Chapter 62
Chapter 62
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 61
Chapter Title: Rapid Expansion
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Even while I was away, my forces grew rapidly.
We had already claimed nine castles.
Not just the existing ones, but also Wild Cat Castle to the west of Wild Boar (Q-19) and Big Fang Castle to the west of Starting (Q-18).
Of course, since the castles we'd taken were mostly on the outskirts, plenty of people still lived there, and nobles often caused trouble. But Steelstone and Hundred crushed all resistance with overwhelming force and an endless supply of wild boar hindquarters.
That said, it wasn't all smooth sailing.
"The troll horde that appeared from the west inflicted about 1,700 casualties on Big Fang Castle. Most of them were refugees, but... the 1st Banner Regiment has requested reinforcements."
"Ice elementals have appeared near Blue Hammer Castle, causing issues with supply transport. The 1st Herding Regiment suggests driving them off or finding a new route around them."
Just as I'd feared, the monster armies expanding from the interior were starting to flood the edges of the go board. Most hadn't advanced more than two spaces from their main bases, though.
Humans and monsters were enemies.
But monsters were enemies to other monsters, too.
'If that weren't the case, humanity would've been wiped out long ago.'
In fact, most hotspot monsters couldn't push into other areas—they were getting blocked. Just like the ice elementals couldn't reach Starting.
Why not?
Because Sword Master Khan Slayer was putting up fierce resistance.
'Fundamentally... monster wars favor the defenders. Monsters respawn, after all.'
Even if both sides respawned, the attackers revived 200km away, while defenders came back right on the spot. The difference in reinforcement speed was night and day.
From the looks of it, expanding territory didn't copy bosses, so hotspot monsters were stalled at the edges, and local monsters couldn't invade neighbors while guarding their own bases.
But this peace wouldn't last forever.
Special bosses could travel hundreds of kilometers to expand.
Monsters could call a truce.
And above all... they didn't need to conquer a spot to move elsewhere. They could just go around.
'I need to build houses. Set up frontlines on the territory edges.'
I couldn't upgrade every castle to rare or heroic grade, so I had to distinguish forward bases for defense prep from rear ones for supply support, and distribute cavalry pets in bulk to strengthen combat transport units.
"Ah, this is insane."
The situation kept changing rapidly, and with decisions piling up, I was stuck in Starting's office for a full week straight.
I set up town halls in every castle and assigned personnel. Since we needed tons of talent, I ignored noble status and didn't distinguish by gender.
Only ability mattered.
Anyone with ability could rise, no exceptions. Normally, this would've sparked massive backlash from the entrenched elites, but my current authority was absolute. Refugee nobles might grumble, but none dared speak up.
Far from it—they busted their asses in dungeons, passed exams, and joined the town halls.
'Nobles aren't all clueless idiots.'
Their bases had been smashed by monsters, forcing them to flee. They'd feel the world's upheaval more keenly than anyone.
"ID cards?"
"We've registered 24,000 centered on elite soldiers and their families. 7,400 have been issued."
Flower's calm report made me think.
'I'd love to register everyone in my castles like resident IDs... but that's impossible physically.'
Refugees kept pouring in even now.
People who'd lost homes, wealth, fields—everything.
If wild boar hindquarters hadn't flooded out of Wild Boar Castle, mass starvation would've killed unimaginable numbers.
Maybe it'd turned into Revenge's prologue, with 98% of humanity dead and only a handful surviving.
"Lord. Envoys have arrived at the border, per reports."
"Envoys?"
"Vox Kingdom and Adventure Kingdom are waiting at Big Fang Castle in the west. Chrome Kingdom and Hector Kingdom are at Blue Hammer Castle."
"Half of the Eight Kingdoms, huh."
I eyed the go-board map on one wall of the office.
Then nodded.
"Let them come."
"What about troops?"
"Doesn't matter how many they bring. Assign at least a hundred veteran elites. If they show any sign of bullshit, take them out on the spot. Preemptive action authorized—no report needed after."
"Yes, Lord. Oh, but..."
Flower paused at the door, looking worried.
"It's been four days with nothing to eat. Are you okay?"
"Look at me. Fine as can be. I'm snacking on the side—no need to worry."
"...Yes, my Lord."
After Flower left, I kept at the work.
Wielding a pen with over 500 strength felt weird, but compared to my Bronze Sword Baron days—where everything jammed, failed, or some asshole showed up bitching—this was casual-game fun. Energizing.
"Knight Big Hand requests asylum... wants to buy a mansion and land... suspected spy case..."
I stayed glued to my seat, powering through. Hunger and thirst inevitably hit.
"Whew, time for a break. Log out."
The massive office desk vanished, replaced by a table about two meters across.
Grilled asparagus, salad with fresh white apple sauce, and a thick, perfectly seared steak plate.
"When you're starving, nothing beats meat."
Even in Ardenia, I ate meat daily, but this was leagues beyond.
The steak melted after barely chewing.
Bite of meat, bite of salad, meat, salad.
After finishing steak and veggies, a sip of fruit ade—and the steak refilled. Unlimited meat and fresh salad! I gorged till full, chugged the ade, and wrapped up.
"Wow, that guy's eating a ton. Bio-stamina trainer?"
"No way you eat like that without moving? Looks like more than his body weight."
"And chewing every bite so thoroughly..."
Whispers from around, but I ignored them. In a 6-star hotel burning millions per night, no one gripes about big eaters.
I just...
"Gah. Here."
Grinned in satisfaction.
"Breakfast game's strong."
* * *
A group of soldiers marched along the ley line. Combat transport unit: horses pulling dozens of wagons, about a thousand armed troops.
The Herding Regiment.
Thud thud thud!
Their pace was blistering. Not quite running, but close.
Covering 100km between castles in a day, wagons and all—the Herding Regiment's march was legendary among soldiers.
Even today, wearing their usual inventory-stashed steel armor, speed unchanged.
Finally, an envoy knight couldn't take it.
"Hey, you! When the hell do we rest?"
The Herding Regiment's Lieutenant Hunter scowled at the knight.
"Rest again? Go slow like that, we'll camp."
"S-Slow? This is a ridge! Marching armed at this speed..."
"Surely you're not tired?"
The knight from Chrome Kingdom, Dalton, flushed at the pitying tone.
"You... you..."
"I believe not. Even regular grunts are fine."
"..."
When the Herding Regiment first said they'd escort, Dalton had scoffed at "mere soldiers." Now his face burned.
Clank.
Sword drawn at the insult from a peasant—
"Dalton! Don't shame us—back in line!"
"B-But Hayes, sir."
"Can't you hear?"
Chilled by Hayes's glare, Dalton retreated.
"Those arrogant bastards!"
"So brazen..."
Hayes eyed the grumbling knights, then the Herding Regiment. A thousand soldiers, flawless on the mountain path.
'This is no joke. Not just one Sword Master.'
One stamina freak? Possible. Aura user? Sure. But all these soldiers with elite stamina? Impossible.
And not just that.
'Veterans... carrying rookies' gear. Unheard of.'
Rookies always haul seniors' loads, run errands—worst case, toys. Standard.
Seniors carrying rookies'? On this brutal trail?
Unless the army flipped, something was up.
'Han... what power did he gain?'
Him becoming Sword Master? No surprise. His swordsmanship transcended reason, reaching impossible heights.
And unspoken... just watching fixed her aura training flaws, coached corrections.
Following his advice alone made her Chrome's top knight.
'Genius, confirmed. Denies it to the end, annoying guy.'
Made sense, though. Weakling with treasure? Death sentence. No backing, aura genius leaked? Combat prowess or not, he'd die.
"What the hell changed with those monsters?"
Han's faction, dubbed [Han Guild], ballooned by absorbing refugees and locals. Terrifying momentum.
Unbelievable military might, endless food.
'Rumor says Han pulls infinite wild boar hams from thin air...'
"Hah."
Hayes chuckled unwittingly.
Too absurd. Cult nonsense?
"That new castle rumor as ridiculous as..."
"Captain!"
Knights stirred suddenly. Hayes frowned.
"Dalton, already..."
"Hayes Captain."
The envoy lead, Elaine Silver Sword—who'd walked quietly—nodded ahead.
His stern face stone-hard.
"What the—?"
Turning the ridge, open view stunned Hayes.
There it was.
[Perfect Fortress City (Heroic)].
"No, what is this..."
"Impossible."
"This was Red Axe Baron's land."
"My god."
40-meter walls.
An Earthling might say "apartments stacked," but Ardenians saw miracle.
Perfectly straight, no flaws—like a drawing. Smooth as glass, no needle-gap. Watchtowers, massive turrets midway.
Herding Regiment swelled with pride at the envoys' shock.
"Alright! Home sweet home!"
"Ooh!"
Cheers erupted.
Fwoosh!!!
From beyond the wall, a blinding white monster soared skyward. Envoys and even Herding Regiment froze.
Flap! Flap!
White beast receding. None knew it was top-tier drake, but sharp eyes spotted the rider.
"It's the Lord! New pet!"
"Ooh!! New pet!! So majestic!"
"New pet!!"
Soldiers buzzed. Adapted to daily chaos, they accepted instantly.
Envoys? Frozen solid. Sudden mega-city baffling; glowing drake pure terror.
"No way..."
Hayes gawked, chilled. Drake shrank to thumbnail fast.
"What in the world is happening...?"