Chapter 91

From next time, a new chapter, and updates will be every two days.

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"Good work, Altrius."

"You too, K. It was a relief to have you in charge of the rear command."

"Well, there was no one else suitable for the job besides me, after all."

Inside the clan house of the clan 'Camelot.'

The round table conference room at the back is a special place where only certain players, including the squad leaders, are allowed to enter.

Although not all the seats were filled, more members were present than when a single man was invited recently.

Altrius, sitting in the seat at the far end of the room, surveyed the members.

"Well... first of all, thank you for your hard work during the event. Thanks to everyone, I believe we achieved good results this time."

Altrius looked around the room and offered words of appreciation.

The reactions to his words varied. Some smiled proudly, others bowed respectfully, and some blushed and looked down—however, among them, one person alone had a frown on his face.

Altrius gave a slight smile at the person who always seemed to have a difficult expression.

"Are you not satisfied, K?"

"No... I think the results themselves were sufficient. After all, we finished the battle faster than in any other area."

"Hey, if that's the case, what's the problem?"

"Hmph, it's obvious. It's about the event results."

K narrowed his eyes and responded to Boman's interjection.

The event results, to be announced by the GM the next day, were determined by the number of enemies defeated. It was also announced that there would be both individual and clan categories.

That's why—

"This time, the individual category was taken by someone else. That's a bit disappointing."

"Hahaha! That's asking too much, Lord K. No matter how efficiently you move, it's impossible to match his combat ability as an individual."

"...If the strongest in our clan says so, then that's that."

K sighed at Duerack's laughing words.

This time, they had fought alongside a player named Quon, with whom they had formed an alliance.

His existence had been recognized by the members of 'Camelot' since the day he logged in.

He was said to be the teacher of the once-strongest player, the 'Crimson Sword Maiden.'

He defeated opponents with a level difference of 15 or more, and immediately after logging in, he went straight to defeat the first boss.

His combat ability was so overwhelming that it was even considered nonsensical to discuss it as a single player's strength.

"This time, we were able to work with Quon. I think we have a good understanding of his combat ability."

"Indeed, that's true. Master's words about treating him as an organization rather than an individual... I fully understand."

"Of course, that's how it should be."

Dean nodded deeply, and a girl in a white robe with a frivolous smile affirmed his words.

She was Marin, the leader of the support squad, with her white hair swaying. She had come to the front lines and continuously cast support spells to the surrounding players. She sighed dramatically and spoke up.

"Speaking of pure combat ability, it's indeed incredibly high, but it's still at a level where strategies can be devised. No matter how powerful he is, he is an individual, and his combat style has its biases. He should be weak if countered—right?"

"That scream, huh? Hahaha! That's not something you can counter!"

"Ah, exactly, Sergeant. That scream, which seems to be a form of intimidation... there's nothing you can do about it."

The large, blonde man, Sergeant, laughed heartily.

Marin, maintaining her frivolous demeanor, smiled wryly in response.

"Just one scream can immobilize an entire army. The strategic value of this is immeasurable. Moreover, according to Sergeant, there are three more similar techniques."

"Well, I've only seen one other."

"In short, his combat ability is still a mystery."

Marin's words left everyone in the room silent.

Even in this battle, Quon's performance was extraordinary.

If he hasn't even used his full potential, their reaction is understandable.

"Anyway... I think you understand what I'm trying to say, right?"

"An alliance with him and the 'Eleanor Guild'... Indeed, if it's formed, it will be a significant one. But—"

"Our work overlaps with the 'Eleanor Guild.' How do you plan to divide the responsibilities?"

K and Boman, who oversee production and procurement, asked Altrius.

Quon's combat ability is no longer in doubt; he has shown his worth.

However, for them, the alliance with the 'Eleanor Guild' is not a trivial matter.

The 'Eleanor Guild,' the largest production clan, undoubtedly surpasses 'Camelot' in scale.

If not handled carefully, their squad's existence could become meaningless.

Altrius responded with a faint smile.

"Of course, we won't entrust our production activities to them. What I expect from the 'Eleanor Guild' is their management ability, which rivals that of a nation."

"...I'm sorry, Altrius. What are you thinking?"

"At the end of the event, the demon said that the demon attacks are happening across the entire world. This means that a war is happening globally. It's our duty as players to deal with it... do you agree so far?"

Altrius looked around the round table.

The squad leaders nodded slightly, though somewhat confused.

Altrius smiled faintly and continued.

"In the affected countries, there will naturally be issues with supplies. This affects not only the locals but also our own supply lines."

"...Do you plan to entrust the supply lines to the 'Eleanor Guild'?"

"Rather, I believe she will take the initiative. If the local market is still alive, it's one thing, but if it's dead, there's no reason to hold back."

Altrius highly regards Eleanor.

To the point where she can be compared to Quon. They are geniuses specialized in their respective fields, though in different directions.

—Just as Altrius is highly regarded by both of them.

"Quon will blaze the trail, 'Camelot' will control the opened path, and the 'Eleanor Guild' will organize the situation. This alliance will naturally settle into this form."

"...Quon, who charges ahead without caring about others, and Eleanor, who quickly extends her reach when she senses business opportunities... I thought they couldn't be controlled, but you don't intend to control them at all?"

"Exactly, it's enough to align our steps. As long as we can share how we will move, we can act while ensuring each other's room to maneuver."

Altrius deepened his smile.

With a pleasant appearance, hiding a profound depth.

"Of course, this is a valuable alliance. If there are areas where we can cooperate, we will establish agreements. Delivery of frontline materials from us, joint research on item development... there are countless possibilities."

"...Understood, Altrius. Let's work on it."

K sighed and made up his mind.

Feeling the intense changes that would make their past efforts seem trivial—yet, he, and they, wore a defiant smile.

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"---The demons were almost entirely eliminated by the foreigners, correct?"

"That's right. We, the knights, were unable to demonstrate our valor..."

"No, that's fine. The foreigners are immortal. Since they were taking the lead, it would have been a loss for us to push ourselves. You were protecting and escorting the people. That's good enough."

"Thank you, Your Majesty."

In the capital of the Kingdom of Alphasia, Bergsarde.

In the center of the white castle—where the country's key figures gathered and exchanged words.

A top-secret meeting, not even known to the nobility.

In this room of heavyweights, King Onstall sighed gloomily.

"Then... is that report true?"

"Yes. In the eastern battlefield, the foreigner who slew many demons—Quon, the demon slayer. He undoubtedly possessed the sword techniques that form the basis of the Three Demon Swords."

The hall buzzed at Knight Commander Christophe's words.

It's not surprising, given their history.

The Sword Saint Oakes and his three disciples. The Three Demon Swords, created by Oakes, were inherited by them. Among them, the swordsman who inherited the 'Death-Dealing Sword' went mad and repeatedly committed murder.

This tragedy is still fresh in their memory, a terrifying and horrific event.

"Of course it's dangerous! Indeed, his achievement of slaying demons is remarkable, but for such a powerful person to wield that sword...!"

"Even if you say that, what do you intend to do? The foreigners are immortal, and there's no way to stop them!"

"Then you're saying we should just leave it as it is!"

Christophe sighed softly at the clamor.

Among those present, he knows Quon best.

However, it's not as if they have a long history, making it difficult to defend him.

Quon is usually calm and intellectual.

But on the battlefield, he shows a completely different side.

(That figure... the one who strangled demons while laughing... which one is the real Quon? No, but... he did save us, after all!)

Swallowing the fear he felt towards him, Christophe raised his head.

He spoke loudly, so his words would resonate throughout the room.

"My king, I have heard from the Sword Saint about this man."

"Hmm... so you have been in contact with him. What did he say?"

"He said—Quon, the foreigner, is a swordsman who, in terms of technique, is on par with himself and is skilled in self-control and swordsmanship."

The former sword instructor, Sword Saint Oakes, who appeared in the port town west of the capital, spoke about Quon after single-handedly eliminating a group of demons.

It's unknown how they met and why Oakes took a liking to him, but Oakes clearly trusted Quon.

After all—

"He also mentioned that if Quon were to go mad, he would have gone mad long ago."

"...I see. If he says that, then he must be a remarkable individual. Everyone, calm down."

The nobles, who had been arguing, fell silent.

They were not called here to waste words. These capable subordinates listened to the king's words.

"We have no reason to harm him, and it would be against the goddess to bind a foreigner... We are forbidden from taking any action against that swordsman."

"But... is that really okay?"

"Truly a thousand men in one, but I have no intention of breaking the agreement."

Hearing the king's words, the meeting room gradually calmed down.

Christophe let out a silent sigh of relief.

He owed a debt to Quon. For saving his friend's daughter.

(This should repay some of it... but the threat of demons hasn't disappeared. We will need his help again.)

Christophe, with the image of the defiantly smiling swordsman in his mind, continued to think about the future, ignoring the buzzing of the meeting.