So, Kuilan and his bandit group were incorporated into my command.

Given their origins as bandits, some friction with the existing soldiers was inevitable, but time would surely smooth things out.

On the carriage ride back to the mansion, I examined Kuilan’s status window. Let’s see.

[Kuilan (SR)]

- Level: 40

- Title: Bandit King

- Job: Advanced Brawler

- Strength 30 Agility 40 Intelligence 15 Stamina 5 Magic Power 20

The other stats were quite decent, but as expected, stamina was the issue.

’A level 40 with stamina at 5...?’

I mean, the game’s lowest stat is 5, but to think it’s stuck there.

This was my first time recruiting him as an ally, so I was initially taken aback by the detailed stats.

’Really subpar. Even lower than me. No wonder he collapses with a touch.’

It was even a lower figure than some mediocre wizards. If only I could solve this issue, he’d be perfectly fit for the first team.

[Skills]

Passive: Leaf Drift

Skill 1: Leaf Crush

Skill 2: Leaf Rise

Ultimate: ??? (Unlocks after the third job change)

As for the skills, they were just as I saw when we faced each other.

The passive was a parrying counterattack, the first skill was an armor-penetrating attack, and the second skill was a self-speed and damage buff.

And the traits were...

- Equipped Traits (3/3)

Strong Luck

Like a Birch Tree!

Glass Body (Unremovable)

"Hooh?"

I let out a moan as I examined the traits. This is interesting.

[Strong Luck]

- You are incredibly lucky. You never suffer a critical failure in probability checks.

The Brawler class has a low base damage but a high critical hit probability. Critical hits pop out one after the other without any adjustment.

The problem is the critical multiplier.

Other classes have a critical multiplier of 2.0 by default, meaning the damage is doubled when a critical hit occurs.

But for Brawlers, it ranges from 0.9 to 4.0.

This means that if you’re lucky, the damage may jump up to 4 times, but if you’re unlucky, it could be as low as 0.9 times, even less than the base damage.

It’s not for nothing that Brawlers are considered unstable.

Being a melee damage dealer, they are perilous, and the damage fluctuates randomly.

But with this trait, [Strong Luck],

’It eliminates critical failures. It adds a minimum adjustment to the damage.’

Furthermore, as you progress through the game, many luck-based interactions appear.

Elements that require you to take chances continually emerge.

Kuilan could throw himself into these situations, relying on [Strong Luck]. That could be useful.

[Like a Birch Tree!]

- You gained insight during your training. Evasion rate increases by 10 percent.

This one is a simple and good trait. For Kuilan, who would collapse with a single blow, this is an essential trait that must never be unequipped.

And finally,

[Glass Body]

- A severe injury from childhood left you with lingering effects. Stamina stat is fixed at the minimum (5).

An unremovable negative trait, Glass Body.

’So this is why his stamina stat is in such a state...’

What could have happened in his childhood to result in this? It would be wonderful if only I could get rid of this, but alas, it’s not to be.

Additionally, all the bandits under Kuilan’s command were of Level 30 and rated R-grade. They were ready to be deployed into battle immediately.

’Not bad at all.’Now that the Shadow Squad had left Crossroad for another mission, this heroic party could be put to good use.magic

Upon arriving at the mansion, I stepped down from the carriage, followed by Lucas, who grumbled.

"Taking even bandits into your command now... Are you sure about this, my lord?"

"Unhappy, Lucas?"

"Of course I’m unhappy."

"Because they kidnapped me?"

"That’s part of it, but..."

Lucas let out a long sigh.

"The Shadow Squad was made of prisoners, but they were, after all, soldiers from the Aegis Special Forces of the Empire. That was acceptable. But these people attacked the citizens of the Empire."

"..."

"Their roots... they preyed on others. How can we trust them?"

I smiled faintly.

"Lucas, you know the most famous pirate group in the southern seas of the continent, don’t you?"

"The Rompeller pirate group? Of course I know."

"That pirate group was originally the navy of the Rompeller Kingdom in the southern part of the continent. When the country fell, they simply changed course and became pirates."

Lucas looked startled. I continued speaking.

"You know about the Glory Knights, the symbol of honor and chivalry, that have been with our Everblack Empire since its founding?"

"Yes. They are the core and pride of the Empire’s First Army. I wanted to join the Glory Knights when I was young."

"Did you know that those knights were originally a group of thieves?"

"Really?"

"The first Emperor brought in a group of thieves who had a grudge against a neighboring kingdom when founding the Empire. After earning merit in the war, that group of thieves continued to serve the Empire and now is revered as the most noble order of knights."

An army that loses its loyalty becomes a band of thieves.

And a band of thieves can become a knightly order by aligning with a powerful leader and proving their valor. That’s how the world works.

"What matters isn’t what they’ve done in the past. It’s how they will live when given the opportunity."

I grinned at Lucas.

"Lucas, just a few months ago, I was a good-for-nothing scoundrel. But you didn’t give up on me, you trusted me. Thanks to that, I am who I am now."

"Ah..."

"Everyone needs a chance. Especially those backed into a corner. They deserve one last opportunity."

I shrugged my shoulders.

"I gave them that chance. That’s all. Whether they make proper use of it, we’ll have to see."

"If they can’t shake off their bandit ways..."

"Then I’ll expel them from the front lines here. I promise, on my name."

I’ll accept anyone I need for my strategy.

But that doesn’t mean I’ll be taken advantage of.

No matter how strong their combat abilities are, if they negatively affect the front lines, I’ll get rid of them in an instant. That’s a basic principle as a commander.

"So, don’t worry too much."

Patting Lucas’s back, I strode into the mansion.

Staring blankly, Lucas hurriedly followed me.

***

The next day, I summoned the heroic characters to the mansion early in the morning.

First, I entrusted the organization of the bandits’ forces to Reina Windwell.

Since Reina would return to the Imperial Capital after three more defensive battles, I planned to assign her all the tasks I could before then, intending to make efficient use of her.

’If it’s Reina, the commander of the Empire’s magic troops, she’ll surely whip the bandits into shape.’

I cautioned her not to be too harsh. Just enough to instill some discipline, I said.

"I understand, Your Highness. Toys to play with are always welcome."

Reina grinned wickedly, making a rather unsettling remark. Gentle, gentle. Make sure the kids don’t run away.

Next, I summoned Saintess Margarita and Lilly.

I instructed Saintess Margarita to pay close attention to a new patient who had recently arrived at the temple.

It was about Kureha, Kuilan’s relative. Since Kuilan’s loyalty was still low, taking good care of Kureha was necessary.

I asked Lilly about the progress of the various production alliances in my absence.

Things like the repair of artifacts, the status of equipment placed in the regular blacksmith’s shop. I would be visiting them all anyway, so it was better to know in advance.

Then I called the main party members. Looking around the four who quickly gathered in the reception room, I nodded.

"We’re going on a free exploration to the Lake Kingdom dungeon this afternoon."In fact, this might be more important than any other task.

"It’s been too long since we last went. We need to check the state of the dungeon."

I seemed to recall complaining about needing a detox just when I returned to Crossroad, but now that I was back, there were too many urgent matters that needed attention. I had to move quickly.

The party members were concerned that I might be overexerting myself, but they followed without question when I said, ’Stop talking and get ready!’

Once I’m fired up, trying to stop me is pointless, and they were all slowly realizing that.

As the party members were preparing their equipment, I gestured to Aider, who was standing in the corner.

"Assistant, come here."

"Yes, Lord!"

"There are a few things you need to do, starting with training the refugees as laborers and..."

I gave various instructions, and then I added one last thing.

"... And, this is the most important thing."

Looking at the reception room interior, adorned with frills, lace, and various flowers in a flower garden style, I shivered.

"Restore this house’s interior to its original state."

"... By when?"

"By the time I return from the dungeon today."

"Evangeline will be sad..."

That’s exactly what I wanted!

***

[Now Loading...]

[Tip - Don’t neglect dungeon conquest! Dungeons are essential for heroes’ leveling up, item farming, and progressing the story.]

***

And then, after a very long time,

Flash-!

I entered the dungeon.

Crossing the teleport gate, I found myself in the familiar safe zone, the base camp. Breathing in the dungeon’s unique musty air, I looked around.

"Nothing much happened here while I was gone, right?"

"Yes. While you were away, we only conquered areas we had already cleared, but the dungeon itself hasn’t changed much."

The base camp looked the same as always. I had hoped that maybe even some NPCs were added in my absence.

"Hey! You little-!"

At that time, a dwarf came running from a corner of the base camp, his beard flying wildly. It was the magical blacksmith Kellibey.

"You good-for-nothing brat! You left your equipment request with me and haven’t shown your face for over a month! Where have you been?"

"Long time no see, Killibey."

I then realized I had placed an order for equipment made from the magical core of Vampire Lord Celendion and hadn’t picked it up, having been in the Imperial Capital.

Facing the fuming Kellibey, I somehow felt pleased. I was smiling and waving my hand when I suddenly stopped.

"..."

"Huh? Hey, what are you staring at like that?"

Wait a minute.

On the continent, there were four major heterogeneous races—elves, dwarfs, mermaids, and werebeasts—and each of them had characteristic hair colors.

Elves, the fairy race, had green hair.

Mermaids, the mermaid race, had blue hair.

Werebeasts, the beastmen, had red hair.

But dwarfs, the dwarf race, were...

"..."

I looked down at Kellibey’s shiny, round head and muttered,

"...Bald?"

"How dare you! What rude talk, you crazy brat!"

Kellibey angrily swung his hammer at me.

Whoa?! S-sorry! I didn’t mean to tease you! Ash may have a full head of hair, but I’m also taking medication for hair loss in my other world! I understand how you feel, Kellibey!

As I barely dodged Kellibey’s swinging hammer, I suddenly noticed someone sitting in a corner of the base camp.

A woman dressed in a tattered robe, with hair that had no color at all. No, it was as if all the colors had been drained away, leaving it bleached white.

"Huh?"

I exclaimed in surprise, recognizing the person. The woman looked at me and smiled faintly.

"It’s been a while, Ash."

The dungeon merchant NPC who initially guided us into Lake Kingdom.

She was Nameless.

--TL Notes--

Hope you enjoyed this chapter. If you want to support me or give me feedback, you can do it at patreon.com/MattReading