Jerome Saintred.

If I get rid of him, there’s a high chance all the problems will be solved.

They say the flap of a butterfly’s wings can create a distant typhoon. Since he is a key figure in the precognitive dream, removing him would cause a major change.

But…

‘How do I get rid of him?’

That’s the problem.

The plan to secretly take him somewhere isolated and quietly deal with him together with my comrades was close to impossible.

Not only would he never die so easily…

[He probably didn’t actually die. He’ll awaken in the royal palace.]

During my past journey, I saw it.

Jerome’s body shattered into particles of light like a fly at Auril Gavis’s hand.

I also had some guess about that power’s nature.

‘Eblus.’

A Grade 2 monster guarding one of the 8th floor’s rifts.

And one of his active skills is…

‘[Heretic Altar].’

When used, an ‘altar’ is created at the location, one of the few ‘revival devices’ in Dungeon & Stone.

If he dies, he always resurrects at the altar.

For reference, only one altar can be created, and it is destroyed after being used three times.

So, in other words…

‘Even if I assassinate him, once he returns to the city, he’ll be deemed a traitor and executed.’

The royal family likely entrusted Jerome Saintred with command of the expedition partly because of this skill.

In the worst case, he could survive alone and return to the city with information.

‘Hah… Why does he have to have such a skill.’

This situation makes me think we’re playing a game or something.

I continued to think about ways to get rid of Jerome Saintred, but no good method came to mind.

Rather, I only pictured the scene where the precognitive dream comes true after a failed attempt to kill him.

‘Seriously… Is this how it’s going to happen?’

Maybe nothing will happen if I just stay still.

Just when such thoughts began to arise–

Knock knock.

Two knocks and voices came from beyond the door.

“Come out, Yandel. It’s time for your shift.”

Right, for now, I’ll just get on with my work.

One day, two days, three days…

Time flowed like a river and the rainy season finally ended.

As always, a brief rainbow appeared and vanished, and the expedition’s recording crystal caught the scene perfectly.

After half a day’s rest for the mages who had suffered greatly during the rainy season,

“From now on, we will enter the island!”

Having spent several days on the ship, we finally landed and began serious exploration.

Like how Jeju Island is called Samdado because of its wind, women, and stones, Chief Island just after the rainy season had two things in abundance.

“Monster group spotted ahead!”

“Mutated individuals!”

Monsters.

And tens of thousands of mana stones scattered all over the island.

“If this scene became known outside, there’d be an uproar.”

“Shouldn’t the royal family control this much mana stone? This means we could regularly obtain this much every month…”

“Haha. That’s true from our perspective, but would the royal family be satisfied with just this? They probably earn way more from the checkpoints.”

Even Jerome, who said he wasn’t interested in mana stones despite the overwhelming wealth, frowned and warned.

“If anyone tries to steal secretly, they will be severely punished, so mages in charge of collection must be careful not to make mistakes!”

Geez, weren’t they saying they weren’t here to make money?

Still, the huge amount of mana stones boosted the expedition’s morale.

Normally, when the royal family sends troops into the labyrinth, it’s customary to distribute mana stone income as they see fit.

“We must make more achievements on this mission.”

“The rewards might change accordingly. I already had a magic tool I wanted to buy, so this is perfect.”

The members were happily dreaming of a bright future.

However, Jerome focused more on the mission, carefully collecting the scattered mana stones along the route but moving on the shortest path toward the goal…

“Baron, is this the right place?”

“Definitely.”

Thus, we arrived at the entrance of Chief Village.

However, no matter how much we looked under the hidden trees at the entrance, we only saw blocked land.

“What’s going on? Could they have noticed our presence?”

“I don’t know yet. Usually, after the rainy season, when monsters decrease, they come ashore and roam the island collecting mana stones.”

“Hmm, then we should wait for now.”

“Besides, even if they noticed us, they will have to come up eventually. They rely on mana stones as staple food.”

If they don’t want to starve, they can’t just hide under the village forever.

“Form a siege formation centered around this tree!”

Jerome then surrounded the village entrance and ordered indefinite standby. Meanwhile, he formed a special squad to collect the ownerless mana stones scattered around the island.

This special squad consisted of agile explorers with fast movement and mages who could swiftly gather mana stones…

“Sir… will you be alright until I return…?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll take good care of Tersia.”

Amelia and Elwen were also drafted from our Squad 4.

I wanted to block it somehow but couldn’t overrule the commander’s authority.

They had the right to command.

“This is separate from accommodating the baron. Once affiliated with our expedition, even temporarily, no differentiation in duties can be made.”

Every time Amelia and Elwen left for the special squad, my heart pounded, but nothing happened during the two days it took to gather all mana stones on the island.

‘Tomorrow will be day three since the rainy season ended…’

Maybe because monsters decreased?

We surrounded the trees and waited for them to appear.

“Yandel, why are you staring so intently?”

“Can’t you see? I’m on guard.”

Fixing my gaze on the tree, I answered, and Raven chuckled.

Geez, I’m not joking.

“So why did you come here? The mages’ place should be over there.”

“There’s nothing to do anyway. Research on materials obtained from the library is finished.”

“Finished? Did you find anything?”

“No. The opposite. We finally admitted there’s nothing to be gained from these materials and ended the research.”

“I see.”

Whether it was true or not, Raven came beside me and babbled about things he wanted to say.

“Maybe the best achievement from the library was that summoning book itself. Its name’s origin, for example. It clearly described monster characteristics that no research had revealed before.”

Yeah, I knew you’d love that the most.

“What’s with that sulky expression? This is a huge achievement! The academic world will be in an uproar when it gets out!”

“…Why should I care if the academic world floods or riots?”

Answering indifferently, Raven sensed my boredom and changed the topic.

“By the way… you said those monsters are called humans, right?”

“Suddenly?”

“Not suddenly. I’ve been curious since I first heard about them. What kind of individuals could they be? Oh, I’m curious about the chief who claims to be a dragon knight. Is it really him? If so, I have a lot of questions. It’s hard to find records from those days now…”

He thought he brought up a common topic, but I still found no fun in chatting with him.

Thinking about it, that’s always been the case with him.

He tends to talk at length.

“Raven…! Behind, behind…!”

“…!”

Startled, Raven turned around late and clenched his fist in frustration.

Geez, what’s he planning with those tiny hands?

“Ugh, annoying. Being a baron and all. Are you a kid?”

“The third magic corps deputy commander and acting like this? Aren’t you too naive?”

“…I was a fool to worry about a human.”

“I’m not human, I’m a barbarian. That’s a sensitive subject for me, so please be careful–.”

“Ah! Enough! I’m leaving now.”

Raven huffed and returned to his spot, and I watched with a chuckle.

It was quite a productive conversation.

The tension was a bit eased, making it more pleasant.

He’s always been quite fun to tease–

“Ma, master!!”

…Huh?

Turning my head toward the voice, I saw Auyen running, sweating profusely.

A thousand thoughts rushed through my head.

“Trouble! Big trouble!!”

What on earth happened?

Was there an accident?

But the village entrance is here.

Could there be another entrance?

While a storm of guesses ran through my mind, Auyen Rockrove delivered unexpected news.

“Lady Tersia! Lady Tersia is trying to kill a mage in the expedition! Please stop her!”

“…What?”

I rushed to where the incident occurred and saw.

“Don’t stop me!! I’m going to kill her. Kill her. Kill her…!! I’m going to kill her…”

Elwen screamed as if losing her mind.

And Amelia tightly held Elwen, trying to calm her down.

“…Ugh!”

A mage cowered behind a knight, terrified.

And the knights drew their swords, aiming to protect the mage.

“……”

Frozen, I stared blankly at the scene.

Though I didn’t know the details, somehow…

“Her hair…”

Elwen had short hair.

The incident’s cause was simple.

Half of temporary Squad 4, including Elwen, was on perimeter guard duty.

During that time, a monster approached from a vague location, and we fought alongside Squad 1, who shared the boundary.

The problem was…

“I-it was a mistake! It was a mistake! No one got hurt, after all…!”

A mage in Squad 1 miscalculated a magical orbital trajectory, and the wind magic struck Elwen.

An unexpected attack from an ally.

Luckily, she ducked quickly and avoided it, but her flowing hair was cut off.

Really damn unlucky.

“Are you… okay…?”

“C-Calm down…! Do you not realize this harms the baron too?!”

“Yandel! Do something! Stop her now…!”

Amelia’s words snapped me out of my daze.

Though Elwen changed to a short hairstyle, there was no immediate execution ceremony here.

First, calm the situation and think.

As I approached,

“You’re… here…?”

Elwen looked around frantically, saw me, screamed, and covered her face, then collapsed.

“No! Don’t, don’t look!”

Uh… was calming her a success?

I thought so, turning my head away as she requested.

Rustle.

Something blue moved between the dense trees.

“Uh…?”

Was I seeing things?

The village entrance was that way.

Suddenly my mind blanked, but my mouth opened and shouted the only thing I could say.

“It’s an ambush!!!”

They came out of the village.