Chapter 212: Episode 212_The Yuda Raid Party

War always begins with intelligence. One observes the enemy’s movements and extracts information. The one whose moves are read first will face defeat. The internal conflict within the Aneis Kingdom was much the same. Each faction had planted subordinates in the other’s camp. However, Leon had preemptively cut off Count Dinen’s information channels, blocking them in advance. Golden Fish, the royal intelligence agency, had absorbed various information guilds, filling the gaps. As a result, the nobles associated with Pom Nabian were swiftly purged, and he had even planted a spy in Dinen’s own camp. Although he couldn’t obtain any critical information, he was able to monitor their movements to some extent.

“Now that Baron Momonte has pledged himself to the crown, our intelligence network is far superior,” Leon remarked.

“Your Highness Leon, the promised supplies have arrived from the Anslake Barony,” Duke Centrix reported.

As support began to flow to the royal family, all that remained was to supplement their lacking military strength. Leon quickly absorbed the soldiers of the royalist nobles and issued a conscription order. Count Dinen had already hired Raiders and significantly bolstered his forces. The rebels clearly had the advantage, but it didn’t matter. In fact, Leon simply watched the situation unfold with a leisurely air.

“Have you made contact with the Peyton Dukedom?”

“Yes. Duke Peyton is reacting very positively to this deal. It seems he believes now is the opportune moment, with the pressure from the Empire lessened.”

“That is welcome news indeed. Then, all that remains is the Peshant Empire.”

“That is correct. However, before that, please review this report, Your Highness. It is the result of our agent in the Haven territory’s investigation into Count Dinen’s movements.”

Duke Centrix handed over the report. According to its contents, Count Dinen’s side was preparing for a dungeon raid.

“Forming a raid party in times like these,” Leon mused. “There must be some intention behind it. Is the destination Balak?”

“He is the one who has been developing the west through Balak, but considering his actions so far, it must be Balak. It is likely part of the plan he has been preparing. What are your orders, Your Highness?”

“Heh’. Let’s make use of the so-called Raider’s Association. Persuade an A-rank raid party immediately. The destination is Balak. Have them quickly obtain raid permission to seize priority.”

“Understood.”

“Oh, and summon Yuda separately.”

That day, at the same time the Gonadu Raid Party was receiving its raid permission, the Yuda Raid Party was being summoned to the royal capital.

—

The sound of footsteps echoed in the hallway before coming to a stop. He had steeled his resolve to face Leon, but he had run into an unexpected person first.

“…Where have you been?” Regia asked.

“I was just on my way back after being summoned by His Highness Leon. What about you?”

“I came because I have something to discuss with my brother, Leon, personally.”

“Hmm. Is that so? Then I’ll be on my way.”

Arthur van Noah. No, the Raider now known as Yuda was walking right past her. Regia urgently grabbed his arm.

“Wait a moment. For the Yuda Raid Party to be summoned to the capital, something big must be happening, right? What kind of orders did you receive?”

After the two superhumans, the Yuda Raid Party was effectively the strongest fighting force. For them to be summoned to the capital was no small matter. Yuda shrugged under Regia’s suspicious gaze.

“We’re going to be raiding Balak. That’s all I heard. And besides, it’s none of your business, is it?”

“…Balak.”

She was suddenly reminded of the Marius Garden. The Dungeon Master who had been invited by Leon to the coronation ceremony. Balak must be his dungeon. Regia’s eyes widened as she asked again, “What’s the intention? To raid Balak at a time like this. You must know something. Tell me now.”

“All I was ordered to do was raid Balak. I don’t know anything else. And let go of me. If you’re a princess, act like one and stay cooped up in the palace. Don’t get involved and get yourself hurt.”

“Brother Arth—!”

“Shut up,” he snapped. “Don’t call me by that name. As long as Leon calls me Yuda, that name no longer exists.”

He had certainly returned to the Aneis Kingdom with the identity of Arthur van Noah, but not anymore. As long as Leon, who had inherited the throne, did not recognize his status as a prince, the man who stood here was only Yuda. Regia glared at him with a venomous look. However, Yuda simply scoffed.

“Don’t look at me like that. I didn’t abandon you all. You’re the ones who cast me out. If you’re going to believe something, at least believe the truth.”

She fell silent.

Yuda was slowly disappearing down the opposite hallway. Regia bit her lip and lowered her head.

“Why…”

—

[Yuda (Arthur van Noah)]

[Rank: A (Top-tier)]

[Level: 87]

[Class: Swordsman]

[Title: The Unfortunate Prince]

[Affiliation: Yuda Raid Party]

[Stress: 12]

[Status: Regretful]

[Relationship with Comrades: Trust, Faith, Friendship]

[Description: After the Elenora Raid Party retired, he became the top-tier Raider based in the north. He holds the 3rd rank with his unparalleled skills and has come to raid Balak under the orders of Leon van Noah.]

Just as he was on the verge of reaching S-rank, the worst possible raid party had arrived. Taehyun checked Yuda’s description and grasped the reality of the situation.

’So he persuaded the Gonadu Raid Party to snatch raid priority. That bastard was aware of Count Dinen’s movements, too. Dammit. What the hell is he thinking? The same guy who said he’d use Balak to start a war is now trying to raid it.’

Perhaps his plan was to eliminate Balak, which had lost its usefulness, to deny Count Dinen an advantage. Fortunately, the two superhumans hadn’t come with them, but the Yuda Raid Party alone was dangerous enough.

“Master, all the information has been revealed,” Riel reported. “There are 42 A-rank top-tier Raiders alone.”

“Dammit. To face a trial like this right before I can upgrade to an S-rank dungeon. Riel, contact the other supporters and have them assemble all the soldiers.”

“I understand.”

Riel hurriedly began making calls. Taehyun separately requested help from Songyi, Narae, and Geonsun as he prepared for the Yuda Raid Party.

—

Meanwhile, the Yuda Raid Party, having entered Twoth, was finding it hard to adjust.

“Raiding a dungeon with a territory… it feels strange coming to a different dungeon after only targeting Velvet.”

“Shut up and destroy all the watchtowers. You think I wanted to come here?”

“That’s true. Heave-ho!”

Soon, tree trunks burst from the ground and began to destroy the watchtowers. Other Raiders nearby were dealing with the familiar summons, cutting off vision sharing. Yuda looked at the other dungeons visible nearby and thought of Regia.

’What’s the intention? To raid Balak at a time like this. You must know something. Tell me now.’

She had shown a particular interest in Balak. Yuda’s expression hardened as he drew his sword. Harpies were already flying in from the sky above.

[A-rank top-tier Raider Yuda has cast Heaven Cleaver.]

[The magic sword Fragarach amplifies the mana.]

Fragarach, resonating with mana, was swung.

“Kieeeek!”

“Kiek!”

“Kieeeeeek!”

The harpies that had covered the sky were annihilated in an instant. Yuda sheathed his sword without any sign of exertion.

“Wiped them all out in one go. What’s gotten into you? You never used to use skills on low-grade soldiers like that.”

“Shut up. What about the other watchtowers?”

“They’re all taken care of. All we have to do now is get to the Revived Plains.”

The areas near Twoth had already been laid to waste. Yuda nodded as he watched the still-sprouting tree trunks. The Yuda Raid Party had a staggering 42 A-rank top-tier Raiders. There was no way their schedule would be disrupted. Yuda took out a camping item and gave an order.

“We’ll camp here once, then enter the Revived Plains immediately.”

—

Day two of the schedule. The Yuda Raid Party, having entered Balak’s territory, arrived at Fiveth. Oneth through Fourth were already in ruins. The soldiers sent for reconnaissance were annihilated with a single sword stroke, so there was no way to get a clear picture of their movements.

“So they’ve finally gone to Balak,” Seunghoon’s voice came through the communication device. “Listen carefully, Taehyun Yoo. The individuals you must be most wary of are Yuda, Banshee, Hiklu, and Asiant. The raid party itself is composed mainly of A-rank top-tier Raiders, but you must be especially careful of those four.”

He had obtained information about the Yuda Raid Party from Seunghoon, the Dungeon Master of Velvet, but he couldn’t rest easy. The very fact that they had revealed their information meant they were confident in their skills.

“Master, what are you planning to do?” Riel asked.

“…They have over 100 single-use skills alone. If we attack rashly, we’ll be wiped out.”

Taehyun placed his exclusive items on the table. The raid party was still located in Fiveth. He had to organize the information before they entered the Revived Plains. Taehyun spread out a map of Balak’s territory and re-examined the expected battle zones.

’First, the small city of Myol and the Highlon Forest located in the center of the Revived Plains.’

’Second, the Revived Plains with the entrance to the Ice Palace and the Labyrinth.’

’Third, the Forest of Silence located between the Revived Plains and the Silent Valley.’

’Fourth, the Silent Valley where the entrance to Balak is located.’

’Fifth, inside the dungeon Balak itself.’

These were the five areas he had used when fighting other raid parties. Now he had to divide and deploy his soldiers and core forces here. Next, Taehyun organized the information on the Yuda Raid Party.

’Total personnel: 148.’

’A-rank top-tier Raiders: 42, including Yuda.’

’67 are B-rank top-tier Raiders. The remaining 39 are B-rank Raiders.’

’Single-use skills alone number a staggering 109.’

’The most dangerous individuals are Yuda, Banshee, Hiklu, and Asiant. A total of four.’

The general framework was set. He had also identified the skills of some of the other Raiders, but that wasn’t necessary for now. What was important was to reduce their numbers as much as possible and make them waste their single-use skills.

’They probably won’t use their exclusive items if they can help it. In that case, I have to at least make them use up their skills.’

In the end, it was a war of attrition. The real fight would likely begin inside the dungeon. Taehyun began to make his preparations, carefully deploying his soldiers.

—

[The Yuda Raid Party has entered the Highlon Forest.]

The first battle zone: Highlon Forest. This was where soldiers specialized in ambushes, the Lich Bigdream, Hyena, and Hendy were deployed. Since he had already positioned Rabiz in the Revived Plains, there was no chance of losing his three core forces.

“Isn’t it a bit risky to deploy three of them in Highlon Forest from the start?” Riel asked.

“Don’t worry, we have Rabiz’s summoning skill. From now on, we’ll start chipping away at them using Bigdream, Hyena, and Hendy.”

Bigdream’s black fog, Hyena’s traps, and Hendy’s explosions. If used properly, even ordinary soldiers could exhibit great power. Traps had already been set up all over Highlon Forest. Even with Bounty Hunters, they wouldn’t be able to disarm all of them.

[The Yuda Raid Party has been spotted.]

At last, the Yuda Raid Party emerged from within the forest. It seemed they hadn’t even used a Vision Expansion Scroll, giving him first sight. Taehyun quickly gave an order to Bigdream.

[The special ability ’Black Fog’ of the A-rank Hero soldier, Lich Bigdream, has been activated.]

[A black fog envelops Balak’s soldiers.]

[The activation of Black Fog will be canceled if all mana is depleted or if Bigdream takes damage.]

The greatest advantage of the black fog was that it could be maintained as long as there was mana. Unlike a single-use ability, it could be used continuously as long as he had mana. Taehyun checked the distance to the raid party and gave the order.

“The ambush begins now.”

And so, the full-scale defense had begun.

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