449 Frangipanis Plan (1/2)
Pit-pattering rain fell on the upturned turf of grass that was kicked up by horses. The scent of fresh soil pervaded the air. An Elf who had green symbols on his head walked over the grass. He lowered his head and grabbed some clay to stuff into his mouth, but he was stopped by his Human comrade. The Human gave him an eye signal and looked at another person who didn't have green symbols above his head.
”Don't eat. Be immersive in your role,” the Human with green symbols above his head said.
They were in a long contingent that consisted mostly of Fairies, Humans, and Elves with green symbols above their heads.
They were transporting various materials like metal from Eternal Kingdom.
The destination was Goldshire Town.
Though the gamers didn't find any traces of the Wyvern, they had a massive breakthrough in forging weapons for fighting it.
Many gamers contributed their knowledge, especially the technically inclined gamers who designed powerful Ballistas.
They said, ”Just like the Hobbits in the movies, we can shoot down the Wyvern.”
Nobody knew if the arrows could penetrate the Wyvern's armor as they hadn't seen one. The survivors of the Wyvern attack couldn't provide any information. Besides describing it as Dragon-like, they didn't have other details. They were terrified by the Wyvern's appearance, steep diving, and breathing of flames and were just glad that they survived.
The Humans without green symbols above their heads were residents of Goldshire Town who were acting as guides. The gamers didn't know how to get to Goldshire Town.
Lancelot was leading the contingent while chatting with the guide.
”Nobody expected such a thing to happen. Since my aunt left, I felt that something ominous would happen. The Duke of York sent some Knights to our town. I thought they were levying mandatory taxes. Our town isn't doing well financially, and the mayor didn't pay the required taxes. Then the Knights attacked Victoria City. Don't be mistaken, we aren't gloating about them attacking you. Do you get my meaning?”
Lancelot was listening intently to the guide who complained about his education and work. As a member of the Church government, he had to revise his homework daily. Lancelot wasn't interested in such stuff.
While Lancelot was wondering when the guide would stop talking, he heard galloping sounds ahead and saw a horseman.
He screamed, ”Wyvern! It's a Wyvern!”
Lancelot tugged his reins nervously. He was about to ask for the Wyvern's location when a loud bellow answered his question.
With a shrill shriek, a winged figure of about twenty to thirty meters flew over Lancelot's head, and the shadow engulfed the convoy.
”Holy cow! What's that?”
”This is exciting. That's a Wyvern, It's a Wyvern!”
”Prepare the long-distance weapons. Everyone disperse!”
The gamers shouted excitedly while the residents of Goldshire Town fled in terror.
The Wyvern observed the convoy while it flew from the start to the end. Then it returned and opened its mouth that was full of sharp teeth.
Fatal flames shot out from his mouth.
The flames engulfed the goods, horses, and gamers, which melted instantly.
This included the gamers' equipment.
”Shucks! How could I forget? The Wyvern's flames will melt our equipment!”
”Why are we still fighting? Let's flee and find some cover!”
”Help, help, help me put out the fire. My Plate Leggings are burning!”
The gamers witnessed the destruction of the flames and panicked, fleeing in all directions. The Wyvern was relishing in the destruction. It came back, flew over the convoy, and breathed more fire.
The long contingent was wrecked by the Wyvern, and the gamers and residents of Goldshire Town fled in panic. As for Lancelot, he was unable to deal with the Wyvern.
He prayed that the flames wouldn't hit him as he tugged the reins to guide the horse towards the forest. The other gamers also ran towards the forest. Though, a few stray gamers fled to the plains and became live targets for the Wyvern.
The entire convoy was in flames.
…
Dragonborn walked out of the Revival Point. Many other gamers of Victoria City also walked out naked from the Revival Point. They cursed and swore as they proceeded to their Stronghold.
”What the heck? Why is the Wyvern so strong? It destroyed us with a breath of fire. Not even our equipment was spared.”
”Cool. If we kill this Wyvern, our rewards won't be less than the rewards received by those silly gamers of Eternal Kingdom.”
”It's difficult. Our lives are difficult. We can't hit the Wyvern in the sky. If only we had an Airship or a seventy to eighty meters tall Gundam. I'd slash the Wyvern to bits.”
Dragonborn proceeded to his Stronghold. During the Wyvern's attack, Dragonborn was killed by the Wyvern's flames.
When Dragonborn passed by Lord Lilo's Castle, he noticed many gamers gathered at the entrance.
”What happened?” Dragonborn asked a gamer.
”Someone stood at the entrance and shouted to the Queen that the Wyvern killed her citizens. It was meant as a joke, but the Queen appeared and asked for the details. We are now waiting for new developments in the Plot,” the gamer explained excitedly.
”What's there to be excited about? Is this the first time you're playing this game? Isn't it normal for the gamers to develop the Plot? A lot of Plots are developed by us,” another gamer said.
An excited gamer walked out of the Castle. He was followed by two Hamsters and Queen Victoria.
”The Plot is starting. Everyone be quiet!” a gamer shouted. There was no need for a reminder. When Queen Victoria appeared, the gamers went into Plot Animation Mode.
”I heard that you discovered a Wyvern. Our priority is to attack the Duke of York. As a Queen, it's not appropriate for me to venture outside without a proper ride. After discussing with my advisors, Second Boss and Fat Otaku, I decided to let you, my citizens, capture the Wyvern and give you generous rewards. Second Boss and Fat Otaku will provide appropriate assistance as it's hard for you to defend against the Wyvern's flame attacks. That's all. Disperse.”
Queen Lilo went back into the Castle after speaking.
The gamers started chatting once the Plot Animation Mode was deactivated.
”I said there's a Plot Mission. It's great. We have the gold from Goldshire Town and the Queen's reward. I guess it's Legendary Equipment.”
”She can't possibly give Legendary Equipment to everyone. The rewards will be allocated according to contribution. There might not be any Legendary Equipment. Perhaps, it's just Reputation Points and gold coins. That's what Eternal Kingdom is doing.”
”Is Victoria City the same as Eternal Kingdom? Their missions are exploiting them. We only have to spend gold coins to buy powerful equipment, while they have to spend Magic Stones.”
The gamers discussed enthusiastically. They were thrilled by the latest Plot.
That was after the Queen returned to her Castle.
Two Hamsters stood at the entrance and looked at the gamers. Second Boss shouted, ”Warriors of Victoria City, we'll provide fireproofing materials for your equipment. This will require three days and some materials. Let me take a look…”
The Hamster took out a piece of paper and read the words from it.
The mission notice appeared before the gamers.