Chapter 157

"I cannot see you. Seojin told me this is a means of communication only allowed for adventurers. But just because I cannot see, does not mean that you are not there."

"This kingdom was built by our ancestors, paying the price with their blood. That gave them every right to enjoy its benefits, but not me. I am able to enjoy all these things simply due to the fact that I was born into the royal family."

Heinrich Valaran, the unfortunate prince, brilliantly executed Odie Park's request.

NPCs could not see the broadcast screen. To him, he was merely talking into thin air, acting on Seojin's cue that something was there. Though he initially felt like he was talking into nothingness, the prince stopped, overwhelmed by emotion, and then continued.

"Until I received help from this adventurer, I merely watched from the sidelines, as the royal family slowly became eroded by outside forces, unable to make any decision."

His silver hair fluttered in the wind, and his sorrow-filled silver eyes sparkled. That is, his handsomeness was explosive. From his lips flowed the state of the kingdom. He tried to sound calm, but his voice quivered at the end.

This caused the first wave of reactions from the viewers.

-So you're saying Ironblood did all that??

-LOL, he's like a movie protagonist

-The Ironbloods are the real villains?? Right??

-Villains indeed. That means it's legal to beat them up.

The atmosphere suggested that the prince couldn't be the bad guy. Even though the subject of the conversation was an NPC, public opinion was rapidly shifting.

And then.

"Adventurers have already become a part of this world. Rejecting them would only make me a foolish ruler, unable to adapt to the changing times. I may have been such a ruler until now, but after meeting you all today, I will no longer remain the same!"

He sketched out his present and future thoughts, and at that moment, the prince's eyes shone with hope, like a child chasing a dream.

The viewers had their second wave of reactions.

-Ah LOL, I'm going to support him right now LOL

-Prince!!! I'm on my way!!

-How could someone like him be corrupt???

-From what I can see, Ironblood are 100% the bad guys LOL

The prince's gaze and expression were too far from deceitful.

Perhaps if the NPC was a thieves' guild master or an assassin's underboss they would be skeptical. But his trustworthiness had skyrocketed the moment he was titled a prince.

"You did well, Your Highness."

"Is it done?"

"You did more than enough."

"…Understood." Heinrich stepped back.

Thanks to the prince, interest in this event had skyrocketed. Seojin turned the camera towards himself.

"You heard it, right? Ironblood are the bad guys."

-What are you, LOL

-That's your tl;dw? LOL

-LMAO

The start was promising. Seojin checked the time, as well as the number of viewers. It wasn't yet time to move onto the main event.

"It'll still be a while before Ironblood arrives, so I'll take some questions now. Ask me anything you're curious about."

* * *

"I don't do it if I don't find it enjoyable. I started playing the game just to play, not to make money. Isn't that true for most of us? Ironblood seems a bit different, though."

"The reason I write guides is obvious. It would be a shame to enjoy all that fun by myself, right? Everything's much more fun when everybody plays together."

"I started the livestream because I was annoyed. Think about it. You're in the middle of doing something you enjoy, and someone next to you keeps blabbering as if they want everyone to hear. And the topic is related to me? And in a bad way?"

-LOL

-So down to earth, this guy

-Why do you seem so different when speaking? LOL

"Is there anyone who writes and speaks in the same way? And writing goes through a filter. If some wording feels awkward, I remove it."

Seojin's expression was relaxed. Acting with this personality was strongly recommended by Odie Park. Maintaining a minimum level of decency, but behaving freely. Showing that he was an ideal, talented person, capable of solving situations on the spot, without losing his composure.

'It's acting out my daily life, just acting out my daily life.'

It was a character not much different from his usual self. The important part of his play was to be a bit more impolite. Despite that, he came off as charming. Because he had skills, people overlooked his rudeness.

"My skills are a secret. Oh, and I told you not to donate. Just use that money to buy something delicious. Let's see, the viewer count… it's over 20K? When did that happen?"

Over 24,000 viewers were watching Seojin. Robert hadn't even started his counter-broadcast yet.

'Must be busy preparing and trying to rush over.'

If he drags out time under the guise of responding, that's great for me, and even better if he jumps in recklessly. Control of the situation was firmly in Seojin's hands.

He casually turned around.

"We've gathered quite a crowd. Time to call in the guests, I suppose?"

-???

-Wasn't the prince the guest?

-The prince???? Our dear prince~~~

-So likable LOL just looking at him feels reassuring~

"If it were just the prince, I wouldn't have put special in the title. All three of you, come this way. Yes, make sure you're in the camera frame…"

-Oh?? Are those the ones you did the quest with??

-I saw them at Churai Island LOL

-They're the special guests?? Weren't they just the people playing the game with you??

Including Odie Park, Roth, and Haydall, there were familiar responses, but, of course, there was no visible shock upon seeing them.

Seojin shrugged and stepped back.

"Ms. Odie Park."

"Yep! Hello, everyone! I'm actress Kim Hyesun!"

-?

-??

-?

-????

Despite it being a chat, they could feel the viewers' astonishment. The viewers fell into a stunned silence. The chat, which had been rapidly flowing, now slowed considerably, with only comments expressing confusion and astonishment sporadically popping up.

-Impersonation… that's going a little far

-Is it really her?

-Are you someone with the same name?

Odie Park chuckled, showing a bright, television-friendly smile and lifting something resembling a placard with both hands.

-It's really me, Kim Hyesun! Check out the live event on SMU's website!

-Is she really Kim Hyesun??

-I just checked, it's true??

-Wow. It's really her.

-Big Sis?????

Shockwaves rippled through the chat. They could feel the viewers' excitement rapidly escalating. Not just because she was a famous actress, but also because of the fact that Odie Park was actually Kim Hyesun. The image that Seojin had created for her on Churai Island was that impactful.

-Crazy LOL

-Even celebrities play games, huh

-Special guest, that's right

-She's not only good at acting, but gaming too???

The focus shifted from Seojin to Odie Park. She was familiar with such situations and adeptly handled all the attention pouring in.

Thanks to her, Seojin had a moment to breathe.

"Here they come."

He saw a surge of energy in the distance. A swirling mix of black and white, which must be Robert's League.

-They're coming now.

Roth and Haydall left their spots. Odie Park alone dealt with the viewers. Merhen, who was waiting at the designated place, quickly instructed the paladins and priests.

Seojin looked to the side.

"Your Highness."

"I'll wait."

Heinrich moved to a safe place. If he were to be harmed, it would be akin to starting a chess game without a king. The king only needs to step in at a crucial moment.

"Dame Rachel."

"Yes."

"Do what you must. Fighting the enemy directly isn't the only way to show loyalty. Don't forget that."

The Tower of Guardianship was almost secured. Seojin instructed Rachel, who was waiting for further orders, and then looked to the other side.

"Sir Muradin."

Muradin, a veteran with an impressive mustache, was also the captain of the Royal Knights, and effectively the strongest military force in the palace.

"Yes."

"The knights will take the offensive only before the real battle starts. After that, it's about defending the towers."

"…Yes."

"Remember, loss among the knights means weakening His Highness's power. Don't forget that."

"I'll bear that in mind."

The role of the Royal Knights remained unchanged. They were to guard the Tower of Valor and secure the Tower of Guardianship.

Seojin's gaze swept over the distant scene again. Robert was approaching fast, with similar levels of energy swirling around him. These were the Ironblood's main forces.

"Looks like they're all coming."

Seojin moved closer to Odie Park.

Indifferently pointing in the opposite direction of the camera, he remarked, "The Ironblood Knights. Seems like all their main guild members are converging there."

-Is Ironblood coming now????

-We can't see anything!!!

-Please show us the other direction! We can't see anything!

The viewers' focus instantly shifted. It was astonishing. Even though she was under the guise of the character Odie Park, the fact that actress Kim Hyesun was being overshadowed by the appearance of Ironblood was remarkable. But Odie Park wasn't offended at all.

'After all, this is Midgard. And this is Seojin.'

This was a game world, and the viewers were gamers. It was natural for them to be more interested in the impending action, than in a real-life actress guest.

"Viewers are requesting for you to turn the camera around."

"No problem."

In a situation that should have been frantic, Seojin and Odie Park exchanged relaxed banter. Seojin effortlessly turned the camera to the rear. He first focused on Robert, then slowly moved the camera to capture other guild members on screen.

-Can you see that???

-It's too dark, I can't see anything OMG

-Is it only visible if you're over level 100?

-You can see it if your account is level 100 or higher!

-What are we supposed to be looking at?

-It's like they're racing here with energy bursting like Goku.

The broadcasting system was an officially supported function in Midgard. Viewers had to link their accounts to watch or livestream, meaning that only those over level 100 could see the scene unfolding.

"They're moving fast, almost here… if we let them come in like this, it'll be troublesome, right?"

-Are you going to fight outside the castle?

-There's no need to go out. Isn't it about preventing them from entering?

-How can you stop that? That's easily dozens of level 200s there OMG

-Right OMG

Most believed it was impossible to stop them. Opinions were being divided over whether the battle would occur outside or if the towers had already been taken

"We haven't secured the towers yet. We need to stop them until we do. It's hard enough dealing with those who are already inside."

Seojin said, then sent a message to his party members waiting inside the palace. Specifically issuing instructions to the Court Mage Pierre.

-What??? OMG

-So there was something inside the castle OMG

-Woah, a protective shield?????

-Now I get why he was so relaxed OMG

-Look at the scale of this OMG

A massive hemispherical shield enveloped the castle. The shield, flickering faintly, seemed fragile but Seojin knew it could withstand even a meteor strike.

"Now phase one begins. Let's see how long it takes Ironblood to break through this. Wanna place bets?"