Chapter 15: [Side Story] At the Black Lake

Chapter 15: [Side Story] At the Black Lake

Lucas began to speak with caution.

"I...

I was on pins and needles. Multiple contingency plans sprouted in my mind, considering how to justify my actions to Lucas in a manner that would ensure his continued loyalty.

However.

"I simply follow your orders. I harbor no doubts."

Those were Lucass words.

"I am your sword and your shield. I merely strike and protect as per your directives.

...

I was at a loss for words.

He undoubtedly had his reservations. Yet, he trusted me more than he was skeptical, Lucas had made that abundantly clear.

I was somewhat moved. Damn, Lucas, you loyal fool. Ill make sure you get a handsome bonus later.

Good on you, Lucas!

I pointed towards the entrance of the gate and hollered spiritedly.

"Are you prepared to step into the jaws of hell then?

Lucas solemnly nodded with a stern expression.

If it is by your side, I would gladly journey to the very depths of hell.

You might not be aware of this, but weve already weathered hell together, Lucas.

And were poised to do it once more.

I didnt voice these thoughts aloud, instead, I patted Lucass shoulder gently. Lucas responded with a faint smile.

A moment later, we were more or less geared up. Originally, we were simply going to perform a light reconnaissance, hence the minimal preparation.

I stood before the gate. Subsequently, a system window materialized before me.

[Teleport Gate]

- Please select a destination.

> Lakeside Pier

> (Unopened area)

> (Unopened area)

> ...

Presently, the gate could only transport us to one location - the Lakeside Pier.

As we traverse and clear the dungeon, the number of accessible locations will progressively increase. I selected Lakeside Pier and activated the gate.

As the magical portal began its rotation, Lucas positioned himself at the entrance of the gate first.

"I will go ahead, your highness. Should there be any adversaries, I will handle them."

"Theres no need to worry, the gate is safe."

"Even so, what if scenarios exist. Thus, I shall be the first to step in."

With those words, he leaped into the gate. Such an exemplary model of dedication.

Hoo.

I drew in a deep breath, and then hurled myself into the gate following his lead.

Woong-!

My field of vision swirled, and I was enshrouded by the sensation of levitating in the air.

Shortly thereafter, the world plunged into pitch darkness.

***

[Now Loading...]

[Tip - Heroes can bolster their strength by equipping gear. Equipment can be procured in the dungeon or crafted at the blacksmiths.] (TL Note: Lol)

For goodness sake, quit shoving these tips at me out of the blue! Stop attempting to pass off as a user-friendly game now!

***

-Flash!

With a blinding burst of light, the gate traversal was concluded.

As I emerged from the gate, a lake with a sapphire surface glistening in the sunlight sprawled before me.

"Weve arrived."

I felt a tad nauseous, but I had made it in one piece.

I composed myself and scanned the surroundings. We were next to a decrepit pier at the lakeside. The gently undulating lake stretched out right before my eyes.

This black lake was the birthplace of monsters, a hellish source of nightmares.

It was the dungeon that barred the southern edge of the world.

"..."

Lake Sacaman stirred lazily, radiating an ominous air like a yawning abyss.

Almost hypnotically drawn in, I found myself gazing intently into the lake.

"Your Majesty!"

The urgency in Lucass voice snapped me out of my trance.

Startled, I turned towards him. At the end of the pier, I saw Lucass back.

"What is it, whats happening?"

"Over there, look over there...!"

With a face white as a sheet from terror, Lucas pointed out towards the lake. I followed his gaze.

And my eyes grew wide with shock.

-Sshhhhhhhhh...!

The tranquil surface of Lake Sacaman roiled and churned,

-Boom! Boom! Boom!

Monstrous forms began to burst forth from the frothing lake, stomping their feet on the pier.

The only option was to exhaust every possible measure.

"Aider!"

As I stormed into the mansion and hollered, Aider scurried over, adjusting his glasses.

"You summoned, Lord?"

"Hows the citys military faring?"

"The current total personnel available for front-line service in Crossroads is approximately five hundred and twenty-six, mlord!"

Over the past few years, as monster invasions had become less frequent, the fortresss standing army had been whittled down to about three thousand.

The bulk of this number was lost in the tutorial stage.

Although they had managed to bolster the ranks with about a hundred mercenaries, their military strength remained woefully inadequate.

"Damn it, Ash, you stupid idiot!"

I cursed yet again at the reckless prince who had lent me his body. Dammit!

Had it been any other monster legion, our current forces would have been enough to scoff at the danger, but against the Living Armor Legion, we were severely underprepared.

"Whats the possibility for further troop reinforcements?"

"All the mercenaries who came to the city have already been employed. Well hire more as they arrive, but..."

"So, youre saying theres nowhere else to recruit more?"

"Within this city, yes."

"Then send messengers to nearby cities to request for troops! Tell them Ill pay double the usual weekly wage!"

Certainly, Crossroad was a solitary fortress stationed at the worlds southernmost tip.

Traveling to a nearby city would take days, but it was better to attempt than not.

"Also, dispatch a messenger to the Imperial Palace. Inform them that the monsters have started to mobilize and request the maximum possible reinforcements."

Aider, who had been diligently noting down my instructions, paused and gave me a faint smile.

"Are you certain about this, my lord?"

Requesting support from the empires headquarters was a precursor for a crucial event in the mid-game.

Thats why I had been resisting the urge to seek help. But what could I do? Survival was paramount!

"Go ahead, its fine!"

"Understood!"

"And gather all the carpenters, stonemasons, blacksmiths, and alchemists in the city. No, dont just gather, draft them."

Crossroad was the worlds largest magic stone mining area.

There were numerous artisans working on processing these magic stones. I planned to utilize them as well.

"But if we do so, the magic stone processing line will halt..."

"Were on the brink of disaster, and youre worried about magic stone processing? Stop it all and bring everyone here!"

"Understood. Ill draft them immediately."

After issuing several minor orders, I gave my final instruction.

"And, summon all party members."

"We have a total of 9 heroes who can form parties. How would you like to arrange them?"

"..."

I opened the system window.

I grouped the newly recruited heroes, including Jupiter, into one party.

The remaining - Lucas, Damien, Lilly, and I - were assigned to the main party.

"The parties will be arranged like this. Inform them as you summon."

"Lilly is in a somewhat difficult condition for movement."

"This is not the time to consider that."

I felt a pang of regret for Lilly, who was wheelchair-bound and nearing retirement. But we couldnt afford to have an R-class wizard sidelined at this critical juncture.

"Theres no time. Carry out the orders now!"

"Understood~!"

Aider scurried out of the mansion.

After instructing Lucas to prepare the party members for battle as they arrived, I retreated to my room in the mansion.

Perched on the edge of the bed, I brought up the system window in the air before me.

I had spent a fair amount of time waffling and mulling over it, but... it seemed the luxury of time was no longer on my side.

Job selection.

From the list of potential jobs, my finger hovered over the last option.

Commander.

The difficulty level of this game was anything but ordinary.

From the Queen Spider in the tutorial to the prematurely appearing Living Armor Legion, arguably the most fearsome monster type in the early stages of the game.

The tougher the game, the more crucial it was to introduce variables.

So, I made the decision to roll the dice. I intended to introduce variables using a lesser-known hidden job.

[Novice Commander will be your job selection. Are you sure?]

- Yes/No

Yes, damn you.

My hands trembled as I gingerly selected Yes.

[Ash (EX) has changed jobs to Novice Commander!]

The jingle that signified my job change chimed in.

And then...

"What, whats going on?!"

My eyes bulged at the following system message.

What on earth was this?!