Chapter 36

"Fire Arrow"

The flaming arrow scorched the earth. The vampire fell with a death rattle. It seemed that this was the last of the monsters in this town. The noise of battle that had been coming from all directions had somehow stopped.

This was the second time I had liberated a town dominated by vampires on my way from Sharand to Clermont. Since they were all high-level monsters, I couldn't handle them alone, but I was protected by the party of sturdy warriors. Their fangs would never reach me. Thank you, Raul and the guards.

They, clad in the same armor (a bit envious, I wonder if they got it from the guild), were members of Raul's guild and didn't talk much. We only exchanged a few words. I wanted to get along a bit more, but it was almost impossible to have a light conversation with a hardcore solo player and a taciturn player.

We were almost always together, but all the members of Raul's guild had a high login rate. I was spending a lot of time since the summer vacation started, but they seemed to be logged in even more, almost 24 hours a day. I wonder when they rest. It seems that the motivation is high in top-tier guilds.

Why am I doing this, and why am I heading to Clermont now? Actually, Raul's guild is planning to attack Clermont, and I'm accompanying them because Raul invited me.

However, we're not taking the shortest route but a detour to the northeast. Perhaps the bridge hasn't been repaired yet. When will it be fixed? Did I overdo it?

There was also a town dominated by vampires on the way, so today we liberated that town. It's impressive that a major guild has the strength and resources to own multiple towns. The event rules don't specify that a guild can't own multiple towns. In fact, we had already liberated another town. During this event period, it will likely turn into a territorial battle between guilds.

I'm participating in the battles not only to help but also to level up. When I told Raul I wanted to join the battles, he suggested I form a party with guild members to protect me, a low-level player. Thank you, Raul and the guards.

Thanks to the party, I managed to defeat quite a few monsters. I'm using the "Book of Blessing," and my level has risen considerably, probably because the enemies were high-level. I didn't want to be a burden, so I've been leveling up solo in my free time, which seems to have paid off. It's not enough to change my class yet, though.

There are so many people. Soldiers who have completed their tasks are patrolling the town, probably on the lookout for any remaining monsters.

When Raul's guild moves, it's on a scale that can be called a march. There are so many players that there must be NPCs mixed in. When you own a territory, can you hire and command the NPCs living there? Since the event is still difficult and few guilds own territories, there's no information on what happens after acquiring a territory. I wonder if you can control NPCs.

Summoner's summoned creatures are also NPCs, and hiring mercenary NPCs is common in other games. However, I can confidently say that no existing game allows you to command NPCs on this scale. With the diverse NPCs in "Another World," it's not impossible, but it's a mystery.

Well, there's no point in thinking about it. I'm not the one who will get a territory and control NPCs. I'll check the information on the wiki when it's all available.

"Hey, Chaos"

After a round of inspection, Rozeline, or rather Rozaline, approached with a large number of guards. She was wearing light, easy-to-move-in clothes, not the dress she wore in Sharand. Yes, I'm more comfortable with this look. The dress made me nervous.

"Princess, that's improper."

Raul was with her. It seems he's always with Rozaline when she talks. Rozaline looks dissatisfied with Raul's words.

"I know, Uncle. But a little break is fine, isn't it?"

"Well, you're always stubborn about this. Just for a little while, then."

No matter what, Raul respects Rozaline's wishes. He's overly indulgent. I guess a niece is like a daughter to him.

"This is so stifling. Don't you think so?"

When Rozaline asked me, I nodded. It's a bit tough to talk casually with her surrounded by so many people, especially with a guardian around.

Rozaline seemed pleased, but Raul's expression turned sour.

Raul, perhaps, is a typical overprotective uncle. Various things fit this theory. He might be trying to keep me away from Rozaline, who is around the age of a teenager and gets along well with me. As an uncle, it's understandable to be worried, but he's a bit too overprotective. It's like having a guardian always around while playing with friends. It's uncomfortable. If it were just one of them, it wouldn't be so bad.

"This place has been ravaged quite a bit."

Rozaline looked around and sighed sadly. The damage from the vampire's rule varies by location. Clermont was almost deserted, but the buildings were intact, and it could quickly return to normal once people returned. However, in this town, some houses were in ruins, and others needed to be rebuilt.

This damage wasn't from the recent battle. It was likely caused by the vampires. If a town isn't liberated quickly, it might end up like this. Even after liberation, the buildings and NPCs don't seem to return immediately. Perhaps they will be restored during server maintenance. ...But that's not mentioned anywhere. I think it's quite important.

Maybe the territory owners have to rebuild the town like in a city-building simulation game. That sounds interesting, though.

"I hope we can liberate Clermont from the vampires soon."

"...That's why so many soldiers have gathered. We will definitely liberate it. Chaos, will you lend us your strength?"

"Of course."

Clermont is the starting point of the game and an important base for player activities. Since the event, few players have been active in the commune. The few remaining players have fled to the towns around Clermont. However, once a town is liberated and owned by a guild, it's different, but the towns that haven't been liberated are still part of the event. They could become like Clermont at any time.

That's why we need to liberate Clermont quickly. Not just for beginners, but for other players who are also inconvenienced. Plus, I want to help the guild that has been so kind to me. I'll do my best!

***

From the reports of the surveillance assigned to Chaos, there were many suspicious points about him.

On the surface, he hasn't caused any problems. He doesn't seem to be good with people and doesn't actively build relationships, but he doesn't disrupt the army's actions and is obedient. At first, Raul suspected that Chaos might take advantage of the situation and do something, but at least in battle, he was very cooperative.

What caught Raul's attention in the reports was that Chaos was growing as a mage at an accelerated rate. There are people with extraordinary talent, but Chaos was in a different category. No, something felt different to Raul.

Rapid growth and strength in a short time do happen, especially with mages. When they learn new spells, the difference is noticeable. However, in Chaos's case, it was more than that. A spell that initially had the power of an inexperienced mage had, in just a few days, surpassed the average mage's power. It's like a swordsman suddenly gaining strength in the middle of a battle. For a support mage, it might be possible, but it's not normal.

He might have been hiding his true strength from the beginning, but if that were the case, why is he showing it now? Raul couldn't understand his intentions, even if he was a shapeshifter.

Another suspicious point was that Chaos regularly disappeared. Specifically, he vanished during meals or sleep. He might be communicating with someone outside, but instead of hiding it, he openly used a teleportation spell in front of the soldiers. Teleportation spells are not well-known because few mages can use them, but they are supposed to only move to a place called a portal. Chaos's teleportation spell is a new type.

When asked where he went during these times, he said he was returning to eat and sleep. In a battlefield, it's like a hired employee going to work. If he were lying, there would be a better excuse.

Chaos's mysterious actions confused Raul. The possibility of him being a spy for the enemy was low, but his unusual behavior made Raul uneasy.

(I can't waste any more time. I should meet him directly and find out what he's thinking.)

There wasn't much time before reaching Clermont. Raul had other concerns besides Chaos.

He couldn't contact Duke Numur and Duke Mayen. He had sent messengers by dragon, and they should have returned by now.

If it was just taking time, it wouldn't be a problem, but there was a possibility that they had fallen into enemy hands and lost contact. If both dukes' forces joined the enemy, Raul's forces wouldn't stand a chance. It could lead to a civil war across the commune. However, he couldn't withdraw his troops. The vampires were gradually expanding their territory, just like in this town.

Better to act quickly than to delay. It all depended on how quickly they could reclaim Clermont and win the support of the commune's people.

***

"I have something I want to ask you."

After talking with Rozaline, Raul called me over. He wanted to talk alone. He had a serious look, and the atmosphere was heavy. It must be something important. Raul, who is overprotective of Rozaline, wants to talk alone... Could he be asking about my relationship with her?

Oh no. I'm really scared. It must be about Rozaline. It's like the "What's your relationship with my daughter?" talk, but for a niece.

There's nothing suspicious between us. Absolutely not. I think we're good friends, and maybe we can call each other friends, but it's not a romantic relationship.

"It's not a difficult question. I was wondering why you decided to come with us to Clermont. We did invite you, but did you have any personal reasons?"

It wasn't the question I expected, so I was caught off guard. I hadn't mentioned it before. If I said I didn't want to be away from Rozaline, it would be like a guilty verdict. The atmosphere wasn't playful. Actually, that wasn't the reason.

"If Clermont is liberated, I thought I might be able to meet my friends again."

"Friends?"

"I used to adventure with some friends. They invited me to go to Clermont with them, but we got separated in an accident and haven't seen each other since."

"...I see."

The timing was bad. The server went down during the open beta, and the event coincided with the official service, so I didn't have time to look for them.

But I don't want to give up yet. We didn't make a proper promise, and it might be hard to meet in this vast world, but there might be better ways to search. I want to see them again—Alexia and Irene. That's a definite feeling.

"But if Clermont is in such a state, I don't know when I can meet them. I'm not the only one. There must be many people who want to meet their friends in such a large city. We can't leave it like this."

I believe Raul's guild can liberate Clermont. I want to help them, as they've been kind to me. I'm trying to repay them, but I might be doing more harm than good.

Raul looked at me intently.

"You're a kind person. And you care about your friends."

"I might not be the best friend. I think I'm just lonely. I've been alone for a long time, and I was sad to lose the friends I had. Meeting Rozaline was a stroke of luck for me."

"Do you consider Rozaline, the princess, a friend?"

"Of course. To be precise, I want to be friends. We traveled together to Sharand."

"Hmm, I see. I was overthinking it."

Ah, so he was suspicious about my relationship with Rozaline. It's not a romantic relationship.

"Chaos, as an uncle, I'm glad you consider Rozaline a friend. However, I don't want you to openly say you're friends. It's a warning for your own good."

I didn't agree with his words, but before I could protest, I was caught by Raul's words. He might be warning me because of his position. He is treated with respect by the guild members, almost like a sign of loyalty, similar to the dedication Irene shows to Alexia. He's in an important position in the guild, maybe a guild master or a senior member.

Because of that, the guild members treat Rozaline like a princess. She's family to them and an important person. But I'm just a stranger who wants to be her friend. I'm not close to the guild members or even acquaintances. If I were on equal terms with Raul, it might cause friction.

When I was with Rozaline, I felt some disapproving gazes. Raul might have been there to prevent any outbursts. He probably didn't want to worsen the relationships. In the worst case, it could lead to the guild's dissolution.

Considering this, I didn't want to argue strongly. I didn't fully agree, but I didn't want to cause friction in the guild. I nodded weakly.

"Rozaline is in a difficult position. She has no true friends. But if someone like you is there, it might give her some peace."

Hmm, Rozaline was lonely. I felt a bit of kinship as a solo player. But she seemed active and had many friends. Maybe she's the type who doesn't have friends in real life.

Perhaps it's due to family circumstances, like frequent transfers. That might be why she couldn't meet Raul for a long time. If so, her family situation is quite complicated.

"I want to continue supporting Rozaline. But I can't always be by her side. So, if Rozaline needs help when I'm not around, I want you to support her."

"Understood. I promise."

I don't know if I can be reliable, but I want to help if I can.

"And... Rozaline is beautiful, but you must never lay a hand on her."

Raul suddenly turned serious. Ah, he's definitely an overprotective uncle.

"You seem innocent and naive for your age. Thinking about it, Rozaline, who spends her time in the palace, probably doesn't open her heart to those who approach with ill intentions. She might have seen through it unconsciously. How one can live like that. It's disgusting. ...The one with ill intentions is me."

***

When we arrived at Clermont, the city gates were tightly closed. The barricades I had destroyed by driving the carriage were either removed or inside the gate. However, the previous towns had no walls, so we could enter, but with the gate closed, it's a different story.

Raul's guild stopped their advance in front of the wall and held a strategy meeting. They weren't the only ones here. Other guilds, though not as large as Raul's, had gathered, doubling the number of people. It seems they responded to Raul's call. Raul seems serious about liberating this place. I think they have enough forces, but the enemy is also numerous.

After the strategy meeting, Raul approached me. Rozaline was there but seemed upset and left. I followed her with my eyes but was interrupted by Raul's voice.

"Chaos, I have a favor to ask."

What is it? I listened to him, puzzled.

"Attacking Clermont as it is would be difficult. The defenders have the advantage, and breaking the city gates would take a lot of time and cause significant damage. So, I want you to use a teleportation spell to enter Clermont directly and open the gates from the inside."

Teleportation spell—“Warp Portal.” The portal is inside the walls, so we can enter without worrying about the defenses. The only issue is the number of enemies inside. “Warp Portal” can only teleport six people, including myself. If there are too many enemies, we might be overwhelmed. Even if we make multiple trips, “Warp Portal” only teleports to the portal, so shuttling between here and Clermont is impossible.

"Of course, a small group would be quickly overwhelmed. The main force will wait here, but we'll gather selected soldiers in the nearest town and teleport them from there."

I see. Teleporting between portals is possible. After opening the gates, the main force will enter and start the main battle.

"However, there's one problem. There are few mages who can use teleportation spells. That's why I'm asking you. You can use teleportation spells, right?"

I do know “Warp Portal.” But I haven't used it since the official service started. How did he know? Maybe the guild members in the party told him my level and predicted my skill set. It's a near-essential skill for a mage, so they might have assumed I had it.

However, mages are rare. This is quite a big task.

"The princess is very concerned about liberating Clermont for everyone's sake. It's very admirable. Chaos, will you help the princess?"

"Sure, I'll help."

Was she angry earlier because of this? Rozaline hasn't been leveling up much, so it's tough. Yes, I'll do what I can for her.