Chapter 38
After finding three sets of Remains within the first ten floors, Yohan had naturally expected something from the next ten.
Unfortunately, he found nothing.
He returned carrying only the tastiest parts of the magic beasts he had hunted while searching.
Thanks to that, the expedition members could satisfy their hunger.
The search continued without rest for several days.
Searching for Remains was Yohan’s personal objective.
But everything else they were looking for concerned the whole group.
They also needed to solve the problem of food while staying here.
Because of that, several people, including Frank, focused mainly on obtaining supplies.
They had no choice but to use magic beast meat for most of their protein.
Fortunately, other necessities were easier to obtain.
Rivers flowed through most of the city, so drinking water was not a problem.
They could also purchase several kinds of emergency crops, tasteless bread, and dried fruit from residents.
“If we can’t find the Manuscripts, will we really have no choice except human sacrifice?”
“That comes last. First, I’ll try several methods I already know.”
“…I see.”
“Still, do your best. The Pnakotic Manuscripts should contain far more useful information than just a way to clear the eleventh floor.”
Four more days passed before they finally reunited with the other three factions.
It had been a while since they last met.
But this was not the time for jokes or relaxed conversation.
Everyone immediately began sharing what they had experienced and learned.
“The Pnakotic Manuscripts… If that grimoire contains a way to deal with the creature, then it’s worth searching for even if we have to take risks.”
The Were expedition, Vika Harad, had suffered almost no losses.
They had explored even more territory than the Imperial Expedition while gathering information.
“We didn’t find any useful information or good items, though…”
The dwarf soldiers had suffered some losses.
Led by Belvar, they focused on understanding the city’s environment.
“Surprisingly, there doesn’t seem to be a separate underground district. Maybe that’s because underground cities begin from the thirteenth floor. Either way, if things go wrong, there’s nowhere to hide except the outer district.”
The Elf expedition, Uel Ferda, had lost Nuadillen, one of their strongest members.
Under Commander Albern’s orders, they had focused on obtaining as much food as possible.
“Even beyond this floor, the farther down we go, the more likely we’ll have to stay for long periods… I admit our investigation was lacking. We also used many of the spirits we contracted on the way here.”
“…Well, we didn’t achieve much either. From now on, let’s move together. The real search is only beginning.”
The scattered bases were gathered into one location.
The expedition continued its work.
“Either way, the number of residents is extremely small compared to the size of the city. Empty areas can be searched quickly, so that should save us time.”
“Residents who aren’t believers can probably be put to sleep with magic or physically knocked unconscious… But whether they possess anything useful is another question.”
They had little to lose.
They needed to try everything possible.
With that mindset, they even took several dangerous actions.
They continued searching.
A full fifteen days passed.
They had now spent nearly twenty days searching for information and items, including the Manuscripts.
But they found no useful clue at all.
The only results were several weapons and pieces of armor, along with a few extra kilograms of emergency food.
“So in the end, we have no choice except forcing our way through…”
“If that’s the case, there’s no reason to delay any longer.”
On the morning of exactly their third week on the eleventh floor,
around three hundred elite expedition members began walking toward the inner city.
“Let’s go. To the museum. We’ll face Rhan Tegoth’s Apostle directly.”
At the same time Yohan’s group reentered the city,
various reports about them were being delivered inside the museum.
“It appears certain that they established their base in the outer city.”
“They’ve also been moving through the inner districts and asking residents various questions.”
“They appeared to be searching for something constantly… but they don’t seem to have found anything.”
Through the Eye connected to all the believers, Rogers had been receiving detailed information about everything the outsiders were doing.
He wiped dust from a decoration beside him.
Then he asked sharply,
“When did the Four Great Factions reunite?”
“…We don’t know exactly. But it seems they had already agreed to cooperate beforehand. They showed no hesitation at all about moving together.”
“No hesitation… So it was discussed beforehand, outside our range of observation. Any guesses about what they’re searching for?”
Unlike when they were simply reporting facts, the believers’ expressions slowly hardened when Rogers asked for their opinions.
“…Wouldn’t they naturally be searching for a way to avoid death?”
“Perhaps they’re looking for sacrifices. The outsiders’ goal is to clear the Dungeon, after all.”
“But if sacrifices were their goal, they could easily target residents who don’t belong to us… We saw no such movement. So perhaps they are searching for another method of clearing the floor…”
Several others carefully offered their opinions.
After hearing all of them, Wilhelm Rogers gave a cold snort.
“Hmph. Fools. Even death itself dies before the Great Old Ones, yet mortals cling so desperately to their worthless lives.”
“……”
“Their goal of clearing the Dungeon is also ridiculous. That means they believe they can overcome the trial created by me, Rogers, and by the One I serve. Arrogant creatures. Their pride truly knows no limit.”
“Exactly, hahaha.”
“That is certainly true.”
“…Well, from their perspective, perhaps they had no other choice.”
Everyone froze.
The last words came from Believer 331.
Every gaze, including Rogers’s, immediately turned toward him.
“Ah, ah… What I meant was, they’re inferior and foolish creatures, so they probably don’t even understand what kind of place this is. Yes.”
Realizing too late that he had misspoken, the believer hurriedly waved his hands and added explanations.
But Rogers’s cold eyes continued staring straight through him.
Rogers had already decided what would happen to Believer 331.
However, he did not announce it immediately.
There was a reason.
He had not finished sorting through everyone yet.
With a cold smile, Rogers extended his arm.
“Surely… none of you sympathize with them? Surely you do not understand the foolish thoughts of those outsiders who desperately search for someone to die in their place because they themselves do not wish to die?”
“O, of course not!”
“If our deaths would help His feeding, we would gladly offer our lives!”
“My body is unworthy, but I have still decided to exist entirely for Him! There is not a single falsehood in this faith!”
The believers desperately emphasized the strength of their devotion.
“Oh… really?”
“……”
Rogers looked at each believer with a wicked expression.
“Then you won’t object if I confirm whether those words are sincere, will you?”
“I’m confident!”
“Yes!”
