Episode 22: Dream in the game becomes reality

7. End of the war (2)

As if the negotiations were progressing smoothly, the Count mentioned the end of the war and an armistice order was issued to the entire army the next day.

And it was officially announced through the media that negotiations to end the war between the Kingdom of Reinharts and the Croisen Empire would be underway.

Both countries were busy bragging about the achievements of the war in the media every day, but in reality, the fight ended with neither side gaining anything and only suffering losses.

Our forces suffered 32,203 casualties, including 8,520 deaths.

However, since most of the casualties were soldiers caught up in the battle between the Vanguard and the Sky Fortress, the leadership of both countries did not care much about the human casualties.

In any case, ordinary soldiers, who are commoners, are no different from expendable goods.

Rather, the kingdom made a big deal out of the loss of the Sky Fortress due to the Croesian Empire's suicide attack, and criticized the empire, citing the taxes consumed to restore it.

[A total of 6 Sky Fortresses were lost in this war! It is revealed that the cost of restoration alone is close to 80 trillion!] [In the Croesian Empire, only 6 sky fortresses were destroyed by our forces at the cost of sacrificing 10 sky fortresses. What on earth did the Empire want to do? That ignorant attack only increased the scale of damage unnecessarily.] [An attack method that goes against the times! The self-destruct sky fortress only looks like a sky fortress, and is no different from a massive, armored missile. The explosion of the magic fusion reactor used in the Sky Castle is powerful, but it is inefficient and is a very ignorant weapon that only increases damage to the surrounding area.] [The missile that was brought by Archduke Lucas and disappeared by Archduke Lucas is a heavily armored, deformed weapon. Will it re-arrive in human form?]At this rate, who would want to fight for their country?

I only feel pity for the casualties of regular soldiers who are briefly mentioned as extras.

"Still, I feel fortunate."

After the cease-fire order, Sir William, who had taken a long-awaited rest, approached me while I was looking at the list of casualties and said,

"What would happen if our country and the Croesian Empire engaged in a serious all-out war? A hundred Sky Fortresses and tens of thousands of Vanguards would have annihilated everything. "An unimaginable catastrophe will occur."

That is definitely true.

If the two superpowers had decided against each other and waged an occupation war rather than a line war, the damage could have been hundreds or thousands of times higher.

No, in the event of an all-out war, all countries with intertwined interests, including allies, would intervene, so it may be meaningless to simply count deaths.

It is a major event that could destroy the continent.

"Get some more rest. "What did you come out for?"

I removed the holographic list of casualties and extended my hand to Arcia, who was sitting next to me like a shadow.

Then, as she was eating the contents of the cookie basket one by one, she placed a chocolate sandwich on my palm.

I handed the cookie to Sir William.

"It was given to me as a gift by Count Otis, so it is precious."

Even though it was said to be precious, Arcia was gorging on it.

Sir William, perhaps finding this funny, smiled and ate the cookie in one bite.

"I feel it again, but you are very different from other nobles. "Even though they are soldiers, don't you feel sorry for the sacrifices made by commoners and let your subordinates rest while you yourself guard the command center?"

It has to be different from ordinary nobles... … .

In my past life, I was a very ordinary citizen.

And he misunderstood, and the reason I am here is not to give my subordinates peace of mind.

This is simply because the game connection time limit has reached.

Well, it wasn't a bad misunderstanding, so I didn't bother to correct it.

"But at the same time, you have the composure and dignity of an aristocrat."

However, I tilted my head at the words that followed.

Dignity was something I never thought of.

"I think you saw that part wrong?"

"Don't you, Master, sip black tea even while watching the enemy army attack? I think this is impossible without absolute faith in yourself. His subordinates felt reassured and were able to shake off their tension after seeing the master's composure. Now everyone in the 232nd Independent Brigade trusts you."

Ah, I know what you're trying to say.

I was wondering why this was being posted out of nowhere, and it seems to be the story behind a statement made 4 weeks ago.

The statement that he would push me as the successor to the territory.

'I guess it's earnest. Cedric should never become a lord.'

But just like last time, Sir William seems to be lacking caution.

I quickly looked around the command center with my glasses before any problematic remarks came out of his mouth.

-thud!

"Sir William?"

But Sir William showed it more with his actions than with his words, when this gentleman knelt before me with a thud.

"We have placed trustworthy subordinates around us so that no one can approach us. "We have thoroughly checked whether there is a monitoring device, so there is no need to worry."

As he said, he didn't see anything that was problematic.

However, I was concerned that they were trustworthy subordinates, so I used Mangyeong's clairvoyance mode to look at the gatekeepers.

'They're all from my father's side.'

Those knights, like Sir William, were his father's followers,

Are they even loyalists with similar tendencies?

It's good that he realized and corrected his mistake with his careless line last time, but his sudden behavior made him sigh.

"I know you've noticed. However, this kind of behavior may actually stand out."

"Isn't that why you came at a time when everyone was resting?"

In the end, I nodded and said I lost.

This means that if you have something to say, say it.

"God 'Gilbert William', from today I would like to take on Adrian, the second prince of the Lawrence family, as my lord."

I was watching quietly, wondering what else he was trying to encourage me to do, and was taken aback by the unexpected loyalty oath.

After all, their owner was their father.

"This decision was made after thinking about what action is for the lord."

And in response to the explanation that followed, I stroked my chin and asked.

"Could it be that the knights outside are in the same position?"

"That's right."

I could sense that Sir William had made up his mind.

Although I was surprised by the pledge of loyalty, I soon corrected my expression and looked worried.

-Misreading. Misreading.

Only the sound of Arcia eating cookies next to her echoed in the silent command center.

How many minutes did they leave William kneeling like that?

I smiled and nodded.

"great."

"Oh oh!"

My answer means that I will accept their wishes.

However, the actions that will follow will be very different from their thoughts.

"But there is a condition."

"What is?"

"I want you to continue as before until I tell you to."

"yes? Wouldn't it be better to gather power quickly? "Even if we build up power here right now, we won't be able to ignore its size."

"It's so much that you can't ignore it, but not so much that you can beat it, right? "I have an idea, so please follow my instructions."

When I forced him to give instructions with the attitude of a superior, he swallowed dryly.

But he soon nodded with a determined expression.

"All right. "I will trust you, my lord."

"How many knights will be like me, Sir William?"

"First of all, there are five vanguards here, and the remaining knights are about thirty. Of course, if the people in the territory also unite, the size will be more than double."

It's not bad.

Anyway, there are more people to work with.

"It's good."

-Sigh!

I got up from my seat.

Accordingly, William's gaze followed me, and I responded to his reaction by asking if the story was over.

"I'm just going to go in and rest."

"Ah, then. "I have one thing to tell you."

As I was about to leave the command center, William quickly caught me.

"I heard that if you return to the territory this time, the lord will support independence."

"You did say that. "But why?"

"My lord, you are thinking of assigning Lord Pessius to your side. "I think it would be a good idea to recruit him in advance."

I looked surprised at the appearance of the name I missed.

"Lord Pessius? "He's retired, right?"

"Yes, I left the Knights because I was disillusioned with the political fight. But it looks like we got in touch this time. "The lord plans to reinstate him and send him as the knight commander of the family that you will establish."

Sir Pessius was originally the vice-captain of the Knights of Lawrence.

Among Auror Experts, he had advanced skills and had virtually no rivals except for the Knight Commander.

However, it is known that he left the Order after becoming embroiled in a political fight within the family centered on Anna.

Sir Pessius is coming back?

Anna would have been damned if she found out... … .

I think my father is overexerting himself because he feels sorry for me.

"Perhaps when he returns, many knights who remain neutral will convert."

Sir Pessius was a typical warrior and a very popular knight.

In other words, there is ample room for expansion of power through him.

Perhaps enough to be on par with Anna and Cedric Parr.

'Sir Pessius… … . 'Not bad?'

But I don't think his value lies in what he brings into the family.

The point is that there are useful pieces of chess that can be used outside of the family.

"I think we need to see him as soon as possible. Can he possibly get a seat? Secretly, of course."

When I became proactive about Sir Pessius, Sir William nodded his head with a cheerful expression.

"I'll take a look."

"Is there anything else you want to say? "I'm tired."

"no. Rest. "I'm sorry for taking up your valuable time."

"It was a useful time."

I smiled and patted William on the shoulder like an adult.

And as he left the interrogation room, William's associates who were standing guard saluted him politely.

"take care."

"yes."

Actually, going back to my room isn't because I'm tired.

-Tip! Thing!

The long-awaited game access time limit has been lifted.

I turned off the alarm ringing on my bracelet terminal.

'It's almost now.'

Influence?

Of course it's good.

However, the priority is not to cultivate my own power.

The next step is to clear the Giyeon quest.

'I will achieve the 7th circle by today.'

* * *

"Tsk! Oh my, this is crazy! "Arsia!"

"yes!"

While I obtained the hidden talent in Chronicle Online and achieved level 200, I never experienced death.

Normally, in a game, you grow by going through crises and dying, but unfortunately, if you die in a place where reality and senses are shared, the pain would be beyond imagination.

So, I fought as hard as possible and while maintaining safety.

Well, I suffered a lot of injuries against the named monster that appears at the end of the quest, but I don't think I was ever in such danger of dying.

but… … .

After reaching level 200, the named monster at level 7 of the Giyeon Quest was on a different level than before.

Death Knight Pascal.

The opponent was Death Knight, an Auror Master level monster.

-Quaang! bang! Kwasik!

Even Arcia, who had stood firm no matter what enemy she faced up until now, was pushed back or thrown back as if there was no way to fight against the sword.

It's something that can't be helped.

Because an Auror Master is at a different level from an Auror Expert.

Although it may only be one level difference in grade, the increase in power was completely different from before.

If 1 in 10 knights become Auror experts from Auror users, then the number of knights who go from Auror experts to Auror masters was 1 in 1,000.

Being an Auror Master is a field of complete talent.

That is why the country bestows grandiose titles along with the honor of being a 'one-man army.'

However, this guy is not only an Auror Master, but also has the body of a lion and a name buff for special quests.

What can I do about this?

"Gagging!"

"Keeeeek!"

"Ahh! Damn it!"

The 2-person + 1-person party consisting of me, Arcia, and Black Eagle died helplessly.

[He died. Please try again after recovering your experience.]And after being resurrected in a nearby village, I had to feel the pain of death with my whole body.

"Bwak!"

But what's more irritating is that I can't moan or roll around in pain because I don't know if anyone will see.

I had to use as much patience and mental strength as I could to get to a nearby chair, flop down, and scream in my heart.

It was only after 10 minutes that I came to my senses and ground my teeth, wiping the drool that had flowed with the sleeve of my robe.

"Yeah, it's been easy so far."

This quest seems to have been created by Archduke Lucas.