Chapter 61

Even while I was away, my influence continued to grow rapidly.

We now controlled nine castles. In addition to our original strongholds, we had captured Wild Cat Castle (Q-19) west of Wild Boar and Big Fangs Castle (Q-18) west of Starting Castle. Naturally, many people remained in these peripheral castles, leading to resistance from local nobles. However, Stonestone and Hundred crushed any opposition with their formidable military might and abundant supplies of wild boar meat.

Of course, there were still problems.

“The Nul army emerging from the west caused approximately 1,700 casualties at Big Fangs Castle. Most were refugees, but…the First Flag Regiment has requested assistance.”

“The appearance of ice elementals near Blue Hammer Castle is causing difficulties with supply transportation. The First Yangmol Regiment has suggested either driving away or bypassing these elementals and establishing new routes.”

As feared, monster armies were expanding their territories from inland areas to encroach on the edges of the board. Of course, most couldn’t advance more than two spaces beyond their starting positions.

Humans and monsters were natural enemies, but so too were monsters among themselves.

If that weren’t the case, humanity would have been wiped out long ago.

Indeed, most fire-type monsters were being blocked before they could reach other regions, just as ice elementals had been prevented from entering Starting territory. Why? Because Khan Slasher fiercely resisted them.

Generally speaking…defenders have a significant advantage in monster wars due to regeneration.

Even though both sides could respawn, attackers would reappear over 125 miles away while defenders would revive on-site, making it vastly faster for them to replenish their forces. It seemed as if the boss couldn’t be duplicated even when expanding territory, so the flower shop monsters were unable to advance beyond their perimeter. Conversely, the monsters guarding Starting Point couldn’t venture out either because they had to protect their base.

However, this peace wouldn’t last forever. The special boss might expand its domain by hundreds of kilometers or broker a truce with other monsters. More importantly, occupying Starting Point wasn’t the only way to move into different regions; retreating back home was also an option.

I need to establish a stronghold and set up defensive lines at the edge of my territory.

It wasn’t feasible to upgrade every castle to rare or Hero rank, so I needed to distinguish between those castles on the front lines and those supporting them from behind. To bolster transportation for combat units, I also had to distribute numerous flying pets.

“Oh boy, this is insane.”

With circumstances constantly changing and countless decisions needing to be made, I spent the entire week holed up in my study at Starting Castle.

I established local governments within each castle and appointed personnel accordingly. Rather than recognizing noble status, I focused solely on merit without regard to gender. This system allowed anyone with abilities to rise through the ranks. Normally, there would have been fierce resistance from entrenched interests, but with my current authority and influence, nothing could stand in my way. Although some of the refugee nobles seemed disgruntled, they dared not voice their complaints loudly—no, instead, they went all out to pass the tests and secure positions within the monitoring screens.

No, rather, they exerted their utmost effort to raid dungeons, passed the tests, and entered the monitoring screens.

‘Not all nobles are ignorant fools.’

Their bases had been destroyed by monsters, forcing them to flee. They understood more than anyone else that the world was rapidly changing.

“What about citizenship?”

“Based on elite soldiers and their families, we have registered 24,000 individuals. A total of 7,400 people have received their documents.”

Flower’s calm words made me ponder.

‘I want to register everyone staying in my domain, similar to resident registration… but physically, it might be impossible.’

Even now, refugees were pouring in continuously. These were people who had lost their homes, possessions, and farmlands. If not for the Wild Boar Castle providing an abundance of wild boar legs, there would have been a massive famine resulting in unimaginable human casualties.

It could have been akin to the prologue of Revenge where over 98 percent of humanity perished and only a few survived.

“My lord. There is a report that Reapers have arrived at our border.”

“Reapers?”

“The Fox Kingdom and Adventure Kingdom are waiting near Great Fang Castle on the west side while the Chrome Kingdom and Hector Kingdom await at Blue Hammer Castle.”

“So half of the Eight Kingdoms are here.” I scrutinized the Go board-like map situated in one corner of my study before nodding. “Let them come.”

“How should we handle their forces?”

“They can bring as many troops as they want. However, assign more than a hundred elite soldiers as escorts. If any signs of foolishness emerge from them, deal with it immediately without reporting back first.”

“Yes, my lord. By the way…”

As Flower was about to leave Sungchul’s study, he voiced his concern.

“It’s been three days since you’ve eaten anything, Lordship. Are you sure that is alright?”

“Look at me now. Do I look like something’s wrong with me? Don’t worry; I’ve been eating intermittently.”

“…Yes, Lordship.”

Sungchul continued working even after Flower left. It felt surreal wielding a pen with over five hundred points of strength, but compared to his time as Baron Bronze Sword when everything seemed to go awry, fail, or be interrupted by someone yelling at him, this current state felt invigorating and almost casual gaming-like.

“A knight named Big Hand requests asylum… Wants to purchase a mansion and land… Suspected spy case…”

He continued working without taking breaks, eventually feeling famished and thirsty.

“Whew, I think I’ll take a breather. Logging out.”

Instead of his large office desk, he saw a table with a diameter slightly under two meters. On it were plates containing grilled asparagus, salad drizzled with refreshing white apple dressing, and thick, perfectly cooked steaks.

“There’s nothing like meat when you’re hungry.”

In Ardenia, jae-yeon also ate meat regularly, but this was on another level. The steak practically melted in his mouth without needing much chewing. He alternated between bites of meat and salad.

After eating the steak and vegetables, I took a sip of fruit juice, only to find that my steak plate had refilled itself. It was unlimited meat and fresh salad! I enthusiastically enjoyed the steak until I was full, finishing off with gulps of fruit juice.

“Wow, he eats a lot. Is he a biological energy cultivator?”

“No, no matter what, is it possible to eat like that while sitting? He seems to have eaten more than his own weight.”

“Moreover, he isn’t just shoveling it in; he is thoroughly chewing…”

I could hear whispers from various directions but paid them no mind. In a luxury six-star hotel where one night costs millions, nobody would judge someone for eating heartily.

Instead, I simply smiled contentedly.

“Mm, this place is amazing.”

“It’s a great breakfast.”

A group of soldiers were walking along the vein. It was a combat transport unit consisting of several dozen horse-drawn carriages and about a thousand armed soldiers. They were known as the Yangmol Regiment.

Clippity-clop, clippity-clop, clippity-clop!

Their speed was considerable; although it wasn’t running, they moved almost as fast. The Yangmol Regiment’s marching pace was renowned among soldiers for its ability to traverse the 100 kilometers between castles within a day while pulling carriages. Today, despite wearing their steel armor from inventory, their speed remained unabated.

Finally, unable to endure this pace any longer, one of the knights from the Reaper Army shouted at them, “Hey, you! When are we taking a break?”

The hunter captain leading the Shepherds frowned at his complaint. “Are you suggesting we take another break? If we keep going this slowly, we’ll have to camp out tonight.”

“S-slowly? This is a mountain ridge! We’re marching fully armed at this speed…!”

“You don’t think it’s too much for you, do you?” The hunter’s voice dripped with contempt.

Dalton, the knight of Chrome Kingdom, couldn’t bring himself to agree, especially since the soldiers from jae-yeon’s guild were openly sneering at him.

“You…you…”

“I’m sure that can’t be the case. Even these mere foot soldiers are keeping up just fine.”

“…”

Dalton’s face flushed red as he recalled how he’d laughed at the idea of soldiers guarding them when first informed about the Shepherds Regiment.

Krrrk.

He gripped his sword tightly, incensed that mere civilians were insulting him.

“Dalton! Don’t embarrass us—get back here!” barked Haze.

“B-but, sir…”

“Did you not hear me?” Dalton retreated under Haze’s icy glare.

“How dare those impudent upstarts!”

“To be so insolent…”

Haze listened to his knights grumble before turning once more toward the Shepherds. The thousand soldiers marched steadily along the mountain path without missing a beat.

This is truly remarkable. It can’t just be due to one swordsman.

It was possible for one soldier to have outstanding stamina or be an aura ability user, but it wasn’t feasible that all these soldiers possessed such high levels of physical endurance.

Moreover…

The senior soldiers…are carrying their juniors’ gear. That doesn’t make any sense.

In every unit, life is tough for new recruits. It’s expected that they carry their seniors’ bags and run errands, sometimes even becoming their seniors’ playthings. But here were veteran soldiers helping rookies with their luggage while traversing this treacherous mountain path? Unless there had been some fundamental change within the army, there had to be another explanation.

Han…what kind of power did you acquire?

It wasn’t surprising that he’d become a sword master; his swordsmanship had surpassed her expectations long ago. And although she never told anyone…just by observing her training, he was able to pinpoint flaws in her aura cultivation method and correct them. By following his advice, she became the most powerful knight of Chrome Guild.

He truly is a genius. He always insisted otherwise, but what a stubborn man.

She understood why he kept it secret, though. Possessing such treasures could be a death sentence for someone weak. Without any influential sponsors, if word got out about his talent for refining aura cultivation methods, despite his exceptional combat skills, he wouldn’t have survived for long.

“What exactly…has changed since those monsters appeared?”

Hanee’s influence, commonly referred to as Hanee Guild, was rapidly expanding by absorbing refugees and existing forces. They boasted unimaginable power along with an endless supply of food.

There’s even a rumor that Hanee can conjure up countless pork legs out of thin air…

“Ha-ha.” Haze chuckled despite himself at how absurd it sounded. It couldn’t be more far-fetched unless it were some cult religion spreading such nonsense.

“And this new castle they built is just as unbelievable—”

“Director!” The knights suddenly stirred, catching Haze off guard. He frowned.

“Dalton. How many times have I told you…?”

“Director Haze.”

At that moment, Illain Silver Sword, the representative of the reaper army, quietly walking beside them, nodded towards the horizon. His usually solemn face now looked petrified like stone.

“What’s going on…? What?”

Haze turned his head and was rendered speechless by the sight beyond the ridge.

There it stood: The Perfect Fortress City (Hero).

“No way…”

“This can’t be real.”

“I’m sure this is where Baron Red Ex’s estate used to be.”

“My goodness.”

The castle walls rose forty meters high. To Jae-yeon, they resembled a continuous row of apartment buildings, but for the people of Ardenia, it seemed inconceivable.

The walls were perfectly straight and symmetrical, as if drawn by an artist’s hand. The smooth surface seemed impenetrable, not even allowing room for a needle to be inserted, let alone scaled. Watchtowers and massive turrets dotted its length.

The sight of their awe brought immense pride to the Shepherds Regiment.

“Come on, everyone! We’re home!”

“Woo-hoo!”

Their cheers were interrupted abruptly.

Fwump!

A monstrous creature with shining white wings soared over the castle walls. Both the reaper army and the Shepherds halted, startled at the unexpected sight.

Flap! Flap!

The white beast flapped its wings, flying further away. While none present knew it was a drake, one of the most formidable monsters, those with keen eyes spotted a man riding atop it.

“It’s our lord! He has a new pet!”

“Ohh!! A new pet!! And what a majestic creature it is!”

“A new pet!!”

The soldiers were abuzz with chatter. Having adapted to constant changes every day, they quickly accepted this latest development.

However, the reaper army was frozen stiff, unable to process what had transpired. The sudden appearance of such a massive castle was already unfathomable, but the sight of the shining white drake struck pure terror in them.

“No way…” Haze stared at the drake with a stunned expression on his face. Due to its incredible speed, jae-yeon’s drake had shrunk to the size of a thumbnail from their vantage point.

“What the hell is going on here…?”