Chapter 52 – Frost (3)

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Translated by Heavenly Cat

Read it only at Novelbyu.com & Utoon.net

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AAU.

The ones who fell into shock no less than the Players were them.

Sighs burst out from branches all over the world.

To think Frost would fall.

That was something they couldn’t even imagine.

“Let’s think calmly for now. This makes it certain. Just like time flows in reality. Time is also flowing in the Arcana World side as well.”

That means.

That they acknowledge Arcana is not a simple game.

No, even if it was a game in the past.

That it has now become another world.

“We were guessing that since before. But this……! The speed is too fast. Everyone knows what kind of city Frost is, right?”

“……A siege warfare difficulty equivalent to the Imperial Capital.”

“Right! That’s what I’m saying doesn’t make sense. How on earth did those demon bastards cause Frost to fall? Even considering the flow of time, physically……?”

Wait, the flow of time?

Oops.

Why did we think the flow of time would be the same!

A setting suddenly came to mind.

“The flow of time is different……!!”

“What? What does that mean?”

“Damn it, I had completely forgotten about it. That one day in reality is four days in Arcana!”

24 hours in reality. = 96 hours in Arcana.

That was back when Arcana was a game.

A setting that remained.

Is that why.

They were overlooking that simple setting.

“……Time flows 4 times faster than reality? Then it makes sense.”

“You’re saying the demon bastards didn’t suddenly become stronger?”

“Damn it, then it means Frost falling isn’t a strange thing either, isn’t it?”

For a moment, everyone who was listening.

Reached a terrible possibility.

“……Then what on earth is the Arcana World at this current point in time?”

Even Frost, which boasted high walls, fell.

Small villages and cities……?

There’d be no need to even mention it.

Sighs leaked out from here and there.

“What humanity’s counterattack are you talking about. Just what……!”

The Arcana World is being trampled by demons.

And what’s more important of all is.

That those demons are updating into reality, not just the Arcana World.

The AAU calmly tapped on the calculator.

“How high do you guys think the probability is for Players to recapture Frost that has fallen to demons?”

“……It’s impossible.”

“I estimated it to be at least level 600. The point in time when ranker Players can covet the position of Lord of Frost.”

For such Frost to have crumbled down miserably.

Means the demons that brought down Frost are level 600.

And possess strength even beyond that.

For Players at the current point in time to defeat such demon-kin monsters?

“Damn it……!”

No matter how you think about it, it’s impossible.

The AAU reached that conclusion.

“……Wait a minute.”

Until Ho-yeol revealed his appearance.

The situation room.

Ho-yeol’s appearance popped up on the monitor that filled the wall.

Hair the same color as the fluttering snow.

A suit and dress shoes this time as well.

That pristine attire without any disarray.

Because that appearance had been consistent since his first appearance.

They weren’t surprised by just that.

Right, the reason the AAU was surprised was the NPCs following behind Ho-yeol.

No, because of the Arcanaians.

“This makes no sense.”

It was the Lionheart Knights again.

According to the setting of the knights swearing loyalty to their liege lord.

No matter how much relationship one accumulates, they wouldn’t be able to lead an order of knights……?

How could Ho-yeol, who is merely a Player, lead the Lionheart Knights to appear, not just once but in succession?

Even that alone was something to be astonished about but.

“……Th- The Shadow Mercenaries!”

The Shadow Mercenaries.

Even they revealed their appearance together with Ho-yeol.

“He accumulated relationship even with those masterminds……?”

Mastermind(‘).

The reason they called the Shadow Mercenaries like that is simple.

Until now, they had been hidden behind a black veil but.

Because they were existences that could exert considerable influence even in the later half. Right, if one were to force a comparison, they held a position similar to the Mage Tower.

“……They don’t step forward to the front, but their influence.”

“Was a setting that they could shake the continent beyond the Empire, right?”

“It should be hard for Players to know their true value at the current point in time……? Of course, because of the absurdly expensive commission fees, they might be able to guess to some extent.”

“Haha…….”

In an instant, hollow laughter burst out.

“The Mage Tower, Lionheart, and now even the Shadow Mercenaries?”

It was because it was completely unbelievable.

However, to be able to spit out even such hollow laughter.

That was no different from breathing space opening up.

Right, it meant it was too early to despair already.

With Ho-yeol’s appearance.

AAU.

It was the moment their conclusion changed.

“First of all, let’s observe calmly. Lee Ho-yeol’s actions……!”

*

There’s a reason for everything.

“Ugh, it’s cold.”

“Do not speak weak words, Ms. Kitch. Keep in mind that we have a mission called the recapture of Frost.”

“Yes~ Understood. But can’t I even say I’m cold when it’s cold? Ugh, the Yusra Kingdom was warm and had good sunlight so it was just perfect…….”

Me, with the Lionheart Knights.

And appearing in Frost accompanied by the Shadow Mercenaries too.

It means there’s a reason for all of it.

.

.

.

‘To think there was such a reason.’

I shared a conversation about Frost with Harkon.

The Empire’s strongest order of knights, Lionheart.

Isn’t he the Grand Commander of that order of knights, Harkon.

Naturally, his experience in siege warfare would also be abundant.

I was thinking maybe I could roughly get some siege warfare tips or something.

But Harkon’s reaction was unexpected.

“……Frost has fallen? Sir, is that true!”

The point in time Harkon updated into reality.

He said that point in time was exactly when he was setting out on an expedition to a village not far from Frost.

The unparalleled Harkon ground his teeth, unable to overcome his anger.

“Sir, this disaster occurred because I couldn’t handle that Demon Legion Commander! If I had at least properly carried out His Majesty’s last command……! Frost wouldn’t have……!”

A Demon Legion Commander.

‘Even though I don’t exactly know the organizational chart of the Demon King’s army.’

Definitely a class quest.

You can strongly feel from the name that it’s a guy related to the Demon King subjugation.

I inwardly anticipated whether I could eat this raw if things go well.

‘If I can find out information about the Demon Legion Commander, that guy…….’

Since I can prepare in advance.

You know, even just right now, there was a lot to prepare.

What’s needed above all would be purchasing demon items for triggering the [Exorcism Ritual].

In proportion to saving expenses in the Mage Tower, thorough preparation was possible.

I felt the worthwhile result of living with spotless integrity.

But then.

“Sir. Our Lionheart Knights will join you.”

……Words that went way beyond my expectations returned.

Harkon’s eyes were resolute.

“Since His Majesty’s last command was to subjugate the Demon Legion Commander. Until His Majesty retracts that command. We intend to subjugate the Demon Legion Commander of this world, no, the demons.”

Harkon continued his words.

“It means your will and ours align.”

……There’s no reason for me to refuse.

What is my will?

Exactly clearing the class quest.

‘Isn’t this telling me they’ll help with the quest? Continuously on top of that!’

Could there be a more reassuring reinforcement than this.

Lest his mind change.

I immediately answered Harkon right back.

“I shall respect your pride. Sir Harkon.”

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.

.

That is the reason how the Lionheart Knights came to be together.

The circumstances of the Shadow Mercenaries?

There wasn’t exactly much to say about that.

‘If I’m told to peel, I must peel.’

The Shadow Mercenaries and I.

Because the relationship was a thorough ‘Gap'(dominant party) and ‘Eul'(subordinate party) relationship right from the start.

The first meeting with the Commander, Kitch, remained vivid in my memory.

“Hiccup”

“Is there a problem?”

“N-No. I just felt a pang of guilt……. I mean, I flinched for nothing.”

You know, she had been hiccuping as soon as she saw me from the start.

While listening to Kitch’s self-introduction, I spoke coldly.

“Are you saying you want to make a fresh start here in Yusra?”

The Shadow Mercenaries.

They have done any kind of work as long as it makes money.

Kitch defended themselves like that.

“……Haha, right? You see through us very accurately. Hiccup.”

Those words were true.

One could know just by searching without even inquiring around.

A mercenary group with terrifyingly expensive commission fees.

Strong enough to handle any kind of request.

However, their cost-effectiveness is so crappy that no one wants to entrust them with any request.

“However, I find it regrettable.”

It wasn’t because they were unknown, nor was it because of bad evaluations.

To move solely for money?

“I despise folks like you.”

Spotless integrity itself.

To Granfel, there was no kind more devoid of pride than that.

I felt like I understood why Hakuna entrusted the judgment concerning them to me.

“……Hiccup!”

Don’t misunderstand.

That wasn’t a crying sound but a hiccup sound.

The shoulders heaving was also because of the hiccups.

Of course, even if she had shown tears.

Granfel is not a great man to be swayed by tears.

However.

“But I shall put my trust in that resolve.”

“Hiccup? Yes?! What resolve?”

“That you wish to abandon the past and make a fresh start.”

Swoosh!

I signed their documents without hesitation.

“I will watch over whether you can find your pride.”

At that time, Kitch’s look of deep emotion was evident.

Of course, that deep emotion must not have lasted long.

Because before long, I declared to the Shadow Mercenaries.

“This is an opportunity to prove your resolve.”

Right, the Shadow Mercenaries.

I semi-forcibly dragged them into the Demon King subjugation.

There is a give and take in everything.

Because it was the Yusra Kingdom I protected risking my life.

‘If you want to stick a straw in, prove your worth.’

Kitch’s words trailed off.

“It’s a request that doesn’t even make money and is only dangerous……?”

It must be a proposal she couldn’t even imagine in the past.

But since she said they’d abandon that past.

Ultimately, for a fresh start.

“……Still, I’ll do it. No, I have to do it. No, I will do it. No, just leave it to me. Hiccup!”

If told to peel, they have no choice but to peel.

Because I am also proficient at corporate society.

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.

.

The Lionheart Knights out of their own volition.

The Shadow Mercenaries including Kitch semi-forcibly.

That is the reason how I came to appear in Frost with them.

But there was one circumstance I ended up overlooking.

‘Why of all places……!’

Is it Hokkaido right next to Russia again this time?

Let alone a padded jacket.

My attire not even wearing a single coat.

I merely resent the local situation…….

.

.

.

However, the cold that pierced into my bones did not last long.

Hell appearing in reality.

Frost, soaring with flames.

Because its surroundings were filled with heat, far from a chill.

Harkon had an evident look of suppressing his emotions.

“……I will definitely recapture it, Your Majesty.”

Because it has no great connection to Frost.

Even when I couldn’t express my feelings about it.

The feelings of the Lionheart Knights must be extraordinary.

However, the Empire’s greatest knights.

They were not ones to be swayed by emotions with the enemy before them.

“Sir, there must be survivors in that place too, right?”

Chivalry.

When there is something to protect, they naturally become stronger.

Thump, thump!

The heart of a lion began to beat fiercely.

“Today we recapture Frost from evil!”

Morale soaring along with the shout.

‘……Those Lionheart Knights are going to continue helping my class quest from now on too, right?’

There won’t be another person whose backing is as solid as mine.

There was no hesitation in those Knights of the brave lion heart.

Harkon got down to business.

“Sir. First and foremost, entering Frost is our top priority.”

I agreed as well.

[Class Quest : Subjugation of the Demon King(”)]

The King of Demons.

Their demonic hands are beginning to reach out.

Oh, the last Demon Hunter.

Bring down the throne of evil.

─Train your weakened physical body. (Repeat)

─Investigate the Northern City, Frost. (In Progress)

Because the top priority objective of the quest was also the investigation of Frost.

First of all, opening that firmly closed gate of Frost is the order.

If not that, then tearing down the walls.

When I thought like that…….

‘……This is rather hopeless, isn’t it?’

Isn’t this exactly siege warfare?

And a real siege warfare at a level incomparable to Count Ascura’s time at that!

It was common sense that the defending side has the advantage in a siege warfare.

‘Because they’re demons, they were able to bring it down in the end, I guess.’

Because demons had status abnormalities.

Fair and square.

It was obvious they didn’t bring down Frost through siege warfare but played dirty tricks.

And despite that.

They say they are firmly keeping the gates closed.

“Deeply impudent.”

It’s natural that I couldn’t just stand by and watch that sight.

In a siege warfare.

What’s needed to assault a gate or wall is a siege weapon.

If the objective was merely blowing away Frost.

Actually, launching bombers would be the most effective.

‘Because it’s not like it’s unapproachable like a rift.’

This is the power of modern civilization.

How is it, you demon bastards.

I could be a little boastful too.

But I couldn’t do that.

“……There’s a survivor!”

“What, really? Let me see.”

“……It looks like they’re dragging them somewhere? No, are they already dead?”

“These demon bastards, what scheme are they up to?”

The footage taken by a drone up in the sky.

According to the Players’ stories, it seemed there were definitely NPCs, no, Arcanaians inside.

Although we couldn’t know whether they were alive or dead yet.

I couldn’t let them get caught up in an explosion either.

If so, there was only one method.

‘Even while possessing power comparable to a missile.’

Something that can delicately control that power.

Naturally, that something would be nothing but 『Magic』.

I checked the message that popped up.

[Skill, ‘Natural Enemy’ is triggered.]

Demon King.

The guy’s demonic energy flowing out from Frost was enough to affect me outside the walls.

I drew up my magic power.

Search, Interference, manifestation.

A series of processes occurring swiftly.

Towards the firmly closed gate.

I manifested the magic.

Then a message popped up.

“……!!!”

Right before the eyes of all the Players here, including myself.