◈ 311. [STAGE 13] Outside the Teacup
“I report to you, Your Highness.”
Serenade came with a second telegram in her arms and gave it to me.
Following the news of the opening of the war, it was the second news from Jeon Seo-eung.
“The operation to escape the close relatives of His Highness, First Prince of Lark was a success. It is said that everyone got out of the ecliptic safely.”
“Alberto and Elise seem to have done their part. great job.”
Recalling the faces of the old butler and maid prosecutor, I nodded. Serenade bowed her head gracefully and stepped back.
Getting Lark’s wife and three children out of the imperial capital was a strategy that had been prepared from a long time ago.
It was also the part I promised when I met Lark a few days ago.
When they are held hostage in Fernandez’s hands, Larc’s actions are constrained. i don’t want that
I hope that the two brothers will clash with the sharp edge.
That way I have a lot of room to move in that gap.
‘When a whale fight breaks out, the back of the shrimp is bound to explode.’
It’s also a great opportunity for the third whale to eat the popped shrimp.
Lucas groaned as he listened to the rapidly changing situation within the Empire.
“Why is His Highness Fernandez rebelling… ?”
“I guess it depends on what the cause is.”
What does the reason matter? Even if there is a plausible cause, I am not interested.
What matters is the outcome of this event.
The empire will split in two, and the world will watch with bated breath as the civil war unfolds.
Everyone will be racking their brains to figure out which side to stick to.
“So, are we going to be on Prince L’Arch’s side?”
Evangeline asked urgently, apparently having the same concerns.
He seems to be more concerned because he is the heir to the Marquis who will inherit the Crossroads in the future.
I answered simply.
“no.”
“Then, why did you take out Prince L’Arch’s family? Maybe you want to give it to Prince Fernandez?”
“Not even that.”
First of all, on the surface, it was a humanitarian task for Lark.
To be more frank, it’s also a safeguard to keep Lark’s army from attacking us.
If we protect Lark’s wife and children here, at least the Imperial Army under Lark won’t touch us.
Also, if Fernandez’s army tries to attack this place, there is a high chance that Lark’s army will stop it.
‘Looking at it this way, I’d like to see something different from a hostage.’
Well, let’s assume that we understand each other. At least I have no intention of intimidating or forcing me to stay.
“Didn’t we declare our own line?”
I looked around at the people under my command and made it clear one more time.
“We are not stuck anywhere. We go the third way.”
A confrontation between the two princes.
It is self-evident that the side that wins this fight will be closer to the next emperor.
In other words- from the perspective of the surrounding forces watching, it is a story that if you make a mistake here, it is the end as it is.
There may be forces who support either side with confidence, but there are also those who want to suspend their choice.
I approach them as an alternative.
To those who want to show their sincerity to the Everblack Empire and the Imperial Family, but still don’t know which side of the two princes they should stick to.
First of all, it is to entice me to show sincerity. Then, when the next emperor is decided, I will tell you well.
That would not be a bad suggestion. It’s not as good as standing in line, but at least there’s no risk of getting the Empire’s sword.
‘My position is very mysterious.’
Since he is a member of the imperial family, he is not without ties to the imperial family’s quarrels, but he has already declared his own line, so he can keep his distance again.
In a confrontation between two equally similar forces, the one I raise my hand in the end is likely to win. My ransom will gradually increase.
It means to pick up soybeans and optimize eating.
‘Let’s go see a gut and eat rice cakes.’
Also at the same time.
“While fighting bloody battles among themselves in the ecliptic, we absorb the forces of the Gray Zone.”
They’ll be busy fighting each other. You can jump into the recruitment of the ‘ruined king’ without paying attention to your brothers anymore.
While the world’s attention is focused on New Terra, the ecliptic, I attract the fallen kings who are holding their breath in the shadows to my command.
Build a safe zone where all the persecuted can live safely and form an alliance with them.
I pack up as much power as I can.
‘I don’t need the throne. I don’t need wealth, fame or power.’
Just to protect this world against the monster.
i will do everything i can
‘I’ll have to organize a special envoy.’
Each fallen king has a different person who can persuade them well.
Fortunately, there are already quite a few competent people around me, so I think I can dispatch a special envoy to suit the opponent.
Thinking, I sighed and wiped my chin.
‘… In the end, they get involved in the affairs of the outside world.’
Defense Battle – Dungeon Exploration – City Internal Affairs. I wanted to repeat only 3 beats like this in the game, but.
Because I was drawing a bigger picture for a more certain victory. Even diplomacy, which was not in sales, has come to be touched.
‘If necessary, I’ll do it.’
Looking around at my subordinates, who were glaring at me, I smiled bitterly inwardly.
‘Because there are already a lot of people I have to be responsible for.’
In the midst of a rapidly changing situation, I explained to my subordinates the direction our Kaiju Front would go in the future, and listened to their opinions, discussing and meeting until late at night.
***
The relay meeting lasted until dawn.
By the time everyone looked exhausted and weary, Ada Nome and Serenade came into the drawing room with hot tea and refreshments. I clapped.
“It looks like the meeting is almost over, so let’s have a cup of tea and catch our breath.”
Serenade brought me a cup and poured me tea while Ader served tea and refreshments to the others.
The clear red tea water swayed and swayed in the glass.
“thank you.”
As I accepted the glass and thanked her, the serenade gently curved her silver eyes.
“you’re welcome.”
“Thank you for the tea, but… Thank you for making such a big decision.”
What I was talking about was about the Wintersilver Merchant.
The Winter Silver Merchants had been dispersing by taking their bodies out of the ecliptic from the beginning.
It was in the process of giving up the ecliptic, which could be the center of world logistics, and fragmenting branches into cities around it.
It was because they did not know what would happen to the kingdom if Fernandez rebelled.
This work was carried out behind the scenes and was narrowly completed a few days ago.
Perhaps it was a decision that could completely overturn the fortunes of the guild that had been cultivated by the three generations, but the serenade followed without a word. I was both grateful and sorry.
“It’s also a job for our upper house.”
Serenade smiled as warmly as the scent of tea in her hand.
“It would only be natural that the lives of insignificant merchants like us would turn into the dew of the executioner once the supreme lord spoke. Even so, our guild has been relying too much on the protection of the imperial family.”
Since they were members of the Winter Silver Merchant, who had enjoyed privileged privileges while living close to the imperial family, on the contrary, it was possible to be annihilated with just one word from the emperor.
“Improving my constitution was absolutely necessary. It was a good opportunity this time.”
I thought about what happened in the last ecliptic. The upper building was attacked and burned, and Serenade was nearly killed several times.
Serenade must have been what I felt then. It can’t be like this.
“Thank you very much, Your Highness.”
The serenade that took a step closer to me whispered in my ear.
“If it weren’t for Your Highness, neither I nor our corps would ever change… … You must have been trapped in that small world.”
“Ughhhh… .”
It’s a good story, but… … But why are you talking so quietly in my ear?
Anyway, your voice sounds like sugar. It seems to melt… … .
“omg!”
At that time, I could feel the eyes staring at me.
When I look back in surprise, my party members are looking at me with expressions that seem to be cheering me on.
No thumbs up! Stop nodding your head!
In particular, the God Hand-Lily couple nodded their heads with an expression that reminded them of old age, such as ‘It’s a good time’ and ‘We had times like that too’.
Then, as if recalling memories, they hold hands tightly… … I don’t know what it is, but you get the king?!
“Kuhm!”
After catching my breath, I threw a serious story to the serenade.
“Still, there shouldn’t be a branch that will be the center. Since the ecliptic branch was flattened… … Where are you going to move it?”
Even if it’s not as much as the ecliptic, there are a few places where commercial activities are quite active among nearby cities.
Would you like to pick one of these places? Because there is no place to turn down the Winter Silver Merchant.
“I’ve been struggling quite a bit with that issue, but… .”
Serenade, who bit me, smiled brightly while holding onto her teacup.
“I’m thinking about making a hot investment while raising the stakes.”
Investing more while raising the stakes?
… Surely you’re not trying to say that the corps headquarters will be located in Crossroads, right?
Anyway, this is a fortress city in the southern hinterland. Serenade wouldn’t count so much as having a headquarters in a place like this. Mum.
“I’ll let you know when it’s decided later, Your Highness.”
“Yes, yes. Anyway thank you so much I don’t know how I would have handled things without you.”
Serenade’s cheeks turned red as he sincerely congratulated them.
The long fingers holding the tea cup twitched wildly, and Serenade hurriedly turned to the side and swallowed the tea in one gulp. isn’t it hot?
Feeling awkward for some reason, I also slowly swallowed the tea water. Big! The tea in this house is so delicious!
“Whisu!”
A whistling sound came from the other side. Holy shit. Everyone is watching, what kind of pink mood is this?
I hurriedly hit the remaining glass with one shot and jumped up.
“I think we have shared enough about the direction our frontline will go and the vision for the future.”
All of my subordinates, who had been laughing heartily, straightened their postures when I spoke with a serious face and listened to my story. I nodded.
“However, no matter how the world changes in the future, no matter how the front lines here change, do not forget our original purpose.”
The banner that seems to have been said dozens of hundreds of times is once again spit out.
“Kill monsters and protect people.”
Everything else is secondary to this purpose.
After all, the definition of the monster front here is the absolute line of defense that protects humanity from monsters.
You must be faithful to your role as the last bastion of the defense game.
“ruler! Let’s prepare for the next defensive battle.”
The next stage is right in front of you.
It’s time to take your eyes off the raging typhoon in your teacup and deal with the nightmares that come from outside.
***
Outpost now with almost all essential repairs done.
Waiting for the arrival of the monster corps, I was looking at the stage information window.
[Enemy Information – STAGE 13]
– Lv.?? ??? : 1
– Lv.40 Troll Sorcerer < Elite > : 2
– Lv.40 Troll Royal Guard < Elite > : 10
– Lv.35 Troll Shield Soldier: 190
– Lv.30 Troll General: 344
This stage The opponent of is the army of trolls that you dealt with in the previous free exploration.
It is a tank monster with strong regenerative power and strong physical/magic defense. However, their attack power is relatively weak.
‘You shouldn’t be careless, but honestly, when you look at it objectively, the power difference is significant… … .’
It’s to the point where our side can overwhelm them.
‘and… .’
I frowned and opened another system window.
A phrase I didn’t like at all floated in front of my eyes.
[The ??? in ??? skips the turn.]
[Dark events do not activate on this stage.]
Also on this stage.
Dark event did not trigger.
“… .”
I chewed on my pursed lips.
I feel it slowly.
My nemesis is the demon king who is coiled up in the Lake Kingdom.
making up something
‘Did you skip the dark event you’ve been writing about three times in a row?’
Unless it suddenly threw the game and opened mid. It’s much more fitting to see that he’s plotting something sinister.
The problem is that I am ignorant of dark events.
First of all, it was an element that I didn’t have when I was playing the game, and since I came to this world, I’ve been suddenly hit… … .
‘I’ll have to talk to Ader about this.’
That was when I was thinking about it.
Shoot Aaaaa!
thud! thud! thud!
The surface of the lake split and monsters began to rise.
It was a group of trolls who had been used to defeating each other throughout the dungeon exploration this season.
I was relaxed and the party members under my command were also relaxed. Anyway, since only these cubs have been playing for the past few weeks, everyone has gotten used to it.
however.
《Kyahahahahaha!》
A loud laugh suddenly erupted from the troll army.
It was a laugh that could be heard clearly even from a distance. The soldiers were staggered by the boss monster’s distinctive fraud.
“uh?”
Embarrassed, I hurriedly lifted the telescope. No, was there a unit with this level of presence among the names belonging to the troll corps?
I saw it right away when I picked up the telescope.
Sitting on a magic carpet, wearing a jeweled turban and holding a female troll in each hand… A gigantic troll.
“Holly shh.”
An ultra-rare monster that is the highest-ranking entity in the troll corps and whose encount probability is estimated to be below the decimal point in the game.
The king of the troll army and the number one contributor to the act of ruining the game – Trolling, so it got its name.
“Trolling… !”
Taking my eyes off the telescope, I shouted with all my might.
“It’s X-!”
I stepped on shit!
