◈ 070. [Side Story] Preparation for War (3)
A finished item from the SSR grade reward box.
that… It was a short stick.
Too short to be called a normal magic wand. like… A short, small cane like an orchestra conductor’s.
‘Can this be?’
I carefully held the staff in my hand and checked my abilities.
[Maestro (SSR) Lv.35]
– Classification: Staff
– Attack Power: 35-50
– Durability: 10/10
– Creates and controls magical blades in the air. The blade’s attack power is the same as that of the staff. The number of blades increases according to the amount of MP consumed.
– When attacking directly with this staff, it deals fixed damage equal to 1% of the target’s current HP and applies a random buff.
““Come on, play!” – A Cruel Conductor]
“He’s a real ‘maestro’… … !”
I whistled as I whirled the wand in my hand.
SSR grade unique weapons have all kinds of unique stats and performance, but among them, the staff boasts a rare performance.
The basic performance is to create magical blades. Creates multiple magic blades in the air and throws them at will.
Also, there is a function that is not explained here, but the properties of the magical blades that are created are different for each character.
If Lily uses this wand, a blade of flame will come out, and if Jupiter uses it, a blade of lightning will come out.
I don’t have magic attributes, so I’ll just get a non-attribute blade.
Anyway, it is a good staff capable of powerful mid-range attacks as long as the amount of MP allows.
Even I who am not a wizard can fight like a quasi-mage.
‘But the most unusual thing about this weapon is the buff through the attack.’
If you hit it directly with a staff, instead of giving fixed damage, it applies a fairly high-performance buff.
In-game, every time the character equipped with this had left turns, I made my allies beat me up.
1% of current HP is definitely stingy, but the returning buff is bigger.
‘… Wait, do I have to hit the party members with this now?’
In an instant, an idea passed through my mind.
The scene where I hit the party members one by one with the small staff in my hand… … .
‘In the game, it didn’t matter if I hit an ally. This is definitely the reality.’
If you hit kids with a cane for nothing, words will come out for sure. Human trust that has been built up at best may collapse.
‘How can I convince the kids to hit them with a cane… … ?’
I looked down at the short cane in my hand and murmured in agony.
‘I’m wrong, so kick your calf? the palm of your hand? Lay down? … Wouldn’t that work!’
A culture like corporal punishment can’t be beaten instead of punishment because it’s a relationship that takes off the crane.
‘Is there a way to hit with a cane so that everyone can understand it?’
… The night of such agonizing worries was deepening.
***
the next day. morning.
[STAGE 4]
– Until the start: 10 days
There are about 10 days left until the start of the next stage.
Coming out to the city, I first visited the head of the masonry and carpentry union.
“Ah lord!”
“Are you here, my lord?”
The two men who were making something together at the joint workshop bowed politely to me.
I approached the two of them and got down to business.
“We are going to start restoring the forward base.”
“… !”
“Forward base… Are you talking?”
Tension flashed across the faces of the two union leaders. I nodded heavily.
advance base.
It is a wooden fence built right in front of the southern black lake. The same place where we fought the black spiders in the tutorial stage.
The damage suffered during the tutorial stage was so great that it is currently neglected.
But it was time to start the restoration work.
“I don’t think I need to tell you the importance of a forward base.”
The two heads of the union nodded silently.
A defensive line built right in front of a lake from which monsters crawl out.
If you can manage this forward base properly, you can greatly reduce the monsters that invade the Crossroads.
It should be able to block things like the monsters’ diversionary operation.
However, if it is a problem, it will be difficult to maintain.
In front of the enemy’s nose, the enemy’s first wave must be received intact. If it were captured, all the resident troops would die.
“The invasion of monsters is getting stronger. The operation of the forward base, as well as the recovery work, is quite dangerous.”
I said to the two heads of unions with nervous faces.
“But it is also something that must be done in order to defend the monster front in the future.”
“yes… .”
“I know.”
“It’s a long way to the base. Plus, you’ll only have to work between defenses, so it’s going to be a pretty long-term project. Even if it’s slow, I’ll definitely start recovering.”
I pointed to the wood and stones piled up in the warehouse next to the workshop.
“First of all, we have to get the materials and move them. Of course, I will provide the necessary costs for materials and manpower. You guys figure out what you need for the recovery work and give me a check.”
“Yes, Your Highness!”
“Trust me and leave it to me.”
“It is for all mankind. Please take good care of me.”
I even paid the down payment for the restoration work on the spot.
First of all, the lubrication oil is needed to loosen the stiff body and move well, whether it is a machine or a person.
***
Next, I stopped by the smithy.
The smithy has been busy since morning. As soon as I entered, the head of the Blacksmith Guild rushed out.
“Welcome, Your Highness! Did you come to see the horse gun being cast?”
“No, it’s okay to slow down.”
In the first place, the Black Queen was also completed a few days ago. I had no intention of getting the other three sacks already.
“I came today to disassemble the equipment.”
I gestured to Lucas, who was standing behind me. Lucas piled the equipment on the workbench.
It was a collection of damaged equipment.
i made a mistake… … Evangeline’s SSR grade cavalry spear and shield, which were broken with .
And Evangeline’s SSR-grade lance and shield, which were also damaged in the last battle.
In total, four SSR-class equipment was destroyed.
It was fortunate that no one died, but after eating four of these high-end items, my stomach was boiling.
Especially since I broke two of them by mistake, it makes me even more angry!
“Can you extract the magic core from these devices?”
Equipment disassembly is the process of melting items and recovering material items.
If the equipment is intact, there is a 50% chance of recovering the magic core of the corresponding grade. The problem is broken equipment.
Depending on the degree of damage, the probability of recovering the magic core drops drastically.
If you’re lucky, you can get the magic core intact, but usually you get pieces of other materials that went into making the equipment.
‘Give me back the SR Haek! please!’
I was crying and praying on the inside, but on the outside I stood solemnly like a lord.
The head of the Blacksmith Guild lowered his head with a rather spleen face.
“I will do my best, Your Highness.”
“I will wait for the results.”
After watching the broken equipment go into a large furnace, I left the smithy.
It will take a day or two to melt down the equipment and retrieve the materials.
‘It would be nice to get even one magic core… … .’
Praying, I got into the wagon at the entrance of the smithy.
The last workshop to be visited was the alchemist’s workshop.
***
“We were studying the armor fragment of the golem you entrusted to us the other day.”
Alchemist’s workshop.
The head of the union, who guided me inside, pointed to the inside of the workshop.
The alchemists were analyzing the golem armor fragments that they had recovered a little from the last free exploration and acquired in large quantities again in this stage.
“It contains the magic civilization technology from hundreds of years ago. After the analysis, it will help to increase the durability of the armor and walls.”
In this way, in the case of a certain group of monsters, it is possible to upgrade our side through research.
In the case of golem armor fragments, it raises the overall armor tier. It will help.
“It is also because of the Mercury Artifact that I came today.”
Looking at the head of the union and Lily alternately, I gave instructions.
“We need to expand anti-aircraft artifacts. Do you have stock?”
“The grand duke means… Is it to intercept enemies in the air?”
“Yes.”
There are several rules for the appearance of the monster corps in < Protect the Empire >.
One of them is that a flying monster appears once in every 5 stages.
For example, at least once in stages 1-5 and at least once in stages 6-10. Like this.
‘You have to deal with a flying monster at least once in stage 4 or 5.’
If you come out of stage 4, you can start preparing now.
If you come out of stage 5, the story gets a little complicated from here.
The multiple of 5 stage is a kind of boss stage, and the number and quality of monsters is superior.
If a flying monster appears at this time, you must prepare in advance anyway.
That’s why I’m trying to expand anti-aircraft artifacts from now on.
“Among the repairable artifacts, make a list of all artifacts with anti-air abilities.”
“I understand, Your Highness!”
The union leader and Lily rushed to the warehouse.
I was lost in thought while the two of them rummaged through the warehouse.
‘Defense battles against flying monsters are quite different from previous defense battles.’
Land obstacles and barricades have no meaning at all, and the height of the walls loses their power.
Even long-distance interception is not smooth.
In this situation, monsters approach quickly through the air and engage in hand-to-hand combat.
In other words, hand-to-hand combat is inevitable.
‘Existing tactics that reduce the number of enemies focusing on long-distance firepower projection are meaningless. We need to build a solid and stable melee line.’
While thinking about the melee line, my head hurt and I touched my forehead.
I always say, but there are not enough people!
‘Even if there was one more decent sub-party… … !’
It’s not like there aren’t any additional characters.
However, all of them are N-rank, have no special characteristics, and are low level.
If you nurture it, you can use it usefully, but it never weighs as much as the main party.
‘Why are there so few usable kids!’
The main party is a luxurious composition of only two SSR rank vanguards, an SR rank wide area wizard, and a cheat sniper.
From the sub party, the talent pool dried up. Even though it’s stage 4 soon, I rode the speed fast.
‘I need to get some decent kids soon… … .’
At that time, Lily and the Alchemist Guildmaster returned to me.
“A list of repairable anti-aircraft artifacts!”
“see.”
I got the list and looked through it.
“Hmm good. This and this and this last one… … three. Repair it first and place it on top of the wall.”
“All right! Then I’m off to fix it right away!”
As soon as I instructed, Lily took the list and disappeared into the burinake studio.
Hey, if you don’t do that, rest assured I won’t take you to dangerous places anymore… … .
Receiving a respectful greeting from the head of the Alchemist Guild, I left the alchemy workshop.
“after.”
Lucas smiled beside me as I untied my collar and inhaled.
“You have worked hard, my lord.”
“what. I was just giving instructions while turning around.”
I picked up the water bottle Lucas handed me and swallowed it. Lucas reached out for the wagon.
“Are you done with your business? Now let’s go back to the mansion. You still need to get some rest.”
“If anyone sees it, they’ll think you’ve got a fatal disease.”
I have to take care of it, but why are you doing it instead?
I handed the water bottle to Lucas on the road and headed into the city.
“We have to go one more place.”
“yes? Aren’t all the workshop facilities turned on?”
“I’ve seen all of the workshops. But there are other places to see other than the workshop.”
I smiled.
“We will build a new facility in the city. Today, I’m going to meet the people who will be using it there and find a suitable site.”
“What kind of facility is this? Is this a new aqueous facility? Or even a knight training center to create your own knights?”
“no. It is not a Mercury-related facility.”
After opening the system window and showing the entire city map, I looked for a suitable place with my eyes and said.
“I will build a casino.”
“… yes?”
As if not understanding, Lucas replied a beat late.
I said one more time
“They said they would build a casino. A place where nobles and rich people legally play money.”
“… .”
“To be precise, I am thinking of putting up a hotel with a casino. Where would you like… … .”
Lucas, who looked at me with a sad face, smiled warmly before long. What is it that makes you anxious?
“As expected, the lord is the lord.”
“huh? why?”
“To think of building a casino yourself in this remote village because you can’t throw away your nasty temperament and can’t forget the taste of gambling and gambling… I can only admire Master Lucas’s consistency.”
“I’ll beat you up man!”
I tried to hit Lucas once with my new magic wand, but I resisted. I think I’ll give you a sharp buff, this guy!
“That’s not it, Lucas! Listen straight up! I’m not doing this to play around!”
I raised my index finger and shouted earnestly.
“They’re trying to lure other heroic characters into it!”
