Chapter 34 - Wolves Among Sheep
Translator: Dusky90
Chapter: 34
Chapter Title: Wolves Among Sheep
Once the Lota Kingdom’s army joined the fight, it was like wolves released among a flock of sheep.
“Khahahaha! You weak bastards!”
“Where do you think you’re running!”
“We’ll make you pay for looking down on us!”
Having undergone intense physical conditioning and military training under the legendary instructor Spooner, the Lota Kingdom’s troops had grown tremendously strong.
Thanks to the S rank hero Spooner’s specialty, [Elite Training], the soldiers’ combat strength had increased by roughly 20 percent, resulting in dramatic gains in both physical endurance and tactical capability.
By contrast, the armies of the Becum and Seoden Territories were utterly exhausted from the fierce battle that had just concluded, leaving them completely outmatched by the fresh Lota Kingdom forces.
Even under equal conditions, the Lota Kingdom army would have held the advantage. In a situation this tactically one sided, a meaningful fight was impossible.
“Spare those who surrender! But grant no mercy to those who resist!”
Camille charged forward on horseback, leading the Lota Kingdom’s forces.
Carried by their momentum, the Lota Kingdom army cut through the Becum and Seoden troops indiscriminately, putting their overwhelming combat strength on full display.
[Notification: Experience points have increased!]
[Notification: Experience points have increased!]
(omitted)
[Notification: Experience points have increased!]
As the Lota Kingdom’s army continued to shine, Otto’s experience rose right along with them.
[Notification: Level up!]
[Notification: Level 54 reached!]
[Notification: Level 55 reached!]
[Notification: Level 56 reached!]
In [Territory War], a player advances whenever they achieve victory in battle, expand their territory, or oversee the growth of their kingdom or domain.
But this level of growth was still not enough for Otto.
‘I should join the fight too.’
Otto drew the mace that carried the soul of Kairos.
Charging across the battlefield alongside his soldiers was always one of the best ways to level up.
There was no chance Otto would let such an opportunity slip by.
Was it because it sensed what Otto was thinking?
*Brrr!*
The mace trembled powerfully.
- Oh! You greenhorn! Thinking of getting into a fight?
‘Naturally.’
- ‘Go! I’ll lend you my strength! Perfect timing, I was bored anyway!’
‘Let’s go.’
Otto leapt into the battlefield and began swinging his mace wildly at the enemy.
*Thud!*
“Aaagh!!”
*Smack!*
“Argh!”
*Wham!*
“Ghk!”
One hit, one kill!
Those struck by the mace collapsed with short, strangled cries and never rose again.
The sheer destructive force packed into the weapon was staggering, enough to kill instantly with a single blow.
Even knights were not spared.
“Die!”
A knight who lunged at Otto was clad in full plate armor, yet even that offered no protection from immediate death.
*SMACK!* *Crunch*
“Aaaagh!”
The mace caved the armor in with ease, pulverizing his chest completely.
[Notification: Experience points have increased!]
[Notification: Experience points have increased!]
(omitted)
[Notification: Experience points have increased!]
With every additional enemy struck down by the mace, the experience gained continued to rise.
[Notification: Level 57 achieved!]
[Notification: Level 58 achieved!]
[Notification: Level 59 reached!]
[Notification: Level 60 reached!]
His level shot up without stopping.
Completely fired up, Otto mowed down enemies wherever he went.
Six months ago.
When he first arrived in this world, he had been shaking with fear, yet now he was running across the battlefield like a fish in water.
The saying that humans are creatures of adaptation was clearly true.
* * *
The battle concluded in an instant.
Both the Becum and Seoden forces capitulated before the Lota Kingdom army’s overwhelming combat power.
Though around a dozen soldiers were seriously injured, there were no fatalities.
Victory.
It was a crushing victory.
“Waaaaaaaah!”
“We won! We actually won!”
“Lota! Long live!”
“Hooray!”
“Long live His Majesty the King!”
“Hooray!”
The Lota Kingdom’s army erupted in thunderous cheers, reveling in the exhilaration of victory.
“Bring the criminals forward!”
“Yes!”
At Camille’s command, the soldiers dragged Lord Ventura and Lord Fernando to stand before Otto.
“Otto, you damn bastard!”
“You despicable rat!”
The instant the two lords laid eyes on Otto, they erupted into a torrent of curses, unleashing their pent up fury.
After being completely played by the very backwater nobody they had tried to extort, and losing everything as a result, it was only natural that they were furious beyond measure.
“They still haven’t come to their senses. They were the ones who threatened invasion if tribute wasn’t paid, yet now they dare to play the victim.”
“How should the criminals be dealt with?”
“Execute them.”
Otto replied to Camille without hesitation.
“There’s no need to show mercy to them. But show mercy to their families and settle it by exiling them.”
“Yes, Your Majesty.”
And so, Ventura and Fernando were sentenced to death by Otto and met their end through immediate execution on the battlefield.
It was, perhaps, the inevitable fate of bullies who chose the wrong target.
“Congratulations on your victory.”
Right after Ventura and Fernando were executed, Camille approached Otto and knelt on one knee.
[Notification: You have conquered the Becum Territory!]
[Notification: You have conquered the Seoden Territory!]
[Notification: Territory expanded!]
[Notification: Experience points have increased!]
[Notification: Level 61 reached!]
[Notification: Level 62 reached!]
[Notification: Level 63 reached!]
(omitted)
[Notification: Level 70 reached!]
With five levels awarded per conquered territory, Otto gained ten levels in one sweep, raising him to level 70.
‘That should be enough.’
A faint smile appeared on Otto’s lips.
Level 70.
He had finally reached the minimum level needed to enter the [Sanctuary] and acquire Divine Authority.
* * *
That night.
“Ugh….”
Otto was confined to bed.
Having drawn power from the mace imbued with the soul of Kairos, he was forced to endure severe and lingering aftereffects as the cost.
‘My body can’t withstand this.’
The mace functioned much like a stim pack.
Drawing on its power caused his combat strength to surge dramatically, but the physical toll was equally severe.
It felt as though his vitality was being drained.
If he continued to rely on the mace, his body would not hold up, and he would inevitably be left broken.
‘Thinking about it, charging around the battlefield in my current state was unrealistic to begin with.’
Even after lifting the curse and raising his level somewhat, the notion that Otto, still not even level 100, could mow down enemies in a war was nonsense.
Lacking even the basics of swordsmanship, his movements were awkward and inefficient.
‘I wasn’t planning to depend on the mace for long anyway. I’ll rest properly, recover, and then head to the Sanctuary.’
Based on experience, after conquering the Becum Territory and the Seoden Territory, it was relatively safe from the threats of other forces.
Since both territories lay near the edge of the continent, halting expansion here would not draw much unwanted attention.
On top of that, Archduke Wazir had domestic affairs firmly under control, and Instructor Spooner was steadily building up military strength.
Even if Otto stepped away for a while, it did not seem likely that any serious problems would occur.
A few days later.
“I plan to be away for about a month. I’m counting on you while I’m gone.”
Once the lingering aftereffects had eased, Otto announced his plan to depart for the [Sanctuary].
“Where exactly is this Sanctuary?”
“You’ll find out when we get there.”
Otto replied to Camille.
“Am I going as well?”
“It would feel strange to go alone, wouldn’t it?”
“Understood. I’ll get ready.”
The next day.
“I’ll be off.”
“Take care and come back safely.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
Otto departed the Lota Kingdom with Camille and set out for the [Sanctuary].
Roughly ten days later.
“We’re almost there.”
Otto said, pointing at the white city far ahead.
“Is the Sanctuary in the Kuntachi Grand Duchy?”
“Yeah.”
The Kuntachi Grand Duchy was the territory of the Kuntachi family.
The Kuntachi family was among the most venerable lineages on the continent, a distinguished noble house that had produced remarkable magic swordsmen across generations.
Though its former glory had diminished, it was still a family esteemed enough to rank comfortably within the top five on the continent.
“Where exactly is it?”
“Inside the city.”
“…Excuse me?”
Camille tilted his head in confusion.
“But the inner city is…”
“Restricted to members of the Kuntachi family.”
“How are you planning to enter?”
“How else? I’ll just go in openly.”
Otto broke into a grin.
“I trust you’re not contemplating suicide.”
A king from a remote backwater marching straight into the Kuntachi family’s inner city?
It was a suicide plan perfectly designed to get oneself killed.
Though realistically, he’d probably be kicked out long before he ever made it inside.
“Of course not. Why would I ever do that?”
With that, Otto headed toward the city in the distance.
The Kuntachi Grand Duchy was modest in size, yet breathtakingly beautiful.
Nestled in the heart of a vast coniferous forest, the city was constructed entirely from pristine white stone.
The architectural style was equally sophisticated.
There was a reason it was regarded as the most beautiful city in the northwestern region of the continent.
‘I didn’t realize it just from the game, but seeing it in person, it’s really amazing.’
As he admired the scenery of the Kuntachi Grand Duchy, Otto proceeded toward the white castle situated at the city’s center.
“Halt.”
When they reached the gate, the guards stepped in front of Otto and Camille.
“You seem to be travelers, but this is not a place open to just anyone. You should turn back.”
Camille turned to Otto and asked.
“What should we do now?”
“I told you. I’m going in openly.”
“How, exactly…?”
“Like this.”
With that, Otto took a necklace from his inner pocket and presented it to the guard.
“Show this necklace to Grand Duke Conrad. He’ll give the order to let me in.”
“What absurdity is this? Do you truly believe Grand Duke Conrad would take the time to examine a necklace brought by an unknown outsider? I don’t know what kind of stunt you’re trying to pull, but cease this nonsense and leave at once. Otherwise….”
“If you disregard my words, you will lose your head.”
“What…?”
“I am no ordinary man, and this necklace serves as proof of my relationship with Grand Duke Conrad. So spare me the objections and show this necklace to him. If you fail to do so, your head will roll. I assure you.”
Otto pressured the guard with a cold, unwavering voice.
“A-Ahem.”
The guard paused in hesitation, then accepted the necklace and walked off.
“Wait here for a moment. I will report this to my superiors. However, if this proves to be nonsense, it will be deemed an insult to our Duchy, and you will be subjected to severe punishment. Do not forget that.”
“Fine.”
Otto remained completely unfazed by the guard’s warning.
“What exactly is that necklace?”
“You could think of it as a free pass. A kind of all purpose pass.”
“You’re really not going to explain it all the way, are you?”
“That would take all the fun out of it.”
“…….”
“Still, the weather’s nice and cool here. Is it because we’re up north?”
“Probably so.”
“It must be colder in winter, right? Compared to Lota?”
“That’s obvious….”
Otto spent the time exchanging idle conversation with Camille in front of the gate.
About two hours passed after the guard had left.
*Creeeeak!*
*Thud!*
The firmly closed city gate swung open.
“Grand Duke Conrad has arrived!”
At the knight’s resounding announcement, Conrad, the head of the Kuntachi family, appeared.
Otto then dropped to one knee before the elderly man who was clearly Grand Duke Conrad and spoke.
“I pay my respects to my maternal grandfather.”
At that moment.
‘Maternal grandfather…?’
Camille wondered if he had heard correctly.
If Conrad was Otto’s maternal grandfather, then that meant Otto’s mother was actually Grand Duke Conrad’s daughter.