Chapter 164

The sword cut through the air. Though King Sephiro wielded just one blade, he simultaneously struck down 37 users. Naturally, they tried to block it, gathering around their tank and activating their defensive skills all at once. They believed nothing could breach their defense, yet the sword pierced through.

'How is this possible?'

In the heart of their formation, Robert watched the infuriated Sephiro. His figure was not that of a knight who loved honorable duels. His fierce aura was enough to make any adversary hesitate, and his lawless sword trajectory was of a kind that seemed unblockable.

Rugal has logged out.

The first casualty among the 37 of Ironblood occurred, reducing their number to 36. Such a gathering had only been possible through their call to arms. Even with their collective might, Robert was unable to stop that one sword.

"With such pitiful skills, you dared to covet my land!" Sephiro's thunderous declaration solidified the legs of Ironblood members. Their defense shook under various status ailments. In the next sword strike, two more fell.

"Guild master! At this rate…"

"The Ironbloods will not collapse!"

His cry was more out of reflex than conviction. Seojin was the Blue Dragon, and those secrets Robert thought to be perfectly hidden had been unveiled. Even their base had been played perfectly robbed, and they were practically toyed by him.

It shouldn't have been like this.

Robert shouted again, "The Ironbloods will never collapse!"

This was their last bastion. The Ironbloods had been laid bare, all by the hand of a single player – Seojin.

Robert had seen the reaction of the players when Seojin revealed himself as the Blue Dragon. The overwhelming reversal of public opinion was now a tangible sensation for everyone in Valaran. And even Robert had felt his heart lurch at that revelation.

'To think that he was the Blue Dragon.'

There was not a single player in Valaran who could claim they were high-level but did not know of Blue Dragon. The experiences gained playing Asgard had directly contributed to growth in Midgard. And embarrassingly enough, Robert remembered posting appreciative comments on the Blue Dragon's guide.

'…I even asked to join a raid once.'

It was likely the same for the other guild members, carefully selected and cultivated by Robert himself.

But,

'Blue Dragon and Seojin are different. And I am different from who I was back then.'

Past glory is only beautiful because it remains in the past. It must remain there. Robert drew his shield.

"I will block it! Everyone, fall back!"

"Ha, you dare to wield my shield?" Sephiro sneered.

"Guild master! The shield's effect hasn't been confirmed! It's safer to move to a secure location now…!"

"I said fall back!" Robert's voice echoed with determination. The Ironbloods had to be an invincible force in this land.

Thud!

Sephiro's sword struck the Guardian's Shield. Robert held the shield at an angle, trying to minimize the impact. A burst of light emanated from the shield, but it wasn't enough.

Set Option (1)

*Increase in attack power, defense, or movement speed by 100% depending on the equipment's compatibility.

Set Option (2)

*Utilize each piece of equipment's unique skill.

Set Option Activation Condition: 'Royal Token'

You possess 'A Shoddy Royal Token'. Only half of the set effect is activated.

The royal armaments had their unique effects. Relying on just a 50% increase in defense to withstand the attack was impossible. At the very least, they needed to secure the Tower of Dragon Magic and activate the second set effect to have any chance against this tyrant.

They couldn't retreat, yet they had to.

"…Parties five and six, hold your positions! The rest, move to the Tower of Dragon Magic!"

Leaving a sacrificial rear guard, there were no complaints. Sephiro, with a mocking laugh, slashed through the remaining guild members. Robert's retreat was being broadcast live across Valaran.

'Turning off the broadcast now would be basically admitting defeat.'

In movies, the hero, despite initial struggles against overwhelming odds, eventually triumphs over evil.

'The end matters more than the journey.'

The players thought they had finally seen Ironblood hit rock bottom, but Robert had not yet revealed everything. However, upon reaching the Tower of Dragon Magic, Robert was met not by his loyal Ironblood members, but by a swarm of regular users surrounding the tower.

"…Where are our forces?"

They should have been here. The urgency of the situation hadn't allowed for timely reports, but he had thought it unnecessary.

"I can understand our reinforcements being cut off initially. That's why I ordered everyone to form parties. You mean to tell me that thousands of our union members have all died?"

It was inconceivable. No matter how strong the regular players were, they couldn't stand against their well-organized command structure. That was why he judged that there wouldn't be a problem in securing two towers.

"Speak up. What happened?" Robert demanded an explanation.

Robert pressured the hesitating remaining guild members. Their expressions alone made it clear that the situation was dire, but Robert needed a convincing reason.

"A significant number of our forces have died and logged out…"

"I expected as much. So, not everyone is dead. Are they gathered somewhere else?" Robert felt a measure of relief. It might have been better this way. If they could reorganize and he could lead a counterattack…

"…Many have also left Ironblood."

"I had restrictions in place."

This was anticipated. Lower-ranking members had neither responsibility nor authority.

"But I imposed system-level restrictions on the mid-to-high ranking players."

"Lower-ranking members who weren't restricted seem to have spread the information. It appears that enemies were lying in ambush along their routes."

"…"

The decision to move the raid party in a group had been a mistake. Changing strategy due to smaller forces being picked off had led to a surge of internal enemies. Robert was at a loss for words. King Sephiro's laughter echoed from behind, and the crowd of users in front sent incomprehensible glances to each other.

And the broadcast, which he had not been turned off yet, was filled with messages mocking them.

-Ironblood is are real trash LOL

-Surprised it didn't fall apart sooner

-LOL, our Robert is totally flustered~~

-Anti-Mainstream is going to get him now LOL

-Looks like some legendary items will enter the market soon LOL, I would've quit the game if I were them

Robert stood silently, reading the numerous mocking comments, showing no reaction, and so did the surrounding guild members. They had come too far to change course now. The core guild members, like Robert, had nowhere else to go.

"We have no choice. I didn't want this," Robert muttered softly.

Ironblood had collapsed. While the core forces remained, they could no longer exist as they once did.

"Guild master, if we do that…"

"It's what they brought upon themselves. They don't make decisions on their own, just ride the current, always quick to criticize, like rats."

Robert had crossed a point of no return. The chat erupted with comments, but Robert no longer cared.

"Did I deceive you about the rewards? Yes. Some of you might have earned them on your own. But most of you wouldn't have gotten even close without my guides."

He permitted only five the rewards to be given from quests that could yield ten, but without his guidance, most players wouldn't have earned even five.

"Yes, I made the rewards from Berne vanish. But do you think you could have received them without me? Without me, ideal beginner zones like Illinea and Altagon wouldn't exist. Count Bolton's domain would have continued to be just one option out of many."

Robert criticized the players matter-of-factly. He wasn't filled with emptiness or rage, just contempt.

"I manipulated the prices in the auction. Yes, Ironblood profited from the price differences. But did anyone feel any excessive burden?"

Robert did not cross the line. He made profits without being excessive.

"At least in Valaran, traders cannot exploit the market. I set and maintained the prices, and the benefits we gained were a mere 10% of the normal market value."

As his words poured out, he completely ignored the boiling reactions. For Robert, there was no need to respond.

"Rankers are few and they are admired because they are rare. If I hadn't intervened, do you think you would have reached their position? Hardly. You would be no different, or even less capable. You're nothing but beasts, only knowing how to eat what's shoved into your mouths."

Robert had dominated Valaran, altering the system to favor Ironblood. But separately, he also worked to improve other players' gaming conditions.

-It's pitiful to see you making excuses for something you did that nobody asked for.

Seojin's voice pierced through, but Robert ignored it.

"I don't understand why you're angry. It's natural for Seojin to be angry with me. But you have no right."

A few in the chat began to express agreement with his point of view. Most, however, showed overt hostility. But to Robert, it no longer mattered. His speech wasn't to persuade or justify his actions; it was pure condemnation for the situation that had escalated to this point.

"I'll remove all restrictions. Those who want to leave the guild may do so now. You don't have to return your equipment."

Guild members bound by the Book of Truth were released. Instantly, about 30% of the guild members left and logged out. Those who remained were the ones closest to Robert at headquarters.

"I didn't want to betray this country. I wanted to position our relations with the empire to be more advantageous than any other nation, before the continental expansion. Once this was over, we could have seen the fruits of our efforts."

Sephiro could be seen in the distance. Seojin's broadcast continually highlighted Robert's wrongdoings, and the players, merely watching for now, seemed ready to pounce at any moment.

Finally, Robert played his last hidden card.

"I accept all conditions, emissary of the Empire. When the contract is fulfilled, Ironblood promise unconditional cooperation to His Majesty."

Suddenly, hundreds of people appeared around the previously empty space near Robert. A combat unit in golden battle gear roared, and cavalry interspersed among them raised their banners high.

The brave emissary. The golden emblem of the Camilton Empire fluttered in the center of Valaran's royal palace.

- I never imagined the traitor ending to come out here.

Seojin's incredulous voice rang out. Robert had staked Valaran's future on a deal with the Empire.