Chapter 199

Chapter 199

After that, the Bandit Kings party quickly adapted to the battle against monsters.

They were still inexperienced, allowing hits from the monsters and falling frequently, but luckily, their foes were level 10 to 20 slimes. The injuries were all minor enough to be healed with potions.

In the end, it took quite some time, but they managed to safely clear Zone 3 [Northern Fortress].

They were able to return to Crossroad by late evening.

There were some hair-raising moments, but we managed to clear it somehow.

I exhaled a sigh of relief as I took in the comforting summer air of Crossroad.

"We worked hard today."

Looking back at the teleport gate, I was taken aback.

All five members of Kuilans party were sprawled on the ground. Kuilan was even leaning against the wall on the far side, retching.

"Ugh... I hate monsters and dungeons now..."

Hearing such pitiable words from a muscular giant over 2 meters tall was quite incongruous.

But theres no one in the world who finds monsters cute and dungeons as joyful as flower gardens.

One must overcome the fear that seeps into their bones and move forward. If you stand on the front lines against the monsters here, you must have that kind of determination.

[Enemy Information - STAGE 8]

- Lv.? ??? : 1 creature

- Lv.30 Acid Slime : 526 creatures

- Lv.25 Tri-color Slime : 488 creatures

- Start in : 7 days

There was a week left until the start of the next stage.

During that time, Ill need to keep drilling these party members, training them to a level where theyll be useful in real combat.

I thought, evaluating the five bandits faces.

"..."

Suddenly, I thought of the other sub-parties I had been with.

Shadow Squad.

The Shadow Squad was an all-elf firepower team.

Two out of five had died, and the remaining three were sent on a classified mission. In hindsight, it was an excessively good team for a first sub-party.

Dion Mercenary Band.

The Dion Mercenary Band consisted of N-grade heroes.

They had ambition and potential, but ultimately, they all fell in the showdown with the Vampire King.Nnêw n0vel chapters are published at novelhall.com

Old Hunters.

A group of old mercenaries brought by Jupiter.

A group of two mages and three warriors was an efficient combination, but both mages were killed. The three warriors became unable to battle again and retired.

And now, this new sub-party...

Their name not yet determined, I looked forlornly at the Bandit Kings Penal Squad.

All of my sub-parties under my command had not remained intact. They had been injured, killed, or wiped out.

What would become of you?

Would you also be injured, killed, or annihilated?

Knowing that future, should I still employ you, command you?

Should I buy your lives for a mere pittance and control you with a leash called punishment? Is that right?

"Hey, you bandit scum."

I pulled a few gold coins from my pocket and flipped one to Kuilan and his men.

"Its encouragement money. Take it."

The bandits faces, previously pale and downcast, lit up as they leaped up to catch my gold.

"Wow?! Thank you!"

"Well use it well, Cashlord!"

"Buy something tasty with this and rest well tonight. But dont slack off too much."

"Yes, sir~!"

"Well do as ordered!"

Kuilan and the party members chattered among themselves and left my mansion. Perhaps they were off to the towns pub for a drink.

Suddenly, I realized that the way people live seems similar everywhere.

They work, they clock out, they eat, they sleep.

The bandits conscripted into the penal battalion, and ordinary people living on earth. Perhaps they were spending similar days.

I glanced at the opposite side. My main party members were gazing at me with blank stares. I chuckled softly.

But enduring this monotonous repetition is what it means to be an adult.

It wasnt because I was an extraordinary person that I could endure this.

In reality, everyone in this world was managing to do it.

The pattern of human life was the same everywhere. Work, go home, eat, sleep, and repeat endlessly.

The ordinary office worker, the game streaming broadcaster.

The mercenary fighting monsters, the lord managing the city.

Surviving by defeating the boring tasks that didnt change every day, and the enemies that kept coming that was life.

And...

I suddenly looked out the window. Through the dense greenery, I faintly heard the sound of cicadas.

There is an end.

It was already the height of summer.

I first came to this city in late winter, so almost half a year had passed.

Once the three-year campaign ends and the fourth years spring comes, the game will end.

This seemingly unchanging daily life... it will eventually come to an end.

I hope not to regret that last day. So even if Im tired and struggling, I aim to face every day head-on.

Whatever ending awaits at the end of this campaign...

To meet the end without regret. To live my best life every day.

Ive resolved to do so.

...

My party members quietly watched me.

I felt a little embarrassed and gave them an awkward smile.

Ahem! Anyway, if you get tired, say so! Ill give you a vacation at least. Got it?

Im not such a tyrannical lord. Ill manage your condition, at least. If its tough, make sure to tell me in advance, okay?

Lucas was staring at me intently when he quietly opened his mouth.

"Your Lordship, if you ever feel so weary that you cant bear it, please let us know."

A considerate smile formed at the edge of his lips.

"I will gladly massage your shoulders."

Evangeline, Junior, and Damien also spoke in turn.

"Then Ill do the feet! Foot massage! When I massage, my fellow Academy Knight classmates all love it to death!"

"Ill prepare a healthy drink for you. Lets see, there should be some spinach in the kitchen..."

"I, I can use recovery magic on your tired eyes..."

They didnt just speak; they actually jumped up from their seats and surrounded me.

"Huh?"

I broke into a cold sweat. What are you guys doing?

Squawk.

"Choke?!"

Lucas and Evangeline grabbed my shoulders and feet and began massaging.

Damien started casting recovery magic, and Junior was concocting a suspicious drink on the spot.

"No, wait a minute! Ow, damn! Stop it, you brats!"

In the end, I suffered a terrible fate, having my shoulders and feet squeezed in agony, recovery magic poured into my eyes, and being forced to swallow a spinach drink.

You brats! Youre making me more tired! Stop it now!

***

A few days had passed.

Kuilans party quickly became proficient in battling monsters. They reached a point where they could successfully undertake autonomous exploration without much difficulty.

They were now at a level where they could function as a sub-party.

Even the bandits who had been recruited as regular soldiers were trained enough to be used as combatants.

Reina, who was indeed the captain of the Imperial Magic Troops, had them quickly whipped into shape with her intensive short-term tutoring.

Suitable defensive equipment was installed on the walls to prepare for the Great Slime Battle, and the gallows for the kill zone were densely deployed on the plains after a long time.

Preparations for the defense battle were progressing smoothly.

In the blink of an eye, time had passed, and now

[STAGE 8]

- Start in: 1 day

Only one day was left until the next defensive battle.