The Count’s Youngest Son Is A Player - Chapter 250
Episode 250
“Quest is up!”
“Where where?”
Finally, the quest notice was posted on the Connect official community and Purple Association website.
The scene of a punitive force dispatching from the capital city of Turiam towards Count Ashton has already been broadcast.
Since the existence of the association was at stake, the appearance of the association quest was a foregone conclusion.
What players were waiting for was how many players the Purple Association would recruit and under what conditions…
“What is this?”
The players couldn’t believe their eyes.
[Purple Association Special Quest Announcement]
We would like to thank the many players who support the First Guild and the Purple Association and are announcing a new special quest.
As everyone knows, a new civil war has broken out in the Kingdom of Leuven.
There are two battlefields.
The Duchy of Templeton and the Earldom of Ashton.
Therefore, we have prepared two special quests.
〈Quest 1. Defense of the Duchy of Templeton〉
We are recruiting players to join the Templeton duchy and battle against the Three Princes’ Army.
-Participation criteria: Combat players of level 30 or higher.
– Number of people recruited: Unlimited.
-Recruitment deadline: Always recruiting until just before battle.
Players who want to join the dukedom can visit the Purple Association in Kessan, a free city east of the Reuben Kingdom.
Up to this point, the notice was understandable.
Since it was the final civil war that depended on the fate of the kingdom, it was important to secure as many players as possible without any restrictions.
However, the second special quest was disappointing.
〈Quest 2. Join the First Battle Group〉
We are recruiting players to join us in the battle between the Ashton family and the First Viscounty.
-Participation criteria: 30LV or higher. A mount equivalent to a combat horse is required.
– Number of recruits: TBC.
-Recruitment deadline: Until midnight today.
-Recruitment restrictions: Only those who can fully dive for at least 15 days can apply.
Players who wish to participate must visit the Calips Castle Purple Association headquarters in person by midnight today.
[Caution]
This quest is a very fierce and dangerous battle. For those who want to enjoy it lightly, we recommend choosing Quest 1.
Additionally, individual video recording will be prohibited and communication with the outside world will be blocked until the battle is over.
We hope that only prepared players who are confident that they can withstand a forced march of more than 15 days will take on the challenge.
Additionally, please understand that quest rewards may not be paid if you lose the battle.
Unlike the Templeton Duchy quest, which had no special restrictions, the First Guild quest had many conditions and restrictions.
Above all, the nuance of the quest.
“Are you telling me to participate or not?”
“Wasn’t Ashton more urgent than the Templeton family?”
“I heard the size of the punitive force will exceed 200,000? Moreover, the number of ‘anti-First Guild Coalition’ members is enormous.”
It was common sense to secure troops by somehow encouraging the participation of as many players as possible.
However, looking at the content of the quest, the conditions were not so good that I wondered how many people would participate.
Many players who were paying attention to the Purple Guild’s trends were confused.
* * *
“How many people will respond to the recruitment?”
Kim Il-woo said with a worried expression.
However, Raoul, who was drinking tea, had a calm expression.
“well. “I guess it depends on what the players think.”
Of the 25,000 players who responded to the general mobilization order, nearly half were excluded from the operation because they did not meet the full dive (continuously connected to Connect) requirement.
Of course, he was not excluded from the battle at all, and was scheduled to be deployed in the Duke’s defense line, not here.
Thanks to this, the number of troops that Raoul will mobilize for this operation is less than 30,000… Since
even those based here cannot participate because they do not meet the conditions, it is unclear how much support regular players will provide.
‘I hope at least 5,000 people apply.’
Kim Il-woo, who confirmed the general details of the operation, could not help but become impatient.
Only 30,000 against 200,000.
No matter how elite the troops were, it was not easy to predict victory when there was such a difference in numbers.
Nevertheless, seeing Raoul confident of victory, I could only hope that would happen.
And the next day.
Soldiers were lined up on the plain in front of Calypse Castle.
First Knights 5,000.
10,000 knights and cavalry of the Earl of Ashton.
12,000 players living in cooperative guilds and territories with the Purple Guild.
With a total of 27,000 troops.
‘iced coffee…!’
For some reason, Kim Il-woo’s heart swelled with emotion.
Next to the ranks of soldiers, more than 30,000 players were preparing to go on their respective vehicles.
Only fifteen hours have passed since the quest notice went up.
I never expected that so many players would apply to participate in such a short period of time.
It has been 1 year and 6 months since Connect began service.
The number of capsules supplied so far is approximately 600,000.
Among them, the number of those who owned mounts of level 30 or higher was only half.
It was truly amazing that 30,000 players gathered for such a difficult quest.
‘So many people have gathered.’
Looking at the atmosphere of the community, it seemed that people had left the First Guild, but in reality, that was not the case.
“You gave up your entire summer vacation to participate here?”
“How much have I received so far? I have to pay it back now.”
“The Purple Association must be protected! Have you seen the Ripple Association? “They’re already doing business with players.”
“Those who switched to Ripple this time will hit the ground running and regret it. What kind of place is the First Guild? “It’s an invincible guild that has never lost before.”
“Honestly, it doesn’t matter what the compensation is. “You’re guaranteed fun if you follow the Purple Guild?”
There were many reasons, but the purpose of the players gathered here was the same.
Let’s protect the First Guild and the Purple Association with our own hands!
To be honest, the first guild was the only one in Connect that treated and cared for players properly.
There were moves by some associations or top estates to create similar organizations or recruit players, but in the end, they were just trying to take care of their own interests.
And today the results unfold before our eyes.
Of course, it wasn’t all bad news.
Since the association announcement was made yesterday, more than 30,000 players have left the association.
Their destination was, of course, the Ripple Association.
‘I guess those who were watching have finally started to move.’
Perhaps the number of people leaving the Purple Association for the time being would increase.
Most experts predicted a victory for the Three Princes, and if today’s military departure ceremony is confirmed, the departure will accelerate further.
No matter the quality of the troops, the number of soldiers dispatched, including the players, was only around 60,000.
On the other hand, the Third Prince’s side had 400,000 troops gathered in the capital, excluding the 200,000 punitive forces.
And that number is still increasing.
Even though war is not a game of numbers, it seemed obvious who had a chance of winning with a difference of this magnitude.
Murmur.
At that time, Raoul appeared on top of the castle tower, dressed in colorful robes.
“I won’t talk too much. In this war, I will ride at the front and swing my sword until the very end. “All troops deploy.”
After Raoul’s calm speech, a horn sounded from the castle wall announcing the departure.
Ugh!
Raoul and the officers jumped from the castle tower and mounted their respective horses, and the 60,000-strong force, all made up of horsemen (including warriors), formed a line one by one and began to gallop across the plain.
* * *
“Only 60,000? “This is so ridiculous.”
A large barracks richly decorated with various decorations.
The young man who was sitting at the head table and sipping wine frowned.
He is none other than Fabien de MacNeill.
He was the youngest son of the Marquis MacNeill and the commander-in-chief of this punitive army.
“The actual force is about 10,000 cavalry, and the rest is made up of foreign mercenaries. “Isn’t this an advance team just to kill time?”
The person who gave the opinion was none other than Master Dellow.
And next to him was the figure of Master Gervainan, whose left arm had been cut off.
The two Masters who were injured in the battle with Count Randall completed treatment and joined the punitive force.
“I guess it was quite urgent. “Wouldn’t delaying time mean that preparations for war aren’t over yet?”
“That’s funny. Did you think you could stop us by buying some time? Anyway, the country guys can’t even understand the situation properly. “Isn’t that so, sir?”
Fabian snorted and asked, and the two masters agreed, nodding their heads as if it was obvious.
“It wouldn’t be good to let down your guard too much. “Because Ashton guys are more persistent than you think.”
Then someone joined the conversation.
A brass mask attached to the face of a man wearing a black hood and cape.
He was none other than Executive No. 4 of the Imperial Hound, the Imperial Intelligence Department.
“Who said they wanted to hear your opinion? “Dogs that are dispatched should be dogs and just shut up and do what they are told.”
It was an insulting remark, but No. 4 had no reaction.
“It would be better if you didn’t set me up so much, right? “If you get it wrong, it could blow off all its branches.”
The last person in the barracks.
As the knight in black armor spoke with a humorous expression, the two masters of the Marquis put their hands on their swords with murderous expressions.
Slurp.
Likewise, the tension increased as the Black Knight placed his hand on the hilt of his sword.
“Are we really going to do this? “It’s okay with me, but I don’t think the marquis over there will like it very much.”
At the grinning knight’s words, the two masters’ hands trembled and they barely took their hands off the hilts of their swords.
The knight in black armor is none other than Master Hamart, dispatched from the Empire.
He was a superhuman who joined the punitive force at the request of the Marquis.
“If anything else happens, please let me know immediately.”
Hamart put his hand on No. 4’s shoulder and left the barracks.
Clink.
“Those arrogant bastards!”
Fabian couldn’t hold back his anger and threw the wine glass.
“Father, what were you thinking when you gave us guys like that? “Is there any need for four masters to just deal with someone like Ashton?”
“Of course it is, but doesn’t that mean that the Marquis cares for you?”
“joy. “There’s no need for help from the smelly empire!”
“Calm down. Still, aren’t you a master? Think of it as a sharp knife…”
“Okay, I get it. “Because I’m not stupid either.”
The order of the marquis who entrusted the punitive force was simple.
The Countess of Ashton will be tied up until the match against the Duke of Templeton is concluded.
But Fabian had no intention of being satisfied with just that.
He already had 140,000 troops in his hands, and even though he didn’t like it, he could command four masters.
‘Are you just going to waste time with this? ‘Nonsense!’
By the time we reach the County of Ashton, we will have over 200,000 troops.
So what is there to worry about?
All you have to do is just push in and sweep it away all at once.
And if you finish conquering the Earl of Ashton with your own hands.
‘I might surpass my brothers and become the successor.’
That may be why his father appointed him to the position of commander-in-chief.
This means giving him, as his favorite son, a chance to make a mark.
Currently, my fifth brother, Brayden, is ahead of me in the succession chain, but it was a good opportunity to catch up.
‘If this subjugation is completed safely…!’
That was when Fabian was immersed in delusions.
“That’s urgent! Check out the large enemy cavalry ahead! A messenger has reported that we will meet in half a day!”
“…what?”
Fabian, startled, jumped up from his seat.
This is the center of the kingdom where the royal family still has influence.
We’re not even halfway to the border of Ashton County yet.
“what are you talking about! Wasn’t it only three days ago that the enemy deployed troops? “How did we get here already?”
Master Gervainen shouted with an expression that made no sense.
Even though it is said to be composed mainly of horsemen, it was a distance that would have taken at least ten days even if they rode horses without stopping.
They had no idea what the hell they had done.
“damn. Get ready for battle right now! “Remove the barracks and form a large cavalry formation!”
“Four four!”
As it happened, the place where the unit was located was an empty plain.
I never thought I would engage in a battle with a large enemy cavalry force on a plain without any obstacles.
‘That’s not good. The damage to the soldiers will be great.’
Master Dellow’s expression distorted.
But it seems Fabian had different thoughts.
“Haha, this is true. I never thought I would find my place to die on my own. Great. If I wipe them out now, the Ashton guys will realize what I’m talking about. “Lord Dellow, Sir Gervainen. Bring the enemy general’s head.”
“Yes, please leave it to me!”
The expressions on the faces of the two masters who answered and left the barracks were not very good.
But even they didn’t seem to have their own defeat in mind.
(Continued in the next part)