Chapter 158

Ruling by force is simple.

Just do what the bandits and Blade did.

However, that’s a precarious and unstable relationship where people are forced to obey under duress.

Of course, that’s not the kind of relationship I want.

Make them follow willingly.

That way, they’ll naturally blend in and become one.

This is how you eliminate elements of unrest and maximize the power of a group.

‘That’s why I set the stage.’

Of course, to simply say that I had set the stage is a bit of an understatement, considering the tremendous feat we had accomplished.

We had wiped out all the enemies on the 11th floor in less than a day.

Even as a hardcore player, I found this achievement unbelievable.

Thanks to that…

‘We’ve bought ourselves some time.’

We cleared a mission that would normally take at least a month in just a day, earning ourselves at least a month.

That time would be precious in many ways.

And even more importantly…

‘Zero casualties.’

A perfect victory with no deaths, though there were some minor injuries.

For me, who knows all too well the significance of preserving 100% of our strength in the underground, there’s no better outcome.

And we can bolster our forces by replenishing them with the residents of the 11th floor. Except those belonging to the bandit gang, of course.

“You seem to be in a good mood.”

Gwen, who was standing in front of me, spoke.

We were enjoying a real banquet, unlike the one before.

With poison-free drinks.

“I think everyone is.”

Gwen looked around at my reply and said,

“Heh, you’re right.”

The residents of the 11th floor, who had been blessed with the double joy of being liberated from oppression and the elimination of enemies that threatened their lives, as well as the residents of the 10th floor, who had achieved an overwhelming victory without a single casualty…

Everyone was basking in true joy, a rare occurrence in the underground.

“It’s good to enjoy ourselves like this at least for today.”

“At least for today?”

“Of course, we’ll have to be on our toes starting tomorrow, won’t we?”

“Haha, you’re relentless.”

Gwen let out a hearty laugh.

“I’ll make sure to keep those guys on their toes.”

It’s good to gain confidence through victory,

But you can’t be complacent with that victory.

Relaxed indolence is a lethal poison.

Gwen understood that, which is why he gave that response.

He is indeed a trustworthy ally.

“I’ll trust you. And if you show that kind of attitude, they’ll naturally keep their edge.”

The majority sets the trend of a group.

The rest inevitably follow.

“Hmm, I see you’ve thought that far ahead.”

Gwen was impressed.

“That’s a given. They’re not strangers anymore. They’re people we need to become one with.”

“Yes. Of course.”

“And that’s the leader’s job.”

“Huh? Me?”

“Who else? Me? I’m so busy with outside affairs, I can’t stay here for long.”

“Haha, that’s right. I guess I’m starting to feel like you’re a local here.”

Gwen laughed and scratched his head.

“Alright, leave it to me. But…”

“Don’t worry. The supplies will come uninterrupted, including new weapons, worthy of knights, for the new additions.”

“You know what I need without me even having to explain it. I’ll train these guys to be strong.”

“I have high expectations. But one more thing.”

“Oh, what is it?”

“Is this place livable?”

“Ah, you mean because there’s a forest.”

“Yes. So, gather all the resources you can get from the forest and store them. Especially anything you can get from the wood.”

“I see what you mean. You’re saying we should be prepared for the possibility that we won’t be able to come back here, right?”

I’m glad we’re on the same page.

“ Exactly. And there’s someone I specifically want you to look after.”

“Look after? Hmm, interesting. Who?”

Gwen looked at me curiously.

“There is. Someone who can be a game-changer, if we just give her the wings to fly.”

I smiled.

* * *

“What are you doing here alone?”

I spoke to Ran, who was sitting on a tree stump, carving a piece of wood with a knife.

“You can see it, can’t you?”

Ran looked up at me briefly.

“Heh, you’re right.”

I smiled faintly and sat down on a tree stump near Ran.

Swoosh, swoosh.

“That’s a craftsman’s skill.”

I commented, watching Ran’s knife movements.

Of course, it was a craftsman’s skill. She was a craftsman.

But that was from the perspective of those who knew her identity.

And nobody here knew who she really was.

They wouldn’t have a clue, since they probably wouldn’t have even held a hammer in their lives, let alone having seen a craftsman’s tool.

A gleam flashed in Ran’s eyes.

“What do you mean?”

“I meant what I said.”

“…”

A brief silence fell.

Even the sound of woodworking stopped.

Ran looked lost in thought.

I broke the silence.

“Thanks for the map.”

“You’re welcome, it was just a small help.”

“I heard you were alone, waiting and trusting in what I’d said.”

“That’s right.”

“You have a good eye for people?”

“I can tell if someone is hollow or not.”

“Haha, that’s good. You know, I’m the same way.”

I chuckled and continued.

“What’s your name?”

“Ran.”

“Nice name.”

“And you, brother?”

Ran called me “brother” casually.

She must have thought I was older than her just by looking at me.

……To be honest, we’re only two years apart.

Anyway, this was another change.

Originally, it would take me quite a while to have a proper conversation with her.

She wasn’t exactly the most outgoing person.

But today was different.

This was proof that she approved of what she saw.

“Max Celtrine. I’m rich.”

“So it’s Max, brother. But about what you said after your name…?

Ran tilted her head, puzzled by my strange introduction.

“I meant what I said. I’m overflowing with money.”

“What difference does that make here? Rich or poor, we’re all miserable here.”

“That’s true.”

I grinned and continued.

“But you see, it makes a big difference to me. Because I can get out of here.”

“Huh?”

Ran looked like she didn’t understand what I was saying.

I pointed my finger upwards and explained kindly.

“I can get out. Out there.”

“What?!”

Ran’s eyes widened.

“…What nonsense are you talking about?”

Of course she wouldn’t believe it.

This wasn’t something you could believe just by hearing it.

It’s easier to show her.

I unfolded the map and pointed to a spot.

“You know this place?”

A place marked with a large X, with a warning “Absolutely no access allowed.”

It was where the elevator to the surface was located on the 11th floor.

“Of course I do…”

“Let’s go, follow me.”

I chuckled and got up.

* * *

10 minutes later.

“Oh my…”

Ran groaned, looking like she had seen a ghost.

“How is it?”

I smiled.

“N-No…H-How can you still be here?!”

“I don’t know the exact reason either. But to explain…”

I told Ran about everything that had happened.

From the 10th floor.

Ran listened to my story with surprised eyes.

Then…

“That happened…”

Ran muttered, holding her forehead.

It seemed like it was a shocking story in many ways.

“I had thought that maybe the way out was above us.”

“No, there’s no way out above. It means we have to go down.”

“So that’s it.”

She bit her lip and nodded slightly.

Then she asked…

“…But you’re saying thatbrother Max, provided all that equipment?”

“I told you. I’m rich.”

“You’re not just rich.”

Ran said incredulously.

It seemed like I was on a whole other level from the rich people she had known before.

“Well, that’s true.”

“Then, what about here?”

She was asking if I would provide new weapons for the people on the 11th floor.

“Of course. You know it from experience, don’t you? You have to become strong in this place. Even if you’re just one person.”

“That’s…true.”

Ran had no choice but to agree.

That was the reality.

“So…”

“Huh?”

“You’re a craftsman, right?”

I gradually got to the point.

“How did you know?”

“That skill earlier, and those strong biceps and calloused hands. You wouldn’t have those if you were just an ordinary girl your age, would you?”

I said, looking at her with a knowing gaze.

“…You certainly have a keen eye.”

She didn’t deny it.

“But what of it?”

“Your hands itch, don’t they? I could tell.”

“Did you practice looking into people’s hearts after having a meal?”

“Haha, I guess I hit the bull’s-eye.”

I chuckled and continued.

“Then let’s work together.”

“Work?”

“Yes.”

“…I don’t work with just anyone, you know?”

Pride that hasn’t faded even in this miserable situation.

For someone without skills, it would just be presumptuous arrogance, but for someone with skills, it’s a firm heart that supports their spirit.

Ran was fully qualified.

I smiled.

“If you think I’m ‘just anyone,’ reject me right now. I won’t bring it up again.”

“…”

Ran blinked rapidly and bit her lip.

Then she twirled her fingers and said,

“But brother Max, is…not ‘just anyone’ …”

It seemed like it wasn’t easy for her to acknowledge that to someone she had met less than a day ago.

She’s still young.

But the fact that she admitted it honestly meant that what she had seen today was that impressive.

“Then we’re good. Let’s work together.”

“Hmm…Well…I can’t say no. But I don’t have anything.”

Ran twirled her hair.

“I’m willing to support you. As much as you need.”

“It’s not something that can be done with just a few tools.”

“I know.”

“Huh?”

“You need a blacksmith’s workshop.”

A blacksmith’s workshop.

The very place where a craftsman can work properly, equipped with everything they need.

It’s a place that requires all kinds of tools, from a furnace, to charcoal, bellows, an anvil, a hammer, tongs, chisels, a whetstone, and more.

It was something unimaginable in this harsh place.

“Of course I need one, but it’s not like…”

“I’ll support you with everything. Every single grain of sand.”

I said without hesitation.

“Huh?!”

Ran looked flustered, as if she felt my sincerity.

“Build your own blacksmith’s workshop here. You can do anything if you have the materials, can’t you?”

“I-I can, but…I don’t have any metal to work with, only wood. What can I make…?”

“That’s also part of the support, of course. Copper, tin, iron, silver, or even gold, mithril, orichalcum… I’ll get you what you need.”

It was an absurd investment.

Honestly, I was bluffing about the gold and beyond. But one thing was for sure.

I was willing to invest in her without reservation.

She was the cherished youngest disciple of Craive, the renowned craftsman, she was certainly worth it.

“Why go through so much trouble for someone you just met today…?”

Ran stared at me with a questioning, confused look.

“Because I trust my eyes.”

“…”

“Just like you trust your eyes, I trust mine.”

I smiled and extended my hand.

“Ha…I see. But you’re really driven, aren’t you?”

Ran shook her head and took my hand.

And with that, the deal was sealed.

“That’s how I managed to exterminate monsters and undead in just two hours, isn’t it?”

“Yes, that’s true.”

Our hands separated after the handshake.

“Write down everything you need, without leaving anything out, and give it to me.”

“Everything I need…It seems like I need to know what exactly brother Max, wants in order to answer that question accurately.”

“Ah, you’re right.”

I nodded and continued.

“What I want in particular is…”

“Yes.”

“A large ballista that can take down an ogre or a troll in one shot.”

“…You really need that?”

Ran’s eyes widened.

“We don’t know what kind of enemies await below.”

Actually, we’re preparing precisely because we know.

To survive in a place teeming with huge monsters.

“Th-That’s true.”

“Money is no object, make it as powerful as you can.”

I emphasized my point.

When I was the protagonist, I was poor, so I could only afford low-quality materials.

So even though they were made by a genius craftsman like Ran, their power was below expectations.

But this time it’s different.

I’m going to pour in as much money as I can and ask for the best.

I was already looking forward to seeing how powerful it would turn out.

“Huh? Well…It’s going to cost a lot of money…”

“Heh, don’t worry. Make as many as you want.”

“Well…anyway, you want one, right?”

“No, at least five.”

“What?! Are you planning on starting a war?”

“Every day is a war here.”

“But still, it’s a bit much…”

“Always be prepared.”

“Th-That’s true, but…”

“Then I’ll leave it to you.”

“Ha…Alright.”

Ran nodded, as if she had no choice.

“So…that’s what brother Max, wants…?”

“No, wait, there’s one more thing.”

“Huh? What else?”

“A battering ram that can smash through any gate.”

“Wait, wait! Siege weapons?! What in the world do you need siege weapons for? Are you going to take what I make up there to use in a war? Yes, you are, right?”

…It took quite a while to calm Ran down.