After Butterfly's turn, the Round Table continued.
«The person who made the modified version of Dungeon and Stone was not Auril Gavis».
Wolf's information was similar to last time, with the clear goal of trying to make players hate Auril Gavis less.
«I wonder what you think of this, pshehe. Noark was able to defeat the eighth floor Floor Lord last month».
Clown was also able to easily pass his turn with information about Noark, to which he was affiliated.
Finally it was my turn.
«If you defeat the Skull Island boss and then go up to the tenth floor, you can trigger a special event».
Everyone's attention immediately focused on me, wondering what I was going to say, but I quickly spent my turn with a piece of information I had at random that wasn't that important.
«...A special event. I'm looking forward to seeing what it's all about. Oh, of course, I guess the war will have to end before I can experience it for myself. Pshehe.»
It's been a while since I shared information about the game. The new members didn't find it strange at all, of course. For these players, the knowledge of the game that was greenlit could be extremely valuable in its own right.
«Alright guys, let's all do a little better this time». However, members who had known me for a long time were quick to react. They tried to encourage each other to share more important information this time, as they assumed the previous turn must have bored me.
«Then... I guess it's my turn again».
Again, we walked around the room sharing information, starting with Queen. I listened and made an effort to memorize everything. There was some really shocking and useful information, but I couldn't focus on any of it. And the reason was simple.
Missha Karlstein is a traitor. Not only that, but she is a traitor to me.
Those words echoed in my head over and over again. Before I knew it, the second round was over, and we were almost at the end of the third round.
...What the hell did he mean by that? Is Missha a traitor? I thought I had settled everything with her and that things were finally going well. Baekho Lee... Is that bastard trying to do something? Is this what you meant by Plan B?
All kinds of possibilities were crowding my head.
I need to hear more.
Butterfly was the one who shared that information. However, despite what he expected, he did not mention Missha in either the second or third round. If I wanted to hear more, I would have to be the one to take action on the matter.
«Pshehe, why are you all so surprised? Is Rafdonia so afraid of Noark's growth?».
How could I bring up the topic naturally? If she pressed for details of why she was a traitor, that would definitely raise suspicion. Rumors that «León is Bjorn Yandel» were already spreading around the Round Table. I had to carefully consider every move that...
Oh, it was my turn. When I tuned back in, I realized that everyone was looking at me in complete silence.
...Let's wait one more round.
I decided that if Missha was still not mentioned in the next round, then I would take action. For now, I cast: «If you defeat the Heavenly Heaven Ground Lord alone, you will be able to acquire an active effect of your choice».
It was difficult information to acquire, but it was of no use to you even if you knew it.
Shaaaaaa-
When a green light appeared, there was a moment of silence at the Round Table. Of course, it didn't last long.
«Is it possible... to defeat a Ground Lord alone...?»
«Well, if you played the game in Times a Hundred mode... then I guess it could be...».
«Pshehe. Do you really think Mr. Leon would have played the game in a mode like that? Why do you think he shared that with us?»
As it was information related to a Floor Lord, there were no objections. Honestly, even if he shared complete bullshit with them, as long as a green light appeared, everyone would assume it had some bigger, secret meaning.
So is it the Queen's turn again?
«I think I've heard everything worth hearing this month. I'll stop here and say goodbye then». However, when I looked at her, Reina suddenly announced that she was leaving. And unfortunately, it seemed like the main reason was because of me. «...After all, even Mr. León seems bored.»
It's not that I was bored, it's that I had trouble concentrating since my mind was somewhere else. And the reason I was sharing information about the game was because then I wouldn't have to think too much about what I was sharing.
«It's a shame... I really thought you'd be happy to know that Noark defeated the Soil Lord. Pshehe...» Clown also seemed disappointed as he did not receive any praise or attention from me despite doing his best to bring me worthwhile information this month. «Well... I guess this kind of information is nothing special to Mr. León».
Clown seemed quite depressed, but promised to return next month with even more interesting information.
Man, I can't ask you for another round with humor like that.
So with that, the Round Table came to an end for this month.
***
The day after Ghostbusters, I woke up in the afternoon after a good night's sleep, and Versyl Gowland stopped by the house to see me.
«What's happening?»
Although I had the feeling that I already knew why I was here, I feigned ignorance. Versyl asked to speak to me privately, saying she had urgent information for me.
«I... don't know what this sounds like to you, but... I have received information claiming that Missha Karlstein is a traitor».
I was right. The reason he ran here to talk to me as soon as he woke up was this.
«A traitor?» Asked.
«I don't know for sure if it's true. No, I'm sure, but... I don't know the details».
Versyl then asked me to reconsider the possibility of Missha joining our clan, but I flatly refused. «I can't make a decision like that without knowing more».
«I see... That makes sense...»
«But that doesn't mean I'm just going to ignore your concerns. I'll do everything I can to investigate it, but can you also try to find out more?»
«...Okay. I'll look into it, then.»
«Thank you.»
Well, that's it. At the next Round Table, he would put on his fox mask and work to find out more information. Since I wouldn't have to wonder, this would definitely decrease the risk of my identity being exposed.
«I'll go out then. Contact me when you need me».
«Okay.»
Versyl left, and around afternoon, a letter arrived at the house.
«Lord! You've received a slightly strange letter», Erwen said, holding the mail she had collected from the mailbox. «I think I should take a look!».
On the surface of the envelope was a drawing of a white tiger. The envelope was already open, and when I read the note inside, it was full of letters and symbols that did not exist in this world.
This is what you asked for, brother.
Why the hell did he send it in Korean? What if someone else had seen it? Or worse, did you recognize the characters? Although I was furious, I continued reading the letter's instructions on how to get out of the city walls.
...It's a more complicated process than I thought.
It was impossible to memorize that much information at once, so I decided to fold the letter and save it in my subspace.
It's good to have options. After all, you never know what's going to happen. That's why you always have to prepare for the worst case scenario. That's why too...
«Emily, can you look at Missha?»
«What do you mean?»
Afterwards, I updated Amelia on what happened at the Round Table and asked her to investigate.
«I'll try, but there's a good chance he'll realize it in the end. Even catching her the first time wasn't easy».
«So bad? I imagined you would be much better than her at stealth, given the essences you have».
«If he approached us with some kind of ulterior motive, then there is a high probability that he is hiding an essence from us».
That made me reflect. «Don't get too close to her, then. Don't lose sight of her for the moment».
«Use haré.
I let out a sigh. Although he had set limits, now that Amelia was investigating Missha, we would surely find out the truth.
With that figured out, I spent the rest of the day resting, and the next morning I resumed my busy schedule. I passed through the sacred land again to sell plots and visited the former chief to find out how the previous meetings between the chiefs of the races had gone. I also stopped by to see Raven.
»Record Stone»...? Do you mean the Stone Fragment of Records? Gabrielius' legacy?»
«Both the Stone of Records and its fragments. If you have a book or any other information about them, please tell me. Although it might attract some unwanted attention, so don't do too much research».
«Okay, I'll keep that in mind. But Mr. Yandel, are preparations for your next search going well?».
«So far there have been no problems, but I guess you can never be sure until you get into the maze».
«That's true. After all, no one knows anything for sure until the expedition begins. But about Versyl Gowland... how is it?».
«What do you mean?»
«What do you think? Magicians play the most critical role in expeditions like this! The last time I saw her, it seemed like she didn't know much about history...»
«Well, nothing happens. She is good at fighting and trustworthy. So that's more than enough to make up for it».
«...Is that so?»
After my meeting with Raven, whenever I had time, I gathered my clan members three times a week. At first glance, the purpose of the meetings was to resolve the bad blood between Missha and the other members before our search this month.
«...I haven't found anything in particular yet.»
After each of them, he received constant reports from Amelia about his investigation, but until now he had not unearthed anything strange about Missha.
«...This is the best funded expedition I have ever been on».
Some time later, Melbeth sent us supplies for our next quest: a mix of combat and support scrolls, all kinds of potions, numbered navigation-related items, and much more. The supplies were versatile enough to be useful in any environment we found ourselves in, whether climbing a mountain, traveling through water, or going through fire. Plus, they were of the best quality.
It must have cost a lot of money...
It also gave us an idea of how high Melbeth's expectations were when it came to us finding information about this new hidden area. Still, although they were a little overzealous, I was confident that we could live up to those expectations. So, we continue to spend the days preparing for our search.
«Bjorn…»
«Not Bjorn. He is 'Chieftain', First Elder.»
«Ah, because we are in the holy land! I'll keep it in mind.»
The sun was starting to set as Ainar and I headed down the forest path. Finally, we found a clearing filled with dozens of young warriors with bright and excited expressions on their faces. Seeing them, I couldn't help but smile. Then I shouted: «Congratulations, young warriors! From today, you will leave the sacred land and be reborn as true warriors».
A quick look at the crowd told me everything I needed to know.
«¡Become-aaaaaa!»
This time there were no rookies.
***
Evolution was a constant and exponential process, and if we look at the entire history of humanity on Earth, the best example of this would be the Industrial Revolution. In the last few hundred years alone, humanity has enjoyed explosive growth and development. So what happened to the barbarians? When did the barbarians experience their most radical period of development and evolution?
As of today, I could answer for sure.
Now.
Proof of this could be seen in this field. Even the tutorial script had changed drastically.
«Now, advance one by one and choose the weapon, as well as the armor, that suits you best».
Numerous weapons and pieces of armor lined the shelves of the armor stand. That, however, was only the beginning.
«Come here. You shouldn't wear leggings like that. Here, do it like this».
«Thanks... This is the first time I've worn them».
Now we not only provide them with a chest plate, but also other pieces of equipment, including a bag full of various basic supplies essential for any quest, such as a compass, water bottle, and potions.
Approximately one million stones per person...
The amount of resources given to our young warriors had more than tripled, but that was no problem. After all, if we ever needed money, all we had to do was sell more land.
With this level of support, they would surely progress quickly and earn a lot of money that they could spend on purchasing land.
We were still in the early stages, but at this rate, the self-sustaining cycle I had been fighting for would soon be achieved.
«Ugh... It's so tight...!»
The young warriors seemed uncomfortable with the weight of their new armor, but luckily they didn't try to act cocky or brag that they didn't need it. That was because they had a role model.
«Be patient. You'll get used to it right away».
«But still...»
«It's not a choice! It is natural for a warrior to wear armor! Look at the chief. If you also want to be a great warrior, you must wear armor!»
There were no warriors left in our tribe who refused to wear protection.
«...I'm going to save up and buy a lithinum armor!»
Even the lithinum armor he used to wear had become the mark of a skilled and respected warrior.
«Now, go ahead! Where your destiny awaits you».
After giving them their basic equipment, I had Versyl, who was waiting outside the sacred land, group them together with the Binding spell. After that, everyone headed to the maze.
«...I hope everyone returns safely».
«Don't worry, Ainar. I'm sure there won't be as many looters targeting their hearts now that the Magic Tower labeled them as a forbidden magical ingredient.»
«That makes sense...»
The barbarians were those who survive regardless of the circumstances. With the support and supplies we gave them this time, they will all definitely come back alive.
I hope they grow fast so we can raise the price of land even more.
Anyway, after confirming that all of our young warriors had entered the portal, I prepared myself. I had officially fulfilled my role as Chief at night.
«Sir...»
«It is not 'Sir'.»
"...¿Which?"
«From now on, call me 'Captain'.»
Now, it was time to begin our own search.