“My lord, urgent news! Darien village has finally been taken over by monsters!”
“Ugh….”
Baron Zeldo, the lord of the small barony, crumpled the map he was holding and let out a groan.
The Zeldo Barony comprised a single baronial castle and 12 small villages. The population barely surpassed ten thousand, and the trained soldiers numbered only about three hundred.
However, by some stroke of luck, no gates appeared near the castle or villages during the gate crisis. Thanks to this, unlike other territories, they had a somewhat peaceful time.
‘Who would’ve thought that monsters would proliferate so much in just 6 months….’
Neglecting the gates far from the villages had fatal consequences. As the gates solidified into dungeons and were left unmanaged, monsters began to spew out and encroach upon the region.
Naturally, the barony, with its woefully insufficient forces, couldn’t protect the villages. Thus, one by one, the villages started falling to the monsters, and over a year had passed until all villages were lost by this morning.
“Are there any updates? None of the messengers have returned?”
“… My apologies.”
Seeing the somber expression and lowered head of the guard captain, the baron couldn’t help but close his eyes tightly.
‘I should have heeded the temple’s advice from the beginning. Had I started training troops back then, things might have been a bit better?’
By the time Baron Zeldo realized the crisis, it was already far too late. Months after the gate crisis erupted, the news brought back by a subordinate who barely made it to the capital was despairing.
The royal family was only concerned with the area around the capital, Thurium, with no intention of sending forces elsewhere.
He squeezed every bit of his limited wealth to hire mercenaries, but the mercenaries in the capital were scarce, and even F-Grade mercenaries, below the level of soldiers, had their fees more than doubled.
Moreover, because gates appeared throughout the entire kingdom, no other noble families seemed willing to concern themselves with distant territories.
Even when he visited the famed First Knight Order on the off chance, the disappointing answer came back that there were no forces available as all requests were already filled.
‘At least they said they’d help if they managed to have some leeway.’
However, as there had been no news for over six months, it seemed this place was the same as elsewhere. Now, the baron’s territory was surrounded on all sides by monster territories, leaving them stranded.
All that was left was to hold out within the baronial castle, hoping desperately that someone would come to their aid.
Everyone in the castle who could hold a weapon was already undergoing training. The only consolation was that sufficient food supplies had been secured before losing the territory to the monsters.
‘Haah, is this really the end? Is my family going to fall in my generation?’
The barony was a territory sustained solely by agriculture, with no inherent value. Because of this, his family had survived without threats from neighboring lords, but now he wondered if having something of value would have made things different.
At least the territory’s people might have been saved.
“How many horses do we have left? I’ll write a letter, so send out another messenger.”
There were already few horses left in the small barony due to the disappearances of the previous messengers. Yet, despite this, sending another messenger was a desperate attempt to save the territory.
At that moment, the sound of someone running down the hallway could be heard.
Tap, tap.
“My lord! A messenger, a messenger has arrived!”
“……! Where?”
Hearing the news, the baron burst out of his room.
*
“Is it true? That you’ll provide troops under those conditions?”
“Yes, indeed. The viscount wishes to send troops without any compensation, but we should pay the foreigners.”
“Ah, thank the gods. Blessings upon Viscount Raul.”
Overcome with emotion, baron Zeldo clasped his hands in prayer to the gods, despite the messenger standing before him.
“So, do you accept the proposal?”
“Are you asking seriously? Please, please send reinforcements as soon as possible. And if we regain stability in the territory, I swear I will repay this debt to Viscount Raul at any cost!”
The person who visited the baronial castle was a messenger sent by Raul. Unable to ignore the crisis of the barony, Raul proposed sending troops alongside several minor conditions, which seemed extraordinarily generous to the baron.
Troops will be dispatched to protect and reclaim the territory from monsters. In return, allow the installation of portals and transfer the management and ownership of gates (solidified dungeons) in the reclaimed territory.
Among the dispatched forces will be foreigners, and their treatment should be entrusted primarily to Viscount Raul’s estate.
…….
…….
Since managing the gates with his own forces was impossible anyway, it was something the baron would’ve begged for.
Furthermore, foreigners coming to aid the territory were more than welcome, and providing the necessary facilities or land for them was not a problem.
Of course, it was still unclear how many troops would be sent and in what capacity, but to the baron, it seemed like a colossal favor with almost no cost (in his view).
‘I couldn’t believe the rumors, but he indeed is different.’
The Guardian of Thurium.
An Agent of the Gods.
While other noble families were busy engaging in territorial wars to secure their benefits, seeing him take care of such a neglected territory proved that the rumors were true.
Squeeze.
Baron Zeldo pressed his family’s seal onto the simple contract.
“So, roughly when do you think the reinforcements will arrive? It’s embarrassing to admit, but if the monsters launch a proper siege, our castle won’t hold out for long.”
Baron Zeldo asked with a slightly anxious expression, to which the messenger responded with a bright smile.
“Don’t worry. They will arrive ‘soon’.”
“……?”
At that moment, the door burst open, and a soldier came rushing in, pale-faced.
“M-My lord! There’s a report of a dust cloud rising outside the castle. It might be a monster attack!”
“T-This is terrible. Quickly, summon our forces!”
However, the messenger halted the lord for a moment and asked the soldier.
“Which direction?”
“What?”
“Which gate?”
“Well, it’s from the direction of the southern gate.”
The messenger then chuckled and said.
“Ah, then there’s no need to worry. It’s our forces.”
“Is that true?”
The baron asked in disbelief, to which the messenger nodded.
“Perhaps you’d like to go meet them.”
As they headed towards the southern gate’s wall,
“M-Monsters!”
“Everyone, ready your bows!”
Chaos erupted on the wall.
The figures approaching were now vaguely visible.
“It’s the Wild Hyenas!”
“There are about several hundred of them!”
The Wild Hyenas (D), with their sharp hook-like claws, were a terror for the barony’s soldiers, climbing over barricades as if walking on flat ground.
“Everyone, stay sharp and get ready to fire!”
As the wall guard captain shouted, the soldiers hurriedly nocked their arrows.
At that moment, a man who appeared to be a lieutenant spoke with a puzzled expression.
“But it looks strange. It’s like….”
“……?”
“Doesn’t it seem like they are being chased by something?”
As the distance closed further, the lieutenant’s observation proved correct. The Wild Hyenas were running with their tails between their legs, desperately fleeing.
They were disorganized, some tumbling over each other and some dyed in red as if soaked in blood.
“Even so, we can’t let them approach the castle! All units, aim!”
Just as the guard captain was giving the order,
Shooo, boom!
Rumble!
Thud, thud-thud-thud!
A massive fireball flew from behind the hyenas, exploding in their midst.
Simultaneously, the ground trembled as if struck by an earthquake, trapping the hyenas, while arrows from somewhere rained down piercing their bodies mercilessly.
“Reinforcements are here!”
“Hooray!”
“We’re saved!”
From behind the hyena horde, nearly a thousand cavalrymen charged in, shooting arrows. Various spells were cast from atop horses, scattering the enemy formation, while the vanguard, now speeding up, wielded spears and hunted the hyenas.
The cavalry wore attire of various kinds, but they all shared a common feature: cloaks. Blue cloaks emblazoned with a golden eagle flapped behind them.
*
Indeed, Kane’s means were remarkable. Once provided with sufficient support, he had managed to establish informants throughout the Ruben Kingdom in just a year and a half.
Thanks to this, Raul was well informed about the situation across the entire kingdom.
“Have the troops successfully arrived?”
“Yes, we have dispatched a thousand troops to each of the five territories.”
A mixed battalion comprised of 500 central army soldiers from First Territory and 500 players had been deployed. Five golden eagle marks were pinned onto the magical map on the wall of the conference room.
These were baronies located in remote areas of the kingdom. Historically considered of little value, no one had paid attention to these regions, but this was not the case for Raul.
‘Even low-productivity areas can have geographically significant points.’
Looking closely at the map, the baronies were strategically positioned near the boundaries of various noble houses and factions.
Moreover, there were dungeons producing useful byproducts, so there was no reason to ignore them.
‘I’ve been too busy managing my own territory until now, but not anymore.’
The territory was stabilizing faster due to the influx of players. Dungeons and gates that had been managed by Raul’s elite troops were being partially transferred to players, creating some available forces.
Additionally, the presence of ten thousand economically empowered players was revitalizing the city.
“All five barons have agreed to the contract. As soon as the monsters are pushed out, we’ll establish infrastructure and create an environment where players can settle.”
To maintain a steady inflow of players, they needed to provide various hunting grounds and quests. For the time being, the First Viscountcy would suffice, but for the future, Raul intended to plant the First Knight Order’s flag across the kingdom.
‘Now then….’
Reading Raul’s thoughts, Bernard manipulated the magic screen.
Swoosh.
Four territories within the kingdom turned blue.
“These are the territories that have applied for territory wars. All four are baronies ruled by neutral lords with no special affiliation.”
Red territories were marked around the vicinity of the four baronies.
“These are the territories that have applied for territory wars. Three are baronies and one is a viscounty. Outwardly, they claim neutrality, but our investigation revealed that one barony is linked to Count Randal, while the remaining three are tied to Marquis McNeil.”
“Damn it, those filthy rats.”
Jake muttered curses under his breath, his face flushed with anger.
Beep.
Several territories turned purple and black.
“Purple territories have been taken over by Count Randal’s house after the gate crisis. Similarly, the black territories were seized by Marquis McNeil. It’s evident that Count Randal has absorbed six baronies, while Marquis McNeil has taken over eight baronies and one viscounty.”
“Good grief, they’re really showing their true colors.”
Dalton clicked his tongue as he observed the significantly expanded territories of the two factions.
“They have been aggressively expanding their influence. Besides the four territories pending territory wars, there are about a dozen more territories undergoing the same procedures. If they complete this expansion as they intend, approximately 30% of the entire kingdom could fall under their control.”
Once Bernard’s report concluded, the expressions of the executives hardened slightly.
Regardless of the royal family’s growing impotence, if noble houses continued their unchecked expansions, the outcome was clear.
‘Civil war.’
Many were already suffering due to the gate crisis, and if humans also started fighting among themselves….
Clap, clap.
“Attention, everyone.”
Raul clapped his hands, drawing the attention of the executives.
“Until now, we’ve been forced to overlook this due to lack of resources, but not anymore. Bernard!”
“Yes, Master.”
“Send messengers to the four territories about to engage in territory wars. They will likely be in dire need of assistance. And Kane.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Thoroughly investigate the backers of those who have applied for the territory wars. Identify their numbers, whether they are receiving support, and who leads their knight orders. Understood?”
“Leave it to me.”
Kane nodded confidently.
“Dalton.”
“Yes, Master.”
“Announce the plans to the players as soon as they’re finalized. Since we can’t act openly, we’ll need their strength.”
“Understood. We should have plenty of volunteers.”
After giving his instructions, Raul looked around at the gathered executives and spoke.
“For the time being, we will maintain the balance of the kingdom through the players. Ensure there is no slack in training the knight orders and troops, and prepare to coordinate with local branches and allied territories in case of emergency.”
“Understood!”
Raul gazed sharply at the map.
The day the continent would once again be engulfed in flames was not far off.
(To be continued)