Chapter 219 - Lord (3)

The cavern at the center opens out like a plaza. Before ending [Gigantification], I take another look around.

'Looks like Gwanghwamun Square like this.'

Explorers numbering easily in the thousands stand packed together, staring this way. Just how many are there? I don't dare even try to estimate. Include everyone still stuck beyond the passages because of the crowds at the center, and the number would be truly staggering.

It hits me afresh how different a number sounds when you hear or read it from when you see it with your own eyes.

'Would that bastard have made a different decision if he'd seen this?'

The thought crosses my mind, but I quickly dismiss it. A meaningless hypothetical. And not something I should be dwelling on now.

"VEHELLLAAAAAA!!"

"... I asked you to speak. Why are you suddenly shouting?"

"I just felt like it!"

More precisely, even I get nervous in front of this many people. Still, shouting makes me feel a little better.

I'm a barbarian. That's right, so...

There's nothing in this world I can't do.

"Everyone, listen closely!"

All eyes turn to me amid a silence hard to believe possible with so many gathered here. Aw, you're embarrassing me.

"Let's put our heads together! With this many people, some of you must be smart!"

I shamelessly continue. I've already planned everything from beginning to end, but laying all of it out before this many people would look suspicious.

"Huh?"

"That's it...?"

Those who had been listening with bated breath stare blankly. Some even look disappointed.

"What the hell was I expecting? From a barbarian?"

The one drawback of being a barbarian. I can't take charge of the situation by showing off my brains. Though if I weren't a barbarian, I couldn't have stopped that fight just now.

"Th-then why were you shouting so desperately earlier?"

"A wise warrior directs his anger where it belongs. This isn't where we should spill blood."

"Well, I understand what you're trying to say, but..."

The explorers don't know what to say. I keep playing dumb. I've accomplished my goal of saving the knights, after all.

And that's not all, is it? I've also created an environment where everyone can gather and talk, and made a strong impression on them. All my initial objectives have been achieved.

"He's not wrong. Don't we all have our own roles? He prevented pointless bloodshed and allowed us to gather here. That alone means this young man has done more than any of us."

The middle-aged man who introduced himself as a military mage defends me, shifting the mood. Apparently, I've made a good impression on him.

"Roles... That reminds me of a passage from The Prince. A ruler's role is not to fight, but to give others the will to fight."

"Haha, I didn't expect to find someone who's read that book. A pleasure. Melter Fend of the Nartel Clan, was it?"

"Yes, Master Kyle."

"Oh, you know me?"

"You're quite famous, after all."

The two exchange friendly looks over their brief conversation. This isn't good. Not only do we lack the time to socialize, but these explorers have already been abandoned by their leaders once. Seeing bonds form exclusively among us is sure to make them anxious.

"Enough of that. Let's get talking! Does anyone have information the rest of us don't?"

Pretending to be oblivious, I cut in to keep the conversation from wandering. For my plan to work, they need to debate—and arrive at the conclusion I've already reached. Even if it's a bit of a hassle for me.

"First, we need to establish this: why exactly did the royal family abandon us?"

When no one else speaks up, Melter Fend gets the discussion started.

"Exactly! We've had no trouble holding out so far. Why the hell did they..."

The greatest contradiction in our current situation. Those who had been furious at being abandoned regain their reason and begin voicing doubts. With so many people gathered, an answer soon emerges.

"It's probably because of the Floor Lords."

The words come from Kyle, the military mage.

"... The Floor Lords?"

"But we've been holding them off just fine!"

"Until now, yes. The commander was probably afraid of what would appear once the ninth Floor Lord was slain."

"... What would appear?"

"Verzak, the Abyss Lord. Another Floor Lord known by that name."

Most are bewildered by the unfamiliar name, and Kyle gives them a brief explanation of the Abyss Lord.

"It's the very reason you must report to the Guild and receive permission before slaying a Terror Lord. That's how much of a calamity it is."

"So powerful that even hundreds of knights and the major clans combined couldn't defeat it?"

"No, not quite that powerful. But..."

Kyle trails off and gazes into the distance.

"We aren't the only ones in this cave, are we?"

Noark and Raphdonia. And now Verzak, the Abyss Lord.

"The command staff determined that Noark would undoubtedly interfere once battle with Verzak began."

"Come to think of it, there haven't been any significant attacks since the first day..."

"Damn it, I wondered why! This was their plan all along!"

It's a kind of fight to mutual annihilation. A strategy of mutual destruction, using Verzak to inflict tremendous damage on each other.

That's why the commander chose to retreat. High-level explorers and knights are valuable forces whose losses can't be replaced quickly. He sought to ensure that at least they would be preserved.

For that goddamn royal family.

"Wait! Isn't that strange? If they knew something that dangerous would appear, why didn't they try to reach the second floor before then?"

An explorer points out the contradiction. It's a question I've also considered at length. But the answer is very simple.

"I believe I can answer that."

This time, the priestess of the Heindel Order steps forward.

"On our first day in the Labyrinth, a scouting party was dispatched to the second-floor portals. I learned this while treating a knight who returned alive."

"Then tell us already!"

"Unfortunately, the western portal leading to the Stone Desert is no longer usable."

"What do you mean, no longer usable?"

"The Scholar of Destruction. I was told that accursed mage destroyed the portal."

A criminal who could be considered one of Orculus's executives. Mention of the Scholar of Destruction causes a stir. Amid it all, I quietly organize my thoughts.

'West, huh...'

So that leaves a one-in-three chance? That's valuable information.

"If the west is blocked, we can use another portal!"

Someone in the crowd shouts, but hardly anyone supports the suggestion. The logical implication is obvious.

"The other portals weren't checked, but the knight said the Scholar of Destruction had very likely visited them already."

"Then..."

"Yes. It means we're completely trapped here."

A heavy silence follows the priestess's words. Even so, the discussion continues.

"Those Noark bastards really mean business."

"Then what do we do now?"

"Even without that Verzak monster, they're sure to attack if they discover our main forces are gone."

The explorers participate far more actively than before. But nothing comes of it. They haven't yet been given enough clues to devise a solution.

"Aren't you all thinking too narrowly? A seasoned warrior always anticipates his enemy's next move before acting."

Whenever this happens, I interject now and then to offer clues.

"They spent months preparing for today. Would they really not have anticipated us opening dimensional gates and fleeing?"

"... Honestly, I'd find it stranger if they had anticipated that."

Well, that's true. It certainly is a crazy move no normal person would imagine. However...

"He has a point. Perhaps they cornered us solely to force us to use dimensional gates."

Kyle and a few others don't dismiss my words.

"Yes. In that case, the real war might be next time, not this time. There can't be many mages left in the city capable of dimensional gate magic now."

"It might also be a strategy to sow internal discord between the royal family and the explorers. If word of this spreads through the city, the existing distrust toward the royal family will clearly erupt. Though that would only matter if we return alive."

These are all possibilities I've considered myself. Any of them would fit the circumstances.

"I can't tell what they're really after."

As the discussion fails to yield a clear answer, Kyle asks me a question.

"What do you think? I suspect your opinion matters here."

"What do you mean?"

"Didn't you get straight to the heart of the matter just now? I'd like to hear what your warrior's instincts tell you."

I consider for a moment. After all my questions and speculation, I've reached one conclusion. Of course, I'm not certain it's right. But...

"I think we were their target from the start."

"Oh, rather than the knights and major clans?"

Kyle responds with interest, but not everyone does.

"Ridiculous. If they knew we'd use dimensional gates, why adopt this strategy? With all the valuable targets gone, mutual annihilation with us would be a loss for them."

The speaker has been nothing but amiable toward the other powerful figures throughout the discussion, while directing particularly hostile looks at me. I don't know what his problem is. Is it because he's bald?

I chuckle and speak.

"Why assume they intend to die with us? All they have to do is go up a floor."

"As we said earlier—"

"Couldn't they leave one portal intact and escape through it?"

This is the conclusion I've reached. The world is crawling with efficiency freaks, after all. When I considered what I'd do as their leader, this was the only answer.

'Because this benefits them the most.'

For starters, they can force over a hundred high-ranking mages to expend their dimensional gates and prepare for next time. They can also weaken the royal family's influence in the city...

Above all, even with the cream of the crop gone, they can wipe out tens of thousands of explorers without shedding a drop of their own blood. With our main forces gone, we couldn't defeat Verzak in a million years.

Perhaps he finds that hard to accept.

"There's no way it's that simpl—"

After briefly being struck speechless, the man recovers and launches into a mindless rebuttal. Or rather, he's just about to.

"So you thought the same thing."

Kyle nods.

'What? He already had an answer in mind when he asked me?'

Something feels off, but I hold my tongue. Tsk, this is why I didn't want to stand out too much. Still, it's comforting that he seems to have been testing my abilities rather than suspecting me—

"...?"

Just then, a commotion spreads inward from the outskirts. It's too far away to make out the words, but the news doesn't take long to reach us.

"Commander!"

"What is it?"

"They say all the Noark bastards blocking the passages have disappeared!"

Kyle gives me a bitter smile.

"It seems you and I were right."

Now we really have to hurry.

* * *

Once we understood Noark's plan, devising a response wasn't difficult. Even if it wasn't a perfect solution, what we had to do was clear.

"We must go up to the second floor as well."

"But how do we know which way?"

"We've confirmed it's not west, at least. Let's split up and search the other three."

Split into three groups and run for the second-floor portals. Of course, that isn't the end of it.

"Even if we get up there, we'll have trouble! They'll surely be waiting there...!"

One obstacle after another. More hardship awaits us beyond that. But what else are we supposed to do?

"Better than all dying here. From here on, everyone must make their own choice."

Kyle speaks dispassionately, and no one says they'll stay. At least, no one around us.

"Then how will we divide our forces?"

An explorer asks about the details. Before Kyle—who has somehow taken charge of the conversation and begun to feel like the leader—can answer, I cut in.

"I think groups of around three hundred would be best."

"We're already short on strength, and you want three hundred? What are you—"

Ha, this asshole's at it again.

"Even with more people, the terrain makes it difficult to fight effectively together. This would be better."

In technical terms, I'm proposing guerrilla warfare. I don't spell it out, but everyone understands the implications.

"Hmm, that makes sense. Aside from fighting, splitting into many groups will allow more people to survive. It'll divide that monster's attention."

"Most of us will die if we encounter it anyway. So we each try to survive while serving as bait for one another."

An utterly ruthless strategy. Yet everyone accepts it without objection. That's one good thing about explorers as a profession. We don't waste time debating sentiment.

"Then how shall we organize the groups?"

"Let's handle that ourselves. I have no intention of serving under anyone."

"Very well. We're short on time, so let's do that."

With the rough plan settled, one explorer is the first to end the conversation and leave. He's the leader of some small or midsize clan whose name I don't know. That sets off a frenzy.

"We're the Red Light Clan! We're looking for people to escape this goddamn place with us! Anyone rank six or higher is welcome, no matter how many!"

Some recruit companions.

"One of our teammates is rank seven. Can't you make an exception?"

Others search for a group that will take them. And amid the commotion...

"Master Kyle, I understand you're on your own. Would you join our clan?"

Melter Fend, commander of the Nartel Clan, immediately moves to recruit the middle-aged mage first. Tsk, I was going to approach him myself. Judging by their friendly little chat earlier, I doubt the mage will refuse.

'I'd better get moving before they snap everyone up.'

"Then I'll be off too. Let's meet again alive."

I give a brief farewell and turn away. I intend to return to my companions in the crowd first, then hurry to recruit capable people. Gathering three hundred as some scrub barbarian will be no easy task.

I'm just about to hurry off with that in mind.

"Wait. What do you intend to do?"

Kyle stops me.

"Knowing you, I assume you'll be leading a group?"

"Of course."

"Then take me with you."

Huh?

"Why?"

"I'm simply following my gut. I think people will gather around you."

"... You're following your gut when your life is on the line?"

I ask with a glance at Melter Fend, who offered to recruit him first. Kyle answers with a smile.

"Would a mage who voluntarily stayed behind in this mess be in his right mind?"

Uh, fair point.

"Good. I'll be counting on you."

I've gained a high-level mage. A very encouraging sign. With him, I can recruit even better membe—

"Please take us with you."

Before I can take a single step, a group of knights approaches me. The face of the knight in front looks familiar. On closer inspection, he's the one who was getting beaten with a look of resignation when I first arrived.

"Four full knights and six apprentice knights. Wherever you go, we won't hold you back."

What, are they repaying the favor? A huge fucking win for me.

"Good. Follow me."

The knights fall in behind me.

But before I can take another step, someone calls to me.

"Wait."

It's Melter Fend, commander of the Nartel Clan. What now? Surely he isn't upset because I snatched the mage away right in front of him? He didn't seem that petty...

"Which direction are you going?"

"East."

With the west blocked, east is the best choice. Even if our first attempt fails, we can head north or south depending on the situation.

"Coincidentally, that's my direction too. Why don't we go together?"

"I have no intention of serving under you."

"Don't worry. I'll follow your orders."

"What?"

This is unexpected too. He didn't seem like the type to serve under anyone either. What is this? Some hilarious hidden-camera prank?

"Well? Your answer?"

"... If you'll obey my orders properly."

"Then it's settled."

Melter Fend and his clan members fall in behind me. Frankly, I'm stunned. I haven't even offered to recruit anyone yet. How many people have I already gathered?

"VEHELLLAAAAAA!!!"

"Follow the next chieftain!!"

Before I've gone more than a few steps, barbarians run over and join my following. Well, that's to be expected.

"Mister!!"

"Erwin? What about your clan?"

"My sister says it'll be safer here! You'll take us both, won't you?"

"Of course."

The elf sisters join us, apparently having been watching nearby. And it doesn't end there.

"If you don't mind, we'd like to serve under you."

A rank-four team that had been exploring the sixth floor.

"I think you'll be able to save the most people."

The priestess who stayed to save lives.