Lucas began to speak with caution. “I…” I was on pins and needles. Multiple contingency plans sprouted in my mind, considering how to justify my actions to Lucas in a manner that would ensure his continued loyalty. However. “I simply follow your orders. I harbor no doubts.” Those were Lucas’s words. “I am your sword…

“From this day forward, you will die on the frontlines!” I declared it without any attempt to sugarcoat the truth. “Each week, fresh graves will appear in this cemetery, accompanied by the mournful tunes of the choir.” Despite my efforts to limit the losses, lives would be lost. There could never be a battlefront void…

Leaving Aider with a list of tasks for the day, Lucas and I exited the mansion. About half an hour later, we found ourselves standing in front of the Mercenary Guild. Although it was called the Mercenary Guild, it bore a strong resemblance to an inn. It was a hub where uncontracted mercenaries lodged, dined,…

“What’s there to hide? Absolutely! I am the Director of [Protect the Empire], Aider~” “…” My mind went blank. The director? This kid? So, the one who dragged me into this was this son of a…? My mind whirled with a hurricane of thoughts. Just at that moment… —Thud! Aider collapsed, spreadeagle, onto the floor….

The carriage shuddered with every turn of the wheels. “Yawn…” A yawn slipped from my mouth as the carriage gently rocked to and fro. It had been three days since we left the forward base, making our way northward in the carriage. Our pace was slow, burdened with caring for the injured – and I…

“Bro!” A lone message materialized in the barren chat window. “Dude, you’re amazing. How did you pull that off?” I found myself at a loss for words. This was the first message from a viewer since I had initiated the stream, and I was clueless about how to react. As I sat there, flabbergasted, another…

“Lilly.” I attempted to move towards Lilly, but she raised her hand to halt me. “I can’t hold out much longer. I may be able to barricade the entrance a bit more, but the spiders from the Black Spider Legion will soon break through.” “…..” “Our time is running out. Hurry.” While holding off scores…

—Kyaaaaaaaaaaaaa! Monsters flooded relentlessly around the cannon, now preparing for its third mana shot. Lucas’ defensive line was holding up for the moment, but it was clear it wouldn’t last much longer. “Loading complete!” “Damien!” The artillery commander confirmed the load was ready. Without missing a beat, I called out to Damien. “Fire!” Damien’s eyes…

“Compose yourself.” A fleeting wave of panic passed over me, but I immediately cooled my mind. “She must be there.” The queen was undeniably listed in the stage’s enemy roster. She had to be somewhere on the map. “Moreover, the goal of this stage isn’t to slay a boss. It’s not surprising that the boss…

The first light of day started to stretch across the horizon. The fortress, once bathed in the cool tranquility of night, began to glow with the onset of the morning sun. I stood atop its battlements. In the distance… I could see the horde of spiders that had encircled our forward base. The spiders, having…