Chapter 577

In this suicide mission, everyone volunteered.

I was at a loss for words.

Should I be grateful for everyone's willingness or scold them for not caring more about their own lives? I felt a contradiction in my emotions.

But since not everyone could go, it was necessary to assemble a squad best suited for the infiltration mission.

"Everyone, put your hands down. You can open your eyes now."

The heroes, cautiously opening their eyes, saw each other with their hands raised and let out awkward chuckles. I smiled bitterly too.

"Since everyone volunteered without exception, I would like to charge in with all of you and grind the enemies to dust... But that's not possible."

The essence of a defense game is, after all, defense.

Only if the defense squad on the walls holds strong can the infiltration squad, the disruption squad, or the attack squad play their roles properly.

It's crucial to distribute personnel appropriately and to form the defense squad with elite members. I made sure to emphasize this point first.

"...So, the composition to be captured by that monster is as follows."

I called out the names.

"Kuilan and the Penal Squad."

Kuilan stepped forward with a grin, as if he had anticipated this. The members of the Penal Squad followed him, their expressions tense but determined.

They are not only frontline heroes who can play the role of powerful damage dealers and tanks in any situation but also have experience escaping from the belly of a monster.

'The concern is that they are in human mode, not beast mode...'

Still, the proficiency and experience they have accumulated cannot be ignored. That's why I chose them first.

"Next, Lucas and Lucas's party."

Lucas stepped forward as if it were natural, followed by Torkel, Zenis, and Nobody.

Lucas is the hero with the highest solo combat capability on my front line, and the rest of the party members also have a high degree of synergy.

Especially Zenis, who is a healer, will increase the overall stability of the infiltration squad.

'There's one spot empty, but let's move on for now...'

With Chain missing, there are only four of them, but we'll fill the vacancy later. Next.

"Verdandi and the Holy Grail Seekers."

Somehow, Verdandi and the elves let out sighs of relief as they stepped forward. Why are they relieved?

Support from a long-range firepower squad is essential in any operation.

The Holy Grail Seekers are not only masters of archery and dagger throwing but can also engage in close combat if necessary.

'Their endurance is a bit lacking, but...'

They are precious talents capable of handling both melee and long-range firepower. I couldn't leave them behind.

"Here, me, two from the Shadow Squad, and... two of Kellison's bodyguards."

Everyone was shocked to hear I would be participating, but I didn't accept any objections. I couldn't be absent from this operation.

After all, I'm the one who can cause the most chaos inside the enemy's belly.

Likewise, Burnout, capable of wreaking havoc inside, and Bodybag, with various utility skills, will be useful in unpredictable situations.

The two dwarves... well, I needed a vanguard in my party, and since many dwarves are currently missing, I chose them.

It's likely that kin search for their own kind more effectively.

"That's all."

As I finished calling out the list, the heroes stirred. Especially Evangeline and Damien, who were at the forefront, attempted to protest, but I waved them off.

"I'd like to take more of you, but I don't have that many escape scrolls."

Of course, that was an excuse. We've accumulated plenty of teleportation scrolls for escape since we hardly ever used them.

But taking more would jeopardize the defense of the Crossroad.

Evangeline's melee squad is absolutely necessary for defending the main castle at Crossroad, and Damien and his sniper party shine in defense, not in infiltration.

Both are among my strongest cards, and while they would surely be useful in this infiltration, placing them where they are most needed is the best option.

'In the worst-case scenario, if the infiltration squad is wiped out...'

Evangeline must command the front line, and Damien must perform miracles with his far-sight.

I glanced over the other heroes.

Those who have been with me from the start, those who joined us very recently, and all those who, regardless of the timing, are willing to risk their lives together in this fight.

"...Make sure not to be too late coming back. Until then, I entrust the overall command of the front line to Evangeline."

"Leave it to me, senior."

Evangeline grinned and thumped her shield confidently. I grinned back.

I had already shared the detailed defensive tactics with everyone and conducted training. Everyone is skilled, so they will fight well in their assigned roles.

***

After disseminating a few more pieces of information and holding a brief meeting,

As I was about to leave the room, a group of young mages blocked my way.

"Your Majesty!"

"Please take us with you!"

"..."

I was speechless.

These were the mages who had been studying and training with Junior. The children clung to me desperately.

"We need mages to save Junior too!"

"We want to help our sister!"

"We don't know what the situation is like inside! If you take us..."

But I shook my head.

"No."

"Why not?!"

"Is it because we are young? Because you don't think we're reliable..."

"That's not the issue. It's because you are mages."

We are heading into the belly of the King of Flies.

Most likely, we will be attacked by monstrous flies from every direction. From above, below, all around, they will come at us, and the likelihood of physical, bodily combat is high.

In such chaotic combat, the most vulnerable class is the classic mage. Wearing cloth, requiring time to cast spells... essentially, they are glass cannons in need of protection.

"In this infiltration mission, even mages need a certain level of melee combat proficiency. That's why I can't take you."

The young mages all looked dejected. That's when,

"Then, take me at least."

Everyone turned to see an old mage stroking his long white beard as he stepped forward. I sighed.

"...Dearmudin."

"I'm well aware that it's a dangerous place, no need to keep saying it. But that's exactly why we need magical firepower."

Certainly, if there's any mage who could handle themselves in melee combat situations, it's Dearmudin, with more experience than any other mage.

But...

"Or what, you think an old man like me isn't needed?"

Dearmudin frowned in dissatisfaction.

"Was it not you, Prince Ash, who told me that today I am at my youngest?"

In the end, I raised both hands in surrender.

"Please join Lucas's party. I entrust them to you, Dearmudin."

"It should be so. You will look back and realize it was a good decision to bring me along."

With that, Dearmudin, now satisfied, joined Lucas, who was standing down the corridor.

As I sighed and turned around, someone else stood before me.

"Ah, that, I..."

A middle-aged woman stood awkwardly, her hair disheveled, unable to meet my eyes as she stuttered.

"That, well..."

It didn't take me long to recognize her.

Candler.

A retired golemancer who was once part of the Blacklist, turned construction worker using golems after the Gorgon battle. And the person who felt most responsible for Junior and Chain's disappearance.

"Candler. You've changed a bit since I last saw you, making it hard to recognize you."

I gave her a faint smile.

"Do you no longer tie candles in your hair as before?"

"Ah, that was... like a ritual for better control over golems, but now that I've retired, I no longer..."

Candler looked up at me with trembling eyes, her speech trailing off.

Without her candle crown and the cult leader-like attire, she indeed looked like an ordinary citizen rather than a mercenary.

Yet, she gritted her teeth.

Her broken teeth from the fight with the Gorgon sisters were clearly visible. She limped forward, pushing her body towards me.

"I, I too... want to be taken..."

"..."

"To be part of the rescue team..."

"Candler."

I gently grasped her trembling shoulders.

"Not all of us need to be warriors."

"...!"

Candler looked up at me, her expression deflated. I noticed her leg, which hindered her movement.

"You've done enough and retired. You owe nothing more to this front line."

"But..."

"You're not a soldier now. You're a citizen. You're not one of the fighters anymore. You're someone we need to protect."

Candler bowed her head.

"But, because of me... because I was a coward, those two..."

"It wasn't because you were a coward that the two of them were harmed."

Candler's eyes widened at my words.

"They were brave enough to overcome their own fears to save you."

"...!"

"We all are, in fact, afraid. It's natural to be a coward. So don't be ashamed of your fear."

I looked back.

All the heroes preparing for departure had tension written all over their faces. I, too, felt a twinge of anxiety.

"It's natural for humans."

"..."

Everyone feels the same urge to flee when facing an incomprehensible enemy.

Those who can fight despite their fears remain soldiers. Those who reach their limits retire.

It's not a matter of being better or worse, right or wrong.

It's just how things are.

Just a part of life, struggling in this crazy world.

"Junior and Chain, we will definitely rescue them... So instead of apologizing, thank them."

I patted Candler on the shoulder.

"Because they saved you."

"..."

"So make sure you stay alive. After this battle, we'll need you for reconstruction work. You got that?"

I sincerely told the speechless her.

"Thank you for staying here and not running away."

"...!"

"See you again, Candler."

I walked past Candler, followed by the deploying heroes.

Behind us, Candler stifled a sob, making a strange crying sound. I hoped she would overcome her trials.

And us as well.

That we would all overcome our individual trials... I prayed.

***

"Operation name, Maggot Within a Maggot."

I handed out five paralysis antidotes and five dungeon escape teleport scrolls to each party leader.

The party leaders distributed them among their party members.

"From now on, we become parasites inside a Maggot's belly."

The heroes snickered. I did too.

To think, entering the belly of a giant fly to wreak havoc... This monster frontline really is a tourist spot filled with a variety of activities.

"Move to the point where the King of Flies is currently anchored, engage in combat as needed, and get captured."

I shook the antidote in my hand.

"Take the antidote just before being captured if possible. It's an improved version of the usual paralysis antidote, so it's safe, but we don't know how potent their paralysis venom has become, nor how much it can be neutralized."

If we're unlucky, we might all end up paralyzed and become fly food...

But that's unlikely to happen. Thanks to the peach of immortality I ate before, I'm in a state impervious to all diseases. Thanks again, Raven.

As soon as I regain consciousness, I plan to wake the others by hitting them hard.

"Secure your main equipment firmly to your body. It would be troublesome to wake up inside the Maggots' belly without weapons, right?"

For me, stuffing everything into the inventory is easy, but the other heroes don't have this convenient system.

Everyone diligently tied their weapons and equipment to their bodies with leather straps. I explained the tactics for this operation while observing them.

"The operation is simple. Regain consciousness, join the nearest personnel, and move upwards through the Maggot's belly..."

I gave a straightforward order.

"And wreck havoc."

At this point, everyone cheered and whistled. I felt a surge of strength in my hand.

Just watch, you fly bastard.

I'll show you why I, Ash, am called the empire's top troll... right in the belly of your own beast!