Chapter 155

Chapter 155

Bringar Duchy. (TL Note: Changed from Bringar Duchy to Bringar Duchy)

As one might surmise from the name, it was the land governed by the Ducal House of Bringar.

Centuries ago, the last Fire Dragon on the continent, Dusk Bringar, and the reigning emperor were rumored to have a descendant.

Nobody knew how a human and a dragon got married, but...

Anyway, this half-human-half-dragon offspring became the first Duke of Bringar.

The Empire, in turn, entrusted the ducal house with its protection in exchange for ceding some of its territory. The Dukes house, inheriting the dragons blood, remained loyal to the empire for hundreds of years.

They had coexisted peacefully until now, but the problem was the empires current situation, having eaten up the continents "number one".

A saying goes, "Once the rabbit hunt is over, the hunting dogs get boiled."

Now, with global domination under its belt, the empire no longer viewed the duchy with favor.

The duchy not only held a semi-autonomous territory within the Empires lands, but also had a substantial military power, behaving like a country that fought off the Empires external enemies.

Moreover, the blood of dragons and emperors, albeit diluted, was undoubtedly royal in lineage.

If left unchecked, they could pose a threat to the Empire, possibly even swallowing the royal family -

Perhaps, these thoughts were what started the war.

They spent years preparing for it, now pouring in all the available forces.

Now that they have taken the capital, they probably thought they had the upper hand.

What if a foreign force suddenly supported the duchy?

Wouldnt that be some top-tier trolling?

Isnt the Queens selection operation going on now?

Before Fernandez could say anything, I quickly pressed on.

I know everything, bro. The Dragon Lady has escaped from the fallen capital. They are searching for her all over the Duchy.

The Dukes of Bringar had been females for generations, and this current Duke was also a female.

This character, who bore dragons blood, had quite a lot of nicknames.

From her official title, Grand Duke of Bringar, to Dragon-Blooded Duchess, Dragon Lady...

But most players simply referred to her this way.

Queen.

Both her looks and actions were truly queen-like, so even though strictly speaking she should be called a Duchess, most people simply called her Queen.

Anyway, the Queen has successfully escaped the capital leading her personal knights.

- How did you know that...!

How could I not?

Thats because the most crucial first branch in this game was whether to accept the Queen as an ally or not.

The timing is roughly in the second half of the first year.

Having been defeated in the war against the Empire, the Queen led a guerrilla force to resist to the end. When she was no longer able to fight, she fled to the south and reached the monster frontlines.

The Queen and her knights are all SSR-grade heroes, with insane party strength wrapped in SSR-grade equipment.

First-time players are often mesmerized by this party and accept them as allies.

But its a massive trap.

The moment you take them under your wing, your relationship with the royal family deteriorates to its worst.

Not only do all support from the capital cease, the routes for magic stone sales are also severely limited.

Not only that, they even start sending armies from the homeland to capture the Queen.

However, the capabilities of the Queen and her knights are phenomenal. There were even some perverted players who managed to reach the ending with just this party.

Anyway, thats how it goes in the game.

Advance the timing of their recruitment.

If they dont send support troops, what else can we do?

We have to take sides with our poor friends with matching interests.

Hide the Queen and her knights in the southern front and help them rebuild their forces.

In return, they lend me their strength and help block the monsters.

Its a total win-win!

The empires displaced people, refugees with no decent territory, their royalty, their knights. We have more than a few of these on the continent, bro.

- ...

We will take them all in at the southern front.

Forming a foreign legion of fear, why not?

Gather those who harbor resentment against the empire, chased away from the highway by the young prince. Isnt this picture beautiful?

- Are you out of your mind, Ash?

Fernandez was taken aback.

- Isnt that essentially an act of rebellion!

No, its entirely, completely different.

I agree that turning a blind eye isnt the answer. But strictly speaking, this isnt treason.

I boasted unnecessarily then turned to look at the statue of the goddess again.

"By the way, I dont want to hear about blasphemy... but I cant help it."

I took out my staff from my pocket and swung it forward.

Three magical blades that sprang up were embedded in the statue of the goddess. Margarita screamed a short scream.

Crack, crunch...

The plaster shell was stripped away, revealing the magical and alchemical machinery hidden inside the statue.

I swung my staff a few more times nonchalantly.

Boom! Crunch! Clang-!

The communication device was shattered. Honestly, it was a bit of a waste, but this device was not beneficial to me.

I pocketed the staff and gestured at Lucas.

"Lucas, do you believe in the Goddess?"

"I consider myself quite devout."

"Then, if I were to command you to meticulously investigate and, if necessary, destroy every goddess statue and religious symbol in this temple, would you despise me for it?"

"No, there is nothing above your command to me."

"Thank you."

I gave an order to Lucas, who bowed his head to me.

"Three days. Thoroughly search this temple to see if anything else is hidden here."

"Understood."

"Margarita? You will cooperate, wont you?"

At my words, the trembling Margarita swallowed her tears and nodded.

"As per... your command... I will..."

"Im sure the Goddess would be happier with genuine prayers offered to the void than such devices plotting mischief, mirroring her own likeness."

Though I dont know much about the religious doctrines of this world. Wouldnt that be the case?

***

I returned to the mansion.

The Shadow Squad was still kneeling in the reception room, watched over by the rest of the main party.

It was time to decide their fate.

"Evangeline, Damien, Junior. Step outside for a while. Lilly is outside, too. Gather together."

"But, senior..."

Evangeline rolled her big eyes between me and Godhand.

"He was a... spy, right? In case theres danger..."

"Dont worry about that."

"...Alright. But you have to call us immediately if anything happens, okay?"

The main party cautiously exited the reception room, and I pulled a chair in front of the Shadow Squad members and sat down.

"Theres no need for a long discussion."

I drew my staff from within my robes. Three blades of magic power sprouted from behind me.

Bodybag and Burnout swallowed their breath, and Godhand silently watched me.

Without hesitation, I thrust my staff forward.

The three blades of magic power flew at each of them... precisely cutting the ropes that bound them.

I put my staff back in my robes. Now free, the three of them looked at me in shock.

"My judgment of you wont be based on your origin, nor the secrets you harbor."

I said bluntly.

"Its based on your actions thus far."

The Shadow Squad had followed my commands risking their lives.

In fact, Oldgirl and Skull sacrificed their lives to protect me.

I remember Oldgirls laugh as she bled for me, waving her hand.

I remember Skulls bravery, standing against the vampire king with her dagger drawn.

There was no deceit in their actions.

"So, Ive decided to trust you."

I chose to trust them once again.

Only by doing so would they become my people, completely and to the very end.

"Your Majesty...!"

With faces full of emotion, the three of them fell prostrate before me. But, its not yet the time to shed tears of emotion.

"Godhand. Speak truthfully."

I asked in a stern voice.

"What was the secret mission you were given from above?"