Volume 12 - CH 9

I came across Gallard's squad arguing on the ninth layer.

"Looks like a lot of your guys got killed."

I said, feeling a little sympathy for them. Gallard himself had blood on his white armor and seemed to be injured, though he had recovered.

"Yeah, We just got hit by a Greater Demon in the small room over there. That's terrible, Alec-san. It wasn't a gargoyle, it wasn't a simple enemy."

Gallard complained while laughing.

"Yeah, that's why I told you "it was so strong". Did you think it was a high-level-body Gargoyle? I didn't mean it like that. ...... We retreated before we could appraise the gargoyle-like thing, so we didn't know its definitive name. So it was a Greater Demon after all."

"Damn it, you set us up, didn't you? You knew that thing were Greater Demons!"

The bearded warrior of Gallard's squad was furious, but I wasn't trying to set them up.

"Pedwick, please calm down. It's our fault for underestimating his advice about how that thing "Strong"."

"But there are other ways to say that. Of course there was!"

"Wait a minute. Can I say something? It seems as if it's our fault that there were deaths, but it's your fault for misjudging the enemy and timing your retreat, right? Even if you don't, the ninth layer is a tough one, and I think it's time to stop putting the blame on each other. Will the top A-ranked clan, "The Seeker of the Holy Grail", be demoted?"

Saki countered a little more forcefully.　

"Yes, I'm sorry. He was also a little upset because of the death of our companion."

Gallard apologized.

"Yeah, I don't mind. We both do. I know how you feel."

I looked at the group behind Gallard, but Letty didn't seem to be here.

It seems that no matter how high a level magicians you are, you can't be a regular in the team right away. It's a big deal.

"Then, good luck, Alec-san."

Gallard turned his hand toward us as if to say, "Go ahead," as he headed east. However, this is also the fork in the road to the Greater Demon to the north.

"Aren't you going?"

"We've just finished exploring this western side. There's still the north and east, but I haven't decided which way to go."

"If you want to take on the Greater Demon, go ahead."

"Well, don't rush me. You don't have a problem with us resting here, do you?"

"That's not going to happen. We're going to challenge the Greater Demon to a rematch. We can't show our cards to another clan, let alone a rival."

"What? You're challenging them again?"

The Gallard squad, which seemed to have retreated just a few minutes ago due to the death toll, seems to be planning to do it again soon even if their numbers are reduced.

Why are they in such a hurry?

"Yes, we misjudged the enemy's level earlier, but we won't be caught off guard this time. We've got enough people to do it."

In the background, Gallard's comrades were looking reluctant, but it seemed that not all of them agreed with Gallard's policy.

"It's none of my business, but wouldn't it be better for you to go back to surface and get the members together? I'm sure there's no shortage of people to fill in at your place."

"In the meantime, Alec-san going to go ahead and get the treasure chest all to yourself?"

"There are more difficulties ahead anyway. It's not like we'll have it all to ourselves. Besides, we started the ninth layer later. Don't keep it to yourself, Gallard."

When I said this with a smile, Gallard's face twisted into a grimace. Well, the truth is, we're way ahead of them, so they probably haven't even opened the treasure chest.

"Well then, Alec-san, let's make a deal."

Gallard said.

"A deal?"

"Yes, we have no right to stop you from watching the fight here. But it's not a good thing for us. So we'll give you half of the drop for killing the Greater Demon. So, Alec-san, why don't you go east first?"

Well, that's not a bad deal.

"Garrard-san! You're going to split the treasure with these guys? A Greater Demon would be a rare find, you know?"

"Half is too much. A gold coin will do."

A dissatisfied voice came from behind, but Gallard held up one hand to signal his companions to shut up.

"The gold coins are not very good for an A rank party. Isn't that right? Alec-san."

Gallard said.

"Yeah. But I'm willing to make a deal, depending on the amount. Well, how about 10 million gold?"

I'll take my chances here.

"That's bullshit!"

"That's a mess!"

"You want me to give you all my money?"

Well, you'll be angry. But this is just a suggestion. Still, it's quite a feat to have 10 million saved up.

"You've got to be kidding me. I can't give you more than 3 million gold."

"Then we'll settle for the Greater Demon's treasure."

"Yeah. I'll let you know what drops I get, but I'll leave it up to you to decide which of them you want to give away. Is that okay?"

"That's all right."

When I agreed, Gallard and the others smiled, looking a little surprised. Monsters sometimes drop money too, not items.

"But it's only half of what they drop. If only one item is found, you will receive three million gold."

"Very well."

Now Gallard and the others will always get the better items. Well, they're the ones who are going to defeat them, so that's fair enough.

There is also the option of us defeating them first, but that would mean that Gallard and the others would have to watch the battle. We also don't want Gallard to see what we're up to.

And to be honest, four Greater Demons is a lot to take in. I wasn't confident that I could win without anyone dying.

"All right, let's go."

We head east at the crossroads.

"Hey, Alec, what are we going to do if they lie and say they didn't find anything?"

Lily made an unnecessary worry.

"We'll just take the three million gold then. Besides, Gallard is the leader of an A-ranked party with a big name. He wouldn't be so greedy."

"I'm not sure about that..."

Lily seemed to be concerned about the Greater Demon's drop, but it was also a life-threatening.

If Gallard and the others can defeat them, so much the better. If you think about it, it's not a loss.