Chapter 174 173. How about getting some external help?
The atmosphere in the Adventurer's Guild's meeting hall was solemn.
It was still the core members of "4+1": Fal, Solarin, Fifteen, Aidin, and Lillian standing behind Aidin.
Solalin clenched his fists so tightly that his knuckles turned slightly white. He was the first to speak in a low, self-blaming voice: "It's my fault. When there were unexpected casualties on the second floor, I should have realized that the situation was out of control and immediately led the team to withdraw. It was my underestimation of the enemy and my reckless advance that led to this tragic defeat."
Fifteen spoke up next, his tone carrying a hint of regret that could not be concealed: "The responsibility lies with me. I had the chance to kill the 'Puji King' at that time, but I failed to seize the opportunity and let it escape."
Aidin's eyes swept over the two of them, wondering if he should also symbolically admit his mistake?
But thinking back carefully, apart from running faster than others when we were defeated...it seems that I didn't make any fatal mistakes?
He ultimately remained silent.
“Ah,” Fal raised his hand to stop the two from reflecting on themselves, “The root cause is my misjudgment. The huge number of more than 2,000 Pujis, the diamond-level strength of the Puji King, plus the carefully laid ambushes and traps… these far exceeded my original expectations.”
He looked around at everyone and confessed, "I was too impatient and made hasty plans based on false or outdated intelligence, which led to this failure. The primary responsibility lies with me."
"What happens after that..." Aidin asked tentatively.
"Re-collect and organize intelligence and formulate a new plan of attack." Fal's answer was firm.
At this time, Lillian, who was standing behind Aidin, spoke softly with a hint of doubt: "Can't we... try to negotiate with them and seek peaceful coexistence? Since they have high intelligence, they should be able to communicate through 'telepathy', right? This time, Puji released everyone back, so why not try to communicate?"
Farr turned his gaze to Lillian, his eyes were complicated, with understanding, but more of an unshakable consideration of reality: "I'm sorry, Lillian, this won't work."
His voice was clear and calm, and he analyzed the situation in detail:
“The Purple Crystal Underground City is not some insignificant isolated island overseas that can be occupied if you want.
It is the production point of various resources, magic crystals, medicinal materials, monster materials...
These puffs did not just occupy a certain floor, but invaded the entire dungeon and continued to spread!
If this is left unchecked, the consequences will be disastrous.
Even if we put aside the issue of resource output——"
Falton paused and emphasized, "This place is in the rear of the United Kingdom! The friction with the Hermit Empire is getting worse and worse. There's no telling when a war will break out. If we don't get rid of these Pooji before then, they will become a huge destabilizing factor after the war begins."
He looked directly at Lillian and gave a cold conclusion: "Unless the King of Puji walks out of the dungeon right now and puts himself under human control, we will have to find a way to deal with it. Do you think that a monster leader who has just defeated the human expedition team and demonstrated great strength and wisdom will accept such humiliating conditions?"
Lillian was silent for a moment, and finally shook her head slightly.
Having just won the victory, you surrender unconditionally in the blink of an eye?
This is indeed unlikely.
"Yes, it's impossible." Farr's voice was full of determination. "So, the so-called communication now is unnecessary. It won't be too late to talk after we defeat it!"
Soralin nodded silently. Even though Puji had just spared her life, the reality was much more complicated.
She is first and foremost the sharpest sword of the church, and her cold duty always takes precedence over personal feelings.
All I can say is that if the King of Puji ends up in her hands, she will try her best to give it a chance to choose, instead of just killing it outright...
Immediately, she raised the most realistic question at the moment: "But our current manpower is not enough to support a new round of crusade, right?"
Adventurers can no longer count on ordinary combat power. In a tragic mission where the death and serious injury ratio exceeds one-third, few people would be willing to go even if there is a high bounty.
Sending out guild quests again would only be a waste of time.
In terms of high-end combat power, the terrifying strength displayed by Puji is heart-pounding.
Even with the addition of the maid Lillian, their strength seemed to be a drop in the bucket when facing the diamond-level King of Puji and his huge mycelium army.
Farr knew this very well: "So next I will wait for the 'experts' to arrive before taking action. Before that, I will try to recruit a few more diamond-level adventurers through special channels."
"Well..." Aidin suddenly spoke up, carefully choosing his words and suggesting, "Why not consider seeking more external help?"
"Foreign aid?" Fal's eyes subconsciously turned to Solarin. The church was the most important foreign aid for this operation, but -
Soralin shook her head slightly, her tone apologetic: "I'm afraid not. The core strength of the church is currently focused on hunting down the empire's spies, and there is not enough space to spare."
Aidin: "I'm not referring to the church, but the Duke of Alama and the Saint Clair family. The Amethyst Dungeon is located on their fiefdom. Although it is under the jurisdiction of the Guild, once the dungeon has problems and causes catastrophic consequences, their territory will be the first to bear the brunt! Why not seek some support from them?"
Fal sighed and said, "That's true. But Duke Alama is leading the main force to confront the Hermit Empire at the border. The forces left behind in the fiefdom must be as mired in the spies crackdown as the church. It's hard to say whether they can spare some manpower to help us."
Aidin took a step forward, his tone carrying a barely perceptible confidence: "To be honest, I have some friendship with the Duke's only daughter. We can send a letter to her. If it works, it will be a pleasant surprise. Even if it doesn't, we won't suffer any loss."
"Do you know the Duke's daughter?" Fal murmured with a gleam in his eyes.
This is not entirely impossible.
Aidin's usual aristocratic style is not without purpose.
Farr knew that he was a genuine nobleman - although he was just a viscount who had long since fallen and lost his real fiefdom.
But it is reasonable for a diamond-level adventurer and noble to meet the Duke's daughter at a social event.
After all, as Aidin said, if a letter can be exchanged for the support of even a team of soldiers under the Duke, it will be a sure-win business.
If it sinks into the sea, it will be of no value.
"Okay!" Farr made a prompt decision. "Then I'll have to ask Lord Edin to write a letter on my behalf. If the matter is successful, I will definitely thank you!"
——
[Level increase: LV56 → LV57]
[Seven Sins of Greed Trigger]
[Plundering Skill: Holy Barrier LV2]
[Plundering Skills: Heavy Armor Mastery LV4→LV5]
[Plundering skills: Light magic LV3→LV4]
[Plundering Skill: Human Common Language LV8→LV9]
…
…
…
On the sixth floor of the dungeon, a green mushroom was reviewing his plan.
If the operation goes well this time, we may be able to expand to the surface smoothly.
Although the main goal now is still to capture the core of the dungeon.
But...what if it fails?
What if this dungeon is already terminally ill and the core cannot be saved?
Before thinking about victory, think about failure first. It’s always a good idea to prepare yourself several retreat routes!
(End of this chapter)
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