I Don't Want To Work! - Chapter 157

CHAPTER 157

“…You’ll tell me how to subdue the Titans?”

Ethaniel looked at me with a mixture of doubt in his eyes.

“How?”

“It’s simple, gather them and launch a surprise attack.”

I lightly clenched my fist and gestured as if striking something.

“But how do we gather them?”

Hmm, Ethaniel asked, crossing his arms.

“Gathering and launching a surprise attack, it’s a surefire strategy and easy to say. So, how do we gather them?”

“Gathering them is simple too. We use bait.”

“Bait?”

I chuckled as I looked at Ethaniel.

“Exactly, me.”

“Are you crazy?”

“Master.”

Ethaniel’s disbelief was echoed by Lionel, who was standing behind him.

“Wait, just listen for a moment.”

I intervened, gesturing with my hand to calm the two who had become more aggressive.

“Alright, listen. I’ll give you a detailed explanation later. For now, I’m already marked by the Lord.”

To be precise, seen as a ‘material’ by the Lord, but…

“…”

Ethaniel looked at me with eyes full of doubt, but he seemed to decide that he needed to hear me out as he nodded quietly.

“So, as soon as I show any strange movements, the Lord will move as well.”

I grinned.

“But as you know, the Lord is more restricted in movement compared to other gods, right?”

Being quite powerful, coming down from the divine realm to the mortal realm wasn’t easy in itself. 

There were various restrictions.

Interaction between the divine and mortal realms might have been more liberal back then.

But not now.

“So, the Lord will send those who are easier to move in the mortal realm to restrain you?”

“That’s right, and that’s the Titans.”

There was a moment of silence.

“Alright. I roughly understand what you mean.”

Ethaniel, who seemed to be calculating something, soon nodded.

“But there are several concerns aside from what you’ve mentioned.”

I shrugged as if to say, ‘Go ahead, tell me.’

“First, using that method will put you in danger.”

“You need to use good bait to catch big fish, don’t you?”

Usually, significant endeavors come with a certain level of sacrifice.

I chuckled lightly.

“And I’m not afraid of death anymore, Ethaniel.”

“You…”

“Well, I won’t just die easily either. I have my insurance.”

I grinned, grabbing Lionel’s arm.

Ethaniel’s face darkened.

“…Is that your insurance?”

“It’s too much for someone else’s disciple. But it is insurance.”

“While it does seem like a strong presence…”

Ethaniel, who lightly disregarded my words, narrowed his eyes.

“Can he be trusted, Asiel? He’s associated with an evil god.”

“It’s Lottie.”

I corrected the name again, leaning my head against Lionel’s arm.

“And you can trust me. Even if Lionel betrays me, there must be a reason.”

I chuckled lightly.

“I trust Lionel.”

“Master…”

Lionel’s eyes sparkled as if moved by my words, while Ethaniel frowned. 

Perhaps he sensed a certain energy that shouldn’t exist between a master and disciple. 

But what can I say? It’s the truth.

“And there’s also this one!”

I spread my palm out as if anticipating an entrance.

<Baaaa!>

With a dazzling stream of water, Shu appeared. 

Ethaniel’s face was filled with surprise at the sight of the water spirit.

“A water spirit…? I’ve never seen this form. Is it a high-ranking spirit? No, judging by the aura, it seems even higher.”

“Hehe, indeed, The contractor of Syliron, the superior wind spirit.”

Ah, so he recognizes Shu’s hidden abilities.

“Our Shu is the successor to the Water Spirit King!”

<Baaa!>

Shu shook his ears cutely.

Cute, powerful, and awesome, that’s our Shu!

“…The next is Elam?”

“Exactly, Shu. But Elam is still alive. Call me Shu.”

“Interesting.”

Ethaniel muttered softly.

“The Spirit King entrusted you with the succession?”

“Yeah, it’s a bit of a… well, a lot of a thing. I’ll explain later.”

He nodded absentmindedly, his face lost in thought. 

Oh, it’s been a long time since I’ve seen that expression. 

Plus, there’s Pendrade, but I didn’t mention his name. 

Where on earth did that guy go? 

He’s not off getting married to the Dragon Lord, is he?

“…Alright, onto the second point.”

He wiped his face with his hand, composing his expression, then threw out the second concern.

“How can you be sure the Lord will send the Titans?”

Ethaniel’s face grew serious.

“To face the Titans, at least several villages need to ally.”

Titans were a mythical race, descendants of gods.

To face them, at least several villages needed to band together and muster an army.

“What if they don’t come even after allying according to your words?”

“Don’t worry, they’ll come.”

I smirked.

“I’m heading straight for the Lord’s back.”

“…???”

Ethaniel’s eyes widened. 

Even the elven warriors who had been standing like statues let out murmurs of surprise.

Of course. No one in history has ever dared to challenge the Lord’s back.

“Moreover, the Lord will come.”

Even if it means getting angry, he’ll come to challenge me.

“He’s probably already keeping an eye on me, right?”

I raised the corner of my mouth slyly.

The maker of Nectar, and the last ingredient of Nectar.

Just for those reasons alone, there’s enough reason to watch me.

Unless the Lord is a fool, he noticed that my recent movements are odd.

But with actions that seem to cross the line…

‘He watched carefully the ones who rebelled against him, especially those leaning towards the side of the evil gods.’

Not like weak, insignificant humans.

Just watch.

I smiled.

Who would be the one to fall from the seat of the gods, grasped by the weak hands of a mere human like me?

“Well.”

I chuckled before speaking.

“That’s why the Lord will move the Titans. Those very beings who slaughtered you.”

Ethaniel’s face turned cold. 

His eyes bore into me.

He’s calculating.

Whether to accept my proposal or not.

Which option is more advantageous for his village, for the safety of the elves he must protect?

He’s weighing it all in his mind.

In his mind, the fact that I was once his close friend is probably gone.

He will make the decision solely as the leader of a village.

“That’s why everyone will follow even if it means disaster.”

I smirked as I waited for Ethaniel to finish his calculation.

It didn’t take long.

“Fine.”

Ethaniel nodded heavily.

“Wanderer, I’ll go along with your words.”

Ethaniel named me Wanderer deliberately, not Lottie or even Asiel and looked at me.

“From now on, I, Ethaniel, will meet with other leaders to ally.”

“Leader.”

A lesser warrior stepped forward.

“This is important. You should return to the village to consult with the elders—”

“We don’t have time for that.”

Ethaniel cut in sharply.

“There’s no time to return to the village, gather the elders, and listen to each of their opinions.”

Saying so, Ethaniel looked at me.

“The Wanderer is probably aiming for the upcoming festival at the Lord’s temple.”

I nodded in agreement.

“The Lord’s festival is imminent. Gathering leaders for opinions is urgent.”

Time is already tight, and the Lord’s festival has made it even tighter.

“Thus, we’ll change our plans and depart at dawn.”

“Leader.”

“Tonight, rest well and prepare for a forced march. It’s our final rest.”

When Ethaniel spoke firmly, eventually, the warriors nodded.

“Understood. Everything is as the leader wishes.”

“As the leader wishes.”

Those standing behind echoed.

His face, visible only to me and Lionel, looked subtly complicated.

Seems he made a decision unilaterally, ignoring the opinions of both elders and warriors.

If things go slightly awry, even Ethaniel might find it difficult to handle.

It could lead to the worst-case scenario where no one listens, leaving behind only the illusion of leadership.

Ethaniel looked up at me.

“I’ve bet on you.”

“Sure. I’ll make sure there’s no regret.”

I raised the corner of my mouth, smiling slyly.

“I’ve never lost in gambling, as you can see.”

I’ve won them all.

And I’ll keep winning, whether against evil gods or gods.

He smiled softly, reassured by my confidence.

“And tonight, I should hear about what you’ve been through all this time. As a friend.”

Ethaniel’s voice lightened compared to before.

“As a friend.”

“The night is young.”

I chuckled.

“How about a drink, Ethaniel? It’s been a while.”