Chapter 271

Chapter 271

"The Bringar Duchys forces are on the brink of annihilation."

Godhand calmly explained the current situation of the Bringar Duchy.

"Almost all of the Duchy has been captured by the Imperial Armys 1st Division, commanded by Prince Lark. All that remains for the Duchess of Bringar is a handful of her personal knight guard. The rest can be considered decimated."

"Why are they declaring war on us, then? To ask for our help?"

When I asked, incredulous, Godhand gave a wry smile.

"Its probably their pride."

"Huh?"

"The Duchess of Bringar I met has even stronger pride than the rumors suggest. Just the humiliation of defeat alone is tough for her, let alone the current situation where she is being forced to bow and join under our command."

"So, she cant simply join us from below?"

"Yes."

Godhand nodded.

"She said shell see for herself if we have the capacity to accept her..."

"And she declared war?"

Just to be a subordinate? To have a face-off?

Whats with that?

Is she some kind of real psycho? Or a super macho? What do you even call that?

Godhand recited the conditions proposed by the Duchess of Bringar.

"The terms are 5 vs. 5. The Duchess of Bringar and her five knight guards versus five champions chosen from our southern front. A small-scale war under these conditions."

"..."

What kind of war is that?

Its just a party vs. party. Basically, a 5v5 PK.

"If we lose, well become their subordinates without protest. But if they win..."

"What? They want the command of this front?"

"Yes. Exactly."

...Is she seriously crazy?

I was tempted to swear, but I held it back. Godhand, noticing my mood, gave an awkward smile.

"As expected... its an absurd condition, isnt it?"

"No! I accept."

"What?"

I responded with a fierce grin.

"Itll be fun, breaking that high-and-mighty Dragon Ladys nose."

She wants to preserve her pride even after her nation has fallen and shes lost all her soldiers.

Giving her a proper scratch on that arrogant face might be a good lesson for that Duchess.

I initially thought wed maintain a cooperative relationship, but if theyre challenging us, Im not one to decline.

Ill subjugate her and have her working like a dog.

"Are you sure about this? Even though they are retreating, the power of the Duchess of Bringar and her knights is immense."

Sure, they were. They managed to hold an already fallen nation with just the Duchess and a few knights.

But...

"Our front champions are also incredibly powerful. Dont worry. We wont lose."

Our main party of five is extremely strong, too.

Above all, I have complete information about the Duchess of Bringar and her party.

The basis of war is an information battle. Knowing everything about their skills and stats gives us an overwhelming advantage.

Its a fight where theres no reason to be cautious, just one thats absurd.

"So, when are they coming?"

"They detained us first, then sent us away... They only left a message that theyd be coming soon. Given the complicated situation in the Bringar Duchy..."

They werent sure exactly when it would happen. Well, they would find out eventually as they waited.

I noticed the deep red scars on the arms and legs of the three members of the Shadow Squad. I gently patted their shoulders.

"Youve been through a lot. Youve worked hard."

"It was nothing, really."

Godhand deeply bowed to me.

"If you trust us again, we can handle even greater tasks."

"..."

After grasping Godhands shoulder and letting go, I gestured with my chin.

"Youre probably tired since the poison hasnt completely worn off. But follow me; we have a place to go." (TL Note: Like I said before, this "poison" is travel fatigue.)

"Where to?"

"The dungeon beneath the Lake Kingdom. We have some tasks to complete."

My main party was compromised: Evangeline had an abdominal wound, Damien had an eye injury, and Lucas was in his beast form. They werent in any condition to move.

So, for the next few days, the elite Penal Squad and the Shadow Squad would have to take over their tasks.

Despite their minor injuries and fatigue, they had to step up.

Anyway, at my instruction, the three members of the Shadow Squad silently prepared their gear and followed behind.

I intended to leave the reception room and head straight to the teleport gate in the backyard.

But then.

Squeak.

"Huh?"

"Ah!"

When I opened the reception room door, I saw a woman looking somewhat distraught.

With a hue close to brown on her reddish hair, sitting in a wheelchair... it was Lilly, the senior mage from our southern front. I asked in surprise,

***

[Now Loading...]

[Tip - Heroes within the game form various relationships with one another. Friendly relationships aid in battles, while hostile ones can be detrimental. Help the heroes establish good relations with each other.]

What a timely tip! Ha!

***

The destination after using the teleport gate was the base camp.

"Just as I explained earlier, there are two purposes for our visit here today."

After ensuring everyone had finished teleporting, I briefed my party members, taking a look at each one of them.

"Firstly, its to capture the magic user who can set up teleport gates, Coco the Severer."

Spatial Cutting Magician - the teleport-specialized NPC, Coco. Shes a hefty witch residing in the base camp.

The very same witch who would open the gates to the event dungeons.

By capturing her, we can establish a teleport gate at any desired location.

Of course, in the game, players could only use pre-established teleport gates. But here, this was reality.

With the necessary resources and a dedicated magician available, its plausible to set up a teleport gate wherever I desire.

If I could set up a teleport gate at will, I could use all sorts of tricks.

It would also be advantageous when establishing forward bases.

Thats why capturing Coco was our primary objective.

"Secondly... Ah, here she comes."

As I shifted my gaze, the rest of the party members looked in the same direction.

A female adventurer was hurrying towards us.

With her long dark green hair and three teardrops tattooed below her left eye, she was an assassin class elf.

The leader of the NPC adventurer party The Holy Grail Seekers - Verdandi.

A clearly distressed Verdandi ran up to me, offering a bright smile.

"Your Highness, youre safe!"

"After defeating Lunared and regrouping, we got a bit delayed. I hope for your understanding, Verdandi."

"Not at all! Im just grateful that you kept your promise...!"

Verdandi repeatedly bowed deeply in gratitude.

Yes, the promise with Verdandi. The rescue of the previously agreed-upon Holy Grail Seekers party.

[Emergency Quest - NPC Rescue]

- Rescue the NPC kidnapped by the Nightmare Legion.

- Location: Zone 7 Wolfs Den

- Reward: ???

- Time Remaining: 2 days

Currently, a significant number of NPCs are kidnapped in the Zone 7 dungeon Wolfs Den. Moreover, theres only two days left to the rescue deadline.

We need to begin the NPC rescue operation in the shortest possible time with the available party members.

Thats the reason I had two fully armed parties accompany me today.

"Today, well clear the path. Tomorrow, well break in and rescue them. Is that acceptable?"

"Yes!"

Verdandi, her eyes slightly teary, nodded in agreement.

At that moment,

"...Verdandi?"

A bewildered voice echoed.

Both Verdandi and I turned to see who spoke. It was Godhand. He looked at Verdandi with disbelief.

"Youre... alive?"

"!"

Surprised, Verdandis eyes widened.

"You... you are...!"

Staggering, Verdandi approached Godhand, speechless.

Their hands gripped each other tightly.

The two elves stood silently for a while, looking at each other with affectionate gazes.

Everyone just watched this unexpected reunion of kin.

"...Godhand."

A chilling voice rang out.

If that voice had a color, it would be a cold blue. Startled, I quickly turned in that direction.

Lilly, seated in her wheelchair, tilted her head slightly. Her eyes sank coldly, reminiscent of a frosty dawn.

"Who is that woman?"

"Wha? Oh, no, thats..."

Frantically pulling his hand away from Verdandi, Godhand waved his hands in panic.

"No, no, thats not it! Miss Lilly! I mean..."

The base camp, which was filled with a warm pink atmosphere just moments ago, now felt like the dead of a freezing winter.

"...Enough."

Watching this mess unfold, I couldnt hold back any longer.

"Youre seriously trying to start a romance in a dungeon, you damn fool!"

Pisses me off, seriously-!