CH 34

As I sat by myself in the sunny mess hall like I had bought out the place, a shadow suddenly appeared over my table. “Why are you sitting there and smirking to yourself, Jun? Are you alright?”

“Oh, Axion. I didn’t notice, I am working.”

I hurriedly wiped the mirth off my lips as Axion stared at me oddly. “Do you always make that… strange face when you’re working?” he asked.

“Haha. Well… It’s a rewarding task.” I laughed it off awkwardly, and Axion sat across me with worry on his face.

“You really are a piece of work,” he commented. “To think you have the leisure to laugh, even with the burden of forming a special unit.”

“Just because I’m burdened doesn’t mean I have no reason to laugh.”

The authority to form a team however I liked was immense. It was a happy trouble of making the selection and deciding who to raise first, so there was no reason to grow serious. Clearly, though, I was alone in my excitement as Axion sighed deeply. “Even with the profiles, you’ll need to see them in person to understand their talent and potential, but everyone’s busy avoiding you…”

“I have a way around that even if they continue hiding, so it’s fine.”

The numbers of the status window didn’t lie, and while they were busy avoiding me now, once I proved the insight I had? Every single one of them would be scrambling to earn my favor. Imagining the future, it was all too easy to laugh off this degree of hardship. “Besides, they can hate it all they want but they have no right to refuse my choices,” I added with a chuckle. “The unit will ultimately be made the way I want so don’t worry about it.”

“That’s not what I’m worried about.”

“Then what is it?”

“I worry about what’ll happen after the unit is formed,” he said and then paused, seemingly reluctant to continue speaking, but he couldn’t maintain his silence. After a long period of hesitation, he continued, “Seeing how averse they are to you already, there’s no knowing how obedient they’ll be inside a dungeon. Uncertainty leads to anxiety. It’s not that I don’t trust in your capabilities, but anything could happen inside a dungeon. You need to have at least half of the unit on your side.”

“You fear a mutiny.”

Axion nodded heavily. The world of dungeons abided by the law of the jungle. I was a useful but not powerful mage when it came to clearing dungeons. Therefore, it was natural to think that I’d have no way of getting out by my own power if the worst situation happened.

“…Truthfully, as far as this matter is concerned, I think His Excellency made a hasty decision. Should things not go as planned, I volunteer to accompany you several times.”

As concern colored Axion’s face, I realized I was truly in a pickle if the situation was bad enough for him to worry about the duke’s decision. Then again, I had to admit: genius ability and experience were two different things. All Axion knew was that I only had one experience in clearing a dungeon, and I was just tagging along during that, too. I was sure he felt dubious and worried as personally leading an expedition was a whole different matter.

“Thanks for looking out for me, Axion.” I smiled. In reality, I didn’t lack such experience; perhaps I had even more dungeons under my belt than Axion. As for any mutinous members in my unit… My plan accounted for that as well. “Since the captain said he’ll send a member on his behalf, I’m sure nothing major will happen. And if something does happen… I have a trick up my sleeve.”

As a support mage, I had no offense, defense, or healing magic. However, I had something else. If someone didn’t have any teeth, they wouldn’t starve—they just had to chow down with their gums or whatever.

In the branch of support magic, there was a spell called Divine Devotion that transferred all damage suffered to a specific party member. Its purpose was to aid in the survival of important members with relatively weak health. It was the very skill I had used on Fabian back then, sacrificing my arm in exchange for his.

About it being a sacrificial skill, well… That was a matter of perspective. In case of mutiny, the spell could also transfer any damage I suffered to another corps member. Of course, I would keep this tidbit secret; everyone would feel disgust and aversion if they found out the mage they entrusted their back to had that sort of spell.

Axion’s eyes widened and he urged me to solve his curiosity. “What is this trick you speak of?”

“It wouldn’t be a trick if I told you.”

“You’re going to keep it a secret even to me? Now that’s sad,” he lamented.

“I’m sure you have one or two secrets as well, Axion.”

Axion groaned and clicked his tongue—I had hit the bullseye. “Well, then… Seeing how confident you are, I’ll worry a little less. Also, you said His Excellency would send someone with you… Did he mention who he’ll choose?”

“He said he would tell me only when it was decided for certain. To be honest, I thought it’d be you,” I confessed. “I assumed that was why you came to talk.”

“Goodness, you make it sound like I’d never come to talk to you unless I had some business,” he said sullenly.

“That’s not what I meant, but maybe you have a guilty conscience.”

“Haha.” It was only after an exchange of jokes that Axion’s expression eased and he seemed less worried. “Yes, well… I’m sure His Excellency has his own thoughts. He’ll definitely send you someone capable,” he muttered.

“I believe so too.” I nodded in agreement. I didn’t care whether that somebody was a watcher or not. I only hoped they would be useful.