357 - Sudden Patch Notes 1

357 - Sudden Patch Notes 1

TL/Editor: raei

Schedule: 5/week

Illustrations: Posted in discord T/his chapter is updated by nov(ê(l)biin.co/m

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The world ground to a stop, then transformed.

Han Se-ah became the first player to clear the 50th floor. Meanwhile, I unexpectedly activated an awakening skill and encountered a divine being who gave me a rough rundown on quests and the tower.

But this Goddess, aside from favoring me and Han Se-ah, has some seriously incompetent aspects.

"Where the f*ck is this empire..."

I had such blasphemous thoughts because the knowledge she gave me didn't include patch notes for after the 50th floor.

I didn't care much when a princess suddenly appeared in the kingdom, completely reshuffling the nobles' political positions and changing not just the nobility but also their underlings. After all, I'm no politician, so why should I care who the nobles support?

But the fact that an empire exists beyond the treacherous mountains to the northeast of the kingdom, accessible with magical aid, isn't something to brush off lightly.

A f*cking country, another country just popped into existence.

"My lord, is something troubling you?"

"...No."

The northeast of the kingdom used to be an extremely remote area blocked by snow-capped peaks. If you tried to climb them, you'd reach the end of the world and either freeze or starve to death. But suddenly, a massive highway appeared, conquering nature and opening a path to the empire.

Thanks to this, Katie's family, who used to just hunt monsters in the north, now seems to be in charge of the border with the empire. The nobles have changed yet again, moving beyond the factions supporting the first prince, second prince, and princess to a mix of pro-empire and anti-empire factions...

What a f*cking mess.

And the biggest problem is that this empire happens to be Roland's homeland.

After muttering about "Roland of Lombardo," they suddenly added a backstory that this Lombardo is actually the empire.

"Wait, where did all our party members suddenly go...?"

-How much did you neglect them that they all abandoned the party and ran away?

-I thought we'd finally see the girl's face again, but she's gone

-What kind of game progression is this? lol So where did all the NPC companions go?

-Sang about imperialism, imperialism, and now a real empire pops up lol

-So the Goddess made a kingdom, but what's with this empire, the f*ck?

Thanks to that, I could comfortably watch the dumbfounded Han Se-ah in a carriage racing along a road filled with cutting-edge magical engineering.

I'm also surprised by my homeland suddenly appearing in the distance, but how shocked must Han Se-ah be, logging in after the patch to find her companions naturally scattered? What gamer would accept an event where companions just vanish after clearing half the game?

Of course, the companions vanishing doesn't mean the party has disbanded. Like when we met the Goddess, it's the start of a sort of companion strengthening event.

Grace went to train at the archery guild to perfect the ranger skills she learned from her father. Katie headed north for the magic armor she'd completely forgotten about, saying she probably won't inherit the family now. Irene went to the temple headquarters to receive commendation and education from the saints for her achievements.

Unlike the kingdom's knights, he wore red emblems on his armor's shoulders. He placed his hand on my shoulder from behind, then started groaning when he saw my profile. Thanks to that, his patrol partner came over too, and people around us began to watch curiously.

'...If I punch him, I'll become a wanted criminal, right?'

I clenched my fist, tensing up as I had no idea what was going on. Then the two knights' faces lit up with a familiar expression.

A burdensome gaze mixing happiness, surprise, admiration, and respect in just the right proportions.

"Sir Roland! Isn't it Sir Roland?!"

"Ah, the news of you slaying the blasphemous monster of the tower has reached even the empire. You're finally returning to the empire!"

"Uh... you know me?"

"Of course!"

Why are these border guards, not even adventurers, calling my name like fangirls and getting so excited? When I muttered in disbelief, struggling to accept reality, they shouted as if it were obvious.

They look like Sergei and Ivan who'd wrestle bears while chugging vodka, but they're acting like a comedy duo enjoying a stand-up routine, bouncing lines back and forth. I didn't think people actually alternated speaking like that in real life, not in cartoons.

Ah, maybe it's because they're game NPCs.

"The one who kicked away prepared glory to seize glory for yourself!"

"We heard you honed yourself in the most remote part of the kingdom."

"And you were chosen by the Goddess, drawing the holy sword,"

"Then punished the blasphemous beings of the tower with your companions."

As border guards manning the gate, they're big and their voices boom. But when they start singing my praises with those huge voices, attention gathers in an instant.

I'm not sure how the patch went after clearing the 50th floor, but it's clear that rumors from inside the tower have spread beyond the kingdom to the empire. Not just the porters in the merchant groups, but even nobles trying to pass the checkpoint in carriages are slightly opening their windows to stare intently in this direction.

F*ck, this is uncomfortable...

On both sides, burly men send passionate gazes like lovesick girls, about to embrace me. Behind me, hundreds of people tired of waiting for inspection watch with interest. Even passing carriages slowly stop to gawk at my face. What a horrible situation.

"Ah! This isn't the time for this! This way, we'll escort you, sir!"

"Oh my, it seems we've taken too much of your time. Are you returning to Lombardo? We have a good carriage you can take!"

At least my patience with this knight duo paid off, as the inspection process was completed before I even took out my adventurer's badge.

I thought they were low-ranking since they were on patrol, but they must have some seniority. Like a colonel in hiking clothes passing a weekend checkpoint, a few casual hand waves got stamps pounding on papers and a luxurious-looking carriage rushing over.

What's more, it's not a coachman driving the carriage, but a soldier in pristine armor. It clearly looks like an official carriage used by noble military officers or knight commanders, not one from the coachman's guild.

'...Just what the hell is my background?'

"Travel safely, Sir Roland!"

I leaned back in the carriage seat, receiving a send-off that eased my body but complicated my mind.

I really hope no weird settings have been attached.