bookpower Chapter 440: Giant Step (2)
Chapter 440: Giant Step (2)
The green light that had momentarily flashed had long since faded, but a heavy silence lingered in the air.
“.......”
“.......”
They looked like students who had just been scolded by a strict teacher.
It was a pitiful sight, but for some reason, it only made me more irritated.
‘I should have just stayed home and slept.’
They were all so complacent.
How could they be so ignorant?
I didn’t come here to listen to this garbage.
‘Ugh, I’m so sleepy...’
Maybe I was just being irritable because I was tired.
No, that had to be it.
If I were in my normal state, I wouldn’t be this easily annoyed, and even if I was, I wouldn’t let my emotions get the better of me.
Thump, thump.
I was starting to regret coming here.
Should I just end this and go home?
Hmm, that would be a shame...
Thud.
I finally made my decision and spoke.
“One more time.”@@@@
Right, let’s give them another chance.
Maybe they’ll surprise me.
“I’ll give you another opportunity.”
I glanced around, and the members flinched, avoiding my gaze.
It was a satisfying sight.
They would be more likely to reveal their hidden information if they felt pressured.
And...
‘Thankfully, no one’s objecting.’
They had naturally skipped my turn.
‘It was all garbage.’
That one statement had allowed me to skip an entire round.
‘Now I’m feeling a bit better.’
As I was thinking that...
One of the members stepped forward.
“...Then let’s go in reverse order this time. Pfft.”
Clown, still chuckling despite the tense atmosphere, looked at me.
I had some expectations.
There was a hint of determination in his voice.
He must have been confident in the information he had prepared.
“But before we begin...”
He looked at the other members and said,
“I hope no one’s planning to freeload this time.”
At first, I thought he was targeting me...
But I soon realized he was giving them a warning.
He was telling them to bring their A-game, just like he was.
“.......”
No one responded to his warning.
But he must have taken their silence as a yes.
He placed his hand on the jewel.
And...
“Noark is planning to invade the city.”
“......!”
The moment the green light flashed...
The members’ eyes widened in shock.
I was also surprised, even though I didn’t show it.
“I-invade the city?”
He wasn’t talking about the war in the labyrinth, but an actual invasion of the city.
It meant that the explorers who had escaped to the outside world were planning to attack Lafdonia.
“...Why?”
Fox asked, her voice trembling with confusion.
“You said the outside world was safe. Why would they do that?”
It was a valid question, and I had been wondering the same thing.
Why were they still in the labyrinth, even though they could escape to the outside world?
And now they were planning to invade the city?
‘...Is the situation outside that bad? Or do they have a reason to destroy the royal family?’
If it weren’t for this situation, there would have been no reason for her to reveal this information.
Damn it... this is my fault.
‘Well, it’s not a big deal.’
I tried to be positive.
There was no guarantee that the Guild Master was on our side.
And maybe this would lead to new information.
‘Hmm... maybe she’s even thinking about that.’
I focused on observing their reactions.
Clown seemed surprised, while Queen’s expression was unreadable.
Goblin glanced at Fox with concern, and...
“Adnus... sent a saboteur...?”
Stag Antlers, who seemed to be from the royal faction, was the most surprised.
So they didn’t know anything about it.
“Well, it’s a green light, but...”
Crescent Moon, who had been silent until now, spoke cautiously.
He was looking for any objections.
But...
“Pfft, well... it’s a bit lacking, but...”
“The previous information was also something no one else knew.”
Fox’s turn ended, barely passing the minimum requirement.
Now it was Goblin’s turn.
“...I-it’s my turn now...”
Please, don’t say anything stupid.
“Why are you so nervous? Pfft. No one’s expecting anything from you.”
“Well, that’s just your opinion, isn’t it?”
“Pfft, are you saying Queen is different?”
“...Even a squirrel has a nut hidden in its cheek during winter.”
It was an ambiguous statement.
Goblin seemed to have taken it as a compliment.
“Pfft, this guy has no shame. Anyway, just get on with it.”
“Ah, y-yes... A d-divine message... a divine message was received, but—”
“...Another divine message? Does the Goddess of the Leathlas Church have that much to say?”
“I-it’s from the Tovera Church! Not our church!”
“Hmm? The Tovera Church?”
“Yes! The Tovera Church! They’re known for rarely giving out divine messages—”
“Just tell us the content.”
Goblin sighed and got to the point.
“The Sage of Eternal Life has returned.”
One sentence.
It received a green light, but the reactions were lukewarm.
“...Is that all?”
“Yes... that was the message.”
Clown chuckled, and Queen asked a follow-up question.
“Was there any commentary from the Cardinal or the High Priests? That would help us evaluate the information.”
“...No, there wasn’t. I-I only managed to... overhear the message itself...”
Goblin sounded flustered.
He hadn’t expected this reaction.
Well, this round was a bit unusual.
Normally, any divine message would be accepted without question.
‘...Should I help him out?’
I didn’t know what he would say if I left him alone.
I decided to intervene.
“Pfft, it seems like everyone thinks it’s a bit lacking. How about you try again with something else—”
“The Sage of Eternal Life...”
“............Yes?”
It was a tactic only I could use at this gathering.
The...
“So he’s back...”
...Lion Style.
Fifth Form, Interest Judgment.
“This is interesting.”
What are you going to do about it?
“......!!”
[Dungeon and Stone] is a team game, after all.