Chapter 37

About fifty people have gathered around the portal. Since we are using the 'Warp Portal' strategy, only players who can join a party have gathered.

Perhaps because a fierce battle is expected, there are many people in heavy armor with high defensive capabilities. Among them, there are even those wearing full plate armor and helmets. I, still in my light robes, feel a wave of anxiety as I wonder if it’s okay for me to charge in like this.

Only three people, including me, can use the 'Warp Portal.' Some people who seem to be magicians are also present, but apparently, some of them are still at a low level or haven't acquired the skill yet.

The 'Warp Portal' can only send as many people as there are party members at once, so I can only send five people other than myself. In simple terms, it will take a maximum of four round trips. The final party will be sent by me. I will form temporary parties with strangers just to transfer them.

"Have you all memorized the plan! First, prioritize securing the area around the portal! All members, begin the transfer!"

With the command from the leader of this assault team, who looks strict, the 'Warp Portal' is cast. A magic circle unfolds instantly, and in the next moment, the familiar scenery changes. No doubt, it’s the inside of Cremont. The atmosphere is as desolate as before.

"Magicians, return once preparations are complete. Prioritize the transfer of reinforcements. Everyone else, stay in this area as planned. Defend this place to the death."

The leader gives instructions in a low voice, trying not to make any noise. We haven’t been noticed by the monsters yet, but we don’t know when we will be. It’s a race against time. While disbanding the party, we wait for the cooldown to end. This time of inaction is frustrating. Is it over yet? Is it over yet?

Once the cooldown is over, I can finally cast the spell and immediately use the 'Warp Portal' to return and form the next group. However, the loop changes on the third round.

After transferring the third group and preparing to transfer the final group, I see a soldier at the edge of my vision. There are already over forty people gathered here. It’s impossible not to be noticed from a distance.

"The plan continues! Strengthen the defense! They are coming!"

Our allies raise their shields to protect the magicians. I want to help, but I can’t cancel the spell, so I prioritize the transfer and the plan.

"Trouble, they’ve noticed us. If we don’t hurry, those who went ahead will be in danger."

"Stay calm. They won’t be defeated immediately. This is the last group. Follow the plan."

A calm player reassures me. I understand, but I can’t suppress my anxiety. However, the cooldown won’t shorten just because I’m anxious. All I can do is pray for the safety of those who went ahead.

Finally, I transferred the last group, but the battle had already begun. A few vampires in soldier attire were attacking the group that went ahead.

Could the soldiers in Cremont have been turned into vampires? The vampires we’ve encountered so far also look like residents of the city, so their appearance might vary depending on the location. Heavy-armed players form a shield to withstand the fierce attack and then take down the vampires one by one. The vampires haven’t gathered in large numbers yet; only a few have attacked, making it easy to suppress them.

"Alright, everyone is here! Move to the city gate, hurry!"

The heavily armed soldiers split into two groups to lead and guard the rear, surrounding the mages and spellcasters in the middle as they rush to the city gate. As we approach the gate, the resistance from the vampires intensifies.

The shield-bearing players collide with the vampires, causing them to stumble and break the door of a nearby house.

"Ah!?"

A scream is heard. It’s a child’s voice. I look in the direction of the sound and see a young boy crouched inside the house. He must have been startled by the sudden commotion.

But why is an NPC here? Given the situation, it makes sense that NPCs would take refuge inside houses, but they should have disappeared once the event started, right? Maybe they just hid inside the house?

However, there were no NPCs in other cities. Why is the situation different in Cremont?

As I ponder this, a vampire stands up. The battle isn’t over yet. I cut off my thoughts and remain vigilant.

However, the vampire doesn’t come towards us but looks down at the boy and raises his hand to strike. Could the vampire target NPCs as well?

"Damn it, 'Mana Bolt'!"

I won’t let the vampire attack the boy, even if he’s an NPC! I cast the spell I’ve used many times, hitting the vampire’s face. It doesn’t have much effect on a high-level vampire, but a direct hit to the face makes him flinch. I run over and pick up the boy, escaping. Meanwhile, other players finish off the vampire.

"Are you okay?"

The boy, still in shock, nods. His mother, who comes out from the back of the house, embraces him. I feel a slight warmth in my chest, but I quickly return to the path leading to the city gate.

As we approach the gate, the noise from outside the walls becomes audible. It seems the main force outside is quite close to the walls. Despite the fierce resistance, we managed to occupy the city gate without any casualties. I expected a more intense resistance, so I feel a bit let down.

The city gate of Cremont is a drawbridge. We go up to the second floor and operate the winch to lower the drawbridge. ... Why was there a barricade if it’s a drawbridge? Well, at least it allowed us to leave Cremont.

With the gate open, the main force rushes into Cremont. Having executed the plan, we join our allies. However, the scene on the second floor is already a chaotic battlefield. The surviving vampires are still fighting, and the area around the gate is in intense combat.

Initially, the forces were evenly matched. The area around the gate is wide enough for carriages to pass, but it’s not suitable for a large number of people to fight. Only those at the front can engage in direct combat. In a simple battle, the front line’s strength is crucial, and if it’s evenly matched, it’s not surprising.

However, the balance was only temporary. The disorganized and weak vampires, confused by the broken gate, are no match for the well-prepared player alliance. As the front-line soldiers fall back and the rear-line soldiers move forward, the exhausted vampires are taken down one by one. They are quickly pushed to the edges and put at a disadvantage.

The soldiers who entered Cremont head straight for the castle. The city is full of hiding spots, and vampires can suddenly appear, so we can’t let our guard down.

I check the map to ensure no enemies are overlooked. Then I notice something odd. Among the many allies heading for the castle, one marker is moving away from the group. I look in that direction and see a person in full plate armor heading away from the path to the castle, moving towards somewhere else.

Are there vampires in that direction? But everyone else is heading to the castle. No one is deviating from the path.

I’m worried. Is he okay alone? We’re only able to push forward because we’re in a large group. It’s dangerous to be alone, and we don’t know where the vampires are hiding.

I follow him. I don’t know if I can help, but it’s better than being alone. Besides, there’s a reward for this event. Everyone wants to shine, and it’s hard to ask others for help.

The person in full plate armor is trying to enter a house. There are no vampires on the map.

"Are there vampires in there?"

I call out. The person trembles and turns around.

"K, Kaos!?"

Huh? Does he know me? But he’s wearing a helmet, so he can’t see who I am. Or is it a woman’s voice?

As I look closely, the person removes the helmet. Long hair falls over the armor, and the face is someone I’ve seen many times before.

"Rozeline! Why are you here?"

Rozeline was supposed to be with the main force. It’s hard to imagine overprotective Raul letting her go. Her level isn’t high enough to fight vampires, and he wouldn’t send her alone to a place where vampires roam.

"Did you come without telling Raul?"

Rozeline remains silent, not answering. It seems I hit the mark. Well, it’s natural to want to play freely rather than be restricted, even in a game.

"Kaos, please. Let me go. I have to see the outcome of this battle up close!"

Rozeline pleads desperately. It’s human to want to see the battle up close, even if you can’t participate. I’m curious too. Well, there’s no choice. We’ll get scolded by Raul together.

"Alright, I’ll go with you. But don’t stray too far. There might be vampires around."

"Thank you, I’m sorry. No, thank you!"

"But the main battle is at the castle. There don’t seem to be any vampires around here. Where were you planning to go?"

"There’s a secret passage leading to the palace here."

We open the door of the house and proceed to a hidden staircase leading underground. I wouldn’t have noticed this secret passage on the map. Is this information on the wiki? How did Rozeline know about it? Did she discover it during the test period, or did Raul tell her?

When we emerge in the castle’s basement, the noise from outside can be heard. The vampires inside the castle are still fighting the player group outside, so the castle is empty.

Rozeline runs straight to the upper floors of the castle. I follow her, trying to keep up. Her confident actions suggest she’s been here before. Where is she going?

We enter a large room at the back of the first floor, with a red carpet leading straight to a throne. There are already a few players gathered around the throne, where a man and a woman are seated. The man is wearing a crown, so he must be the king. The woman next to him is likely the queen.

The middle-aged king remains calm despite being surrounded by enemies, while the queen, who looks to be in her thirties, gazes coldly at the surroundings. However, what caught my attention was how much the queen resembles Rozeline.

Rozeline’s character is set as the princess of the Commune Union. Her character’s appearance is likely based on the queen. They look so much alike. She really embodies the role of a princess.

The king glances at Rozeline and smirks.

"Welcome back, Rozeline."

The players around us are surprised and look at us. Huh? That’s strange. How does the king know Rozeline?

"I have returned, Father."

"Are these people your doing? Do you intend to kill your own father?"

The king recognizes her as his daughter. Has Rozeline triggered an event that made her a real princess in the game? But I’ve never heard of such a quest or event. Is it a special event for the "Evil God’s Invasion"?

"I cannot entrust the country to someone who harms the nation and oppresses the people. If you are ashamed of your actions, then take your own life."

Take your own life? Commit suicide? I don’t think the king would do that. But the atmosphere doesn’t allow for such trivial objections.

"Hmph, you’ve grown bold, Rozeline. No, you are a fake. You are the one who brings chaos to the country and tries to overthrow the king. Know your shame. Do not be swayed, everyone. She is the true culprit, a wicked vampire who pretends to be a princess to take control of the country. Now, strike down this traitor to the nation!"

"No! That man is the one who disregards loyal subjects and oppresses the people! Do not be deceived!"

The king tries to incite the players around us. But no one believes him. They are shocked and confused. The situation is so absurd that I almost laugh.

"What’s so funny, boy?"

The king notices my relaxed expression. The attention of the others turns to me. I hesitate before answering.

"Because it’s ridiculous. It’s a farce."

"A farce?"

"Of course. You’re a vampire, and Rozeline is human. Anyone can see that. No one will fall for such a farce."

The king is marked in red on the map, indicating he is a monster. Rozeline is marked in green, indicating she is a player. Any player can confirm this, and no one, especially not a new player, would be fooled.

"Kaos…"

"Kaos? The boy Raul mentioned?"

Look, everyone is already pointing their swords at the vampire.

"Unexpected interference, but it’s fine. Then I will carve my own path."

The king stands up, and the queen follows. The tension of an impending battle fills the air.

The king lunges forward, leaping to the front line and punching a soldier, sending him flying. The soldier quickly forms a defensive shield.

The players react, and I position myself in front of Rozeline to observe the situation.

The king and queen fight on par with multiple players. They are stronger than other vampires, likely the bosses of this event.

The players dodge the king’s wild and unrefined punches. They are experienced front-line fighters.

However, their attacks are heavy. The shield of the soldier who was hit is dented. Such an attack would be fatal.

There are no magicians to provide support. Even if there were, it would be difficult in this chaotic battle.

The queen grabs a player, pulls him close, and bites his neck. Blood gushes out like a fountain. The soldier screams, and the queen, in a state of ecstasy, continues to bite.

Vampires. The classic blood-sucking monsters. It’s grotesque, and I look away. The smell of fresh blood fills the air.

The soldier, regaining his senses, tries to help and swings his sword at the queen. The queen is cut on her unprotected back and falls. The bitten soldier is released but convulses and stops moving.

He’s dead. I’ve seen this before in other events, but seeing someone die up close is terrifying. My mind went blank when it happened to Lady Alexia. Even though it’s a stranger and a game, the shock is significant. No matter how much experience I have, I can’t get used to it.

Despite the grotesque scene, the other players don’t stop fighting. They are strong, almost unnaturally so.

But they are right. Players can respawn at the portal, and NPCs can respawn after some time. No matter how many times it happens.

Even if several soldiers stab the queen, who is bleeding and thrashing, we can’t stop here. If we do, the vampires will get us.

The king, now alone, roars like a beast and breaks through the encirclement to escape.

"Stop! Don’t run!"

Rozeline chases after the king. I and the other players follow her. The king is fast, but the city is being secured. If he tries to escape outside, players are waiting for him. There’s no escape.

The king must realize this. He continues to ascend. But even if he goes up, it’s only a delay.

The king reaches a