The audition came back to me in a messy cacophony.
«...The death of Ritman Powel is confirmed!»
«The death of Mailden Betimore from Squad Three is confirmed!»
«Garon Nilgrains from Squad One is dead!»
Desperate voices sounded around me.
«Lord! Is awake? Hello?»
«Priest, why don't you wake up?»
«It is... I think he will wake up if we wait a little longer...»
«He suffered a serious head injury. Is that why it's taking so long?»
My classmates chattered worriedly about my lying body. And beneath the roar, she could hear Missha's voice, murmuring to herself.
«If something goes wrong... I'll have to use that...»
What are you talking about? I frowned, but I couldn't concentrate beyond the ringing in my ears and the tiredness that still gripped me.
«Well, then... it looks like the baron is cured, so I'll go tend to the other one...».
«What the hell are you saying? He hasn't woken up yet! Where do you think you're going?»
«Tersia, para.»
«How do I stop? Aren't you worried about the lord...?»
«I mean it's unnecessary. Is awake.»
"...¿Which?"
Oh, they caught me. Before opening my eyes, I wanted to order the Chaos that invaded me. I needed to find out our status, anyway. I could pretend to be asleep and postpone it as long as I wanted, but in the end I would have to face reality.
«¡Capitan!»
«Oh! Bjorrrn! I was worried!»
«Hah...»
When I opened my eyes, all my companions let out sighs of relief.
Instead of assuring them it was okay, I jumped right to the most important question. «Have any of us... been hurt?». I didn't usually be so indirect, but what I really wanted to ask was if any of our people had died.
Amelia understood my question instantly and replied: «Glow Isius died».
Glow Isius was a member of the wizard trio of the Armin Adventurer Group. He was a young man of about thirty years old. Whenever he saw me, he joked that I had to dedicate more time and funds to him if I wanted him to achieve anything.
So he had died.
«...¿Y?»
«We didn't have any other deaths. We had some injuries, but with one exception, all the others were minor».
«I see...» I closed my eyes for a moment and let out a deep sigh. Everyone remained silent, granting me a moment of silence. Although what seemed like hundreds of aborted thoughts swirled in my mind, I focused on one and only one.
The things I have to do... Let's get to it.
«I remember that wolf biting my head, but what happened next?». asked. «Tell me everything that happened after I lost consciousness».
For some reason, Amelia seemed hesitant. «...As soon as they bit you, Tersia shot her arrow».
That meant that the Concentrated Fire had not fully charged when Erwen let it fly.
«The impact made Kashan let you go, and Karlstein and I took advantage of his surprise to run to save you.».
That arrow had created enough of an opening for them to rescue me. However, things only went downhill from there.
«...After that, we all faced Kashan together, and many people died. That was all. Oh, also, unfortunately, we weren't able to get an essence...»
«Do not skip milk details.»
We all faced him together, and many people died, it was not a story that could be summarized in a single sentence. I needed to know.
Noticing my determination, Amelia let out a sigh and gave me the answer I was looking for. «Yandel, after you fell unconscious, a huge void appeared on the front line. We needed someone to fill that void, so... Dozens of knights ran in».
«And Jerome Saintred? What, stayed in the back and watch all this happen? »
«Actually, he didn't. He had been waiting behind 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. I'm sorry I interrupted you. Continue.»
«The commander joined the battle, but things were still not going well. And then, in the end, he changed our orders. He ordered the soldiers behind to join the battle and fight as well.»
The soldiers in the rear were stationed next to the rangers - the mages, priests and users of special abilities - to protect them. So even they had been mobilized.
It was a call to which I could see the merit. The battle was almost over when I fell. Hurrying to kill the wolf as soon as possible would have been the best way to reduce our casualties.
«But his plan had a fatal flaw». The problem was that no one could handle the wolf's aggro properly. «Kashan attacks the most threatening individuals first. Therefore, most of his attacks were directed at the commander, but it was a very unstable situation».
Every time he hit them with his enormous paws, a knight's neck flew off, and every time a mage fired a powerful blast, the wolf turned to charge at them.
«That's when Glow Isius died».
And with that, the trio of magicians became a duo.
I wondered why they didn't want to tell me how he died...
Were they thinking he wouldn't have died if I had stayed awake?
...Well, that was true.
«We faced the wolf for three minutes after you fell unconscious, and then the commander finally stabbed his sword into the wolf's forehead and ended the battle. After that, the stone door closed and opened again, bathing the area in light. It's been about ten minutes since then».
I paused to take it all in.
«How is that?» amelia asked. «Has that answered all your questions?».
«For now».
A gentleman I recognized from Squad Three approached us as our conversation fell silent. «Lord Baron, you are awake! The commander calls him».
«...I'll be away for a while.»
«I'll be helping the wounded», Amelia said, "so don't worry about us".
Finally I followed the knight to Jerome, who had lost an arm and had a hole through his gut. He was being healed by a priest.
So this guy also took very hard hits.
«It's a relief to see that you look good, Your Honor.»
«I think you're worse off than me right now, to be honest».
Jerome let out a tense laugh and said nothing to that, instead turning to his deputy commander. «Alright, the baron is here too... Ebost reports!».
With all the leaders in one place, the report began.
«The First Expedition Group has accomplished an astonishing feat by defeating the Wolf of Prophecy, Kashan, today. It is an achievement that will surely be recorded in imperial history. Unfortunately, we were not able to acquire an essence that could be offered to the palace...»
As the report continued, I remembered once again how dangerous rank one monsters were.
«Twenty-seven people suffered moderate injuries and have now fully recovered, four still suffer serious injuries, and a total of twenty-eight died in combat».
Twenty-eight soldiers dead, twenty-one of whom had died in the three minutes I was unconscious. Of those killed in combat, our Squadron Four suffered only one casualty. No one could refute that this was nothing short of miraculous, but there was also a concrete reason why our numbers looked the way they did.
«Count Saintred», I called. «I heard you ordered Squadron 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 to the relatively safer rear. «Why did you give that order?»
Not that I disliked the order, far from it. In fact, I was incredibly grateful. But that didn't mean he didn't have questions about why he had given it.
«It is because if you die, then we will have failed in one of the objectives of this expedition, Your Honor. For that reason, I ordered the entire Squad Four to retreat and protect you.»
"... ¿Which? ⁇
«Your Honor, our expedition group did not come here to hunt simple monsters. And I have never, except once, failed a mission.»
This mentality was beyond 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.
Honestly, I didn't know what to think of that guy anymore. The last time we spoke, I had had the idea that we could have been friends if it weren't for the situation we were in.
I said the only thing I could say. «Understood. That answered my questions».
«It's good to hear it. So can we continue with the meeting?».
When I nodded and took a step back, the deputy commander paused before resuming the meeting.
«Those are all the casualties we have to report, so I'll move on to the next item on the agenda».
The next topic of conversation was quite simple. We had successfully defeated Kashan, and since he didn't let go of any essence, we didn't need to argue over who would keep it. Instead...
«As soon as Kashan disappeared, the stone door opened again. Magicians have confirmed that the light it emits is similar in nature to that of a portal... Simply put, there is a good chance that if we enter that light, we will end up in a new place».
What could be beyond that open stone portal? When should we pack our bags 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 myself be carried away by the conversation without paying much attention to it, absorbed in my own thoughts.
That was because he already knew what was beyond the door.
I hadn't realized that was how the door opened.
It was the area we had already visited with Hamsick. Well, there was a chance it was somewhere else, but I came to the conclusion that the probability of that was low.
I guess it's normal for you to clear the library by defeating a rank one monster, and then the door opens for you to get the reward inside.
The different types of summoning books would be the smallest rewards, and the fountain pen that allowed you to obtain a drop of guaranteed essence would probably be the main reward. Maybe the golden book too.
Anyway... I think I somehow ended up skipping the path.
If I hadn't met Hamsick sooner and taken all the rewards sooner, the fountain pen would have been taken by the palace too.
So the secret to this place is that there is a way to skip the library and get into the rewards room anyway.
From a player's perspective, that was probably Hamsick's purpose. That being said, there seemed to be even more secrets hidden here waiting to be found.
So was that the reason you were telling me you didn't have the requirements yet? Because I didn't officially clear the area before entering the rewards room.
I was just guessing, so I wasn't completely sure. I'd probably need to meet Hamsick again to gauge his reaction.
«Then we will end our meeting there. Until seven in the afternoon, the only ones who will be on guard will be those from the patrol team, so each leader must return to his squad and take care of them. Oh, and keep in mind that we will redeploy staff later».
The meeting came to an end and we all had free time.
Seven in the afternoon...
These guys were intense. Even after a battle of this magnitude, we didn't even have a full day of rest, just a few hours before we had to face a new task. A sigh threatened to escape me, but I swallowed it and turned to my allies to convey the news.
«...Five hours is not enough time to sleep», Ainar grumbled.
«Isn't that enough? Can't you just sleep?»
«For once, Mrs. Fenelin is right. I think I need more sleep too».
«But I don't know if I'll 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 given some time to rest.
«You can sleep, rest or do whatever you want, but first we have to do what needs to be done», I said.
«For 'what needs to be done'...»
«One of our comrades has died».
«Ah... it's true.»
I led the entire Squad Four to a corner of the library, where we had deposited the body of our only squad member killed in combat.
The only woman in the trio of wizards, Sharlot Emblut, knelt before the corpse, her face expressionless with shock.
«Are you OK? asked.
«...No. I'm not well at all».
«I guess it's your first time?».
Many things were condensed into that single question. Sharlot clenched her fists until they trembled, but said nothing in response.
Her older brother, Brian Emblut, came over to get her away from the body and we began our little funeral service. As always, the process ended very quickly.
«His remains and belongings will be taken back to the city to be given to his family». We sort through his belongings and cast distortion magic on his remains to keep them intact.
When the funeral was over, Sharlot approached me.
«Mr. Baron... Someday... yes... If enough time passes, will I be okay? As everyone always says?»
That was what everyone was asking the first time they experienced something like this.
Hah, how should I respond to that?
I took a moment to organize my thoughts before saying: «The definition of "being well" is different depending on the person».
«Ah yes... you are right. It was a stupid question».
«But you know», I continued, trying to sound as confident as possible for her sake. «One day when you remember him, if you remember happy memories before sad ones, and if that's what you define as being well... then you'll be fine. Although you may not want to be».
She remained silent.
«Now go rest», I told him, and turned around. As I did so, someone approached me. It was Missha, the only one of my teammates here from my days on the losing team.
«Just then... you were talking about Dwalkie... right?».
I didn't deny it. «...A little».
Missha seemed to get lost in thought for a moment. «At that time... things were going very well...» he murmured, with a deep longing woven into his tone.
Of course, I was no different. «Yes... they were».
Now, I was a baron with countless people following my example. Some might even see me as the hero who left his name on the Stone of Honor. But my mind still wandered from time to time to those days.
Fighting for our lives every moment. Watching over our shoulders the looters. Fighting rank five monsters...
Looking together at the third floor night sky.
«It is a sight that only adventurers who arrive here early enough can see. Isn't it wonderful?»
Now it was fine.
***
I had just pulled out an individual blanket to lie down and hang out when an uninvited guest showed up.
«Yandel, the chief mage of the expedition group is here for you».
«The chief magician...?»
«He says he wants to talk to you. What do you want to do?»
«… When you can sleep in any way, then this is good. Treelo here.»
With that, I got up and picked up my blanket while Amelia accompanied the old wizard.
«Gahuin Versilus. »
«Lord Baron, my apologies for interrupting your rest. Can I talk to you?» I looked at Amelia, who was next to him, and she left without me having to say anything. «I also want to cast a voice control spell. Is that okay with you?»
«Sure, go ahead».
«...Ah, thanks. It's done».
«So what is it?» As always, I skipped the courtesies and got straight to the point.
Which perhaps made the old wizard's response even more unexpected. «I have come to apologize, Lord Baron».
«Hmm, excuse me...?»
«That's right. I was wrong, and you were right. However, I was not able to accept it and, as a result, I almost 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 reconsidered it after what I witnessed today. Rank One monsters... They are truly monstrous. I was underestimating them. But Lord Baron, as an adventurer, you saw them exactly as they are.»
«Ya veo.»
«To be honest... before you fell unconscious, I still wasn't afraid of them. No, in fact, I was convinced that if we had invoked Leviathan as I suggested, we would not have suffered any casualties. However...»
The old wizard interrupted himself, and then spoke as if he were unloading a heavy load.
«That things were like silk had nothing to do with me. My knowledge and my talent for magic had nothing to do with it. Neither do the hundred elite soldiers handpicked by the palace. I checked for myself during the three minutes you were out of commission».
«Ah... I think you're praising me too much».
«As a scholar, I am only stating the facts. If you hadn't been here today, the casualty list would have been much, much longer».
It was difficult to give a coherent answer after someone said something like that to your face. So I stayed silent. Being present was half the battle, as they say.
He cleared his throat. «Ah, it seems I've gone on a bit. In any case, what I mean is only one thing».
«Then say it».
«Our expedition group needs your strength, knowledge and decision-making capacity, Lord Baron. I will take into account any advice you give us in the future, so please share with us what you have in mind.»
In other words, I wasn't going to try to block my way anymore, so I wanted us to work together from now on. This was some of the best news I had heard today.
«Okay. Then I will be in your care, Gahuin».
«...¿Gahuan?»
«Friends are called by their name».
«Oh, that's right. So... Bjor-»
«You can call me Lord Baron. I am a noble.»
«...Ahaha. It's true. Well, thank you for taking the time to talk to me during your break. Now I'm leaving».
After that, I met up with my comrades to share a meal, and once our break was over, all the members of the expedition group gathered around the open stone gate and walked through it as one.
[You have entered the First Records Archive].
A small seed of hope that we would end up somewhere new had been sprouting in my chest, but the place we opened after clearing the library was, indeed, Hamsick's home.
«What a sinister appearance».
«It looks like a storm has passed through here».
Unlike the clean mini library we saw when we first entered, the place was now practically in ruins. However, I couldn't see Hamsick or the golden book anywhere.
Well, I guess Hamsick was in the main library the last time I saw him, so he's probably still out there.
Honestly, that was the best. If the golden book were here, its possession would immediately go to the palace.
«It's a pretty strange place, isn't it, Lord Baron?»
«Is. I wonder why it's so messy...» I said, grimacing at the poor condition.
«Please tell us if you find anything».
«Use haré.»
After the expedition group checked the secret room and confirmed that there was nothing dangerous inside, they began to properly investigate the place.
«Everything here is damaged. Is there any reason to investigate...?»
«What are you saying? We are the first to set foot in this place».
«There's definitely something here, so do a thorough search!»
Oh, to clarify, the so-called «thorough» search that these royal soldiers performed was a little different from the method favored by the adventurers. They didn't break anything, but what they did do was use their absurd inventory space to take everything they could.
«These books are blank...»
«Everything here is property of the palace. Don't leave a single thing behind».
The destroyed room soon became empty.
«Research completed! There is nothing hidden here!»
...Lo sandto, Hammick.