Chapter 128

Chapter 128

In the afternoon, before evening, at the entrance of the mansion.

The first party to arrive at the mansion was unexpectedly not the one I called.

"Jupiter?"

Confused, I muttered tentatively.

"What brings you here?"

"..."

Dressed in clean imperial army uniform, Jupiter flashed a thin smile.

Despite her pale face marked with unmistakable signs of disease, her sole eye remained as sharp as ever.

"Your Majesty. Do you remember what I told you before? I said I was spreading a rumor across the continent, didnt I?"

"Hmm?"

"That the monster front here pays well. That the new commander, His Highness the Prince, is generous. Didnt I say I was spreading that rumor?"

"Ah, right, that one."

Yes. It happened a few months ago, but I remember it clearly. I told her to spread rumors among the continents mercenaries.

I had readily agreed to it.

After all, there was nothing better than having mercenaries flocking to this city.

"The old mercenaries I knew heard the rumor and have come."

Jupiter pointed to the mercenaries standing behind her.

Men and women of middle age, with vividly lined faces, politely bowed to me.

Including Jupiter, they were a group of five - exactly one party.

"Were thinking of naming the party... Old Hunters. How does that sound?"

Jupiter proposed confidently.

"They are veterans, having rolled through hell-like frontlines. Theyll be of help."

"Jupiter."

But I shook my head slightly.

"Your magic explosion injuries havent healed yet. I cant allow you to join the frontlines."

"Your Majesty."

Jupiter didnt back down.

"I heard this defensive battle involves vampires."

"..."

"Youll need as many capable mages as possible, wont you?"

I clenched my jaw. What she said was undeniably true.

Even at a glance, these people were high-level veterans. Their rankings were decent too.

If they were to join the upcoming battle, they would be of great help.

However...

"Dont worry. Im a mercenary. Im not foolish enough to burn myself out just to spit out magic."

Jupiter, who had stepped forward, pleaded desperately.

"Your Majesty. Please give this old woman a chance."

"..."

"To prove that I still have some use... Please give me a chance."

I couldnt bring myself to refuse her.

"Come in. Were about to have a strategic meeting over dinner."

I gestured into the mansion and smiled wryly.

"I suppose Ill have to prepare five more servings."

***

A few hours later.

Inside the Lords mansion, in the dining room.

Although I asked everyone to gather by 6 p.m., all the party members had arrived even before 5 p.m.

A long table was set in the dining room, and the members of the four parties were seated in a row.

From the top seat, there was the main party, Shadow Squad, Dion Mercenary Group, and the newly joined Old Hunters.

Junior, who I had separately called, was also sitting at the table with the main party.

From the friendly chatter, it seemed they had become friends.

At that moment, Junior locked eyes with Jupiter, who had been silently sipping water in the corner of the table.

"..."

"..."

The grandmother and granddaughter quickly averted their eyes, pretending nothing had happened. Seriously.

"Everyones here."

When I stood at the head of the table, everyone fell silent and focused on me. I nodded.

"Originally, I was going to feed you first then start the meeting. But since you all arrived early, lets have the meeting first and then eat. Is that okay?"

Dion and Godhand immediately nodded.

"Of course, Your Majesty!"

"The strategy meeting for this defensive battle is much more important than a meal."

"I will now lecture in detail on how to deal with each entity, so everyone better drill this into your heads."

Its lecture time by the hit tutor RetroAddict of Protect the Empire!

"Remembering this will be your blood and flesh... and your life in this defense battle, so make sure you understand it clearly."

"Senior!"

Then, Evangeline raised her hand. I pointed at Evangeline with the tip of my staff, exclaiming, "Oh!"

"Good, student Evangeline. Do you have a question before the lecture?"

Evangeline, who was rolling her eyes to catch the atmosphere around her, asked cautiously.

"... Cant we have the lecture after eating?"

"Put your palm out."

"No, really, I feel like my appetite will completely disappear after hearing about how to deal with vampires! Even when we were supposed to eat!"

Young lady, is the meal the problem now?! The future of the defense battle is the problem!

***

And so, my heated lecture on strategies ended three hours later.

It was well past 8 in the evening.

"..."

"..."

Really, all their faces turned pale, having lost their appetite.

As I meticulously explained the specifications of vampires, a species they had only vaguely known about until now, they were bound to feel disheartened.

As my lecture continued, the chef who had been watching from the back of the dining room started serving the appetizers cautiously.

But while food was being placed on the table, all the party members remained lost in their thoughts, unable to touch the food.

"Do you think... we can pull this off?"

The careful question was voiced by Damien.

"We are facing an enemy more formidable than any monster weve encountered so far..."

"..."

I recall encountering Celendion on the Path of the Overlord just a few days ago.

Back then, our main party was helpless against him. He was undeniably strong.

But that was a dungeon. It was his base.

This time, we fight at our base.

And his stats will be adjusted down to match Stage 5. It will be much more manageable.

In the end, this game is an RPG.

Level is the bully, and gear luck is king.

In other words,

"Think about the battles youve all fought so far."

If hes downgraded, and were upgraded,

We can catch up. We certainly can.

"All the previous battles were nearly impossible, harsh battles. But we made it through."

I looked around at everyone and smiled broadly.

"And we will do it again this time."

I was confident. Confident that we could clear this stage, in our strategy.

But...

"..."

Honestly, I wasnt so confident.

How many of them could I actually save?

I was doing my best given the circumstances, but...

Limits do approach, clearly.

...ugh.

Suddenly, that scene flashed through my mind.

When we cleared the last stage on Earth.

Every party member character was annihilated, with only Lucas left standing alone.

Standing alone on top of the bodies of friends and foes.

I wont let that happen again.

I shook my head vigorously.

This time, its different.

Here, the real Lucas is nodding at me with a face full of trust.

I wont leave you alone, Lucas.

I wont leave anyone behind... I wont lose anyone I can save.

"We have 9 days left until the start of the stage. We have determined our strategy, so we will train accordingly."

Seated at the head of the table, I picked up my fork and plunged it into the appetizer plate that nobody had touched yet.

"So, everyone, make sure to eat a hearty meal!"

Chewing the salad vigorously, I grinned.

"Because Im going to be pushing you all to your limits from tomorrow."