Chapter 3.1: Escape (3)

An identified man wearing a black robe.

But at first glance, his attitude was extremely cautious.

I noticed right away that the other person was firmly mistaken about this situation.

…Can it be because of what happened to the warrior?

Were you watching me kill the warrior?

So, did this person perceived me as something more dangerous?

…Definitely misunderstood. If that was the case, the reaction was understandable.

If it wasn’t like that, what else could be the reason a strong person comparable to the warrior be wary of a prisoner chained like this?

Anyway, for me right now, this illusion was something I was truly grateful for. So, I tried to keep my expression as expressionless as possible to match the rhythm.

The other had been asking who I was, but since I wasn’t sure how to answer, it’s better to just shut up.

If I showed any emotional agitation for no reason, it would put me in a more disadvantageous position.

“I am a member of the Calderic Monarchy, Dayphon. Not affiliated with the Rognar Kingdom or Santea Empire Alliance.”

The man introduced himself first.

“…Calderic Monarchy?”

What was Calderic?

It’s one of the four major powers in RaSa, which divided the power of the continent along with Santea.

Could this guy be responsible for the current situation?

Besides the warrior, even Calderic. What the hell were these people doing gathering in this one convoy?

I was just guessing, but some unusual power struggle must be involved.

More than that, the important thing to me right now was not their purpose or background, but my immediate survival.

I glanced at the other and asked;

“What did you do to the ship?”

The shaking hadn’t stopped since a while ago. But It’s not like it’s sinking or anything like that…

“If you want to know the condition of the hull, the convoy will soon sink without reaching Archemon.”

Hmm…?

Unknowingly, my poker face broke in an instant.

I would be soon be sentenced to drown in the middle of the sea, so I couldn’t help but frown.

“Why is someone like you a prisoner in a convoy?”

I also wanted to grab the guy who threw me into this game and ask him, so please shut up.

What now?

Hands and feet were still tied. And in the meantime, the ship was said to be sinking soon. In addition, a monster close to level 90 was standing in front of me.

Far from improving, the situation was only getting worse.

Even if I kept my cool, was there any way to survive this situation?

Cooong!

The hull, which shook more violently, warned that time was running out.

But why is that guy so relaxed?

No matter how high the level was, could you escape the middle of the sea with your bare body?

But hey, he’s the one responsible for this, so there must be an escape route.

Whether if there’s another ship prepared or teleporting… Ah.

I realized that I was thinking too much.

That there was only one lifeline to lean on in this situation.

If I can get help from this person…

If so, wouldn’t it be possible to at least avoid being buried with this ship?

But the obvious problem was…

There’s no way he’ll help me.

What reason did he have to do that?

There’s clearly a ‘boundary’ between us.

Since he didn’t know my strength, it must have been that he was taking a cautious attitude and not recklessly attacking.

In such a situation, could I really ask for help?

In fact, there was a much higher chance that my neck would be blown off immediately after he discovered I was nothing more than an insignificant piece of trash.

However, he was my only way out.

If I wanted to prolong my life, I had to think of a way.

Whether it’s using the delusion he’s harboring for me or whatever, he had to find a way to escape somehow…

“Would you like to go with me? To Calderic’s overlord’s castle?”

…What?

I looked at him, hiding my dumbfounded expression.

“The Overlord is someone who values ability above else. Race, origin, and your past don’t matter in Calderic. A man like Sir is sure to be welcomed by the Overlord.”

“…”

“Calderic differs from Santea in many things. At least there are many things that will interest you more than a land only for humans.”

Even the title had changed to ‘Sir’.

But what was he saying now?

It was unexpected, so it took me a while to understand.

…Was he scouting me?

Was that guy now proposing to recruit me to his faction?

No matter how much he overestimated my existence, but, seriously, to a prisoner whose identity was unknown?

More than I thought, I realized he was deeply mistaken about something.

Of course, this was a great opportunity.

The situation where he offered to take me out here without me desperately putting on a show.

If I accepted the offer, I could escape safely from this sinking ship. But…

The problem is what will happen after that.

In reality, I was just a scumbag with no special abilities. So, what was I going to do once I reached Calderic?

And what? Overlord Castle? He’s going to take me directly to the Overlord of Calderic?

I’d rather stick my head through the tiger’s jaws.

…But there was no other way.

Whether it’s being crushed by the wreckage of a collapsing ship or drowning in the sea, if I didn’t accept this offer, I would surely die on the spot.

Right now, my priority was to live. I’d just think of the aftermath later.

After a long silence, I quietly opened my mouth.

“Is this a recruitment offer?”

“Of course.”

A quick answer came back.

“It’s Calderic…” I muttered that and then continued, “It’s a little interesting.”