The World's Ego (Book 2)

The Titan's Approach

Third Person POV

Going back in time, while Rimuru and the others were holding off Milim, the situation at Lubelius was still ongoing. On the Long Wall, Adalman observes the marching giant that teleported near the Long Wall.

"Oh, just as my God predicted, the enemy has teleported." Adalman muttered happily while communicating to those back in Tempest before focusing on the battle in earnest, "Well, what a spectacular sight. This might be a bit of a challenge for my little skeletons."

"A bit, huh?" Shion questioned from beside him

"To tell you the truth, it will be a little... it will be difficult, but we'll make it work." Adalman said

"So confident." Mobius scoffed from beside Shion, "How will you do this?"

"Hm, I can't say that it's much of a plan, but Albert's command is quite good. Moreover, please take a closer look. Behold the line-up of my army!" Adalman said, gesturing to his army, "How is it? The equipment bestowed by my God has even reached the Bone Soldiers!"

"So you're just showing off. Though he is right, the equipment is pretty powerful." Mobius concluded with a sigh

Shion's eyes narrowed, "Hey, Adalman... I want to ask, how did you get all of that equipment?"

"Well, it's a simple story. I have been stealing cheap equipment worn by adventurers, crushing them, and using the money I get from them to buy iron ore directly. I also have contacts with merchants, so I make use of them as well." Adalman answered with a smile

"No, wait. Do challengers even come to the floor that you're guarding?" Shion asks again

"Hahaha! As for that, I had my men sent on missions to the location. It's also good for training, so it kills two birds with one stone." Adalman answered before continuing, "Yes, yes, I was very pleased to see that so many of the imperial soldiers had good equipment. But even so, the most rewarding thing was the defeat of the iron golem."

"This guy... He's been collecting materials with his skeletons, huh? Not only that, he's also earning money by defeating the iron golems to collect their materials, effectively training his own army. It really is killing two birds with one stone." Mobius thought with a light groan, "To think that he was exploiting the labyrinth in his own way..."

Shion groaned before realizing something, "Huh? Could it be that this guy is making more money than me?!"

It was absurd for Shion to even think that when she doesn't even have a wallet herself but the reality was that the rest of her fellow executives were earning more money than her and upgrading their own equipment was throwing her off. Seeing her stunned expression, Ultima approached her.

"Now, now, Shion-san... You don't have to worry about money, just take it from the enemy!" She suggested

"... You're supposed to be the Chief Prosecutor, right? That kind of thinking... is going to be problematic in the future." Mobius thought with a groan, "Whatever. Elysia can handle her if anything happens."

Meanwhile, Shion felt like her eyes had been opened, "I see, you have a point!"

"Right? I'm so smart!"

"I should have known, it was wrong to bring this up on the battlefield." Adalman thought after seeing their interaction, "This is not good. I'd better keep quiet to Shion-dono."

After concluding this, Adalman diverted the subject, "Well then, Shion-dono, as planned, we shall take the lead."

"Alright! I forgive you, so go ahead and be as violent as you like!" Shion declared