A royal decree had been promulgated. Officially, there was no way it was drafted by the bedridden king, so instead, it had to have been done under the authority of the prime minister.
However, even if that was the case, he only had one option.
«...I will carry out the king's orders.»
Unless I was willing to kill all the witnesses here and then lie that I never received such a message, there was no way I could refuse.
«The palace will remember your loyalty, Baron Yandel».
Jerome's soft smile was annoying, but I tried to see the positive side despite the turn this situation had taken.
Join your expedition and receive orders of this type? That meant that inside Basement One Floor, my freedoms would be restricted and I couldn't stop him even if he did something that put us all in danger. Furthermore, unlike now when he had all the power, he would only get a certain percentage of the loot and would have to try to freeload what he could.
But we can do whatever it takes with so many staff.
Actually, it was like I had been given a code of tricks.
At least in the immediate future, we wouldn't have problems in basement one due to lack of staff. Whether it was Library Island, the mysterious Tree Island, or even Giants Island with the colossus still on it, with so many people we could take care of them all.
In other words, our chances of escaping this floor and returning to the city had increased dramatically.
«Okay, so I want to exchange information first. Do you have a diary? I've heard that adventurers often journal to record their experiences».
I sighed. He was really going to take everything I had out of me. As this was a situation where information was more valuable than gold, this group looked more like a gang of thieves than an army sent by the palace. «Before I share my information with you, I want to discuss how we are going to handle the loot».
I wanted to clarify this part before moving forward.
«Hmm, the loot?»
«Yeah. The royal decree says that I have to operate under his command, but there is nothing that says that we have to deal in a certain way.»
«That's definitely true. But do not worry. Our expedition group does not worry about negligible profits. The palace itself has told us to be very generous to you, Your Honor».
«But I still want to set the record straight before continuing.»
«The command of the adventurers currently under your command will remain with you. Furthermore, with one exception, everything you obtain throughout this expedition will be yours».
My position would remain intact and they would not touch my loot. That was a relief in an otherwise unfortunate situation, but in the midst of that good news there were two little words that left me uneasy. «An exception...?»
«We are working on behalf of the palace to bring about a better tomorrow for the nation. The essences, equipment, materials and any special objects will be your responsibility. But if we find something never seen before, we'll take it with us to investigate».
In simple terms, they would claim any discovery for themselves. As soon as those words came out of his mouth, the first thing I thought was that they were scoundrels, but Jerome demonstrated his skill with the carrot and stick method. «However, I will also let you maintain possession of everything you have found up to this point... What do you think?».
I mean, that's taken for granted, so I have no idea why he makes it sound like he's doing me a favor.
But was it because he had a long career as a commander under his belt? Unconsciously, I was almost relieved by the security. «I take you at your word».
«Alright then...»
I rushed to cut him off before he tried to direct the discussion toward a natural stopping point. «But one more thing».
«I hear you. Speak».
«I also want a part of the first discoveries».
«That's impossible.»
«Even if I make an overwhelming contribution to the process of acquiring one?»
«Even so.»
Damn, so I guess that wasn't going to work. Seeing that he was being tougher than he expected, continuing to argue would only be a waste of time.
Well, that didn't mean I was thinking about giving up.
«So, give me priority for the second discoveries».
«Priority...»
«Yeah. If you're only going to pick things up for research purposes, don't you just need one? And you also said you didn't care about small profits».
«Hmm... Could I discuss this with my second in command for a moment?».
When I nodded, Jerome approached his second-in-command and began talking to him about my request. About five minutes later, Jerome waved for a nearby mage to deactivate his sound-damping spell, allowing me to hear his voice again.
«If you play an important role in the discovery of a certain thing, Baron Yandel, I am willing to consider letting you take priority over those drops. What do you think?»
«And who will decide if my contribution is significant enough?»
«Well...»
«So let's set a proper standard now instead of leaving it vague», I said. «Exactly three, not counting those I acquire by my own power and merit. Give me priority over discoveries shared exactly three times».
Jerome and his deputy commander exchanged a look.
I assume this guy serves as Jerome's personal advisor.
I wasn't sure, but either way, it seemed like I had come to the conclusion that this wasn't something that required dedicated discussion.
«Okay. For any discovery other than the first of its kind, we will give it priority exactly three times, Baron Yandel», Jerome accepted, extending his hand to shake it.
I accepted it. «I will be in your care until we return to the city».
«Also.»
And with that, an uneasy alliance was formed.
***
Once we finished discussing the loot, the thirty-eight adventurers under the command of the Anabada Clan joined the palace forces. Our official designation was Fourth Temporary Squadron of the First Expedition Group. Compared to the other three squads, consisting of sixty people each, we were small in number, but it couldn't be helped. It was the only way to retain power.
Maybe that's why Jerome made no effort to redeploy his troops and add some people to our squad. I didn't bother asking him either.
In any case, once our group is integrated, we begin to officially share our information.
«Sir Versilus, go and review your research».
«Of course... It's been a while, Lady Emblut».
«Ah, sulfur... Hola...»
«Is your teacher okay?»
«I mean... Probably...?»
«Haha, now that I think about it, I guess I should be the one to share news like that with you instead of the other way around. Anyway, since we've greeted each other, can you give me your research? I'll be sure to read it all before asking questions, to make things easier for you».
«...It's all here.»
The highest-ranking mage of the palace expedition group approached the trio of mages in our squad and took the research they had worked so hard to obtain.
«Very well, then let's talk too, Your Honor. What has happened to you in the months you have been here?».
I updated Jerome on how this plant worked and described the islands we had visited throughout our time here. What interested Jerome most was the rainy season.
«It is an interesting phenomenon. Monsters falling from the sky?».
«But don't worry too much about it. There are some places on this floor where we can take cover to avoid the worst».
So far we had found three safe areas: Library Island, which Hamsick had confirmed was safe; the Giant Island cave that the Hektz Clan had used as a hideout; and finally, the village under the control of the village chief.
«Commander.»
«Haha, you don't have to call me by my title. Just call me by my last name».
«Saintred... There is one more thing you should know». I was a little hesitant about it, but in the end I decided to share our information about the village chief with Jerome as well.
«Do you mean... the Dragon Knight Cornelius Bruingrid?»
«That's what the creature claims to be, and we assume the same thing».
I assumed his identity might be some kind of wild card in the sense that he had no way of knowing how the palace army would react to him, but at some point they would have to know. Since the exit was on that island, we would have to go through the chief and his village to exit.
«Do you know anything about him? After spending some time with him, I have many questions». Thinking that maybe I could get some information from Jerome, I gave him as much detail about my interactions with the village chief as I could, but unfortunately, he didn't know anything but me.
«A monster that calls itself Gabrielius's companion... quite suspicious». Although he wasn't very informed, no one could argue with the guy's push. «I think the best thing for the expedition would be to head to that island first».
«... Are you going straight for him?»
«Given how suspicious it is, yes. And since you yourself have said that it is possible to communicate with him, the most sensible thing would be to capture him and try to get information from him through interrogations.»
Eh... That's true...
He said it as if it were the most obvious thing in the world, and I realized I couldn't argue with his logic. To be fair, I wasn't particularly wrong either.
...With such a large group, I think we'll be fine heading there.
Even the dumbest plan in the world could work if it's led by someone strong enough to pull it off. I knew it better than anyone.
But... why do I have the feeling that this won't turn out well?
I tried to convince him otherwise. «Since we're not in a hurry, how about we explore the other islands first?»
« ¿Hmm? »
«We believe that the exit is on that island, but it seems that we need to meet certain conditions if we want to open it. It wouldn't be too late to go there after satisfying them».
I planned to go to the easy areas first to gauge how competent this group was before heading to Boss Island. In terms of numbers, we most likely had enough, but history had taught me that pure military power was not everything.
«I wonder if it's really necessary to do this in such an indirect way, but I'm not in a position to ignore your advice when you've been here much longer than we have. Understood. We will do as you suggest, Your Honor».
Alright, it was actually pretty easy to convince.
«So where do you think we should go first?» Jerome asked.
I didn't even need to think before answering. «To the library. Library Island would be the best».
After all, he still hadn't gotten EXP from those top-notch monsters.
***
After deciding on a destination, we headed to the beaches of Stone Island to summon our ships. There were a total of four ships, and each squadron had its own. Furthermore, while this was happening, an exchange of personnel took place.
«From what Sir Versilus said, you need a little more time to review all your research. So could we have those three wizards come aboard our ship? Oh, of course, we'll fill the empty spaces with other wizards».
«...Of course.»
With that, the trio of wizards boarded another ship, and three other wizards boarded our ship to make up for their absence.
«It's been a long time?»
Unexpectedly I came face to face with someone I knew. «Raven...? What are you doing here...?»
«What do I mean here? I received orders from above to join this expedition group».
«True... you are a soldier.»
«But didn't you realize I came in? You kept looking in my direction during the conversation earlier, so I thought you recognized me.»
«I was just looking around in general».
«Ah... I see.» Raven awkwardly curled a lock of hair around her finger.
I found myself bewildered. There were over 180 people here, so why would I think I'd recognize her in the crowd? She was so short that it was almost impossible to recognize her.
«Anyway, good to see you, but get on the boat», I told him. «We'll talk along the way».
Raven and the two new wizards did as I asked, and then Ainar, who had boarded the ship before us, ran over.
«¡Aruu! ¡Es Arruu! Arruu!»
«¡Ack! ¡S-suéltame! Eso duele!»
«Oh, I'm sorry!»
Once Ainar woke up and let her go, Raven smoothed her wrinkled uniform with a sigh. «Miss Fenelin... remains the same as always».
«At least on the outside».
«Outside...?»
«It absorbed an essence, and there was a problem... You'll see later».
«¿In series?»
As we talked, I heard from Auyen that the commander's ship had given us the signal to set sail, so we weighed anchor and cast off.
¡Splash!
With that, the Anabada clan ship began its journey to the front of the fleet with the other three ships following behind us. Although our boat wasn't that bad, I couldn't help but compare it to the other three. Maybe it was just the size difference? Although they had sixty people each on their boats, their decks did not seem crowded at all.
«We meet again.»
«Sí. Hola, Sra. Raines.»
Once Raven was on board, the other members of my clan who knew her came up to greet her. Things with Amelia were, of course, all business.
«It's been a while...»
«Ah, filter. Ha...»
On the other hand, with Erwen there was a lot of awkward silence.
Well, at least she wasn't as bad as Missha.
«Hola. .»
«Ah yes... Hello, Missha...»
I sighed to myself. His mere sight frustrated me. They had seemed so close in the past.
«I heard the news from Mr. Yandel... but it's the first time I've seen you since you came back, right?». Raven asked kindly.
«Yes... Sorry for that... For having... disappeared without saying anything...».
«N-No...! You must have had your reasons, Missha».
They hadn't even argued like she had with Erwen when the team disbanded, so she didn't understand why they were being so clumsy.
Actually, I guess that's exactly why it's even more uncomfortable.
Hmm, that could be it. Raven still didn't even know where Missha had been for the past two years, and this environment wasn't exactly conducive to that particular conversation.
«In any case, it's a relief to see that you're okay. I was a little worried when you lost contact after going down to Basement One Plant».
«Just a little worried?» I said jokingly. «That's a little depressing».
«...What are you saying?» Raven asked, aggrieved. She usually completely ignored my attempts to make fun of her and continued the conversation. But judging by her tone of voice, she must have been a little stressed today. «And more importantly, did you know that?»
«Know what?»
«Sir Kaislan. The one you went on an expedition with all those months ago».
«Kaislan? What's up with him? Did it cause a stir in the city or something?»
«No. He is also in this expedition group. It seems like you haven't noticed him either».
Oh... That was completely unexpected news. I never thought there would be another friendly face around here.
Kaislan is trustworthy.
Furthermore, considering his status, he would have some kind of leadership role. It is more than likely that I kept up to date with what the expedition group was up to.
«What about Lilith Marrone? Isn't she also a military mage?»
«I haven't seen her. Oh, but there's someone else here!»
«Who?»
While expressing my curiosity, Raven was able to enjoy her favorite pastime: explaining things. «Sir Sven Parav. The paladin of the Church of Reatlas».
I didn't expect him to be here either.
«What's wrong?», he asked. «Don't you remember? You were in the same squad at some point».
«I do not remember... I remember him».
Paladin Sven Parav. The goblin mask with another name. His most notable trait was that he had an incredibly precise sixth sense. During our adventure on the Ice Rock, he had displayed his amazing intuition on multiple occasions. He even managed to avoid the Berzak incident because he had a bad feeling and made up an excuse to skip the maze that month.
«Raven, have you heard any news about him from the rest of your squad? Like rumors that he tried to reject the call, or that his stomach hurt the day you were all getting ready to come here?».
He asked just in case, but Raven thought twice.
«Hey? How did you know his stomach hurt?»
...Wait, really?
I suddenly had a very bad feeling about this.