The great procession crossed the eighth floor and headed towards the Dark Continent. According to our plan, we had to cover Ice Rock in twenty days, and we brought food for three months. However, our abundant reserves were not an attempt to prepare us for an emergency. Ice Rock was not a place that allowed luxuries as additional supplies. Extra food was essential. Not only did each person consume three times as much food in this place because of Hunger, but if you weren't careful, the food could also end up spoiling because of this damn thing.
«Ice storm!»
A blizzard blew every thirty minutes at least, or every six hours at most.
[Field Effect – Putrid cold activated. The rate of decomposition of all affected targets accelerates].
This damn storm could cause even frozen food to spoil. There was only one way to stop it: prioritize food over people and protect it with magic. Of course, that had its own problems.
[Riard Ashed has cast the rank four space-time spell Block.]
[McKelly Rayothers has cast the Range Four Space-Time Obstruct spell.]
[Versyl Gowland has cast the rank four space-time spell Obstruct].
The Obstruct spell, rank four, consumed a considerable amount of mana, and if you had to be prepared to use it at any time, the already large amount it consumed increased even more. Taking shifts even at night was a given.
«Ashed, go rest by the sleighs».
«Excuse me? But...»
«Don't worry. I'll call you if there's an emergency.»
«...sorry.»
Why do you feel it? The mages from the other teams are already resting on a sleigh as well.
[Field Effect – Rotten cold has been disabled.]
After the snow storm ended, we resumed our trip.
Crujido, crujido.
Every time I took a step, the snow reached my ankles.
He growled.
I felt like I was going to starve, but since the food was being distributed as sparingly as possible, we couldn't fill our stomachs to the end. Obstruct magic had done a good job preserving food up to that point, but we didn't know what would happen in the future. What if a blizzard broke out and we didn't have enough mana to protect one of the sleds? Then things would get serious.
Well, it cannot be said that we are in good condition now either.
It was our third day exploring the Ice Rock. Because everyone was exhausted, there were no silly jokes or even crew chatter. Everyone limited themselves to walking at a steady pace, dedicating their resistance to moving. The relaxed atmosphere of our trip up the sixth floor was nowhere to be found, and acute tension gripped the squadron.
Do I have to take these guys to war against Noark later?
Some say that morality is the most important thing in war, but in this state, it was not even clear whether we would fulfill our mission. The only positive was that we were accumulating EXP quickly.
[You have defeated a Frozen Soul. EXP +4]
[You have defeated a Contaminated Snow Spirit. EXP +6]
[You have defeated a Frost Guardian. EXP +7]
[You have defeated a Lich. EXP +6]
[You have defeated an Ice Giant. EXP +7]
[You have defeated an Ice Turtle...]
Since most of the Ice Rock monsters were high-ranking, the accumulation of XP was astonishing. However, there was still a long way to go. Even if he defeated all the monsters that appeared on the Ice Rock, he would not reach level eight.
Still, you should hunt as much as possible, as this place is difficult to access.
He didn't know how many more monsters he was going to fight as he dragged this tired body across the tundra. As the day progressed, we set up camp on the cliff. We set up the tents that were stored in the boxes loaded on the sleds, and then we put our sleeping bags inside.
[They used an insulating stone].
Then, with the addition of some magic items, the shops became a cozy home.
«No one on our team is on night duty today, so rest».
There were a total of two night guards scheduled over the course of the entire expedition. Since our shift was tomorrow, today we could rest easy. This was possible because we had four priests. As long as those guys took turns casting Evil Destruction, the monsters couldn't even get close. There was also no way a team of looters was operating in this barren tundra. And even if they were, they wouldn't have the courage to attack such a large group. At least not if they had brains in their skulls.
«Good night and see you tomorrow, sir.»
The stores were made for three people, and divided into men's stores and women's stores. The adventurers may not have differentiated between men and women, but there were still differences. I also felt more comfortable sleeping with men. Although I felt a little cramped sleeping with the frail old man and the wizard.
«Ashed, Aldidi. You sleep first».
«¿Vas a patrols?»
«I am the leader, after all.»
Letting old Didi and Ashed go to bed after a hard day at work, I toured the camp to check for any problems. Shortly after setting up camp, I heard people starting to snore. I was sure everyone was tired.
Everything seems to be going well. Now I should go to sleep. I turned to my team store and found a familiar face.
Crunch.
«Kaislan, were you awake?»
«I had something to tell you».
"¿What are you?"
«Let's walk for a minute while we talk».
So we walked around the edge of the campsite and talked.
«There has been growing dissatisfaction among the squad recently.»
Dissatisfaction, huh?
It was obvious what kind of dissatisfaction he was referring to. «I guess they're mostly cursing my name?».
Kaislan confirmed it, with an apologetic face. «People don't look for reasons to complain when they are happy, but when they suffer, they always do.». His grumble contained a deep and philosophical contemplation of human nature.
«That's all?»
At my question, Kaislan shook his head. «If I were, I wouldn't have come looking for you in the middle of the night».
«Then there is something else».
«...Someone from the squad is spreading malicious rumors».
«Rumors? About what?»
«That while everyone else's food supply has been reduced, Team One is secretly prioritizing their own stomachs.»
«I see...» I sighed accidentally in front of Kaislan. I couldn't help it.
Gosh, we're not a group of kids playing here. Is this supposed to be a collection of the best and brightest in the kingdom?
«Do you know who the source is?»
«Fue Pyke Neldine.»
«A member of James Calla's team.»
For reference, he was a warrior like me and had been one of the first to greet me at the banquet with a smile.
Wow, what cowardly behavior for such a big man. Oh, is it because he's so big and hungry that his brain isn't working well?
«What are you going to do?»
«Well...»
When I interrupted myself, Kaislan recommended some countermeasures. «If you are going to discipline him, it would be best to do it through me».
«Why could that make him resent me more?».
«If you want, I'll do a great scene in front of the whole crew. So that he doesn't even think about hating you».
I never thought this guy would be such a loyal subordinate. I honestly felt a little strange about it, but I made sure to listen to what he said next.
«Or you can use Akurava. Supply management is your job and whatever the reason, this has happened because you have not fulfilled your obligations correctly.»
He wasn't wrong. Whether the formation broke or not, Akurava should have protected the supplies.
«Everyone may be silent for now because she's a renowned adventurer, but if anyone brings it up, they'll be eager to blame her.».
I didn't like this option either. Before giving him my answer, I decided to ask Kaislan a question. «Kaislan, why are you willing to become a scapegoat to help me?». I asked him if he had any hidden plans.
Kaislan looked me straight in the eyes and responded without hesitation. «Whether I like it or not, now you are the one leading this expedition». Huh. I did not expect it. «If we hesitate now, this mission will not succeed».
To be honest, I thought he would be the first to shoot for my position if I was in danger. I assumed a soldier was a soldier after all. Kaislan was the type of person who prioritized the big picture over personal greed.
«Now tell me. What are you going to do?»
He presented me with two options, but if you looked closely, they were actually the same. Whether it was Akurava or this guy, in the end, in both cases he would be turning someone else into public enemy number one. I appreciated the advice he offered me, but my decision had already been made.
«I'm not going to do anything».
Kaislan didn't seem to understand. «If you keep quiet, the crew will hold you accountable every time something goes wrong», he noted carefully.
Yes sure. But so what?
«It doesn't matter what they say. That's why they are the crew and I am the captain».
After all, I didn't expect to enjoy only the advantages of being in charge and not the disadvantages.
***
On the eighth day after entering Ice Rock, we dragged our misfortune-ridden expedition forward with blank knuckles and finally reached the halfway point. Now that we had cleared the tundra, we were faced with a huge mountain made of ice. From now on, our goal was not to climb the mountain, but to go under it.
«The entry is here!» James Calla's team took charge of the search and soon discovered the path that led to the next area. We followed them and headed underground through a huge frozen cave.
Step step.
The sound of boots echoed on the hard ground, but the atmosphere in the group was not as gloomy as before. It had also been like that when I was training. When difficult times were spent together, relationships became stronger.
«With ice as transparent as glass everywhere it seems as if we are in some kind of dream».
«Haha, I feel the same.»
Of course, the mood was able to change largely thanks to the team's improved endurance. Half the crew were newbies to Ice Rock, so there was a lot of trial and error at first, but now, everyone had adapted to some extent.
«Ugh, I'm starving. Now I understand why everyone is moving away from Ice Rock».
«I usually look at a portrait of my son when times are tough, but I can't even do that here. If I had known beforehand how this place worked, I would have taken it out of subspace before getting off the ship.»
«Oh, do you have children? What age?»
Not only had the atmosphere changed. The squadron, which had been out of phase until that moment, was now moving smoothly as one... as now.
«Monsters from the side and front!»
«While Team One fights them head-on, Teams Two and Three will take care of the enemies on the flanks!».
When orders were given, the crew carried them out quickly and without fuss.
[You have defeated a frozen Webter. EXP +5]
[You have defeated a Thaw Cocoon. EXP +6]
[You have defeated a Frozen Fire Goblin. EXP +5]
The battles were much easier than before. We were finally fighting as an elite team. As our teamwork began to come together, everyone was able to demonstrate their usual combat skill. And there was another positive point.
«Schuitz, that man... the way he fights is amazing».
Since the adventurous sector respected the strong, people's evaluations of me began to improve naturally as I took on the most dangerous tasks at the head of our team. The strange rumor that I was digging into the food supply in the middle of the night disappeared before I knew it. After all, one had to prove oneself with actions, not words.
Crackkk...
My instincts raised the alarm when a sudden crack filled my ear. «Erwen, what was that sound a moment ago?»
«I don't know. I think it came from behind...»
From the back?
I turned around in a hurry and was soon able to see for myself what was happening.
Crackkk.
Perhaps unable to support our weight, the cracks were beginning to spread across the floor like spider webs.
Damn sea!
And it turns out that they were in the exact place where the sleigh-pulling Trolls were. «The invocation! Cancel the summon, now!» I screamed.
The summoner, startled, summoned the Trolls following my orders. But it was too late.
¡Crackkk!
Another crunch, even louder than the previous one.
«...Everyone, out of my way!»
The adventurers near the crevices hurriedly fled, although a brave few prioritized supplies over their own safety.
«Supplies! Grab the supplies!»
«We are dead without them!»
«¡Moveos!»
Careful not to add more weight, the adventurers pulled the sleds with all their might, but the ground collapsed faster than they could clear.
¡Rummble!
As if a sinkhole had formed, the ground sank and collapsed. One of the sleighs and the two adventurers pushing it rushed into the abyss.
[Riard Ashed has cast the rank four Float support spell].
Just then, the two adventurers miraculously floated upwards again. Their expressions went from despair to relief, and at the same moment, a sound sounded from below.
¡Splash!
Ha, was there water flowing under the ice? That means we can't even rescue the sleigh.
Despite my misery, I rushed to give orders. «Everyone, get as far away from the hole as possible! Just in case, don't stick too much!».
The frozen crew only got moving when I ordered them to. I carefully approached the edge and looked down. Using a magician's light spell, I could see the water flowing beneath us. There was no trace of the sleigh anywhere in sight.
«¡Akurava!»
«¡Yes!»
«What proportion of that sleigh's provisions was food?»
«About half.
So our already insufficient food reserves were reduced once again. When I clenched my jaw, Akurava studied me carefully.
«Um ...»
«Shut up. I'm thinking».
I couldn't understand it.
The ground also collapsed the first time, and now it's happened here again?
No matter how I looked at it, it didn't make any sense. That's why...
«Akurava.»
«Yeah. I'm listening.»
«Go around and ask each crew member right now if any of them have ever changed their name, and if their original name turned out to be Hans».
I decided to do the important checks first. Once done, it would be easier to determine if this was a series of unfortunate coincidences...
«Find out as soon as possible. This is important.»
...or if it was a disaster caused by someone with bad intentions.