Chapter 57

[Translator: Dawn ]

[Proofreader: Alissa ]

Chapter 57: [Side Story] The Funeral (3)

In a tutorial stage that normally couldn’t be cleared, I obtained the magic core of the Black Spider Queen, which normally, couldn’t be defeated. 

Originally, the Black Spider Army was dealt with after the middle of the second year.   I expected that the equipment made with this magic core would easily surpass the current level of equipment. 

‘I did expect that to a degree, but this is…’ 

I swallowed a dry gulp as I strengthened my grip on this black rifle. 

The Black Queen, an SSR-rank magic gun made from the magic core of the Black Spider Queen. 

‘This is a balance destroyer.’ 

Such a ridiculous piece of equipment was crafted, to the point where I felt like an idiot for saving this mana core for so long. 

I wasn’t sure what the hidden options would offer, but even disregarding those, it was more than enough. 

‘This weapon alone can carry the hell out of the first year.’ 

Just purely with its damage, it will be able to pierce through anything. 

For the next year or so, not only most of the elite monsters, but even the boss monsters will be taken care of in one shot if it was to pierce through their weakness. 

Plus, the wielder of this rifle will be Demian, the cheat character that possesses the [Thousand-Miles Eyes] trait. 

It means that this overwhelming damage will be put in the right place. 

‘This damn game is finally going to give me some space to breathe!’ 

I couldn’t keep myself from smiling. An obvious response after acquiring such a weapon. 

As I was satisfied, the Blacksmiths’ union leader, as well as the Alchemists’ union leader, smiled wide. 

“I’m glad to see Your Highness satisfied with the outcome!” 

“It felt like I was possessed by something throughout the process of creating this weapon. We are also happy we were able to craft such a masterpiece.” 

“You two have done well. And everyone in the workshop, I appreciate your hard work.” 

I looked around and congratulated everyone in the workshop. 

“I’ll make sure to give you bonuses. Please continue working on the next ones too.” 

“Yes, Your Highness!” 

“Of course we will!” 

Having Lucas hold the rifle, we left the workshop. Behind us, the two union leaders bowed their heads. 

“Is this magic gun really that great, Master?” 

I smiled at Lucas who was curious. 

“It will change the landscape of war.” 

“To that extent…?” 

Lucas looked down at the rifle in his hand. 

“It’s a relief that it was completed before the stage started.” 

I looked at the remaining time. 

[STAGE 3] 

– Until the start: 20 hours and 30 minutes 

There was still some time left before the start of the next stage. 

Enough time for Demian to receive the rifle and get himself used to it through training. ‘I feel bad for talking shit about Aider.’ 

I cursed at the director for not adjusting the difficulty of this trash game. 

I should be the one getting talked shit at. I never thought the game would get easy so suddenly. 

Joyful, I rode the wagon and returned to the mansion. 

Today was the day before the defense battle, so I had summoned the party members to the mansion in advance. Everyone will be waiting for me. 

“Master.” 

As the wagon approached the mansion, Lucas from the driver’s seat called to me. 

“Hm? What’s up?”“I suggest you see for yourself.”I put my head out the window of the wagon. 

Then I saw the entrance to the stone wall road leading to the manor house, 

And a little girl that was standing there. 

“……” 

She was a girl with bright green eyes and platinum blonde hair that gleamed brightly even under the late afternoon sunlight. 

With a large bag on her back, she was ready to leave for a long journey. 

Evangeline Cross was waiting for us. 

Rattle! 

I got off the carriage and approached Evangeline. 

“Evangeline.” 

“……” 

Evangeline looked up at me blankly with her characteristic pointed eyes, and then she sighed. 

“The Chief of Staff brought me this today.” 

Evangeline pulled a bundle of magically treated papers from her inner pocket. 

It was a currency certificate. 

People can’t carry all the gold around with them, because it is very heavy. 

Under the guarantee of the Continental Merchants’ Union and the Mages’ Alliance Ivory Tower, it is a magical document that proves that the person actually has this many gold coins and where the real ones are. 

Simply put, it’s a check. 

The certificates themselves are fairly reputable anywhere on the continent, as usually very few people have enough wealth to possess these certificates. 

That was a long talk, but anyway. I roughly sorted out the assets of the Cross family, and a considerable amount of cash came out. 

With that much money, Evangeline will be able to make a living wherever she goes. 

“I’m grateful that you took care of everything in less than a week, but…” 

Evangeline growled, baring her prominent fangs. 

“The Chief of staff told me right after I received this.” 

“What did he say?” 

“‘According to m’lord, he wants you to leave this place as soon as possible since you don’t have any more reasons to stayyy~’… That’s what he said.” 

Evangeline, who even copied Aider’s tone, crossed her arms in displeasure. 

“And, saying it was your order, he packed all my belongings and kicked me out of the mansion. I was dumbfounded so I waited here to ask you directly, Sunbae. Did you really order this?” 

I nodded. 

“Yes, I did.” 

“Wait, aren’t you being too hasty with this? I haven’t even said goodbye yet.” 

“If you’re going to leave regardless, then leave as soon as you can. You don’t want to get attached, do you?” 

I deliberately let out a stern voice. 

“The next defense battle will start tomorrow. This place will become a battlefield. Do you really want to get caught up in this muddy fight?” 

“Even so…” 

“Don’t say another word, and leave. You have no relation to this city anymore.” 

She had already given up her title and sorted out all of her properties. 

Evangeline, who seemed to have some lingering feelings remaining, carefully opened her mouth. 

“Even so, I want to help you in the next defense battle. Because you helped me too, Sunbae…” 

“No!”I strongly refused. 

“If you’re going to leave, then leave clean. No need to get caught up in this matter.” 

“But—!”“I can protect this city without asking for help from a little child like you.” 

At my words, Evangeline was furious. 

“You already saw me in battle! I can do enough work for one person! Or even more…” 

“Evangeline!”When I shouted out loud, Evangeline, startled, took a step back with a hiccup. 

I continued to push Evangeline off with my finger pointing at her. 

“Haven’t you decided to leave your hometown and live a completely new life? That’s why you gave up your title and disposed of your family’s property. You’ve already disposed of your home and the lingering attachments!” 

“Yes, but…” 

“If you’ve made up your mind to do so, then follow through. Don’t ever look back!” 

I continued to speak fiercely. 

“It’s exactly as you said. This Monster Front only has death and dust to offer. And that death and dust will never let you go once you step in!” 

“……” 

“Do not ever set your foot in a battle against monsters. Get away from it forever and find something else you really want to do.” 

After taking a breath, I spoke slowly. 

“live your life freely, and live as you please. Those were the last words of your father.” 

“…!”“You said you wanted to be an unfilial daughter, Evangeline. You wanted to live your life going against your father. However, please consider listening to your father’s final wish.” 

I passed Evangeline, who was standing stiff, and entered the entrance of the mansion. 

“You are now an outsider. This mansion no longer belongs to your family.” 

“Sunbae, wait…!” 

“We must have a meeting to prepare for the defense battle tomorrow. I’d appreciate it if you could leave as soon as possible.” 

“……” 

I began moving and headed inside the mansion. 

I didn’t know what kind of expression Evangeline had on her face while looking at my back. 

“Thank you for these few days, Sunbae. No, Your Highness.” 

A greeting came in a dignified voice. 

“I will visit my parents’ grave for the last time… And leave Crossroad.” 

“……” 

“I hope the path you walk on leads to prosperity in the future, Your Highness.” 

I withheld my answer until the end and entered the front door of the mansion. 

[Translator: Dawn]

[Proofreader: Alissa]

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As I entered the front door, I turned my head and saw Evangeline standing still with her back bent forward at 90 degrees. I murmured softly. 

“…I wish you luck in your life as well.” 

Thud! 

After closing the front door, I let out a sigh of relief. Phew. 

Lucas, who was standing next to me, smiled bitterly. 

“You didn’t have to be so cold.” 

“If I didn’t treat her so coldly, she would’ve had some lingering feelings left. Did you hear what she said? She wanted to help with the battle. She was going to do more than one person’s worth of work? Oh, for god’s sake!”I waved my hands. 

“And just one more day after another. That’s how she’ll get to stay here forever. I cannot let that happen. I had to chase her out as soon as possible.” 

“Still, I feel like you could’ve admonished nicely…” 

“Tears aren’t always necessary for a goodbye. I say a bundle of currency certificates is good enough.” 

I peeked out through the window in the hallway of the mansion. 

Evangeline fixed her grip on the backpack and tied her own spear and shield around her waist. Then she began walking to the south slowly. 

She said that she would stop by her parents’ graves for the last time. 

“……” 

I looked at the small back of the girl walking away and let out a small sigh of regret. Goodbye, my expensive SSR unit… 

“Alright, then. No use for thinking about the departed.” 

I patted the other SSR-rank knight that was next to me in the back. Lucas smiled awkwardly. 

“Let’s give it our all, Lucas!” 

“I shall follow the words of my Master.” 

Lucas and I entered the drawing room of the mansion. 

In the drawing room, the members of the main party had been summoned in advance and were waiting. Jupiter, Demian, and… 

“Why me agaaaaaaain!” 

Our fire-type mage, Lady Lily. 

I smiled wickedly and sat down in front of Lily. 

“Did you enjoy your short little sweet freedom, Lily? Now it’s time to work your ass off again.” 

“Uwaaah! Your Highness! Please send me back to the workshop! I’ll work until my bones shatter to pieces, so please leave me with an office job!” 

With her whole body tied up in ropes, Lily was gushing tears out of her eyes. 

Don’t pretend to be weak, Lily. I know you can do it! This prince is quite aware of your talent. 

“Alright, there’s not even a day left until the defensive battle. It’s time to look over our strategy.” 

After calming Lily down, the strategy meeting began. 

A defense strategy against the golems had already been established. Today, we will be doing a detailed check, familiarization, and final maintenance. 

With the map of the fort wall open, the meeting continued for about an hour. 

After explaining everyone’s roles once again, Lily was given an appropriate rear support mission. 

“And Demian. I’ve brought another gift for you.” 

I grinned as I handed over two magic guns wrapped in wrapping paper to Demian. 

Demian received the guns with his eyes wide open. 

“May I unwrap them?” 

“Of course! Go ahead.” 

Demian cautiously unwrapped the magic guns, and as I was just about to explain how great they were. 

Thud!The door of the drawing room rushed open. 

Surprised, everyone stared at the door. And there stood a soldier completely out of breath. 

“Huff, huff! I’m sorry for barging in, Your Highness! But this is an emergency!” 

“What is it? What’s the matter?” 

“A report was received from the reconnaissance unit! Th-the monsters are…!” 

At the words that followed, I opened my eyes wide. 

“The monsters have appeared! It’s the golems corps, classified as large monsters! There are about 200 of them! They are now advancing to the city at a terrifying rate!” 

“…What?” 

Flustered, I hastily opened the system window. 

“What kind of nonsense are you saying? There’s still some time left until the stage starts.” 

[STAGE 3] 

– Until the start: 18 hours 55 minutes 

“Yeah, see?! There are still 19 hours…” 

And at that moment. 

[?? from ??? intervenes into the game!] 

I felt the necklace around my neck getting hot. 

[STAGE 3] 

– Until start: ■■ hours ■■ minutes 

Out of nowhere, the numbers on the system window began to rotate furiously. 

“Le…ft…” 

I trembled at the end of my words. 

Huh? 

What is this now? 

Just what… What is happening right now? 

The remaining time started to decrease with a sound like a roulette rolling. 

It decreased, and continued to decrease and- 

Clunk! 

[STAGE 3] 

– Until start: 00 hours 30 minutes 

It disappeared. 

The grace period of 19 hours that I had remaining. It all evaporated into only 30 minutes. 

“…Fuck.” 

I stiffened as I was completely dumbfounded. 

This is bullshit. The system window shouldn’t be able to lie to me at least. 

What the hell is this…? 

“Not only that, Your Highness!” 

The soldier shouted in succession. I suddenly came to my senses and looked at him. 

“According to reports, monsters are exhibiting abnormal behavior!” 

“Abnormal behavior? Like what?” 

“They say they split into two groups!” 

The monster corps? Split into two groups? 

Why? 

“About 200 units of the main unit—80% of the total—are coming directly to the city, but the remaining 20%—about 50 units—that have split from the main group are…” 

The next words made my mind go numb. 

“It is said that they are currently heading to the orchard where the Earl used to live!” 

“…What?” 

I slowly looked around. 

Lucas, who met my eyes, also had a pale face. 

In that orchard right now… 

– I will visit my parents’ grave for the last time… And leave Crossroad. 

…Evangeline was there. 

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