Edlen's Defenses and the Astra Invitation
“We all gathered because you said you were coming, bro, and now you're heading right back out?”
“Sorry about that. I had to rush off to see my master.”
Kang Hanbit, stepping into Edlen's interior, fielded the girl's complaint.
[Libentia Norton]
Libentia, now living under the name her father had given her once more.
She said she was receiving training to become mayor, and her vibe felt a bit different. The 'Lia' look was still unmistakably there, though.
“How's life treating you?”
“Good. Aside from all the stuff I have to memorize.”
Libentia's face lit up as she shrugged. Kang Hanbit chuckled and asked,
“Not running away these days?”
“Run? No way. If Atsbel unnie catches me, I'm dead.”
-lmao
-Classic her.
-Run = death. Whoa.
-Learned fear. lol
Libentia shook her head, shuddering. With the weight of future mayoral duties on her shoulders, Atsbel wouldn't go easy. Of course, since it was Libentia's own choice, she was throwing herself into it wholeheartedly.
“The city's atmosphere has brightened up quite a bit.”
Avant-garde, following behind, scanned the surroundings.
Citizens who'd suffered under excessive taxes now seemed noticeably more relaxed and cheerful than before. Probably thanks to Henry, who'd swiftly taken over as acting mayor.
“We're here.”
As they chatted, the three arrived at the central government building. Libentia led the way through the entrance.
“Let's go in.”
***
“The Holy Nation bastards again?”
In a large reception room on the second floor of the government building, the old comrades gathered there listened as Black Dragon recounted the story.
“I had a bad feeling about it. We nearly died for real.”
Atsbel, who'd voiced her worries early on, let out a sigh. Things in Ifrit had been a nonstop chain of dangers.
“One city nearly wiped out.”
Cown focused on the monster wave. He was probably worried about the risk of it hitting Edlen.
“We're fine here. No suitable nesting spots. And we captured Isis, the heart of the experiments, so they'll be stalled for a while.”
Isis wasn't the only scientist running monster enhancement experiments. Even if they weren't as skilled, there were others continuing the research. Getting back to minimal operations would take considerable effort. Of course, some new talent would pop up soon enough.
“Firnen... ended up like that, huh.”
Henry wore a bitter expression at his old comrade's fall. Compared to the days when Firnen hadn't bowed to capital, it was shocking.
“With it left to Leon, I believe the investigation will be thorough.”
“Not many can touch the Artua family. The captain of the Royal Knights isn't swayed by political pressure, so no issues there.”
Henry, who shared the concern, nodded.
“But hey.”
Libentia, who'd been listening, chimed in with arms crossed.
“Why's the Holy Nation so obsessed with the Raven Kingdom? My dad, Ifrit... it's too much. Just because we're hardliners?”
Her question was natural, especially as a victim—it must feel even more irrational to her.
“Raven being hardliners plays a part, but the Holy Nation's schemes span the continent to the seas from the start. Their ultimate goal is world conquest.”
“...So stuff like ours is happening in other countries too?”
“Some places have already fallen. Even major nations are holding out, but spies are probably rampant inside them.”
“That's... the worst.”
-Fr, those guys have insane reach.
-Holy Nation (not holy lol)
-No players joined Holy Nation? ;;
-Black Dragon will dig it up, right?
-Only you, man.
-Black Dragon Truth Guardian mode ON
The Holy Nation's atrocities didn't discriminate. Hardliners viewing Erport as enemies, moderates prioritizing talks with Erport—they were all just prey in the end.
First things first, join the investigation team.
Viewers hoped Black Dragon would uncover it all. But charging into the Holy Nation now? He couldn't even pass the entrance. Expanding activity would come after joining the official Raven Kingdom investigation team.
“Shouldn't we prepare some countermeasures?”
Henry spoke up after a moment's thought. He wasn't about to sit idle.
“That's why I came back. First, let's train up some adventurers.”
“Adventurers?”
“Yes. More important than city defense troops are adventurers who can contribute in various ways for the city.”
Kang Hanbit grabbed parchment and a pen from the table. He jotted down talents from memory.
“...These are really the ones?”
Cown's expression hardened as he scanned the list. Unknown names, problematic adventurers, utterly ordinary ones—a chaotic mix.
“Yep. Your role's key, Cown, so stick with them no matter what and raise them up.”
“......”
As he handed over the parchment, Cown's face grew serious. He skimmed the list again and let out a short breath.
“If you say so, there's a reason. For Edlen's sake, I'll give it my all.”
Trust in Black Dragon outweighed all doubts. It steeled his resolve.
“No regrets. Next up...”
Kang Hanbit shared advice and casual chat. It continued until the stream ended.
***
The next day at lunch. Preparations done, Kang Hanbit left home. Bestige HQ was about an hour away.
This good enough?
On the subway, he checked his outfit. The suit from his company days. Might be too formal, but it was business—a deal. Better to be polite.
Mask... gotta keep it on.
Luna's message right before yesterday's stream ended: Wear hat and mask. He'd been through it himself, so he followed without question.
Clunk—the train pulled into his stop.
Exit 3...
Bestige HQ loomed right by the exit. He climbed the stairs.
And then.
“Hey, isn't that him?”
He faced a massive crowd waiting there.
“Black Dragon for real?”
“Looks like it!”
“Black Dragon! Just one glance here!”
People shoved cameras and mics forward. Civilians behind filmed on phones. He'd agreed to a quiet meet, yet here this was.
“Hold on. I'm...”
Flustered, Kang Hanbit backed away to create distance.
Then.
Beeeep—!
A piercing noise blasted his ears.
“Ugh!”
“Too loud!”
“Who the hell?!”
The ear-splitting pain scattered their focus. Someone grabbed his arm.
“This way.”
Whoosh—a woman in a deep black hat led him through the crowd.
They emerged at the HQ's back entrance.
“More chaos than expected. You okay?”
Releasing his arm, she pulled off her mask. Seeing her face, he knew.
“Luna?”
“Hi. Weird without the character, huh?”
“Nah, same vibe, so not really.”
“Good.”
The cool edge from her character carried over to real life. Explained her popularity.
“Thanks. You saved me.”
“My bad for underestimating. They must've seen us together yesterday on stream and swarmed the buildings.”
RP reporters everywhere. Hard to get intel on pioneers like Luna hanging with Black Dragon and Rapina? Enough to post people at every company.
“What was that noise?”
“Oh, like a loud toy. Never thought I'd use it here.”
She handled press like a pro. Getting trapped in interviews? Headache just thinking about it.
“Shall we head in?”
“Yeah.”
They entered. Solid security filtered entry.
“7th floor.”
Guided, they took the elevator up. On 7, a spacious conference room awaited.
“Ah, you're here!”
A petite woman looked up with a welcome as the door opened. Luna stepped forward, tapping her head.
“This is Rapina. Totally different, right?”
“...Ah.”
Rapina, opposite her mature character—fit her shy personality.
“Hi. Black Dragon.”
“Hello. Sorry about the noise out front. Should've changed venues.”
She bowed apologetically. She'd just heard about the entrance chaos and paced by the elevator.
“No worries. Luna got me out fine.”
“The mob's at fault. Uncle's inside?”
“Been here since morning. Black Dragon, right this way.”
Guided by the two, he entered the conference room. A man in a Hawaiian shirt stood with arms wide.
“Welcome, Black Dragon.”
“...Hi.”
Unusual vibe. White beard and hair, sunglasses—age hard to guess. Come to think, no one else wore suits.
“Have a seat first.”
He sat as guided. Luna beside him, Bestige duo opposite.
“I'm Diorama, Bestige CEO. Honored to meet you.”
“Black Dragon. Honored as well.”
Light intros exchanged, Kang Hanbit eyed Diorama's smile—hard to read.
“Not stuffy?”
Diorama touched his face.
“Ah, sorry.”
Realizing his mask, he removed hat and mask, setting them aside. Rapina's eyes widened first.
“Huh?”
Uncannily like his character. Straight-up identical.
“...Didn't see that coming. Thought it wouldn't be exact.”
Luna inspected, surprised. Few made characters identical—most wanted perfect looks in-game. But Black Dragon didn't need to. Top-tier handsome in her eyes.
“Watch out for fan clubs.”
“Pardon?”
Her grinning warning puzzled him. Diorama nodded slowly.
“Handsome enough to inspire trust. Black Dragon incarnate.”
Unfazed, he seemed satisfied. Viewing the match positively? Not entirely Kang Hanbit's choice, though.
“Let's handle the tough talk first?”
Diorama cut to chase, pulling a small box from his bag.
“For the Bellmora episode clear, we're offering 1.5 billion. And if you give us the info we need, this too.”
Click—he opened it slowly. Inside, an envelope like an invite.
“What's this?”
“Astra, a special community only some pioneers get invited to. Entry invite.”
His casual explanation snagged on a weird word. Surprised, Kang Hanbit asked back.
“...Astra?”