Chapter 166

Commander Osh of the Camilton Imperial 41st Special Forces realized the orders he had received were terribly misguided.

"There's no way."

For over 30 years in military service, orders had been absolute for him. This opinion of his had not changed even when he received this directive.

Osh had left all his attachments behind to come here. But this adventurer named Seojin had shown him a completely different path.

"Do I… really not have to die?"

"Not only you, this also applies to all the members of the unit you lead."

Hundreds of men were prepared for death, fully committed to their mission. They were ready to fight fiercely in any circumstance, but the plan had drastically changed.

"From what I've heard, the Emperor knows how to utilize adventurers better than any other nation. His Imperial Majesty oversees such a vast territory. Surely, he must be looking far into the future, far beyond what we can see."

"Th-that must be so. Your words are correct, Sir Seojin."

"Right?"

Turning sixty thousand adventurers into enemies meant creating millions of potential foes.

The emperor had stated that while the Kingdom of Valaran was a minor country that could be swallowed up anytime, the adventurers within were akin to a bomb that could knock on their gates at any time, and without end.

"Only an adventurer can face another adventurer…"

"Did His Imperial Majesty say that?"

"…Yes, he did."

"If reasonable and moderate measures are taken, instead of sixty thousand hostile adventurers, the empire could welcome them as curious and potential talents."

"That's true… But the orders I have received were…"

"The situation has changed. You wouldn't have gotten to where you are if you were a soldier who only knew blind loyalty."

"I am that kind of soldier."

Osh had always faced his enemies when told to and retreated when ordered.

Seojin shook his head at Osh's self-deprecating muttering.

"Maybe it's time to change your perspective. When you were ordered to confront your enemies, you directed the battle as you intended."

"…I did."

"And when you retreated, you minimized the loss of your troops."

"That goes without saying."

Osh had always fulfilled his orders. But the approach was definitely in his hands.

"This time is no different. Your orders are intended for the long-term development of the Empire."

"That's… indeed true."

"Yes, that's the essence of your orders. This current situation is just a little deviation. You've always managed those deviations brilliantly."

It seemed like sophistry, but Osh couldn't deny it.

Go provoke the enemies and fight to the death—that single order was clearly for the future of the Empire.

But now, following it would surely lead to a result contrary to the intent of the command.

"So, what should I do now?"

"The Empire's territories are vast and wide. You must have a lot of experience. I am sure you will make the right decision."

It was a call to show the Empire's generosity. Though it might look like a clumsy act now, that's what international relations were about. Even as a soldier, Osh understood that much.

"I think we need a very rational and lawful procedure to proceed. Thank you for the enlightenment, adventurer Seojin. May I mention your name to His Imperial Majesty?"

"Just confirming the obvious is thanks enough. The minster of foreign affairs of Valaran might be able to assist you. I'll arrange a meeting, and you can have a comfortable conversation there."

"…I shall follow."

"Also, regarding Sir Robert of the empire…"

"I will take responsibility to ensure there are no problems. Sir Robert will receive an escort befitting his title."

Right now, no one could attack Robert, nor could he attack anyone else. Hearing the words that the empire will isolate Robert entirely from the situation, Seojin smiled.

"Thank you for your firm decision."

Soon, from a distance, the minister of foreign affairs hurried over. He was also a supporter of the faction opposing the prince, but he had already completed his loyalty oath through the Book of Truth.

Seojin whispered in his ear.

"The contents of the report to His Highness will change depending on the outcome of this situation."

"I-I'll do my best."

"That's not my concern. I'm only interested in the outcome. You understand?"

"Yes, a-absolutely!"

Nodding vigorously, Seojin sent off the minister of foreign affairs with a smile.

With this, the Imperial Army was fully dealt with.

"Osh! This is ridiculous!"

"Ensure that his lordship rests comfortably!"

"Let me go! Stop it! You bastards… The contract was clearly, uh! Agh!"

Robert's cries could be heard, but Seojin merely responded by casually cleaning his ears.

-Is this for real?? LOL

-Is it game over? No more Ironblood?

-They were here, but not anymore, LOL

-What exactly is Seojin's ability? He ended it without even using a skill LOL LOL

-Seriously, his class might be con artist and I'd believe it

From the moment Seojin revealed himself as Blue Dragon, the chat was moving so fast.

If it weren't for the staff provided to support him by SMU CEO Hwang Soochul, chat would have bugged out a long time ago.

Even the number of viewers, which was sixty thousand during the conversation with Osh, had surged to eighty thousand.

"It's not over yet," Seojin addressed the viewers.

At this moment, the name Ironblood had disappeared from Valaran, but an even mightier presence was staring straight at Seojin.

"It's not over?"

"Oh, my words were not for you, Your Majesty."

"Then you were speaking to the sixty thousand adventurers behind you."

"It's eighty thousand now."

"Are you threatening me?"

"I know who I can and cannot deal with."

"Don't beat around the bush. I warned you not to twist your words so much. It would be wise to give up on thinking taking advantage of me."

"I have no intention of ruining what I've just fixed."

"Yes, that's more like it."

King Sephiro, the founding King—the NPC who had single-handedly suppressed Ironblood, raised his eyebrows.

"Explain what's going on first, and then tell me why I should spare you and them. Damn, my head isn't working again. You did something, didn't you?"

Just a moment ago White Lie's effect had ended.

Sephiro, whose intelligence had diminished, seemed ready to blow everything up around him at any moment. But Seojin remained calm.

"I'll tell you everything. Simply, concisely, and directly."

Just a moment ago.

The content of the temporary episode has been appropriately changed.

Difficulty has been adjusted.

The reward details have been adjusted.

A separate reward for the changed quest content will be given.

The messages that appeared before his eyes had opened a new path for Seojin.

* * *

Sub Episode: The Remnants of Memory

*Valaran's founding king, Sephiro, had made ample preparations for the dangers his descendants would face in the distant future. He placed three sacred weapons in three towers, embedding fragments of his soul in each.

*In a moment of crisis, you awakened Sephiro's soul on behalf of Valaran's royal family. Sephiro, unaccustomed to such an unsanctioned act, demands a price.

*Sephiro, in his lifetime, had risen above even the war god. He believed in clear rewards and punishments. If your achievements are recognized, you will receive a substantial reward.

*Basic Reward: ???

The death penalty for failing was removed, and the reward changed to a question mark. The quest's objective also changed. Instead of the initial goal of recruiting Sephiro as an ally, it now required convincing Sephiro of the greatness of his achievements.

'After all, it made no sense to use an NPC as powerful as a founding king as an ally.'

It was probably only included because it was a temporary episode.

Inside the castle, it might be plausible to have King Sephiro as an ally, but if that content was applied outside, it would mean Sephiro would accompany him even when leaving the place.

In any case, the quest goal had essentially changed to bragging about himself.

And Seojin knew what the most dangerous action was.

'To brag about how great I am myself.'

Of course, there are those who would be swayed by such a tactic. But against Sephiro, the exceedingly simple, he wouldn't understand no matter how simple he were to put it. And now was the moment to use Heinrich Valaran, a trump card.

"Just trust me."

"That's hard to do when you're shaking so much."

"That's impossible. I'm in the presence of someone who built this kingdom, and a descendant of the royal family. Besides, I know your accomplishments better than anyone, and relaying them is…"

"Your Majesty, please drink this first."

Seojin handed him a potion. It was meant to calm nerves.

After gulping it down, Heinrich shuddered.

"I feel better now."

"I will speak frankly. His Founding Majesty said he would break both your legs."

"Weren't you trying to calm me down?"

"It must have been just an outburst in his anger. Of course, you're not the target of his anger. I've gathered the nobles deeply involved in this incident, including Duke Merrychild."

It wasn't just the players' strength that overturned the royal family. It was also the nobles who had joined hands with Robert, especially those beyond redemption.

"It sounds like you're suggesting using them as a sacrifice."

"Sometimes a monarch must be more ruthless than anyone."

"Thanks to you, I've bitterly realized that being a tyrant is better than an indecisive saint. If I had been a little more decisive, I wouldn't have ended up like this."

The prince's smile was bitter. But unlike before, it was accompanied by a firm resolve.

After hesitating for a moment, Heinrich spoke as if he had made up his mind, "…The king has passed away."

"My condolences."

"There will be a funeral. You don't have to come. But I would like you to attend the succession ceremony afterward."

"I will come, along with my companions."

The prince smiled again.

"I will get going then. Oh, I heard there are priests among the adventurers who can reattach broken arms."

"If Your Highness asks for help, even the high priest would come running, wouldn't they?"

"I don't want to owe the temple."

"I'll find someone. And he really won't break your legs."

Seojin was confident, and his prediction was accurate.

The founding king did beat Heinrich to a pulp, but miraculously, he didn't inflict any lasting damage.

And then.

Quest Complete

The sub-episode is added to the Journal.

Heinrich had perfectly fulfilled what Seojin had hoped for.