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Published at 18th of August 2017 03:53:31 AM


Chapter 217

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Chapter 152 - (Chapter 217): The Minimum Stamina



Year 7445, Month 10, Day 7


"Gree..Al-san. Umm, the one who came to the Baldoggie stall at lunch was, hi..his majesty right?"

It was when I had sat down to start eating dinner together with the members of {Sooner}, Rodrick who was sitting diagonally across from me tried asking me that timidly.

"Hn? Yeah, that's right."

I ended up replying a bit harshly. Ah~ even though it's not related to Rodrick I wonder if it ended up sounding disagreeable...
Really, that old man, he even made me deliver sausages to Dorureon..Why should I have to run to Dorureon while carrying sausages...

"Everyone was watching! That his majesty would eat the Baldoggie, isn't that amazing!"

Rodrick said it a bit excited in a loud voice. Why at this point?

"Look, it was true right?"
"Tha..That was serious..I had gone to take a shit at that time so.."

Hearing that Sanno and Ruttsu were whispering to each other in the corner.

"Fufu..The leader of the party master is a member of is connected to royalty, no, his majesty the King. Isn't that amazing!?"
"Oh~ as expected of master right. He is the eldest son of Count Faruergaz after all!"

Rodrick's combat slaves Denda and Karimu were both proud. However, aren't the things you two are saying strange? Isn't that unrelated to Rodrick...

"So that person was his majesty Thomas.Rombert the Third huh.."
"Ha~ I don't know what's going on anymore.."

My combat slaves Garuhashu and Manzokki seemed dumbfounded.

Something like that doesn't matter at all.

The problem is Ginger. She's been pouring vodka down her throat like it's water since a while ago. Hisu is on her side saying something while trying to hold her back but Ginger just keeps pouring one glass after another as if she's possessed by something.

The judgements ended before lunch today but the enforcement of the punishments happened after lunch in a different plaza while other judgements were still going on. Our Baldoggie stall was in an area right near the judgement plaza so they sold lazy crazy but we ended up leaving Cathy, John, and Terry to look after things while my four new combat slaves help them out and the {Slaughterers} including myself, and a total of 15 of us went to watch the enforcement of the punishments.

The Rindobel couple and Zemyunel were made to bite on to a gag as some brawny members of the knight group whipped them over 20 times then decapitated them. The only one who's head flew in a single hit was Meiria and both Koritto and Zemyunel took two swings of an axe. Their heads are still on display in the plaza in front of the government office.

When Haruku was given the punishment of hanging he looked at Ginger but Ginger turned eyes away. Haruku made a sad expression for just a bit moment but it remained in my impression how he laughed when he looked at the heads of the Rindobel couple right nearby.

That time I was standing close by Ginger just in case she might do something. After she turned her eyes and looked at the ground to the side it ended with her whispering, "Idiot Gesshu".

Most likely, Ginger still had some feelings for Haruku. Whether she's regretting the fact that she couldn't properly look at his face to the very end, otherwise, the fact that she was dating someone who was betraying everyone and as a result was hanged to death because of that. I can't tell that far. However, I'm pretty sure that some sentiment of regret was largely shadowing over her.

I have no intention of trying to do anything for her. I'm sure she herself doesn't need something like that either, sorting out her feelings is something she should do herself. I think it's best to leave her to herself for now. In the first place, starting with Haruku the one who dragged all of the former {Sun.Ray} members into a trap on the lower floors was me after all. If you just look at it from the surface it seems like Haruku snapped and dragged the three of them in with him as he blew himself up but you could say the direct cause was me using {Suggestion} at that time.

Though I say that, it's not like the four of them were executed from having false charges made against them, if you take into consideration all the things they've said and done until now and the fact that a noble like Binnodo.Gekudo(Binsu) was included in that, it was just a matter of their judgement being made official. It should be something that Ginger already understands but it's also something she can't accept so easily emotionally.

If you were to ask me, I'm fine as long as it doesn't have any influence on the group training we have tomorrow. Though if she's just got a hangover I'll at least use {Neutralize.Poison} on her.

"Master, would it be alright to ask? With his majesty the King what sort of..."

Garuhashu tried asking with a nervous feel. I swallowed what I was chewing and when I went to open my mouth to reply someone interjected from the side.

"Hey, Mekku. Even though you're just a slave you shouldn't be asking about things like that. Though I say that, this is something I was interested in as well. Why don't I ask that question. And, Al-san, in reality what about it? Were you royalty?"

Ruttsu said that. It's only obvious, I'm sure everyone is interested. It's long since been known that I sell armor to the first knight group but getting the King to eat sausages over just that is unbelievable after all. Ruttsu is a kind fellow who pays good attention. I guess it's because the amount of time I've lived my life in my past life was longer but unless I'm asked a considerably impolite question whether its from a combat slave or anyone else I'll reply to it without paying too much mind to it.

However, commonly it's not seen as a good thing for a slave to pry into their masters affairs. After all slaves are slaves. Fundamentally they don't have any human rights nor do they pay taxes. Down to every hair and the last drop of blood, they're entirely the owner's "belonging". Ruttsu was trying to cover for the new combat slave Garuhashu while acting like it was to resolve his own doubts.

"No, there's no way I'd be royalty. I have no blood relation, we're complete strangers. It's just, in connection to the business I do I also do direct deliveries to the royal family. During the process of that I've encountered him a number of times, I'm sure that's why his majesty remembers me."

Rodrick has been buying condoms from me and since his older sister is her highness Queen Marinen so I thought he might know everything about my relation on that end but I guess even if he knows that sort of thing isn't something you talk to everyone about. Everyone other than Rodrick was nodding to themselves. Just like that we continued with our meals and time passed.

"Hisu. Sorry but look after Ginger-san for tonight. It's fine if you just pull her to the training tomorrow without being late."

I said that while putting two silver coins in Hisu's hand. A short while later including myself everyone finished their meals and left in small groups. Every since we entered the place in the evening Ginger has been expressionless as she gulps down vodka and slamming her cup on the table requesting more. She's probably not eaten much of anything.

The next morning Hisu dragged Ginger who had become like a zombie out where I used {Neutralize.Poison} on her, then after letting her drink some water, I throw another bucket or so over her head and she finally seemed refreshed.

"I'm alright. I'm already alright.."

I made a bitter smile while seeing the depressed Ginger say that then after using wind magic to dry her off we all started the training.




...................




Year 7445, Month 10, Day 8



Starting today when we enter the dungeon I decided to look over the {Butchers}. After all as a party their overall combat abilities aren't worth of a comparison to {Sooner}. There's no problem with moving just Ginger over to here(Rather switching her out with Kimu or Jeru who's positions overlap would probably large raise the combat abilities of the {Butchers}), but if I were to do that then I'd have {Sooner} to worry about so I can't just go with the momentum on that one.

However, as expected everyone(excluding my combat slaves Henry.Okonneru(Henry) and Rubano.Firenoto(Rubi)) were part of one of the top teams and they can safely overcome combat on the 1st floor. Though I don't know what would happen if they concentration reaches its limit. Maybe I'll bully them to that point for today?

I was thinking these sorts of things while watching the first battle. We continued for a short while and around the point we passed through two rooms and were deciding which direction to go at a cross road I smiled at all of the members who were looking at me and said.

"Then, it's about time you show me how you get serious. I'll start things off."

While I was in front of everyone as they looked at me with puzzled expressions I used the spell {Audible Clamor} to make the loudest noise I could in the other three directions than one we just came down. They all were surprised for a moment and their expressions changed to those filled with fear and caution but I grinned and said, "It's alright, as long you don't die instantly I'll fix you up. The other day all of my elemental magic levels went up after all. I can even use {Cure All} now."

And then, I declared "Everyone fall back around 30 meters behind me. I'll show you an example." while pulling out my beloved long sword and going on guard. I picked up a random rock from the ground used the spell {Light} on it to make it easier to see. Kamain.Mishausu(Kamu) and Binoodo.Gekudo(Binsu) hold back Rokasuto.Keinesutan(Rokko), Kevin.Firestarter(Kevin), Jerutodo.Ramiresu(Jeru) who were about to say something and left just me in the center of the crossroad as they withdrew backwards.

Ah, I already know that watching me won't be a good example. Recently I've been busy with things so I just haven't been able to enter the dungeon on my days off and rampage to my heart's content. Putting aside my skill my intuition will get dull. There's no big reason other than that.

"Ah, Misu. If the light disappears use {Light} on an arrow and shoot it into an appropriate corpse. Also, since we just came from that direction I'm pretty sure it's fine but just in case make sure you properly remain cautious of our backs."

After ordering that of Mifesu.Ransun and I started jumping, stretching, and swinging the sword in my right hand around warming up. I also confirmed to make sure there was properly 10 throwing needles in each of my gauntlets and that they were working properly as a simple shield.

In a few minutes around 5 hobgoblins came from the front, a bit over 10 gnolls from the left, and a bit after that around 20 goblins came charging at us from the right.

Now then~ I've already prepared myself to suffer a few injuries. If I'm up against this number then even I'll be in danger if I don't get serious. Ahead of this crossroad an area of about 10 meters in every direction is the battlefield.

Starting off I used just shot one of {Flame Arrow Missile} towards the hobgoblins that appeared in the front and after that I don't intend to use any spells. If I do that then the hobgoblins will get cautious and not approach so easily.

After that if I just make use of the difference in time to quickly finish up most of the gnoll group then it'll probably fine.
And, I guess that's the largest problem though. It's a battle with time.

The gnolls charge at me from the cave on the left with their spears at the ready.
I run off in a large arc and while evading the spears thrust out I put some fighting spirit into it as I cut through three of the spears all at once.
Soon after the spear of another gnoll was thrust towards me.
I evade that as well and after grabbing it with my left hand at the same time I cut through it with the sword in my right hand.
Immediately I crouched down and rolled to a different gnoll that was confused and used my sword to stab it in the throat killing it before kicking it away to pull my sword out.
I turn while cutting the throat of another one and steal the spear it held with my left hand.
It's not like the tips are made of metal either way so it's just a wooden stick with a sharpened end.
There's no much difference regardless of which end you use to thrust and in the first place the attack power of it is limited.
I swing it around while holding another gnoll in check and start running, then turn another three consecutive gnolls into a bloodbath.
With this that's half of the gnolls.

An arrow giving off light stabbed into one of the gnolls that was on the ground.
I guess I'll finish things up while this arrow is still shining.

There the group of goblins charged at me while screaming gabugyabugya.
But, the goblins are attacking both the gnolls and I.
As expected of goblins.
They'll attack anything that moves.
No, I had already anticipated it though.
If the goblins had arrived first I'm sure the gnolls would have attacked the goblins as well.
With the gnoll's spear still in my left hand I stab a goblin nearby with my sword and pull it right away.
It's already a free for all.
With this even if the hobgoblins come they can't take any actions to take control.

While I was spinning around here and there stabbing with my sword like a dance and look.
Before I realized it the hobgoblins had come and started fighting and including them there's already less than 10 remaining.

During that time I haven't taken a single clean hit.
Though I was smacked with the handles of spears being waved around.
Probably around the outer parts of my left thigh, my back, and my right upper arm have some bruising but it's no big deal.
Hey, that hobgob over there, don't run away showing me your back.
I take a throwing needle out of my left gauntlet and throw it.
I was even praised by Miduchi for my skill with the throwing needles that Myun taught me.
It beautifully pierced it's head and the hobgoblin fell over forward without making a sound.

Almost as if that was the signal, the gnolls and goblins that had still been standing let out dull screams before starting to retreat. I killed one of them from behind with a throwing needle but the rest was too troublesome so I let them go.

Suddenly the {Light} on the arrow disappeared. It seems I properly was able to fight for over 5 minutes. As expected even my breathing is a bit heavy. Though I still feel like I could fight for several times longer than this as well.
I make some water to wash my sword and after wiping it with my hand towel put the blade back into it's scabbard.

I use {Cure All} twice each on my thigh and back where I can feel a bit of pain and after a total of six times along with my HP fully recovering the pain had completely disappeared. When using healing spells on yourself it's fine regardless of whether you touch the spot or not and the light won't show from below my armor, it's convenient being able to treat the bruises from being hit without anyone noticing. 

I turned around and called everyone over.

"Okonneru, Firenoto, gather the magic stones."

I ordered the two combat slaves who were making surprised expressions seeing my fighting strength to gather the magic stones and I gather my throwing needles while continuing.

"Mishausu-san, I leave the remaining combat to you. Feel free to use my slaves without restraint."

After placing the throwing needles in my right gauntlet, I opened up the map again. There should be another crossroad ahead of the left direction..Yeah, there is one. Let's start here next. No, or maybe this side is better? But, it's a bit far after all...

In the end everyone except me split up to gather the magic stones. As expected with just two people it would take too much time but I guess since there were no combat slaves in {Sun.Ray} who would gather the magic stones without saying anything, so they just didn't seem to pay any mind to it. If they split up with the 9 of them it shouldn't even take 20 minutes. Me? There's no way I'd do it. There's a lot of people after all.

Looking at the map while occasionally checking our surroundings and being alert is my job. I decided to think that while making excuses to myself for not working as I observed the corpses of the gnolls, hobgoblins, and goblins...It seems around half of them were female but after all it doesn't seem like any of them are pregnant. I've seen enough corpses of monsters to be tired of it in this Baldukk dungeon but I'm already used to how much the monsters I've defeated are lacking in livelihood. Confirming if any of them were pregnant has almost just become a habit. 

About the only living creature in the dungeon of Baldukk that gives of feelings of any sort of lifestyle are the fairies and it seems even they only have babies born once every several years to several decades. Since it seems they live a stupidly long period of time so it can't be helped that there's that much of an interval between but even they said they ate things like fruits from trees or grass and captured fish from the pond with magic. I don't really get it right.

I can hear the whispering voices of everyone while they're gathering the magic stones but I'm sure it's just about me, but since they've already become my subordinates it's kind of late for that. It doesn't really matter.

After we moved ahead a bit more just like with {Sooner} I watched their fighting from the rear.

Fumu, even after everything's been said and done as expected Haruku was first-rate. Things would probably be difficult for anyone other than Kamu of these members to act as leader. I think it's also big that Kamu's main arm is the bow so she can calmly look over the entirety of the battlefield but the timing she gives out orders is good as well. She gives each of the members their own role and keeps in mind positioning them so they can follow each other up.

I guess also because it's the 1st floor, other than Kamu and Misu who use the bow, everyone else is fighting at the front and they're using the bow to support when necessary. Since even Binsu who can use the spear and magic is standing at the front with a long sword in hand, the front line is built firmly. I guess you could say they're using their high abilities to live up to the face value of the {Butchers}.

There's no problem with my combat slave the former knight Okonneru either and since Firenoto is fortified with Rokko and Kevin on both sides, he's able to fight safely as well. The monsters on the 1st floor aren't very strong so rather than trying to come up with some complex formation, just like this having everyone line up at the front in a semi circle and supporting them from the back with the bow makes a better use of their attack power. When the number of opponents has decreased they can have both flanks move forward and at the same time have the center pull back to easily switch to surrounding them from all directions as well.

When I was showing a bit admiration, it seems that Toris and Bel, the members of the {Slaughterers} who were dispatched as leaders were taking command like this so she was just mimicking them.

However, I somehow felt a bit happy that it was proof they were properly trying to learn even from the command of some younger brats. This method only works until the 2nd floor or so. Not to mention only when they have a member of the {Slaughterers} who can use healing spells at a decent level. Starting from the 3rd floor the monsters start to get a bit stronger, so as expected it's difficult to use, and they properly understand that.

I worked them to the bone until evening. Everyone was completely exhausted from the tension and consecutive battles. While Firenoto never suffered any actual injuries, he ended up throwing up from fatigue. Obviously after we returned to the surface I forced him to eat dinner. He's still only 21 years old. Since he's young I'm sure he'll be alright.

"Tomorrow I want to see how much time it takes for you to reach the teleport crystal on the 1st floor. I'll follow from the very rear. Leave being cautious of things from the back to me."

When I smiled and said that to Kamu and she said, "..I thought it would be about time..Well there's no choice than to give it our best." while looking at me. And then asked, "Hey, do you intend to make me the leader?"

"Hn..I guess so, since you were also recommended by Haruku-san, you're one of the candidates. But, just as I said previously I don't want to decide. I have no intention of pushing something someone doesn't want to do on them either. Also, in regards to switching members between the teams I also intend to take my time and see through things. Excluding a few exceptions I fundamentally intend to split the teams up based on abilities after all. I intend to do some member changes this month so it's fine not to think too deeply about it for now."

After I said that Kamu made a surprised face and happily said to everyone.

"Jusst a moment, listen to this. It seems this month he's going to split up the teams in a new way!"

Hearing that everyone got excited.

"Oho! Are you serious! I want to join the {Slaughterers} as well!"
"Idiot, that's impossible for you~ Even the other day you were done in by Maruso right."
"I'm, not good with the bow or spells like Bel..I guess it's no good.."
"I think I could probably win against Saji!"

Hey now, is it fine not to ask how I intend to make the selection?
Well I guess it's not something that needs to be said now.

"Everyone! Be quiet. We still haven't heard the method for selecting members."

"That's right. How do you intend the members up?"

It can't be helped~

"Yeah, anyone who wants to enter the {Slaughterers} will first have to show that they have the bare minimum stamina. Or to put it more frankly it will be how quickly you can run a fixed distance. I intend to put some observers along the running route so you can't cheat. If you can run it within the time I've decided then you'll gain the right to challenge. After that while there's "some exceptions" it's fine for you to challenge anyone. However, the opponent you challenge must use the same type of weapon. On top of that, since I also want to see your cooperation I'll have you do a three on three practice match rather than one on one.
Of course it's fine for you to use magic as well. If out of three matches you win the most then it's fine to switch you out."

If it's this then can I at least drag it out six months to a year? Tomorrow I'll have Miduchi who's leading {Sooner} run at her maximum speed..No, on the next break I'll have Basutoral run at his maximum speed and measure the time. Wouldn't it be fine if I make the time about one minute faster than that?





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