(Author: With two weeks gone, I can start posting a chapter a day again.)
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As soon as I asked that question, the two of them looked at me strangely.
"The fact that you're asking about the dungeon right after waking up is suspicious," he said, eyeing me carefully.
"I literally saw lightning strike the dungeon."
"Then how do you know something's wrong with it?"
"I didn't. That's why I'm curious. Now, what do you mean by 'something wrong'?"
The truth was, I already knew what was happening, but to avoid raising suspicion, I had to pretend otherwise.
They studied me for a long moment before Alfred finally spoke.
"We've been finding a huge number of artifacts. Most are Grade 0, but some are even Grade 1. As you can imagine, every faction is going in to search for them, but since the dungeon is under the Explorers' control, they're forcing the others to either give up the artifact or pay a fine."
"I almost wonder where they get such a boundless ego from… Anyway, go on."
They both sighed in agreement with me, and Alfred continued.
"As you might guess, the other two factions, the Pirates and the Red-Light District, aren't happy at all, and there've already been several clashes."
Perfect.
The situation was unfolding almost exactly like in the previous timeline. It just needed one extra push.
"And what about you guys? How are you handling it?"
"We've only sent a few men," Erik replied. "After the last attack, we took heavy losses. Fighting the other factions seems pointless, especially since we have our own dungeon."
"So you're sending people just to avoid suspicion?"
"Exactly."
Erik nodded, and I didn't see anything wrong with their reasoning. In their current state, competing with the other factions would be risky. Staying out of the spotlight and watching the situation develop was ideal, but I couldn't allow that.
"I understand your position, but I'm asking you to take a more active role in this conflict."
Both of them looked confused.
"Why are you asking that?" Erik asked.
"Once I've recovered, I'll make sure the other factions can't stand the Explorers anymore, forcing them to decide to wipe them out. The Merchants need to share that same sentiment. That's why you need to make it seem like you're really aiming for something in there, so the other two factions won't suspect your real intentions."
"You're missing a detail here. If our factions joined forces, we'd only have four Grade 2 fighters. The Explorers have two Grade 2s and Paul, who, with all the artifacts he's found, might well be at the peak of Grade 3. The other two factions are too cowardly to confront them," Erik explained.
He was right, but also wrong.
"That's where you're mistaken. True, normally the other two factions wouldn't attack, since the risks outweigh the benefits. But what if they actually felt truly threatened by the Explorers?"
"You're saying you could push things that far?" Alfred asked, surprised.
"Yes."
"It won't be easy. Paul might be the strongest, but that doesn't mean he's stupid. He won't attack if there's a risk the factions could unite."
"Who said he'd be the one to start the conflict?" I smiled at the plan forming in my head, only to notice their uneasy looks. "What?"
"Just… don't smile like that. It's creepy," Erik muttered.
I rolled my eyes at his exaggeration.
"Back to the point. How serious do we need to look about it?" Alfred asked.
"I'm not asking you to sacrifice your men needlessly, that's for sure. Just send them to the dungeon frequently and make sure they clash with the Explorers, enough to draw attention, but not enough to cause real conflict. The other factions just need to see you're unhappy with the situation."
"...I see no problem. What do you think?" Erik asked Alfred.
Alfred thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Considering the situation on the islands, our actions wouldn't seem strange. If we're careful, at worst we won't suffer any losses."
"Good. Now I just need a few more days to recover, and then I can set the plan in motion. Oh, by the way, I need a favor."
"What is it?" Erik asked.
"I need another halberd."
"The other one…"
"Broken in two by the monster."
The three of us exchanged an awkward silence before Erik spoke.
"I'll order something sturdier."
"Perfect."
With nothing else to say, they left. I was about to close my eyes for a moment when Lena walked in with a plate in her hands.
"I brought you something to eat. I thought you'd be hungry. But if you're tired, I can come back later."
"Don't worry. I admit I'm starving."
She smiled at that and sat by the bed. Scooping up some soup, she brought the spoon to my mouth.
"You do know my hands work just fine, right?" I reminded her.
"Let me have this little satisfaction. What's the harm?"
Seeing how stubborn she was, I sighed in defeat and let her feed me.
"Is it good?"
"Very."
"Good."
In silence, I let Lena feed me until the plate was empty.
"If you're that hungry, I'll bring you more."
Before she could leave, I grabbed her wrist.
"Lena… sorry for raising my voice earlier. I shouldn't have." I said honestly.
I didn't care if she was upset with Erik or Alfred, but I didn't want her situation with the Merchants to worsen because of me.
"Silly boy, I'm not mad," she said with a smile, sitting back down. "I did some thinking… My perspective was too narrow. I ignored everything you managed to do just because you came back injured, when it's no exaggeration to say you're the hero of this island."
"I didn't exactly do it for other people, so calling me a hero…"
I almost considered that an insult, but kept it to myself.
"And what of it?"
Her response caught me off guard.
"The fact that your intentions weren't pure does that erase the act of nearly sacrificing yourself to save this island?"
I had no answer.
"Sometimes I forget you're no longer the little boy who used to cling to me during thunderstorms."
She took my hand in hers, smiling nostalgically.
"I remember when these hands were barely half the size of mine, and now they're already bigger. Maybe it's time I stop treating you like the child you were… and start seeing you as the young man you've become."
"You know I'd never leave you, no matter how much time passes," I said.
"I know. And even if you tried, it's not that easy to get rid of me."
We both laughed, lying down on the bed and staring at the ceiling.
"Once we reach the continent, I'll make sure your dream comes true. You'll have your own shop."
"You still remember that?" she asked in surprise.
"Of course."
"Do you also remember the part about a family?"
"...Yes."
I answered, annoyed, and heard Lena holding back laughter.
"Pfft! Look at my little brother getting jealous of his big sister. I can't—come here, let me hug you!"
"No, don't come closer! And no tickling!"
We played around for several minutes, laughing like we were kids again, a pleasant feeling, considering most of my good memories were buried under bad ones.
Finally, Lena let me rest, worried that I might reopen my wounds.
"I swear, no respect for patients."
"It's your fault for being so adorable," she teased, ruffling my hair.
Adorable?
If people from the previous timeline heard someone call me that, they'd probably cough up blood at the absurdity.
Maybe it's true what they say, that every child looks beautiful in their mother's eyes… or in my case, sister's.
The thought made me smirk slightly.
"Adel, can I ask you something?"
"Go ahead," I replied, curious.
"You're hiding something from me, aren't you?"
My eyes widened slightly, and I held my breath, letting silence hang between us.
"...If I said yes, would you be disappointed?"
"No… maybe just a little sad."
I looked down, unsure how to face her.
"If I could, I'd be completely honest with you. But I can't."
The excuse sounded so weak and baseless, I wouldn't have been surprised if she'd been offended.
"Oh… then never mind."
Of all the rations I could have expected, that wasn't even on the list, leaving me momentarily stunned.
"...Really?"
"Yes. If you really can't say, there must be a reason. So I'll just wait until you can."
She smiled, tapping my forehead.
"You really are unpredictable, you know?"
"Of course I am. I'm the older sister. Did you forget?"
Seeing her triumphant smile, it was hard to keep a straight face.
"Anyway, the only reason I can ignore my curiosity is that I trust you. Obviously, that's only because you're my adorable little brother."
Ignoring the "adorable" part, her words warmed my heart.
"Thanks, sis."
****
The next few days, I didn't do anything special except recover from my wounds and gather the information I needed. Using it, I refined my plan. Now it was just time to set it in motion.
"Looks like you've recovered," Erik said as he walked in.
"Almost completely. Waiting any longer would be pointless."
"So everything's ready?"
I smiled at his words.
"If all goes well, in two months, the archipelago will be yours."