The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

“…….”

Far above the wall and the city of Porta, appearing as small as the palm of a hand, he floated leisurely in the sky. Black hood. Black cape. Even black leather armor. At first glance, his entirely black attire made him look like a knight or warrior, but…

Wooong.

The black staff vibrating in his hand was unmistakable evidence that he was a mage.

“An entirely unexpected situation. How should I interpret this?”

The voice from the man’s mouth was cracked and fragmented, making his age indeterminable. Seeing the thousands of cavalry and the endless stream of soldiers advancing from the kingdom’s front, the man—or rather the Great Sage Black—slightly lifted the corner of his lips.

“White, it seems you were wrong this time. The kingdom hasn’t fallen according to our expectations just yet.”

He then looked at the strange, blue gemstone in his left hand with a peculiar expression.

‘Looks like this won’t be needed.’

Did those struggling below realize it?

They almost triggered a vile weapon that would have turned them into ashes in an instant. This blue gemstone, seemingly beautiful, was a kind of switch.

‘An ignition device for a bomb that would have entirely razed the wall and parts of Copse Road.’

From the very moment the wall was built, the three Great Sages could not overlook the possibility of its collapse. The collapse of the wall would signal the beginning of another great war.

Having personally experienced countless deaths and the burning of the continent during the long war with the Empire, they were determined to prevent such a catastrophe. But if they couldn’t?

They agreed that they needed to buy the kingdoms time to prepare for an Imperial invasion. Hence, the underground of the wall and Copse Road had been prepared by the three Great Sages.

If activated, the death energy writhing beneath Copse Road would have created another artificial forbidden zone where no living being could enter for at least three years. Many soldiers guarding the wall and even distinguished superhumans would have been sacrificed…

‘If the situation had come to being breached by the Empire’s attack, we would have had to make the tough decision to sacrifice our own men. Even if it meant being denounced by everyone later.’

Fortunately, the worst-case scenario they had envisioned was avoided. The wall would not fall. And an unexpected individual seemed to have resolved the ancient seal’s issue, which might have been difficult to handle.

“This time, you were right, Gray.”

White proposed to restrain the Empire using magic and media. Black himself insisted on crushing the enemy and breaking their invasion intentions directly on the front lines.

Gray advocated for fostering and nurturing the continent’s outstanding talents to prepare for the future. No one was wrong, but today, it was Gray’s strategy that shone brightly.

Crash!

The Temple of the Demon God, filled with vile demonic energy and malice, was crashing to the ground with a thunderous noise. To think someone had infiltrated the activated Temple of the Demon God and captured demons of at least count-level!

Black was amazed that the one responsible for such incredible deeds was merely a seventeen-year-old boy.

“That feels so refreshing. Damn demon bastards.”

Undoubtedly, the demons fighting on the wall must have been thrown into chaos. Their stronghold, the core of their forces, the Temple of the Demon God, was collapsing. Now, instead of receiving demonic energy, they would have to sustain the Dark Gate with their own bodies.

With the situation turned so favorably, there was no longer a need for him to intervene. The less visible a strategic weapon, the more fearsome it was. Watching the reinforcements sweep through the Imperial main camp and the demonic beasts like a wave, the Great Sage Black left the skies above the wall.

‘Raul de Ashton. I will remember that name well.’

***

“How dare you swing a fist at me!”

“Argh…!”

Boom!

A part of the fortress wall exploded. A dark silhouette tumbled off the wall and plunged to the ground. It was none other than the demon Quevia. Due to the sudden attack, he couldn’t ride the wind properly and fell unceremoniously.

“Who dares…!”

“It’s me!”

Whoosh, boom!!

Before Quevia could finish, a man leaped down from the wall, bringing down a golden greatsword. The aura blade he unleashed was immense and fierce, tearing the ground below the fortress wall into four large furrows as if a bear had swiped its claws.

“Damn….”

Quevia’s body bore four diagonal gashes from which demonic energy began to pour out.

“Kneel before me!”

Roar!

With the man’s gruff voice, a massive golden aura blade in the shape of a bear’s paw descended from the sky, crashing down upon Quevia’s head.

“Graaah!”

In a desperate attempt, Quevia summoned swirling winds from his arms to counter the attack.

Rumble, crash!

The bear paw crushed the vortex mercilessly. And yet, it wasn’t enough.

Boom! Boom! Boom!

A second golden bear paw had appeared in mid-air, and the two giant paws pounded the ground alternately.

Fsst.

Black mist began to rise from the relentlessly crushed ground, floating aimlessly. Just as the scattered mist started to drift in a particular direction,

“Go to hell!”

Slash!

Hundreds of aura blades flashed, tearing through the sky as if clawing at it. With a wailing scream, the black mist ignited, quickly turning to ashes and disappearing.

“Who’s next?”

The golden bear of Ashton Household, Count Melvin de Ashton, now reborn as a Master, roared from beneath the fortress wall.

After the Temple of the Demon God had fallen, the demons’ attribute techniques, which relied heavily on infinite demonic energy, were virtually sealed. The demons could only exhibit less than half of their strength, leading to disastrous results for them.

With the aid of the superhumans from the kingdom’s allied forces and the superknight Hansley on the wall, the terrifying demons were subdued. The Dark Gate, sustained by the immense demonic energy of the Temple of the Demon God and the presence of demon nobility, also vanished from the wall.

As for the Imperial Masters who had climbed the fortress wall belatedly,

“Heh, those guys sure are quick.”

Jake shook his head and clicked his tongue. Despite swiftly searching for the Imperial Masters as soon as the reinforcements arrived, they were nowhere to be found.

According to the knights who had faced them, they pulled out strange parchments and vanished in a flash of light.

“It must have been teleportation scrolls. Although, it’s doubtful if those worked properly under these unstable conditions. Nevertheless, their retreat lessened our casualties, so let’s not be too regretful.”

Kane speculated, but Jake smacked his lips in mild dissatisfaction.

“It would’ve been better to reduce their numbers while we had the chance.”

“Are you confident you could have?”

“What was that? Are you picking a fight?”

Considering that Jake and Kane barely managed to handle one superhuman together, there’s no point in chasing after the vanished Imperial Masters. While the two bickered, Raul and the hero party safely returned to the fortress.

“Wow, as expected of a Master! I was looking forward to seeing you.”

Jake cheered, giving a thumbs-up, while Kane nodded silently. There was no need for a verbal report on the battlefield; the collapse of the Temple of the Demon God had already been communicated through the guild’s network.

“Everyone worked hard. I’m just glad you’re all safe.”

“Safe? Do you not see this? I’m completely burnt up.”

Jake complained as he partially removed his helmet, revealing his blistered skin and bald head.

“Oh my…! Let me heal you right away.”

Saintess Kiera said, pointing her glowing white hand at Jake. His blistered skin quickly reverted to its original state, though his burnt eyebrows and hair remained missing.

“Will this ever grow back…?”

“It will.”

“Phew.”

As Jake sighed in relief, even Kane, who had stayed silent, seemed to relax a bit. Raul chuckled and turned his gaze to the battlefield below the wall.

Boom! Crash!

“Waaah!”

“Experience points! Let’s wipe them out!”

“Don’t act solo! These mobs’ levels are no joke!”

“There’s a survivor here! Where’s the healer?”

Between Count Melvin and the superhumans, who were showcasing overwhelming might against the enemies, familiar faces came into view. Kim Ilwoo and Purple Guild members, along with ranked players from allied guilds, and an overwhelming number of players were attacking demon beasts and enemy stragglers below the wall.

“They’ve become quite strong.”

“Yes, they seem to be at least at the level of squires, even among the non-guild players.”

“It’s about time. We never know when we might clash with the Empire again.”

Raul spoke with a slightly bitter expression. History had been twisted. If previously he had only altered a small stream, this time he had twisted the flow of a river.

The wall that should have fallen had survived. The players were being pulled into the main scenario faster. Raul couldn’t predict what consequences these changes would bring. Would the Empire abandon its invasion plans and retreat into the shadows, or would they find an unknown route to wage war once again? Everything was now shrouded in fog.

‘No, it wouldn’t change completely.’

The war with the Empire was not the entirety of the scenario. Once this battle ended, the new scenario he anticipated would begin, and he had been preparing for it diligently.

“Are you worried?”

Kane asked cautiously, noticing Raul’s tense expression.

“No, not at all. In fact, I’m excited.”

Raul wasn’t sure what Kane was referring to — the reinforcements from the First Viscounty below the wall or the players like Ilwoo. But now Raul could speak with confidence. The time of waiting and preparation was over.

Looking back. It was just three days.

Although he had mentioned it in advance, it had been only three days since the guild transmitted the message that the wall needed reinforcements. Raul’s father, leading the knights and soldiers of Ashton Household, had arrived in person.

Sir Philip had joined, bringing the First Knights and elite troops from the First Viscounty. From House Greer, Marquis Fidel de Greer personally appeared on the battlefield with Ken. Dalton arrived with the knight commander of the Templeton Duchy, bringing his troops.

Additionally, members of the Purple Guild, allied guilds, players living in the First Viscounty, and other players aided by the First Knight Order from the Free Cities joined the battle. Their numbers were in the tens of thousands. Compared to reinforcements sent from other kingdoms, they were overwhelming.

‘With them by my side!’

Raul felt confident that they could overcome any scenario. Perhaps he would also uncover the true nature of the game Connect and why he had been sent back in time.

“Alright, we’ve rested enough. Let’s move.”

“Yes, Master!”

Raul activated his golden aura and leaped down from the wall. His legion of weapons, now a hallmark of his, followed closely behind.

—

Bang.

“Which houses have joined?”

“They said Ashton Household, Greer Household, and Templeton Household have joined forces.”

Crash!

Items on a desk were scattered across the floor.

“These insolent wretches! How dare they ignore my command? The message was delivered, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, crown Prince. They were clearly told not to move their forces beyond the borders without permission.”

“And they moved their forces anyway? This is treason!”

“……!”

Sweat trickled down the forehead of the messenger reporting to the Third Prince, Herdian.

“Your Highness, discussing treason is a bit… please calm down….”

“Silence! What were you doing? How could you let these rebels move their forces, ignoring the royal order?!”

Herdian, unable to curb his fury, shouted so loudly that his voice echoed throughout the palace, occasionally blending with profanity hurled at Viscount Braiden.

A moment later, the messenger bowed deeply to Viscount Braiden, who had just exited the Third Prince’s office.

“Thank you so much. It’s thanks to you that I made it out safely.”

The viscount had physically intervened to prevent the prince, in his rage, from drawing his sword and beheading the messenger.

“No need to thank me. You must be exhausted. Just remember….”

“I will never speak of what happened here.”

“Good. Off you go.”

“Yes, my lord.”

As the messenger disappeared, a subtle smile crept onto Viscount Braiden’s face, indicating he had achieved his intended outcome. Just then, a knight approached him.

“Marquis McNeil wishes to see you.”

“My father?”

“He is at the residence in the capital.”

“I understand. I will go at once.”

Viscount Braiden, the closest aide to the Third Prince Herdian, was the fifth son of Marquis McNeil.

“Oh, and…”

He paused and spoke to the knight.

“That messenger who just left. Handle him discreetly.”

“Yes, my lord.”

The honor of Herdian had to be preserved. At least for now. Thus, another seed of turmoil began to slowly smolder within the royal palace.

(To be continued)