Chapter 300

Chapter 300

An oppressive silence hung in the air.

Before me sat Dusk Bringar, her body wrapped in layers of bandages.

Her raven-black hair, which had once cascaded like flowing silk, was now singed and curled from the blasts aftermath. Her once radiant alabaster skin and her gleaming silver crown were both stained with soot.

Only her pumpkin-colored eyes still shimmered with their usual luster, now filled with a resentful glow.

I, drenched in cold sweat, tried to explain nervously, "Look, I set up those traps to deal with the monsters. I didnt expect you to march straight into them. Its... risky, naturally."

"..."

"I never imagined you wouldnt detect the mines..."

At this, Dusk Bringar leaned in, her pointed teeth bared in annoyance. "It wasnt a magic-operated artifact! It wasnt something that would shoot out malice! It was just a mechanical device! Of course I might not detect it!"

Well, she was just caught off guard...

Anyway, despite stepping on the landmine, her dragon-steed only sustained a minor scrape on its leg. The Dragon Lady herself only suffered light burns. She truly had a formidable resilience.

However, the problem wasnt the physical injuries, but the scratch on her pride. Dusk Bringar gritted her teeth, seething.

"How could this... How could this happen... I used Magic Materialization to make a grand entrance... and then stepped on a landmine at the very end, exploding spectacularly...!"

I nodded in agreement, "I didnt expect you to soar like a scene straight out of an anime. I bet no one will ever forget that sight."

"Arghhh! AHHHHHHHH!"

Dusk Bringar covered her ears and screamed.

"Now that its come to this... Ill have to use magic to make everyone forget!"

"You can use such magic?"

In the game, Dusk Bringar was a warrior class. Born with overwhelming magic power and physical prowess, she was in the front lines, battering foes. Magic wasnt her strong suit.

To this, Dusk Bringar laughed weakly and raised her fist, "If I give a strong blow to the head, one could forget about a days memory, right?"

"No, if were hit by your punch, it wouldnt be just a days memory; wed probably lose our lives."

Not just memories, wed be dead!

I swallowed nervously and glanced outside.

We were inside the commanders tent at the forward base. Dusk Bringars four elite knights stood outside, waiting. My heroes, part of my entourage, also waited outside.

Zing.

A palpable tension...

All of Dusk Bringars four knights were men. An elderly man with white hair and beard, wielding a longsword. A middle-aged man with long dark hair holding a long blade. And two young men, each carrying a lance.

They watched my party with cold, calculating eyes. Standing tall, exuding an air of silent authority.

"Ahem!"

Facing them, Kuilan made a show of puffing out his chest, flexing his muscles for all they were worth. Was this really the time for a muscle showdown?

"Uh-huh!"

"Hmm!"

The oppressive silence continued.

Next to Kuilan, Evangeline and Damien also tried to puff out their non-existent chests, mimicking his posture. What were they doing? Pretending to be frilled lizards?

"Ugh..."

A short distance away, Junior hid her face in apparent embarrassment. Dont feel shy, either stop them or join in!

Shuffling feet announced Lucass approach from the southern wall. I had entrusted him with taking care of the remnants of the Scorpion Legion. Seems he was done.

"...?"

Lucas, taken aback by the odd standoff outside the commanders tent, hesitated for a moment.

"Inhale!"

He too straightened his posture, chest out, and with deliberate steps, headed inside. Oh great, another frilled lizard to the party.

Entering the tent, Lucas reported in an exaggerated, forceful tone, "Weve dealt with all the remaining Scorpion monsters, my Lord."

After a quick glance at Dusk Bringar seated in front of me, he added, "Thanks to the Grand Duchesss assistance, we encountered no issues. None of our allies were harmed."

"Well done. Ensure the disposal of the monster corpses and collect any spoils."

"Understood."

Lucas, after a crisp salute, turned and with the same exaggerated steps, left the tent. Adorable bunch...

I pulled my attention back to the scene inside, facing Dusk Bringar with her now explosive hairdo.

"So, after youve actively helped us fend off these monsters... should we take it that youre joining our frontline?"

"Hmph, absolutely not!"

Dusk Bringar smirked threateningly, "Didnt we agree beforehand? We will compete for control of this frontline with a 5v5 showdown!"

With her small fist clenched, she wagged it in front of me, "Ready for a showdown with the rebels, Ash?"

"...Fight is a fight."

I snorted, "But there was no need for you to grandly assist us in this monster defense. Not if you planned to compete."

"Heh, didnt I say it? I wanted to make a grand impression, to break your momentum..."

"Just be straightforward, Grand Duchess."

Upon my blunt remark, her expression hardened.

"It was a bit strange. Why would the Grand Duchess take so long to escape from the empire..."

She slowly removed the crown she had never before taken off.

"Lets consider the rebels defeated."

"...Duchess."

"Youve won. Ill respect your authority. If you wish, Ill become your loyal knight, as I swore during the tournament...!"

"..."

"My people are starving. They are sick. Theyve exhausted all their strength escaping to the southern front. And winter is coming."

Holding the worn-out crown stained with blood, Dusk Bringar closed her eyes and extended it to me.

"Theyre at their limit. For every day you hesitate, half of the rebels citizens will die."

"..."

I didnt take the crown.

I just stared at the desperate girl in front of me, who bore the weight of a fallen kingdom.

"Please save them, Ash... Save my people..."

As Dusk Bringar was about to kneel,

Thud!

I quickly stood up, grabbed her arm, preventing her from kneeling. Taking the crown from her, I placed it back on her head.

Though old and stained, in my hands, the crown seemed unremarkable. But atop its rightful owner, it exuded an unmatched dignity.

Dusk Bringar, surprised, looked up at me. I smiled bitterly.

"Your efforts during this defense were clearly evident."

Possibly, Dusk Bringars reason for fighting so fiercely was to secure any chance, however small, in such a situation.

"The monster frontline accepts anyone who is willing to fight against the monsters. And Duchess, youve already proven yourself."

I grinned.

"So, I am more than happy to accommodate the guests from the Bringar Duchy."

"..."

"Youve come a long way... Welcome."

Holding back tears, Dusk Bringar looked at me, gratitude in her eyes. I made a welcoming gesture.

"This southern fortress city, Crossroad, is exclusively for those who fight monsters."

"..."

With a faint smile, Dusk Bringar whispered, "I warn you, Ash. Youll regret this decision."

"Perhaps."

"But I will make this promise. Ill do my best to erase that regret."

I smiled back.

Though unsaid, I made a silent vow to her.

I wouldnt regret this decision.

Whatever the future held, this was my chosen path.

(TL Note: Yes, Dusk Bringar as a weird way of talking.)

***

[STAGE 12 - CLEAR!]

[STAGE MVP - Dusk Bringar(SSR)]

[Level-up Character]

- None

[Injured or Deceased Character]

- None

[New Ally Characters]

- Dusk Bringar(SSR)

- Andimion(SSR)

- Berlin(SSR)

- Shien(SSR)

- Jet(SSR)

[Acquired Items]

- Scorpion Legion Magic Stones: 274

- Scorpion Warrior Magic Core(R): 5

- Scorpion King Magic Core(SR): 1

[Stage clear rewards have been distributed. Please check your inventory.]

- R-grade Reward Box: 5

>> Get Ready For The Next STAGE

>> [STAGE 13: Winter is Coming (2)]