novelraw Chapter 101: Delicious Side Dish (2)
Chapter 101: Delicious Side Dish (2)
Translator: Dreamscribe
Jinwoo enjoyed the battlefield together with the Heroes.
‘Everyone’s excited.’
Even though there were many different kinds of content, the battlefield was still the place where one could be the most heroic. It was the kind of place where one could unleash all the pent-up madness, then heal through other content afterward, truly the life of a Hero.
This battlefield allowed the Heroes to pour out everything they had without any burden. After all, they were mercenaries being paid to rampage.
“Great experience points!”
“This is it!”
“How many kills do you have?”
“104 kills.”
The experience points weren’t bad either.
The mummy soldiers raised by Baron Huggmon were around level 55. The higher the title, the stronger the troops they commanded. Since such mummy soldiers were swarming across the battlefield, the experience points were soaring.
They could enjoy the fight, the experience points were good, and if they won, rewards followed!
It was the perfect content made only of the elements Heroes loved.
When Jinwoo stretched out his hand and deployed Sanctuary, the Heroes’ wounds healed, and their health quickly recovered. The Heroes bowed their heads to him.
“Thank you!”
“Comfortable-nim! Thank you!”
“Your healing amount is insane. You’re the best!”
The Heroes treated Jinwoo with great courtesy. Every time they received healing, they stopped fighting and offered their thanks.
When NorthernGrandDuke felled a giant soldier in one strike, the Heroes let out cheers.
Haebyul admired her performance.
“Kyaaa! Unnie, you’re so cool!”
-As expected of rank 1.
-She took that down alone.
-At this rate, she could go for a second job advancement?
NorthernGrandDuke had already perfected her own battle style. She could freely wield aura, so she was no less than a knight. If she kept growing like this, one could only wonder how strong she would become.
In reality, seeing his noona always made Jinwoo feel a little intimidated. Every time she smiled faintly, the pressure could be felt throughout his entire body.
'...I should treat her even better.'
Jinwoo unleashed Intermediate Sacred Technique at full power, granting buffs to NorthernGrandDuke and the Heroes around her. NorthernGrandDuke looked toward Jinwoo.
“Valhalla.”
After saying that, she began sweeping across the battlefield again.
“Kyaaa!”
“D-die!”
"Heh, hehehe..., this is what they call the feel of combat."
Lumina, who had followed her, was also adapting well to the battlefield in her own way.
Since rewards were given based on performance, the Heroes competed with each other as they wiped out the enemy forces.
The so-called “named” Heroes no longer relied solely on skills. They faced enemies with movements they had mastered with their bodies, using skills only when necessary. It was a veteran player’s efficiency-oriented approach.
The enemy force, which had exceeded a hundred thousand, quickly dwindled. Some Heroes did die, but the number was very small.
“Oh! That elephant!”
“It’s been a while since I’ve seen it. Feels nostalgic!”
As the number of troops dropped sharply, Baron Huggmon’s side summoned their ultimate weapon. It was the siege weapon that had destroyed the fortress walls during the Great War. It was even bigger and looked far more savage than back then.
Thud!
It crushed nearby mummy soldiers underfoot and charged toward the Heroes. Jinwoo looked at the siege weapon and smirked.
“That looks like something we could ride.”
That remark stirred the romance not only of the Romance Hero but also of every Hero nearby. During the Great War, when the siege weapon had charged forward, Heroes had thought at least once about how fun it would be to ride it.
A siege weapon as big as a building!
How fun would it be to climb onto it?
“Oh…”
“That’s a very good idea!”
“As expected of Comfortable-nim!”
“Let’s do it right now!”
A single mistake could mean getting crushed to death, but it was still worth the attempt.
Because that was where the romance was!
Hundreds of named Heroes around Jinwoo put their weapons into their inventories and looked toward the siege weapon. Their expressions were full of excitement, just like children in front of an amusement park ride.
It was right when the siege weapon approached, ready to crush them all.
UruBear raised both arms.
“Let’s gooo!”
At his shout, the Heroes all rushed toward the siege weapon at once.
“I’ll go first!”
“Uwaaa!”
“Haha!”
“Wow, you’re fast.”
“I’m an assassin.”
They clung to the legs of the siege weapon and began climbing as if scaling a cliff. Several Heroes were trampled to death, but no one paid it any mind.
-These guys are addicts for dopamine.
-Ah, even I wouldn’t be able to resist that ㅋㅋ
-Now that’s romance!
Jinwoo climbed the siege weapon’s leg together with the Heroes and reached its back. The siege weapon was much bigger than even the giants, so it was spacious enough for hundreds of Heroes to ride on it.
“Kya!”
“The view’s great!”
"The inside there looks prosperous."
"Are those fields? These bastards are on a different scale.”
“The farming Heroes are probably losing their minds.”
They were so high up that they could look down on the scenery.
The siege weapon was heading toward Baron Burzirol’s camp. Jinwoo made his way toward its head and looked at Haebyul.
“Can you stick harpoons into both horns?”
“Of course!”
Haebyul took out a massive bow from her inventory, as tall as she was, and set a long harpoon on it. Once Jinwoo imbued it with sacred technique, she fired immediately.
Whoosh! Thunk!
The harpoon struck perfectly into the siege weapon’s horn. The sacred technique-infused harpoon melted and fused with the horn. Haebyul quickly fired another harpoon into the other horn.
-Nice shot!
-Her skill is insane.
-How’d she do that?
-Haebyul went to an archery range last time and was insanely good. The national team athletes were shocked.
The Heroes applauded her skill in admiration.
Though she usually seemed clumsy, she sometimes showed the prowess befitting a named Hero. All the Heroes atop the siege weapon turned their gaze to Jinwoo.
Arsilan Saga was a free-form game.
With no fixed rules, everything could be created by the players themselves. The Heroes knew this well, so they were curious to see what Jinwoo would do.
Shhk!
Jinwoo opened the sacred technique book.
On the final page of the Intermediate Sacred Technique book was a sealed technique. When he cast it, holy light burst forth. It was a sacred technique that bound enemies with chains of light, the most difficult among the intermediate sacred techniques.
Whoosh!
Chains of light connected to the harpoons lodged in both horns. When Jinwoo handed the chains to the Heroes, they immediately understood his intent.
“Ooh!”
“As expected of Comfortable-nim.”
“Khh!”
Priest Comfortable had once again completely fired up the Heroes!
When Jinwoo asked NorthernGrandDuke to lead, she instantly commanded the Heroes. They split into two groups and each took hold of a chain.
It looked exactly like holding onto reins.
“Right side! Pull!”
Creak!
Heroes above level 65 each had strength comparable to a tank. With their incredible might, the siege weapon’s head turned to the side. The siege weapon that had been charging forward began to change direction.
“Wow! This is great!”
“Should we ask the Creator God to make one for us?”
“Would be awesome if we could produce them per domain.”
“That would look badass.”
The suggestions from the Heroes were immediately passed on to Jinwoo.
‘That might work.’
It seemed fun to design a system that allowed various siege weapons to be summoned based on domain size using invasion contribution points or treasures.
The Heroes wanted to spend premium currency. They often shouted at the Creator God to release more paid items, claiming that if things went on like this, He’d be living off instant ramen every day. Adding a variety of premium skins for siege weapons didn’t sound like a bad idea either.
“Guys! Should we just ride this straight over there?”
“Let’s gooo!”
“Let’s smash everything!”
The siege weapon’s direction fully shifted, and it began charging toward Baron Huggmon’s domain.
***
Baron Huggmon, who had collapsed clutching the back of his neck, came to his senses and hurriedly summoned the siege weapon “Karak”. Although his body would barely move from the enormous energy he had already spent, Karak should at least be able to trample the barbarians to death!
For a brief moment, he entertained that foolish hope.
“Huff… i-it’s coming this way!”
“R-run!”
His retainers abandoned Baron Huggmon and began fleeing.
Baron Huggmon could not believe the sight before his eyes.
The barbarians riding on Karak were indiscriminately unleashing magic and attacks in all directions, charging straight toward him.
“D-disappear!”
He shouted at Karak, which was rapidly approaching, but it did not vanish. The sealing sacred technique wrapped around Karak’s horns brushed aside his command without effort.
“Uh… uhh…”
Karak advanced right up to Baron Huggmon. The fleeing retainers were crushed under its massive feet, and others exploded under the barbarians’ attacks. Karak’s enormous foot came down directly above Baron Huggmon.
“Uwaaa!”
Baron Huggmon screamed and thrashed, but he could not escape.
Thud!
Fortunately, Karak’s massive foot stomped right next to him instead. The tremendous vibration and shockwave lifted Baron Huggmon’s body into the air.
“Guhk!”
He was hurled upward and then slammed back down to the ground. Landing face-first, he spat out the dirt that had filled his mouth, then barely managed to turn his head to look toward his domain.
The barbarians behind Karak were casting some strange magic.
Dozens of magic circles floated into the air, then flames and wind erupted forth.
Kieeeeng!
Karak screamed.
With the massive propulsion from behind, Karak’s legs began moving so fast it strained its joints. Its legs flailed wildly, as if swimming in midair.
Karak charged toward his city at incredible speed. Although surrounded by fortress walls, Karak was a siege weapon from the start.
Boom!
When Karak struck the walls, they exploded apart, scattering debris in all directions. Karak did not stop there. It smashed through the walls and continued forward, demolishing Baron Huggmon’s once-beautiful manor.
“Ah…”
Baron Huggmon stared at the scene blankly.
The barbarians continued to control Karak, trampling the city at will before turning back toward him.
Kieeeeng! Krkkrkrkrk! Thud!
Karak’s leg joints shattered, and its massive body toppled forward. A gigantic cloud of dust rose, and the shockwave sent Baron Huggmon flying.
As Karak faded and disappeared, the barbarians spotted Baron Huggmon and approached.
They looked down at him.
Baron Huggmon trembled all over.
He was terrified of what these barbarians might do to him.
“Earlier, when this guy said something, it summoned that thing.”
“Oh, really?”
“Once more!”
“Again!”
Baron Huggmon desperately tried to understand the barbarians’ words. One of them pointed at the spot where Karak had disappeared and raised a single finger.
When Baron Huggmon cautiously raised his index finger, the barbarians grinned and cheered.
“Huaaah!”
Using every ounce of his remaining strength, Baron Huggmon desperately summoned Karak again. His remaining troops vanished as Karak reappeared.
“Anyone who hasn’t ridden yet? This is super fun!”
“Me!”
“Oooh!”
The barbarians climbed onto Karak, and the city walls became battered and torn.
Boom!
Explosions continued to echo from the direction of the city. Baron Huggmon squeezed his eyes shut and buried his face in the dirt.
***
The domain war that had begun with Baron Burzirol’s declaration was swiftly concluded thanks to the Heroes who participated as mercenaries. Baron Burzirol used his forces to strip Baron Huggmon and his retainers of everything, seizing every treasure in the domain.
When the Heroes approached, Baron Burzirol spread his arms wide to welcome them.
“Thank you! You are truly brave warriors!”
When the Heroes looked at him, he faltered under their overwhelming presence. Tia cleared her throat. Then, as if suddenly remembering something, Baron Burzirol began moving his short arms and legs.
The Heroes blinked at the sight.
“Huh, isn’t that…”
“…the dance that’s popular at the Marogo Club?”
“Unexpectedly trendy.”
-ㅋㅋㅋ what the heck
-What is that.
-Weird… but kinda cute.
Sweating profusely, Baron Burzirol’s dancing came across as very refreshing to the Heroes.
“Huff! Huff!”
When the passionate dance ended, Baron Burzirol looked toward Tia. When she gave him a nod, his face lit up with satisfaction.
“This is a welcome ceremony my master prepared for you all.”
Through a translation spell, Tia conveyed this message.
The effect was immediate!
Though he had been an enemy, he seemed to have a story, and seeing him work so hard made everyone curious about his side story.
“Then, I will give you your rewards.”
Baron Burzirol had already entrusted everything about the rewards to Tia. He was content simply with having defeated Baron Huggmon.
Swoosh!
When Tia spread out a map, the Heroes saw Baron Huggmon’s domain appear before them in the form of an information window.
“I will divide the treasures and territory here among you.”
[Congratulations! You have won the Domain War! Morwen will distribute rewards according to performance!]
Rewards were calculated by guild, party, and domain.
“We only need the territory. We will give up all the treasures.”
NorthernGrandDuke and the Heroes who followed her gave up all treasures in exchange for the territory. Since this place was closest to her domain, the Heroes who had contributed greatly yielded the land to her.
The Romance Heroes did the same.
Haebyul approached NorthernGrandDuke.
“Unnie.”
“Mm.”
“Are you growing the northern domain for that goal of yours?”
When Haebyul asked, NorthernGrandDuke smiled brightly and nodded. She had spoken quite a lot with Haebyul when they had formed a party together. From then until now, her goal had never changed.
The Heroes turned to look at NorthernGrandDuke.
“I will build a great domain on this land and earn recognition from Prince Leon…”
Her goal.
Her very name declared it.
“I will become the Grand Duke of the North!”
Northern Grand Duke!
Hearing her ambition, the Heroes nodded in admiration. Many of the named Heroes present joined the northern domain after hearing of her goal.
[Morwen’s trust in her mercenaries has increased!]
[Morwen grants additional rewards!]
[C] Cotton Spider Summoning Scroll
A one-time-use scroll that summons a spider the size of your palm.
It can be tamed and carried around or released in your domain to raise.
The cotton spider eats pests and produces spider silk.
[D] Transformation Potion
A potion that allows transformation into various races.
A potion produced in Arsilan in the distant past.
*Transformation Duration: 1 day
These were rewards Tia had separately prepared.
“Oh! Extra rewards are nice!”
“Spider noona…”
Tia stood demurely and bowed her head to the Heroes.
“I look forward to working with you.”
The seemingly foolish Baron Burzirol and his competent aide Morwen.
They became a major topic of discussion in Arsilan Worlds.
***
A major rift appeared in the Eastern Noble Union.
The one who fired the signal flare was Baron Burzirol. The previously indifferent Baron began seizing multiple domains, starting with Baron Huggmon’s.
The Marquis sought out the prophet most closely connected to God. The prophet used to convey the word of God to the Marquis, but ever since the connection to God had been severed, only silence had remained.
“Prophet! Do you still not hear the word of God?”
“Hmm!”
The Marquis’s prophet appeared as a gaunt skeleton. The being inhabiting the prophet was none other than Hallon.
When the Marquis appeared, he spread his arms wide.
“Uhh… uhhhhhh!”
Hallon flailed his arms and let out a shout of focus. The Marquis widened his eyes at the sight.
“Hoo-hah! Huaaaht! I… I see it!”
“What… what do you see?!”
The Marquis looked at Hallon nervously at his words.
“I see the future.”
“Tell me!”
“U-uhhh! It’s burning! The domain…! Baron Burzirol no, Count Burzirol, is burning the domain!”
The Marquis was aghast at Hallon’s words. The prophet had never once spoken a lie before. If he ever uttered falsehoods, he would be cursed by God and condemned to suffer eternally.
“And… and what of Lady Verona?”
“U-uhhh! At the hands of the barbarians hired by Baron Burzirol… Uwaaaah!”
Hallon’s body went limp.
“You there!”
Even when the Marquis shook his body, there was no response.
The Marquis shot to his feet and went to find his strategist. As the Marquis rushed out, Hallon, watching his back, sent a message to Hasman.
Hallon (Prophet): Marquis coming now
└ Hasman (Strategist): OK
Hasman was reading a book, but when the Marquis approached, he stood. The Marquis relayed the prophecy and the current situation.
“So, he handed over his domain and treasures to the barbarians and hired them. I hear their numbers are quite large. How about we offer a more enticing reward and hire even more of them?”
“Hmm…”
“That foolish Baron Burzirol is managing to seize surrounding domains easily. We should take advantage of this as well.”
The Marquis nodded and looked out the window. Airi was watering the garden.
“I’ll leave it to you.”
“I will obey your command.”
When the rumor spread that the Marquis was hiring barbarians, other nobles began to follow suit one by one.
[Baron Burzirol is recruiting mercenaries!]
[Count Highrun is recruiting mercenaries!]
[Marquis Namas is recruiting mercenaries!]
Many other nobles recruited mercenaries as well.
Such information was immediately relayed to the Heroes.
Title: Which faction are you joining?
Looks like each faction has its own side story, and honestly, I’m most curious about Spider Noona’s. But LifeHunter said he’s joining another one.
If we’re lucky, we might see Valhalla VS Hunter.
Really looking forward to it.
Anonymous1 (KR): Isn’t this basically ‘Romance of the Three Kingdoms’?
Anonymous2 (US): It’s a faction war! Only the victorious mercenaries will earn hefty rewards!
HohoGamMan: I’ve prepared a gift for Morwen-ssi. Time to raise that affinity.
Anonymous3 (JP): The Marquis’s faction is the largest.
AlwaysZhugeLiang: At last, the time has come for me to act.
└ WifeFengxian: How laughable!
└ DuDungTak: The world is mine.
Warlords everywhere!
Arsilan Worlds was heating up even more!
*****
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