Chapter 102 I Won'T Let Anyone Escape
It had been a month since the establishment of the ≪Wooden Sword Way≫ clan, and 3 weeks since we started our full-scale activities.
On that day, I was working on processing the "Earth Elemental Treant's core wood" that I had managed to procure in large quantities through Mr. Tyler's connections, in preparation for our upcoming exploration of the 47th floor.
The location was inside the workshop, where the clan members were standing in front of their respective workbenches, continuing to craft wooden swords and other items with a deadpan expression.
Well, not everyone was like that, as some of the Wood Sword Maniacs were crafting their swords with a serious and enthusiastic gaze.
As expected, those with more motivation were making faster progress. I thought it was about time to teach them how to make scabbards.
However, I was also quite busy at the moment.
With the constant influx of orders of "Black Radiance" and "Silver" on their delivery days, I was also guiding the clan members while working on numerous "Rock Iron" and "Earth Crystal Shield" items. Although I could finally see the end in sight, I was still extremely busy.
So, I continued working in silence, focusing solely on my tasks.
As the clock struck noon, we took a break for lunch.
Each member either ate the lunch they had brought or went out to eat somewhere, doing as they pleased. I was thinking of going out to eat as well, when Io approached me.
"Aaron."
"Hm? What's up?"
Io's slightly troubled expression made me sense that something was wrong.
As expected, Io said, "We can't talk here. Let's move to a different location," so I nodded and said, "Alright."
The 2 of us moved to the residence next to the workshop, where some of the clan members were currently living, and entered an empty room.
Since we were going to this much trouble, I assumed that Io didn't want the other clan members to hear what he had to say.
"Actually..." Io began, his voice heavy with seriousness.
"Some of the clan members have come to me saying they want to leave the clan."
"Hmm..."
I nodded, thinking that this was inevitable.
Well, it's been 3 weeks since we started our activities for real. It's lasted longer than I initially thought it would. At worst, I was prepared to be told off on the very first day.
"Specifically, who is it?"
When I asked, Io replied.
"It's those guys from ≪Bastard≫."
"Anyone else?"
"Not for now... but there are others who are voicing their dissatisfaction. It seems like the younger members are the ones who are unhappy."
"I see..."
Even after hearing that, I didn't feel any unease. To be honest, Io probably isn't feeling any unease either. He's probably thinking, "Well, I guess it's come to this."
After all, this was the natural course of events, and I had expected it from the start.
Those guys who used to dive into the dungeon as explorers all the time, and now they're suddenly being made to craft wooden swords on the surface for training, and occasionally going into the dungeon to hunt monsters on the Grassland Floor with wooden weapons in hand... it's no wonder they're unhappy.
Except for the wood sword maniacs, if they didn't feel any dissatisfaction, I'd be surprised――it's that obvious.
"So, Aaron... are you going to do it?"
"Yeah, I'll do it. It's not like it'll have any effect in just one or 3 days, but after 3 weeks, they should have grown somewhat. And to those who are dissatisfied... I'll make them realize just how great wooden swords are."
"......"
"Hahahahaha... I won't let a single one of them escape...!!"
"...Don't show that sadistic smile in front of the clan members, okay?"
Io said that with a look of exasperation as I laughed, lost in thought about a fun picnic.
We've already discussed and prepared for how to deal with clan members who want to leave the clan. And on top of that, it's been a month since the clan was established, and Lady Eva told me that something is ready.
So, this time, I'm going to take all the dissatisfied members on a fun picnic.
"Hey, Io."
"What is it?"
"Tell me the names of the clan members who are dissatisfied besides ≪Bastard≫. I'll take them along too."
"Got it. Okay..."
And Io started listing off the names of the clan members.
Let me explain the members of our clan, ≪Wooden Sword Way≫, once again.
There are a total of 72 members in ≪Wooden Sword Way≫. Here's the breakdown:
Clan Master――me.
Sub-Master――Io.
And solo explorer――Fiona.
Everyone else, except for these 3, belongs to the clan in party units. As for the parties that belong to the clan...
Garon's group, ≪Iron Wall Alliance≫, with 6 members.
Glen's group, ≪Glen Squad≫, with 5 members.
Claire's group, ≪Flames of Dominance≫, with 6 members.
Calum's group, ≪Balmung≫, with 4 members.
These are the surviving members of the ≪Labyrinth Conquest Team≫, and including me and Io, there are a total of 24 members.
As for the other parties that joined ≪Wooden Sword Way≫ after it was established...
The perverts' ≪Sword Dance Maiden's Scorned Squad≫ with 4 members.
The perverts' ≪Sword Dance Maiden's Stepping Stone Squad≫ with 4 members.
The wood sword maniacs' ≪Wood Sword Appreciation Club≫ with 5 members.
The drunk old men's gathering, ≪The Drunken Round Table≫, with 6 members.
The justice-obsessed ≪Holy Knights≫ with 6 members.
The gathering of annoying hunters, ≪Silfied≫, with 5 members.
The hero-aspiring cannon fodder led by ≪Bastard≫ with 6 members.
The maiden group that likes cool women, ≪White Lily Maiden Squad≫, with 6 members.
The gentlemen's alliance with a dark secret, ≪Gentlemen's Alliance≫, with 6 members.
...That's a total of 48 members, making the entire clan 72 members.
...When I think about it again, the percentage of perverts is way too high!! The others are all weirdos with strong quirks, and when I look at the entire clan, there are only a few normal people, including me. It's seriously giving me a sense of crisis.
I've got to do something about it (Wooden Swordsmith) soon... I'm getting a strong sense of mission that's similar to a compulsive obsession.
Anyway.
Among the clan members, Io said that the ones with complaints are...
"≪Bastard≫, ≪Holy Knights≫, and ≪Silfied≫."
Apparently, these 3 parties are the ones with the most complaints.
"What's with these perverts? They're not saying anything, but the way they're treating me is pretty harsh."
I got curious, so I decided to check on the other members too. First, I'll look into the guys from the "Scorned" and "Stepping" groups. By the way, within our clan, these guys are known as the "perverts".
"Ah, they're in the same clan as Lady Fiona, and they seem to be satisfied with just occasionally getting yelled at or treated coldly. They don't seem to be complaining about the clan. They do have frequent meetings to discuss the plan to kill the Clan Master, but I guess that's within acceptable limits."
"Wait a minute! Isn't that the most important part?! What's this plan all about?!"
Don't just gloss over the important stuff!!
But Io just ignores my question and keeps going.
"There are also the 'Drunken Round Table' and the 'Gentlemen's Alliance' that are pretty harsh towards Aaron. But they're just jeering at the Clan Master's reckless behavior, so I don't think it's a big deal."
"Don't ignore my question!!"
"Their members are mostly older, and they've already been briefed on the clan's true purpose and have agreed to it. They won't be leaving the clan. Since they're older, they're also more mentally stable. They're the type of people who understand the situation."
"Your definition of 'normal people' is way too loose!!"
Those guys are a bunch of drunkards and perverted gentlemen!
Io's not thinking straight lately!!
"As long as Lady Fiona and Glen are present, the 'White Lily Maidens' won't be leaving. For now, they don't seem to be expressing any dissatisfaction. Some of Lady Fiona's followers seem to be involved in the plan to kill the Clan Master, but I guess that's not a big deal either."
"What do you guys think the Clan Master's life is worth?!"
There are too many people trying to kill me!!
Maybe Io's in on the assassination plan too?!
"So, Aaron."
"You're really going to keep talking like this? It's giving me a serious sense of crisis..."
"Are you only taking 3 parties with you?"
"......"
From now on, I'll have to keep an eye on Io too.
I made a mental note of that, and then I thought some more.
Currently, I have only one usable barrier magical tool.
If we combine the 3 parties in question, there are 17 people. If I join as the lead, that makes 18 people. Even with just one barrier magical tool, I think we can manage a long-term exploration with this number of people.
If I recall correctly, the parties that haven't cleared the 40th floor yet are <<Bastard>>, <<Holy Knights>>, <<Silfied>>, those 2 perverted parties, and <<Wood Sword Appreciation Club>> and <<White Lily Maidens>>.
<<The Drunken Round Table>> and <<The Gentlemen's Alliance>> have already cleared the 40th floor.
Even if I plan to take everyone to the 46th floor and beyond eventually, if we all move at once, the [Four Great Families of the Seals] might overreact. So, we'll have to take them through in a few groups, a few times.
It's a hassle, but this time, I've decided to invite just these 3 dissatisfied parties on a picnic.
Our destination for now is the 41st floor, but if we make each party fight the <<Ice Elemental Treant>> one by one, it'll probably take more than a day.
"This time, let's just take these 3 parties. We only have one barrier magical tool, after all."
"Got it. Should I tell them on my end?"
"...No, I'll invite them to the picnic directly myself."
It's also part of my job as the workshop leader to take care of the employees' mental health.
I'll make them shout "Wood swords are the best!" eventually.
Please bookmark this series and rate ☆☆☆☆☆ on here!
Donate me
Support Me with USDC
(ERC20)
Support Me with XLM
(Stellar Lumens)