Manipulation
by Afuhfuihgs
A few days had passed since Raellan’s shocking confession that the cult leader might be another Ross. Finally, Eunice and Lamine also reached the 4th floor, escaped the labyrinth, and arrived at Modiste’s secret hideout. Ellie and Raellan, who had been contacted by Modiste, also arrived late.
“You’re later than I expected.”
Yunis sighed and explained at Raellan’s appearance, who started with a reprimand as soon as he came in.
“Haa, we couldn’t help it. We were attacked by the cult.”
I made eye contact with Raellan. The cult intentionally targeted us on the 3rd floor. Raellan, who was alone, was lucky enough not to be attacked by the cult, but the fact that Eunice and Lamine were also attacked made their intention clear.
“Who attacked you guys?”
“You guys…? Did Confession attack anyone else?”
I explained to Yunis, who was tilting her head, that Cassis had attacked us and Ellie had killed him. Yunis looked at Ellie with a surprised face and nodded as she explained.
“Confession’s Number 6. The island of Morris of Darkness suddenly dropped from the sky-*ttuk*! I almost died, but I was able to escape thanks to Lamine’s help.”
Lamine shrugged as if it was nothing and continued Yunis’s words.
“Morris was a swordsman. True to his title of Darkness, he was skilled at hiding himself by darkening the surroundings. Fortunately, I had prepared for the attack by creating several shelters on the island in advance, so I was able to safely hide Yunis and fight.”
“Still, it must have been quite difficult to fight Morris. You don’t have the Spear of Destruction, do you?”
Lamine nodded at Raellan’s question.
“Yes, that’s right. Still, I managed to fight somehow using the spear that the Emperor-nim bestowed… but he wasn’t an opponent I could win against. When he hid himself in the darkness, physical attacks themselves were impossible. Well, since the opponent couldn’t attack in that state either, we just wasted each other’s time.”
“Then, did Morris give up and retreat?”
“No, Morris died.”
“What?”
“Roel appeared from somewhere with a holy sword that emitted light, and killed Morris, who was hiding in the darkness, in one blow. The darkness itself was pushed back by the light, revealing his hidden body, and his head rolled on the floor. Roel looked at me for a moment, then turned around and disappeared without saying a word. I was helped.”
As soon as Lamine’s explanation ended, I immediately asked.
“Really, did the holy sword emit light?”
“Yeah, Yunis said she saw it too.”
When I turned my head, Yunis nodded as if it was true.
“The fact that light is coming out of the holy sword means that the seal has been broken. It seems that the Saintess… really died at Roel’s hands.”
For some reason, I felt like I was losing strength in my body. I promised to protect her no matter what, but I’ve become a laughingstock. Leaving me like that, Raellan led the conversation.
“This is a really good situation for us. Because no matter who killed her, the cult’s power has decreased.”
“Then how many members of Confession are left now?”
Raellan answered Yunis’s question.
“Including the vice-leader, only Numbers 1, 3, 4, and 5 are left. Chaos, Hallucination, Revelation, and Annihilation. Including the cult leader, there are a total of 6 enemies.”
Raellan, who was stroking his chin, said.
“Including Lykan, who will join the rescue team, the number of people in the rescue team is also 6. Now the numbers are equal.”
As soon as Raellan finished speaking, Lamine spoke up.
“I think Yunis and I have reached our limit on the 4th floor. Challenging the floors above that is… as good as a death sentence.”
Lamine has abilities specialized for survival. If she says so, it must be true.
“So, you’re only going to go up to the 4th floor.”
When Raellan asked in a low voice, Lamine frowned and said.
“Honestly, even the 4th floor is difficult. Especially for Yunis.”
“We are fighting to save the world.”
“That doesn’t mean I’m going to step into a place where death is obvious.”
Raellan and Lamine started staring at each other without avoiding each other’s gaze. I, who had been watching them quietly, turned to Yunis and said.
“Yunis, thank you for your hard work so far.”
Yunis’s eyes widened at my words. It seemed she didn’t expect me to tell her not to challenge the labyrinth anymore. Raellan, who was in a staring contest with Lamine, also turned to me.
“…What are you trying to end on your own? I think I told you last time that we’re not in a situation where we can afford to relax.”
“I know. But there’s no need to overdo it. I’m sorry, but Lamine-nuna, please stay with us only up to the 4th floor.”
Raellan’s face contorted at my unilateral action. I smiled faintly as I looked at Raellan like that. And I revealed my honest feelings.
“I feel like if someone else dies, I’ll just stop like this.”
I said that and pointed to my chest with my finger.
“I don’t think this place can hold out any longer.”
Silence flowed in the basement for a moment. Everyone who realized the sincerity in my voice looked at me with various expressions. Raellan sighed and said to me, who was wearing a bitter smile.
“…It will be difficult. Yunis’s ability and Lamine’s ability will be of great help in the labyrinth. Didn’t you say you would do anything to save Luna?”
“It will be difficult. After all, the labyrinth is a place that even Roel had a hard time with. I still haven’t changed my mind about being able to do anything. But there’s no need to sacrifice Yunis and Lamine. Those two people’s abilities will definitely be of great help even if it’s not in the labyrinth.”
Raellan, who was rubbing his forehead, realized my firm intention and stroked his chin with a cold face.
“…How about adding the Frax family to the rescue team? Since they have their memories anyway, they will be of great help to us.”
“No, the cult attacking the academy is something that will definitely happen someday. To minimize the damage as much as possible, we have to let them continue to protect the academy.”
Raellan slammed the table with his palm and got annoyed, then looked straight at me and said.
“I am a strategist who will help you no matter what. If you act like this, I have no choice but to act unilaterally for you.”
“…Are you threatening Ross-ssi right now?”
When Ellie asked in a low voice, Raellan scoffed.
“The reason I served Ross as my lord in the first place was because he was the only card that could win. If he gives up victory because he is swayed by emotions, there is no reason for me to continue to serve him as my lord.”
Almost at the same time, Raellan and Ellie raised their magic power. I said as I watched the two people glaring at each other, ready to cast magic at any moment.
“I haven’t given up on going to the 10th floor. I didn’t just exclude Yunis and Lamine based on emotions either.”
“Then, do you have any good way to replace those two?”
At Raellan’s question, I took out a thick document from the space warehouse and placed it on the table.
“Ember gave it to me. It’s a document containing top-secret information that Estelle personally managed.”
Raellan, who had been annoyed by my explanation, showed interest and pulled the document towards him.
“We are not the only ones challenging the 4th floor. There are also several monsters who have reached the realm of transcendence. So, I spent several days checking the setting book and found those who could be temporary allies on the 4th floor.”
Raellan, who was reading the document, twisted one corner of his mouth and said.
“Is there any reason for the Master of the Magic Tower and the Transcenders to form a temporary alliance with us? Their purpose is not to climb the labyrinth, but to aim for huge rewards. It’s obvious that they’ll run away at any time if the risk becomes greater than the reward.”
“We can create a reason. Isn’t that what the Mad Strategist is best at? If we put a strong leash on them, they won’t be able to run away.”
Raellan burst into laughter. Raellan, who was laughing with his shoulders shaking, looked at me with a satisfied face and nodded.
“Good, I’m glad our lord isn’t a complete idiot.”
“If you combine what’s in the setting book with the information in the document, it can be a great persuasion material.”
“Okay, leave it to me. I’ll make them give up their lives.”
I judged that the story was roughly over and got up from my seat. Raellan, who took the documents, disappeared, and Lamine also left the basement, saying that she would report to Bella.
I approached Yunis, who was talking to Ellie, to tell her that she had worked hard.
“Master-nim….”
As if they were having an important conversation, Ellie and Yunis pursed their lips as if they had planned it when I got closer. I said to Yunis with an awkward expression at the two people’s gazes.
“…I was going to tell you that you worked hard. Help me diligently from outside instead.”
“Ah, yeah… Thank you, and I’m sorry for fighting with Raellan because of me.”
“No. It was necessary.”
An awkward silence flowed for some reason. It seems like it’s a conversation they can’t have if I’m around. I turned around and went up the stairs, being mindful of them. The two of them didn’t open their mouths until I had completely disappeared.
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