Chapter 216

The Camilton Empire.

Among the nations in the continent’s history, none boasted of more strength as the Empire did, now plunged into unprecedented chaos.

Soldiers roamed every corner of the country.

Always composed, prioritizing the Empire in any situation, their faces were now taut with tension.

There was no effort to calm the citizens’ unease.

The Empire announced the facts boldly.

Adventurers with malevolent intentions had set foot on this land, and might cause them harm. But they promised to capture all adventurers as swiftly as possible.

Instead, this response reassured the citizens. It was a phenomenon born of absolute trust in the emperor.

However, within the royal family, the story was somewhat different.

“This is ridiculous! His Majesty….”

“Shh! Lower your voice. Did I ever say His Majesty was involved in that? I merely mentioned that such malicious speculations were circulating.”

The Camilton royal family.

The count, with a look of urgency, pressed his index finger to his lips, while the marquis was filled with rage.

“What difference does it make? Think about it, Count. To anyone listening, your words suggest that the ruler of this land consorts with evil gods….”

“If you heard it that way, that is regretful, but understandable. How could you doubt the loyalty in my heart? I was merely displeased.”

“…Then I apologize. It’s understandable, after all. The fact that such vile rumors surround His Majesty, no member of the Empire could remain unbothered by it.”

“I believe it’s something that needs verification.”

“What exactly are you suggesting we verify?”

Displeasure returned to the marquis’s face, but the count did not miss the opportunity given.

“I never would presume His Majesty has ties with such entities. But the source of these malicious rumors… We must find out, to eradicate them, mustn’t we?”

“Indeed, you speak truthfully. But do you propose a method?”

“Only to you, Marquis, but I recently received a note.”

“A note?”

“It promised to help verify these wild rumors swirling around the palace. The sender was unknown. However, it promised a discreet, unseen approach….”

“Count!”

“Marquis, this concerns the honor of His Majesty. Just being the subject of such rumors….”

“No, I didn’t mean to reproach.”

“Excuse me?”

The count exaggerated his confusion, and the marquis smiled gently.

After all, this conversation had been understood and exchanged from the start.

“I too wish to be there. If it’s something of this nature, we must see it with our own eyes and deal with it. As to not tarnish His Majesty’s honor.”

A conversation safe enough for outsiders to overhear.

But together, they aimed to verify the truth of the rumors.

The two had finally reached their goal, leaving with a promise to meet after leaving the palace.

And this phenomenon was not limited to these two individuals.

The ‘note’ had long been sent to dozens of nobles, including a directive to bring a friend along.

“Could you tell them I’m tired from the heavy workload?”

“How so?”

“I thought Raul would have something up his sleeve. Ah, to think this situation has escalated so much… It’s too grand a task for a mere thief, isn’t it?”

“You’ve been in and out of noble houses without issue, haven’t you?”

“We normally only enter houses without their owners. Hey, I’m about to steal your belongings, could you just pretend not to see? I can’t possibly ask them that.”

Kartna said with a smooth expression.

Contrary to his claim of exhaustion, his face was still vibrant with energy.

Raul was equally at ease.

“How many left?”

“About ten more today, and… wouldn’t three days be enough? Alio and Muedron are also on the move.”

In their hands, they held undeniable evidence.

A red lion mask, issued only to the emperor’s personal guard.

Raul could speak their language, and the high nobles had verified through their means that these guards were ‘genuine.’

“How easily they switch allegiances.”

“It’s historically proven that one shouldn’t associate with evil gods. This isn’t about my ability, or yours. The main dish is that baggage over there.”

Raul pointed to the personal guard squirming in the corner, perfectly restrained by divine power.

“XX XXX XXXXX.”

At Raul’s guttural command, the figure fell silent again.

“What did you say?”

“Stay still. Since I’m not the master, I have to keep ordering. If it were a phrase from someone contracted with an evil god, a single word would suffice to keep him still.”

“But, speaking of which.”

Kartna scratched his nose and asked,

“Is the real emperor an apostle of an evil god?”

“How would I know?”

“Well, I thought you might know.”

“If Seojin doesn’t know either, dream on. We just do as we’re told. Straying from our role only messes things up.”

“Fortunately, I have a knack for easily adapting to situations. It seems the other nobles do too… The Sword of the Empire should be no different, right?”

The Sword of the Empire.

It referred to Duke Ferret, known for his overwhelming martial prowess.

Raul shook his head.

“Don’t meddle.”

Seojin had two instructions:

Recruit as many nobles as possible, and if not feasible, ensure they at least remain neutral.

If recruitment was impossible, encourage them to join the fight against adventurers.

Yet, in both scenarios, the ‘Sword of the Empire’ was expressly excluded.

“Right. You said not to meddle.”

“Recruiting him is impossible, and jumping into battle now would make it hard to extract ourselves as easily as we have been. Best to enter this fray as late as possible.”

“To keep his attention away… Got it. Just curious.”

“Isn’t there something in the mansion to pique your adventurous spirit?”

“You really are like Seojin. Indeed.”

No matter how skilled he was, Kartna’s essence was ultimately that of a thief.

Raul was reminded of this fact anew.

“Let’s put professional pride aside and focus on the task. They’re working hard over there, aren’t they?”

“One more question, if I may? Raul, what are you following Seojin for?”

“If you’re going to ask directly, don’t bother asking for permission to ask a question. I’m leaving this land.”

“That’s all?”

“It’s a cause worth betting your life on. It’s not just me, we all feel the same way. The Golden King, the Rat….”

Though circumstances had changed, their goal remained the same.

Fortunately, they had their reliable leader, Seojin, guiding them.

“Let’s go. Who was it first? Count Milano?”

Raul did not forget his role.

* * *

Muedron’s other hideout.

A map spread out before him, Seojin was checking the movements of the raid in real-time.

“They’ve really spread out everywhere.”

The first step of the plan was successfully underway.

Eight thousand players had arrived in the vanguard.

Seojin had dispersed a significant number of them throughout the Empire, and naturally, the central army had spread out in response.

Of course, compared to the entire military force of the Empire, it was not a large amount.

“Just enough to drain their strength, nothing more.”

Tap. Tap.

Seojin tapped the table with his index finger.

The imperial military’s strength had been somewhat reduced, but it wasn’t enough to achieve anything significant.

Seojin’s real goal wasn’t just to reduce the ordinary forces.

“Just need to distract them. Only that.”

It was merely about turning their gaze elsewhere.

As the adventurers scattered, the central army chased after them.

At least tens of thousands, perhaps even hundreds of thousands of troops, would be deployed under a general.

What did that mean?

It implied that the general must hold a sufficiently high position, even within the royal court.

‘‘They’ll have to pay attention.’

Whether it would reach the emperor was uncertain.

However, most key figures should have a relatively accurate grasp of the current situation.

They had made an effort to make it look like guerrilla warfare, and the enemy had responded in kind.

‘There’s nothing more troublesome than an unpredictable enemy, like adventurers.’

Thanks to this, Raul, the Golden King, and others had bought them time.

To persuade, recruit, and provoke the Empire’s nobility.

The process was nearing its end, and players were continuously stepping into the Empire.

“It’s time to wrap things up.”

Seojin now headed to the space where Merhen was staying.

Now, Merhen was in charge of leading the raid in Seojin’s stead.

Merhen, caught up in the frenzy, chuckled as Seojin approached.

“You look busy?”

“Ah, you’re here? Busy, yes. Thanks to someone who dumped all the work on me.”

“You know the criteria for distributing quest rewards, right?”

“Yeah, yeah. Based on contribution. Thank you very much.”

“Did you pull everyone out?”

“I did.”

Thump.

Merhen closed the binder he was working on and looked up at Seojin.

“Only the strongest, especially those suitable for fighting undead and demons. I’ve mixed in classes with strong utility skills into every party. There won’t be any shortage.”

“How about the supply of equipment?”

“Perfectly completed. Legendary gear filled with divine power. They went crazy when they heard it was free.”

Merhen widened his eyes in exaggeration.

Though, compared to the reaction of the raid members, it wasn’t an exaggeration.

“So, what about the people joining now? There must be some useful ones among them.”

“Can’t help it. It’s first come, first serve. We don’t need that many people.”

“Just distribute the appropriate equipment then… No need to set them apart?”

“Just separate the parties. Enough to maximize synergy during battle.”

“What about the NPCs?”

Merhen asked, genuinely curious.

He was referring to the elites of various orders within the empire, like Luna’s Thirteenth Month or Pyro’s Living Flame.

“Put them on the front line.”

“But you had a principle of not killing NPCs, right?”

“I won’t use them as bait. On the contrary, they’re crucial. If it was something us players could handle alone, the orders wouldn’t have lent us those folks, would they?”

Seojin spoke with certainty.

Valuing NPC lives was true, but it wasn’t just about being humane or whatever.

There was no need to kill them.

And keeping them alive was better.

The NPCs wanted it that way, and Seojin could gain a lot from it.

“This time is a bit different.”

They were people who had dedicated their lives to a single purpose.

The Thirteenth Month and other groups were the same.

From the enemy’s perspective, they were filled with a spirit of sacrifice, almost indistinguishable from zealots.

“They would want it that way. Just as the Empire has Duke Ferret as its sword, those NPCs are like the orders’ swords.”

“So, you’re not touching the duke either?”

Seojin nodded.

“To Duke Ferret, the emperor is almost a deity, right? That man is a… true knight. The kind we usually think of.”

Seojin was certain.

The final goal of this quest was the emperor, but reaching him meant overcoming Duke Ferret, the mid-boss, along the way.

And.

“Regrettably, we can’t afford a fair duel. We’ll overwhelm them with numbers. In full view of everyone.”

Seojin knew well that convincing someone required more than just a cause.