Chapter 423: Welcome to the Land of Struggle
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 423: Welcome to the Land of Struggle
There are several strategic points of interest on the Western Continent. First is the place they call the upper levels of the Black Rock Mountains.
This entire mountain range, filled with black rock, is home to countless mines. It’s a place where one can find not only common minerals but also rare ones not found even on our own continent. Numerous mine workers live and eat here, and troops are permanently stationed to protect them.
It was a bit disappointing that the quality of those troops wasn't very high, as the war with the dwarves had already ended. They probably never imagined we would suddenly appear right in their midst. They might have even considered stationing high-quality troops in a place where even monsters were scarce to be a waste of manpower.
Even I learned a lesson from this raid about leaving the mine in the Forest of Mist somewhat poorly defended, so no further explanation is needed.
Goff was probably the one who had the most fun in this first wave of conquests.
‘Wilderness Forward Base.’
It was a massive fortress located in the southern part of the Western Continent. Although it used the name "Forward Base," it was essentially a logistics warehouse. It was a place where firearms and supplies made by the dwarves passed through temporarily. For our enemies, it wouldn't be an exaggeration to call it a treasure vault.
Of course, a large army was guarding it, and many people called this place their home. Because of this, I deployed not only the Goff Clan but also others like the Big Ogre Clan and the Big Hand Clan to the forward base.
The idea of Ogres fighting a defensive siege was a bit absurd, but I figured the enemy wouldn't even dare try to break through. The forward base they had built was an incredibly important fortress. Not only was it designed to be extremely difficult to penetrate from the outside, but it also had a structure of walls behind walls. Naturally, they wouldn't have expected us to enter via teleportation, so I didn't think the conquest would have been difficult or met with much resistance.
Black Spear had his share of fun as well.
‘Thornbush Valley.’
It was a forest said to have everything, from mines and medicinal herbs to monsters. The forests of this continent had much to offer in the first place. Among them, this region in the eastern part of the continent boasted the largest forest in the West. Since it was a place constantly plagued by the threat of numerous monsters, some fairly decent troops were permanently stationed there. They had created a large settlement, somehow establishing a safe zone in the heart of the forest, and even installed a massive workshop to enable production activities within it.
Taking this upper region was an incredibly simple and easy task, so it was a shame they couldn't really stretch their limbs for the first time in a while. A slight smile appeared on my face as I recalled my conversation with Goff and Black Spear.
‘Aren't you curious which one of us will be breached first?’
It felt like a situation similar to the Eastern Continent conquest was about to unfold.
In truth, being breached was an unimaginable prospect. The enemy's level wasn't bad. They had been training themselves to a degree that would have given our past selves a hard time. Unlike the completely corrupt Japanese of the Eastern Continent, these people seemed to use their heads a little.
However, there was no way they could pour all their forces into these three regions.
Countless guerrilla units were continuously chipping away at their small and large cities. Forces composed of humans and elves were constantly applying pressure on the Western Continent.
In other words, in a situation like this, they couldn't possibly afford to divert troops to these three locations. They needed troops to maintain public order in each city and troops to check the forces pressing in from the West. And that wasn't all.
‘They must be conscious of her.’
The enemy was undoubtedly aware of Choi Eunju. A teleporter with almost no penalty. It was no exaggeration to say her existence was a cheat. Although she and Isaac were nearly exhausted, the enemy, who had no way of knowing that, was surely in a state of panic.
The fact that the troops currently occupying their strongholds could head to another location at any moment. The fact that they had to disperse their forces in three different directions. They must be feeling as if a noose was slowly tightening around their necks.
I walked slowly and spoke to Gark, who was beside me.
“Are there any areas we haven't scouted?”
“Most have been scouted. There are no more humans in hiding.”
“Good work. Continue to share information with the surrounding tribes and monitor the enemy's movements.”
“For Blood Dagger.”
“It’s been a while since we’ve all gathered like this.”
Standing in the deepest part of the upper levels, I slowly began to look around. The clan's children, who were waiting for their coming-of-age ceremony, were excluded from this operation. Naturally, Laveua and Lapura were also excluded from this battle.
Thanks to Storm Shadow taking charge of the Land of Glory, it was a great feeling to be able to move with those who always had to remain behind in the tribe. I began to take them all in, one by one.
The clan's matriarch, High Fairy Queen Mev.
The Alraune, Jung Hayeon, whom I hadn't seen in the longest time.
Choi Eunju and Isaac, who looked drained from casting their magic.
Baek Ahyeon, who led the Pagans.
The Orc Chieftain Half Blade Gark and his brother, Mirror Blade Hark.
The clan's head, the goblin Hakajin.
The Goblin Three Sisters who run the training camp, and the Minotaur shield, Orbo.
Even Elia, Alisha's older sister, was present.
These were the ones who had built the Blood Dagger Clan into what it was today.
“Mhm! It’s been a while! This feels just like the old days.”
Mev spoke up from my side, a playful smile on her face. She was right. It really felt like I had returned to the past. The only disappointment was that Lee Wanyong, who had work to do, couldn't be with us. Since he wasn't a combatant anyway, it didn't matter if he wasn't here, and if I had to be technical, he wasn't an executive or anything, so his absence was natural. Still, it was a little sad that he wasn't here for this reunion.
Seeing the grins stretching from ear to ear on the faces of those I hadn't seen often since becoming the Great Tribe Leader, it seemed they had missed me quite a bit. It was only natural to think that I had been quite neglectful of the tribe. However, praise for their efforts would come after the war was over. I slowly turned to the clan's head, Hakajin, and spoke.
“Report.”
“Yes.”
The interior of the upper levels is quite complex. I had already ordered a survey of the layout. When I asked for an answer on how best to deal with the approaching enemies, his voice came immediately.
“As you’ve already seen, the passages in this workshop in the upper levels of the Black Rock Mountains are extremely narrow.”
“…”
“After passing through a narrow passage, a slightly larger workshop appears, and after another narrow passage, an even larger cavern appears. It’s wide enough to transport mined minerals outside, but… it’s not a place wide enough for thousands to enter at once. It seems the limit for people entering at once is about 200 to 300. The passages leading to the workshop are suitable for ambushes or setting traps, but…”
“You’re saying they’re not large enough for a proper battle.”
Hakajin nodded slightly at my words. I hadn't surveyed all the way to the entrance, but seeing the various facilities inside the workshop, I had thought as much. The people who were here had made this place their home. I didn't care whether they were being exploited or not, but there was a limit to how many people could enter or exit at once.
“Yes, that’s correct.”
“The size of the caverns does gradually increase the deeper you go, but it’s not large enough for the full might of the Blood Dagger Clan to move freely. If we were to properly defend this place…”
I could roughly understand what Hakajin was trying to say. The place where I was now was very spacious, but the rest areas and workshops likely became progressively narrower toward the entrance. If we wanted to wipe them out effectively and preserve all our forces, the most ideal solution would be for all our troops and executives to wait for the enemy here.
Of course, if we were to greet the enemy like that, it would mean letting them pass through freely from the entrance all the way to this end of the mine. Naturally, I had no desire to let them reach the place we had made our base so comfortably. On the contrary, I wanted to enjoy this long-awaited diversion.
As if reading my expression, Hakajin slowly opened his mouth.
“Therefore… I believe it would be best to divide and station our forces, including the executives present here, in each cavern. We are in the process of mapping out all the paths, but there is a possibility that paths unknown to us may be discovered… so deploying our forces in this manner is the most efficient.”
—So, it’s a dungeon, in other words!
Isaac muttered in an excited voice. He was right. The current structure was exactly like a dungeon. It was obvious that it would be configured in the format of a boss for the first dungeon room, a boss for the second dungeon room, and so on.
Of course, I didn't think our forces would suffer an absurd defeat in a place where the number of enemies that could enter was limited, but a few safety measures would have to be put in place just in case. As I nodded, Hakajin began to bring out a map of the interior.
There was no need to draw a map of the interior ourselves. We had found one in their quarters. Secret passages and the like weren't drawn on it, but it was marked with great detail and accuracy.
The large area one sees immediately upon arrival was a place for some of the laborers who commuted to this place. It would be most accurate to call it a storage area where they could keep their belongings.
[ Basement 1st Floor Storage ]
There was a cafeteria where the laborers ate, and even a place for religious people.
[ Black Rock Mountains Prayer Room ]
After passing through these areas, the first workshop, which could be called quite spacious, came into view.
[ Black Rock Mountains 1st Workshop ]
In addition, there were the 2nd Workshop and 3rd Workshop, and from here the path split into several branches. Past the 2nd Workshop was a place designed for the workers to sleep and enjoy their leisure time.
[ Black Rock Mountains Rest Area ]
Not only that, but there was also a separate residential area where the warriors in charge of security resided.
[ Black Rock Mountains Warrior Dormitory ]
And the place where I was currently located was called the [ Black Rock Mountains Special Minerals Workshop ]. Other minor places caught my eye, but if I were to classify them, this would be the most appropriate breakdown.
In fact, even if I assigned one room to each person here, there would still be some left over. I thought it would be a good idea to use such places as treatment centers for Baek Ahyeon's followers to tend to any potential casualties.
After looking at the map, I lowered it slightly and looked at my people. I began to notice their faces, filled with what looked like anticipation. Of course, I could tell what that expression meant. It was a look that said they all wanted me to choose them quickly.
I glanced at Hakajin, and he seemed to be indicating that it didn't matter how I chose. I raised the corner of my mouth slightly.
“In that case, the Basement 1st Floor Storage, where we will greet the first enemies…”
“I, Orbo of the Shield, would be honored to take it.”
“We can do it too!”
“We can do it!”
“I, Hark, will block their advance even if I have to throw my life away!”
A laugh escaped me at the sight of them all thumping their chests, as if asking me to choose them. It seemed they were all hoping for their names to be called, but the vanguard who would make an impression on the enemy had already been decided. I slightly extended a finger and muttered his name.