chapter 167

‘It’s actually a very good situation.’

‘The place is within the city.’

“Hehehe.”

“Yes, Count.”

“From now on, Castle Rock will enter on a war footing.”

Even if I didn’t like it, I had to find some agreement. It was then that an unexpected response came out of Count Castle Rock’s mouth.

“That’s… Where did this information come from?”

“It’s been a long time, Count Castle Rock.”

“Normally, a threat sends a warning and doesn’t come. Then, at some point, it suddenly comes in. I think we should prepare for it.”

“It certainly seems like that. It’s also suspicious that they are out of their territory… First of all, it would be nice to have a meeting and come up with measures.”

“Hem.”

The location wasn’t bad. There were some things I was worried about, but to be honest, it didn’t matter if the underground site ended up getting swept away.

“Most of them are the ones who will run away if the wave suddenly were to occur.”

“If there is a countermeasure, there’s some data that have already been organized.”

“I think that would be nice, too.”

“Is that true?”

“Good job, Hayan.”

I think it’ll be okay….

Although they greeted him one by one, this was, by no means, a social intervention.

‘So, the motherfuckers at the auction house can’t get out. Them and their money.

I personally liked putting together puzzles. As one more piece fit in, I began to feel better. Anyway, even if I did not move, the situation in Castle Rock would continue to change.

After praising Haitian and stroking his hair, I was immediately notified of Count Castle Rock summoning all guild and clan masters in the territory. This only made me smile.

“I’ll see you later.”

It looked like Count Castle Rock didn’t like them, however, and if one were to think about what I had just salad before, then the reason why would be understandable.

After all, it was Blue that had informed them of the impending danger. If I had to explain it, it would mean that we were in a pretty good situation even before the wave had started.

“Are you sure?”

Even as I mulled over my thoughts, Jung Haitian continued to stare at me. Since I had this settled, it would be prudent for me to join the meeting.

“Yes, it is. There are many similar situations already appearing in the forest.”

I thought something would come out of dissatisfaction, but Count Castle Rock’s attitude was much stronger than expected, and all the guild masters here didn’t dare say anything.

Even if something suddenly happened, there would not be many people to trust. Whatever would come out of the mouth of the Honorary Bishop of the Holy Empire would be different.

What was a little surprising was that Song Jungwook had agreed with the Count’s decision. she was now looking at me, smiling.

My role was to support Kim Hyunsung’s opinion and have the others believe in him.

“It’s strangely quiet, and the ecology of most monsters is abnormal.”

Except for the fact that that was where the upper classes of Castle Rock lived, there was nothing special about it. It was hard to imagine that there was such a large site underground, but seeing that Jung Haitian pointed this out with confidence, it seemed that I would not have to worry about an error.

“I have already told you, but signs will continue to appear. We checked it personally during our hunt. It is surprisingly similar to the signs that occur in cities that receive monster waves.”

‘So we are indeed experiencing a wave.

“Ah, Honorary Bishop Li Kiyoung.”

“A-Are you sure?”

“So, the Little Rock Master will use her own troops. This is what you mean.”

I sat in a nearby seat next to Kim Hyunsung, and after a while, Count Castle Rock began to speak. I already knew what this would be about, but not what she would say in detail. Whatever the choice, Count Castle Rock was free, but I knew that Marlin Young-ae’s father, who now stood in front of me, would respect me to some extent.

“What? I haven’t heard of it…”

Of course, you wouldn’t have heard it. There was no news like that in the first place.

“It’s a rumor spreading secretly among free people… I understand that you haven’t come across it, Count Castle Rock. As a free citizen, it’s a little embarrassing to say, but… Many people do not like this situation.”

“I think I can understand what you’re talking about.”

“You can sit down.”

As soon as I snuck into their conversation, their eyes began to focus on me.

Besides, the motherfuckers who would try to run away at this opportunity should also be properly stopped.

What I just salad was not a lie. I knew there would be people who would try to flee. Count Castle Rock was no fool, so I knew she would understand what I was talking about

“We need to declare martial law right now to ensure people’s safety. It is better not to end with convocation, but to organize troops and wait for it on a war footing.”

“Alright…”

‘Right?’

“I am worried that it may create anxiety for permanent residents, but… This makes sense.”

“Feeling anxious is normal. It’d be worrying if they didn’t feel nervous at all.”

Before I even finished speaking, other people had started to enter the conference room. These were all faces that I had seen at least once, due to Song Jungwook’s introduction of them.

Monster Wave (3)

“Yes. Despite living in the Holy Empire’s land, many claim only freedom and do not take responsibility for their obligations and rights. Some free people aren’t very happy with this situation of being drafted. ‘Why should we fight for Castle Rock?’ There are certainly people who think that.”

This worked in my favor. It would make it a little easier for my work.

“Yes, I’ll tell you again later in the briefing. We are sure about this fact.”

“Ah… It was no problem at all!”

I knew a situation similar to this would happen if this were the Holy Empire. Although similar in its conscription, it was the free people’s duty to fight for the empire as they themselves were living within its borders.

The guild masters and clan masters all sat down with a puzzled look. Song Jungwook started looking at me as if asking what was going on.

“This hasn’t happened in decades…”

“About the free people’s way… I don’t know what you’re talking about. What is the free people’s way? Is it the free people’s way to put the imperialists at the forefront and only survive?”

‘No matter how much you beg, you’ll be at the forefront, Jungwook.’

‘The western area, huh.’

“Of course, there may be a manual in case the situation breaks out in Castle Rock, but we have something personally prepared. In fact, this is because we received the news that abnormal signs appeared in the monster forest even before we came to Castle Rock.”

‘It’s also far away from Yeongju Tower…’

Once the meeting of the day was over, after telling that a monster wave would be happening, there would surely be an expedition, a trip, or some guys choosing to flee from Castle Rock.

It was unacceptable even for the Count, who must protect the resident people. It would be reasonable to accept my opinion in many ways.

“Alright. Thank you, Hayan.”

‘Nice.

“I think there will be a monster wave within the next month. While requesting assistance from other cities, after blocking the exit, I will integrate the forces of the free men in Castle Rock with the forces of Yeongju Tower.”

“What…”

“A monster wave will occur?”

As I moved towards the conference room, I saw Count Castle Rock and Kim Hyunsung talking. They both wore serious expressions, but this did nothing to alleviate my happiness.

It was Kim Hyunsung who answered that bullshit.

“This is the information we have managed to investigate during our stay.”

“But Li Kiyoung is not even from Castle Rock.”

‘Not bad.

As soon as our returner stopped speaking, panicked voices began to fill up the room. In lieu of such a terrifying situation, it was natural for these people to feel anxious. Even hearing about Count Castle Rock’s plan seemed to do nothing but heighten their panic.

‘Tut-tut.

she looked funny, looking as if she could get something out of this.

It was at this time that Song Jungwook, of the Little Rock, quietly opened her mouth.

“Count Castle Rock.”

“What is it, Little Rock Guild Master?”

“It makes sense to say that you’ll be on a war footing and that you’ll declare martial law… but incorporating us with the Yeongju Tower forces in order to fight, that’s…”

“Is there a problem?”

“Perhaps it won’t work properly. In the first place, it is stated that the guilds and clans act as independent units in the event of a scandalous situation similar to that of war under imperial law. This same rule is also applied in Yeongju Tower…”

“No. To be precise, imperial law states that the troops’ organization can be changed at the Supreme Commander’s discretion. There is nothing wrong with imperial law.”

“But…”

Other voices began to pop out from everywhere.

“When it comes to the discretion of the Supreme Commander, I would like you to consider the choice you just made. We, too, are aware that we, as free people in Castle Rock, must join the threats that come, but… Perhaps…”

“It seemed that a lot of fighting would happen with the Knights of Yeongju Tower. Do you mean for this to happen?”

“I don’t mean that. I was just telling you that free people have their own way. Please make a more rational choice.”

At my open, trusting expression, Hyunsung nodded at me with an expression of gratitude. Building up her courage, she began to talk once more, looking every bit like the man I admired.

“No, Count. At least I think that it should be a free citizen that should command the free people…”

Considering the fact that it was also on the opposite side of the church, it really wouldn’t mean much if it disappeared off the map.

“No…”

“If not, what is it, Little Rock Guild Master? I am not stupid. I know why you are staying in Castle Rock, and I know why you want an independent unit. I know you would hate to give your life for this place.”

“I never mean that. But the situation…”

It felt like neither of them would yield. This was not a helpful image for both. It was imperative that free people and imperialists maintain a peaceful symbol of friendship.

From the Count’s perspective, she might think that this was a temporary dispute, but this would definitely create a rift in the future.

‘Their relationship might break at some point.’

As the Honorary Bishop of the Holy Empire, she may already know that I was close to Count Castle Rock, so he, who had maintained a close relationship with me, felt that she was safe, no matter what would happen.

“If you think so, then I’ll leave it to Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung.”

‘That’s it!’

Of course, it was not a good thing for the free people living in Castle Rock. I was just a guest, after all. As expected, I could see some of the guild masters opening their mouths to protest.

Everyone’s expressions had gone blank. In such a sudden situation, some of the faces began to crumble.

“It’s the maximum concession that I can make.”

‘He’s cute.

I couldn’t tell if she was quick-witted or not. she knew that the case had happened, but she didn’t seem to think about how her treatment will change.

‘This bastard…’

she seemed to think that I would take her side in this discussion.

“Yes, I am.”

That had already been decided since the start.