Chapter 140

Trait Enhancement Quest: Intimidation

Two episodes are currently in progress.

Main Episode: In Front of the Battlefield's Flag

*War has erupted. If a terrible event is inevitable, you must aim to make the best out of it…

*You have deviated significantly from the normal course of the episode! Proceed with caution!

Auxiliary Episode: With the Heart of a Peasant

*You have revealed to <Strategist Smith> your intentions that Welrose should enter a period of stability.

*Smith is a pivotal character in this sub-episode. Ensure to firmly recruit him as a steadfast ally.

*The content has been adjusted.

*The middle part of the episode has been deactivated.

*The latter part of the episode has been deactivated.

The reward for the Trait Enhancement Quest: Intimidation has doubled.

A series of quest messages appeared in succession.

There were only three differences from the quest he had received at the beginning.

He has deviated from the main episode's quest line, a new quest had been added by Seojin, and as a result, the reward had doubled.

'This actually worked.'

Fortunately, the criteria for this quest seemed appropriate.

Smith was that much of a critical figure to this quest, and displaying to him sufficient honor and dignity was also related to the Qualification of Intimidation.

"Commander."

At that moment, Smith entered the commander's tent.

"Sir Smith. Did you find one?"

"Yes, I've found a soldier who meets your descriptions."

"If you deem him to be so, it must be accurate. Let him in."

Another male soldier entered.

'Wow.' Seojin inwardly exclaimed.

His towering stature and rough demeanor were hardly what one would expect from an ordinary soldier. The man snapped to attention with a disciplined salute.

"Sir!"

"Good, your name?"

"Helix, sir!"

"Sir Smith, how much have you explained to him?"

"I have conveyed everything as you instructed."

"Good work. I'll handle the rest."

Snap.

Smith saluted sharply and left. Now, only Helix and Seojin were in the tent.

"Helix. Are you talented in deception?"

"Yes, sir, I am confident!"

"What did you do before you enlisted?"

"I sold drugs, got beaten, or did the beating!"

The response was startlingly candid.

"Beaten?"

"Sorry, sir! I meant I was a strongman performer!"

"A strongman, huh."

"Yes, sir!"

"Show me then."

"To you, commander… Yes, sir! Right away!"

Helix affirmed without hesitation. The first stage was a pass.

'No sign of awkward shyness.'

An actor must immerse themselves in their role.

Given that there was no rehearsal, it would be problematic if he felt embarrassed.

"Wait, do you need a partner for your act?"

"I can perform the partner's role as well!"

"Excellent. Begin."

"Yes, sir!"

Helix saluted again, standing at attention. After a brief deep breath, the atmosphere changed.

"Ladies and gentlemen, it's not every day you see this! An extraordinary strongman show like you've ever seen before! He feels no pain when hit, no heat from fire!"

His shout was robust yet carried a light-hearted tone, a stark contrast to his earlier behavior. His waist moved with surprising flexibility, and his face now displayed a disarmingly friendly smile.

"Proudly presenting to the village folks! The monster of a man who can chew even iron, Helix!"

Swoosh.

Helix stepped sideways, then suddenly his demeanor changed.

"Hm."

Stern.

He gave just a nod, perfectly aligning with the persona he had just introduced. Then, he stepped aside once more.

"Now, I will demonstrate Helix's amazing and mysterious abilities to you…"

"Hm."

The performance flowed like water.

Helix flawlessly performed a one-man show.

He punched the air, scratched his arm as if it itched, then mimicked grabbing and smashing something.

It was a comical sight.

Yet, Seojin watched without a hint of a smile.

"While Helix takes a short break, I have an announcement for everyone! The secret to his strength is…"

"That's enough. Stop there."

"Yes, sir!"

He snapped out of his role-playing swiftly. Seojin pointed to a corner of the tent.

"Put on that armor and pick up the hammer."

"Understood, sir!"

The silver armor was so enormous, it appeared capable of accommodating two soldiers of average size. The hammer, almost as tall as an adult man, was equally imposing.

And yet, surprisingly, "Hmm, it suits you."

Helix managed to fit into the armor's massive size. Although the armor and hammer shone brightly, the traces of time were clearly etched upon them. Excluding his face, anyone would consider him extraordinary at first glance.

"Your expression seems a bit off. Do you know the story of Reinhardt?"

"Yes, sir!"

"From now on, you must become Reinhardt. Show me. You may improvise."

"Yes, sir!"

Unlike before, he hesitated this time. However, it didn't take long for Helix to find his own interpretation of the character.

"Hmm."

His eyes deepened, burning with an inner flame, a resolve to overpower any opponent that stood against him.

"Speak as Reinhardt."

"…Insolent brat. Relying on your connections, are you?"

His voice was rough and husky, carrying a low, oppressive power. Although there was still a hint of awkwardness, it sounded great.

"Excellent."

Seojin had the ability to bridge that small gap.

* * *

"Pffft! Are you really sure there was a hammer, Tron?"

"Yes. I don't know where he found that cheap thing. Can you believe the Mercenary King would wield such a hammer?"

Tron, the leader of the Grandis Mercenaries, was diligently carrying out his mission.

It was just this morning.

Begin

Words had appeared before his still sleep-ridden eyes.

Seeing it, Tron felt that Robron Welrose might be more than just a reckless fool.

"Boss, how did it go?"

"It seems they believe in the hammer's existence. The officers think the same."

"The commander too?"

At the member's question, Tron nodded.

The rumor that "Robron used Reinhardt's name" had spread across the entire Middleline army. The officers, rather than stopping it, actively spread it further.

"They think it's ridiculous. I would too. What in the world is he trying to do?"

"It's not our business."

Tron cut off the member's curiosity. A mercenary's job was to carry out the mission and get paid. Only this time, the difficulty of the task seemed too easy for the pay.

"Don't worry, let's hurry. It's a 4,000-gold job."

"Knowing the young lord's temperament, he might pay more if we do well. Shall we go now?"

Tron nodded.

"Move quickly. Tell the others, once we finish this job, they can rest."

* * *

The Welrose command tent.

Relaxed, Seojin was receiving a report from Flappy.

-It's strangely going well. Are humans really this unquestioning?

-How good is it?

-They just treat you like a slightly foolish braggart. Your name alone is enough to make them burst into laughter.

Flappy's doubt was reasonable. Even if Robron was lacking, it was strange for the entire Middleline army not to suspect anything. At least some officers should have doubted if there was something hidden behind it all. But the reason was simple.

Applied: Skill Effect — Incitement.

Many targets! Effect greatly amplified!

Applied: Skill Effect — Fabrication.

Origin of the rumor not identified! Effect greatly amplified!

Incitement and Fabrication.

The combination of Robron's usual image and the recently acquired skill effects produced this result. The rumor even reached the Welrose army.

Naturally, the effect was negative.

"Our morale has been greatly reduced."

"Are there no soldiers looking forward to it?"

"None at all."

"That's good news. Unexpected fortune truly excites people."

Despite the apparent worry on Smith's face, Seojin was unfazed.

"Before the battle starts tomorrow, send a messenger. Ah, a high-ranking one. Someone who won't dare cause harm."

"What should I convey to them?"

"I will give them one last chance. They can retreat with their forces intact, but only until tonight."

"…Seriously?"

"I am serious. Now, how are the other preparations?"

"Ready as you instructed. But…"

Hesitating, Smith closed his mouth. It was indeed concerning. But hadn't Robron said to watch him a bit longer.

"I'll double-check and report back."

And with that, Smith left. In a few hours, they would witness the basis for that confidence.

* * *

The morning of the battle dawned.

It was the fourth day. Thankfully, Welrose had not lost any more of their forces after losing half.

As for Middleline, they had sustained almost no damage.

"The third young master seem too proud to see reality. I suppose now is as good a time as ever to show them the truth."

"Wise words. So?"

"Push forward. The Marquis Welrose won't dare question it after seeing the messenger."

The Middleline commander had finally decided. The turning point was the messenger sent by Robron Welrose yesterday. The message was incredibly rude. If it had been a regular soldier, his head would have been cut off.

"I've been patient, given that he's a child of the marquis. Oh how thankful I am now that he's given us an excuse."

The last stronghold fell. Under the commander's decision, the Middleline army arranged itself impeccably. Welrose, even from afar, seemed visibly intimidated.

"How long until it starts?"

"About 20 minutes, sir."

"That's plenty of time. Make sure everyone knows. As for the high-ranking officers, capture them. But from this moment on, there's no need to guarantee the lives of lower officers."

The game of courtesy was over. Using the excuse provided by Robron, the foolish commander, the Middleline commander planned to overwhelmingly crush the enemy.

"Wait, what's that… Commander."

Then, the adjutant spoke, barely holding back laughter, "Look at that. That must be their 'legend.'"

"A legend… Ha. They were serious?"

A chuckle escaped. Far ahead in the Welrose army's vanguard stood a unique soldier. A massive figure, made even larger by shiny silver armor he wore, and a threatening hammer resting on his shoulder.

"So that's the famous Reinhardt."

"The Seven Stars, Commander."

Both burst into laughter. The situation wasn't much different among the regular soldiers. Although not visible, the news of the mercenary's appearance spread quickly to the rear.

"Even more foolish than I imagined. But I have no intention of playing along with such antics. Adjutant."

"Yes!"

"Nothing changes. Prepare the cavalry."

The Middleline flag fluttered high. Only about ten minutes remained until the start. As soon as that flag dropped, this game would end.