Chapter 194 - Bifron (4)

Once in the Land of the Dead.

Once down in the sewers.

Once by chance outside our inn after Noark was sealed off.

'Counting today, that makes four times.'

At this point, calling it a persistent connection didn't quite cover it.

It was time I changed how I approached this woman.

"... Aren't we leaving?"

"No. I've changed my mind."

Knowledge was power, as the saying went.

Until now, I'd deliberately avoided taking an interest in her and steered clear, not wanting to get tangled up with her...

["... Not a human woman."]

["Amelia Reinweils."]

But somehow, we'd reached the point of knowing each other's names.

Avoiding her was no longer the answer.

'Time to find out just what this woman does.'

If someone kept hanging around your home, naturally, you had to find out what sort of person they were.

Were they someone you should call the police to chase off?

Or someone so terrifying you needed to abandon your home and run?

You needed to know that to respond properly.

"Jinkasar Peljain!!"

After a short wait, the rooftop door burst open as though it would break.

A bald man wearing a black eye patch came through.

He seemed to be the leader of the eastern faction...

"You dare enter our territory without a word of warning? I hope you're prepared to... But your hair... What...?"

The bald man, who had made such a bold entrance, trailed off.

Apparently, the sight of Whiny Jin's jellyfish haircut had shocked him.

"... Don't tell me that was a wig?"

"..."

Whiny Jin could only hang his head without answering.

An unexpected silence lingered for a moment.

But perhaps there was too much bad blood between them to sympathize over their shared affliction.

The briefly interrupted confrontation resumed.

"Y-you think I'll let you off out of pity for that?! Today, I'll put an end to this feud!"

"P-pwahahaha! A sheltered little weakling who's never even been in the Labyrinth thinks he can beat me with numbers? Me, a rank-6 explorer?"

While the bald man declared war, Whiny Jin displayed his confidence with an awkwardly exaggerated laugh.

For the record, he wasn't even rank six.

He'd been so weak that I'd pressed him about it, and he'd confessed he was actually rank seven.

'There's no way he could be this relaxed facing dozens of men. Is he acting so bold because he's counting on me?'

It was rather funny, but the bald man was perfectly serious.

"Yes, I know you used to be a rank-6 explorer. That's why I brought someone remarkable."

"...?"

"Boys, make way!"

At his command, the dozens of lackeys gathered behind him stepped aside to create a path, and a woman emerged between them.

Amelia Reinweils.

An eighth-floor explorer from Noark.

"Barbarian? Why are you here...?"

She emerged from among the men looking annoyed, then frowned when she saw me.

It felt a little vindicating.

You had no idea how startled I'd been to see you, either.

"That's what I want to ask. What exactly are you doing here?"

Amelia ignored my question as though sorting out her thoughts. The bald man, who'd been watching us, cautiously spoke up.

"... Do you know that barbarian?"

He'd come counting entirely on her, so he must have been worried that we seemed acquainted.

"Quiet."

At Amelia's curt word, the bald man flinched and shut his mouth.

About three seconds passed.

"Bjorn Jandel. Hand over the man beside you."

Apparently finished sorting out her thoughts, Amelia abruptly made that demand.

Naturally, I had no intention of complying.

"He's my subordinate."

A barbarian never abandoned his subordinates.

... At least, not without a reason.

"... Boss!!"

At my immediate, unhesitating answer, Whiny Jin looked at me, visibly moved.

Amelia, on the other hand, seemed baffled.

"... Subordinate?"

Her expression said she couldn't understand why I, a rising star among explorers, was here playing boss to a gang of thugs.

I gave a brief explanation.

"I have my reasons."

"I see."

Amelia nodded coolly.

She might have asked what those reasons were, but not doing so was probably just her personality.

"Then I'll take him by force."

With negotiations over, she immediately drew her dagger and took a fighting stance.

Did she think she was a barbarian or something?

I spoke quickly.

"Wait. Let's talk first."

"Talk?"

"Yes."

This wasn't like our encounter at the inn.

I had no teammates to help me, and Bifron was a lawless place where might made right.

Naturally, talking things out was the correct approach.

I hadn't put together a setup capable of blocking Aura yet.

When the body was weak, the brain had to do the heavy lifting.

"How strange. I never expected you to suggest that first. Are you planning a surprise attack?"

"A surprise attack? I don't do cowardly things like that."

I made no attempt to hide my offense.

True, I'd thrown my mace and charged her in the middle of a conversation in the sewers, but I had no reason not to be brazen.

My memories of that encounter had been erased.

At least, as far as she knew.

"... Not even funny."

Even if she wanted to call me out, she couldn't.

Still, she brushed it aside with those few words, showing no sign of frustration.

Her body remained ready for a surprise attack, though.

Was she finally acknowledging me as a worthy opponent?

"Let's send them away first."

"Fine."

Once we'd reached that brief agreement, I glanced over, and the bald man took the hint first, leading his lackeys downstairs.

Then it was Whiny Jin's turn.

"Um..."

"Don't worry. I'm not abandoning you."

"Yes, boss!"

Though he looked anxious, he trusted me and went downstairs.

Now only the two of us remained on the rooftop.

Time for a frank conversation.

"Amelia Reinweils. What brings you here?"

"Why should I answer that?"

"Isn't it ridiculous for us adults to fight over a squabble between children?"

"... Aren't you only twenty?"

Come on. We both knew better than to quibble over details.

Whiny Jin and the bald man might be older, but in this line of work, strength determined seniority.

"Anyway, your answer?"

Amelia considered for a moment before speaking.

"You first. Why exactly are you in Bifron?"

"I got arrested for using an Ability in the city. I thought I'd just get a fine, but they told me to live here for twenty days. Today's my third day."

"And this subordinate business?"

"That bastard tried to rob me, so I beat him down and took over instead."

Amelia gave a small laugh.

"You really do live however you please."

There was no mockery in her tone.

No, if anything, was that a hint of envy?

"Your turn. Why did you come here?"

I'd repeated that question several times already.

At last, Amelia gave me a brief account of her circumstances.

"I'm looking for an explorer who might be here. I agreed to help them with one thing in exchange for their assistance."

"I see."

I had a rough grasp of the situation now.

At first, I'd wondered why she would bother making a 'deal' with such weaklings...

'She must want to handle things quietly. If she made a scene like I did, word would inevitably get out.'

This might be easier to resolve than I'd expected.

Just as I was thinking that...

"Let me make this clear. I wasn't trying to break my promise."

Huh?

When I tilted my head, Amelia continued as though making an excuse.

"I... didn't know I'd run into you here, either."

Oh, that.

Her promise never to come looking for me again.

I'd never dreamed that would be her first concern in this situation.

Did she have some kind of obsession with 'promises'?

"Don't worry. I don't consider this breaking your promise."

"I see..."

Now that I understood the situation, I got to the point.

"Anyway, that's a relief. If that's all this is about, there's no reason for us to fight."

"Does that mean you'll hand him over?"

"No, there's no need. You need people to work for you, don't you? I'll lend you my subordinates."

"I've heard the Western Federation is the smallest faction here."

"You're better informed than I expected."

"I've been here over ten days already."

"I see."

I nodded.

As Amelia said, the Western Federation was a small, elite force.

Though they were far too weak to call elite.

At least when it came to finding someone, the eastern gang would do a better job.

But...

"Don't worry about the lack of manpower."

There was still no problem.

In fact, I couldn't understand why she'd failed to think of something so simple.

Not enough subordinates?

Why waste time worrying about that?

"Starting today, the east is my territory, too."

All I had to do was duplicate my subordinates.

* * *

I'd wondered whether her emphasis on 'promises' made her inflexible, but surprisingly, she was just like me in this respect.

Amelia, too, was a believer in efficiency.

"Not a bad approach."

"Does that mean you agree?"

"First, answer this. What do you gain by helping me?"

"... Just do me a favor later."

"Then I refuse. Somehow, I suspect you'd ask for something I couldn't handle."

Tsk. So that wouldn't work.

Well, fine. The favor wasn't what mattered anyway.

"Then consider it a free service. It's better than wasting my strength fighting you for no reason."

Apparently finding that excuse convincing, Amelia finally nodded and agreed to the arrangement.

And so...

"W-what happened to her?"

"That's no way to address me."

I went down to the first floor and kicked the bald man in the stomach as he stood in an awkward standoff with Whiny Jin.

When 'recruiting,' establishing dominance was essential.

"Guh!"

Struck in the solar plexus, the bald man crumpled to the floor.

"You bastard!!"

That sent the eastern thugs filling the first floor charging at me.

Swords, hammers, spears, skewers...

They ruthlessly thrust the weapons in their hands at me from every direction.

I didn't even need to block.

"What? Why isn't this...?"

Despite aiming for exposed skin, their weapons bounced off without so much as a cut.

It was only to be expected.

These guys had needed dozens of men just to take down Whiny Jin. How were their weapons supposed to pierce me?

Did they have any idea how high my Physical Resistance was?

"Are you done?"

"... No."

"VEHELLLAAAAAA!!!"

It didn't take long.

I instilled fear in them with [Wild Outburst] and crushed a few as an example. That ended the fight.

Faced with an overwhelming difference in strength, dozens of grown men didn't even dare flee.

I grabbed the bald man by the collar and lifted him.

"What's your name?"

"P-Philip Lazer, sir!"

"From now on, I'll call you Baldy."

Okay, introductions done.

Just as I was about to move on to the next step, Baldy asked dazedly,

"W-who are you, sir?"

First, I corrected his mistake.

"Not 'sir.'"

"...?"

"Your boss."

"Boss...?"

Looking confused, Baldy turned his eyes toward Whiny Jin, who was hiding in a corner.

Only then did he seem to understand.

That's right. This was how he got taken over, too.

"Good timing. Give me a potion."

"... A potion?"

"My subordinate's injured. I ought to treat him, shouldn't I?"

Amelia looked me over as though observing some strange creature, then took out a potion and handed it to me.

SIZZZZ

When I fed him the potion, Baldy screamed and writhed. After a short wait, he came to, drenched in cold sweat.

He still looked as though he were dreaming.

He'd had enough of the stick. Time for the carrot.

"I'll be leaving in seventeen days."

"Pardon?"

"Just thought you should know."

In short, he should consider this stepping in shit and endure it until then. Afterward, I instructed Baldy and Whiny Jin to go back and gather all their people.

"With that many people, the Dimensional Plaza should do. Will about five hours be enough?"

"Th-that's an absurd—"

"Yes! More than enough!"

Whiny Jin boldly shouted over Baldy.

Should I say that was experience talking?

A subordinate's greatest virtue was answering 'yes' to everything.

Especially when the boss was a barbarian.

"Good, then. Get going."

With time short, my subordinates rushed out to carry out their orders.

It was a rather satisfying sight.

'Is this why everyone's so desperate for power?'

I chuckled and turned toward Amelia. Then, deliberately sounding uninterested, I asked,

"Now, tell me. Who are we looking for?"

I'd been curious all along.

She was from Noark, after all.

There was a chance she wasn't looking for this person of her own accord, but on Noark's orders.

'Someone the underground city would send people out to find at a time like this...'

That could be an important clue.

The more information I knew that others didn't, the better. Even if it had nothing to do with me, I could use it later to look impressive at the Round Table.

Either way, I figured I had nothing to lose.

Contrary to my expectations, however, Amelia only described the person's characteristics.

"He looks like an old man, but he may be in disguise."

"So we can't identify him by his appearance. How do we find him, then?"

"A tattoo on his back. I'm told no magic can conceal that."

Hmm. Did that mean we had to check the back of everyone we saw?

"Any other distinguishing features that might help?"

"None."

"You don't even know his name?"

"... He'll be using an alias anyway. It's meaningless."

"Still, you never know. Just tell me."

At my casual question, Amelia hesitated, seemingly considering it.

But perhaps she'd decided I wouldn't recognize the name anyway.

She soon uttered a name.

"Auriel Gabis."

What?

"Auriel Gabis?!"

"... Do you know him?"

"No, I just tried pretending I did."

I fumbled out an excuse and worked to control my expression.

My heart pounded and pounded!

It was racing like mad.

Of course it was.

Auriel Gabis?

Wasn't that the name of the author of the 'Comprehensive Record' series—and the creator of [Dungeon and Stone]?!