Overgeared

by Park Saenal

  It was a half elixir. There was no easy way to grow elixirs. Maybe it would be impossible forever. It was because the wavelengths generated if a user grew one would be too big. It was possible that the S.A. Group had blocked it.

  “Well, okay. We will all return except for Piaro and Noll.”

  “Hey! Really?” Noll shouted. His voice was as loud as a train compared to his young appearance.

  Lauel approached Grid. “Wouldn’t it be nice to capture the rest of the cities with this much power?”

  “I don’t think it’s worth it.”

  Grid decided that at the present time, it was impossible to raid Marie Rose and Fenrir. There was absolutely no chance against Marie Rose and Fenrir should only be challenged after the fourth advancement since he was several times stronger than an earl. It would be a big blow to lose so many troops if he challenged them now. Then he had to target cities that didn’t have the two. They were cities without direct descendants.

  “There are few rewards that can be obtained if we capture a city without a direct descendant. There isn’t much time left until the National Competition. Until then, I think it’s better to raise our growth.”

  “I admit it.” Lauel was convinced and nodded.

  “Return the whole army.”

  “Yes!”

  The king’s order was absolute. The tens of thousands of soldiers moved the moment Grid gave the order. The power to move tens of thousands with one word…

  Grid felt refreshed.

  ‘King. Yes, I am a king.’

  Now he was responsible for numerous people. He had to remember that his honor was their honor.

  In that sense…

  ‘I will give a good show in the National Competition.’

  He wouldn’t lose. Even if his opponent was Kraugel.

  ‘This time I will win.’

  He would pay Kraugel back for last year’s defeat and take this year’s victory. Grid’s eyes were blazing. He was full of enthusiasm and joy just thinking about Kraugel.

  ***

  “How active can Japan be in the National Competition this year?”

  Click!

  Snap snap!

  Camera flashes went off here and there. Damian was surrounded by hundreds of reporters. He was one of the top-ranked players of Japan and the first user to become the pope of the Rebecca Church. Despite the fact that he was a fan of the Korean Grid, Damian was a hero to the modern Japanese people.

  Putting aside personal tendencies, his abilities were recognized by the Japanese people and they had a great expectation for him. In particular, this year’s National Competition would be held in Japan and people wished for Damian and the Japanese rankers to play a bigger role than usual.

  “A century ago, Japan was classified as country weak in e-sports. But that is due to the Japanese people’s tendencies to neglect online games, not because they lack gaming talent. The Japanese have excellent gaming skills because they are placed in an environment where they can easily access the game from a young age.”

  Indeed, this fact was proven in Satisfy. There were quite a few Japanese on each class rankings list. Damian believed in them.

  “This year, Japan will be able to reach the top 5. I think this is enough to be proud of as the host country.”

  Most reporters nodded silently. Damian’s analysis was realistic. On the other hand, some reporters questioned it.

  “Aren’t you evaluating Japan too low? There are many talented people in Japan including you and Katz. There are a lot more rankings compared to China and India, which has 10 times the population of Japan. When it comes to population ratio, aren’t we the country with the most number of rankers?”

  “Won’t Japan be in at least the top three? In particular, this year’s National Competition is different from the previous year. It is a system where one excellent person can’t monopolize medals. We might not have a dominant person like the United, States, Canada, Brazil, and South Korea, but isn’t Japan’s average power enough to rank in the top three?”

  ‘It’s starting again.’

  Damian frowned. He already knew based on previous experience. They were speaking with unnecessary malice.

  “Maybe you want to claim that South Korea will be in third place?”

  Indeed. The journalists of the right-wing media outlets wanted to create a conspiracy around South Korea.

  “Sigh.”

  Damian looked like someone else when he sighed. The reporters who saw him sighing at the official press conference were surprised. In the Japanese society that emphasized manners, Damian’s behavior was very rude. Damian shrugged without caring.

  “Even at this year’s National Competition, whose rules are aimed at suppressing South Korea, you’re still conscious of them? It’s pitiful. Are you unable to sleep every night out of fear of South Korea?”

  “What…?”

  “What a rude person!”

  The reporters were red with agitation. The same was true for the right wing Japanese watching the press conference broadcast. The Internet was filled with posts condemning Damian. But Damian wasn’t conscious of it at all. He was a person with strong beliefs. He wasn’t afraid of irrational evaluations.

  “Perhaps the most interesting party of your question is how I evaluate Grid? There is always a good story when I mention Grid.”

  “…”

  He saw through it exactly. No reported denied it.

  Damian opened his mouth. “Two gold medals.”

  “…?”

  “Due to the S.A. Group, people can only participate in two events. Thus, this year’s Grid can only win two gold medals.”

  Other players would find it hard to obtain one gold medal but Damian evaluated Grid as obtaining ‘only’ two gold medals. Questions poured out.

  “So far, Grid has always been involved in PvP. He actually won a gold medal in it at the 1st National Competition. But in the 2nd National Competition, a barrier called Kraugel appeared and he missed the gold medal.”

  “This year, only a handful of people believe that Grid will beat Kraugel. But Damian, you are promising that Grid will win two gold medals?”

  “In other words.”

  “Grid will avoid the PvP event this year?”

  This was the point. Grid would avoid fighting with Kraugel. The quietly listening Damian laughed.

  “There is no doubt.”

  “…?”

  “He will chase Kraugel!”

  “…??”

  “Grid will take part in both of Kraugel’s events and beat him. Maybe that is Grid’s goal this year. I know that he is such a person.”

  “…!!”

  Not being afraid of losing after last year! The reporters started to write the breaking news.

  [Can Grid reach the sky above the sky this time?]

  [Grid, aiming at Kraugel!]

  And so on.

  The exciting titles caused a stir overseas. Thanks to that, Grid was suffering.

  “Oh, that brat Damian.”

  If it wasn’t PvP, Grid was planning to avoid Kraugel. He wanted to reliably secure at least one gold medal. He wanted to play in the blacksmith event. However, the atmosphere meant it wasn’t possible. Grid would be branded as a coward if he avoided Kraugel.

  “Ah… This bastard treats his benefactor like this.”

  He was unhappy. As usual, Grid had many things to think about.

  Chapter 734

  Chapter 734

  Shortly after the Noll raid ended.

  “Won’t the soldiers need a break? Let’s take a break in Reidan.”

  “Thank you for your deep consideration!”

  Chris encouraged the soldiers to take a break before returning home. The soldiers were in tears from the consideration. The soldiers marched without a break because they thought Grid was in danger, then they fought the vampires after crossing the desert. They were physically and mentally in a difficult state. Their eyes were dark at the thought of crossing the desert aga
in to return home. It was recommended that they take a break. It was a break in Reidan, the second capital. It was obviously sweet honey.

  “Leave the rest to me and return.”

  Chris told Grid as he smiled at the cheering soldiers.

  Grid expressed his appreciation. “Thank you for taking care of the soldiers. It will cost a lot of money to provide accommodations and meals to tens of thousands of people…”

  “It’s natural as a duke of the Overgeared Kingdom. It isn’t something to be thankful about.”

  “…It feels good.”

  Grid was fulfilled. The presence of strong colleagues made him happy. The melancholy of the days when he was alone was washed away.

  ***

  “What? What force is that?”

  “Is this the power of the Overgeared Kingdom?”

  ‘If you want to interview me, come to Reidan.’

  This was the words of Chris, the hope of Canada. Since he was busy as duke of the Overgeared Kingdom, he refused to hold a press conference in reality. He couldn’t afford to waste that much time. Canada’s media agreed to his position. They dispatched reporters to Reidan.

  At this point, the reporters’ only concern was the National Competition. The most prominent Canadian ranker, Chris, received overwhelming support from the Canadian people. He had been in the top position in the rankings for more than a year. They wanted to know what he thought about the 3rd National Competition, what vision he had and how much he could achieve. The reporters had hundreds of questions to ask Chris, many of which were related to the National Competition.

  But now.

  “Duke Chris is returning in triumph!”

  Tuong!

  Tung! Tung! Tudong!

  The procession of tens of thousands of soldiers following Chris as he returned changed the interest of the reporters.

  ‘The total force of the Overgeared Kingdom was estimated to be 60,000…?’

  ‘The information was wrong…! Rumor has it that the Overgeared Kingdom only has 60,000 troops. Yet how could there be 40,000 troops in Reidan when it isn’t the capital…! The Overgeared Kingdom must have at least 100,000 troops!’

  ‘The Overgeared Kingdom…! How can a new kingdom have this much power…? This is Grid’s power!’

  The media paid attention to the great procession of soldiers following Chris. They were excited to find proof that the power of the Overgeared Kingdom was more than the rumors. It was a scoop. But the real scoop occurred afterwards.

  “An envoy from the Saharan Empire has arrived!”

  “What?”

  “Huh?”

  Chris and the reporters were surprised. The empire sent an envoy? Why?

  ‘Haven’t the two nations become completely hostile since the tributes stopped being offered?’

  Chris looked troubled at the sight of the envoy. He was already worried about what the dog of the empire would talk about.

  ‘The reason why an envoy was sent here might be to test a reconciliation… Of course, it will be accompanied by threats.’

  It was upsetting now that he was targeted by the empire. Chris was extremely worried about how the empire would pressure him. He was feeling anxious when the empire’s envoy came up to him. The people of Reidan and the Canadian reporters paid attention.

  The envoy declared to Chris, “I came to tell you the will of His Majesty the Emperor.”

  “What…?

  Chris’ voice was filled with tension. The tens of thousands of people gathered around him, the people of Reidan and the reporters of Canada were all nervous. It was a message from Juander, the ultimate person who could change the map of the continent with a few words.

  What did he want to convey? It didn’t seem to be anything good. They could only assume the worst. The moment that everyone was feeling uneasy.

  “His Majesty the Emperor wants to make peace with the Overgeared Kingdom. If the Overgeared King doesn’t want the empire to invade Valhalla, the empire will make an immediate truce with Valhalla.”

  “…?”

  “?????”

  The buzz in the air suddenly died down. Reidan fell silent. It was difficult to believe even when they heard it from the empire’s envoy. The empire wanted to make ‘peace’? They would make a truce with the enemy if the Overgeared King wanted it?

  Was there ever such a big event in the continent’s history? No. The empire’s emperor always exercised absolute power. Everything was resolved according to his will. He only knew how to give commands. He didn’t look at the will of others. This was Emperor Juander.

  Due to that…

  ‘A scoop…!’

  ‘This is be an overseas topic!’

  The reporters were convinced. The story of the empire’s envoy would be a featured article.

  “Um… Let’s go to the great hall.”

  Chris belatedly noticed the atmosphere and led the envoy elsewhere. Due to this, the reporters didn’t know what happened afterwards but it wasn’t a problem.

  “Logout!”

  The reporters forgot about their original purpose of interviewing Chris and started to leave.

  ***

  [The Saharan Empire’s emperor, Juander has requested to make peace with the kingdom!]

  [The power of the Overgeared Kingdom is much more than revealed.]

  [(Column) For the first time in history, the empire is engaging in ‘diplomacy’… The meaning of this incident is much greater than imagined.]

  The world was overturned. The presence of the Overgeared Kingdom, which made even the absolute ruler of the West Continent aware of it, overwhelmed the public. The media was shaken. Every day, they were busy talking about the greatness of the Overgeared Kingdom and Grid.

  Grid thought it was absurd.

  “What’s this situation?”

  Why was the emperor doing this? Why was he requesting to make peace with them? In order to make peace, he was even willing to sign a truce with Valhalla.

  “In fact, isn’t there an ulterior motive?”

  The Overgeared King’s office. The uneasy Grid was making underwear with the God Hands. He was feeling confused when he heard a knocking sound.

  “It’s Lauel.”

  “Good! Come in!”

  Grid welcomed it. The situation had changed recently so he thought that Lauel could resolve his questions. Grid wanted to know the truth and be rid of the confusion. Lauel gave him a thumbs up.

  “Great.”

  “What?”

  “It’s a result of Your Majesty assembling an army in Reidan in a matter of days.”

  “…?”

  Grid made an expression like he couldn’t understand.

  Lauel smiled and explained, “Your Majesty convened an army to raid Noll, but the timing was exquisite. It’s because the empire gathered most of their troops in Valhalla, while you gathered a force in Reidan, the rear of the empire. The emperor thought you were a threat to the empire.”

  “…”

  “This is the result. The empire recognized that it was dangerous to deal with both Overgeared and Valhalla at the same time, making them pull out a carrot. The emperor had to start diplomatic actions. I am sure that the name of Your Majesty will remain in the history of the empire.”

  “Um…” Grid understood the situation after hearing Lauel’s explanation. But he was stunned. “I can’t understand why the empire felt a threat? Can’t the power of the empire destroy both Overgeared and Valhalla? Why do they feel threatened?”

  “That is also because of Your Majesty.”

  “Because of me?”

  Lauel laughed.

  “Didn’t the descendent of the Undefeated King appear in Valhalla and push the Red Knights to the point of collapse? The emperor is frightened of the Undefeated King’s descendant.”

  “Ah…”

  The moment he used 100,000 Army Massacre Sword in the war, Grid was misunderstood as the descendant of the Undefeated King. This was the repercussion.

  �
�The rumor that the empire is afraid of the Undefeated King’s descendant is true.”

  “Maybe it’s more than rumored.”

  “Indeed… They’re afraid.”

  Grid was reminded of the Undefeated King’s death knight and his body shook. Grid couldn’t imagine how strong the Undefeated King was when alive. He felt pity for the imperial army who fought with the Undefeated King.

  “It all worked out in the end. We won’t have to fear any problems during the period where we’re at peace with the empire. The minimum period of a truce is two years. We have to build up maximum power during this period.”

  “The period of peace is so short?”

  “No. It can go from one year to twenty years. Up to twenty years.”

  “Then isn’t it possible for us to set the period of peace as long as possible?”

  “Long-lasting peace requires a good talker with a high diplomatic stat. They need to use diplomatic skills and conversation to negotiate with the opponent. Unfortunately, there is no one with this talent in the Overgeared Kingdom.

  “Huroi?”

  “He is unchallenged in the art of communication but… He doesn’t have the diplomatic stat.”

  “It’s too bad. It would be useful in many ways if Huroi has the diplomatic stat.”

  Lauel’s eyes shone.

  “Then will you give the command to Huroi?”

  “What command?”

  “A command to proceed with the diplomatic quest.”

  “What is the diplomatic quest?”

  “It is one of the quests for high ranking nobles.”

  “Those who perform this quest can gain a diplomat’s status and open the diplomatic quest?”

  “Yes, that’s right. Of course, the degree of difficulty of the quest is very high. It will take at least half a year to complete the quest.”

  “Kung…”

  Grid couldn’t say anything. Huroi was also a ranker. Grid knew better than anyone how much effort Huroi put in to be by Grid’s side. Grid didn’t want to force Huroi to stop levelling up and to go on a difficult quest. It was likely that Huroi would lose the ranker position that he worked so hard for. After a moment, Grid shook his head.

  “If no one has done the diplomatic quest so far, it means they don’t see the merit in being a diplomat. It’s okay. I have no intention of interfering with Huroi. I would rather pick a new person.”