Chapter 2: New Century (Epilogue)
The nobles in the conference hall were all filled with the thought of “Balda above,” while only Xi Wei’s mind was filled with what these despicable players were planning.
The players were not fools.
Especially a few player representatives, who had long discovered that there was no need to complete the main quest. This was a completely free and open world, and the main quest only provided a direction.
Moreover, they had suffered losses in the main quest so many times, which indirectly explained a problem:
Their levels were too low, and they were simply not qualified to do the main quest.
Want to do the main quest?
Want to kill the Lord of Eagle Territory and save the Saintess?
Please level up first.
Therefore, after the failed attack on Winter City last time, several player representatives reflected deeply and began to find new avenues for the players.
It was impossible to stay in Eagle Territory and wait to be restricted by the Lord of Eagle Territory. They had to rely on external forces to break free from the Lord of Eagle Territory’s control.
Attacking the Orc tribes was a good direction, but it was merely like drinking poison to quench thirst. What they needed was a power background, a powerful patron, and time to develop stealthily.
Several players who traveled around brought them an opportunity. After demonstrating the players’ special resurrection mechanism, they successfully connected with the First Prince.
The players would help the First Prince attack the Holy See and seize the throne, while the First Prince would provide territory to ensure the players’ development.
Thus, the two parties hit it off, but each had their own agenda.
The First Prince would definitely not allow these Foreigners who could resurrect to grow unchecked.
This was a huge hidden danger.
He would definitely use all means to control the players, making them the sharp sword in his conquest of the Cain Continent.
However, the players only needed a breathing room. They were truly afraid that the Lord of Eagle Territory would make a move one day and destroy the Novice Village.
But as long as they developed, with the First Prince’s protection, and made good use of the territorial resources, let alone the Lord of Eagle Territory, they could even overthrow the King.
After demonstrating their resurrection ability, a few players withdrew to the side. Karallant also invited the Scheming Frog to take a seat, and then, disregarding the curiosity of everyone present, continued to speak:
“Now that everyone has seen the abilities demonstrated by the Foreigners, our meeting will continue.”
“The Holy See’s main source of troops is from some nobles and the Royal Army who have already defected to the Pope. Now the Pope has reorganized these troops and named them the Holy See Crusaders.”
As Karallant spoke, he drew two circles on the map at the location of the Royal Army’s encampment, and then circled several noble fiefdoms around the Royal Capital, explaining:
“Their numbers are vast. Even if all our armies combined are no match for them, now with these Foreigners who can resurrect, it solves this problem for us.”
Karallant paused, looked around at the nobles in the conference hall, and seeing their serious expressions, no longer panicked, he continued:
“The most important purpose of calling you here today is to counter another force of the Holy See. They are called the Templar Knights.”
“Lord Karallant.” At this moment, an Earl raised his hand, questioning with some doubt:
“As far as I know, there are less than a hundred Templar Knights. Even if they are all Great Knights, any Marquis in a central territory could easily suppress them. Why would we need so many of our armies?”
Karallant sneered and said:
“Idiot! Go back and check if your territory’s scouts are only gathering intelligence from women every day. A hundred Templar Knights was a matter of a year ago. Now the Holy See’s Templar Knights number nearly a thousand.”
His expression was stern, and he spoke words that shocked all the nobles present: “Furthermore, they have at least thirty Sky Knights.”
“Th-thirty Sky Knights? How is that possible?”
“They actually have three times more Sky Knights than the Royal Army!”
“You heard correctly, thirty, and at least.”
“You should all be aware that the Templar Knights’ abilities are very strange, far beyond what ordinary knights of the same level can compare to. For this battle, you must bring out all the strength you have, without any侥幸心理.” Karallant’s sharp gaze swept across everyone’s faces and he said unequivocally.
“The attack will begin in half a month. You will now immediately return to your respective territories and begin preparations. You will gather in Gray Stone City in half a month, and a detailed operational plan will be provided then.”
After Karallant finished speaking, he turned his gaze back to the players and asked:
“Schem… uh, Scheming Frog Your Excellency, can you Foreigners reach Gray Stone City within half a month?”
Of course, the Scheming Frog thought to himself. With just one message on the public channel, the players would swarm over.
But the Scheming Frog definitely couldn’t answer like that. He had been forced to reveal that players could resurrect. Now, the players’ powerful information transmission capabilities had to be hidden as a trump card.
So he forced a smile and said:
“We Foreigners have very few means of transportation, but we will gather as quickly as possible and march towards Gray Stone City.”
Karallant nodded at this. After a moment of thought, he discussed with the First Prince, then turned to the Scheming Frog and said:
“Since that is the case, we in Gray Stone City will send mages to help you construct a temporary teleportation array. You will come directly through it, but you must be fast.”
“The consumption of the teleportation array is very high, and even Gray Stone City cannot bear it for too long.”
“In that case, thank you very much for your kindness.”
The Scheming Frog exchanged glances with the players behind him, their faces filled with surprise.
The nobles began to leave one after another after the meeting ended.
The castle’s kitchen had prepared delicious food for them, but some of the territories were farther away, so they could not enjoy it and had to rush back to prepare.
As Xi Wei walked out of the conference room and reached a corner of the corridor, he was immediately surrounded by several players who had been waiting there in advance.
He looked at the players with a puzzled expression, wondering what these players wanted.
Were they going to drag him into a small grove to play games?
“Long time no see, Lord of Eagle Territory.”
The Scheming Frog said with a perfunctory smile, neither humble nor arrogant.
“It hasn’t been that long, I’m just a bit surprised you’re here,” Xi Wei said with a blank expression and indifferent eyes, his vigilance at its highest.
The Scheming Frog did not answer the Lord of Eagle Territory’s question. Instead, his eyes gradually turned cold, and he asked stiffly:
“We heard you are arresting Demi-humans on a large scale. I’d like to know why you are doing this.”
Xi Wei looked up and down at the Scheming Frog, then sneered:
“If I say I’m protecting Demi-humans, will you believe me?”
“If I say the Holy See is experimenting on Demi-humans, will you believe me?”
After speaking, Xi Wei sidestepped through the gap between the players and left without looking back. His barbaric strength caused two players who were blocking him to be pushed aside and crash into the wall, their health instantly depleted.
“Protecting Demi-humans? I think he’s talking nonsense!” one player grumbled.
“Exactly, what is this guy, pushing me…”
The Scheming Frog said nothing. He just silently watched the receding back of the Lord of Eagle Territory, lost in thought for a long time.
