Part Eighty-Seven

Twenty minutes later, Alicia, Cameron and I were face-to-face with Braddock and Grant, though Kalia was conspicuously absent. This was going to be a tense discussion, mostly due to the naked hostility Alicia was showing them. She’d been very vocal about what she thought of this whole thing. But after I told her that this was to help Kalia, she eventually conceded.

“So, the two of you know about what’s been going on now? Haaah, I can’t say that I didn’t want this, but I’d rather it have been under better circumstances.”

“And I’d have liked to know in advance too, but sometimes things just happen. Though this may be a problem of our own making.”

“Yes, it’s my own foolish idealism that created this dilemma. If I’d been more realistic, and kept a better eye on those under my charge, this would never have happened.”

I wasn’t exactly sure what had happened, but it seemed like Braddock had his own worries. But that wasn’t what I was here for. I’d requested this meeting in order to find out what they were planning, and to see if I could use it to my advantage.

“I have to ask this. From what Cameron told us, this heavily concerns Kalia, but she’s not here right now. Does she even know that this is happening?”

“No, and I’d like to keep it that way. Kalia has pushed herself time and again to repay a debt that doesn’t exist. If she knew that this was happening, she’d try her damndest to fix it, which could ultimately exacerbate the issue.”

Another quality point. Kalia was definitely someone who wouldn’t be able to stop herself from meddling here. I’d noticed that she had a tendency to try and help people, regardless of the cost to herself. I had no doubts that she’d try to get the dissidents to make-up with Braddock, even if she knew that it was a bad idea.

In fact, I’m surprised that she hasn’t already tried to do exactly that. I can’t imagine that she doesn’t at least suspect that this is happening. Hm, maybe taking care of the wounded has kept her busy enough that she hasn’t noticed. Regardless, it’s a good thing, I think.

I took a minute to mull things over, slowly putting things together before I asked my next question.

“Which is why you asked Cameron for help. You knew that he hadn’t interacted with Kalia as much as me or Alicia, and would thus be impartial, but still trustworthy. So, what next? I imagine you wouldn’t have agreed to this meeting if you didn’t have a plan of some sorts.”

“While we’ve managed to bring in a collaborator, she’s been adamant that her men won’t be involved in any fighting. So we need combat potential if we’re to successfully banish them from the Dungeon.”

“Why don’t you just kill them? They’re clearly up to no good, so removing them from the picture would be the cleaner option by far. This has too many points where something could go wrong.”

My suggestion was met with horror from my companions, as one would normally expect, but Braddock and Grant both nodded along with me. They’d clearly thought of this before, but had discarded the idea for some reason.

“There’s just one problem with that kid. It would be one thing if they had already acted on their idiotic plots, but they’ve yet to actually do anything. If we just killed them, then we’d be the villains. That could ruin any chances of us working with other mercenaries in the future.”

I hated that that he’d called me “kid”, but Grant had a point. Burning bridges may work occasionally, but it should be a last resort tactic, something you only do when there’s no other options.

“Alright then. If this is how it has to be, then I’ll help.”

“Really, you’d do that for us? Why?”

“Oh, I’m not doing it for free. Heheheh, I’m gonna require your help with a little something.”

Grant gave me an odd look, but Braddock spoke up before he could.

“Is this about the Gate of Rebirth? Did you figure something out about it?”

“Heh, I sure did.” I took out the gold disks, and showed them to everyone in the room. “Turns out the Archmage is back, and he had a vital clue on how to open it. We’re going to need some sort of token from the Commander at tomorrow’s assembly. That, combined with these, should open the Gate. Though I feel like I should mention that the Archmage said that whatever's waiting for us is something even the NPCs don’t want to fight, though he also didn’t say what it actually was. So, I’d like for you to get a few trustworthy fighters around so we can raid the Sub-Boss. I feel like whatever’s waiting for us will be worth it.”

A heartbeat passed, and then Braddock let out a resigned sigh.

“If that’s what it takes to get your help, then we’ll do our best.”

Heheheheh, well that went well. Now assuming everything goes well tomorrow, then we should be able to deal with the Sub-Boss and repel the offensive at the same time. Well, assuming we all stay. I’ve made up my mind, but I should ask Cameron and Alicia what they’re doing tonight. I might have to change my plans if they retreat.

“Erherm! Michael, may I ask you something?”

“Huh? Oh, sure.”

“Why would you agree to help so easily? Even asking for assistance to clear the Sub-Boss, it benefits us as well. I just don’t see-.”

It was almost hilarious. Sure, getting his agreement to provide help was a boon to me, but there were two other reasons why I agreed so easily.

“Hahahaha, oh, that’s simple. It’s because I pay my debts, no matter how trivial they may seem. Plus I can’t stand people who’d do something like this. They’re like vultures, taking whatever they can get no matter who it hurts.”

The venom in my voice stunned them. I quickly stood up and finished saying what I wanted to before they could respond.

“I’ll do as you ask, so just tell me what you need from me.”

Then I just left, not giving them a chance to respond before I was out the door.

Those assholes are just like that fucking turd. They all deserve to die.

***

[Cameron’s POV]

Silence reigned in the room after Michael stormed out. Despite the palpable rage in his voice, his anger didn’t seemed directed at them, or even at those plotting betrayal, but at someone not present. A moment later, Alicia shot to her feet and rushed out after him, only saying something about keeping Michael from acting rashly.

The three men left looked at each other, the silence stretching on for a few minutes before Braddock spoke up.

“Well, that was unexpected. Cameron, do you know what that last part was about?”

“I might. Michael had issues with his parents, though he’s usually more apathetic about them. But this feels, odd, like a rawer wound. I’m honestly not sure what set him off.”

“That kid feels like a wild beast. Like something that’s just looking for an excuse to tear out your throat. I’m not sure I trust him all that much. Did he really clear a C-Rank Dungeon on his own?”

Cameron had only just met Grant a few days ago, but he’d already realized how cynical the man could be. Despite that, he still knew that the man would do his utmost to help Braddock, as the two were old friends. But still, doubting something that was nearly a core part of Michael’s identity just wasn’t cool.

“I’m certain of it. He rescued me and Alicia from a group of Goblins all by himself.”

“So? I’m certain I could do that myself, especially if they were mostly low ranks.”

“But could you do it nine days after the System first appeared? By the time we met, Michael was already fully armored. He didn’t have magic then, but he was more then ready for large battles. I don’t know how else to explain that except for him clearing a Dungeon.”

Not only all that, but how else would you explain the Nightmare's Twin Swords? The weapons were leagues above anything else he’d witnessed. When clad in Aura, they were sharp enough to cut the limbs off of D-Rank monsters. Hell, he could bisect them when he went all out.

“Enough Grant. Michael may be reckless, but I believe we can trust him. Now then, since we’ve successfully gained their assistance, let’s talk about the next step.”

***

I wasn’t really that angry. I’d been putting on some theatrics so as to throw Braddock a curveball. I may have respected the man, but I couldn’t say I trusted him as much as the others seemed to. Though I rarely trusted people to begin with.

“Michael! Wait up, you jerk!”

Oh dear, she followed me. I hadn’t exactly been running away, so Alicia sprinting after me was a tad bit funny to me. While I didn’t know why she decided to follow me, I was nonetheless grateful for the company. The Dungeon was boring most of the time. Not that that means I want things to happen all the time. That gets old pretty quick.

“Hey, you okay? You left pretty suddenly.”

“Yeah, just wanted to get out of there. I need to train. I’m so close to perfecting one or two new attacks. Even if I can’t use them in the Dungeon, it never hurts to have options in battle.”

“Haaah, and here I thought you were pissed about your parents again. Of course you just want to train some more.”

“Pfft, heheheh, what? Are you serious?”

“Of course I am! You looked like you wanted to kill someone back there, so what else was I supposed to think?”

“I mean, what do you want me to say? I really wasn’t that upset.”

“…….You’re hiding something.”

“…No, not at all.”

Truthfully, I was a little upset. Hearing about these guys planning to betray Braddock and Kalia had reminded me of a certain incident from a couple years ago. It wasn’t anything major, but it stuck in my mind all this time.

“Like I said, it’s nothing.”

***

[Kalia’s POV]

Unlike the NPCs, Kalia needed to eat and drink regularly. Well not that they didn’t need to, they weren’t machines, but there were enough of them that they could work in shifts. But since Kalia was the undisputed best healer in the fort, she usually tried to remain on duty at the infirmary, so long as her other duties didn’t get in the way.

This had inevitably led to her noticing a great disparity in the proficiencies of the NPC mages. The level of the healers was abnormally low compared to the rest of the fort's mages.

Archmage Aliver was perhaps the best example. Due to Arcane Grimoire, Kalia knew the requirements for the Archmage Title, and a wide variety of magics was a necessity. You needed be able to cast Grade-10 Spells from at least ten magic schools, spread out over four different branches. A difficult task given that two branches were sealed away from most people.

This meant that the Archmage was a legitimate powerhouse inside the Dungeon, someone potentially capable of killing any of the Mid-bosses by himself. His only weakness was his relatively low mana, which was mainly because he had yet to cross over to B-Rank, which is when most mortals would have enough mana to freely cast Grade-6 or above spells. Kalia was an exception by the way, as she had almost three time the average person's mana.

Even the other mages were highly skilled as well. Most of them knew at least three Grade-8 Elemental spells, which put them well into Adept Mage territory. Kalia was a Beginner Mage, by the way.

There was actually a very simple explanation for what she’d noticed. Those staffing the infirmary were not actual healers. They were simply mages who’d dabbled in Healing Magic as well. Their meager skills, combined with first-aid, were usually enough for the NPCs to stay healthy, so long as nothing extraordinary happened.

Anyway, because her fellow mages lacked her proficiency with Healing Magic, she usually ran herself ragged whenever there were excessive casualties. The Void Wolf’s attack hadn’t been an exception, and she’d been getting quite hungry. Thankfully one of the NPCs noticed, and forcibly sent her off to eat. Since she knew that they’d physically block her from entering until she took care of herself, she made sure to eat a balanced and healthy meal, or at least as much of one as she could get in here.

So an hour later, after thoroughly saying her base needs, Kalia returned to the infirmary, intent on returning to duty. A few empty beds drew her attention, the result of patients being discharged while she was gone. Even Brad’s team was getting around, as it looked like they’d be out by morning.

Seeing the fruits of her labor put her in a good mood, up until she noticed one bed that shouldn’t be empty.

What the!? Michael’s gone! Did, did he seriously run off!?

Since she knew his headstrong and reckless personality, she could easily envision him doing exactly that. And so she made a choice that could have drastic consequences. She turned around and headed straight for Michael’s room, sure that was where he was.

Of course, she never had the simple thought of merely checking with an NPC to see if he’d been discharged.