Chapter 296

Chapter 296

A few days ago,

"Young Prince, do you know how the teleportation magic works?"

When I had ordered the second and third teleport gates, the Witch of Severance, Coco, had suddenly asked this. I casually responded,

"Im pretty much clueless about magic. Isnt it just a matter of whooshing in and out?"

Teleportation is just that, isnt it? Perhaps some tips from the game director during the process, but thats about it.

"To put it simply, teleportation cuts through space, pushes the target into another dimension, and then pulls them out at the destination," Coco explained seriously, contrary to my casual demeanor.

"So, while inside the teleport gate... when you step into the magic portal, youre briefly stepping into another world."

"Oh, I see."

I half-listened. Being constantly in another world in my everyday life, another brief trip wouldnt be much of a shock.

"The challenge isnt entering another world. Its returning to reality."

Yet, Coco leaned in, her eyes narrowed and intense, urging me to pay close attention.

"You must have a firm beacon of light, a sense of self, to emerge back into this reality."

"Hmm... I see?"

I played along, not quite grasping her point. But Coco squinted at me.

"Thats why occasionally, those who dont possess a firm sense of self often go missing during teleportation. They lose the light of their beacon and drift away."

I swallowed hard.

She wasnt giving me a subtle warning, was she? It was just a user manual, right?

"For the same reason, beings born from nightmares cant use teleportation magic. If they enter a teleport gate, theyll be swept away to the other side, into oblivion."

"So, the monster bastards cant use the gates? Thats reassuring."

"But they can destroy the teleport gates themselves."

Tapping the stone structure that made up the teleport gate, Coco clarified that it was a destructible object.

"The reason the gates inside the dungeon remain intact is because Nameless illuminated them with a light taken from her soul, preventing monsters from approaching. I further reinforced them with a barrier."

I blinked in surprise. So, thats how our safe points were established.

"I dont know where youre going to set up these gates in the outside world, but remember this: gates can be destroyed, theyre not safe."

With an uncharacteristically heavy voice, Coco spoke slowly, emphasizing every word,

"And if one loses their own light, they might lose their way inside."

Her words were kind, but they sent a shiver down my spine. I gulped nervously.

Regardless of her warning, Im still going to set up more gates!

***

Present time,

Between Crossroad and the Black Lake, we moved as a small guerrilla group using the teleport gates we had set up.

Ambushing the northward-moving monster horde, pouring firepower onto them, and then quickly retreating became our repetitive strategy.

A few days earlier.

The Skeleton Legion wasnt exactly the most agile of monsters, so it was possible to safely strike and retreat.

With Juniors magic and Damiens sniping barrage, we unleashed a barrage on them. Before the severely damaged monsters could retaliate in their rage, we quickly retreated to the teleport gates.

"But, Your Highness, the monsters cant use these gates, can they?"

Damien tilted his head as we used one of the teleport gates, discreetly hidden in a secluded forest path.

After summarizing the explanation I had heard from Coco a few days ago, Damien nodded in understanding.

"So, while the monsters cant use these teleport gates, they can destroy them?"

"Exactly. But we dont have any magical means to create safe points... our best strategy is to hide these gates as well as we can."

"And if they find out?"

In an innocent tone, Damien posed the painful question. I answered with a grimace.

"Well, theyd just destroy it..."

While the construction cost for the teleport gates was steep, it was a price worth paying if it meant effectively dealing damage to the monster bastards. Even if they ended up being used once and destroyed.

"The most important thing is to ensure a safe environment where our sides heroes and soldiers can fight without being injured or killed."

That was the ultimate goal.

Junior, who had been listening to our conversation, chuckled, "Your Highness truly values your subordinates."

"..."

I hesitated.

Did I?

Did I truly value my subordinates, or was it just that I couldnt bear the guilt of losing them?

With these thoughts, I turned around.

To my surprise, the main members of my party were standing behind me, waiting.

Evangeline, with a playful smile, said, "Lets go, senior! Youve worked hard these past few days! After a victory, you should rest!"

As she spoke, Damien and Junior grabbed me by the arms, leading me into the walls.

Evangeline led the way, with Lucas following leisurely behind.

The sight of the four of them escorting me made me chuckle.

"Alright, you rascals. Im not going anywhere. Let go. Ill walk!"

Damien and Junior released me, chuckling. Ugh, these brats.

Just as they let go of me and I set my feet on the castle floor, a wave of dizziness hit.

What the...?

Everything began to spin, and a numbing cold enveloped me. Nausea welled up inside, and heat rushed to my face.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Doubling over, I coughed dryly and wiped beneath my dripping nose.

Blood.

"...Nosebleed?"

I murmured, dumbfounded.

Simultaneously, I lost feeling in my toes. Strength drained from my body, and I collapsed.

The shocked faces of my party members spun around the edges of my vision. Their urgent voices echoed in my ears.

My lord, senior, emperor, your majesty...!

Between the frantic hands trying to grab hold of me and the fading familiar voices, I lost consciousness and sank into a deep abyss.

***

[STAGE 11 - CLEAR!]

[STAGE MVP - Evangeline(SSR)]

[Level-Up Characters]

>Main Party:

- Ash(EX) Lv.49 (1)

- Lucas(SSR) Lv.52 (1)

- Evangeline(SSR) Lv.52 (1)

- Damien(EX) Lv.52 (1)

>Sub Party 1:

- Kuilan(SR) Lv.51 (1)

- Tuesday(R) Lv.44 (1)

- Wednesday(R) Lv.44 (1)

- Becky(R) Lv.44 (1)

- OnTheRock(R) Lv.42 (1)

>Sub Party 2:

- GodHand(SR) Lv.46 (1)

- BodyBag(R) Lv.41 (1)

- Burnout(SR) Lv.40 (1)

[Deceased and Injured Characters]

- None

[Acquired Items]

- Skeleton Legion Magic Stones: 189

- Skeleton Mage Magic Core(R): 3

- Skeleton Marshal Magic Core(SR): 2

[Your stage clear reward has been given. Please check your inventory.]

- R-grade Reward Box: 3

- SR-grade Reward Box: 1

>> Get Ready For The Next STAGE

>> [STAGE 12: Winter is Coming]