Chapter 207

Chapter 207

When they were still known as the Aegis Special Forces Team 8, and were part of the empires covert operations, they were dispatched to the Bringar Duchy. There, they assassinated Everblack Empires diplomatic envoy and created a casus belli.

The mission was a success. The Everblack Empire covered their tracks skillfully, pinning the blame on the Bringar Duchy.

Relations between the two nations deteriorated, eventually leading to war. The Bringar Duchy was reduced to ashes.

And so, Aegis Special Forces Team 8 were disposed of after their mission was completed. They were sent to Crossroad as death-row inmates.

It was Ash, the imperial prince, who took them in and gave them a new name: Shadow Squad.

Giving us a mission to infiltrate Bringar Duchy again?

Chained and bloodied, Godhand sneered.

You are cruel, Your Highness Prince Ash.

Godhand, Bodybag, and Burnoutthis was the mission Shadow Squad had received from Ash:

- Infiltrate the Bringar Duchy discreetly, make contact with the Duchess of Bringar, and deliver my letter and message.

Having carried out a secret mission in the Bringar Duchy before, the Shadow Squad was well-acquainted with the territory and situation. Even though it was a battlefront, engulfed in the flames of war, occupied by Imperial forces and swarming with rebel guerrillas.

Even if the place had become a field of corpses, littered with refugees, deserters, death, starvation, murder, and arson.

Even if this horrific scene was, perhaps, a disaster they themselves had created.

Shadow Squad accomplished their mission in this hellish landscape.

After about a month of searching, they finally located the Duchess of Bringars hideout and successfully made contact.

But the Duchess was not so naive as to simply receive the letter and send them back.

Her country was ablaze. The Bringar Duchy was on the brink of destruction.

In such circumstances, a letter from the enemy prince, delivered by enemy special forces who were already suspected of triggering the war and were currently wanted, was not going to be received kindly.

Godhand, Bodybag, and Burnout were immediately captured by the Duchesss subordinates and severely tortured.

But even after days of near-fatal torture, none of them uttered a single word.

Finally, the Duchess of Bringar decided to interrogate them personally.

"So, how do you wish to die?"

With jet-black hair like ebony, a dark dress, and pumpkin-colored eyes, she looked like a young girl. But in reality, she was a transcendental being of 120 years, harboring a malevolent dragon within her.

The Duchess of Bringar snarled, her mouth revealing sharp, shark-like teeth.

"The sin of underestimating adults is grave. Im already low on magic power; perhaps it wouldnt be so bad to chew you all up alive."

"..."

"No, that would be too easy for you. To make you feel the pain that my people have felt, it would be better to slowly rip you apart, starting from your fingertips and toes."

The Duchess took a step forward and gently pressed Godhands toes with the heel of her shoe.

The force coming from her petite frame was unbelievably oppressive, as if a giant rock was crushing Godhands toes.

The pain was unbearable, but Godhand barely managed to stifle a moan.

"No, its still not enough! Physical pain alone wont do."

When Godhand managed to endure, the Duchess of Bringar chuckled and lifted her foot. Then, she pushed her sparkling dragon eyes into Godhands face.

"Let me burn your souls in the realm of flames. Even the most valiant warriors have crumbled in the face of a soul-burning agony."

"..."

"You will soon follow suit."

She genuinely had the capability to do so. She was from the dragon-blooded lineage of the Bringar Duchy, the sole possessor of dragons blood in her generation.

And that was none other than the Duchess of Bringar standing before him, Dusk Bringar.

Yet, Godhand remained unfazed.

His mouth slowly opened as he looked intently at the small Duchess who was threatening him.

"First, Id like to clear up a misunderstanding."

"Hmm? Misunderstanding?"

"Weve never ambushed the you. We just conveyed the message and letter from our master."

"Ha!"

Sneering, the Duchess of Bringar took a letter from her bosom.

"Do you take me for a fool, elf?"

With that, she slapped Godhands cheek with the letter. Despite being hit with a piece of paper, the impact was immense enough to make blood spurt from Godhands lips.

The Duchess read the contents of the letter aloud.

"The third prince of the Everblack Imperial Family, who is currently in charge of the southern front of the empire, says hell provide refuge and assist in rebuilding if I escape there?"

"..."

"Isnt the most useless rascal in your imperial family the third prince? And such a person suddenly sends me a secret letter, leading me to a monster-infested battlefield. And the one who delivers this letter just happens to be the very people who killed my diplomatic ambassador?"

"..."

"How can I possibly trust this letter! Its much more believable that its a trap to kill me!"

"If it were a trap, itd be too cumbersome."

As Godhand spat out those words, the Duchesss pumpkin-colored eyes widened.

"What did you say?"

"If we intended to ambush you, our imperial forces would have surrounded this place a few days ago when we discovered your hideout."

The Duchesss eyes narrowed. Godhand continued.

The young face of the Duchess contorted in rage.

"How dare this pointy-eared wretch offer advice to--"

Just then.

"Your Grace!"

A knight who had been waiting outside burst hurriedly into the prison. The Duchesss eyes narrowed.

"Whats going on?"

"The Imperial Army has located us. Theyve started the bombardment!"

Boom! Thud-thud-thud...!

Almost as the words left the knights mouth, the building shook violently, and accumulated dust fell to the ground.

"The encirclement is tightening. Moreover... Lark has been confirmed to be leading their forces."

Lark Avalanche Everblack, the First Prince and the strongest knight of the empire. It appeared he had personally come. The Duchess gritted her teeth.

"That arrogant brat, if it werent for the disparity in troops, Id tear him apart in a heartbeat."

"Your Grace! You must evacuate immediately. The retreat path to the next hideout is secure; please, this way!"

"...Fine, understood."

Reluctantly nodding, the Duchess gestured towards Godhand.

"And bring these people as well."

A cruel mischief flickered in the Duchesss eyes as she looked at Godhand.

"But theres no need to keep all three alive. One will suffice for our purposes."

"..."

"So, lets see..."

The Duchess casually swept his gaze over Godhand, Bodybag, and Burnout.

"Who should live and who should die?"

***

The next day.

Crossroad. The Lords mansion. The Lords bedroom.

"..."

Having woken up, I lay blankly on the bed.

Staring vacantly at the ceiling of my newly restored room, adorned with antique interior, I did nothing but lie down.

Stage 9 already, huh.

Just yesterday, Stage 8 had ended, and we celebrated late into the night with a victory banquet.

Now, Stage 9.

And after that ends...

Stage 10 is coming up fast.

The next boss stage was rapidly approaching.

During the last boss stage, Stage 5, a legion of vampires had appeared.

At that time, I had lost nine heroes and as many as a hundred and forty-six soldiers.

I cant afford such losses again. I need to prepare more thoroughly this time.

Boss stages are incomparable to normal stages. The quality of the enemy forces is on a different level.

I also need to prepare the best equipment possible and train well-prepared heroes. Even though its just Stage 9, better to prepare in advance.

...Still no word from Shadow Squad.

The three members of the Shadow Squad I had sent to Bringar Duchy have yet to return.

I had decided to accept the Duchess of Bringar and her party in this game iteration.

Since I was going to accept them, I sent the Shadow Squad ahead to scout, aiming to integrate them into Crossroad as quickly as possible.

Will they return before Stage 10...

Whether the recruitment by the Shadow Squad succeeded or failed, I hoped they would return before the start of Stage 10. Their abilities would be incredibly useful in the defensive battle.

Lying in bed, I also organized thoughts about utilizing the support troops from the Imperial Capital and training plans for the Penal Squad.

The main party is doing incredibly well, so for now, the focus should be on effectively managing the other party that has multiple issues...

Just as I was engrossed in mentally arranging and experimenting with various hero combinations, it happened.

Bam!

"Lord! We have a major crisis!"

Aider burst into my room, flinging the door open. I languidly opened my eyes and looked in his direction.

"What is it? Whats the matter? Your poor Lord was just taking a break after last nights defense mission. This had better be important."

"Da, da, da, Damien has..."

Aider was tearing at his hair, shouting in agony.

"Damien got into troubleeeeee!"

What now, Damien? What have you done this time?!