Chapter 24 (1/2)
Chapter 24
Several days after Sniper princess had been rescued and the fort was taken by the Saint Drag kingdom.
The fort was destroyed, brick by brick, and all of the Empire’s soldiers were murdered and chopped for food ration. Each limb was lightly salted and dried in open air to make meat jerkies.
In the Royal Room, there was King Roland and Prime Minister Albert and another one, a boy with white school uniform s.h.i.+rt and long trousers. (TL: common normal uniform)
On his waist were a red bokutou and a pin with the words 『Banchou』Hayato Kiryuu.(ED: A bokutou is a wooden sword and Banchou is j.a.panese gang leader)
「Hayato, There’s a problem with our northern expedition. I know I just gave you a break, sorry for calling suddenly」
「I don’t mind. I know that it must be important for you to summon me and I want to hear the story as well」
The 『Banchou』Hayato bowed politely to respond to the King’s words.
He was a player from a VRMMO called 『Banchou Tos.h.i.+』with the setting of student life and the player must reign the other player and be on the top.
He defeated and managed so many groups until he realized that the whole city was put under his banner.
As the “head” of the group, he was strong, and of course, tough.
He always got up straight back up, even after being beaten with a bat, even after being shot by a bullet, even after a car crashed into him. He always got up and sent fear to his enemies doing so eventually earning him respect as the head.
It’s a VRMMO with chibi character so even though he was 180 cm tall, his body covers only half of his height. The ratio is 90 cm head and 90 cm body, including his torso and legs. It’s a miracle that he didn’t fall on his own weig- nah I’m just messing with you. Stop stealing my f-ing translation!!
Banchou Tos.h.i.+ has stats such as strength, agility, and stamina and the one Hayato specializes is in Stamina and Defense. His build focuses more on defense than agility.
His true merits are in his battle endurance and his exceptional leaders.h.i.+p.
There was once a ma.s.sive 40-hour raid due to a bug, it was impossible to fight without falling asleep. There was one single player who managed to protect his turf by going around the leaders of the other groups and giving instructions.
After that, he was taking a break from playing for a day but it was enough for the other player to call him “Real Cheater”. (TL: リアルチート – Riaru Chiito either they are calling him a cheater for being able to play 40 hours straight or calling him traitor for taking a break and enjoying real world)
But he really disappeared.
His disappearance really shocked a lot of his subordinates, some people even tried to look for him IRL.
They were informed by an acquaintance who knows him in real life that he really disappeared and stopped the investigation.
It was another case of the “urban legend” that Jirou told.
The truth is that he was called into this world and fighting as the general of Saint Drag Kingdom. He left his 3 months old imouto back in his original home so she probably died because his brother had gone missing and no one at home would feed her.
「This time, I’m calling everyone available. It’s about Masaki」
Currently, the whole city treated Masaki as a hero.
Their voices can’t be ignored by the n.o.bles and local authorities.
It affected the play t.i.tled “Hero of Blue Sea and Crimson Princess Knight” as well.
The sequel is being planned as of now.
「People are hungry for entertainment in these dark times. I feel bad for Masaki, but I want him to open the theatre」
Which he gave an OK reluctantly. It was such a big boom that the influence is starting to spread to other cities.
「Ther
e was a report from Jirou. He used an ability to become invisible and flew in the sky. He also rescued the 『Sniper Princess』 and her sister.
「Rescue… He can break the slavery collar?」
The King nodded to Hayato’s question, answering his question.
It’s the norm to not release the slavery collar without the key. Trying to do so will result in the death of the wearer.
「Masaki has the magic item called Thieves King’s Wire. It would be impossible to rescue them without it」
「Then we can…」
「Umuu… We can save the other enslaved people from being used by the Empire 」
「However, your Majesty. I think Masaki-dono might be hiding some kind of terrible power from us. With his ability that can even beat Leviathan… can we keep that kind of person in check in our country?」
Albert, who was watching the whole conversation, tried to cut in.
His words had a point. There’s a need to keep the otherworlders in check.
To be able to beat Leviathan, who could level the whole continent if being serious, Masaki had proved that he’s a reliable ally. But if he decided to be their enemy… now that’s something shuddering.
「Albert, You can rest a.s.sured. For that purpose, I ordered Earl Allan to pa.s.s my dear brother’s mansion to Adelhide. Adelhide seemed to like it as well」
「And by doing that, you’re tying him to the royal family and preventing him from being swayed by the other kingdoms… It’s business as always, Your Majesty」
Hayato smiled bitterly at King Roland’s big grin.
It was one of the country’s lip service. If a strong reliable person appeared, he will do all his best to contain them in his country.
He even used his own distant relative as a bargaining chip.
a.s.suming Masaki hadn’t rescued Adelhide, the King would use Princess Hildegarde instead, since she will be 14 years old soon.
If Masaki refused, maybe because he’s a loli hunter, the King would offer princess Ahmad instead, since she’s still 8 years old. Just in case that Masaki “swings that way”, the King will force prince Leon instead.
「So you can rest a.s.sured. Even though Masaki is strong, he seemed to rely on us as his sponsor. Besides, as strong as he is, I don’t think he has the desire to commit such a useless ma.s.sacre. We are not doing such outrageous deed」
「I kind of feeling sorry for the Empire. Imprisoning him without knowing his hidden strength, losing the majority of their fleet while trying to prevent his escape, and they became his enemy. Even though I lost my sympathy when I remembered their aggression」
Everyone nodded to Hayato’s remark.
Even though they can’t deny the Empire’s rotten luck.
Up until now, they were using underhanded methods to expand their empire. Even to the point of using people as tools.
That results in Masaki being turned from being a big war potential into an enemy.
「Since we were able to take over that fort, is the Grand Plains our next…」
「Umuu… I heard the rumors of Empire’s troops gathering. According to the information brought by the sister of 『Sniper Princess』, it seemed that the town Raafu, which was ahead of the Great Plains, was responsible for producing 40% of the Empire’s food rations.
「40 percent!? How is that possー」(TL: Either 4% or 40%. But technically, even 4% of the whole country food ration is still a lot)
Normally, countries will put a little tax on various towns and villages and stockpiles them together. However, to gather 40% of food rations from a single location surprise even Albert, the Prime Minister.
「The reason for that is… Apparently, it was that older sister’s ability that makes crops that can be harvested in a month. It’s safe to say that Masaki just hit a jackpot」
「Not only the Sniper Princess but the one who produced food for their army, no wonder the Empire is so desperate…」
「And the next plan…」
「Well… We are going to take Raafu. And Hayato, I’ll have you go as soon as your vacation ended. I apologize for asking young people to go to such a dangerous mission」
「I still owe you a big favor for picking me up. Besides, I’m fine with going. It’s within my power to create peace for the people, so I don’t really mind」
Hayato gave a gentle smile to the worrying King.
But the ones on the battlefield know the truth about the usual gentle looking Hayato.
To his enemies on the battlefield, he fights like a fiendish beast.
About the same time in the Empire.
A heavy atmosphere was filling the strategy room where the generals were gathering. Suddenly a knock was heard.
「Enter…」
The emperor allowed the person to enter.
The messenger opened the door and although he was clearly intimidated by the heavy atmosphere, but he must report the news.
「Reporting… Just now… we have gotten confirmation… Raafu’s northeast fortress had fallen to the enemies. The Sniper Princess’ and the Farmer’s whereabouts are currently unknown. There are some theories that they were murdered or caught…」
He didn’t want to believe it and sighed deeply after receiving the report.
「Is that so… Return to your post」
「Yes sire!」