Part Seventy-Two

“You know, you could do something useful instead of just watching me. Maybe try some magic practice? Or Imbue some arrows? No? Fine. Yeesh, you sure are stubborn.”

Alicia and I were in my room. I was training, while she was upholding her annoying promise to keep an eye on me until she could talk again. I’d tried my damndest to avoid this, I swear, but she’d been undeterred throughout all of my efforts. In the end, I’d just accepted the inevitable lecture I was going to get.

But seriously, couldn’t she do something? It’ll be another three hours until Observer ends. If she just sits there staring at me until then, it’ll drive me crazy. First I have to sit through a stupidly long meeting, in which almost nothing of substance happened, and now I’ve got to deal with this! At least I won’t have to attend any meetings for a few days, that helps a bit.

Unless something drastic happened, we’d essentially been told that the NPCs wanted to focus on preparing for the inevitable offensive by the monsters, so all meetings were canceled until afterwards. I was actually hoping we’d finish the Dungeon before then, that way I wouldn’t have to attend any meetings.

As for what the rest of the mercenaries were doing, I hadn’t a clue. I knew Cameron had watch duty tomorrow and thus was asleep, but aside from him, I didn’t keep track of what the others were doing. Maybe I should just to avoid another Finnél, but actually doing that would probably be more draining for me than just killing anyone who came after me. Not the best philosophy, but I was trying to avoid becoming paranoid. I didn’t need more issues.

Actually, there was one person I was starting to feel paranoid about: Sampson. After he’d come and sought me out this morning, I’d seen him talking with a number of other mercenaries. Now yes, just talking with people wasn’t a crime or anything. But it was different groups every time. I just got the feeling that whatever he was planning wasn’t something I should ignore. Maybe I should’ve at least heard him out earlier.

“Alicia? Has Sampson tried to talk with you alone over the last day or two?”

“…?” *Shake shake*

“Hm. And have you seen him talking alone with someone, or with a small group?”

*Nod nod*

She was starting to look at me funny, but I’d confirmed my suspicions. Sampson was trying to recruit a large number of people, most likely to form some sort of super group. It made a whole lotta sense though. We’d already seen close to two hundred casualties, and there were sure to be more than that by the time this was over, so I was certain that a number of groups would disband or otherwise collapse. Sampson may have been trying to use that to his advantage, though I couldn’t tell to what end.

I doubt he’s foolish enough to start something in here, but what’s he planning? He’s already got a decently strong group, and they’ve only lost two people. Why would he need so many fighters?

“Do you think he might be up to something, like Finnél was?”

“I don’t think it’s that bad, but there's always the possibility that I’m missing something. He’s a lot more cunning than I initially suspected, and he even tried to make a deal with me this morning. I just have this vague, unsettling feeling about it. I hate when I have unresolved hunches like this, I just can’t settle down.”

“Mn-hm. So you’re unsure of what it is he might be doing?”

“That’s the gist of it. I might tell Braddock as well though. He’s got a lot of cache with people in here, so he might be able to dig around and learn more than I could.”

“Wow, you actually learned not to keep things to yourself? Color me impressed.”

“Damnit, you don’t have to be so disparaging all of the time Alicia! I’m perfectly capable of learning from my mist-. What the hell? Since when could you talk!?”

“Oh, bout an hour ago. Observer’s duration has shortened for some reason. It’s now forty-four hours instead of forty-eight.”

“Well that’s, good, I suppose. But if you could talk for the last hour, then why did you make me sit here in uncomfortable silence?”

“As penance. Now you know how it feels when someone you trust withholds something important.”

Ack, the guilt tripping! It, it burns!

“And don’t think you’re getting out of the lecture you earned either.”

Goddammit.

***

[Sampson’s POV]

“So, what do ya think? Want to join my crew?”

“It’s definitely tempting, but is it really such a good idea? The larger a group is, the harder it is to coordinate efforts between everyone. And there’d be less profit to go around.”

Hmph, biggest bunch of pansies I ever saw. They want the fame and fortune, but don’t want to take risks or put in the work for it. But that’s exactly why I can use them. Now to reel them in.

“That’s definitely one pitfall of establishing such a large group. But the larger the group, the more profit that can be brought in. Trust me, there’ll be more than enough for everyone.”

As an added insurance, he laced each of his words with trace amounts of mana, just enough to go unnoticed. Considering that his marks were already leaning towards joining, this would be enough to fully convince them.

“…Yeah, I think we’ll join. Count us in.”

Heheheh, all according to plan.

***

“Dang Boss, I can’t believe you managed to hook another group! What’s your secret?”

“Hmph, just a good sales pitch, that’s all. These clowns are all looking for someone to shelter and guide them, or for a way to make a quick buck. Most of ‘em don’t have the guts to out in the world to do it themselves. They’re just buzzards looking for a handout.”

“But then, why bother to bring them in? If they’re basically parasites, wouldn’t they hurt us in the long run?”

“Hmhmhmhmn. Because even parasites have their uses. Soon, very soon, we will experience an upheaval of society that no one expected. Maybe it’s already happened, or it’ll be a few years in the making, but it’s coming. And I intend to be ready.”

“Wow Boss, it’s like you’re thinking ten steps ahead of us. Aha, I just knew signing up with you was the right thing to do!”

Hmph, its more like you don’t try to think ahead at all. I’m surrounded by people like this, ones that can’t think past what they’re seeing. More than ever, I need someone who can think like me. Who can see the big picture. I’ve got a few candidates, but I haven’t made any actual headway. Maybe I should try a different tact with them. My last roundabout attempt didn’t work at all. A direct approach might work better.

***

[???’s POV]

*Clack, click click, clunk!*

“Damnit!”

Alone in a dimly-lit room, Cortis Castell threw aside his tools in frustration. Constant use, compounded by his inability to properly maintain them, had worn away at the firearms he used to fight. Getting the materials required to repair them was next to impossible without the right connections. He’d known this would be a problem sooner-or-later, but he’d hoped it would be later, not now.

“Ooooh, there has to be something I can do. Just letting them break would disrespect all the effort dad put into making them, but I just don’t have the capabilities to fix them. And I’m running low on ammunition. I’ve got enough to finish the Dungeon, but I’ll need to deal with that quickly afterwards, or risk being stranded.”

Strange mechanical parts littered the table in front of him, along with cartridges used to make ammunition. Anyone familiar with firearm manufacturing would immediately realize something was wrong here. Based on the parts sitting out, these guns shouldn’t be able to actually fire, let alone with as much strength as they’d displayed.

“Maybe if I get some Flaudicite I’ll be able to fix them. Hm, but where would I get enough Flaudicite at? I’d need at least three kilograms, if not more. Aahhh, this is so frustrating! If this was Orneith, I’d be able to fix this in a snap!”

The small triangular ears on the top of his head flicked angrily, mirroring the irritation he felt. Trying to gather the materials here would be a herculean task, but going home would take too long. The time he had was limited, and for a very good reason.

A quick glance at his bed revealed a small hourglass. Wasting Hourglasses had one purpose: to monitor the ebb and flow of World Decay. This one was designed to sense when the effects of early World Decay would occur, and it had reset sometime in the last two days. Every time the sand inside it emptied, it meant that more monsters had appeared in this dimension. And every time that happened, it meant that more mana came with them.

“Mnnnn, this isn’t good! Every time more mana floods into this world, the dimension becomes a little more unstable, both figuratively and literally. Not only will the new monsters destabilize this world’s nations, but the world itself will begin to become affected. Two years, maybe less, and they’ll start to see the symptoms. I’d like to be done and gone by then.”

Manaless dimensions like this one would experience extreme effects once its mana density reached normal levels. Even with mana flooding into the dimension, the mana density had yet to reach 1% in total. Once it did, and began approaching 10%, well, he didn’t want to be around for that.

“If I remember right, Genaap's density was supposed to be estimated at about 60%, but it’s now slightly over 80%. Yeah, I’m getting this done as fast as possible. If a dimension that resistant to mana created something like the Dragon's Throne, I don’t want to see what becomes of this one.”

***

“And another thing! Why on earth would you fight the Orc General all on your own!? I understand that it specifically targeted you, but come on! That was way too reckless!”

“Alicia, enough. Seriously, it’s been an hour. Stop beating the donkey, it’s already dead. Heck, it’s mincemeat now.”

“You’re completely unrepentant, aren’t you? Haah, fine. I know when I’m wasting my time.”

“Oh don’t look so glum. Everything worked out in the end, didn’t it?”

“But what if it doesn’t next time? If you’re not willing to tell me these things, things that could put our lives in danger, then I don’t know if I can keep helping you. I’m willing to do a lot for you, but not if you can’t trust me.”

“I never said that I didn’t. I’m just used to dealing with my problems on my own. And I had to deal with the General on my own. It was a significant thing to me. Trust me on that.”

“The other thing aside, you’re not alone anymore. I’m here, and so is Cameron, and who knows who might join us in the future. If you can’t confide in us, then…”

I folded my arms while thinking. I hated to be reminded of it, but she was saying the same kind of things my sister had said in the weeks preceding the fight that tore us apart. I’d already made that mistake once, I didn’t want to make it again.

“Alright then. If that what you need, then I’ll do it.”

“E-Eh? Really, just like that?”

“Just like that. I’m not one to argue when I recognize that someone is talking sense. Also, what are you so dissatisfied with? I’m agreeing with you.”

“I just thought I’d need to argue with you more. Um, okay! That’s, that’s definitely a good thing, right?”

This girl. Sometimes I think she’ll be the death of me.

The mood started to soften a bit, which was a definite improvement over the tension that had filled it moments prior. The two of usually got along fairly well, so the odd state of affairs the last two days had bugged me. But just before we could get too comfortable, someone knocked on the door urgently.

“Were you expecting someone?”

“Nope, not at all, the only people who’d come here at this hour are you and Cameron. You’re here, and I’m pretty sure Cameron went to bed. So who the heck’s this?”

As we tried to guess who it was, the mystery visitor knocked on the door again, slightly louder this time. Whoever it was, they were trying not to wake anyone else up by knocking quietly, but insistently. Considering that they probably wouldn’t leave unless I told them to, I had little choice but to at least see who it was. If it’s that weirdo, I’m killing him. I seriously mean it.

With sword in hand, I stalked to the door and yanked it open, only to see a very startled Kalia on the other side. She’d had her hand up to knock again, so it just sort of hung there listlessly.

“Uh, hi? Could, I come in? I just need to tal-. Oh! I can, I can go if I’m interrupting something.”

Interrupting? What would she be-. Oh, for fuck's sake!

“How many times do we need to tell you? We’re not dating.”

I could kinda, sorta see how she may have come to that conclusion though. Alicia had moved to the bed after I’d gotten up just in case. And since Alicia’s face was a bit flushed, and we were both in plainclothes for the night, it could easily be misunderstood for something else.

But still, who would do that inside of a Dungeon!? I mean, if monsters attacked, you’d be caught with your pants down!

Thankfully Alicia couldn’t hear our conversation, or I’m certain she would’ve blown up again. She kept craning her head to try and see who it was though.

“So if you aren’t busy, is it alright if I come in? I just want somewhere quiet right now.”

“I, I guess. I feel like I’m gonna regret this somehow.”

I stepped aside to allow Kalia into the room and closed the door behind her. This might actually be an amazing opportunity to learn about a few of the things about her that bugged me. Like her knowledge of magic for starters.

But just before I could head over, I heard yelling coming from the hallway. I couldn’t make out the words, but it sounded quite angry and loud. If left alone, it could turn into a full-blown fight. Sighing to myself, I grabbed my helmet and swords before heading out.

Why am I always the one who has to deal with this shit?

***

“Huh? Where’d Michael go? He was here just a moment ago.”

“Oh, he probably went to do some heroics or something.”

“What? Why would he do that?”

Michael wasn’t the only one who’d heard the argument. Alicia and Kalia had as well, but they were willing to ignore it. This wasn’t the first time Michael had done this, so Alicia wasn’t surprised. He had this odd penchant for sticking hi nose into things that annoyed him.

“Well, I say heroics, but I’d guess that whoever’s arguing is gonna regret doing it here in a few minutes. Michael isn’t exactly going to talk them down, if you know what I mean.”

“Oh. He won’t, kill, anyone, will he?”

“I don’t think so. Not unless they really screwed up that is. He’s done something similar elsewhere. He’ll probably just knock them out, and let the NPCs deal with them. Besides, he took his helmet, so I don’t think it’ll come to a fight.”

“Oh, so you’ve heard the rumors too? Hehehehe, I nearly peed myself from laughing too hard the first time I heard someone call him that.”

“Red-Helmed Slaughterer. It certainly has a certain ring to, heheheheh. I, I can’t. it’s too funny. Who came up with that?”

The two women devolved into outright laughter, too amused by the edgy name to resist. It was a good thing Michael wasn’t there, or he’d have blown a fuse for sure. The giggle-fest continued for several minutes, until both of them got it out of their systems.

Once it had lost its panache, they switched to more mundane topics, like life outside of the Dungeon, progress at magic and Skills, and just gossip in general. Things continued in this manner until Alicia remembered the news she wanted to tell the other woman.

“Oh wow, I can’t believe I forgot! Kalia, I Awakened!”

“Oh my, congratulations! What affinity did you get?”

“Lightning Magic. I think it fits me pretty well. I always thought I was pretty sparky. Ah, just don’t tell Michael yet. I want to surprise him when I bust out a ol' big lightning bolt and fry a monster with it.”

“You’re gonna give him a heart attack if you do that. Why are you so determined to surprise him?”

“Well I kind of wrote a check with my mouth that I can’t honor. I told him I had this big idea the other day, but it didn’t pan out. So now, I want to try something with this! So, do ya think you can help me? Pretty please?”

“Geez. Okay, okay. I won’t guarantee anything, but I’ll do my best?”

“Thanks Kalia! You’re the greatest!”

“Yeah, heheh.”

And thus, a sinister(?) plan was plotted. A secret agreement made in the shadows. Or just two people planning a prank. It works either way.