Volume 49 Chapter 1 — The marching begins
The Sculptural Lifeform wyvern Wy-3!
Weed’s eyes were filled with tears while watching Wy-3’s ripped wings falling down.
“I told you that you should watch out anywhere you go. You can’t get hurt carelessly because you’re a great mobile slave.”
- Kkuukkuuu
Wy-3 only had 20% of its health when it was summoned by Weed. It was one of the wyverns, the first sculptures to be given life by Weed with his sculpting skill. That’s why it was developing for a long time. Although it was a medium level creature with 500 000 HP, it still got severely injured.
An army of Death Knights, ghosts and skeletons were standing in straight lines next to Weed.
As always, he was hunting, leading the undead as a necromancer as usual.
“But where did you get hurt?”
While Weed was saying these words, an atmosphere of suspicion could be felt.
He sensed the yellow dust, fine dust, and food smells.
“Wy-3, there shouldn’t be a lot of enemies that could hurt you… Since you can fly in the sky and be careful, if you sensed a danger, you should have been able to quickly run away.”
Other than the time fighting with the Immortal Legion, wyverns had never lost their lives pointlessly.
Even when Weed had brought them to a battle, they had never gotten severely hurt.
“Seo-Yoon asked me to summon you, and doing it used a lot of mana. That means it was a fairly distant place.”
One by one, the pieces of the puzzle started to fit.
Wy-3 was in a fallen position, but he tossed and turned his body in order to lie down.
“Central continent area? It shouldn’t be near the Northern border. Also, there is no trace of ice on the body.”
- Because I was hurt, I can’t remember anything Master.
“If you don’t remember, it probably means that you committed a sin. From your posture, it looks like you’re not afraid of anything.”
- How can you perceive it like that?
“Criminals always say that. If they don’t remember, they are guilty. So probably…”
Weed closed his eyes.
It was because the worst possible situation he didn’t want to imagine came to his mind.
Weed heavily spat out the words.
“Is Seo-Yoon… Is she in danger right now?”
***
Yoo-rin was listening to the people while drawing pictures on the Lordearon river.
“I heard that Hermes Guild killed the Goddess.”
“Really?”
“Yes. It was broadcasted.”
“No. No matter how soon… Have they sent assassins to the Earth Palace?”
The words about Earth Palace caught Yoo-rin’s attention. Because that place had a deep connection with her brother.
“I heard that the Goddess appeared in the battle of Formos Castle. And she died because of magic attacks.”
“Hermes Guild…”
“I don’t think that we can leave those guys alone anymore.”
As Yoo-rin listened to the people’s words, she understood what had happened.
‘She… died’
In Royal Road, death doesn’t mean that the real life of a person is gone. However, her thoughts got complicated.
“What’s going to happen in the future?”
Since Yoo-rin was Weed’s younger sister, she knew him better than anyone else. Anyone that was close to Weed knew that he put money first and had an excellent sense of combat and military tactics…
But there was one secret that only his family knew.
‘He will always pay back his grudges’
The power of memories will find its own way.
‘But why did she die?’
On the other hand, strange thoughts reached Yoo-rin’s head.
While she was ruling the Arpen Kingdom, she didn’t fully show just how wise she could be.
Weed was the one taking care of family affairs, collecting all the receipts and planning everything to make sure that no money was leaking out: the receipt for the 200 won more expensive salt was still attached to the kitchen door! Due to his meticulous care, there hadn’t been many times when he had lost money, but Seo-Yoon was smart enough to write a computer program that was simple to use and enabled them to minimize their living expenses…
‘It’s true she is kind, but she is smart as well. If all this happened, the Arpen Kingdom and Haven Empire might even go to war against each other. Would she have acted without knowing that this would happen?’
***
Poohol waterpark!
“Kyaaak”
“Ooowa!”
After having finished hunting Demons, Palin and her colleagues were enjoying themselves.
“We worked hard, so let’s enjoy ourselves for a month.”
“The water is really clear and nice here.”
“The bodies of men… hoo. Did only Warriors gather here? I like smooth, solid, and firm bodies. Hehe.”
“If the swimming suit showed just a little bit more…”
They enjoyed the warm sunshine and clear water.
Even though there were lots of dangerous rides that threatened their life, they were safe rides for the strong users.
-
Strongly recommended to the people who have no fear of heights.
The feeling that you can’t feel on the ground.
Till now 973 people have died
The number of injured visitors is not included
-
> Water labyrinth created by Weed!
In this place lives, water droplets that like to prank.
They enjoy making mazes inside the water in order to scare those who enter.
Even though there is no safe route, you have to escape to the exit!
If you are trapped for a long time, you have to drink lots of water.
Till now the number of drowned people is 0.
The number of people who were trapped there for 2 hours is not included
-
They were comrades who explored the Celestial City and hunted while riding on the wyverns or ghost horses, so they didn’t pay attention to the rides that much.
At that time the men, who were playing in the water, passed by.
“It’s the Geomchi group.“
“Yes, you’re right”
Geomchi disciples always gathered in Poohol waterpark. They had bodies that were full of muscles and while walking, they caught the eyes of beautiful women.
“Look at those abs every time they breathe…”
“Wow. That forearm…”
Finally, Weed’s elder brothers became popular!
There was no doubt that it was the time to start love affairs for the first time since Poohol Waterpark was established.
“Uuuuakk!”
Then a scream could be heard in the pool.
People turned their heads, thinking that someone has fallen into the pool, but there was a man lying down and screaming out.
He was watching a broadcast of Royal Road!
“The goddess passed away!”
The man screamed loudly.
At that moment it seemed that everything in Poohol Waterpark stopped.
The people who were walking, the youths who were playing in the pool, everyone just froze.
“Hey. No way…”
“Maybe you’re still sleepy. That’s nonsense.”
“It’s true. She passed away.”
“What the… It’s for real?”
“No. This can’t have happened.”
But it wasn’t just that man, others who were watching the broadcast soon found out about Seo-Yoon’s death. The news about Seo-Yoon’s death was passed on by whispers, the channels, and networks. It spread through the entire Northern area in just one or two minutes.
“Unbelievable”
The people who were playing in the pool were talking.
“Hermes Guild again?”
“How… How did it happen?”
The always lively Poohol waterpark looked like it got hit by falling bombs.
***
The Mapan Trading Company in the North!
Big orders were pouring to The Mapan Trading Company in Morata.
“150 000 arrows.”
“The swordsmen from Varna harbor came for a 300 000 bags order.”
“The order for 7 000 000 bags to the Earth Palace came again?”
“Yes. They asked to deliver as soon as we can.”
The Mapan Trading Company wasn’t the only one which had to deal with big orders, the same thing was happening to the merchant Gamong.
Local merchants usually operate their stores with a certain amount of inventory.
Even so, there was a huge demand from the locals.
“I want the leftover weapons…”
“Now stocks are…”
“I will take anything.”
Northern users were collecting weapons and armors. Users had to stand in line in order to buy something, and because of that, the stocks in the stores were depleted.
The Northern Mapan Trading Company and the merchant Gamong’s stores had stockpiled large quantities of starter supplies.
Blacksmiths improved their abilities by making goods… It didn’t matter that they were beginner’s goods: as long as blacksmiths sold the products they made, their skills were increasing.
Of course, in the Arpen Kingdom, there were lots of beginners who were gathering and spending money, so focusing on starter supplies was not a problem: if you gather 10 silver or 20 silver each time, in the end you’re going to earn a lot of money.
However, the quantity of user purchases increased so quickly that it became difficult to take out the required quantity from the warehouse.
“Let’s go hunting.”
“Right. But first, let’s try to put on some equipment.”
The users, in order to get some arrows or weapons, swept all the dungeons.
***
In the Hermes Guild, the news about Seo-Yoon’s death broke out at the same time.
“So why?”
In their perspectives, Lafaye and the administration office were getting beaten up. He was asking why the famous Seo-Yoon interfered in the battle of Formos castle.
Everyone in Royal Road knew the nature of the relationship between Weed and her.
“Since this famous user died… the announcement is going to be big.”
“Things won’t stop here. A war with the Arpen Kingdom can arise.”
“Would they dare to go against us? They shouldn’t be prepared for a war, right?”
“Well, we are like them. The army, that was preparing for a war, was sent to stop the rebels.”
The Hermes Guild sent a spy to the Arpen Kingdom in order to take a look at the situation. They didn’t even see a single sign of invading the Haven Empire.
Also, the Arpen Kingdom doesn’t have a strong army, so they couldn’t even organize an army training for the war.
As for the Haven Empire, which doesn’t even share big borders with the North, it had problems with those who opposed the emperor and Haven’s Empire.
Lafaye’s head was splitting with a headache.
“On the surface, there is almost no movement in the North, yet it is now that Seo-Yoon chose to go to the Central Continent and die…”
Even though he was curious about the intention, this situation was too big.
“What if we get ready for a war with the Arpen Kingdom? I don’t know how much they want to fight us, but… the small-scale battles will be the most annoying.”
Lafaye felt that ruling the Haven Empire increased the number of things to worry about: the Central Continent had to be conquered, the guilds that were there had to be brought to ruin, and the complaints of the users had to be eased
It may have looked like that the Hermes Guild had weakened, but it was actually the opposite.
Even though in the Central Continent the economic power, centered on tax collection wasn’t the same as it had been in the past, there were exclusive hunting areas and quests.
Even if the hunting areas were open to other users, since the prestigious guilds were all gone, the large-scale monsters’ hunts were always led by the Hermes Guild.
There were lots of complaints from the general users, but the high-level users were working together with the Hermes Guild and were becoming friendlier.
Among them, there were useful users who were accepted by Hermes Guild. The residents who learned special skills through the quests, the high-ranking knights, the soldiers and the magicians all had their uses.
Since the area, population, and economy were great in the Central Continent, the Hermes Guild had almost doubled its members in a short period of time.
“If you set the public opinion at ease… then even if you force users to follow and believe in the Hermes Guild a little bit, everything will get solved.”
But now Lafaye felt that he just tripped on stones and was falling down.
In the history of Royal Road, events always unfolded the same way: in the end, only the strongest would survive.
“I didn’t want to use force yet. Even though I want to get rid of the Arpen Kingdom, first I will make the Haven Empire perfect and then destroy it. If only I had more time…”
While Lafaye was ruminating over his concerns, the users who were in the administration office were discussing something else.
“Seo-Yoon. Her popularity should be considered. The scene where she dies will increase the number of haters of our guild.”
“How about broadcasting stations? Should we ask to delete the videos?”
“We shouldn’t do that. Since it has high viewing ratings, other major broadcasting stations, who didn’t get to broadcast the scene, are thinking about putting them up. ”
“Some of the broadcasting stations are reporting it as a breaking news already.”
“Since it has already gone to the internet, what’s the point of talking about that?”
Hermes Guild wanted to show off its power while using a broadcasting station, but it showed the guild’s worst image.
“I don’t know if the video is fortunate or unfortunate, but rebel forces won’t increase. Since most of the users have already come out.”
“It’s hard to make a plan. How is the battle of Formos Castle going?”
“At this moment we are relaxingly taking care of it because of the troops, which were deployed to that place, are powerful.”
Lafaye, while listening to the talks of administrative officers, made a decision.
“We will take the matter of the Arpen Kingdom and Weed seriously. If they keep quiet, we will leave them for a while, but if they challenge us… The Haven Empire will change back to its conquest war system.”
Conquest war system.
It means that it will return to the system that was created during the unification of the Central Continent.
The Hermes Guild users who were in the room were surprised, and their eyes started to shine.
Giant knight Bohemod said while smiling.
“I thought you said that we wouldn’t change back if there was no war??”
“That is true. I said that after the empire was founded, we only needed to focus on internal strength and maintain its advantage.”
In Royal Road, no one could stand against Haven Empire’s strength.
The Northern military expedition had to go back defeated. Rebels from prestigious guilds were active and had enough people, but didn’t have strength.
It was more important to gain strength now than at the time when the Empire was established.
“Little by little, the Arpen Kingdom is getting more dangerous. I was trying to stabilize the base for the long-term rule, but we’re short on time.”
“Then what should we do?”
“I will release one of the 5 secret Guardians.”
The Hermes Guild users’ and especially the administration officers’ eyes widely opened.
The five great powers that Lafaye had prepared since the time of the Haven Kingdom.
Smart rabbits don’t dig only one hole while preparing for dangerous situations.
He tried to hide it as long as possible then release it at the last minute, but he felt like it needed to be released earlier.
“Then which one first…?”
“The already finished combat golem. The golem will be enough.”
“If you want to release it in secret, it will take around 10 days.”
“Just let them laugh and smile till that day. We have to let them enjoy one last time.”
***
Lee Hyun disconnected from Royal Road and came out of the capsule.
*Bogul* *Bogul*
In the kitchen, Seo-Yoon was cooking soy-bean stew.
“Are you alright?”
“Yes, the taste is good.”
“About your death…”
Lee Hyun tried to be empathatic and comfort her.
Seo-Yoon, who had a high level in Royal Road, will receive so much damage.
‘Level, skill proficiency, equipment!’
Even during his noob days, Lee Hyun felt the pain of somebody stealing and running away with his money whenever he died. He had never lent money, but still felt the same feeling!
“Try it.”
“Eum… that’s delicious.”
“It’s good, right? Since it’s dinner, I will cook some meat in the garden.”
“Meat…”
“Grilled meat. I will set a fire plate, so let’s eat soon.”
“Alright.”
Lee Hyun and Seo-Yoon decided not to talk about the death in Royal Road.
‘There’s no reason to talk about the scar. Her heart must already be hurting so much. She is trying to eat meat and feel a little bit better.”
Seoyoon was satisfied while making dishes.
‘Soy bean stew turned out well. I prepared some side dishes in the morning as well.’
At first, it was a difficult dish to make, but later the taste from all the ingredients came out well.
Fish or meat cooking skills made a huge progress as well.
She was happiest when she made some tasty food and ate it together with Lee Hyun while sharing a simple conversation with him.
When Weed connected to Royal Road, his location was in Bayar Maze.
The maze was in a mountainous region behind Vargo Fortress and was infamous for being endless: you wouldn’t be able to explore it all even if you wandered in it for over 10 days.
He heard rumors that there was a portal leading to an unknown area, but he still couldn’t find it.
“Kchem”
Weed sat down on a stone and was lost in thought. There were skulls all around him.
He left a trail of fierce battles as he traveled with the Skeletons and Death Knights.
As they were passing through, many units of undead started to fight with monsters.
The role of a Necromancer wasn’t to surround each enemy with all undead at once.
It was to overwhelm the opposing side by spreading their numbers and endlessly summoning new undead.
“Well, what to do now?”
Weed viewed some responses on the internet forum before connecting.
Seo-Yoon’s death received a huge response during broadcasting as well, but the responses in the forum revealed the honest opinions of the public.
- Destroy the Hermes Guild!
- We have to sweep them out of the continent completely. Let’s erase them!!
- They are dangerous beings to the Versailles Continent. They dare to hurt even the Goddess?!
- I’m making a list of all their evil deeds. Currently, 389 pages of A4 are completed. Download the whole file!
- I heard rumors that there are resistance movements forming in the Gradian Kingdom. I want to join it.
- Let’s bring freedom back to our land.
Users were rising like clouds, holding banners against the Haven Empire.
If Weed had said anything about fighting with the Haven Empire a few days ago, the Northern users would have been annoyed about it.
You never know when the conquest will finish and you also have to consider the possibility of being defeated.
However, after Seo-Yoon’s death, the Northern users voluntarily wanted to march to the Haven Empire and even made plans of conquest.
- Poisonous mushroom porridge. Kuhuheuk. Can there be such a death as sad as hers? For this bitterness I want to eat poisonous mushroom porridge, but I’m going to endure for today. I found something I certainly have to do, so I have to survive no matter what.
- Chicken Rice Porridge has about 1 500 000 people. Ready to fly.
- Bamboo Shoots Porridge. Troops of Earth Palace. Ready for a battle. Ready to march anytime.
- We are the Steel Porridge. Please ask us if you need any weapons or armor. We blacksmiths are making equipment without sleep. If you bring your own materials, everything will be made for free.
- We are the Fire Porridge. We also make equipment. Combat materials and supplies. Producing endlessly.
- We are the Pork Porridge. We were pushed back by the Beef Porridge, so our popularity decreased a bit. But our courage is the best. We will bravely go to the front line!
The Grass Porridge Cult that stuck to the North.
They were voluntarily asking for the war.
It was to the point where Ginseng Porridge, Acorn Porridge, Sesame Porridge, Chestnut Porridge and Bug Porridge were organizing an army between themselves and were getting ready to march to the Haven Empire border.
There were many beginners in the Grass Porridge Cult and the North had a strong tradition of adventuring. No one thought of someone dying as anything serious.
However, Seo-Yoon’s dying face when she was killed by the Haven Empire and the Hermes Guild made them want to fight.
- Let’s go.
- We are going.
- We are following.
- No matter where!
- Go, go!
- We are the unbeatable Grass Porridge Cult!
They were all comrades with the same goal and did not fear death.
The Grass Porridge Cult counted most Northern users among their ranks and was still recruiting more.
If their minds are united, even their goal to sweep the Haven Empire can be achieved.
As long as Weed or Seo-Yoon doesn’t oppose the Grass Porridge Cult’s movement.
“It’s not like it can’t be stopped.”
In any case, Northern users respected Weed…
Although Weed was fighting against the Haven Empire’s evil jobs, if he asked them not to fight, his words will have some effects.
The users of Grass Porridge Cult may be greatly disappointed, but he might even be able to stop the war.
“But I don’t want to say that.”
Weed was quick to notice things.
He had an ability to identify if a conspiracy was forming somewhere and instinctively knew if someone there was talking behind someone else’s back!
He could feel how things were going through instinct.
‘Seo-Yoon… she wouldn’t have died for no reason.’
She even rode Wy-3 to the battlefield and still lost her life.
‘Even though Seo-Yoon tends to be kind, she’s not an idiot.’
If you looked at her ability to gather information during the Lord of the Desert quest or considered the way she governed the Arpen Kingdom temporarily, you would have to say she was incredibly smart.
Just like how Weed was skilled with money and had the ability to break through a crisis, Seo-Yoon didn’t miss even the tiniest of details.
She was able to quickly understand the flow of a problem and was able to identify the regions of the Arpen Kingdom that were going the wrong way while finding correct solutions.
Even though she obviously knew that she would die, she still went to the Haven Empire. Why did she do it then?
Seeing the responses of everyone, Weed understood the reason.
‘For me. For the Arpen Kingdom. To stop the growth of the Haven Empire.’
At the moment, Weed hesitated to use the death of Seo-Yoon.
Since she was like part of the family, he didn’t want to use family’s death for his success.
‘Using her death for success is the worst thing to do. It would be better to have the Arpen Kingdom fall.’
If Weed had known about this unimaginable plan, he would have done anything to stop her. However, Seo-Yoon already died.
He was worried whether it was right to stop the situation that was already caused by her death.
‘Seo-Yoon sacrificed herself for me. But is it right to make her death worthless?’
While thinking about that, Weed made a decision.
It wasn’t his or Seo-Yoon’s fault. The matter needed to be resolved first and he would just make the Haven Empire or the Hermes Guild take the blame.
‘It’s alright. At times like this, you use the “bad guys.” The people who are always cursed get cursed more and the people who are praised get praised more.’
***
The Haven Empire’s Northern area.
There was much tension in the city Ilsram which shared its border with the Arpen Kingdom.
“They are coming.”
“The scouts?”
“They don’t have such a thing.”
“So how did you get to know about it?”
“Watching the broadcasts. On all of KMC media’s channels, all the Northern users are marching.”
Members of the Hermes Guild gathered at the Lord Castle of Ilsram city. There were twelve members from the administrative office among them.
“Turn on the broadcast.”
“Yes. I will turn on KMC media.”
“Why?”
“Because it’s my favorite.”
“…”
The large crystal ball hanging on the Lord Castle’s wall was lit.
You can watch the television on it by using a charged mana stone or by using a wizard’s mana.
- Looks like there’s no end to them.
- It’s impossible to count the numbers.
- Surprisingly, those troops that are marching are only the first part.
- The first part?
Gulp.
Hermes Guild members, who were watching the crystal ball, felt a cold sweat run down their backs.
“At least over 100 000.”
“Ah… my head. It’s the end. They are coming to our city.”
- The Grass Porridge Cult’s manpower is very impressive. When is the main force is coming?
- That’s not even the leading group. It’s only a part of the Acorn Porridge.
- It’s my first time hearing about the Acorn Porridge.
- It’s a small part of troops in the Grass Porridge Cult. I heard that the Bugs Porridge is marching to the nearby villages and conquering their major facilities at the moment.
- Did you say Bugs Porridge? Ha ha ha. What an interesting name.
- They can’t be treated as a joke. Bugs Porridge uses pitch-black swords and armor.
- Is the uniform their special feature?
- Yes. They are the rulers of the night who regularly hunt in the dungeons. It is said that they are the masters of assassination and battle.
- I heard that there are users who have different jobs as well.
- The bug trainers. They raise insects and can control them as subordinates… But there’s no further information about them.
- How?
- For some reason, the people who saw the bug trainers don’t say any word about them. Looks like we will be able to see them for the first time at the battle of Ilsram.
“Kchem”
Lord Alto almost bit his tongue.
Even if they only welcomed the Grass Porridge Cult, the outcome of the battle can be imagined if they were to fight.
‘The Bugs Porridge!’
Truth be told, Ilsram fell short of the Central Continent’s standards.
The rise of development, economy, and technology was low. As for the population, most of the users left for the North, so it was empty.
But still, Alto made a grin and smiled.
‘People should know how to stand in line.’
He became a lord in the Hermes Guild just because they offered money. And when the Grass Porridge Cult offered him a position, he accepted it without thinking twice.
It was a betrayal to the Hermes Guild, but he could just cross over to the Arpen Kingdom.
“There is nothing good left in the Haven Empire, so what?”
He provided secret bases and transportation routes after accepting bribes.
‘There’s no reason for us to be robbed by the Grass Porridge Cult. My disaster will pass onto the other lords.’
Lord Alto finished his thoughts and quickly stood up.
“Let’s prepare to welcome our guests.”
“Yes, my lord.”
“Clean the rooms in the inns… The Lord’s Castle won’t be enough. Let’s at least put a mattress in the hallway. Catch some bugs for our guests who train insects as well.”
***
Northern users were flocking to the Harpan area.
There were lots of banners of the Grass Porridge Cult, but there were also some users that wanted revenge and crossed the border.
As soon as Seo-Yoon died, the users gathered by themselves and without preparation for the war, they started to march south.
“Let’s sweep it all!”
“It’s a conquest. A conquest.”
It was a completely new experience for the users who started at the Arpen Kingdom and Morata, but to the users who were kicked out from the Central Continent, crossing the Forus River made them remember the past.
“We came back to the Central Continent’s land from where we were kicked out of.”
“At that time it was only us, but now lots of users have gathered.”
During the establishment of Morata, many users from the Central Continent crossed over to the North in order to avoid the Hermes Guild’s persecution.
Now, the Northern users couldn’t be ignored because of the increased number of their comrades.
Although their levels weren’t high, they believed in each other while gathering strength and the area turned into a new country.
As the Arpen Kingdom grew, the users who escaped from the Central Continent found a new hope.
It was the hope and dream of Royal Road being a happy world.
Since the real world was so difficult to live in, there would be more users who would fall for Royal Road.
However, power dominated everything even in this new world. Many users were afraid of this power, but Seo-Yoon’s death caused the anger that was held in by them to explode…
Not because a beautiful woman and the Grass Porridge Clan’s Goddess, died, but because of what she represented.
“Let’s do what we can do. It’s troublesome to stay in a place like this for a long time.”
“Yes, since many users are gathering, we shouldn’t take too long.”
Users that escaped from the Central Continent were confident in their own combat strength.
When they moved to the North because the Hermes Guild chased them out, they weren’t well. But to forget that sadness, everyone in the Arpen Kingdom was absorbed in hunting and completed quests.
They became much stronger than before and wanted to show their skills in the Central Continent.
“If the village is small and there is no deployed army, let’s invade it by ourselves.”
“Those with a knight position in the Arpen Kingdom are heading this way, so it will be easy to conquer.”
“Let’s put the users with high infamy at the back. It’s not good to cause troubles. If you cause troubles, Arpen Kingdom’s reputation will drop.”
“Between us, there aren’t many people with high infamy. Well, it was a bit different back when we were in the Central Continent. So rest easy”
Ddiring!
-
——————————————————————————————————————————
Lords of the Haven Empire surrendered all their villages, mines and farms and gave up on defense.
The activities of the Bugs Porridge and high level users were transmitted through the Grass Porridge network: it was the Porridge Security Conference (PSC).
While the marching soldiers collected information, the leaders of the porridge units led the armies to conquer other major cities.
“Grass Porridge! Grass Porridge! Grass Porridge!”
“Blow the grass reed with all your strength.”
“Ginseng Porridge. Before the battle takes places, let’s enjoy the bowl of 13 years old Ginseng Porridge that the Elves cultivated.”
There were units with more than a million marching Northern users.
They were great people individually, even though there were others who grabbed more attention and were either Arpen Kingdom users or former Central Continent users.
The users who were on Royal Road and other people online were watching the march of the Northern users.
It was obvious that all broadcasting stations decided to air this scene live.
The first city was Ilsram!
Lord Alto opened the castle’s gates and welcomed the Northern users.
“You did a great job at traveling such a long way. We welcome all guests who reached Ilsram.”
At the castle gates and inside the castle, Northern users were passionately welcomed.
Lord Alto even invited bards to have a concert.
The Haven Empire lords who were in the Harfan region were shocked by that scene.
“He betrayed the Hermes Guild?”
“Well, there wasn’t much he could do. What are we going to do?”
The problem wasn’t that the Arpen Kingdom easily took over Ilram city, but that the Northern user’s attacks would soon be directed straight at them.
At that moment, the Hermes Guild was also troubled.
“I have to send an army to stop the Northern users. But it takes time to build up good soldiers.”
Lafaye and the commanding officers of the Hermes Guild did not have enough time to prepare a countermeasure.
He had to gather troops, provide supplies for the battle and find ways to move to the North in order to attack.
It wasn’t as simple as walking around with swords like how the Northern users were doing.
“We can’t afford to lose our dignity by having the Haven Empire’s territory be invaded.”
“Honor and spirit. We can’t lose these things.”
“Won’t the lords endure somehow? Since there are many troops of the Imperial Army stationed near the Arpen Kingdom. ”
“First, let’s send reinforcements quickly.”
In order to match the Northern users, they had to gather more troops.
Even before the Haven Empire army’s arrival, Northern users were spreading around the Harpan region.
“We are the Poisonous Mushroom Porridge!”
“The Barley Porridge arrived.”
“Supporting troops of the Beans Porridge has arrived.”
“The Sweet Potato Porridge, the Stone Porridge and the Crab Porridge are waiting.”
Even though the Harpan region was at the edge of the Central Continent, it still had strong fortresses and city walls.
Since the Northern users were hurrying to cross the city walls without having any weapons and gears, hundreds of thousands of people lost their lives pointlessly.
On the other hand, on the Haven Empire’s side, more people were alive than dead.
“Everyone focus and work together. The enemies are weak and don’t have any grand magic or siege weapons. This place won’t collapse!”
The Hermes Guild members who led the Imperial Army were confident.
As long as Royal Road’s special mana and magic arrows existed, enemies of any sizes could be stopped.
Usually, the defending troops of siege warfare should be attacked by troops three times their size to fall. Depending on the situation, even troops hundreds of times bigger might not be able to make them fall.
The Hermes Guild members were anticipating the battle since they could achieve new records for warfare.
“Let’s use the Feather of Lightness.”
On the Northern user’s side, there was a suggestion from the native air troops.
This item can be called a special product from the city Lavia.
This item can make the body’s weight as light as a feather and give the ability to fall from a high place to the ground without harm.
Although it can’t be used during the battle, it was useful while taking over a fortress in a mountainous region.
“But the Feathers of Lightness aren’t good to use in a battle, right?”
One member asked a question.
“Right. Since you are flying slowly, you are an easy target.”
“That’s a big drawback.”
“It will be alright if we use it during the night. They will still try to respond somehow, but if about 100 000 people were to jump over the fortress wall, some of them are bound to land. Those can infiltrate the fortress while the others act as a diversion.”
“I don’t know. Well, even if this plan fails, we will find another way.”
Just like that, 100 000 people were sent.
The Northern users decided to move as planned since they thought it was going to be amusing.
An operation in the middle of the night!
The Haven Empire responded with fire arrows and magic attacks.
It was inevitable that there wasn’t enough firepower and especially since they were nowhere close to the middle of the Central Continent. They only lasted till the following morning.
It was the victory of the Northern users.
Within 5 days, the Northern users had occupied 27% of the Harpan region.
There was no movement from the Grass Porridge Cult units in Morata, Vargo Fortress or the Dawn City. Despite the so-called urgency, the units were standing in line.
After the Lwee Yali fortress was conquered, the lords of the Haven Empire started to lose the will to resist. They were at a disadvantageous position in the war against the Grass Porridge Cult.
Even if the Haven Empire’s reinforcement troops were to arrive a few days later, the lords had no choice but to surrender because the city would be destroyed by then.
“I can’t lose my city and the residents all at once.”
“The Haven Empire won’t leave us alone.”
“Let’s look for chances… when the Northern users show any weak spot, we should rebel.”
“But if we do that, the public opinion of us won’t be good.”
“That’s why we have to act after watching the situation. If needs it, we can just leave the city after taking everything there is.”
After the Haven Empire’s lords surrendered, they decided to act after seeing how the situation unfolded.
If the Haven Empire started to quickly regain its territory, they would stand next to them and fight against the Arpen Kingdom.
However, after the Northern users quickly settled into their cities, they lost the chance to go back to the Haven Empire…
***
“Grass Porridge, Grass Porridge, Grass Porridge!”
“Wow… the guild facilities in this city are quite good. The stores are big and there are lots of supplies.”
“It’s because it’s the Central Continent.”
“It’s my first time in the Central Continent. Overflowing money and technology. Wow… But of course, the Arpen Kingdom is better.”
“Now this place is also a part of the Arpen Kingdom.”
Northern users came through the widely opened gates and peacefully took over the city.
Even though they only used stores and facilities, the users completely changed the city.
For each 2 users that were here before the Northern users took over, 100 new users from the North had come, maybe even more!
The lords opened their eyes widely at the sight of how the sales of weapon stores, armor stores, and general merchandise stores were soaring at the trading post.
“Yesterday’s sales were exceeded by 84 times, especially the sales of pork and chicken… Ah. The Pork Porridge and the Chicken Porridge troops arrived a while ago.”
“Looks like they are buying everything. Except for the expensive weapons, obviously… Is this the joy the lords of the Arpen Kingdom experience? ”
The lords of the Haven Empire received lots of disadvantages; those being in a remote region, that is.
Even though there are lots of users who take long distance adventures, it’s very rare for new users to start in a city which is in the middle of nowhere.
Usually, new users choose the capitals of each region of the Haven Empire or the Arpen Kingdom, so these remote areas are widely neglected.
Even though the lords were trying to develop the city, the number of goods that were consumed remained at a moderate level.
There were mines, but instead of exploiting them they turned to small-scale import operations, and so the mines were crowded by monsters who had to be repressed by mercenaries hired through quests.
Since the Central Continent had a high standard, it was easy to hire mercenaries, but they had always left as soon as they got their money.
“This is an opportunity. The opportunity the heavens gave me in order to develop my city.”
The lords of the Haven Empire from the Harpan region heard about the Arpen Kingdom, so the news was of critical importance to them.
Even though they were worried about the Arpen Kingdom’s development and danger, they couldn’t be happier once they changed their flags.
“Welcome to everyone from the Grass Porridge Cult.”
“Nice to meet you. Welcome.”
“Today we are hosting a free barbeque party at the square. For the participants, the priests are going to hold a blessing ceremony.”
“Come to get a coupon! Weapon exchange coupon for the level 200 users or below. I will give that to the first 1000 people.”
The people from the broadcasting stations were baffled. They came to get news about the bloody battle, but…
“What’s going on ?”
“Why is there a festival suddenly? Are we in the right place?”
“This must be a mistake. But, there is no war at Belden City either. It seems the lord himself betrayed the Haven Empire.”
“You didn’t know that? At the Belden gates, the lord himself came and welcomed the Grass Porridge Cult. He even hung up a huge banner in celebration.”
The viewers were interested in the ongoing events, so people from the broadcasting stations decided to make a live broadcast.
They broadcasted the Northern users’ entrance and the lively faces of the city residents.
The users who were active in the region controlled by the Haven Empire and who came from the Northern part were welcomed.
- Interesting. Of course, it’s the Grass Porridge Cult.
- It’s the human-wave strategy.The signature strategy of the Grass Porridge Cult.
- Let’s have fun. This is going to be interesting.
In some parts of the Harpan region, there were fights which were ongoing between the Imperial Army and the Northern users.
The lords who couldn’t choose to surrender due to their reputation, and those who were closely related to the Haven Empire, had decided to fight.
Even though the defenders fought to the bitter end, due to the sheer numbers of the attackers the castle was eventually taken over.
After this came the plundering!
“Take all the properties of the lords and the Hermes Guild.”
“But don’t harm the citizens.”
“Take everything!”
Grains, war supplies, trading goods that were gathered in the castle’s warehouses, they were all taken by the Northern users.
They spared nothing. They even found the goods that had to be sent South, to the Haven Empire.
Even though the Northern users are righteous, they succumbed to greed.
It became a dog eat dog scenario - if you didn’t take anything, you were an idiot!
Even the Grass Porridge Cult could take everything that belonged to the lord.
They had to ask Seo-Yoon for permission, but she decided to let them plunder.
“This doesn’t belong to the Hermes Guild. Also, you would have to share with those who helped in the strike!”
The Hermes Guild owned many of the main streets and shopping centers, but these places were taken over by the Northern users.
“Cha. Many people are waiting. Everyone take three each. And let’s take only things that can be used.”
“Keep the order. Let’s take everything gracefully.”
“While plundering keeps morale up, everything is for us all.”
Soon there was chaos in several cities because of the plundering.
In the end, even the houses of regular users and locals were robbed.
Even though this was part of the war, the reputation and honor of the burglars had badly decreased.
- During the occupation the city was destroyed due to the fire and plundering.
The Arpen Kingdom’s reputation went down as the kingdom’s actions received a negative response in the nearby regions.
People from the occupied areas started to dislike the kingdom.
They had welcomed the occupants but started to suffer from the pillage.
They had to throw away their expectations and optimism about the Arpen Kingdom.
On the broadcast, it was reported as ‘indiscriminate robbery’ and ‘Hell of Confusion’.
The evaluation on the internet was also a difficult thing to understand.
In the past, when there was a war in the Central Continent, more atrocities happened.The side that won started pillaging, and the side that lost started a fire because of jealously.
But the Grass Porridge Cult’s members were still generous.
- The way to promote robbery!
Rules were made for looting, but actually, you only had to maintain the order.
The broadcasting stations had influenced Northern users to steal the Haven Empire’s property in an orderly fashion.
Since those images were broadcasted, the lords of the Haven Empire in the Harpan region lost their fighting spirit.
They surrendered to the Arpen Kingdom because they realized that if they resisted, they could lose everything.
***
In the Grass Porridge Cult’s emergency strategy room.
A meeting was in progress over the map of the Versailles Continent
“The Haven Empire’s army is strong. That’s why it’s unreasonable to conquer all of the Central Continent.”
“Right. As for our forces right now…”
“Despite the fact that the Northern users always participate in a war, they do have limits. The Imperial Army will also meddle in the attack.”
“Looks like the Hermes Guild has a secret plot. Also, it looks like they are more concerned about the regions dealing with rebel forces and those where development is slow”
“We should show strength to discourage stubborn counterattacks.”
In the Grass Porridge Cult’s emergency strategy room, the best decisions were made using all the gathered information.
What to do with the Northern user forces, what plan to follow to reach the Central Continent, and in what circumstances.
Some of the users belonged to the Ministry of National Defense, but they supported the Grass Porridge Cult.
“We shouldn’t be satisfied with the Imperial land. For a while, there is no profit.”
“I agree. Since the Northern users are involved in a war, the production power and economy are at a decline.”
“The Versailles Continent is too wide. Even though only one region was taken, it can be said that Empire’s power has been partly reduced”
The strategists were worrying while putting down the map of the Versailles continent.
The plans to use the Arpen Kingdom’s power and to destroy the Haven Empire were put aside at the end of the discussion.
“My head hurts. The Haven Empire is very strong. The Northern users will be weakened once they arrive at the center of the Central Continent.”
“If the Empire strengthens their tactics and maneuvers, defending our territory will be challenging…”
“If it’s like that, then the war…”
“The death of the Goddess. Don’t you think that everything is going awry?”
In the minds of the people in the Grass Porridge Cult’s emergency strategy room, Weed was angry again because of their words.
As the result, a surprisingly great plan was made.
“Tear apart. Of course, it wasn’t a matter of abruptly conquering the continent.”
“That’s right. To tear it apart piece by piece. Now I understand the meaning of these words.”
The plan to make the Arpen Kingdom stronger is to tear apart the Haven Empire!
The beginning wasn’t even on the land but rather in the water.
“We have to make a statement.”
“But how…”
“All the users who don’t belong to the Hermes Guild think of us as a hope. If we surrender, that’s the end.”
The Grass Porridge Cult and the Northern users wanted to keep their pride. Even though they started Royal Road later, they didn’t want to give in without a fight.
“That’s what Weed said. To tear apart the Haven Empire.”
“Umm…”
“At that time we were too narrow-minded .”
***
Hye, Fractal, Boromir
The 3 mad sharks of Becky Nin.
The ones who went to trade to the far-flung Southern region could not hide their joy.
“Our saviors .”
“God… Is that our Armada ?”
“There’s no doubt. We are true pirate admirals.”
A pirate!
A buccaneer that belongs to a country and sink merchants’ or enemies’ ships.
The 3 mad sharks of Becky Nin were appointed as the Arpen Kingdom’s buccaneers.
The users of Varna port and Rezard were in a conflict with the Haven Empire, so they were repressed.
The Northern coast was filled with small and medium sailing vessels, adventure ships, galleys and trading ships.
There were amulet ships for the battle and simple fishing boats.
“Let’s get some more pirates.”
“Where are you going? Huk huk huk.”
“I have a skeleton flag. How’s it? Also, there is a bad tooth on the skull.”
“??? Nosae, nosae, nosae. Because I’m young… ???”
“Old man, stop singing! I’m trying to fish.”
As the waves hit the seashore, more than 100,000 ships were seen.
If you compare that to the number of Northern users, it looks like a small amount, but in reality, it wasn’t.
The 3 mad sharks of Becky Nin were sailing on a ship that could board up to 150 working people.
“Give us a ride.”
“Is this ship going to the Haven Empire?”
“Old man, can we go to the Lidum region on this ship?”
“I’m looking for a ship sailing for Rhodium. I’m a warrior, I can give a hand to your crew.”
Even the regular users boarded ships like taxis!
Considering the weather and the current, they got ready to depart during the night.
Every ship was filled with supplies and trading goods.
“Set the Sails.”
Dawn.
About 100,000 ships were shining brightly and left for the South.
The 3 mad sharks of Becky Nin were leading and other ships were trailing them.
Kyaak! Kyaaa!
There were people who were annoyed by their flaps and squeezed to sit at the front of the ship.
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