In the first-floor living room, under the watchful eye of Erwen's surveillance camera, three women were sitting on the couch, side by side, drinking tea.
«A special forces unit made up of thirty people... It is also the first time I have heard of it. That must mean it's extremely confidential», Raven murmured.
«As the war is dragging on, I guess the palace is looking for a way to turn the situation around», Amelia muttered.
«Exactly. Considering the reputation of the candidates mentioned by the Marquis, I sincerely wonder if they will really be able to bring all those big names together into one team.»
«But that part is engraved in stone according to the marquis».
«So I think it would be wise to assume that they are planning something big that will require a lot of firepower».
As the two discussed the situation in a serious voice, Erwen did not seem particularly interested in the current state of our army. «Sir, you said you don't like sweets, right? Take some of this. I bought something salty for you».
«Oh, thanks.»
While eating the peanut butter cookies Erwen gave me, Raven gave me a look of disgust. It seemed like I wasn't happy that I gave them all that information and then shut up.
I swallowed what was in my mouth and said, «So, Raven, what are you going to do?».
«...About what?»
«I already told you. With me, Erwen, Emily and the dragonian woman chosen by the marquis, there are two places left».
«Ah...»
«I want you to join us».
When I asked him bluntly, Raven looked away with a slightly uncomfortable expression. «I also want to help at the front, but I think it would be difficult right now». This was undoubtedly a slightly disappointing response.
«...¿In series?»
I tried not to let it show, but Raven must have noticed, because she started giving explanations without even needing me to ask her. «Both on the battlefield and in the city, Commander Pevrosk is being summoned everywhere these days. If I leave the Magic Body right now, there will be no one to help me manage everything...»
Gosh, what a worker. That's why she was so reliable as a teammate.
I didn't want to see her so dejected when it wasn't even her fault to begin with, so I quickly stopped her there. «Why do you explain? If you're busy, it can't be helped».
«Thank you. To understand».
«Understanding or not, this is not something you have to make excuses for».
Anyway, that meant recruiting Raven was off the table. How would we fill the two remaining vacancies?
As I reflected on this, Amelia spoke to me in a soft voice. «Schuitz, do you think the team needs a navigator?».
«I don't know, I think it's unnecessary since we're traveling on a big warship».
«...I see.» Amelia nodded, but there was something strange about her voice even when she agreed. Did she want to take our sailor Auyen with her?
As fun as it is to sail, there is a time and place for everything...
«I think it would be best to leave Auyen where he is for the moment. It can be useful again after the war».
«Alright. I was worried because he hasn't eaten much lately, but I guess I'll have to take him for walks more often than usual.»
«...Yes, that should work.» So that solved the browser problem. «Raven, do you know anything about the dragonian woman?»
«No. It's the first time I've heard of a Ravien. But I'll look into it as soon as I get back to Command. The commander might know something».
«Yes, I'll leave you with it».
Raven left after that, finishing her tea and retiring as she had work to do. The rest of us debated which of the candidates the marchioness mentioned we should add to the team. Although Erwen and Amelia were constantly at odds, we easily agreed on who would be our first teammate.
«I think we'll need a magician».
«I agree. It would be inconvenient not to have one».
We would fill the magician position that was still vacant after I failed in my attempt to recruit Raven.
«What about the remaining position?»
«Wouldn't it be better to have a priest?»
If possible, the last position should go to a priest. If that was too difficult to achieve, we decided it would be best to fill it with a support-type special skills user. I had my tank needs covered, Amelia had my hand-to-hand combat needs, Erwen had my long-range needs, and soon we would also have a mage. So, we decided that it would be best to use a special support skill user to boost our hand-to-hand combat capabilities. They were all reasonable arguments, so I agreed, except when we got to the last point.
«So, for the magician, we can choose this option or this other one, this other one for the priest, and if we can't get them, I think this user will be the best!». Erwen happily expressed her opinion, pointing out the names on the list of candidates one by one.
«Ah, are they all men?». Honestly, I had this reaction without thinking much about it.
«Well... because there are too many women around you, sir».
«...Eh?» Was that a reasonable justification for choosing only men? I looked to Amelia for help, but to my surprise, she just nodded as if she completely understood where Erwen was coming from.
«I think it would definitely be better to choose a man», Amelia said.
"...¿Por qué?"
«Your judgment is affected when women are involved».
What is this girl saying? I'm a cold-blooded guy. It doesn't matter if it's a man or a woman, if necessary, I always cut off their heads equally. The first player I killed in Glacier Cave was also a woman.
«Emily, I think there's been a misunderstanding. Why the hell do you think that?» I asked, feeling aggrieved.
Amelia responded immediately and without hesitation. «Because... you were like that with me too».
What kind of reputation had I earned with these two?
***
There were ten days left until the next opening of the labyrinth. Amelia had been passing through the business district almost every day since we returned and finally finished disposing of all the loot. In other words, we could finally share the loot from our last expedition.
«Even subtracting the change, it comes out to 350 million stones.»
It was truly an outrageous amount of money. Not only that, but it was a difficult amount to come by for a group our size with only mana stones, no matter how many floors we climbed.
Well, I guess it makes sense considering we ended up with an entire sixth floor clan.
Still, I was surprised by the amount. The broken boats weren't even sold for their full price and we decided to stick with the larger boat for future use rather than selling. If we had sold that boat, our total income would have tripled.
«So what do you want to do with the money?».
Amelia had worked harder than anyone to get rid of the objects. When he asked me what my plans were, I responded without a moment's hesitation. «Of course, we have to distribute it equally».
«Then each person will receive just over 110 million stones». Amelia smiled softly and mentioned that with that amount, she could finally buy the gun she had her eye on. But the smile soon faded.
«Before I buy you a new gun, I want you to pay me first». Erwen's voice was too cold for someone talking to his teammate. Of course, the request itself was fair. Although the deal had gotten a little tangled, after all, it had been Amelia who had pawned my Demon Crusher to the bank as collateral. Amelia used that money to buy an essence and, since she had not been able to return it, Erwen was forced to take out a loan using the house as collateral.
«Surely there is still time to pay the debt...».
«I'm starting to think we'll never be able to pay it on time if you keep spending like this. And it's better to pay debts as soon as possible, right?».
«...How much do you need?»
«Everything, of course. If you let go of everything you've earned this month, I think it should be enough to pay for it».
Amelia looked at me like a sad puppy at Erwen's words. It was obvious he was asking for help, but what could I do here?
«…We'll buy the weapon next time».
«When I asked you last month if I could get an improvement, you promised me I could.».
«Things have changed now. I remember you also argued not to sell the larger ship and instead use it for travel...»
«That... because we will need a boat, even if it is not on the sixth floor».
«Exactly. Wait a few more months. I'll help you pay it then».
Amelia was so upset that she didn't even respond, but judging by the way she calmly exhaled and looked out the window, she seemed to have assumed the current situation to some extent.
What should I give him at times like this to lift his spirits again? I don't think he's interested in food...
«Sir, there's someone outside.»
Hey? A person?
When I headed outside, I discovered that it was someone sent by the marquis. Although the guy seemed strong, he couldn't tell if he was a gentleman or not by his casual clothes. The conversation we had was also extremely short.
«A letter from the marqués».
«Ah, thanks for bringing it».
I quickly went back inside and opened the letter. I didn't know if it was simply because of Tecerion's personality or because the recipient was a barbarian, but the content was concise.
The sorcerer's problem has been solved. I'll send someone tomorrow morning to go with them.
I finally receive the seventh stage of the Spiritual Impression.
***
The next morning, as soon as dawn broke, I got into the carriage sent by the marquis and headed to the royal capital. The journey would normally last at least six hours, but using the military teleportation platform, it was possible to depart in the morning and also arrive in the morning.
It's really convenient...
I arrived at the mansion without even having time to take a nap in the carriage, but this time I couldn't meet the marquis. He apparently headed to the palace early this morning on business. Well, the marquis was not a lazy man without a job, he was the prime minister of a country. I was sure he was busy all the time. Actually, the reason I had been able to have so many private meetings with him lately was probably because he gave me priority. And even then, all he had time for was to chat over a meal.
Well, anyway, I better not see him.
Anyway, I followed my guide inside the mansion and arrived at an office located on the third floor of the main building. The Prime Minister's son seemed uncomfortable when I entered and, when the guide left us alone, he greeted me.
«...You have come a long way, Baron Yandel». His tone was polite and he seemed to address me as an equal, but it felt like he was intimidated for some reason. Was it because he refused to look me in the eyes?
«Not really. I had an easy trip thanks to you. How are you recovering? I see that the bones in your face have healed well...»
«...As you can see, I'm fine now.»
«I'm glad.»
«Oh, and I couldn't tell you last time, but I apologize for my rudeness the other day».
As I listened to Eltora, the prime minister's son, ask for forgiveness, I almost burst out laughing. I knew I was just being polite, but I was still amused that the person who had been beaten in the middle of the night was the one apologizing.
«It's okay, anyway, it's already a thing of the past. I already settled things with the marquis so don't worry anymore».
«I'm glad to hear you say that. That takes a weight off my shoulders».
«So, the sorcerer?»
«He's waiting in another room. If you go out into the hallway, Renia, the maid outside, will guide you there».
So all he had to do was go there and he could get the Spiritual Footprint. There seemed to be no reason to rush, so I decided to satisfy my curiosity a little.
«How did you get the sorcerer to come here?».
«I heard that Father personally asked the chief for a favor, asking him to send the sorcerer for someone who needed a Spiritual Footprint».
«Hmm, but that must have seemed suspicious».
«Not exactly, from what I've heard. After all, not all barbarians can come and go freely from the holy land.»
«Oh, you said I'm a warrior who was expelled from the tribe?»
That was the first possibility that came to mind, but Eltora shook her head. «He said you were a barbarian born and raised in the city».
«...Ya veo».
I accepted it without hesitation. Thinking about it, that happened from time to time. Barbarians weren't much different from humans, after all. When you lived in the city for a long time, you immersed yourself in its culture and were less tied to traditions. He had heard that in extreme cases, the barbarian parents in question did not even send their children to the holy land and instead raised them themselves.
«Well, that should make things easier. Thanks for taking care of that».
«It is in our best interest to assist you, Baronet.»
«Clear. Then until next time».
With all my questions answered, I ended the conversation and left the room. The maid waiting outside immediately guided me to the room where the sorcerer was.
«I am forbidden to guide you further».
In other words, I was the only one who could get in. When I opened the door and entered, a room completely empty of furniture and filled with cigar smoke welcomed me. In the center of the room was a space wrapped in cloth. Through it, I could see the silhouette of a person sitting upright.
It had been almost three years since I had seen the sorcerer...
As I slowly approached, I found myself nervous for some reason. Even if the marquis made up an excuse for me, the sorcerer would surely recognize me as soon as he saw me. Considering the kind of man he was, I was sure he would keep my secret from the chieftain.
«You're here». Just then, a voice spoke from beyond the fabric and I stopped dead. «My compatriot raised in civilization».
What's up with this voice that sounds so young?
Swish.
When I pushed the cloth away, I saw a tattooed barbarian wearing an eye patch. His eyes had been fine the last time I saw him, but it was not difficult to recognize him: the young disciple whom I had glimpsed a few times during my visits to the sorcerer.
«Kekeke, are you nervous about meeting the sorcerer you've been eagerly awaiting? I can feel your heartbeat from here».
What is this guy saying? I didn't expect it at all. Where has the old sorcerer gone?