I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 194

Thus, Kuilran and his band of bandits were incorporated into my command.

There will likely be some friction with the existing soldiers, given their bandit origins, but time will help them integrate.

In the carriage returning to the mansion, I checked Kuilran’s stat window. Let’s see.

[Kuilran (SR)]

– Level: 40

– Title: Bandit King

– Class: Advanced Fighter

– Strength 30, Agility 40, Intelligence 15, Stamina 5, Magic 20

The other stats are decent, but his stamina is a problem.

‘Level 40 and stamina is 5…?’

No, the lowest stat in this game is 5. I can’t believe it’s stuck at 5.

This is the first time I’ve recruited him as an ally, so it’s my first time seeing his detailed stats, and I’m a bit taken aback.

‘He’s a real weakling. Even lower than mine. No wonder he collapses when he gets hit.’

It’s lower than most mages. If I could fix this, he’d be a top-tier fighter.

[Skills]

> Passive: Falling Maple Leaves

> Skill 1: Crushing Maple Leaves

> Skill 2: Imbued Maple Leaves

> Ultimate: ??? (Unlocked after 3rd job advancement)

The skills are the same as when I fought him before.

The passive is a parry counter, the first skill is an armor-ignoring attack, and the second skill is a self-speed and damage buff.

And the traits are…

– Equipped Traits (3/3)

> Lucky

> Like a Willow!

> Glass Body (Cannot be removed)

“Oh?”

I groaned as I looked at the traits. This is interesting.

[Lucky]

– Your luck is very high. You will never critically fail in probability checks.

The fighter class has low base damage but a high critical hit rate. Critical hits happen frequently without any special adjustments.

The problem is the critical damage multiplier.

Other classes have a base critical damage multiplier of 2.0. This means that the damage amplification is fixed at 2x when a critical hit occurs.

However, for fighters, it’s 0.9~4.0.

What this means is that if a critical hit lands well, the damage can jump up to 4x, but if you’re unlucky, it can be 0.9x. It can even be lower than the base damage.

It’s not for nothing that fighters are considered unstable.

The class itself is a close-range dealer, so it’s inherently dangerous, and the damage is also random.

But with this trait, [Lucky].

‘It eliminates critical failures. It provides a minimum damage boost.’

Moreover, as the game progresses, various luck-related interactions appear.

Elements that require you to trust the dice gods keep appearing.

Kuilran can be thrown into these situations, trusting in [Lucky]. It’ll be useful.

[Like a Willow!]

– You have gained enlightenment through training. Evasion chance is increased by 10 percent.

This is a simple and good trait. For Kuilran, who collapses after one hit, this is a must-have trait that should never be unequipped.

And finally.

[Glass Body]

– You suffered a major injury in your childhood, leaving lasting aftereffects. Your stamina stat is fixed at the lowest value (5).

A non-removable negative trait. Glass Body.

‘This is why his stamina stat is so low…’

I wonder what happened in his childhood to make him like this. It would be great if I could remove it, but it’s a shame.

In addition, Kuilran’s party members were all level 30 R-rank bandits. They are ready for immediate combat.

‘This isn’t bad.’

Now that the Shadow Unit has left Crossroads for another mission, this hero party will be useful.

I arrived at the mansion and got out of the carriage. Lucas, who followed from the driver’s seat, grumbled.

“Now you’re even taking bandits under your command… Are you sure this is okay, my lord?”

“Are you complaining, Lucas?”

“Of course, I’m complaining.”

“Because I was kidnapped?”

“That’s a big part of it, but…”

Lucas sighed deeply.

“The Shadow Unit were also former prisoners, but they were at least Imperial soldiers from the Aegis Special Forces. So it was okay. But these guys are bandits who attacked Imperial citizens.”

“…”

“Their roots… they’re people who plundered others. How can we trust them?”

I chuckled softly.

“Lucas, do you know the most famous pirate crew in the southern seas?”

“You mean the Rompeller Pirates? Of course, I know them.”

“That pirate crew was originally part of the Rompeller Kingdom’s navy in the south. When the kingdom fell, they turned into pirates.”

Lucas was taken aback. I continued.

“The Glory Knights, who have been around since the founding of our Everblack Empire, are the symbol of honor and chivalry, right?”

“Yes. They are the core and pride of the 1st Imperial Army. I wanted to join the Glory Knights when I was young.”

“Did you know that the knight order was originally a band of thieves?”

“Huh?”

“When the first Emperor founded the Empire, he brought in a band of thieves who had a grudge against a neighboring kingdom. The thieves who contributed to the war continued to serve the Empire… and now they are revered as the most noble knight order.”

When an army loses its affiliation, it becomes a band of thieves,

And when a band of thieves joins a powerful figure and achieves feats, they can become a knight order. That’s how the world works.

“What they did in the past isn’t important. What’s important is how they will live in the future when given the opportunity.”

I smiled at Lucas.

“Lucas, I was a delinquent thug just a few months ago. But you didn’t give up on me and believed in me, right? That’s why I am who I am now.”

“Ah…”

“Everyone needs a chance. Especially those who are cornered, they need one last chance.”

I shrugged.

“I gave them that chance. That’s all. We’ll have to see if they make good use of it.”

“If they can’t shake off their bandit ways…”

“Then I’ll banish them from this front. I promise you in my name.”

I will accept anyone who is needed for the strategy.

But that doesn’t mean I’m a pushover.

No matter how strong they are, if they negatively affect the front, I will cut them off immediately. This is basic for a commander.

“So, don’t worry too much.”

I patted Lucas on the back and strode into the mansion.

Lucas, who was standing there blankly, hurriedly followed me.

***

The next day. I summoned the hero characters to the mansion early in the morning.

First, I entrusted Reina with the task of organizing the bandits into a military formation.

Reina will be returning to the capital after three more defensive battles, so I planned to make the most of her by assigning her all the tasks I could before then.

‘Reina, the commander of the Imperial Magic Corps, will whip the bandits into shape.’

I asked her not to be too harsh. Just enough to instill some discipline.

“Understood, Your Highness. I always welcome toys to play with.”

Reina grinned, saying something scary. Please, be gentle. Be gentle. Don’t let them desert.

Next, I called Margherita and Lily.

I instructed Margherita to keep a close eye on the new patients at the temple.

This was about Kureha, Kuilran’s older brother. With Kuilran’s loyalty still low, it was necessary to take good care of Kureha.

I received a report from Lily on the progress of the production guilds while I was away.

Things like artifact repairs and the status of equipment ordered from the general blacksmith. I was going to visit them anyway, but it was better to know in advance.

After that, I summoned the main party members. I nodded, looking around at the four who had quickly gathered in the reception room.

“We’re going on a free exploration of the Lake Kingdom dungeon this afternoon.”

In fact, this might be more important than anything else.

“It’s been too long. I need to check the state of the dungeon.”

I thought I was going to rest after returning to Crossroads, but there are too many things I can’t leave untouched. I need to move quickly.

The party members were worried that I was overdoing it, but when I said, ‘No more talk, get ready!’ they followed without complaint.

They’re starting to realize that once I get going, there’s no stopping me.

While watching the party members gather their equipment, I gestured to Aider, who was standing in the corner.

“Aide, come here.”

“Yes, my lord!”

“I have a few things for you to do. First, educate the refugees so they can be used as laborers…”

I gave various instructions and then added one last thing.

“…And this is the most important thing.”

I shuddered, looking at the reception room interior, which was decorated like a flower garden with frills, lace, and various flowers.

“Restore this house’s interior to its original state.”

“…By when?”

“By the time I get back from the dungeon today.”

“Miss Evangeline will be sad…”

That’s exactly what I want!

***

[Now Loading… Teleporting]

[Tip – Don’t neglect dungeon exploration! Dungeons are essential for leveling up heroes, farming items, and progressing the story.]

***

And so, after a long time.

Whoosh-!

I entered the dungeon.

Passing through the teleport gate, I was in the familiar safe zone, the base camp. I took in the musty air unique to the dungeon and looked around.

“Nothing happened here while I was gone, right?”

“Yes. We only explored the areas that were cleared in advance while you were away, but there were no major changes to the dungeon itself.”

The base camp also looks the same. I was hoping that a large number of NPCs would have been added while I was gone.

“Hey! You rascal-!”

At that moment, a dwarf with a fluttering beard ran towards me from the corner of the base camp. It was the magic blacksmith, Kellybay.

“You rascal! You left an equipment order and didn’t show your face for over a month! Where have you been!”

“It’s been a while, Master Craftsman.”

Come to think of it, I ordered equipment using the magic core of the vampire lord Selendion and went to the capital without picking it up.

Seeing Kellybay, who was yelling angrily, made me feel strangely happy. I smiled and waved, then suddenly flinched.

“…”

“Huh? Hey, why are you staring like that?”

Wait a minute.

There are four major races on the continent: elves, dwarves, mermaids, and werebeasts. And they each have distinctive hair colors.

Elves, the fairy race, have green hair.

Mermaids, the mermaid race, have blue hair.

Werebeasts, the beast race, have red hair.

But dwarves, the dwarf race…

“…”

I looked down at Kellybay’s shiny, round head and muttered.

“…Bald?”

“What kind of rude thing are you saying after not seeing me for so long, you crazy bastard-!”

Kellybay swung his hammer at me, enraged.

Whoa?! I, I’m sorry! I didn’t mean to tease you! Ash has a full head of hair, but I’m taking medicine for hair loss in my world too! I understand your feelings a little, Kellybay!

I barely dodged Kellybay’s swinging hammer when I suddenly saw someone sitting in the corner of the base camp.

A woman in a tattered robe with hair that was devoid of any color, or rather, as if all the colors had been drained out, leaving it bleached white.

“Huh?”

I was surprised and shouted as I recognized her. The woman smiled faintly as she met my gaze.

“It’s been a while, Ash.”

The dungeon merchant NPC who first guided us into the Lake Kingdom.

It was Nameless.