The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

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The Villainous Noble Who Kept Rewinding After Death: The Story Somehow Changed When I Committed Suicide

Chapter 322: Strategy Meeting

Guided by Rai, we moved to a separate room and sat around the map laid out on the table, immediately starting the discussion for this mission.

“Alright, let’s get started on this request. The location is a canyon about five days’ travel by carriage from the southern gate of the imperial capital. Apparently, there’s a gate inside a cave that leads to a dungeon.”

“A gate, huh? That means the dungeon’s rank is at least A or higher.”

“Most likely.”

It’s worth mentioning that there are two types of dungeons.

The first type is the door-type, like the Icy Fake in the Valentine Duchy or the Morning Star at the academy. These doors have existed since the dungeon appeared, allowing entry into the dungeon by passing through them.

The second type is the gate-type, like this one, which has no doors, just an entrance that looks like the space is warped.

Additionally, the gate-type has a higher concentration of magic power, making the monsters inside stronger than the usual ones, placing it at a minimum of A rank.

“Have you sent a vanguard team for this dungeon yet?”

“No, we haven’t. Even though our clan is SS rank, we couldn’t send a vanguard team easily this time. Besides, our clan is smaller with fewer members compared to others, so we can’t move without any measures in place.”

“So, that means we’re the first ones to enter the dungeon.”

“Yep, isn’t it great?”

“Heh. It’s so great that it makes me wanna laugh.”

A completely new dungeon with no information at all.

It’s like leaving my footprints on freshly fallen snow, making my heart dance with excitement.

“How many of us are going?”

“Twenty in total, including Eir and the others. We’re keeping the number just right—not too many, so we can maneuver in case anything happens.”

“Sounds reasonable. Olga is the leader this time, so I’ll follow your instructions.”

“Got it. After we enter, everyone will stick together at first. Then, once we’ve grasped what kind of monsters will appear and what kind of dungeon it is, we’ll split into three groups to gather more information on area size and other details. One of those groups will include you six—how does that sound?”

“Sounds fine.”

“Great. We’ve already sent supplies like food close to the dungeon, so we just need to pick them up there. I’ve prepared a magic bag on this end, so we shouldn’t have too much baggage to worry about.”

“Haha. Truly, you’ve thought of everything.”

With our abilities, I can use storage magic, and Fiera and the others have items with storage magic too. Plus, we have the magic bag given to me by Void, the guild master of the Valentine Duchy, so we typically wouldn’t need it. But if Olga’s team has prepared it, it would be a hassle to transfer our things again, so I’ll gratefully use it this time.

“Any questions?”

“Yeah. Is Rai going to participate this time?”

“No. I won’t be participating. Just in case something happens, I’ll be waiting outside the dungeon with the other members.”

“That might be the better choice.”

Rai is also an SS rank adventurer like Olga, but he’s not the deputy clan leader.

However, he’s one of the executives and a skilled person good at espionage and assassination, so it’s best to have him outside ready to report to the Adventurers’ Guild in the imperial capital quickly if anything happens to us.

“Then, how long do you expect to be inside?”

“Three days in the dungeon. If we’re not out by then, I’ve instructed Rai to return to the capital to report.”

“And if we come out with nothing?”

“As long as we’ve gathered the necessary information, we wrap it up. If more investigation is needed, we’ll re-enter. We want to handle this request properly for future reference.”

“Got it.”

Although Olga looks big and scary, he’s really kind and takes good care of his juniors and teammates.

Indeed, he had mentioned during our recruitment that he supports newcomers who just became adventurers in our clan, and this time he likely wants to gather info so no other adventurer dies when they join later.

“Anything else?”

“Then, speaking of worst-case scenarios. What if there are a lot of powerful monsters inside, and we can’t handle it?”

“In that case, I and the other executives will hold them off, so during that time, you and the other teammates should escape. Just make sure to bring back that information alive.”

“So, you’ll be the rear guard?”

That’s a reasonable judgment.

In the worst-case scenario, strong allies would hold off the enemies while the weaker ones escape, bringing back vital information.

The strong might even die on-site, but bringing back such crucial information is certainly a smart strategy.

But…

“That kinda makes it sound like you’re saying I’m weak, and that’s a bit infuriating.”

“Huh? What are you talking about?”

“And also, that kind of makes it seem like I’m running away, which is even more irritating. So, in that case, I’ll stay behind too.”

“Whoa, whoa, don’t risk your life for such a nonsensical reason. We’re part of the clan, but you guys aren’t, right? So there’s no need for you to do that for us.”

“Haha. What’re you talking about? You were the one who initially invited me to join the clan even if we mostly act separately. Now that I’ve agreed, I’m officially a clan member. So, if I’m in the same clan as you, that also makes me one of the executives, right?”

“Tch. You just keep arguing. But if I make that choice, it means there’s a possibility of death. You’re still a student; you shouldn’t be risking your life in a place like this!”

“Don’t make me laugh, Olga. Have you forgotten what kind of person I am after not seeing me for a while? Do you think I would hesitate to risk my life? Just because I’m a student and young doesn’t mean I value my life any less than anyone else. Weren’t you the same at one point?”

“Uh… Well…”

There’s no way someone like Olga, who’s in his late twenties and an SS rank adventurer, got there purely by talent.

I had to defeat many dungeons and high-rank monsters to achieve my rank, so he must’ve gone through way more experiences than I have.

So I said that thinking he fought recklessly at my age, and from Olga’s reaction, it seems that wasn’t mistaken.

“Haha. Olga, this time you’ve lost. You’ll have to let Eir stay behind.”

“But Eir is still a kid and…”

“Hey, Olga. You said you’re staying behind because you’re stronger; you’re earning time for the ones escaping, right? So if you’re staying behind, how can I be the one to escape?”

“Yeah? Who says I’m weaker than you?”

“Forgot already? During the promotion test, you lost to me.”

“That was because you played the ambush card even though it was a test!”

“There’s no way such an excuse stands in a serious match. Especially in a life-or-death situation; you know those words and thoughts have no weight, right?”

“Tch…”

“Just give up, Olga. This time Eir’s point is more valid. You’re just letting emotions cloud your judgment.”

“Tch. Fine! If it ever comes to that, you stay behind too.”

“Roger that.”

In the end, thanks to Rai, even the reluctant Olga accepted that I’d stay behind in the worst-case scenario.

And of course…

“I’ll stay behind too.”

“I’ll stay behind too.”

“Please let me stay.”

“Of course, I’m staying too.”

“I’ll accompany Eir-san.”

The girls who had been silent all this time, like Fiera, also declared they would stay, and hearing that, Olga’s face twitched in confusion for once.

“No, no, no! Eir is okay to permit, but you girls can’t possibly stay! Especially Iris; it’s clear you’re hiding your noble status! If something happens, even if you survive, our heads will roll! Please spare us!”

“Don’t worry. I’ll write a will beforehand, so if I die and you survive, it won’t be a problem, right?”

“That’s a major problem! Eir! Please say something to stop her!”

“Ugh. I guess I have no choice. Iris, just listen to Olga and follow his commands this time. And you too, Fiera, Shuvina, Sonia, and Miria.”

“But, Eir-san…”

“I know you’ve all become stronger than before. But if Olga and I decide it’s dangerous and choose to stay, that means there are at least S-rank monsters in numbers. In that scenario, it would be a hindrance for you to be there, to be honest. Understand?”

“Are you saying we’re still not good enough?”

“Yeah.”

There’s no doubt that Iris and the others have gotten stronger since they just enrolled at the academy.

However, if we determine it’s dangerous, that indicates a horde of S-rank monsters or even higher rank monsters have appeared. So, they have the potential to become a burden.

Especially for Iris and Sonia, who mainly focus on magic; if their magic power runs out, they’re just burdens waiting for death, placing Olga and the others in danger as they’d try to protect them.

Hence, it’d be better if they evac with the other adventurers.

“What about me?”

“Shuvina, you’re a bit different. I recognize your strength. That’s why I want you to act alongside the evacuees and ensure they can safely exit.”

“I get what you mean. So, can I come back after making sure they’re okay?”

“Do as you like. Though I believe we’ll have wiped out all the monsters before that.”

“Hehe. Right! Then I’ll hurry and head out.”

“Eir. I’m staying behind.”

Iris, Sonia, Shuvina, and Miria seemed to reluctantly accept the decision but understood it. However, Fiera wasn’t about to budge an inch; she stated with eyes filled with determination.

“I’m not like Iris and the others; I’m not lacking in skill. Plus, I’m an SS rank adventurer, just like Eir. So, there shouldn’t be a problem with me staying.”

“But your position…”

“Don’t use that to back away from me. That argument doesn’t hold up.”

Fiera dodged the subject but was implying that he was in the same boat, not allowing the class difference to come between them.

“I think it’s fine.”

“Rai?”

When I was pondering I had no clue what to do regarding her unspoken plea, I heard an unexpected voice of support from Rai.

“I understand her capabilities well from when I faced her during the promotion test. With Fiera’s mobility and speed, she’d be quite useful in disrupting the enemy. Normally, I would handle that role, but as I mentioned, I can’t enter this time. But she could fulfill that role even better than I could. That way, it’ll also be easier for Olga and the others to fight, increasing the odds of survival. So, I support Fiera staying behind.”

“I’d prefer Fiera to stay as well if Eir is staying. Considering Rai’s reasoning, I think having you around would play a role in keeping Eir in check. He might do something reckless and end up dead, so it’d be a plus to have Fiera to help restrain him.”

“Got it! Count on me.”

Indeed, as Rai suggested, having Fiera around would confuse the enemy and enhance our extermination capabilities, especially if she uses fighting spirit and beast transformation.

Still, one issue loomed: what did Olga see me as when he mentioned keeping Eir in check?

“Plus, you were the first to say you’d follow my orders, right? But now that I’ve allowed you to stay despite your insistence, how about you follow my orders this time?”

“Sigh. Fine. I’ll leave it to your judgment.”

“Alright! Then it’s settled! Fiera, I’ll be counting on you if things go sideways!”

“Got it!”

“Well then, that wraps up the strategy meeting. We’ll take a short break before heading out, so make sure to confirm your final preparations. Rai, let’s go check on our supplies.”

Thus, the lengthy strategy meeting came to an end, and an hour later.

We boarded the carriage prepared by the guild and set off towards the canyon where the dungeon was located.