kscans

Chapter 206 - Interlude: An Unexpected Change

The Republic.

Morning. The Adventurer's Guild.

The nation's crisis had yet to improve.

Amidst this, adventurers had gathered in full force.

"What's this all about?"

"Beats me. Orders from the Guild Master."

"Is it really okay to leave our posts?"

It was a storm of questions.

Just as they were about to head to their assigned positions, a soldier had arrived.

"By order of the Guild Master, all adventurers are to assemble at the Guild."

It was a sudden summons.

What was he thinking, with the battle against the monsters still raging?

As they were pondering this, the Guild Master appeared.

"Everyone, thank you for coming on such short notice. Last night, by Imperial Command from His Majesty the King, it was decided that a large-scale counteroffensive against the monsters will be launched today."

At this announcement, the adventurers erupted.

"Ooh! Finally, we get to give them a taste of their own medicine!"

"This is great! Really great!"

"My arms are itching for a fight, heheh."

The air was thick with bloodlust.

Why were the adventurers here so much more eager to fight than those in other countries?

The answer was simple: they hadn't had a chance to play a major role until now.

The Kingdom had the Monster Uproar and the Kraken. The Church had riots and the former Pope's rampage. The Empire had the border conflict and the emperor's assassination. All were major incidents. In the Republic, the only incidents had been the Undead commotion and the castle intrusion.

They were significant events, but small in scale.

During the Undead incident, they had searched the forest but hadn't encountered a single one. And the intruders had left before causing any serious trouble, disappearing without a trace. Not once had any adventurer other than those two played a significant role.

The Guild Master said, "I'm glad to see you're fired up, but there's no guarantee you'll come back from this operation alive. There are multiple high-ranking Muay Thai Kongs, and there's a possibility of even more high-ranking monsters. You can still back out now."

To his words, an adventurer replied, "With all due respect, we have no intention of backing out."

"This is the biggest chance to prove my skills. I'm not going to miss it."

"I was prepared to die in battle from the start. I'm not expecting to come out unscathed."

"Besides, there's nowhere to run even if we back out. The seas are swarming with Bird Monsters. If I'm going to die, I want to go down fighting with all I've got."

Their motivation was soaring even higher.

Their eyes were not filled with bravado, but with genuine seriousness. They truly looked as if they didn't mind dying.

The Guild Master thought to himself, How did it come to this?

Just a year ago, they were a self-serving bunch, just like in any other country. The reason was likely the newly introduced combat training for the knights. Strangely, the desire to fight with the pride of a knight had become a popular topic within the Guild. Before it was introduced, they had all called it absurd.

The Guild Master said, "Alright. If you're all that prepared, I have nothing more to say. Just don't die."

At his single phrase, the adventurers roared.

"""Let's do this!"""

A war cry erupted.

The Guild Master looked at the adventurers and thought, To think they would change this much.

He was surprised, but also happy. He had expected that telling them this would cause a mass exodus. However, the interaction with the knights had become the catalyst for a change in the adventurers' hearts.

We can overcome this crisis. He felt a sense of certainty.

Before the main gate.

The Knight Order had assembled before Captain Bradamante.

Bradamante said, "...And that concludes the outline of this operation. Are there any questions?"

A knight, his voice trembling, asked, "Regarding this operation... I feel that our forces are too small."

The other knights felt the same. The plan was excellent, but they lacked the manpower to execute it.

Bradamante replied concisely, "We are currently seeking the cooperation of the adventurers."

The knight questioned, "Will that be alright? Adventurers are the type to run at the first sign of danger to their lives, aren't they?"

This was a concern shared by everyone present.

In their own country, as well as others, the reputation of adventurers was a mixed bag. Their reliability was neither low nor high—it was mediocre. Still, since they took on requests that were difficult for the state to handle, no one spoke ill of them openly.

Into the anxious atmosphere, a voice called out, "Sorry to keep you waiting."

Everyone turned at the sound of the voice.

There stood the Guild Master, followed by a large number of adventurers.

At the sheer number, Bradamante asked, "What? So many? How did you convince them?"

She was so surprised she demanded an explanation.

The Guild Master winked. "It's thanks to your usual conduct."

Bradamante had no idea what he was talking about. "Well, in any case, it's fortunate that our forces haven't diminished. What about the plan?"

To her question, the Guild Master replied, "No problem. Everyone has agreed to it."

Behind him, the adventurers shouted, "Yeah! Leave it to us!"

"This is our time to shine!"

"Let's do this!"

They were full of fighting spirit.

Seeing this, the knights responded in kind. "Haha, we can't let them show us up."

"Exactly. We have our own pride and honor."

"This is when all our training pays off!"

They showed a fighting spirit that was just as strong.

The motivation of both the knights and the adventurers seemed to swirl like steam in the air.

The two leaders exchanged a look.

"This is good. Now we can protect the country and His Majesty."

"Indeed. I'll have to show them the true power of the 'Wild Bull' so we don't get swept away by this storm."

They renewed their determination and resolve.

Bradamante declared, "Victory in this battle will bring peace to this nation!"

Everyone raised their weapons to the heavens.

"""Oooooooooooohhhhhh!"""

A war cry that seemed to shake the earth erupted.

The Guild Master held his assault spear high. "Adventurer group, advance!"

He began to walk at the head of the column.

The adventurers followed.

Bradamante, trident in hand, commanded, "Knight Order, forward march!"

She, too, began to walk.

They were heading for the midpoint between the royal capital and the monsters' base—to the stage for the battle of a lifetime.

The counteroffensive had begun in each nation. Would it be a success or a failure?

The key to it all lay in the battle at the border.