Chapter 271

"The Bringar Duchy's forces are on the brink of annihilation."

Godhand calmly explained the current situation of the Bringar Duchy.

"Almost all of the Duchy has been captured by the Imperial Army's 1st Division, commanded by Prince Lark. All that remains for the Duchess of Bringar is a handful of her personal knight guard. The rest can be considered decimated."

"Why are they declaring war on us, then? To ask for our help?"

When I asked, incredulous, Godhand gave a wry smile.

"It's probably their pride."

"Huh?"

"The Duchess of Bringar I met has even stronger pride than the rumors suggest. Just the humiliation of defeat alone is tough for her, let alone the current situation where she is being forced to bow and join under our command."

"So, she can't simply join us from below?"

"Yes."

Godhand nodded.

"She said she'll see for herself if we 'have the capacity to accept her'..."

"And she declared war?"

Just to be a subordinate? To have a face-off?

'What's with that?'

Is she some kind of real psycho? Or a super macho? What do you even call that?

Godhand recited the conditions proposed by the Duchess of Bringar.

"The terms are 5 vs. 5. The Duchess of Bringar and her five knight guards versus five champions chosen from our southern front. A small-scale war under these conditions."

"..."

What kind of war is that?

It's just a party vs. party. Basically, a 5v5 PK.

"If we lose, we'll become their subordinates without protest. But if they win..."

"What? They want the command of this front?"

"Yes. Exactly."

...Is she seriously crazy?

I was tempted to swear, but I held it back. Godhand, noticing my mood, gave an awkward smile.

"As expected... it's an absurd condition, isn't it?"

"No! I accept."

"What?"

I responded with a fierce grin.

"It'll be fun, breaking that high-and-mighty Dragon Lady's nose."

She wants to preserve her pride even after her nation has fallen and she's lost all her soldiers.

'Giving her a proper scratch on that arrogant face might be a good lesson for that Duchess.'

I initially thought we'd maintain a cooperative relationship, but if they're challenging us, I'm not one to decline.

I'll subjugate her and have her working like a dog.

"Are you sure about this? Even though they are retreating, the power of the Duchess of Bringar and her knights is immense."

Sure, they were. They managed to hold an already fallen nation with just the Duchess and a few knights.

But...

"Our front champions are also incredibly powerful. Don't worry. We won't lose."

Our main party of five is extremely strong, too.

Above all, I have complete information about the Duchess of Bringar and her party.

The basis of war is an information battle. Knowing everything about their skills and stats gives us an overwhelming advantage.

It's a fight where there's no reason to be cautious, just one that's absurd.

"So, when are they coming?"

"They detained us first, then sent us away... They only left a message that they'd be coming soon. Given the complicated situation in the Bringar Duchy..."

They weren't sure exactly when it would happen. Well, they would find out eventually as they waited.

I noticed the deep red scars on the arms and legs of the three members of the Shadow Squad. I gently patted their shoulders.

"You've been through a lot. You've worked hard."

"It was nothing, really."

Godhand deeply bowed to me.

"If you trust us again, we can handle even greater tasks."

"..."

After grasping Godhand's shoulder and letting go, I gestured with my chin.

"You're probably tired since the poison hasn't completely worn off. But follow me; we have a place to go." (TL Note: Like I said before, this "poison" is travel fatigue.)

"Where to?"

"The dungeon beneath the Lake Kingdom. We have some tasks to complete."

My main party was compromised: Evangeline had an abdominal wound, Damien had an eye injury, and Lucas was in his beast form. They weren't in any condition to move. 

So, for the next few days, the elite Penal Squad and the Shadow Squad would have to take over their tasks.

Despite their minor injuries and fatigue, they had to step up.

Anyway, at my instruction, the three members of the Shadow Squad silently prepared their gear and followed behind.

I intended to leave the reception room and head straight to the teleport gate in the backyard.

But then.

Squeak.

"Huh?"

"Ah!"

When I opened the reception room door, I saw a woman looking somewhat distraught.

With a hue close to brown on her reddish hair, sitting in a wheelchair... it was Lilly, the senior mage from our southern front. I asked in surprise,

"Lilly? What are you doing here?"

"Uh, Your Majesty, well..."

Lilly hesitated and her eyes darted around, eventually landing on Godhand.

"..."

"..."

An awkward atmosphere enveloped Lilly and Godhand.

It was uncomfortable, yet it felt tingling, as if a spring breeze was blowing.

Caught between them, I felt even more out of place.

'Damn.'

My lips curled.

Intimate affairs in the middle of this sacred monster front? These kids...!

'It's frustrating... I mean, there's no rule against romance, but still.'

Especially not in front of me!

It's so upsetting! Damn! I even blurted out a curse!

"Lilly, um..."

Godhand began to say something, but I interrupted him, flailing my arms wildly. Cut-!

"Listen, we don't have time now! After we're done with the task, you two can meet privately and chat properly! Got it?"

Love? Go ahead! But do it somewhere I can't see, damn it! Why is it so painful for singles to witness?

Ruthlessly, I grabbed Godhand and dragged him to the backyard.

Suddenly, Lilly shouted after us.

"I'll come too!"

"What?!"

Surprised, I jumped and turned around. Godhand, equally startled, also looked back. I exclaimed,

"We're heading to the dungeon now! THAT dungeon! Beneath the Lake Kingdom! The dark, slimy, gloomy, sticky one where monsters come out with a roar! You're coming with us?"

"I am the senior mage of this front! I've joined you several times before!"

Right! And every time you did, you turned all shades of green! And yet, you want to join again?

"I have something to discuss with Godhand."

Lilly said with a determined face.

"Please add me to the party, Your Majesty. I want to go too."

"..."

Silence had filled the room, and then the corners of my lips curled up maliciously.

"Fine. If you want to return to the field so badly, I'd be more than happy to oblige, Lilly...!"

"Oh, no, just this once. Just this time..."

Lilly's face instantly turned pale.

I chuckled wickedly. Yes, go ahead! If you want to flaunt your romance in front of me, then do so at your own peril...!

That's when Godhand moved behind Lilly and gently grasped the handles of her wheelchair. He gave her a reassuring smile.

"A mage needs protection at the front lines. If you're heading into the dungeon, I'll guard the forefront for you, Miss Lilly."

"Ah..."

"Let's go."

Lilly, with her face flushed and shaking, lowered her head. Godhand took the lead, pushing Lilly's wheelchair as they headed to the courtyard.

Bodybag, Burnout, and I watched their retreating figures, dumbfounded.

The sight of the two leaving the mansion and moving towards the courtyard was visible through the window. Snapping back to reality, I blurted out, "Damn! This is so freaking annoying!"

***

At the front of the teleport gate, the Penal Squad was waiting.

The Penal Squad and the Shadow Squad had already met during the last defense battle.

Considering they were parties made of different species, it seemed they quickly became familiar with one another.

"They didn't seem surprised by our appearance. Maybe it's because they're elves."

"Our Werebeast race often interacted with them before our nations fell. There's no reason to be surprised."

Kuilan and Godhand exchanged friendly banter.

Lilly? I was the one pushing Lilly's wheelchair.

It was a stern decision I made as a commander to prevent any more lovey-dovey vibes in this place.

"..."

Lilly, sitting in the wheelchair I was pushing, looked up at me with hazy eyes. What? What the hell?

"Your Majesty, may I ask something?"

"What?"

"You are known as the empire's most notorious playboy. Why does it feel like you're getting a stomach ache from someone else's romance...?"

Well, Ash is the empire's playboy.

The me, who has inhabited this body, is currently single. Isn't it natural to be irritated by the obvious romance right in front of me?

... I swallowed those words and tried to sound casual as I explained, "We need to be on high alert when entering the dungeon. You can't be distracted by other things, right? That's why I separated you two."

Immediately after, I shot a piercing glare at her.

"So, by saying 'romance,' you're admitting it, huh? Haven't you've become quite shameless, our senior mage?"

"Ah, no, that's not..."

"When was it that you sang about disliking elves, and now suddenly you've fallen in love? Huh? Tell me!"

"I... I have no comment! I can't hear you~!"

Lilly covered her ears and lowered her head. I snorted. These lovey-dovey pests. They should just live happily ever after. Hmph.

One by one, we entered the teleport gate.

The Penal Squad went in first, followed by Lilly and me, with the Shadow Squad right behind.

Flash-!

***

[Now Loading...]

[Tip - Heroes within the game form various relationships with one another. Friendly relationships aid in battles, while hostile ones can be detrimental. Help the heroes establish good relations with each other.]

What a timely tip! Ha!

***

The destination after using the teleport gate was the base camp.

"Just as I explained earlier, there are two purposes for our visit here today."

After ensuring everyone had finished teleporting, I briefed my party members, taking a look at each one of them.

"Firstly, it's to capture the magic user who can set up teleport gates, 'Coco the Severer'."

Spatial Cutting Magician - the teleport-specialized NPC, Coco. She's a hefty witch residing in the base camp.

The very same witch who would open the gates to the event dungeons.

By capturing her, we can establish a teleport gate 'at any desired location'.

Of course, in the game, players could only use pre-established teleport gates. But here, this was reality.

With the necessary resources and a dedicated magician available, it's plausible to set up a teleport gate wherever I desire.

'If I could set up a teleport gate at will, I could use all sorts of tricks.'

It would also be advantageous when establishing forward bases.

That's why capturing Coco was our primary objective.

"Secondly... Ah, here she comes."

As I shifted my gaze, the rest of the party members looked in the same direction.

A female adventurer was hurrying towards us.

With her long dark green hair and three teardrops tattooed below her left eye, she was an assassin class elf.

The leader of the NPC adventurer party 'The Holy Grail Seekers' - Verdandi.

A clearly distressed Verdandi ran up to me, offering a bright smile.

"Your Highness, you're safe!"

"After defeating Lunared and regrouping, we got a bit delayed. I hope for your understanding, Verdandi."

"Not at all! I'm just grateful that you kept your promise...!"

Verdandi repeatedly bowed deeply in gratitude.

Yes, the promise with Verdandi. The rescue of the previously agreed-upon Holy Grail Seekers' party.

[Emergency Quest - NPC Rescue]

- Rescue the NPC kidnapped by the Nightmare Legion.

- Location: Zone 7 'Wolf's Den'

- Reward: ???

- Time Remaining: 2 days

Currently, a significant number of NPCs are kidnapped in the Zone 7 dungeon 'Wolf's Den'. Moreover, there's only two days left to the rescue deadline.

We need to begin the NPC rescue operation in the shortest possible time with the available party members.

That's the reason I had two fully armed parties accompany me today.

"Today, we'll clear the path. Tomorrow, we'll break in and rescue them. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes!"

Verdandi, her eyes slightly teary, nodded in agreement.

At that moment, 

"...Verdandi?"

A bewildered voice echoed.

Both Verdandi and I turned to see who spoke. It was Godhand. He looked at Verdandi with disbelief.

"You're... alive?"

"…!"

Surprised, Verdandi's eyes widened.

"You... you are...!"

Staggering, Verdandi approached Godhand, speechless.

Their hands gripped each other tightly.

The two elves stood silently for a while, looking at each other with affectionate gazes.

Everyone just watched this unexpected reunion of kin.

"...Godhand."

A chilling voice rang out.

If that voice had a color, it would be a cold blue. Startled, I quickly turned in that direction.

Lilly, seated in her wheelchair, tilted her head slightly. Her eyes sank coldly, reminiscent of a frosty dawn.

"Who is that woman?"

"Wha? Oh, no, that's..."

Frantically pulling his hand away from Verdandi, Godhand waved his hands in panic.

"No, no, that's not it! Miss Lilly! I mean..."

The base camp, which was filled with a warm pink atmosphere just moments ago, now felt like the dead of a freezing winter.

"...Enough."

Watching this mess unfold, I couldn't hold back any longer.

"You're seriously trying to start a romance in a dungeon, you damn fool!"

Pisses me off, seriously-!