Chapter 14:

Chapter 14:

"From this day forward, you will die on the frontlines!"

I declared it without any attempt to sugarcoat the truth.

"Each week, fresh graves will appear in this cemetery, accompanied by the mournful tunes of the choir."

Despite my efforts to limit the losses, lives would be lost. There could never be a battlefront void of casualties.

But...

"Make no mistake, your demise will cost more than your survival!"

The expenses involved in these funerals and the compensation for the deceased were immense.

Almost half of the income from selling magic stones had to be allocated for this compensation budget.

I had also planned to increase the salaries of all soldiers and mercenaries, but it paled in comparison to the funeral expenses.

Yes, death shouldnt be commonplace or inexpensive. It should be precious and costly, not a fate easily met by anyone.

"So, I will strive to keep you alive. I will go to every extent to save you and thrust you back into battle."

For my financial needs as a lord, and for the soldiers own good.

They must not die.

They must live.

Survival was the commandment.

"So, dont yield to death easily."

I glanced at Jupiter and the mercenaries. Jupiter returned my gaze with his single eye, his lips sealed tightly.

"Live and earn your wages from me. Dont die and make me foot the funeral bill."

That marked the end of my address.

As I stepped down from the podium, Lucas signaled to the artillery.

-Boom!

The sound echoed...

Above the crimson-hued evening sky, a salute to the brave souls reverberated.

How would the citizens interpret my speech?

The apologies of an inept commander? The money-driven frenzy of a mad lord?

Either way, it didnt concern me.

I would demonstrate it through results. On these beast-ridden frontlines, I was more capable than anyone.

"Now, shall we..."

Smirking, I rolled my wrists.

"Attempt to clear Stage 1?"

***

The following day, Jupiter and the mercenaries fell under my command.

"Congratulations! Youve got some impressive new comrades!"

Aider barged in, holding a pile of profiles for the new mercenaries. What a racket.

This was the lords office.

I was inundated with work. I had to handle city administration duties, even within the game...

Why is there so much work immediately after I take office? What was the previous lord up to?

I tackled the paperwork while grumbling. After all, planning for the next stage was crucial now. I had to survive to manage the city.

"Weve hired all the independent mercenaries in the city! A total of 114 people!"

We required every soldier we could muster for the impending Stage 1.

I hired all available mercenaries, cost being no object.

"Theyve all entered their stats into the system. You can check it whenever youd like."

Upon saying this, Aider nonchalantly discarded all the profiles he was holding into the trash bin. If he was going to do that, why bother bringing them in the first place?

"Lets see..."

I summoned the system interface to review the new mercenaries Id enlisted.

The forces within <Protect the Empire> were divided into two distinct types.

Heroes and Soldiers, those were the categories.

Heroes were remarkable individuals. They had the capability to wield skills and form parties.

These characters were the bedrock of the games strategic play.

Even the N-graded heroes, who are frequently dismissed, held immense power compared to ordinary soldiers.

Soldiers lacked the ability to use skills or form parties. However, without them, the battle lines would crumble.

Since soldiers also gained strength with experience, it was essential to uplift their spirits and manage them effectively.

"Among the mercenaries youve employed this time, the count of heroes is... five."

Out of over a hundred Id chosen, only five qualified as heroes.

Moreover, the odds of encountering high-grade heroes among these five were even lower. From this perspective, it was a rather ruthless gacha game.

"Did we hit the jackpot?!"

I hollered as I opened the list of new heroes.

-Flash!

The hues reflecting on the profile images of the five new characters were... one purple, four grays.

"Lets go get some fresh air."

Lucas, who promptly fetched my coat, queried,

"Where are we headed today, your Highness?"

"The lake."

I replied calmly while sliding my arm into the coat that Lucas was assisting me with.

"Im going to visit the enemy camp."

"...Pardon me?"

Lucass face was a picture of confusion, not comprehending what Id just said. I let out a smug grin.

"Youll understand when we arrive, you simpleton."

***

A short while later, in the backyard of the Crossroad lords mansion.

Lucas and I stood before a mound of crumbled stones. Lucas, oblivious to the situation, followed me without question.

I extended my hand towards the heap of stones. Then, a system window materialized before me.

[Do you wish to activate the teleport gate?]

- Yes/No

Well, naturally, yes.

-Gugugung!

Accompanied by an odd operational sound, the stones levitated, spinning and assembling into a magical gate.

A stunned Lucas inquired.

"What is this, Your Highness?"

"Its a portal to the dungeon beneath the lake."

I explained once more to the flabbergasted Lucas.

"So, its a direct route to a hell brimming with monsters? Is that what youre implying?"

<Protect the Empire> combined two game genres.

Tower Defense & Dungeon Attack.

The games rules were set as follows. The central stage was all about tower defense.

Monsters emerged from the lake, assailing us via the crossroads, and our objective was to repel them using the citys entire military power. It was a war of total annihilation.

Then, in between these stages, during the periods when the enemies werent launching assaults, we were permitted to delve into the dungeon beneath the enemys stronghold, the lake.

This was referred to as free exploration.

The player would navigate the dungeon with a small assault team, gathering clues for the upcoming stage, grinding for experience and items, and unveiling the mysteries entwined with the dungeon.

This pattern of alternating defense and offense was the games fundamental structure.

This teleportation gate was a device designed for that free exploration.

In the game, it only activated after the completion of stage 1, but I had an inkling, so I decided to inspect it. Sure enough, it was already operational.

Its a damn challenging game, but it doesnt set you up for failure.

Furthermore, I knew how to handle almost all of the monsters.

And I had nearly committed to memory the layout and gimmicks of the dungeon beneath the lake.

During the defensive stage, Id slay the monsters and then round them up like a mass hunt.

During the offensive free exploration, Id hoover up all the items and experience I could farm in the dungeon.

Its worth a try. No, its definitely achievable!

The tutorial was grueling, but the initial conditions were rather favorable.

I began with Damien, a character who could be dubbed a cheat code, and I also managed to secure Jupiter, an SR-ranked wide-area attacker.

On top of that, I had a decent sum of money.

The confidence that I could safely clear the game and fulfill my wish... it was burgeoning within me.

"Alright, Lucas. Let me put it in simple terms."

I spelled out the games rules to Lucas, informing him that we were conducting a reconnaissance of the enemy in preparation for the next stage.

"Indeed, I understand."

Lucas didnt pose any queries. He merely inspected his armor and weapon.

"..."

I swallowed my dry saliva.

In reality, Lucas should have been the one with the most questions.

Given the sudden transformation in the prince he had served his entire life, who now knew the layout of a city we had just reached and the existence of the dungeon.

It was peculiar, but Lucas silently trailed me.

"Hey. Dont you have any questions for me?"

I asked cautiously, prompting Lucas to look at me with his deep blue eyes.

"..."

"..."

A moment of silence ensued. Unwittingly, I swallowed my dry saliva once again.

After a brief pause, Lucas diverted his gaze and slowly began to speak.

"I..."