Chapter 73

‘No way.’

Oto thought that the worst-case scenario might have unfolded when he saw Ego and the merchants rushing over.

And his thoughts were correct.

“…That’s how it turned out.”

Ego informed Oto that the cargo convoy had been plundered.

“Ugh… Ugh!”

As soon as Oto heard the report, he clutched his head as if in pain, looking distressed.

‘I knew it would come to this.’

Ever since he heard the news that Kaisei, the second-in-command of the Kungirat tribe and the successor to Amukan, had died, he knew that such a situation would arise.

Toghril.

As the leader of the Kerait tribe, the largest power in the Habar steppe, he was also one of the 100 lords.

The main storyline of the Habar steppe itself revolved around the conflict between Amukan, the young chief of the Kungirat tribe, and Toghril, the chief of the Kerait tribe.

‘Does it make sense for Kaisei to die so quickly?’

Kaisei, as a peer to Amukan, was a hero unit with immense potential.

Thus, even if Amukan were to die or disappear, Kaisei could still stand up to Toghril.

At the very least, he was expected to defend the western trade route….

‘Things keep getting worse.’

The butterfly effect caused by Amukan’s premature appearance was exceeding expectations.

‘Well, who would have known that the old man would be sleeping in Eldolregon’s tomb?’

Oto glanced at Kuran, who was talking to Camille.

“Who… is this?”

“……”

Kuran’s dementia had flared up again, and he didn’t recognize Camille, whom he had seen over the past few days.

‘This is another situation I haven’t experienced… It’s a dilemma.’

This was the world inside the game <Feudal Wars>.

However, the certainty that the game and reality were not 100% identical was now a fact.

While the basic framework and information of the game scenario were the same, the flow was clearly deviating slightly.

Since the game and reality couldn’t be 100% identical, even a small event was causing a significant butterfly effect.

‘I need to be more careful from now on.’

Oto thought this as he kicked Amukan’s buttocks again.

“Hey, you! It’s all your fault!”

“Cough!”

Amukan flew far away again and landed clumsily with a thud.

Of course, Amukan didn’t get hurt or feel pain.

Amukan was a character with a strong constitution, and Oto didn’t kick him with real intent, so he was just pushed away.

“Just like that!”

Oto held back his urge to beat up Amukan.

What good would it do to beat up a subordinate he had just accepted?

Sigh!

It’s my fate!

“Anyway.”

Oto turned to Ego.

“So, our losses are not minor, right?”

“I wish they were just minor… In reality, I am as good as ruined.”

“That’s true. No matter how much we try to cover the costs, the amount will be substantial.”

“Your Highness, what should we do? If we continue like this….”

“Ego, you’ll be ruined. I’ll be ruined. We’ll all go down together, happily and completely. Bankrupt.”

“What should we do? We must take revenge. Even if we are to be ruined, we must take revenge on those who harmed our workers….”

“Of course we must.”

Oto’s eyes turned cold.

“Our people, our money, our territory. They’ve messed with all three. How can I just let it go?”

If the workers had been spared and only the cargo and trade route had been plundered, there might have been room for minimal negotiation.

However, with the workers massacred, any chance of negotiation was out of the question.

Even if they were to make a hundred concessions and negotiate, it would be impossible to bear the anger of the bereaved families.

Can human lives be compensated with a few coins?

“An eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. I will repay them tenfold.”

Oto declared his revenge in a tone that was completely different from his usual, chilling and cold.

Why?

Because to resolve this incident, he needed to be ruthless.

* * *

Ding!

The quest window appeared.

[Blood Vengeance]

Objective: Reclaim the western trade route and punish those who plundered and massacred.

Progress: 0% (0/1)

Reward: Ego the Goblin Merchant’s Gift Box

Note: Since the quest completion conditions are not set in stone, don’t act too hastily.