Chapter 262: Episode 262

Chapter 70: Preparations

From the earliest days of the continent, the Ashlan Kingdom had cultivated a close relationship with the druids. Its proximity to the temple where the eastern druids dwelled had long granted the nation the unwavering protection of nature itself. At a glance, they seemed little different from the elves who served the World Tree, beings who simply worshipped the forest. But the reality was far more profound.

“We druids serve the earth itself,” one had once explained. “All our incantations and spells are manifestations of the earth’s energy.”

The druids revered the land and its flora, their order dedicated to protecting their ancient temple. Though their origins were said to lie with the beastmen, no demi-humans could be found in the East today. Then, with the discovery of a World Tree in the western territory of Balak, the druids began to show their true colors.

“The God of Nature, Ameria, has always existed for the druids,” they proclaimed among themselves. “She is not some deity to be served by mere elves.”

“We must manifest our will through the branches of the World Tree. The conquest of Balak is a sacred duty.”

A druid elder advised the king to offer a massive reward, explaining that their clan could not move directly while protecting the ancient temple. But if they could attract S-rank raiders from across the continent, they could surely obtain at least a single branch.

The conflict was born from simple envy. The druids, who had always considered the beastmen of the East their kin, now denied the elves’ right to the World Tree and demanded a branch for themselves. It was a request Gunrad, the King of Ashlan, could not possibly refuse. The druids had long defended his kingdom from foreign invasion; to ignore them was unthinkable. With other religious orders already establishing themselves within his capital, earning the druids’ wrath would sever a vital alliance.

And so, King Gunrad announced the request to the entire continent, a call for a branch of the World Tree that would draw raiders from every corner of the world.

—

“Hey, did you hear?” one raider murmured to another in a crowded tavern. “The Moderland Empire, way out on the western edge of the North, has been invaded.”

“I heard some ancient witch woke from her slumber and raised an army,” his companion replied, leaning closer. “Sounds like she plans to keep right on invading empires and kingdoms.”

“Tsk.’ The Derk Empire won’t be safe, then. What in the world is Duke Peyton thinking, marching down to the West to hunt a single demon at a time like this?”

“He’ll have no choice but to return if the Imperial Family orders it, right?”

After a period of quiet, the North was in turmoil once more. The Frost Queen Yuslan, who had once plunged the continent into the biting cold of the north wind, had returned. The witch, sealed away centuries ago at the cost of hundreds of thousands of lives, now walked the world again. Her first victim was the Moderland Empire, and news of its invasion sent shockwaves across the continent.

’The witch Yuslan,’ MacPain mused, turning a polished bracer over in his hands. ’I wonder what her raider rank would be.’

To raise an army of frost and lay siege to entire cities, she had to be far beyond ordinary. She was even recruiting raiders from within the Moderland Empire, placing her on a level entirely different from a common dungeon. One wrong move against a foe like that would mean certain death. Suppressing his greed, MacPain turned his attention back to the market stalls.

“This looks good,” he said, holding up the bracer. “How much?”

“Aha! A man with a keen eye,” the merchant chirped. “That’s dwarf-forged equipment, purchased directly from the Balak Merchant Guild. You can see at a glance it’s in a class of its own, can’t you?”

“So… items from dungeons are being sold on the open market now. It’s a strange world we live in.”

“Oh, my. You must have been cooped up in the East for too long, sir,” the merchant said with a knowing smile. “Dungeon item or not, the nobles these days will take anything that turns a profit. Why, even the royal and imperial families are clamoring for their own guilds. It’s no exaggeration to say Balak is already recognized across the entire continent.”

It was true. As long as there was money to be made, no one on the continent cared about the origin. Though Balak was based in the West, its merchant guild was clearly extending its reach across the world. MacPain nodded and purchased the bracers.

“Thank you! Please come again!” the merchant called after him.

“I don’t know when I’ll be back,” MacPain muttered, already walking away. “But I’ll put this to good use.”

Though dwarf-made, the equipment’s effects were outstanding. His business in the market concluded, MacPain headed straight for the royal castle.

“A raider has no business here. Turn back,” a guard ordered, blocking his path.

“I’m here for a request,” MacPain stated flatly. “Open the way. Or else…”

A palpable aura of magical energy pulsed from him, making the guards at the entrance flinch. They immediately demanded to see his identification.

[MacPain Agros]

[Rank: S]

[Affiliation: None]

[Origin: Ashlan Kingdom, East]

An S-rank raider. And from the Ashlan Kingdom, no less. The guard holding the association ID card cleared his throat and hastily stepped aside.

“Ahem. If you’re from around here, you should have said so.”

“I didn’t think you’d believe me,” MacPain replied coolly. “In situations like this, revealing my identity is far more effective.”

“You may enter…”

He’d faced this song and dance countless times while taking on requests. As an S-rank raider, MacPain entered the royal castle without a flicker of emotion. He noted the maids scurrying through the corridors as he made his way to the fifth floor.

“Another one here for the World Tree’s branch?” a raider whispered as he entered the chamber.

“That makes over a hundred of us.”

“The reward isn’t going to get split, is it?”

The room was filled with raiders who had come for the same request. Every one of them was a powerhouse of A-rank or higher. With so many familiar faces in the crowd, it was a formidable gathering of strength. MacPain made his way toward a man leaning against the far wall.

“You’re here again, as always,” MacPain greeted him. “How are the arm and leg the druids healed for you?”

“MacPain…” the man grunted without looking up. “I take on every request there is. And my arm wasn’t healed. They just forcibly infused it with the earth’s energy to suppress the damage.”

His left arm and leg were tightly wrapped in bandages. He should have been a cripple, but the druids had given him a second chance, and now he was active again. He must have brought his comrades along for the Balak raid; several other raiders swathed in bandages were loitering nearby.

“If you say so,” MacPain said lightly. “So, what do you think of this job? Looks like at least four S-rank raiders have shown up.”

“That number includes you and me, I assume?”

“Of course. The woman in the priestess robes is Hyacinth, the S-rank with clairvoyance. The man across from her, tending to his bolts, is Perun—the one who slaughtered hundreds of giants. And then there’s Turner, formerly of the Eleonora raid party. Including you, that makes four.”

At the mention of the Eleonora raid party, a hush fell over the room, and all eyes turned to them. MacPain belatedly scratched his head.

“Ah, my mistake. I forgot again how much you hate hearing that name.”

“MacPain, the S-rank raider known as the Comrade Slayer…” Turner growled, his voice dangerously low. “I’ve always hated how you conveniently leave yourself out of the introductions. Are you looking to die?”

“Now, now,” MacPain said with an easy smile. “There’s nothing to be gained from fighting here. Besides, you’re here for the World Tree’s branch, same as me. Since we’re in this together, let’s try to get along.”

Turner didn’t reply, but it didn’t matter. They had all been drawn here by the massive reward. As long as their goal was the same, they would be allies for the duration of the raid. A faint smile on his lips, MacPain turned and walked toward the other S-rank raiders.

—

Meanwhile, the Peyton Knights, having just arrived in the city of Magrit, received an urgent dispatch.

“A message from His Majesty, Emperor Davernos,” a soldier announced as he entered the command tent. “Effective immediately, the northern borders are to be strictly guarded in preparation for the Frost Queen’s army. Duke Peyton, you are to return to the imperial capital at once.”

The message could have been sent via a communication device, yet a messenger had been dispatched in person. It was a clear sign of the Imperial Family’s resolve. With a look of utter dejection, Duke Peyton dismissed the messenger.

“We were so close,” he seethed. “We had nearly reached their gates. How dare they interfere with me now? Rudin, what’s the situation in the North?”

“It has been five days since the invasion of the Moderland Empire began, my lord,” Rudin reported. “The Frost Queen’s army has crossed the Venus Snowy Mountains and is now advancing on the capital, Rahamut.”

“This is serious… If they’ve reached the Venus Snowy Mountains, it’s safe to assume every city before it has already fallen.”

The Moderland Empire, situated on the continent’s westernmost edge, was a close ally of the Derk Empire. The Imperial Family had been sending support, but their forces were being relentlessly repelled, with casualties mounting. If the frost army was already marching on the capital, their next target would undoubtedly be the Derk Empire. In that light, a personal messenger made a grim sort of sense.

“Ugh… I will retreat this time,” Duke Peyton snarled, his voice a low growl. “But next time, I will annihilate you. Taehyun Yoo.”

“I will revise the schedule at once.”

“No need. Time is of the essence. We will borrow the power of the western Magic Towers. I hear they’re preparing teleportation gates. We should be able to use them ahead of schedule.”

Returning via their original route through the Haven territory would take too long. While he could ask Duke Crowell for aid, he couldn’t afford to be further indebted to the Noah royal family.

“Understood. I will contact the nearby Magic Towers immediately.”

With that, the Peyton Knights chose to return to the imperial capital and began their preparations to depart.

—

“Bear-bear!”

“Bear!”

“Hee-hee-hing!”

In a vibrant, rolling meadow, an army of dolls had gathered. Cute teddy bears, elegant unicorns, and even clumsy pandas frolicked across the field.

“So many dolls…” Songyi whispered, her eyes sparkling as she clutched a plush bear to her chest. Heimdal, a place she had only heard of in rumors, was a true paradise.

While Songyi happily toddled after the dolls, Taehyun was receiving a report.

’The request for the World Tree’s branch from the Ashlan Kingdom has attracted a great number of raiders. The current count is over 150.’

“How many S-ranks?” Taehyun asked.

’Four have been confirmed so far. It appears they plan to use a gate to travel from the East to the West.’

“So they’ll be here within a week,” Taehyun muttered. “Damn those Magic Tower bastards. I even gave them a contract and sold them materials, and this is how they repay me.”

The teleportation gate was a marvel that shortened time and distance, but from a dungeon’s perspective, it was an unwelcome development. If the commissioned raid party was using a gate, other raiders would surely follow.

[Sinister Bear-bears are approaching.]

[A-rank Dungeon Master Han Songyi has cast Short-Range Teleport.]

[The Sinister Bear-bears are in pain.]

’Hmm.’ His eyes fell on Songyi, who was now gleefully tormenting the bear-bear dolls. He shook his head and refocused on the communication. “So, what about Duke Peyton?”

’The Imperial Family sent a messenger ordering his return to the capital. Rudin is contacting the Magic Tower personally, so it seems they will also travel by gate.’

“Hmm. The towers near Magrit are the ones we have contracts with, right? Send word ahead. Block their access to the gate.”

’Understood. By the way, Master Taehyun… is this really alright? You unsealed Yuslan just to send the Peytons away, but her army is already marching on the Moderland capital. It’s only the North for now, but she will undoubtedly aim for other regions.’

“That’s a long way off,” Taehyun countered. “And even if she comes west, she won’t confront Balak immediately. She’s more likely to target other nations first, like the Enais Kingdom. When that happens, the Superhumans will be forced to act.”

The new lines of conflict would be drawn between the Frost Queen’s army, the Enais Kingdom, the Holy Kingdom, and the Peshant Empire. With Count Dinen out of the picture, Balak would be right at the center of it all. He recalled his conversation with the witch.

“Yes. What is it you desire, child? I can certainly grant your wish.”

“I don’t need anything. Just take care of the Derk Empire, the Enais Kingdom, and the Ain Kart Holy Kingdom. That’s my wish.”

“The continent is destined to fall into my hands again. That much is no trouble at all… H-hey! Where are you going?!”

“I unsealed you, so I’m going home. Where else? And as for ruling the continent again… you’ll find it challenging. The nations I mentioned have military power to rival your own. Plus, they have Superhumans who have transcended mortal limits. It’ll be difficult, even for you.”

He had already planted the seeds of provocation when he’d freed her. No matter how much she desired to rule the continent, her pride had been wounded. All he had to do now was watch from a distance and wait for the perfect moment. Taehyun stood and checked his inventory of special ability materials.

’First, let’s prepare a welcome for our guests from the Ashlan Kingdom.’

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