The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Screech!

The black hawk landed on Han Seohyun’s shoulder with a cry. Being a spirit beast, it folded its talons when perching on its master’s shoulder.

“Good job, Muga.”

Seohyun petted the hawk’s head with her fingers, and a portable magical map holographically displayed the terrain near Rayson for her comrades.

The map featured detailed information about the current positions and numbers of both sides, as well as the placement of mana cannons.

“This is better than satellite photos! It’s even three-dimensional.”

Ilwoo remarked, turning the holographic display this way and that, impressed by its detailed features. The map could even zoom in to the point of distinguishing individual faces.

“The enemy’s forces number around 4,000. Of those, about 1,000 are players from the Real Player Association. They have around 20 knights and 10 mages.”

Judging by the number of troops, it seemed similar to the scale of a barony or viscountcy in the Ruben Kingdom.

What stood out was the relatively low number of knights and mages compared to the size of the army, a characteristic of the Brennan Republic.

“They prefer investing in artifacts and magical weapons over hiring knights or mages.”

In the Brennan Republic, it wasn’t uncommon to see specialized units equipped with artifacts capable of neutralizing even power armor users.

These units typically didn’t appear in smaller battlefields, though.

“On the other hand, reysen’s regular forces number about 1,500. Including conscripts and mercenaries, they could muster around 3,000. Luckily, their number of high-grade forces like knights and mages is similar to the enemy’s.”

“Isn’t that quite a serious problem? The difference in overall strength is too significant.”

Seohyun frowned slightly, reflecting the concerns of the entire group. Linda and Meininger also showed signs of concern.

“It seems the people of the Republic still don’t fully understand.”

“What players are capable of.”

The minimum level to graduate from Free Cities and accept continental quests is level 30. Level 30 might sound low, but it’s enough for basic mana manipulation.

Moreover, players can wield sword aura skills equivalent to an expert-level knight.

“Among those 1,000 players, about 100 are above level 50. You could think of it as adding a full-fledged knight order plus 900 trainee knights.”

“Without us, they’d be wiped out in no time.”

Linda remarked, shrugging her shoulders. Without the residents of the Connect continent realizing, players had grown strong enough to influence the outcome of wars.

“That’s enough about numbers. The immediate concern is the mana cannons. If the clash ends with the bombardment, everything will have been for naught.”

Bae Dohyun said, and the others nodded in agreement.

“So our targets are here and here.”

Bae Dohyun pointed to the map, and the indicated regions turned red.

“Before we enter the city, we’ll need to prepare a little gift.”

“Okay~, got it!”

The map of the enemy Zeredu family’s mana cannon positions was marked in red.

*

Booom! Bang!

A mana cannon, with a bore larger than the trunk of a giant tree, fired a beam with a thunderous roar. As the cannon fired, the rear loading hatch opened with a clank.

“Quick, reload!”

“Yes, sir!”

Artillery crews scrambled to remove the mana stones, which turned into useless rocks, and cleaned the magic circle with brushes. Some used artifacts to generate wind and cool the overheated cannon barrel, while others cleaned the muzzle with blankets.

“Can’t you feel their panic? Just a bit more effort, and we’ll finish this war here and now!”

The artillery commander shouted encouraging words to his troops. There were only ten mana cannons positioned on the city walls, and the cannon he commanded alone could match that number.

Another ten cannons were on the opposite side. Together, their overwhelming firepower was pushing the enemy shield to its breaking point.

‘If I end this war, the rewards will be huge!’

Securing the city through bombardment could mean significant rewards and possible promotions. His voice held authority as he spurred his men on.

A lieutenant approached and reported, “Commander, someone is approaching our position.”

“What? Is there new instruction from the main unit?”

Two mounted messengers were rapidly approaching. Wearing regular army uniforms, the artillery commander had no reason to doubt their identity.

“Stop! What’s the matter?”

“Stop! Stop rig… Ugh.”

As the charging mounted messengers’ weapons began to glow, the artillery commander realized something was amiss.

“They’re enemies! Defend the position!”

How had they managed to penetrate deep into their ranks and reach this point?

Before he could contemplate further, the artillery position was thrown into chaos.

Boom!

Shunk.

“Argh!”

“Knights! It’s knights attacking us!”

The dozen or so daggers Bae Dohyun controlled pierced through the chests of nearby soldiers, while mana spears erupted from his spear.

“Roar!”

Seohyun’s summoned beasts rampaged from all directions.

Zoom~ Boom!

Linda’s arrows shattered the mana cannons. Ilwoo and Meininger shielded the group from incoming arrows and spells, holding off the enemy’s counterattacks.

Clop-clop.

Without wasting any time, they broke through the artillery position and rushed towards the city.

“No, this can’t be happening!”

Fortunately, the artillery commander, who had been at the far end, preparing a mana stone replacement, managed to avoid the worst. But he clutched his head and sank to the ground in despair.

All ten mana cannons under his command were destroyed, and over half his troops lay dead. His grand plan to end the battle with the bombardment was in shambles.

*

“Patriarch! Reinforcements have arrived!”

The office door burst open, and a knight hurried in.

“Ah, really? They arrived quickly. Find a suitable place for them to rest….”

Patriarch Foreado spoke absentmindedly while reviewing documents, not even glancing up. He was preoccupied with the urgent need to procure mana stones for the bombardment.

But the knight interrupted him urgently.

“This is no time to be looking over documents. Please come to the wall immediately!”

“…What’s going on?”

“The reinforcements have destroyed the enemy’s mana cannons!”

“What! Is that true?”

Jumping up from his seat in sheer astonishment, Foreado couldn’t even process the knight’s subsequent words.

“Where are they? I must see this for myself!”

For the first time since the city siege began, the furrows on his brow eased. Bae Dohyun’s group received an enthusiastic welcome, almost to the point of reverence.

Saving a city on the brink of defeat warranted such treatment, and Patriarch Foreado Tenba’s zeal added to the fervor. Considering he was so close to surrendering, he likely viewed them as saviors.

Hence, despite them being outsiders, he treated Bae Dohyun’s group with near-knightly respect.

“Hahaha, it feels reassuring to have you here! How did you manage to arrive precisely in our moment of need?”

It had been two days since their arrival. Rayson City had survived the bombardment thanks to the limited time restriction on the offensive.

Having lost half their artillery, the attackers made desperate attempts to break through the shield, but ultimately failed. Seeing how determined the defenders were, influential families of the city provided their hoarded mana stones.

This reprieve led to a temporary lull in the battle. It was merely a pause to prepare for a siege rather than a bombardment, and during this interval, Patriarch Foreado hosted a small banquet for Bae Dohyun’s group.

“This is a bit much, isn’t it?”

“If you don’t wipe that smile off your face, no one will believe you’re uncomfortable.”

“Oh, it’s all for business, for business.”

Linda and Ilwoo, dressed smartly, mingled throughout the banquet hall. Ilwoo escorted Linda away from the bothersome advances of some men.

On the other side, Meininger, surrounded by a group of young women, sipped his wine with a stoic expression, while Seohyun had already returned to her quarters, uncomfortable with the setting.

Meanwhile, Bae Dohyun was having a private conversation with Patriarch Foreado and General Vicious.

“Is it true?”

“It’s information we verified ourselves.”

Upon hearing Bae Dohyun’s report on the enemy’s strength, the mayor’s expression darkened slightly.

“General Vicious, what do you think?”

“If Sir Bae Dohyun’s intel is accurate, defending the city with our current forces will not be easy. But don’t worry. A siege isn’t won by numbers alone.”

Bae Dohyun nodded in agreement.

“We’ll take responsibility for dealing with the players, or rather, the outsiders. You, Patriarch, should focus on the enemy’s regular troops and their command.”

“Hmmm. You said there were a thousand of them, didn’t you? It’s not that I don’t trust you, but can five of you really handle that many on your own?”

Bae Dohyun confidently touched his chest with his fist.

“Not all outsiders are the same. We’ll demonstrate our capabilities tomorrow. So please….”

“…Very well. I’ll grant permission. It’s a situation where we must rely on your efforts. I wish you the best of luck.”

“Thank you.”

As Bae Dohyun departed, Foreado turned to General Vicious.

“Can we truly rely on them? This is an honorable position we’re entrusting them with.”

“Indeed it is, but we’re not like the knights of the Ruben Kingdom. We know what’s more important.”

“You are the only one I can truly count on. Even if Sir Bae Dohyun fails, I will depend on you, General.”

“Of course. We’ll protect this city ourselves.”

Honestly, taking out the mana cannon positions was impressive, but it was more a victory of strategy and luck than sheer skill. Confidence was good, but whether they could stand against real knights was questionable.

‘I hope they don’t just end up boosting the enemy’s morale.’

They still had no idea of the true capabilities of Bae Dohyun’s team.

*

The next morning, the Zeredu side advanced their forces early, preparing for a siege.

With 4,000 troops in formation, equipped with ladders, battering rams, siege towers, and other siege weapons, the soldiers on the city wall were visibly tense.

But just before the battle was set to begin.

Creak.

The city gate opened, and someone rode out to halt between the two armies.

Clamor, clamor.

As the sudden appearance of a knight caused a stir among the attacking forces,

Whirl.

Twirling his spear above his head and then pointing it at the enemy, he shouted,

“To the barbaric invaders I say this. My name is Bae Dohyun! Master of the Purple Guild and knighted by the First Viscounty! Is there anyone among you with the courage to face me in single combat?”

He was none other than Bae Dohyun, standing proudly in the middle of the battlefield, clad in white armor with a purple cloak adorned with a golden falcon.

“Bae Dohyun? Purple Guild? First Viscounty? Has anyone heard of these?”

In the Zeredu camp, A man with a long mustache, his face filled with amusement, asked. This was Kudre Zeredu, the head of the Zeredu family.

“Hahaha, where on earth is this place attached?”

“What, is he requesting a knight’s duel? Did he crawl out from some backwater of the Ruben Kingdom?”

The ten or so knights standing behind Kudre burst into laughter. Then an adjutant approached and reported to Kudre.

“That man is an outsider. And it seems he’s the one who destroyed our artillery a few days ago.”

“What! An insolent outsider pretending to be a knight! This is outrageous!”

Adding the insult of the sneak attack on their artillery, Kudre’s face turned red with anger.

“Someone, bring me that wretch’s head right now!”

Kudre commanded, but no one stepped forward.

‘Meeting a mercenary’s challenge to a duel would be a farce.’

The knights were reluctant, thinking they wouldn’t gain anything from it. Noticing this, Kudre’s anger began to rise.

At that moment, “May I take on that task?”

Kim Leesung, the guild master of New Star Guild, wearing a sly smile, proposed to Kudre.

(To be continued…)