Chapter 33: [Side Story] Things I can do

Chapter 33: [Side Story] Things I can do

The next day dawned.

As soon as the first rays of light sliced through the morning haze, I departed from the mansion. My plan was to supervise the preparations for our upcoming defensive clash by making a complete tour of Crossroads.

The city walls were my first stop.

There, I found the laborers glistening with sweat, toiling since the crack of dawn. They were all clearly putting their heart and soul into their work.

"Ah, Your Highness!"

The leader of the stone masons guild, who was supervising the repair work, acknowledged me with a bow. I reciprocated with a slight nod.

"How is the repair work coming along?"

"We just succeeded in extracting the giant sword that was stuck in the wall."

Following the guild masters direction, I saw fragments of shattered metal strewn around.

The Phantom Knight, the boss from the previous stage, had wedged his immense sword into our wall. At last, we had managed to dislodge it.

"Today, we aim to clear all the debris and kickstart the actual repair work on the wall."

"No need to get rid of the sword remains."

I motioned towards the open field beyond the wall.

"Scatter them in front of the wall. Theyll serve as an effective barrier."

The next wave of monsters was anticipated to be a swarm of rats.

The sword fragments would provide a fitting greeting for these tiny pests. Perfect as a rat deterrent.

My eyes traced the part of the wall from where we had removed the sword. The impact zone was dreadfully damaged.

The internal metal structure was bent out of shape, looking akin to a twisted candy cane.

"How long until the wall repairs are complete?"

At my inquiry, the guild master hesitated a bit.

"Your Highness, although youve arranged for extra workers and the soldiers have been aiding the repair work... weve discovered additional damage to the wall post the swords removal. The situation is grimmer than we initially estimated."

The walls of Crossroads were designed robustly to ward off monstrous threats.

They were built with a skeleton of interwoven iron rods, around which stones were stacked. Metal plates were then layered on top.

This was the height of imperial construction technology. Thanks to that, our walls boasted an impressive level of defense, even against the Phantom Knights massive sword.

A regular wall would have caved in and crumbled.

However, the complexity of the construction meant repairs werent as straightforward as stacking a few stones.

"Cut to the chase. Whats the projected timeline?"

"Approximately ten days from now."

"Ten days..."

I couldnt help but sigh.

There was just over a week left until the next stage. Time was running short.

"Could we cut it down to a week if we inject more resources and manpower?"

I was ready to invest as much manpower and funding as necessary if it would help us gain more time.

But the guild master decisively shook his head.

"There are limits to what just extra manpower and resources can achieve. Its a tough call."

"Surely, there are some aspects that could be expedited with additional resources?"

"Well, if we can bring in more workers and materials, and work round the clock, we might be able to shave off a day..."

"If we can save a day, that means we could save two days, and if we can save two days, we could save three days."

I knew it was a tall order. But I persisted.

"Ill provide the manpower and materials. No matter what, complete the wall repairs within a week."

The rationale behind my bold demand was straightforward.

[Enemy Information - STAGE 2]

- Lv.? ??? : 3 bodies

- Lv.5 Giant Sewer Rat: 3251 bodies

It wasnt a misinterpretation.

Nor was it a misjudgment of what I saw.

The enemys data popped up as soon as I concluded the free exploration, offering this bewildering display.

Three thousand.

Those rats, comparable in size to the large dogs I encountered during the free exploration, amounted to a staggering three thousand.

Sure, their level was only five. They were just oversized rats that even the average soldier could dispatch without much trouble.

But there were three thousand of them.

Even run-of-the-mill animals, if gathered in a swarm of three thousand, could reduce a city to ruins. Let alone these beasts, which were far from ordinary.

The walls must stand.

The walls had to be fixed at all costs. Without the walls, fending off such a horde of monsters would be an impossible feat.

I gripped the guild masters shoulder, who was sweating bullets due to anxiety. He responded with a heavy nod.

"...Understood. Well give it our all.

I gave the guild masters back a comforting pat.

Thank you. Your hard work and everyones dedication wont be forgotten.

Surveying the laborers, I amplified my voice.

Come on, were tasked with protecting the world! Lets throw everything weve got at it!

***

Lilly moved toward me, her face a mask of fear.

"Why...why are you doing this... Your Highness?"

She seemed jittery, possibly worried that Id burden her with another perilous task. I offered her a comforting smile.

"No, its just... thank you for your hard work. Im counting on you moving forward."

I do have a task for her, just not at the moment.

After proffering Lilly a gratuitous handshake of reassurance, as she stood there immobilized, I exited the alchemists workshop with Lucas.

"Youre scheming to have me undertake another weird task, arent you?! Something dangerous?! Right? Your Highness! Your Highnesssss!"

Lillys outcry faintly reverberated behind us.

Im sorry, Lilly. But thats the reality of being a public servant.

***

Temple.

As soon as I stepped foot into this marble edifice located in the citys northern region, a whiff of disinfectant stung my nostrils.

"..."

I didnt announce my presence, instead, quietly moved further into the temple.

"Patient in bed number 3 is critical!"

"We need more potions! Holy water and bandages too!"

The interior of the temple was lined with beds, with the injured laid out, receiving care.

Rank R healer Saintess Margarita, alongside other priests, was tending to the wounded with a hectic pace. Among them was Damien.

I observed Damien from a distance as he sweated profusely while administering healing magic.

Looking more at ease than when he was piercing enemies with a sharp gaze, Damiens tranquil demeanor, now changing the bandages of the injured, seemed fitting.

"...Theres nothing more I can do here."

I quietly slipped out of the temple.

In their own ways, everyone was battling for survival.

Everyone in this temple was fighting to preserve lives.

As their leader, I must exert my utmost.

I tightened my grip.

Annihilate the monsters, safeguard the people.

Thats my responsibility.

"Lets go. The Mercenary Guild is next."

"Understood."

Lucas and I left the temple and charted our course for the Mercenary Guild.

***

Approaching the Mercenary Guild located in the heart of the city.

I took a deep breath before the entrance.

May the Mercenary Guild brim with promising talents!

I whispered a silent prayer and forcefully swung open the door.

"Theres a new character!"

However.

"Shit! I already have this one!"

The once vibrant Mercenary Guild was absent of any promising new mercenaries.

Instead, Jupiter, radiating a mesmerizing purple aura, sat alone, nursing a drink.

I was thrilled, thinking a new SR rank character had surfaced!

I clutched my aching head. Why was this old lady here again?

Jupiter ambled over to me and offered a salute. I reciprocated with a nod.

"What brings you here, Jupiter?"

"Do I have a home, or any savings? I have no place worth calling home, so Ive been living off the Guild."

"Quite the braggart, arent you? You could build yourself a house with the salary Ive given you!"

"Ahh~ What does a mercenary need with a house? Were not meant to settle down."

Jupiters lips curled into a cunning smile.

"Living where the wind takes us, going where our hearts lead us, splurging on good food and drinks, thats the ideal mercenary life."

"So youve decided to stake out here...?"

"Im officially discharged, I cant stay in the Empires barracks, can I? And would I want to share a mercenary dorm with youngsters? The inns are too rundown for their price."

I realized that arguing would only waste my breath. Shaking my head, I scanned the empty guild.

"It seems there are no promising new comrades around."

"Its too soon to be disappointed, Your Highness."

Jupiter merely shrugged. I rolled my eyes. Did this old woman have a hidden trump card?

"Who am I? I spent 30 years in the Empires army, and Ive been in the mercenary game for years. Am I not the Comeback Hero, Jupiter?" (TL Note: Not sure how to translate . It basically means someone who is portrayed as a powerful and influential figure capable of changing the course of events or achieving victory against the odds.)

"And so, Comeback Hero? What of it?"

"This old lady has a few, actually, quite a few connections."

Heh.

Wearing a mischievous grin, Jupiter declared with conviction,

"Ive been spreading tales all over the continent. That the new ruler of the monster frontier is of royal blood and isnt afraid to splash the cash."