Chapter 124 It'S Me
Three days had passed since Aaron and the others "persuaded" the Guild Master to lend them the scouting unit.
At a remote location, far from the regular route of the [God's Remains Labyrinth] 36th floor's teleportation circle, 10 explorers had gathered.
They were in one of the forest areas scattered across the Snowfield Floor, blending in with their surroundings without making a sound, waiting quietly.
Despite having 10 people, the monsters didn't notice their presence, nor did they attack.
This was proof that each of them was an elite scout with exceptional skills.
They were from the Necronia Explorer Guild's Information Department, Scouting Unit "Dark Crow".
Among them, they were ranked within the top 10 scouts.
"――Captain."
"What is it?"
The tall, lean man with sharp eyes, who was called Captain, turned around.
The voices of the two, including the subordinate who first spoke up, were hushed, as if whispering. The other subordinates around them perked up their ears, focusing on the conversation between the two.
The Captain sensed this and let out a small sigh.
It seemed to the Captain that his subordinates were relaxed, or perhaps excited.
"Do you think the Guild Master suddenly changed their policy for a reason?"
"I don't know. We just need to complete our assigned tasks. Don't have unnecessary curiosity."
This wasn't the main topic anyway.
The subordinate didn't hesitate in responding, nodding with an "Understood", and then brought up a different topic. However, it wasn't entirely unrelated to the previous question.
"But, is this mission really true?"
"What do you mean?"
"The story about Lord of ≪Extreme Sword≫ taking us to the 46th floor alone, is that really true?"
Although the subordinate said it was an unbelievable story, there was no hint of ridicule on their face, and they couldn't hide their excitement, like a young boy.
The reason they were in the labyrinth right now was because of this. In other words, ≪Extreme Sword≫ was going to take the 10 members of "Dark Crow" to the 46th floor, updating the floor levels, all by themselves.
The trigger for the incident was the Guild Leader's incomprehensible change of heart, going against the will of the [Four Great Families of the Seals] and declaring that they would cooperate with the clan ≪Wooden Sword Way≫, which aimed to secretly conquer the labyrinth.
In the exploration beyond the 47th floor, it was ordered that 'Dark Crow' provide support for their exploration.
However, to do so, they first needed to reach the 46th floor and register on the teleportation circle.
But, of course, no matter how excellent they were as scouts, they weren't professional explorers, nor did they have high combat abilities like Ail the Hermit. They were skilled in stealth and concealment, but their pure combat abilities were only barely on par with Advanced explorers.
As a result, many of them hadn't even cleared the 40th floor, let alone defeated powerful enemies like Ignitor.
In fact, they wouldn't even be of any use in battles against the weak enemies that appeared on the Dragon Mountain floor.
In other words, ≪Extreme Sword≫ would have to clear the 46th floor almost entirely on their own, while also protecting 'Dark Crow'.
――That's impossible.
"As it should be, it's something to laugh at."
After all, ≪Extreme Sword≫ was doing the floor updates alone to avoid being detected by the [Four Great Families of the Seals] before they could seriously start conquering the labyrinth.
If ≪Wooden Sword Way≫'s members and 'Dark Crow' were to enter the labyrinth in large numbers, the explorer guild would find out that ≪Wooden Sword Way≫ was receiving cooperation, and the 4 families would definitely intervene before they could conquer the labyrinth.
To prevent that, they decided to have each person enter the labyrinth separately and gather inside. ≪Extreme Sword≫ doing the floor updates alone was also to avoid being detected by the 4 families.
It's something that should be declared impossible from the start, and it's ridiculous enough to be laughed at.
However, the captain thinks otherwise.
"The Lord of ≪Extreme Sword≫ said he'd take us on alone. He must be confident in his abilities."
During the "Great Outbreak" in the labyrinth caused by the Unique Individual, they, the "Dark Crow," demonstrated their skills in discovering, tracking, and monitoring the Unique Individual.
At that time, the ≪Extreme Sword≫, who took the lead in defeating the Unique Individual, was someone they had talked to several times and had witnessed his incredible fighting skills from afar.
Even during the battle against the Nord, they were watching over the fighting members.
Perhaps, aside from the ≪Wooden Sword Way≫ members, they're the ones who understand the true abilities of the ≪Extreme Sword≫ the most accurately.
That's why...
The air is electric with excitement, and their subordinates are getting worked up.
As explorers, they may have given up on conquering the labyrinth and chosen to work for the guild, but they haven't lost their sense of admiration and respect for the strong.
They can't help but imagine what kind of fight the ≪Extreme Sword≫ will show them this time, and their excitement is something even their leader can relate to. That's why they can't help but tease their subordinates.
"Is Lord of ≪Extreme Sword≫ going to take down Ignitor alone"
The subordinate asks again.
Well, it's not really a question, but more like casual chatter.
"That's what I've heard."
The fact that the ≪Extreme Sword≫ can defeat the ≪Ice Elemental Treant≫ alone is something the guild is aware of. After all, he has hunted it down like crazy multiple times, so it's not like they wouldn't know. In fact, even the "Dark Crow" has witnessed the ≪Extreme Sword≫ defeating the ≪Ice Elemental Treant≫ solo.
But the story about him taking down Ignitor alone? That's something they've never heard before.
Or rather, it's not even worth thinking about. It's impossible. The idea of challenging it is just ridiculous.
Even so, ≪Extreme Sword≫ didn't seem to mind at all, saying he would update their floor level by himself this time. His attitude was like he was absolutely confident he could do it, without even considering using them "Dark Crow" as a fighting force.
There was weight to his bold claim, however. After all, it was ≪Extreme Sword≫ they were talking about. Anything could happen.
The captain suppressed their inner excitement, keeping their cool.
They gave a curt answer to their subordinate's question, and the subordinate looked slightly dissatisfied. They probably wanted to hear something like "it's impossible" or "he can't do it."
But no matter how reckless the captain was being, they couldn't afford to let their team's morale drop any further.
The captain took out a pocket watch from their coat's inner pocket and checked the time.
"――It's almost time for our appointment. He should be arriving soon..."
The captain said, looking out towards the forest beyond the trees.
The Snowfield Floor, which was now calm and peaceful, offered a clear view of the surroundings. However, there was no sign of any other colors amidst the white snow. He still hadn't arrived. The captain's [magical energy sense] was on high alert, but they couldn't detect any signs of ≪Extreme Sword≫.
Just then.
"――Uh..."
"""Huh!?"""
A stranger's voice echoed from the nearby forest, where they were gathered.
Reflexively, they went on high alert, turning towards the voice.
(What the...?! I didn't sense anything When did they get there?!)
The person standing there was a man wearing a thick fur coat, with a long staff as tall as he was, planted on the ground. His face was obscured by the hood of his coat.
For a moment, they thought he might be a magician, but that wasn't it. The staff in his hand was definitely not a magician's.
A single, straight black rod. If it is observed closely, it can be told that it was carved from the core of an Elder Treant, but it doesn't seem to have undergone any special processing as a magic staff. It's just a plain rod.
But there's no way to let their guard down.
(What a thin aura... Amazing concealment...)
Even when facing him up close, they can't sense any magical energy. It's clear that he's completely suppressed his magical energy and is holding it back inside. Moreover, his existence is as faint as a ghost.
(Is he a colleague?)
The captain quickly and quietly drew his dagger, judging the situation.
The subordinates around also drew their weapons, on high alert.
"...Who are you?"
The captain's voice was tense, filled with hostility.
But the man's response was unexpectedly carefree.
"No, I'm sorry to have kept you waiting. It's me."
As he said that, the man removed his hood.
The face that appeared was pale and sickly, with sunken cheeks and dark circles under his eyes. His complexion was deathly pale, as if he had lost all vitality. But despite his condition, the man was smiling.
It was like the smile of someone who had been suffering from an incurable disease for a long time, had accepted their own death, and was grateful for the remaining days of their life.
It was a gentle, saint-like expression that only someone who had accepted their own fate and stepped into the world of the dead could wear.
But...
"...Who?"
"Who is it?"
"Do we know him?"
The man looked at them with a familiar expression, but the subordinates were confused.
No one recognized him.
However, the captain soon tilted his head, saying "Huh?"
He felt like he had seen the man in front of him somewhere before.
The captain stared intently at the man's face.
And then... he realized.
He realized, and his eyes widened in shock.
The atmosphere was completely different, so it was hard to tell. But it was definitely someone they knew.
The captain's eyes snapped open, and he shouted.
"Whoa, whoa, Lord of ≪Extreme Sword≫!? What's with that getup of yours!?"
"""Huh!?"""
The subordinates finally noticed and raised their voices.
The one standing there was, without a doubt, Lord of ≪Extreme Sword≫, Aaron Gale, the very person himself.
"Hahaha."
Aaron looked back at them with a gentle, grandfatherly face, as if watching over his grandkids, and was taken aback.
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