Sixty new adventurers had entered Basement One Floor. Everyone was momentarily stunned to see us safe and sound, but when they recovered, they approached us and introduced themselves.
«Baron Yandel, so you were really alive. It is an honor to meet you. I am the captain of the Armin Adventurer Group, Myul Armin».
Although they were not one of the Four Great Clans, the Armin Adventurer Group was well known and respected. They were famous for continuing to search even after the war began.
«Megnon Nias. Lidero el Clan Ainpelial ».
Ainpelial, huh? I had never heard that name before.
«I am Bjorn, son of Yandel.»
Although our group had been a hodgepodge of different people, it seemed like all the newcomers were members of those two organizations.
Cautiously, Myul Armin posed a question. «But... Aren't you surprised to see us here?».
«We more or less guess that time is still passing in the outside world».
«...Sorry?» Myul Armin shuddered before immediately looking at my companions. Were you trying to see which of us could be a player?
Before his suspicions escalated, I continued explaining: «We obtained a clue during our expedition that suggested it».
Technically it wasn't a lie. In retrospect, we had more than enough information from the village chief to have come to that conclusion on our own.
«Ah...»
«But how did you know we were still alive?».
The one who responded was Megnon Nias, who looked about thirty years old. «I assume you know about the evil spirit gathering that takes place every month, right? Well, information about this place has already spread to the city through them».
Okay, but what about the way this guy is talking to me? Act like we're equal. Do you think you are better than a nobleman?
Myul Armin seemed to notice my gaze and hurriedly interrupted the exchange. «She tells the truth, but because of the source, everyone was still a little hesitant to trust her. However, the majority accepted the possibility of their survival, Lord Baron».
«Ya veo.»
Well, that should be enough to avoid any suspicion that I was an evil spirit. Now came the collection of information.
«But you guys did pretty well. You already discovered a way to open the portal».
«We are nothing compared to you, Baron Yandel. But there were many clues from evil spirits. With the ancient carving discovered on the tombstone, we were able to establish a connection with the Temple of Sculpture and resolve it from there.»
«So, are you two clans cooperating?»
«Temporarily.»
This Nias guy really was a blunt bastard. How could I use that against him?
Just as the thought appeared in my mind, Myul Armin once again realized it and kept the conversation flowing. «We met at the Temple of Sculpture, and since we didn't have enough time, we decided to put together the pieces we had already gathered to open the portal».
«Oh, for reference, our clan had two fragments and yours had one».
«...Yes. That's true. That is why the number of members that we had to bring to each one was adjusted to match that proportion.»
Oh, I was wondering why one group was forty and another twenty. So that was the reason.
«Okay, now that we've shared our share, can we get some information about this place?». Nias asked without a hint of self-awareness. «As this is a new apartment, I imagine we need some information before officially starting our expedition».
How long was I going to continue disrespecting myself?
What, I'm not a true noble to you just because I'm being nice?
«You talk like we somehow owe you.»
When I lowered my voice, only then did he notice my obvious anger and change his tone.
«That's not what I meant... It's just that... I have the feeling that we will meet very often until we find a way out, so I think it would be beneficial for us to exchange information».
«Is that so?»
«Um, you too will find that we are of great help to you, Baron Yandel. Isn't the Anabada Clan smaller?»
Although we hadn't talked much, I had already made a decision about this guy.
«In comparison, those of the Ainpelial Clan may be small compared to the Four Great Clans, but we are by no means below them in terms of performance. I guarantee it. And next month, members who couldn't get in today will get in too».
It would only get in my way if I kept it close. As soon as I came to that conclusion, I cut him off. «There is no need for all that. I don't need your help, so you can fend for yourself».
Megnon Nias shuddered, looking at me stunned for a while before realizing I wasn't joking. «...You are making a stupid decision. What if we discover a way out before you?».
«From the looks of it, I doubt you will».
«...You will regret this.»
«Yeah, well, most people who say that end up getting it wrong».
«Ha!» He snorted in open contempt before calling his clan members and preparing to leave.
Having observed this exchange, Myul Armin seemed worried. «Is it really okay to send them like this?»
«Yes, I guess firing them like that would be wrong». I nodded before calling the boy just as he was about to take off. «Wait.»
«...Ha! Have you changed your mind?»
«Shut up. Come here».
I waved my finger at him, and although he seemed insulted by the invocation, he still approached obediently, with an impatient look that seemed to demand that I not waste his time.
¡A slap!
So, since I was in such a hurry, I rushed to slap him on the back of the head.
«¡Alas!»
I expected it because of how smooth his head was, but it was a satisfying slap.
«Wh-what do you think you're doing?!»
«Oh. I just wanted to slap you.»
«...What?» He blinked, clearly stunned by my response, but that wasn't my problem.
What are you going to do about it? Snort and look at me again?
«That's all I need from you. Go your way, now». When he stared at me silently, I asked him: «Is there a problem?».
«...You can't really trust rumors».
In a clear sign that he wanted nothing to do with me, he quickly gathered his clan and left. While holding back a laugh as she watched him flee with his tail between his legs, Myul Armin asked: «...Why did you do that?».
Oh that? «Because I thought this would be my only chance».
¿«Only opportunity»?
I shrugged.
I mean, you can't really hit a dead guy, can you?
Anyway, since that guy was gone, I didn't give him another thought. Instead, I focused on what was left.
«So, you are Myul Armin?»
«Yes, Your Honor.»
«Te llamaré Myul».
«It is an honor, Lord Baron.»
«So what's your plan going forward?»
«Oh, actually... Before that, there is something I need to convey to you.»
«¿A mí?»
I was curious about what he had to say, but it turned out that it was the post that had been uploaded to the Ghostbusters forums the other day: that of the person trapped on an island waiting to be rescued.
«Considering you're alive and well, the story of people trapped on an island must also be true. That's why we planned to go in that direction first».
«For what reason...?»
«We have to save the people we can save. And since we don't have much information about this place anyway, I thought it was better to go somewhere specific rather than wander aimlessly.»
«Well, that's true».
Myul was the complete opposite of the guy from before. Even though we hadn't spoken for a long time, I realized that he was quite trustworthy.
«Could you... tell me if there is anything we should be careful about here? I know I may be being presumptuous, but it would be a great help in protecting the clan members who trusted me and followed me here. Oh, of course, I'll compensate you accordingly for anything you're willing to share».
«Well, as long as there is compensation». I smiled satisfied and gave him exactly two pieces of information in advance. «If you see an island, take a good look at it before approaching. A while ago we almost approached one and it turned out to be a floating Tol-Lapupa».
«Are you sure you don't mean... that rank one monster?»
«Yeah. That's the only one we've seen so far, but you need to stay alert».
Myul's expression darkened at the news. «...So there could be more rank one monsters around here. This is really a dangerous place».
«But what is even more dangerous than rank one monsters is the 'rainy season'.»
« Otra circuit ...? »
«On your fourteenth day here, monsters will begin to rain from the sky, and this will continue until the twenty-first day. So you'll have to find a place to hide until it happens».
Then I went on to explain the level of monsters that could appear during the rainy season, and Myul paled. «So when you said earlier it would be your only chance... you meant this».
«That's right. Anyway, we'll leave now, so good luck.»
«Excuse me?»
Myul was clearly surprised by my abrupt farewell, but I didn't bother to answer and instead walked towards where my companions were waiting. For things like this, you needed to completely break the spirit of the other side.
One step, two steps, three steps...
Hmm, I should have tried to stop by now.
Why didn't he do it? Weren't the rank one monsters and the rainy season enough to scare him?
Tsk, so that means I'll have to be the one to make the offer?
«Mr. Baron...!»
Just as that thought crossed my mind, Myul called out to me from behind. I turned slowly towards him, with a poker face. «What's happening?»
«It is that...»
«Speak fast. I do not have time».
«...Could we maybe join forces with you?»
That was exactly what I wanted to hear.
However, I demonstrated that I was unimpressed as I looked Myul up and down. «Hmm... With you?»
«Yeah. We will never stand in your way. And we will also hand over command to you».
Myul then went on to explain that the Armin Adventurer Group, the clan of which he was captain, had quite a few adventurers in its ranks who had a proven track record in hunting for Gabrielius' Achievements.
I already knew all that, and as I mentioned before, those guys were pretty famous... and in a good way.
«Your offer is not bad at all, but how do we share the loot?».
When I got straight to the point, Myul thought for a moment before answering. «Since you were here first and know much more than us, I will not try to be greedy, Your Honor».
«Give me concrete figures».
«I will completely give up our right to any mana stone. However, in exchange, please give us half of the essences and any other drops in this quest. »
Haha, look at this guy. An adventurer was still an adventurer, no matter how good a guy he seemed.
«We will divide the mana stones equally, but the rest of the loot - including the essences - will be divided into seventy and thirty. And we will have priority to choose from, of course».
«Could we eliminate that priority by lowering our share to 20%?»
«No.»
When I closed my beak instantly, Myul's frown furrowed. He seemed deep in thought, weighing the pros and cons of what essentially amounted to servitude.
But now it was time to drive the final nail into the coffin.
«Myul Armin, this is ultimately your decision. However, keep this in mind». I looked him straight in the eyes as he spoke. «I -Bjorn, son of Yandel - will never abandon my allies, no matter the situation».
That, at least, was one hundred percent true. Now the only question was whether my honesty would reach him.
«...We will accept that offer.»
With that, I acquired twenty elite slaves.
***
The Armin Adventurer Group joined us, it was a great help, I didn't even feel bad about losing the last few days here on Stone Island. And it only got better and better the more I got to know them.
Four rank three adventurers, twelve rank four adventurers, a priest, and four wizards... Their group was so strong that frankly they couldn't understand why they accepted a deal that was no different than a slavery contract.
I'm pretty sure they would even be able to defeat a rank two monster as long as their team was decently in sync.
After assessing my newly acquired strength, I greeted each of the Armin Group members one by one.
«I am Bjorn, son of Yandel. I will be in your care».
«¡Soy la magazine del group, Sharlot Emblut...!»
«Really? You'll need to stay strong, then. Here, take this jerky.»
«¡G thanks!»
«Alright, what's your name?»
"Yo-yo soy Brian Emblut... ⁇
"¿Imblute?"
«Ah! Sharlot is my little sister.»
«Oh, so you both became adventurers. Awesome! What's your name?»
«Ah, yo soy...»
It took quite a while to get everyone's names, but it was worth it.
I have a good feeling.
By a stroke of luck, there didn't seem to be a single Hans in the lot.