Chapter 553
Officially, it couldn’t have been the king’s order to lie in bed, but it must have been a king’s order written with the Prime Minister’s approval.
However, there was only one option for me.
“…I will obey the king’s command.”
Judgment that there is no way to deny it unless you kill all the witnesses and go out and lie that you have not received anything like the king’s order.
“The royal family will remember the loyalty of Baron Yandel.”
Jerome’s soft smile was nasty, but I decided to think of the positive side.
Join the exploration force and be commanded by that guy?
My degree of freedom within the 1st basement floor is low, and it means that there is no way to punish him even if he trolls.
Unlike now, which is monopolized, spoils will also have to be picked up and eaten in a way that receives a fixed rate.
but….
‘I can do anything with those troops.’
In fact, it is as if you have obtained a cheat key.
At least in the future, there will be no embarrassing situation due to the lack of ‘force’ while exploring the first basement floor.
Whether it is the library island that has yet to see the end, the tree island that is still more than half hidden unknown, or the giant island with the super giant.
If you have this strength, you can do anything.
In other words, the possibility of escaping this layer and returning to the city has risen dramatically…
“Now, I’m thinking of organizing the information first, but do you have a journal? I heard that explorers sometimes write in journals to record the events of the past.”
Ugh, you really want to eat it raw.
In an era where knowledge is a wealth, it feels like meeting a group of bandits rather than the royal family.
thus….
“I’d like to talk about the loot first before providing any information.”
I decided to address this issue first.
“Hmm, you mean spoils?”
“Yes, the king’s order said to follow your command and explore. It was not written how he was to be treated.”
“Surely it is. Don’t worry too much though. The purpose of our expeditionary force is not even that small of a penny, and there has already been a word in the royal family to take care of the baron’s convenience.”
“I still want to cut it off and move on.”
“I will leave the command of the explorers under the baron to the baron. In addition, the exploration income earned by the baron will be completely guaranteed except for one case.”
Exploration Income No Touch to Command Preservation.
It’s good news out of misfortune, but unfortunately it comes with ominous words.
“Except for one case…?”
“This exploration is for the royal family and, furthermore, for the bright future of this country. Essences, materials, equipment, special magic items, etc. are irrelevant. If it has never existed in the world, it will be taken by our expeditionary force as a research specimen for the public good.”
In other words, I will take everything that is the first discovery.
To be honest, as soon as I heard it, I first thought where these bullies were, but Jerome skillfully used the stick and carrot strategy.
“However, I’m going to promise that I won’t touch anything the baron has obtained so far… How is it?”
Oh, it’s like giving away something great for an obvious story.
Is it because you have a long career as a commander?
Unknowingly, I almost felt comforted after hearing that.
“A promise is good.”
“Then it’s done—”
“But, one more thing.”
It seemed that he was naturally trying to end the agreement, so he hurriedly continued his words.
“Listen. Please tell me.”
“I would also like to have a stake in the first discovery.”
“It is impossible.”
“Even if my ball is overwhelming in the process?”
“exactly.”
Alas, yes, this is not okay.
Seeing his more stubborn attitude than I imagined, it seems that no matter how much I talk about it, it will become a warning to me.
Well, I don’t mean to end it here.
“Then, on the second discovery, give me priority.”
“It’s a priority…”
“okay. For research purposes, isn’t one sufficient? You told me earlier that a little bit of money is fine.”
“Hmm… Would it be all right if I consulted with the deputy commander for a while?”
Soon after I nodded, Jerome approached his subordinate and continued the discussion.
And maybe 5 minutes passed?
The wizard who received Jerome’s beckoning removed the voice control magic and began to hear his voice again.
“Baron Yandel wants to give priority only to things that he has made a great contribution to, or that he has obtained on his own. How about this?”
“Then who sets the standard for a big ball?”
“that….”
“Don’t set such an ambiguous standard, set it clearly. Except for the one I got on my own, three. Give preference to just three.”
At my words, Jerome glanced at the second-in-command again.
Does he feel like a dedicated staff member?
I don’t know, but he didn’t seem to be able to even discuss it to this extent.
“Good. As for the second achievement, priority will be given to Baron Yandel for up to three.”
Soon after, he said that and asked for a handshake, and I also faced him.
“Please take good care of me until I return to the city.”
“The same goes for this one.”
That’s how the uncomfortable cohabitation began.
***
After the loot agreement is over.
An expedition of 38 people, led by our clan Anabada, was temporarily incorporated into the royal family’s army.
Her official affiliation is the provisional 4th team of the 1st Exploration Army.
They were small in number compared to the other three groups of 60 men, but this was unavoidable in order to preserve my command.
Maybe that’s why Jerome didn’t go through the process of redistributing personnel, and I didn’t bother to ask for it either.
Anyway, after the organizational reorganization, we immediately had time to share information.
“Sir Basilus, go and check your research materials.”
“Yes… Long time no see, Miss Amblot.”
“Ah, yes… Hello…”
“How are you, Master?”
“Isn’t it… won’t it…?”
“Haha, now that I think about it, I must be the one who has to deliver the news. Enough with the greetings, would you like me to give you the research log? I will ask you questions after reading them first, so you only answer the questions.”
“…Here… is…”
The number 1 wizard in the expedition went to the three wizards of our expedition and plundered the data he had been studying diligently.
and….
“Well then, tell the baron too. What happened in the meantime?”
I had to explain to Jerome about the islands I had visited, starting with the characteristics of this class.
What Jerome was most interested in was ‘the rainy season’.
“It is a curious phenomenon. Demonic spirits pouring down from the sky.”
“But don’t worry too much. Because there are several places in the hierarchy that can be avoided.”
There have been three safe zones identified so far.
Library Island confirmed to be safe through ham diet.
A cave on Giant Island where the Hex Clan used to hide.
Finally, the village where the village chief is ruling.
“Commander.”
“Haha, don’t use that title, just call me by my last name.”
“Saint Red… there is one more thing you need to know.”
I was a little worried, but I also shared information about the ‘Chief’ with Jerome.
“Dragon Knight Cornelius Brungrid… you mean?”
“First of all, it is a creature that claims to be so.”
I thought it was unknown what effect his presence would have on the army from the royal family, but it was a story that these guys had no choice but to know anyway.
As long as the exit is there anyway, I have to pass it.
“Do you know anything about him? As I’ve been living there are a lot of suspicious things.”
Thinking that I might be able to get information I didn’t know, I even told the details of what had happened with the village chief, but unfortunately he didn’t know anything.
but….
“A monster impersonating a companion of Gabrielius… He must be suspicious.”
Apart from his knowledge, his ability to act was outstanding.
“As expected, it would be better to do the first exploration to that island.”
“…You’re going right away?”
“That’s not suspicious. Besides, since you said you can speak, it would be more reasonable to catch him and interrogate him to get information.”
Uh… that’s by the way…
It seemed so natural that I had nothing to say.
If you think about it in the first place, it’s not really wrong.
‘…I think I can go and catch it right away with these troops.’
A method that seems ignorant can become a reasonable method if it is done by a person with power.
I know that fact better than anyone.
‘But…why am I so anxious?’
I decided to dry him first.
“Without rushing, how about investigating other islands first?”
“Hmm?”
“It looks like the exit is on that island, but it seems like you need some conditions to open it. Isn’t it too late to go after finding it?”
It was judged that it would be right to slowly start exploring the easy places, check how well this group was, and then head to the village chief island.
I think I still have enough troops.
History tells us that troops aren’t everything.
“I wonder if there’s a reason to go back like that, but I shouldn’t take it lightly because it’s the words of the baron who came here first. Got it. Do as the baron says.”
Okay, the persuasion was surprisingly easy…
“So where do you think the baron should go first?”
I answered the guy’s question without even thinking about it.
“library. I think the library island would be the best.”
I haven’t been able to get the experience of the top level monsters yet.
***
After the destination is set.
We went out to the shore of the rocky island and summoned a boat.
The summoned ships were divided into four ships and climbed in a group of divided vests.
Note that there were some personnel changes during this process.
“Sir Basilus said it would take more time to receive all of the research results. Speaking of which, can I take those three mages aboard our ship? Oh, of course, I will send as many other wizards as there are vacancies to fill.”
“…good night.”
Temporarily, three wizards boarded the ship of the exploration force, and three other wizards went on a business trip to our ship as a replacement.
and….
“long time no see?”
I was able to see an unexpectedly welcome face here.
“Raven…? How are you here…?”
“How is it? An order came from the top. Join the exploration force.”
“Ah… you were a soldier.”
“But did you really just see it? I thought I knew you because you looked at me several times during our conversation earlier.”
“I was just taking a quick look around.”
“Ah… I see.”
Raven shyly braided his hair with her index finger.
It was an act I couldn’t understand.
There are 180 people, how did you think you would recognize that?
Even the height is small, so I can’t see it well.
“Anyway, nice to meet you. Come on, get on the boat. Let’s talk as we go.”
Afterwards, when Raven and two wizards, who had never met each other, were put on board, Einar, who was on board first, rushed.
“Aruru!! Aruru!! Aruruda!!”
“evil! let go, let go! It hurts!!”
“Oh sorry!”
When Einar came to his senses and let go of the body he was holding, Raven sighed as he brushed off his crumpled uniform.
“Mr. Freneline… is still the same.”
“On the surface, it is.”
“From the outside…?”
“I ate one essence, but there’s something wrong with it… You’ll know about it later when you see it.”
“is that so?”
As we were talking, there was a report from Auyen that he had received a signal to depart from the captain’s ship, so he hurriedly departed the ship.
Shaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa-!
The Anabada in the lead and the three warships following it.
Our boat right now isn’t bad specs either, but looking at them makes me drool.
I don’t know anything else, but the bigger ones look better, maybe a month?
On the other side, even with 60 people on board, the deck looked spacious. I think everyone has enough shared cabins.
“See you again.”
“yes. hello. Mr. Raines.”
The members who were familiar with Raven’s appearance came one by one and started greeting.
In the case of Amelia, the business feeling was strong.
“long time no see….”
“Ah yes. Iknow, right.”
“…”
“…”
There was a lot of awkwardness with Erwen.
Well, at least she’s not as good as Misha.
“hi….”
“Oh, yes… Hello. Mischa…”
Huh, what they see makes me breathless.
I think we used to be friends.
“I’ve heard from Mr. Yandel… but this is the first time I’ve seen you, right?”
“Ugh… sorry about that time… just like that… disappeared without a word…”
“Oh no…! Missha must have had something to do with it.”
I didn’t fight like Erwen when the team was disbanded, so I couldn’t understand why he was so indifferent.
‘No, is that why it’s more awkward?’
Well, maybe.
Raven doesn’t even know where Misha has been.
But it’s also an atmosphere that’s hard to ask.
“Anyway, I’m glad everyone seems to be okay. I was a little worried because the news stopped after we went down here on the first basement floor.”
“A little bit, that’s a little disappointing.”
“…what are you talking about, really.”
When I said a little joke, Raven didn’t even pretend to hear and was serious.
Originally, I just ignored it and ended it.
Whether you look at his voice or his way of speaking, for some reason, the tension seems quite high today.
“Okay, you know what, by the way?”
“You have to tell me what it is.”
“Sir Kaislan. He is the one who went on an expedition with Mr. Yandel in the past.”
“What is Kaysl? why is he Did he have an accident outside?”
“no. He is also part of this expedition. But you didn’t see it either.”
Oh… this was unexpected too.
I didn’t know there would be another familiar face mixed in.
‘Kaislan is trustworthy.’
Even if he’s a position, it’s clear that he belongs to the leadership, so there’s a high chance that I’ll find out if he decorates anything over there.
“What about Lilith Marone? He must have been a military wizard, but didn’t he come with you?”
“He remembers that he doesn’t exist. Oh, there he is instead!”
“What if he is him?”
When I asked with curiosity intact, Raven, who likes to explain from his birth, said that he was right and opened his mouth.
“Sir Sven Farab. A Paladin of the Church of Leatlas.”
Huh, I never thought he would come.
“Why are you like that? Can’t you remember? Even though he went on an expedition together?”
“No… it can’t be. He remembers.”
Paladin Sven Farab.
Goblin Mask by another name.
One of the characteristics of the character is a ridiculous ‘sixth sense’.
During the ice rock expedition, he showed an incredible sixth sense and contributed to the expedition several times.
Even during the Berzak incident, he made an excuse and said he didn’t even enter the labyrinth because he felt something was wrong.
“Raven, do you have any stories related to him? Like he refused to be summoned, or he had an upset stomach on the day of the campaign.”
A question posed out of curiosity.
However, at these words, Raven, on the contrary, was startled.
“uh? How does Mr. Yandel know that he had an upset stomach that day?”
‘…is it true?’
…Suddenly, I started to feel extremely anxious.