic of conversation was quite simple. We had successfully defeated Kashan, and since it didn't drop an essence, we didn't need to have a discussion about who would take it. Instead...
"As soon as Kashan disappeared, the stone gate opened again. The wizards have confirmed that the light it is emitting is similar in nature to a portal... Put simply, there is a very high chance that if we step into that light, we will end up somewhere new."
What could be beyond that open stone gate? When should we pack up and leave this place to continue our expedition again?
These were the topics discussed during our meeting, and many different opinions were offered. I let their conversation wash over me without paying it much mind, engrossed in my own thoughts.
So this guy took some pretty hard hits too.
"It's a relief to see you looking well, Your Lordship."
"I think you're worse off than me right now, to be honest."
Jerome let out a strained laugh and didn't say anything to that, instead turning to his deputy commander. "All right, the baron is here as well... Ebost, report!"
With all the leaders in one place, the debrief began.
"The First Expedition Group has accomplished an amazing feat by defeating the Wolf of Prophecy, Kashan, today. It is an achievement that will surely be recorded in imperial history. Unfortunately, we weren't able to acquire an essence that could be offered to the palace..."
As the report continued, I was once again reminded of just how dangerous rank-one monsters were.
"Twenty-seven people sustained moderate injuries and have already made full recoveries, four are still suffering from serious injuries, and a total of twenty-eight were killed in action."
Twenty-eight dead soldiers, twenty-one of whom had died in the three minutes I was unconscious. Of those who died in battle, our Squad Four only suffered one casualty. No one could refute that this was nothing short of miraculous, but there was also a concrete reason our numbers looked like they did.
"Count Saintred," I called. "I heard that you commanded Squad Four to retreat to the rear at the end of the battle." After I fell unconscious and Kashan began running rampant, the commander sent Squad Four back to the relatively safer rear. "Why did you give that order?"
It wasn't that I was displeased with the order—not by any means. In fact, I was incredibly grateful for it. But that didn't mean I didn't have questions about why he gave it.
"That's because if you die, then we will have failed one of the objectives of this expedition, Your Lordship. For that reason, I commanded the entirety of Squad Four to fall back and protect you."
"...What?"
"Your Lordship, our expedition group didn't just come down here to hunt mere monsters. And I have never, save one time, ever failed a mission."
This mindset was beyond all comprehension. Was his mission really that important to him?
"No matter how many people die in the process, if we save you and return to the city, the mission will be a success," he concluded.
I genuinely didn't know what to make of this guy anymore. The last time we talked, I'd had the thought that we could have been friends if not for the situation we were in.
I said the only thing I could. "Understood. That answered my questions."
"That's good to hear. Then can we continue with the meeting?"
When I nodded and took a step back, the deputy commander paused for a moment before resuming the meeting.
"Those are all the casualties we have to report, so I will move on to the next item on the agenda."
The next topic of conversation was quite simple. We had successfully defeated Kashan, and since it didn't drop an essence, we didn't need to have a discussion about who would take it. Instead...
"As soon as Kashan disappeared, the stone gate opened again. The wizards have confirmed that the light it is emitting is similar in nature to a portal... Put simply, there is a very high chance that if we step into that light, we will end up somewhere new."
What could be beyond that open stone gate? When should we pack up and leave this place to continue our expedition again?
These were the topics discussed during our meeting, and many different opinions were offered. I let their conversation wash over me without paying it much mind, engrossed in my own thoughts.
That was because I already knew what was beyond the gate.
...I didn't realize that that was how the door was supposed to be opened.
It was the area we had already visited with Hamsick. Well, there was a possibility that it could be some other place, but I concluded that the probability of that was low.
I guess the way this is normally supposed to go is that you clear the library by defeating a rank-one monster, and then the gate opens to let you obtain the reward inside.
The many different types of summoning books would be the smaller rewards, and the fountain pen that allowed for a guaranteed essence drop was probably the main reward. Hmm, perhaps the golden book as well.
Anyway... I guess I somehow ended up skipping ahead.
If I hadn't met Hamsick earlier and taken all the rewards beforehand, the fountain pen would've gotten taken by the palace as well.
So the secret to this place is that there's a way to skip clearing the library and enter the reward room anyway.
From the perspective of a player, that was probably the purpose Hamsick served. That said, there seemed to be even more hidden secrets here waiting to be found.
Then was that the reason why it told me I didn't have the qualifications yet? Because I didn't officially clear the area before entering the reward room.
I was only guessing, so I wasn't completely sure. I would probably need to meet Hamsick again to gauge its reaction.
"Then we will end our meeting there. Until seven in the evening, the only people on duty will be those on the patrol team, so each leader should return to their squad and take care of them. Ah, and be advised, we will be redistributing personnel later."
The meeting came to a close with all of us getting free time.
Seven in the evening...
These guys were intense. Even after a battle of this scale, we didn't even get a full day of rest, only a few hours before we were going to have to tackle a new task. A sigh threatened to escape me, but I swallowed it back and headed over to my allies to relay the news.
"...Five hours isn't long enough to sleep," Ainar grumbled.
"Hmm? Not long enough? Can't you just sleep?"
"For once, Ms. Fenelin is right. I think I need more sleep than that too."
"But I don't know if I'll even be able to sleep. I'm still in shock... My heart is still racing in my chest right now."
Many people were grateful that they were even being given some time to rest.
"You can sleep or rest or do whatever you want, but we should do what needs to be done first," I stated.
"By 'what needs to be done'..."
"One of our comrades has died."
"Ah... that's right."
I led the entirety of Squad Four to a corner of the library, where we had laid the body of our only squad member who was killed in action.
The only woman in the wizard trio, Sharlot Emblut, sank to her knees in front of the corpse, her face blank with shock.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
"...No. I'm not all right at all."
"I'm guessing this is your first time?"
A lot of things were condensed into that single question. Sharlot clenched her fists until they shook, but she didn't say anything in response.
Her older brother, Brian Emblut, came over to guide her away from the body, and we began our small funeral service. As always, the process was over very quickly.
That was because I already knew what was beyond the gate.
...I didn't realize that that was how the door was supposed to be opened.
It was the area we had already visited with Hamsick. Well, there was a possibility that it could be some other place, but I concluded that the probability of that was low.
I guess the way this is normally supposed to go is that you clear the library by defeating a rank-one monster, and then the gate opens to let you obtain the reward inside.
The many different types of summoning books would be the smaller rewards, and the fountain pen that allowed for a guaranteed essence drop was probably the main reward. Hmm, perhaps the golden book as well.
Anyway... I guess I somehow ended up skipping ahead.
If I hadn't met Hamsick earlier and taken all the rewards beforehand, the fountain pen would've gotten taken by the palace as well.
So the secret to this place is that there's a way to skip clearing the library and enter the reward room anyway.
From the perspective of a player, that was probably the purpose Hamsick served. That said, there seemed to be even more hidden secrets here waiting to be found.
Then was that the reason why it told me I didn't have the qualifications yet? Because I didn't officially clear the area before entering the reward room.
I was only guessing, so I wasn't completely sure. I would probably need to meet Hamsick again to gauge its reaction.
"Then we will end our meeting there. Until seven in the evening, the only people on duty will be those on the patrol team, so each leader should return to their squad and take care of them. Ah, and be advised, we will be redistributing personnel later."
The meeting came to a close with all of us getting free time.
Seven in the evening...
These guys were intense. Even after a battle of this scale, we didn't even get a full day of rest, only a few hours before we were going to have to tackle a new task. A sigh threatened to escape me, but I swallowed it back and headed over to my allies to relay the news.
"...Five hours isn't long enough to sleep," Ainar grumbled.
"Hmm? Not long enough? Can't you just sleep?"
"For once, Ms. Fenelin is right. I think I need more sleep than that too."
"But I don't know if I'll even be able to sleep. I'm still in shock... My heart is still racing in my chest right now."
Many people were grateful that they were even being given some time to rest.
"You can sleep or rest or do whatever you want, but we should do what needs to be done first," I stated.
"By 'what needs to be done'..."
"One of our comrades has died."
"Ah... that's right."
I led the entirety of Squad Four to a corner of the library, where we had laid the body of our only squad member who was killed in action.
The only woman in the wizard trio, Sharlot Emblut, sank to her knees in front of the corpse, her face blank with shock.
"Are you all right?" I asked.
"...No. I'm not all right at all."
"I'm guessing this is your first time?"
A lot of things were condensed into that single question. Sharlot clenched her fists until they shook, but she didn't say anything in response.
Her older brother, Brian Emblut, came over to guide her away from the body, and we began our small funeral service. As always, the process was over very quickly.
"His remains and his belongings will be taken back to the city to be given to his family." We sorted through his belongings and cast distortion magic on his remains to keep them intact.
After the funeral ended, Sharlot approached me.
"Lord Baron... Someday...if...if enough time passes, will I be all right? Just like everyone always says?"
That was what everyone asked the first time they experienced something like this.
Hah, how should I answer that?
I took a moment to collect my thoughts before saying, "The definition of 'all right' is different depending on the person."
"Ah, yes... you're right. That was a foolish question—"
"But you know," I continued, trying to sound as confident as I could for her sake. "One day when you remember him, if you remember the happy memories before the sad ones, and if that is what you define as being all right... then you'll be all right. Even if you perhaps don't want to be."
She fell silent.
"Go rest now," I said, then turned around. As I did, someone came up next to me. It was Missha, the only one of my companions here from my Team Loser days.
"Just then... you were talking about Dwalkie...right?"
I didn't deny it. "...Somewhat."
Missha seemed to get lost in thought for a moment. "Back then... things were really good..." she murmured, a deep longing woven into her tone.
Of course, I was no different. "Yeah... they were."
Now, I was a baron with countless people following my lead. Some might even see me as the hero who left his name on the Stone of Honor. But my mind still wandered back to those days from time to time.
Fighting for our lives every moment. Watching over our shoulders for plunderers. Struggling against rank-five monsters...
Looking up at the third floor's night sky together.
"It's a view that only adventurers who get here early enough can see. Isn't it wonderful?"
I was now all right.
***
I had just taken out a single blanket to lie down and pass the time when an uninvited guest showed up.
"Yandel, the head wizard of the expedition group is here for you."
"The head wizard...?"
"He says he wants to talk to you. What do you want to do?"
"...I can't sleep anyway, so this is good. Bring him here."
With that, I got up and packed up my blanket as Amelia escorted the old wizard over.
"Gahuin Versilus."
"Lord Baron, my apologies for interrupting your rest. May I speak with you?" I glanced at Amelia, who was standing beside him, and she left without me needing to say anything. "I wish to cast a voice control spell as well. Is that all right with you?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"...Ah, thank you. It's all done."
"So, what is it?" As always, I skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.
Which perhaps made the old wizard's reply even more unexpected. "I came here to apologize to you, Lord Baron."
"Hmm, apologize...?"
"His remains and his belongings will be taken back to the city to be given to his family." We sorted through his belongings and cast distortion magic on his remains to keep them intact.
After the funeral ended, Sharlot approached me.
"Lord Baron... Someday...if...if enough time passes, will I be all right? Just like everyone always says?"
That was what everyone asked the first time they experienced something like this.
Hah, how should I answer that?
I took a moment to collect my thoughts before saying, "The definition of 'all right' is different depending on the person."
"Ah, yes... you're right. That was a foolish question—"
"But you know," I continued, trying to sound as confident as I could for her sake. "One day when you remember him, if you remember the happy memories before the sad ones, and if that is what you define as being all right... then you'll be all right. Even if you perhaps don't want to be."
She fell silent.
"Go rest now," I said, then turned around. As I did, someone came up next to me. It was Missha, the only one of my companions here from my Team Loser days.
"Just then... you were talking about Dwalkie...right?"
I didn't deny it. "...Somewhat."
Missha seemed to get lost in thought for a moment. "Back then... things were really good..." she murmured, a deep longing woven into her tone.
Of course, I was no different. "Yeah... they were."
Now, I was a baron with countless people following my lead. Some might even see me as the hero who left his name on the Stone of Honor. But my mind still wandered back to those days from time to time.
Fighting for our lives every moment. Watching over our shoulders for plunderers. Struggling against rank-five monsters...
Looking up at the third floor's night sky together.
"It's a view that only adventurers who get here early enough can see. Isn't it wonderful?"
I was now all right.
***
I had just taken out a single blanket to lie down and pass the time when an uninvited guest showed up.
"Yandel, the head wizard of the expedition group is here for you."
"The head wizard...?"
"He says he wants to talk to you. What do you want to do?"
"...I can't sleep anyway, so this is good. Bring him here."
With that, I got up and packed up my blanket as Amelia escorted the old wizard over.
"Gahuin Versilus."
"Lord Baron, my apologies for interrupting your rest. May I speak with you?" I glanced at Amelia, who was standing beside him, and she left without me needing to say anything. "I wish to cast a voice control spell as well. Is that all right with you?"
"Sure, go ahead."
"...Ah, thank you. It's all done."
"So, what is it?" As always, I skipped the pleasantries and got straight to the point.
Which perhaps made the old wizard's reply even more unexpected. "I came here to apologize to you, Lord Baron."
"Hmm, apologize...?"
"That's right. I was wrong, and you were right. However, I wasn't able to accept that, and as a result, I nearly made a catastrophic mistake."
Forget the apology for now—I was more curious about his sudden change of heart. "What made you change your mind?"
"It's only natural that I'd reassess after what I witnessed today. Rank-one monsters... They are monstrous indeed. I was underestimating them. But Lord Baron, as an adventurer, you saw them for exactly what they are."
"I see."
"To be honest... before you fell unconscious, I still wasn't afraid of it. No, in fact, I was convinced that if we had summoned Leviathan as I suggested, we wouldn't have suffered any casualties at all. However..."
The old wizard trailed off, then spoke as if he was unloading a heavy burden.
"That things were going smoothly had nothing to do with me. My knowledge and my talent for magic had no bearing. Nor did the hundred elite soldiers handpicked by the palace. I saw that for myself during the three minutes you were out of commission."
"Ah... I think you're praising me a bit too much."
"As a scholar, I am only stating facts. If you hadn't been here today, the list of casualties would have been far, far longer."
It was hard to come up with a coherent reply after someone said something like that right to your face. So, I stayed quiet. Just being present was half the battle, as the saying went.
He cleared his throat. "Ah, it seems I droned on for a while there. In any case, what I mean to say is just one thing."
"Then say it."
"Our expedition group needs your strength, knowledge, and decision-making skills, Lord Baron. I will take heed of any counsel you give in the future, so please share with us whatever is on your mind."
In other words, he wasn't going to try to shut me down anymore, so he wanted to work together from now on. This was one of the better pieces of news I had heard today.
"All right. Then I'll be in your care, Gahuin."
"...Gahuin?"
"Friends call each other by their names."
"Ah, that's right. Then... Bjor—"
"You can call me Lord Baron. I'm a noble."
"...Ahaha. That's true. Well, thank you for taking the time to talk to me during your break. I will be going now."
After that, I got together with my comrades to share a meal, and once our break was over, the members of the expedition group all gathered around the open stone gate and stepped through it as one.
[You have entered the First Records Archives.]
A small seed of hope that we'd end up someplace new had been budding in my chest, but the place we unlocked after clearing the library was indeed Hamsick's home.
"How ominous-looking."
"It looks as if a storm passed through here."
Unlike the clean mini-library we saw when we first entered, the place was practically in ruins now. However, I couldn't see Hamsick or the golden book anywhere.
Well, I guess Hamsick was out in the main library the last time I saw it, so it's probably still out there.
Honestly, that was for the best. If the golden book was here, possession of it would immediately go to the palace.
"It's quite the odd place, isn't it, Lord Baron?"
"It is. I wonder why it's such a mess..." I said, tutting at the disrepair.
"Please tell us if you find anything."
"Will do."
After the expedition group checked the secret room and confirmed that there was nothing dangerous inside, they began to properly investigate the place.
"Everything in here is damaged. Is there even a reason to investigate...?"
"What are you saying? We are the first to ever step foot in this place!"
"There is definitely something here, so perform a thorough search!"
Ah, to clarify, the so-called "thorough" search these royal soldiers performed was a little different from the method favored by adventurers. They didn't break anything, but what they did do was use their absurd inventory space to take everything they could get their hands on.
"These books are blank..."
"Everything found here is the property of the palace. Do not leave even a single thing behind!"
It didn't take long for the wrecked room to turn into a vacant one.
"Investigation complete! There is nothing hidden here!"
...Sorry, Hamsick.
"That's right. I was wrong, and you were right. However, I wasn't able to accept that, and as a result, I nearly made a catastrophic mistake."
Forget the apology for now—I was more curious about his sudden change of heart. "What made you change your mind?"
"It's only natural that I'd reassess after what I witnessed today. Rank-one monsters... They are monstrous indeed. I was underestimating them. But Lord Baron, as an adventurer, you saw them for exactly what they are."
"I see."
"To be honest... before you fell unconscious, I still wasn't afraid of it. No, in fact, I was convinced that if we had summoned Leviathan as I suggested, we wouldn't have suffered any casualties at all. However..."
The old wizard trailed off, then spoke as if he was unloading a heavy burden.
"That things were going smoothly had nothing to do with me. My knowledge and my talent for magic had no bearing. Nor did the hundred elite soldiers handpicked by the palace. I saw that for myself during the three minutes you were out of commission."
"Ah... I think you're praising me a bit too much."
"As a scholar, I am only stating facts. If you hadn't been here today, the list of casualties would have been far, far longer."
It was hard to come up with a coherent reply after someone said something like that right to your face. So, I stayed quiet. Just being present was half the battle, as the saying went.
He cleared his throat. "Ah, it seems I droned on for a while there. In any case, what I mean to say is just one thing."
"Then say it."
"Our expedition group needs your strength, knowledge, and decision-making skills, Lord Baron. I will take heed of any counsel you give in the future, so please share with us whatever is on your mind."
In other words, he wasn't going to try to shut me down anymore, so he wanted to work together from now on. This was one of the better pieces of news I had heard today.
"All right. Then I'll be in your care, Gahuin."
"...Gahuin?"
"Friends call each other by their names."
"Ah, that's right. Then... Bjor—"
"You can call me Lord Baron. I'm a noble."
"...Ahaha. That's true. Well, thank you for taking the time to talk to me during your break. I will be going now."
After that, I got together with my comrades to share a meal, and once our break was over, the members of the expedition group all gathered around the open stone gate and stepped through it as one.
[You have entered the First Records Archives.]
A small seed of hope that we'd end up someplace new had been budding in my chest, but the place we unlocked after clearing the library was indeed Hamsick's home.
"How ominous-looking."
"It looks as if a storm passed through here."
Unlike the clean mini-library we saw when we first entered, the place was practically in ruins now. However, I couldn't see Hamsick or the golden book anywhere.
Well, I guess Hamsick was out in the main library the last time I saw it, so it's probably still out there.
Honestly, that was for the best. If the golden book was here, possession of it would immediately go to the palace.
"It's quite the odd place, isn't it, Lord Baron?"
"It is. I wonder why it's such a mess..." I said, tutting at the disrepair.
"Please tell us if you find anything."
"Will do."
After the expedition group checked the secret room and confirmed that there was nothing dangerous inside, they began to properly investigate the place.
"Everything in here is damaged. Is there even a reason to investigate...?"
"What are you saying? We are the first to ever step foot in this place!"
"There is definitely something here, so perform a thorough search!"
Ah, to clarify, the so-called "thorough" search these royal soldiers performed was a little different from the method favored by adventurers. They didn't break anything, but what they did do was use their absurd inventory space to take everything they could get their hands on.
"These books are blank..."
"Everything found here is the property of the palace. Do not leave even a single thing behind!"
It didn't take long for the wrecked room to turn into a vacant one.
"Investigation complete! There is nothing hidden here!"
...Sorry, Hamsick.