Volume 4 Chapter 10 What Is The Top Priority(Ask)
After the conversation with Sandra, we decided to split the remaining time in half to keep watch, with Sandra and I taking turns, and the other half to sleep.
I was allowed to sleep in the latter half, and was gently shaken awake by Sandra.
"Mmm..."
"Woke up."
I blinked several times to fully wake up. In the small room, there were footsteps echoing.
"What is that sound?"
"It's outside... The crystal soldiers are running around. Maybe something happened, or perhaps they are searching for us..."
After hearing Ice's explanation, who had just woken up, I noticed that the entire party was staring at me. The gaze held a great deal of anxiety. What was demanded of me was the role of a leader.
"We will wait."
I gave the command.
"However, this is not a break. Ice, keep a constant watch on the outside. Clay, be prepared to quickly seal the door with earth magic if necessary. I will also prepare to apply gravity magic to the earth wall."
"So basically, it means preventing the door from being broken, right? What if it still seems like it's going to be broken?"
"Go down the stairs."
I respond to Toxy's question. Everyone's faces tense up.
"It's just for evacuation. I don't intend to move away from the bottom of the stairs. Ice, can you also investigate downstairs just in case?"
"Y-yes..."
"Thank you. At this point, Ice's snowman is a lifeline. It might be a burden, but I'm counting on you."
"Ice-chan, if you get tired, I can prescribe the appropriate medicine anytime, so just let me know."
"Thanks, um, Toxy-chan... But, I'm okay, so..."
Ice creates a snowman and dispatches it downstairs. After a few minutes, Ice said, "Huh."
"What's wrong?"
"...It disappeared. The one I sent downstairs."
"Do you know the reason?"
Ice shakes her head. The unknown reason is the most frightening.
However, there is a big difference in reaction speed between Ice and me or Sandra. Just because Ice couldn't see it, doesn't mean that me or Sandra couldn't handle it.
In the end, it all comes down to luck. I told Ice, "Got it. We'll just focus on investigating this floor for now," and decided to proceed with the investigation only on this floor.
A few more hours passed. The situation remained the same. Outside, we could constantly hear footsteps. Clay and I were staring at the door intently, while Toxy and Sandra were monitoring the stairs below, and Ice was continuing to sift through information obtained from the snowman with her eyes closed.
Then Ice spoke.
"The crystal soldiers are staring at this door..."
"Can you distract them with the snowman?"
"It's possible, but it might not be very effective... If they find out, they'll crush it in an instant."
"How many snowmen are outside? Would it be okay if one gets destroyed?"
"I have two placed near the door, so if one gets destroyed, it should be fine."
"Got it. Alright, I'll handle it."
"Roger..."
Ice fell silent. A few seconds passed. A report came in, "They're getting crushed..."
"How's the Crystal Soldier who was looking this way?"
"No good, maybe. They'll be back soon, staring at the door..."
"Understood. Clay, it's a bit early, but please solidify the door with soil. I'll hold it with gravity magic. Everyone, have your gear ready to move downstairs as soon as I give the signal."
'Roger.'
Clay solidified the door. Everyone seemed to be already prepared, crouching in a ready stance. I gently pressed the earth wall with gravity magic.
Ice spoke up.
"The Crystal Soldiers are getting closer to the door. They're starting to push it..."
"I'm holding it. I still have some power left."
"It seems the Crystal Soldiers are questioning why the door isn't opening. They're gathering a few nearby soldiers..."
"They've gotten stronger. But we can still handle it."
"...The Crystal Heavy Warriors have arrived."
"Everyone get ready to run!"
"―――They're charging at us."
I felt a heavy strain on my magic. I managed to suppress it once, but if it keeps happening repeatedly, it won't be good.
"Everyone, head downstairs! Sandra, lead the way! I'll cover the rear!"
'Got it!'
Everyone stood up and hurried down the stairs. I waited until the last Toxy had started to leave, and I followed.
Despite using gravity magic, I ran, ran with all my might. I descended the long staircase shrouded in darkness, single-mindedly and without stopping.
I thought I had built up my stamina since starting my adventurer life, but strangely, I felt exhausted. I was out of breath, even feeling tightness in my chest. Nevertheless, I pushed through without slowing down.
And so, after descending what could be several floors near the surface, we finally reached the bottom, catching our breath.
I looked at Ice. Ice, who had the lowest stamina among us, placed her hands on the ground, still fulfilling her duty.
"The Crystal Soldiers aren't chasing us, it seems... But they are slowly coming down the stairs!"
"Report, we're safe... Everyone, take a break until you catch your breath. Once you're ready, let's find a room to rest properly. We have to keep moving forward as long as there are enemies even if we go back."
Without a word of agreement, everyone just nodded. We took a few minutes to catch their breath. Then, we stood up and began searching and moving.
There were hardly any people around. That was a good thing. Moving cautiously to avoid being found out was exhausting with this number of people.
But what worried me was that it was a straight path. A solemn row of statues lined the path. And at the end, a large door awaited us.
It felt like a path leading to the king's throne.
"..."
We charged straight down the path and stood in front of the door. Then we looked up. The huge door extended meters high.
"What should we do...?"
Toxy was looking at me with concern. It wasn't just Toxy. Everyone was looking at me.
The pressure of being the leader.
It's only now that I've come here that I'm starting to realize the weight of responsibility. Everything depends on my decisions. Everyone's lives are at stake based on my choices.
I spoke up.
"Everyone, I really caused a lot of trouble and inconvenience this time."
As I said this with a smile, I could see confusion in everyone's expressions.
"No, I didn't mean to be reckless, so please don't worry. It's not a prelude to something like that. I just want to apologize again. If I hadn't said I would open the treasure chest, this wouldn't have happened."
"...We're the ones who instigated it. I don't think it's solely Wade-kun's responsibility."
"Maybe that's true, Clay. But, I was the one who opened it, and I was the one who decided to open it. It's my responsibility. If I want to fulfill that responsibility, I have to ensure everyone survives. However, there are times when I feel like my ability falls short of achieving that."
Ignoring Clay's follow-up, I shook my head and continued. Clay quietly lowered his gaze.
"I'm the leader. So, I have to fulfill that role. I make decisions, and everyone has to follow them. So, let's make it clear here. If I make a wrong judgment and it leads to everyone dying, then hate me to your heart's content and die."
As I said that, for some reason, everyone laughed.
Ice spoke up.
"I'll stay by Wade-kun's side until the end..."
Clay added.
"That's right. Let me tease you to my heart's content until I'm satisfied in the afterlife."
Toxy chimed in.
"Well, that's the kind of situation it is, right? Oh well. If this group is with me in the end, it's not so bad."
Sandra says,
"Dying in a flashy way? I'd love that. Let's do it grandly."
I shrugged my shoulders as I saw everyone's spirits lift up all at once.
"You guys are pretty brave. I thought at least one of you would be too scared to yell at me."
"Hey, don't underestimate us. We might not be as crazy as you, Wade, but we're still a bit off our rockers."
"Wait a minute, Toxy. Am I the crazy one among everyone here? I thought I was the sensible one."
"Wade-kun, you should just give up."
"Hey, I'm not dead yet, so stop teasing me, Clay."
"Everyone likes Wade-kun, you know..."
"Is that the issue here, Ice?"
"Wade."
Sandra calls out to me, a small smile forming on her lips.
"I'm looking forward to seeing you show your true colors."
"True colors?"
I thought it was a form of teasing, but Sandra's eyes didn't say that. They sparkled with expectation, as if waiting for something from me.
"Adventurers are meant to die."
Sandra says,
"If it blooms beautifully, it's the best."
"...I see. So, should we go all out this time?"
I chuckled lightly and touched the large door.
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