The first day of the Mercury War passed without much incident.
Crunch-
Well, if you call this tough jerky they gave us as a meal an incident, then it might be considered one.
Still, the stew was fine, so I could manage to fill my hunger for now.
When the sun had completely set and darkness descended, I organized my thoughts while looking at the flickering torchlight beside those on guard, both above and below the castle walls, in their respective territories.
I thought about just going to sleep, but my hand automatically reached for the terminal.
Can’t resist checking the gallery before bed, can I?
There was one topic immediately ready to be posted.
Title: If Risclein is correct, knight reinforcements should arrive by tomorrow. Is there any potential for complications?
Writer: Anonymous
– I don’t know if they’re bringing a mage along, but I hope there won’t be unnecessary friction.
n Friction is guaranteed, hahaha.
n Generally, when expecting trouble at the tower, it tends to materialize.
n (Sorceress) Hahaha, I can’t deny that.
n If the number of orcs that have appeared is this large, they must have sent at least a third-tier unit.
n (Archmage) They likely assigned one mage as well.
n (Archmage) Always be cautious of variables when taking on quests. While most quests simply entail killing monsters, there are times when you end up being killed by an NPC unrelated to the quest.
n Anonymous) Isn’t that too far-fetched? And you just said to commandeer a mage, right?
n (Archmage) What I meant was to take control of the situation based on the circumstances, ensuring you don’t die.
n (Archmage) What area or domain are you located in currently?
Oh, I haven’t mentioned that yet.
n Anonymous) Initially, the system informed me it was an autonomous city.
n (Archmage) In that case, the influence of the knights probably isn’t too strong. With no illustrious background to rely on, they might not be as domineering.
n (Archmage) What’s the positioning of the existing forces? Assuming you cause trouble, who do you think would side with you?
After briefly pondering, I posted a reply.
n Anonymous) It’s somewhat ambiguous who would take my side. Even if I stir things up a bit, they likely won’t become hostile.
n (Archmage) Well, then stir things up a bit. Regardless of whether it’s an autonomous city or not, the honor of the Leceruna Mercenary Corps is different from that of ordinary mercenaries, so knights won’t easily confront them. There are veteran members of the mercenary corps who hold influence within their world, even if they aren’t present.
n Anonymous) Actually, I’ve been curious—why does the Leceruna Mercenary Corps seem weaker than their reputation suggests? Their leader, Risclein, seems about on par with me.
n That’s because Risclein’s bloodline is one of delayed success.
n (Pioneer) More crucially, the reason Risclein is your partner NPC for ascending the tower is the mutual growth type rather than a one-time encounter.
n This is accurate. Even if you don’t meet her again on the third floor, you will likely encounter her at least once more within the first ten floors. By then, Risclein will have grown to be as strong, or close to as strong, as you.
So that’s how it is.
If I were to gain a climbing partner, I’d prefer someone powerful who could easily guide me, like a bus driver. But I guess that’s not in the cards.
The conversation returned to the subject of reinforcements and how to handle potential conflicts.
n (Ice Queen) Any trouble caused must be met with swift discipline! Don’t be afraid! Freeze them out!
Hmm.
From her tone thus far, I thought she was a pacifist, but it seems she’s far from it. Is maintaining one’s sanity necessary to overcome the harder challenges?
n (Demon Dragon King) Beldtui could be roughed up a bit without much issue, I think.
n According to Beldtui’s experiences, climbers in the same position as the opponent tend not to perform well or even can’t perform well.
Such a fitting comment from someone with that nickname, and the reasoning was quite convincing, albeit problematic.
n (Light Sword) Given the presence of the Orc Warlord, a third-tier unit is likely deployed.
n Anonymous) Just how powerful is a third-tier unit?
n You could say they’re strong given your current status.
n (Light Sword) In terms of knights’ tiers, you’re objectively second-tier. If we consider only your mana capacity, you could still be considered first-tier; however, no one would deem the one who killed a warlord as merely first-tier.
Subsequently, Light Sword explained the characteristics of typically second-tier individuals who handle mana but cannot channel it into their blades for an aura. Second-tier knights rely on physical enhancement alone for combat.
n (Light Sword) Third-tier knights can unleash sword qi (sword energy).
n (Absolute Monarch) Some individuals never advance beyond the second tier throughout their entire lives.
n Anonymous) So if they harness sword qi, does it automatically make me incapable of facing them?
n (Light Sword) Third-tier sword qi is rather incomplete. There are even some where not using it is better. Their martial arts, too, are far from perfected.
n (Light Sword) If you had fully learned the Dragon Slayer Sword technique that I wrote down, it might be possible to overcome them purely through swordsmanship. But you haven’t devoted enough time to training.
n Can overcoming the disparity of sword qi through swordsmanship alone really be possible? Get real.
n Haha, to those with a worm’s perspective, it might seem that way. Just look at how the climber defeated the warlord without using sword energy. Isn’t that evidence the Light Sword’s advice is valid?
n Anonymous) Why do I sense the climber and Light Sword have ulterior motives again?
The gallery was peaceful today as well.
Light Sword didn’t respond much to the comments on his chat.
n (Light Sword) When facing a third-tier combatant, or someone stronger than yourself, how should one proceed to win? That’s your doubt, right.
That’s exactly it.
Light Sword shared a method with me.
*
The next morning, changes started immediately before I even consciously woke up.
Suddenly, things around me became chaotic.
“Come out, one who claims to have defeated the Orc Warlord.”
What is this?
My tent was suddenly thrown open, revealing two men in impressive full plate armor. The man with golden hair pointed at the straight sword leaning against my wall with a nod of his chin.
“Pick up your sword.”
The knight unsheathed his sword.
“You must prove it. That you were the one who killed the Orc Warlord.”
[NPC – Third-tier Knight William]
Third-tier.
I recalled the characteristics of third-tier individuals that I had read about in the gallery.
Knights who can summon an energy field around their swords. Knights who can manifest sword energy. This marks the beginning of becoming a true powerhouse.
The method Light Sword had suggested to counter a third-tier knight was simple.
And its simplicity made it rather flimsy.
– (Light Sword) Execute the footwork technique. The first person you surprise with it won’t have time to react properly.
‘Footwork technique, huh.’
The footwork technique available when using only mana to enhance bodily strength hardly deserved its name.
It was simply a way of saying punch first.
Thus, trouble had found me.
According to the advice of the hard difficulty mentors, it ultimately would come down to a show of force.
Would causing a commotion here bring benefits or losses?
I quickly scanned William’s surroundings.
One mage with golden hair caught my eye.
[NPC – Third-tier Mage Yunes]
The mage was also third-tier.
I recalled the Archmage’s comments. Grabbing control of the situation would make this quite a useful setup.
I could teach William a lesson and make the mage malleable enough to cooperate.
“Stop making me repeat myself. Would you admit that slaying the Orc Warlord was merely a stroke of luck?”
While collecting my thoughts, William added another sentence.
I dispersed mana throughout my body.
“Is it not somewhat overconfident to arrive late yet act so boldly?”
William’s eyebrows furrowed violently at my words.
“…What did you say?”
“The Orc Warlord I slew—wasn’t it originally supposed to be defeated by you? I risked my life and did you a favor by killing it, so why are you taking it out on me?”
A genuine look of anger appeared on William’s face.
“Insolent commoner.”
Oh dear.
It seems like he’s about to draw his sword.
Sword energy.
The method to ignore that is simple. Rush in and attack before he can even draw his sword.
I stomped hard on the ground.
Before William’s right hand could reach the sword at his waist, I extended my right hand to grab him.
My target was William’s shoulder.
Instead of roughing him up, let’s use a suplex to startle him a bit.
William’s bulky body swayed precariously.
Bang!
I slammed him onto the ground.
“Aaaaaagh!”
William stretched out sprawled on the ground, trembling as he stared at me.
“Why couldn’t you dodge that?”
Third-tier knight. Is this title really accurate? William was clearly taken aback, attempting to rise and yell.
Once things are out of control, adding fuel to the fire can be beneficial. A punch to the abdomen.
“Urgh!”
William, caught off guard by being thrown, couldn’t counter this either.
…As this continues, the Dragon King’s remark that such positions fail to perform adequately seems to ring true.
Swoosh!
“That guy…!”
Two second-tier knights and three soldiers who arrived with William drew their swords. At least the subordinates recognized their superior’s predicament and stepped forward. Lucky.
While William, still half-lying on the ground, was trying to draw his sword, Risclein to my front planted her right foot firmly on the ground.
Thud!
The furious and reddened faces of William and his subordinates shifted their attention to Risclein.
“Let’s stop this here. We haven’t finished fighting the Orcs. What’s more important now isn’t this pointless dispute, it’s preparing for the next battle.”
This intervention came from Risclein this time.
“The purpose of sending the knights isn’t to waste time like this, is it?”
Risclein remained unshaken by the soldiers’ hostile stares.
Noisy footsteps echoed as more soldiers hurriedly ascended.
The soldier gasped for breath after running up the stairs.
“The Orcs are breaching the boundary line again.”
“Unseen enemies have also appeared. They seem to be under the influence of an Orc Shaman judging by their increased numbers!”
The alarming news reverberated in my ears.
Risclein clicked her tongue.
“See? This isn’t the time. Let’s settle this dispute after the battle is over.”
The knights and soldiers, frozen because their captain, William, was still on the ground, couldn’t respond to Risclein’s words.
After securing my armor, I descended the stairs.
Ignoring the still yelling William, I reached the walls below.
I drew my sword.
Risclein stood beside me.
I turned to her and spoke.
“Are you certain there’s an Orc Shaman?”
Risclein nodded her head slowly.
“One of my ranger subordinates confirmed it. The Orcs appear to be excessively frenzied.”
An Orc Shaman.
The person exactly as Light Sword and the Archmage had predicted.
They mentioned that, while the shaman couldn’t resurrect dead Orcs like a necromancer, they possessed the ability to drive Orcs nearing death to rage with greater ferocity than usual.
My gaze fell on the mage Yunes, slowly descending the stairs with a tense expression.
“I’ll take that mage with me.”
“Me?”
“You?”
Both Risclein and the mage Yunes reacted to my words.
“I have use for him.”
“But, my consent…!”
Yunes appeared distressed.
“I have a specific purpose for him.”
“You dare question…!”
Yunes’s protests died away as new orders echoed through the chaos.
