"He was the king who commanded the Great Goblin Invasion that engulfed the entire western continent, one-third of the world. The damage inflicted at that ti was so extensive that even now, the western part of the continent hasnt fully recovered."
The Bringar Duchy spanned from the center of the continent to the west. Further west of this area, there were several small city-states in a desert region.
The reason why the western part of the continent was so barren was due to those goblins.
In the ga, they werent that strong...
Honestly, I was baffled. I never thought Jackal would get this serious talking about goblins, which I used to consider more like a bonus stage.
"Normally, goblins arent intelligent and are physically weak. Theyre just feeble creatures that swarm together. But under this King, things were different."
"How so?"
"He gathered goblins scattered across the continent, ford an army, and commanded them systematically. He equipped them and trained them well. And then he started a campaign of conquest."
Jackal explained while swallowing hard.
"That cunning rcenary tactic led to the fall of nurous other dynasties. Even though the kingdoms of the western continent were said to be at the forefront of magical civilization, they were easily swept away. Over ten kingdoms collapsed during that ti."
"..."
"Fortunately, assassins from the coalition forces barely managed to assassinate the King. With no successor, the Goblin Kings army disintegrated... although the situation had already turned the west into a wasteland."
So, this sa king had been resurrected in the Lake Kingdom.
And now, he was preparing to invade human territories again in this boss stage...
...Jackals right. I cant be careless.
It doesnt matter how formidable an enemy he really is. Just because it was easy in the ga, my guard started to drop. Get a grip, !
Didnt I pray this morning at the temple, asking that no one would die?
To make sure that happens, I must stay alert. Always...!
"By the way, you seem to know a lot about this. Its all old history, isnt it?"
"Im from the west... People there still tremble at the ntion of the Goblin King. Even crying babies stop when they hear his na."
Jackal explained with a sigh, looking up at his own Colosseum.
"Anyway, all my subordinate goblins have joined the Goblin King, so restoring this place has been delayed... I wonder when Ill ever finish the reconstruction by myself."
"..."
Hearing this, I couldnt help but grin.
We still had so ti before the next defense stage. Maybe I could lend a hand here in the anti.
"Hey Jackal, if I help restore your Colosseum, will you assist in the upcoming defense?"
At that, Jackal kneeled before with a solemn face.
"Your Highness, I am already your servant. If you require my assistance, you have itunconditionally! Just command !"
"Of course, I will. But the role I need you for is to be the master of this Colosseum..."
Rising from my seat, I looked at the flag in the center of the Colosseum, which sadly displayed Jackals face.
"Lets just replace that flag with mine."
Looks like Ive figured out where to use my next [Imperial Edict].
***
Since I was already in the dungeon, I visited the previously conquered Zone 1 [The Dried Sewer].
Resources regenerate in a conquered dungeon, collected at the end of every stage.
And those resources were:
[Zone 1 The Dried Sewer Occupation Reward]
- N-Grade Reward Box: 1
For example,
This is a random box...
Once the area was captured and farming was no longer possible, dungeon exploration clear rewards were freely provided at the end of each stage.
In so specific zones, unique materials and consumables might be generated, but in a featureless area like Zone 1, it simply spat out random boxes.
After retrieving the gray N-grade box that had appeared in what was originally the boss room, I grimaced. A fitting reward for Zone 1, indeed.
Well, in the long run, capturing multiple areas to farm additional boxes at the end of each stage is a good thing... but it ultimately ans more randomness.
I just realized, Ive been accumulating these boxes.
I had been collecting the reward boxes from Stage 11 onwards without opening them. I figured it was ti to clear them all out.
I juggled the boxes in my hands as I took the teleport gate back to my mansion. Considering its a holiday, Im working quite hard, arent I?
Flash!
As soon as I returned to the mansion, I went back to my room and dumped all the collected reward boxes onto my bed.
N-grade a few, R-grade about 20... and SR-grade 3...
I could just open them all, but this ti, I had a different idea. I opened the system window and accessed the Achievent Store.
Aider had recently updated the Achievent Store, adding a new feature among others that I was planning to use.
That feature was
[Reward Box Synthesizer]
Thats it!
Its a function that combines lower-grade reward boxes into the next grade up.
The formula is as follows.
> Combine 10 N-grade boxes 1 R-grade box
>
> Combine 10 R-grade boxes 1 SR-grade box
>
> Combine 5 SR-grade boxes 1 SSR-grade box
Actually, if you look at the efficiency, its a waste... but now that the ga has stabilized to so extent, its better to aim for high-grade equipnt through synthesis rather than collecting useless consumables or equipnt by opening N and R-grade boxes.
It was a feature supported in the ga too.
Even if Im short on boxes, I could make up the points with magic materials for the synthesis.
A gamble within a gamble, as it were. I despised the randomness, but my viewers loved it...
Ding!
After spending my achievent points to purchase the feature, I began the actual process of combining boxes.
I combined the N-grade and R-grade boxes, and even poured in so magic materials to make up for the shortfall... Ultimately, I combined them into two SR-grade boxes.
Flash!
With a purple flash, the gray and blue boxes disappeared, leaving two purple boxes rolling on the floor. Hmm, not bad.
If I combine them with the three I already had, that makes five SR-grade boxes... this is enough to aim for a jackpot.
Five purple boxes!
Ill surely get sothing useful. I reached out to open the boxes...
"..."
...but then I hesitated, taking another glance at the Reward Box Synthesizers formula.
> Combine 5 SR-grade boxes 1 SSR-grade box
"..."
No.
No, no. Thats not it.
Thats utterly inefficient. Id be a fool to fall for that.
Co on, RetroAddict! How many tis did you try that in the ga only to get crap items? Its even nicknad Reward Fireworks! Your rewards are going up in flas!
Dont get fooled! Dont get fooled! Don
Ding!
"Gah?!"
But my hand had moved of its own accord, shoving all five purple boxes into the synthesizer. Stop! Stop!
Rumble.
"...Ah."
I did it. I actually did it.
I stared at the golden box clenched in my hand, my mouth slightly ajar.
Its okay, sothing good will co out. The odds of getting a dud among SSRs are almost none, right?
Going for the sure thing! Im definitely not addicted to gacha!
Swallowing my dry spit, I excitedly opened the box.
"Did I get a cheat item?!"
What erged with a dazzling golden effect was:
[Fragnt of the Great Commanders Flag] (3/5)
- One of the five pieces for character Ashs exclusive equipnt [Great Commanders Flag (EX)].
- Combine all five pieces to complete the flag.
It was just a fragnt of a flag...
"..."
Flutter flutter.
The torn flag fragnt asserted its presence as it fluttered inside the box. It was an inanimate object, but I wanted to destroy it.
"Still... its... accumulating sohow..."
I muttered through gritted teeth.
The culmination of all the blood, sweat, and tears gathered from Stage 11 to 14... The culmination of our friendship, effort, and labor... was a flag fragnt I couldnt even use right away!
The completed item better have ga-changing effects. If not, Aider is dead.
I ntally threatened the morally corrupt director and tossed the flag fragnt into my inventory.
Anyway, its the third piece. Just two more and Ill have my own exclusive equipnt.
Lets think positively, positively...
...Ill have to go on a shopping spree at the blacksmiths tomorrow.
Ill have to splurge on equipnt tomorrow to heal todays emotional wounds...
***
Was it the hearty New Years stew I had? Or maybe it was because I received an abundance of blessings at the temple? Or perhaps, it was because I finally got so fresh air?
I felt refreshed as I rose from my seat the next day. My physical condition was completely fine.
I can go full throttle preparing for the next defense battle.
There was no reason to delay. I imdiately started to move.
First, I stopped by the Alchemy Workshop. I was there to hasten the completion of the defense tower[Magic Turret]for which I had previously commissioned research. Fortunately, they were in the final stages.
"It should be completed today."
"Good. I plan to run a field test this afternoon, so have it ready by then."
"Yes, Your Majesty."
After receiving the Alchemy Guild Masters send-off, I left the workshop.
Next, I visited the rcenary Guild.
Due to a previous espionage incident, they had added an extra layer of identity verification. Despite that, a large number of rcenaries were milling about, waiting for deploynt.
No particularly outstanding parties stood out, but the overall quality had risen. Now R-grade heroes were more prevalent than N-grade.
I quickly scanned the list, slamd the file shut, and gave a brief command.
"Hire them all."
"Yes, My Lord. However..."
Lucas, who had followed , trailed off, and I looked at him quizzically.
"However?"
"Were nearing capacity for our barracks. Were still okay for now, but if you continue to hire at this rate, well run out of lodging for the rcenaries."
Here in Crossroad, the facility could accommodate just over three thousand troops, and we had just crossed two thousand.
Although one might think that we still have room for another thousand, only a few stages ago, at Stage 10, we had just over one thousand troops.
Now, standing on the threshold of Stage 15, were over two thousand. It took only a few months for our numbers to double.
If this trend continues, well soon reach our maximum capacity of three thousand. Thats what Lucas was pointing out.
"Contact the Woodworking and Stonemasonry Guilds. Request additional construction for the barracks. Schedule a eting for tomorrow to discuss it."
"So, youre planning to increase our forces further?"
"The number of monsters will only increase. Its always better to have more troops."
Money was never really an issue. The influx of monsters caused a surge in magic stone revenue, filling up the coffers nicely.
Even now, thanks to Silver Winters rchant Guild distributing magic stones across the continent, the funds were quite substantial.
But the loss of life wasnt sothing that could be easily replaced.
To minimize casualties and effectively counter the monsters, it was crucial to maintain an overwhelmingly superior force.
More than anything, we need more heroes. High-ranking heroes...
Although the number of regular soldiers had been generously replenished, there was a shortage of hero characters, especially those of SR grade or higher.
We need to build a hotel with a casino ASAP!
Once the land was prepared and the cold weather passed, the construction of the hotel would begin in earnest. Then, high-ranking rcenaries hooked on the casino would start appearing. My tourism city project, show your effectiveness soon...!
For now, I had to be content with this. I got up from my seat. It was ti to hit the blacksmith and splurge on equipnt.
Just as Lucas and I were about to leave the rcenary guild,
Bang!
The door to the rcenary guild swung open, and five large figures staggered in.
Clad in hefty armor, their bodies were wrapped in bandages like mummies, visible through the gaps in their armor.
Their faces were either wrapped in bandages, hidden under robes or hoods, or concealed by overturned helts.
A mixture of herbal and sickly odors emanated from them. Recognizing who they were, the rcenaries inside the guild recoiled in horror.
"Eek?!"
"Those are the Leprosy Extermination Squad!"
"Why are these monsters here?!"
While other rcenaries distanced themselves as if they had seen sothing horrifying, Lucas too seed quite guarded.
But I felt the opposite.
My eyes sparkled involuntarily, and a joyful shiver ran down my spine.
Holy moly, what a New Years blessing!
It seed like I was off to a very lucky start this year.
No wonder.
Flicker, flicker.
Behind these ominous and dangerous-looking five, a beautiful purple light was flashing.
These guys, theyre all SR-grade rcenaries!
Overwheld with joy, I couldnt help but spread my arms and exclaim,
"Welco to Crossroad!"
"...?"
The five giants seed puzzled by my reaction, freezing in place as they stepped inside.
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