Chapter 185
Chapter 185
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Translator: Ryuma
Chapter: 185
Chapter Title: The Opening of the Era of War (1)
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[The Main Scenario Quest has entered a new branch.]
[Over 20% of all strongholds have been destroyed due to the Fallen Wave and the rampage of the Ancient Emperor.]
[The eight races, who have been waiting for each other's forces to weaken, now openly reveal their ambitions.]
[Large-scale troop movements have been detected in disputed territories.]
[The Main Scenario Quest: The Opening of the Great War Era has begun.]
[Fight. Conquer. War will bring new opportunities to someone.]
Not long after Rokan left the imperial castle, the system announced these changes to everyone.
The Main Scenario Quest had branched into a new path at an unexpected timing, bringing about massive upheaval.
War. The age of turmoil.
Many would lose much, but even more would gain on a grand scale. That era had arrived.
[With the Opening of the Great War Era, quest rewards in the disputed territory of Kazantia have been enhanced.]
[Numerous quests related to the Kazantia region have been newly generated.]
[Lords within the Kazantia region now have the right to create new quests.]
[Experience gain and item drop rates within the Kazantia region have increased by 1.1 times.]
Quests tied to the Kazantia region sprang up in droves right away, with improved rewards to boot.
Battling in the Kazantia region itself granted 1.1 times the experience and drop rates, and stacking that with regional quests pushed the multipliers to 1.1–1.3 times.
It was the perfect setup for rapid leveling.
"This should do it."
And all those quests had come straight from Rokan's hands.
He could have set them up with extra cash or special items, but Rokan had tailored them to Kazantia's strengths: experience gain and drop rates.
Even if it was just a 0.1–0.3% tweak, users would perceive it as a massive boon.
He was certain that high-level players from the Golden Lion faction would flock here, abandoning their own race if needed. Even lower-level ones could snag indirect benefits via transport quests.
Once anyone tasted that compounding experience and drops, word would spread like wildfire.
"The troll horde is still just assembling, so basic precautions should suffice for now."
In that sense, their immediate defenses were solid.
A single knight bursting into the banquet hall was terrifying enough, but it hadn't happened lately, so an imminent assault seemed unlikely.
To cross from Hushkan territory into human lands, the troll army would have to skirt the half-elf domains—a subtle buffer that eased concerns.
After all, every one of the eight races was gearing up for war.
"I'd love to strike first if I could..."
But launching a preemptive attack came with its own risks.
The system had declared the Great War Era open, but it was still just skirmishes—no official large-scale battles yet.
Misstep here, and they could end up shouldering the blame as the instigators.
"First things first, lock down the internals."
That was why Rokan decided to tighten internal control. Sure, he'd hit Master level and could hold his own against High Masters with Divine Storm Incarnation, but not everyone knew or acknowledged that.
Osram treating him with respect—despite Rokan not even being Master level back then—was the exception.
'If only I could bring Osram here...'
He'd love to relocate Osram to Kazantia. A tactically sharp High Master guarding the place would be reassuring.
But his absence would doom Regalia. Knowing that, Rokan had no choice but to work with what he had.
[You have entered Kazantia Territory.]
After handling basic admin via governance functions, Rokan finally entered Kazantia Castle—the largest stronghold in the region—and headed straight for the barracks.
Lord after lord had died on the job, leaving the lord's castle deserted, but he figured meeting the soldiers in charge took priority over sprucing it up.
No matter how strong Rokan was, in this warzone without ally support, he'd likely die a dog's death.
Master-level and above were strategic weapons in their own right, but with enemies boasting Masters and High Masters, lacking backup could mean a surprisingly quick end.
"Are you Marquis Kazantia?"
In a warzone, unauthorized personnel got stopped at the barracks gate, but Rokan had no such worries. The emperor's crest was auto-etched onto his cloak.
That alone let the soldiers recognize him.
"That's me."
"I'll guide you."
Whether he'd heard the news already or not, a Master-level knight was the first to greet him.
With a light nod, he led Rokan to the heart of the barracks.
A typical noble might've exploded in rage—demanding why the top brass hadn't shown—but this was Kazantia. Martial prowess trumped titles.
Rokan figured a High Master had duties elsewhere with no lord around, so he followed without fuss.
Other nobles might bellow only to shrink under a Master's glare and slink along quietly.
'Could be a power play.'
Of course, it might be intentional posturing.
To cow a novice marquis ignorant of combat and war, seizing the initiative before any orders flew.
They'd have heard how Rokan teamed with other-race High Masters to topple the Ancient Emperor, but hearsay wasn't proof—hard to swallow wholesale.
Rumor even had it he'd just proxied through his subordinate High Master, Osram.
"Marquis Rokan von Kazantia has arrived."
"We see the Marquis."
"We see the Marquis."
As Rokan entered the command tent, the assembled knights saluted in unison.
But it wasn't the fawning courtesy a common soldier gave nobles.
More like bare-minimum respect.
He was a grand noble and a knight with accolades, so they afforded him more than most nobles—but a bitter smile tugged at Rokan's lips.
'Tang Dynasty army vibes.'
Worse, the tent held just two High Masters and seven Masters. Total.
In a warzone rife with endless skirmishes, that was forgivable, but if not mid-battle, shouldn't they be rushing over now? This was the marquis who could command the entire regional force.
'This is how they react?'
Rokan's eyes flashed.
If they wanted a power play, he'd oblige.
Fresh off battling the Ancient Emperor, his confidence was sky-high.
Against two High Masters and thirty Masters, he could've wiped them even if it took dying a few times.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Marquis Kazantia. Before I issue my first orders... your numbers seem a bit short."
"Ah, High Master Talran is currently stationed at Kallog Castle. As you're aware, the atmosphere lately has been tense..."
"Isn't the front line right here at Kazantia Castle? So he's hunkered down there, worried the enemy might bypass the main keep and hit the rear?"
"That's..."
Rokan's words hit the mark. Kazantia Castle was the frontline, abutting enemy races.
With threats this dire, two High Masters here wouldn't even suffice—yet one was loafing in the rear. Even with the marquis visiting.
No dodging it: either blatant slacking or outright disdain for Rokan.
"Call him. Now."
"...Understood."
No rebuttal possible, so High Master Delas promptly summoned Talran.
He called the other twenty-three absent Masters too.
'Sharp one.'
Rokan pretended not to notice the guy's quick thinking—no micromanaging needed—and reviewed the war situation while they gathered.
Via the magic screen in the command tent, he checked fort positions and enemy movements, then opened the territory management screen to pour funds into Kazantia defenses.
Upgrading already sturdy key points meant massive costs for expansions and traps, but it was pocket change for Rokan.
He'd finished beauty potion development and was already selling to noble NPCs.
'Humans are the easiest to crack, trolls or no.'
With the Great War kicking off, strongholds would flip fast in a game of capture-the-flag. But first steps were always toughest—easiest fix? Target the weakest link.
Rokan was prepping for that. Humans had the fewest Masters and High Masters, making them prime targets.
'Master skills skew defensive out of necessity...'
Hence, human Masters and High Masters leaned defensive to protect the race.
Humans' "Potential" trait let them mix any skills, but defensive focus meant they couldn't overwhelm fellow High Masters.
Rokan planned to fix that here.
"High Master Talran has arrived."
"Master Kicon sees the Marquis."
"Master..."
Lost in screen-gazing and scheming, Rokan nearly forgot—the latecomers filed in.
But their vibe was off for stragglers.
'No "sorry we're late"—just "arrived."'
Rokan glanced back with a hollow chuckle.
The Masters were better. Same level as him, plus his marquis rank—they eyed him warily.
But High Master Talran? Smirking slyly, sauntering like some street thug. His gait screamed local punk.
Who knew if that was his style, but it grated on Rokan.
"So. Busy guarding Kallog Castle?"
"Yes... Well, training's necessary too..."
Talran stammered, caught off-guard, but his tone was still no way to address a marquis.
High Masters got baron-level treatment at minimum, but this blatant in-person? Over the line.
How long it'd fly was anyone's guess.
"Training, huh? Sounds good. Since it's come up, how about I lend a hand?"
Rokan's gaze on Talran gleamed like a predator's.