Chapter 364 - Responsibility (2)

Rihen Schuitz.

Thinking about it, living out my life under that name wouldn't be so bad. With my current stats, I could earn enough to retire after just a few years of grinding, even while hiding my strength.

Of course, that would mean giving up on going home...

'So what?'

I had already finished adjusting. This world wasn't as uniformly horrible as it used to be, and lately, I increasingly found myself thinking it was better than my old life.

Here, I had people I could trust. People who trusted me.

Those were connections I'd never had in my life as Lee Hansoo.

But...

'There's no guarantee I can keep my identity hidden forever.'

Just how long could this new identity of Rihen Schuitz last? Well, however careful I was, it wouldn't be forever. There was no telling what might happen, and...

'There are already too many witnesses.'

Word of Rihen Schuitz would eventually spread. Even if Raven submitted a false report, Clown had been there. He'd run his damn mouth at the Round Table about the interesting fellow he'd met.

With Stag Horns at the Round Table too, that news was certain to reach the royal family.

'And I let them see me use the Gacha Bone Essence.'

It wasn't a well-known Essence, but if they kept researching, they'd eventually learn about it and discover Bone Density. Then they'd figure out that my original height was much greater.

Though the decisive reason was something else.

'Auriel Gabis.'

I still didn't know what that old geezer had done to me when he handed over that hollow 'gift.'

Simply put, hiding my identity and living in the shadows was no guarantee of safety.

Which brought me back to the same conclusion. Just as when I'd spoken about my fate while pretending to tell the Shaman's fortune.

'I need to get stronger.'

Strong enough to endure whatever came my way.

* * *

VMMMM!

While we were deep in discussion about the future in the officers' room, the crystal ball on the desk began vibrating.

"It's a military message stone with a direct line to command. It looks like we'll have to continue this conversation later, when we have time."

Fair enough. She couldn't devote all her attention to us indefinitely in the middle of a war. Honestly, even I'd been wondering whether we should keep this up.

"We'll wait outside."

"No, there's no need. You're officially my escorts, after all. Just stay quiet while I'm on the line."

"If you say so."

Raven answered command's call and spoke with crisp professionalism, then summoned the officers in her unit.

And...

"Deputy Commander, those people..."

"Don't mind them. They're my escorts."

"But, ma'am, this is a meeting..."

"Are you going to make me repeat myself?"

"..."

Wow, she really was a born commander. How did someone so tiny manage to pack that much ice into her voice?

"Let's begin the meeting. Orders just came down from command. They say no enemy life signs are being detected inside the wall."

Anyway, staying beside Raven gave us a clear picture of how things were unfolding.

For starters, the enemy troops surrounding the lake had apparently vanished in an instant. It had happened two hours after our entire force retreated to the warships.

"It could be a trap to make us leave the ships of our own accord."

"I'm not so sure. I find it more likely that they've retreated."

"Quiet, everyone. Speculation is pointless anyway. Command has decided to draw personnel from each unit for a search."

Raven must have already decided whom to send. Without a moment's hesitation, she selected the members and assigned them to the search force.

Some time later, information began coming in from the search teams in real time.

["Nothing in sight around the lake."]

First, the lakeshore that had been crawling with Clown's undead was completely deserted.

And...

["The second search team reports finding traces of large-scale magic."]

They'd found traces of magic. Upon examination, it turned out to be a Mass Teleportation circle.

While [Wall of a Thousand Metals] prevented teleportation into the barrier from outside, it didn't prevent the reverse.

Command, too, concluded that the enemy had withdrawn.

However...

"We've been ordered to stand by again. It may be a little uncomfortable, but we're staying aboard until [Wall of a Thousand Metals] comes down and the main force returns. We will also maintain our current alert level."

"Yes, ma'am! I'll relay that to the explorers!"

Under command's orders, all the troops hunkered down aboard the warships rather than venturing onto the lakeshore.

More time passed...

SHHHHHHH!

Having reached the end of its duration, [Wall of a Thousand Metals] crumbled into particles of mana, and the main force returned from its expedition to rejoin us.

Only then did we leave the ships and begin cleaning up the battlefield by the lake. After waiting about a day to confirm it was safe, the main force left a few additional troops behind as a precaution and set out again.

"The main force's objective was to find Noark's base, right?"

"Yes. Its entrance, to be exact. It's most likely connected to a particular area, like the center of the Crystal Cave. If we can find and occupy it, we should be able to research how any of this was possible."

Whew. The main force must really have its hands full too, searching the seventh floor with so many troops.

As I was thinking that, Raven let out a long breath.

"... Still, I'm glad it ended without any major trouble."

It wasn't as if there hadn't been any major trouble...

Well, none of us had died, at least. Now that the aftermath had been dealt with, I did feel like it was finally over.

But...

"Please, let nothing else happen before we return."

Hey, hadn't she ever heard that saying about words coming true?

Raven's idle wish left me needlessly uneasy, but surely nothing else would happen. We had a fair number of troops now—

"... Patrol teams?"

Just then, something written on one of the documents on the desk caught my eye.

"Oh, that? Apparently, this incident caused quite a stir among the higher-ups. Even if there weren't many of them, we failed to notice the enemy until they'd already infiltrated."

"So they decided to deploy patrols?"

"Yes."

Busy, Raven gave a one-word answer and went right back to her paperwork.

Huh. Didn't she get bored, cooped up in here? I was so restless I could practically taste it.

"Mister, are you really bored?"

"A little?"

"Then shall we go for a walk together?"

"Who'd guard Raven?"

"Would that really be a problem? That woman will be staying here anyway."

Amelia bristled at Erwin's words.

"... Says who?"

"Touchy, aren't you? Once we're back, you can go take a break."

Ugh, they were going to start fighting again.

"Both of you, stop. I'm not going for a walk."

After breaking that up, I sat in my chair and idled away the time. Doing so only made the boredom worse.

'Patrol teams, huh...?'

It might have been a little impulsive, but I thought it would be much better than sitting around here. A patrol would mean getting out and moving around, wouldn't it? We'd encounter monsters often, so I'd naturally pick up EXP I hadn't earned yet.

'If things go well, I might even hit level seven this time.'

I didn't deliberate for long.

"Raven, how do I join a patrol team?"

"... You can't."

"Huh? Why not?"

"They've already filled all the slots. Besides, in principle, assignments can't be changed once they're given. Otherwise, everyone would try to get only the easy jobs. There's the question of fairness too."

Oh, I see.

I nodded, then asked another question.

"But there's another way, isn't there?"

"... The commanding officer of your unit can authorize a change of assignment at their discretion."

What? She'd just been teasing me. How mean.

"Aren't you that commanding officer? You just have to change—"

"Which is why you can't go. Because I won't."

"... Huh?"

"I said I won't. Who knows what sort of trouble you'll cause out there without me?"

Raven coldly drew the line without even looking at me.

Of course, that wasn't much of a problem. I wasn't about to give up over that.

"Haha! Is that all you're worried about?"

When I laughed as if it were nothing, Raven tilted her head.

"...?"

What was that look for? This was the problem with bookworms. Their brains went rigid, leaving them unable to think flexibly, I supposed.

"The problem is that you won't be there?"

"...?"

"Then you can just come with us!"

Presented with my solution, Raven narrowed her eyes and looked me up and down.

Then...

"I'm only asking just in case, but does your world have barbarians, or some similar race?"

Ah, uh, um...

"..."

That was a question I hadn't seen coming.

* * *

In the end, I got to join a patrol team.

Raven was a rationalist, after all.

"Let me!"

"..."

"Let me! I'm promising I won't cause trouble!"

"..."

"Let me!"

I called it Barbarian Parrot Mode.

Once I activated the mode that had served me so well in the Crystal Cave, even Raven, who initially ignored me completely, gradually had no choice but to respond.

"Why are you so persistent about the strangest things?!"

"Then let me!"

"... If I said no! And haven't even answered you for over four hours!! You should take the hint and know when to stop!!"

"I don't get it, so let me!!"

"Hah..."

When someone finished being angry and let out a sigh, that was a sign of resignation.

I kept pressing that opening, and eventually Raven gave me permission. Faced with the prospect of having her work interrupted for the remainder of our stay, she'd decided this was the better option.

Oh, but it wasn't just that she'd given in to my stubbornness.

"Oh, seriously! Why are you going this far?! All you have to do is behave yourself for a few days!!"

"... Because there are monsters out there."

"...?"

"I told you. I need to get stronger."

"Oh, honestly... What am I supposed to do when you put it that way...?"

And that was how I got the go-ahead.

Of course, unlike my original suggestion, Raven coming along wasn't part of the deal. I told her I'd prefer it if she came, but apparently command would never approve that.

"I'm the only mage here who can cast [Wall of a Thousand Metals]. I have to stay in case something happens."

Right. She was a valuable asset.

"Then I'll leave Emily or Erwin behind."

"If you're worried about my protection, there's no need. I managed just fine without Mr. Jandel... I mean, Mr. Schuitz."

Hmm, I was still worried, though...

"I'm really fine, so just don't cause any trouble out there. Especially don't use [Gigantification], under any circumstances. And don't neglect your patrol duties because you're too busy hunting monsters. Also..."

Only after sitting through a long list of warnings like a grade-schooler heading off on a field trip did Raven contact her superiors and get my assignment changed. At last, I was able to leave the barracks.

As luck would have it, a patrol team was just about to depart.

"You must be our new additions. It's an honor to meet you, Lady Tersia."

When we reached our destination, the patrol leader introduced himself and began checking our capabilities.

"Since your specialties are archery and spirit magic, Blood Spirit Marquis, I believe you should take the center of the formation... Are the other two of you melee fighters?"

"We are."

When I nodded, the leader asked more detailed questions about our roles. Amelia, an Agility-focused damage dealer, was assigned to the left wing of the formation.

As for me...

"Judging by your heavy armor and shield, I assume you usually take the front—"

Hold on. Where on this tiny body was I supposed to take all those damn hits?

I hurriedly cut him off before he could label me a tank.

"I'm the one who smashes things."

"... Pardon? Then that shield...?"

"I carry it for show."

I put my shield into subspace and gripped Kraul's Demon Crusher with both hands.

"I'll take the right wing."

It wasn't as if I could go on a rampage with [Gigantification] anyway. Couldn't I enjoy the easy life of a melee damage dealer for once?