Ch 54

  As the three goblins charged directly at the pits where water was being boiled, Matt felt as though they were specifically targeting them. If this were true, it could indicate that the goblins were intent on halting the progression of any and all technology. This realization made Matt wonder if it might be the real reason why Jaelyn’s group had suffered such heavy losses. However, that thought was fleeting, as Matt quickly let it go and tapped into the side of himself that always took over during fights. This instinct drove him forward into one of the three groups of enemies, swiftly eliminating the goblin leading the charge with precise dagger throws.

  This allowed the monsters from the two other groups to reach their targets and tear them to pieces. Meanwhile, Matt reached the goblin before him and sent it flying backward into its group of monsters with a powerful kick. It was apparent that the monsters would likely refocus on him or those at the fort within moments, and he wasn't about to squander the opportunity. Shouting loudly, Matt drew all eyes to himself as the guards in the area quickly organized their formation. From the top of the wall, Yumiko and the others with bows began to unleash a volley of arrows, while Greg stood ready with his wand.

  Yet, Matt barely registered any of this as he watched the monsters charging toward him, seamlessly shifting into combat mode. He swiftly cut his way through the wolves, boars, and rabbits that comprised the middle group, only to notice that the other two groups hadn't advanced much beyond the fallen goblins. Between the arrows protruding from them and the telltale signs of spell work, Matt realized that even if he hadn't acted, the goblins' attack would have been futile. This simple thought brought a smile to his face as he ignored the paltry six experience points he gained and refocused on Jaelyn, who had moved behind others. Still, he caught the look she gave him in the final moments of the fight, pondering its significance.

  It wasn’t a look he could easily place, as to the best of his knowledge, he had never been looked at in the way she was looking at him. For the time being, he just filed it away as not being one of desire or praise, like those he had seen from others up to that point. Perhaps frustration was the closest he could associate with it, but that wasn’t quite right either as he made his way back toward her. While doing so, he remembered they had been arguing about making smelting iron a priority, and he thought perhaps she was annoyed at having her argument interrupted. However, as he reached her, he realized that wasn’t the case as she spoke before he could.

  “What in the world were you thinking?” asked Jaelyn, her voice tinged with exasperation.

  “About what?” questioned Matt, genuinely puzzled.

  “You just charged right in, ignoring the advantage that the fort and our numbers give us. I know you can regenerate, but look at those new holes in your clothing. Resources are important to manage, and right now, clothing without crude stitching is at a high premium,” she explained, gesturing to the tears in his outfit.

  Matt glanced down, noticing the tear near his elbow and another just above his stomach, both about an inch wide. Still, he wasn’t concerned about them as he shifted the topic back to the urgent need for iron.

  “I think that by this time next week, you’ll have us well on our way to solving the issues with clothing. Still, we need iron, and we need to get it as fast as possible. So, if you would please put your skills toward that, it would be appreciated,” he said, his tone firm but imploring.

  “Are you sure that simply ordering others to follow your path is the best way to operate?” Jaelyn challenged, her eyes fixed on him.

  “No, but until the fort is completely repaired, we are living only half as well as we should be,” Matt admitted, his voice filled with determination. “Beyond that, it needs to be ready for war because we are at war with the goblins. So, calculate that into your idea of what the current priorities are because I intend to wipe them out before they can do worse to us.”

  Matt noticed Jaelyn's eyes scanning his face before she sighed, and the innocent expression he had initially seen on her face returned as she replied.

  "Fine, I can see that you're genuinely looking out for the wellbeing of all of us with this goal. So, I'll collaborate with Greg, as I believe his and a few others' magical abilities could be the key to bypassing the traditional steps of smelting iron. The only issue is that I think they all need to reach level 6 and achieve their third path advancement first."

  "What level is your group at?" Matt inquired, curious.

  "All of us who were capable of fighting are at level 3. Once we were too injured to even throw a few rocks over the wall during attacks, we stopped being counted as part of the fighting group," she explained, a hint of frustration in her voice.

  "Reaching level 6 might be challenging with how much being in a large group hinders leveling. Perhaps you should consider organizing those you need to level up with Greg and have him devise a plan to accelerate their progress," he suggested thoughtfully.

  This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.

  "You actually do trust him," Jaelyn observed, raising an eyebrow.

  "Greg? Yeah, he's a significant part of our success here. He might have a few issues, but I expect the same could be said for all of us. So, I just overlook his awkwardness and focus on his strengths, as I do with everyone else when I assign them tasks that need to be done," Matt replied confidently.

  "Then you're the leader simply because you're strong?" she pressed on.

  "No, it's because I refuse to be led. If the group told me to kick rocks and fall in line, I would separate from everyone and face the risks of living out here without support," he declared, unwavering.

  "You would commit suicide?" she asked, slightly alarmed.

  "No, I would just start confronting threats until I either died or reached a point where nothing here could threaten me. Also, the fort is mine, make no mistake about it. If a split were to happen, it would be all of you who would be out in the cold," he stated firmly.

  "Then you are a tyrant."

  The nonchalant manner in which Jaelyn delivered that line caught Matt off guard, leaving him momentarily speechless before she pressed on. "It’s fine, really, given that we find ourselves in a situation where strong leadership is essential. I want you to understand that when times get tough and you’re forced to make difficult decisions—decisions that are bound to displease at least some of those here—you’ll be seen as the one responsible. That’s why I merely offer advice rather than dictating actions; I believe the best outcomes are achieved when each of us feels we are acting according to our own judgment."

  Matt replied, "I will take that under advisement, as I have no desire to be labeled a tyrant. Still, I firmly believe that groups need someone to set a course. I’d rather bear the title of tyrant than follow a path that I see inevitably leading to ruin."

  "I’m glad to hear you reject tyranny," Jaelyn interjected, "but perhaps you should consider the general consensus—"

  "No, I despise the general consensus," he interrupted sharply. "It was the very consensus that allowed incompetence to ravage the world we once knew. Don’t get me wrong; monarchies, where succession is determined by birthright, are equally disastrous. This isn’t a kingdom—it’s a temporary hell through which we must all pass as we grow stronger. That’s why, once the fort is repaired, I have no intention of forcing anyone to remain. But if someone chooses to stay, they can at least help work towards the goals I set after consulting with those I trust."

  "So, for now, the six that joined you in the dungeon?" she asked.

  "For now, yes," he replied. "But their presence in the dungeon has more to do with their trust in me than with any compulsion to remain there. I hope it won’t be long before members of your group earn my trust too. Otherwise, I foresee only more problems down the road, and I’d rather avoid a violent future where everyone suffers."

  "That’s reassuring to hear," she said. "I trust that, at the very least, I can count on you to offer honest advice when needed."

  "Indeed," he concluded. "I view you as a possible remedy for my own shortcomings in imparting the crucial knowledge we’ll need to confront the challenges inherent in our primitive way of life."

  Jaelyn smiled gently but said nothing, and Matt took her silence as his cue to leave and bid her farewell. Not long after, he encountered Eleanor and Emily deep in a heated conversation. Their discussion clearly centered on the same issues that had occupied Matt and Jaelyn—whether to brace for new complications. Matt quickly explained that he had already spoken with Jaelyn and, apart from setting up a dedicated leveling group, they were all set to resume the plan for repairing the fort.

  With that matter settled, Eleanor departed to attend to the essential tasks necessary to restore order. Matt noticed that Emily had something on her mind, though she hesitated to speak up. In another life back on Earth, he might have preferred to leave things as they were and slip back into his solitary existence, allowing the world to carry on without his interference. But now, driven by a newfound sense of responsibility, he felt compelled to address the issues before them.

  "What’s troubling you?" he asked softly.

  "Do you really need to ask?" Emily retorted, her tone edged with frustration.

  "No, listen," he continued, "our numbers have swelled to more than four times what they were just two days ago. Naturally, this growth is breeding tension, and I expect that friction will only worsen when I head out to find more people."

  "Can I come with you this time?" she inquired.

  "Excuse me?" he replied, surprised.

  "I want to come along. I feel useless here since I’m not on the front lines, and I haven’t yet mastered a real healing skill," she explained earnestly.

  "So, you’re asking me to help you level up?" he asked, clarifying her intention.

  "Not only that," she continued, "but I also yearn to escape these confining walls for a day. There are too many people here, and I can’t get the quiet solace of a good book. The closest I come to that is when I watch you battling monsters and exploring uncharted areas. Granted, reaching level 4 and finally acquiring a proper healing skill would be a great bonus—it might just stop you from self-inflicted torment."

  "Perhaps," Matt mused, "but we’ll need at least three others to accompany us, and I won’t leave Eleanor behind without support. Therefore, they must be among the new arrivals."

  "Alright, I think I can identify the right candidates," she said. "I assume you want people who can hold their own in a fight?"

  "No," he clarified, "I want them to be among those who seem most discontent with how things are managed here. Inform them that I’m planning a two-day trip and that I need four people who can serve as a mobile base. You will lead, but this also serves as an opportunity for them to get to know each group better while leveling up to level 4."

  Emily frowned for a moment before nodding in assent. "Give me two hours, and I’ll find three people who fit our needs."

  "Good," Matt replied. "In the meantime, I’ll check in with Greg."

  As the plan took shape, Matt felt a growing hope that this excursion might shed light on Jaelyn’s true nature before he made any final judgments about her. After all, clashing with others wasn’t a valid reason to harbor dislike—he had been at the center of conflict more times than he cared to admit. What mattered now was understanding the expression she’d given him after the fight and determining whether it was necessary to distance her from the rest of the group.