For Samuel, choosing between continuing or retreating wasn't an easy choice. He needed to consider more than just his own thoughts.
The injured adventurers reasoned for him to turn back but the sense of urgency in his heart couldn't be so easily suppressed. His fear of this hidden threat couldn't be so easily extinguished.
If they left who could guarantee that they wouldn't face another similar boss on the way back? This one respawned abnormally fast after all. They also might not have Eon to help them in a second attempt.
Well... maybe the quick respawn had something to do with the lich's sacrifice, so it could take longer next time. But Samuel couldn't verify that and as long as the possibility existed there was a risk involved with retreating.
It was at this time that Samuel remembered the words of Miller.
It was only a scouting mission.
The job was already done.
Retreat. Pushing forward would only lead to more casualties.
Eon similarly pondered on the matter for a bit before ultimately coming to the same conclusion. Retreating was the right choice, it certainly was for him.
Casting the black hole spell exhausted him physically. His age wouldn't allow him to continue further without risking complications. Outside of health reasons though, Eon also had some things to think about.
The mystery of how exactly William died was still unsolved but given the dungeon's unusualness, it was all but confirmed that the unexpectedly strong bosses had a hand in it.
Why couldn't William escape even after fleeing from the boss? Maybe he was ambushed while making his way out. The escape tool would only get him out of the boss room, long-range teleportation was after all not possible inside of this dungeon. William would have had to run out while injured.
Thus Eon closed this case. The loss was heartbreaking but it didn't take him very long to move on. It wouldn't be the first time he experienced something like this given his age.
He also only provided resources for his disciples until they proved themselves worthy of further tutelage. That was the whole point of them going on a journey, to achieve things with their own two hands, to prove themselves. In that way, he was only William's master in name.
Eon also had other things to contemplate and study before his years finally catch up thanks to this unique experience so to him so mulling over this wouldn't do him any good.
Suddenly, the creaking sound of the large gate opening up resounded in the silent hall. The tired adventurer's eyes finally glimmered with joy after hearing this. They could leave!
Since he already came to a decision, Samuel wasted no time in turning around and giving out his orders.
"Gather the injured and collect the bodies, we are leaving." He told in a loud voice, this was exactly what the adventurers wanted to hear. Were it not for the fact that some of their comrades had been injured or killed they would have probably broken out into loud cheers.
Samuel then sheathed the sleek green sword.
"We can discuss this later, I'll take it for now" Samuel told Eon while pointing at the blade. He didn't want to ruin the solemn atmosphere by discussing how to split the goods at this moment.
They would leave, but Samuel would make sure their return was swift even if he had to come alone.
***
In the orc thickets, a large march was currently underway.
Vorgarag announced his allegiance with Duma and how they would be temporarily reallocating themselves.
This was met by opposition by the residents since not only had Duma been their enemy, but they also weren't willing to so easily leave the place they were raised in and that they, as a community, built-up.
Luckily, Ed had also shared his half-true story with Vorgarag. It wasn't to lie to him but to use it as a tool to convince the orcs. After lots of coaxing and with the help of the human threat, Vorgarag managed to persuade them.
This was how the march was successfully carried out. The four of them were currently walking towards Duma's settlement through the lush forest.
Since they had the time Ed took the leisure to ask some relevant questions.
"Sharog, I am sure you know about the tribes in the area. Do you know of any that might want to join us?" Ed told Sharog who was walking alongside him. Surely Sharog as a smart orc didn't choose to infiltrate the nearest settlement to save her tribe at random.
"I might." Said Sharog as she thought deeply about potential candidates.
Vorgarag who listening in then stopped the march by turning around and waving around his arms as a signal.
"We will take a break here! It's getting dark!" Shouted Vorgarag towards the crowd. It wasn't that they would face any danger but rather that they needed sleep. Not only that but he also had a matter to discuss with Ed.
After everyone settled down, Vorgarag pulled Ed aside.
Sharog and Duma didn't pry, only Shel who had been following Ed from behind the whole time seemed anxious to go with them.
"How much time do we have?" Was the first question he asked Ed after pulling him aside.
"It depends." Said Ed as he pondered on the answer.
"If the humans are able to defeat the boss of the crypt-like place I told you about then we probably have a couple of days at most" Ed didn't know what floor he was in so he wouldn't be able to accurately pinpoint the time but a couple of days seemed about right for a couple of floors.
'Now that I think about it I never know what floor I am on' Maybe he should try asking the system next time.
"Hm? That seems pretty pessimistic. How do you know they will be able to defeat it?" Ed's previous retelling left out the result of the clash between the adventurers and the lich. Ed wasn't present but he did know the outcome from when he revisited the location. He just didn't share this with Vorgarag.
"The god actually took me back there today. I was able to confirm that they would probably eliminate the boss" Ed said while somewhat unsure.
The adventurers this time were much stronger and since they had already beaten the lich with a lesser force, this new one was likely going to breeze right through the boss then.
He came to this conclusion because he didn't know about how the bosses respawned. He assumed it was like the regular mobs though.
Vorgarag wasn't sure how to feel about Ed's answer. For one thing, it was pretty vague. And the other was the involvement of god.
Still, he chose to simply move on.
"How will we negotiate with the other tribes anyway?" Vorgarag asked. He also wanted to inquire about the knowledge Ed brought with him but he would have to wait until this matter was settled.
Vorgarag was talking about how they would approach the other settlements when asking but Ed was instead reminded of something else.
"Right, I have something else for you." He said as he carefully pulled a herb out of his bag,
Its state seemed to have deteriorated a bit as its mystical green glow was much fainter than when he plucked it but it was indeed the healing herb.
"What's this?" Said Vorgarag as he curiously examined the green herb.
"It's a healing herb, I found it by the cavern's entrance. We can probably use it in our negotiations as well." Ed said simply.
Hearing the answer Vorgarag's eyes widened. A healing herb! They hadn't gone extinct?!?
Vorgarag then calmed himself down, it might be a different plant but as long as it had healing properties it could be used for negotiating.
There was only one issue. If it was another plant after all then he might need to come up with his own alchemic formula when turning it into a healing solution. Although his teacher had only mentioned the healing herbs casually he still provided some directions to go about it.
He might need to start from scratch on this occasion though…
Which was a problem because he wasn't an alchemist! The shaman's healing techniques had all been lost with time. His teacher probably took the last bit of existing knowledge with him to the grave! How were they supposed to use this then?
Ed only watched as Vorgarag seemed to undergo different emotions quickly.
"Ed! What about the ancestor's knowledge? Did it mention anything about this herb?" Vorgarag asked in an unintentionally loud voice.
Ed frowned after hearing this question. Didn't it mean that Vorgarag couldn't use the herb after all? If that was really the case then they would only be able to rub it on surface wounds and even for such a task, its effectiveness might be restricted.
"Some of the information was damaged…" Ed said disappointedly. He was sure that with both the food and herbs they would be able to get the support of many but… if one was missing who could guarantee it?
But where were they supposed to get knowledge on alchemy then?