The First Command
As night deepened, the underground mine sank into silence. The children, exhausted from their grueling labor, had already fallen into a deep slumber. Everyone else had drifted off to the land of dreams, but I couldn't afford to.
"……."
I simply stared blankly at the ceiling, sorting through my thoughts. So much had happened in a single day. Who could have guessed that a stray rock hitting me during work would jog my memories of my previous life?
If I hadn't remembered, I would've been stuck slaving away in this underground hell until my bitter end. Fortunately, another stroke of luck came my way. The symbol hidden behind my food tray caught my eye—it was terribly familiar.
The crest of the Hailstone Principality.
That meant this mine was under the jurisdiction of the Hailstone Principality.
How were the lore details set up again?
The Hailstone Principality had been a wealthy kingdom built on its abundant underground resources. Past tense, because the Arcadia Empire had set its sights on it, sparking a conflict. Inevitably, the Empire declared war. No amount of riches could stand against overwhelming military might. Thus, the Kingdom of Hailstone became a vassal state, demoted to a principality.
And that was over 200 years ago.
These days, it was practically one with the Empire. The first policy the Empire enacted after subjugating the principality was intermarriage. They forced unions between Hailstone's royalty and the Empire's imperial family. By now, the Arcadia Emperor and the Grand Duke of Hailstone were distant blood relatives.
So, does that mean the principality and the Empire are behind this mine?
Underground mines were state-managed by default. Especially this one, where magic stones were extracted. A vital resource like that would be under even stricter control.
Eh, no need to overthink it.
What the Empire or principality did was none of my business. What pissed me off was that they'd caught me.
This continent of Elunsia differed from Earth in many ways. Knights and mages existed, of course, but so did a rigid class system. With classes came slaves, and exploiting child labor was commonplace.
But being lumped in with the slaves? That chafed.
How do I screw these guys over?
I'd always felt that way about the Arcadia Empire. Even when I was grinding the game, they were the biggest pain in my ass.
Thinking about it again just pisses me off.
I'd planned to just escape, but that didn't feel satisfying enough anymore. So, I turned my gaze to the message floating before my eyes.
Black Raven's Captain, welcome back.
It was the familiar status window. Identical to the login notification from the game.
Which means...
My Black Raven—the one I'd raised—should still be intact.
Captain, please give your command.
But I didn't issue a command right away. Simple reason.
I'm not the Captain right now.
In the game World Conqueror, the player—as Captain—never appeared visually. That was the setup. But now, I had a real body.
Suppose I commanded Black Raven and they came to rescue me from this prison. To them, it'd be a trivial task. The problem? The massive gap between their image of the Captain and my current scrawny kid self.
If they arrived on the Captain's orders only to find some random boy instead? Would they even believe me if I claimed to be him?
No. If I was lucky, they'd hear me out. More likely, instant interrogation: "How do you know about Black Raven?" Worst case, I'd end up tortured to death in some dungeon.
...Just thinking about it is horrifying.
Even if they believed me, what about the rest? Black Raven wasn't a two-man show. I'd have to convince every last member. As a malnourished street urchin? Impossible. Revealing myself now was way too risky.
I need to elevate my position first.
Then my words would carry weight. A slave's plea versus a high noble's decree? Worlds apart.
Does that mean I can't use Black Raven at all right now?
No, that wouldn't fly. Fail to escape here, and I'd rot in this mine.
"Hm."
I closed my eyes, deep in thought. My body ached from the day's toil, but my mind was sharp.
How much time passed? Then, a brilliant idea struck.
Ah, right!
The simpler, the better.
Just hide me from the equation.
All my prior scenarios assumed revealing myself as Captain. But what if I concealed my existence entirely? Issue commands as Captain, but keep Black Raven in the dark about my identity?
How did I not think of something this obvious sooner?
I clicked the status window immediately.
Captain, please give your command.
I muttered softly at the window.
"Investigate the magic stone mines of the Hailstone Principality. Thoroughly, not missing a single one."
The window responded to my order.
Captain's command confirmed.
Perfect!
Relief washed over me that the system worked flawlessly, mingled with hope that I might escape this place soon.
I'd deliberately kept it vague—no orders to rescue the mine slaves. Just "investigate."
If they dig into the kids too, it could get dicey.
Even if they investigated the children, it wouldn't expose me as Captain. Still, Black Raven could track every last kid no problem. Awkward for someone in my position who needed to stay hidden. So, I stuck to ordering an investigation of the magic stone mines specifically.
Now they'll really tear into the magic stone operations.
That would create openings, and I'd exploit them to escape. All that was left was to wait patiently.
Black Raven's vice-captain, Ariel.
Under her decree, Black Raven's Supreme Council was revived. Simultaneously, the judicial body Judices and audit division Noctis sprang into action, launching a massive internal purge.
The Captain had returned, and it was time to clean house. All this unfolded in less than a day.
Now, Ariel reviewed the final report.
"Hm, just as expected."
She nodded, scanning the document. Everything checked out—no issues.
Black Raven's members were fiercely loyal from the start. The recent traitor, Count Renfield, hadn't even been a formal member—just a collaborator.
If the Captain had been around, he'd never have dared betray us.
But what could you do? It happened, and Renfield paid the price befitting his treason. Otherwise, all clear.
Yet Ariel wasn't pleased. This was the baseline. Above all, Black Raven had to be perfect.
Having confirmed the results, Ariel entered a pitch-black chamber. She knelt and began to pray.
Her clasped hands trembled with desperation as she bowed her head. As her prayer neared its end, she murmured with eyes closed.
"Captain, please grant me your guidance."
Her voice brimmed with affection. The Captain she'd longed for had returned. Yet he hadn't revealed himself. There must be a reason, but Ariel yearned to see his face sooner.
But why? The Captain's visage from her memories felt... blurry.
"Captain...."
To Ariel, the Captain was irreplaceable. Her gaze drifted to a small potted plant. A shy sprout peeked from the soil—the world tree seed he'd gifted her, finally germinating after meticulous care.
The world tree was the mother of all elves. Long ago, it perished for unknown reasons. With it gone, high elves vanished, and even regular elves abandoned the forests.
She'd thought the world tree lost forever... until she found its seed in an unlikely place.
How on earth did the Captain get this seed...?
A prophecy whispered among high elves came to mind.
- The savior shall appear bearing the seed of the world tree.
She'd dismissed it as nonsense back then. Now? Undeniable. And the savior in that prophecy?
"Captain...."
It could only be him. Walter had told her the Captain focused on locating high elves, promising any found the highest honors.
That alone proved he was the elves' savior. And to Ariel, her own personal benefactor, having rescued her when she had nowhere else to turn.
I'll find you, even if it costs my soul.
That was Ariel's mission.
"Where on earth are you...?"
Impatience colored her voice, but she clung to hope. Ariel prayed on, straining to sense the Captain's will.
Before long, blue dawn pierced the darkened sky. Moments later, a mystical glow emanated from Ariel's blue eyes. A soft halo bloomed around her.
"...Found it!"
Surprise lit her face. Not the Captain's location, but his command to her.
Ariel could sense his will through her unlocked potential.
"Ahh...."
Her silver hair was a mess from the effort, but it didn't matter. She recited aloud the Captain's intense will etched in her mind.
"Magic stone mines?"
The Captain had mentioned magic stone mines. And their location?
"...On the outskirts of the Hailstone Principality."
Why mention the mines without coming himself? Specifically Hailstone's magic stone mines, at that.
"Does he want us to investigate them?"
Ariel's potential wasn't perfect. She could sense his will, but not flawlessly—just interpret it as best she could.
Suddenly, Walter's words resurfaced.
- The Captain's actions always have a reason.
And those reasons always brought growth to Black Raven and its members.
Ariel mulled it over.
"Magic stone mines, Hailstone Principality...."
Hailstone was a vassal of the Arcadia Empire. The Empire's chief revenue came from the principality's rich resources. It had many mines, but only five magic stone ones—three operational.
Putting it together...
"Ah!"
Insight flashed through Ariel's mind. The Empire's intelligence bureau had once probed Black Raven.
Daring to snoop on us? Fools. They'd let it slide with a warning, but Ariel's fury lingered.
Now she grasped the Captain's intent.
"The Captain seeks retribution!"
The Empire had eyed Black Raven covetously. An eye for an eye. Payback for their sins.
Investigating Hailstone's magic stone mines? As good as severing the Empire's main lifeline.
Magic stones were rare minerals essential for high-end gear, magic tools, and research—irreplaceable on Elunsia.
If those mines vanished? A devastating blow to the Empire.
"So that was the meaning!"
Ariel nodded in realization. The Captain's order was both revenge and warning: the price of touching Black Raven.
"As expected, the Captain is merciful."
Not outright annihilation, but slow economic strangulation. Seemingly harsh, yet merciful—buying them time to repent.
"I understand your will, Captain."
Mercy enough. Ariel's next move was clear.
With a gesture, a masked man emerged from the shadows.
"We will collapse the magic stone mines now."
But not just any collapse. This was a silent warning.
"I need to meet Celestia."
They had to make the punishment thoroughly clear.