I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 360

After that, I toured the forward base with Lily, talking with the various guild leaders who were repairing the place.

While inspecting the various facilities to be used in this defense, the guild leaders finally led me to a room in the basement of the forward base.

“We heard that the operation is proceeding on the premise that this forward base will be captured this time.”

“That’s right.”

“Your Majesty often commands directly, so we thought there might be a dangerous situation, even if it’s just a remote possibility…”

The guild leaders manipulated the wall in the basement and opened a hidden stone door.

“We have created a space where you can safely take refuge in case of an emergency.”

“Oh…”

“It’s not structurally strong, but we’ve put a camouflage magic on it. Still, if you take refuge inside, you should be able to stay hidden for a few days.”

I was surprised and widened my eyes, looking inside.

It was a narrow space, barely enough for one person to squeeze into. There was also some water and dried food inside.

I tried putting my body into the space. It was so narrow that I could barely move. This is practically a coffin.

“It’s a bit cramped.”

“It’s a one-person facility just for Your Majesty, in case of an emergency.”

“Can’t you make it bigger? Enough for about ten people to fit in…”

“That would require more facilities, resources, and space. More importantly, it wouldn’t be safe.”

True, if the space is large, the chance of being discovered by the enemy would increase.

“It’s just an emergency facility for when things go wrong.”

“Right. We should make sure there’s no need to hide in a place like this in the first place.”

Anyway, I appreciate this meticulous consideration. I thanked the guild leaders.

After coming up to the surface, I gestured towards the south.

“Lastly, let’s go take a look at that damn lake.”

We teleported to the [Lakeside Pier].

The entrance to hell where monsters will rise when the invasion begins. We arrived at the black lake.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

Bang bang bang bang…

Loud hammering sounds echoed around us.

More workers than those stationed at the forward base were gathered at this lakeside, sweating profusely as they worked on installing something.

It was the ‘trap’ we had been diligently preparing.

Lily swallowed hard, looking down at the huge structure.

“Do you really think this will… work?”

“It’s worth a shot.”

I crossed my arms and carefully examined the structure being built.

If this works properly…

We might be able to win this defense very easily. We might even get a free win.

“Alright, everyone! The monster invasion is not far away!”

I turned to the workers at the lakeside and encouraged them loudly.

“You are protecting the world! Let’s hold on for a few more days!”

***

Time passed in the blink of an eye.

The day before the monsters would attack the forward base. Night.

“…”

I was doing a final check on the operation plans that were scattered on my desk.

I had trained my heroes and soldiers in various operations, but this battle was unprecedented in scale.

I wondered if everything would go according to these plans…

That’s when it happened.

Knock. Knock knock. Knock.

A knock came on the door of my office.

Once, twice, once. There was only one person who knocked in that pattern. I answered.

“Come in.”

Squeak-

It was Lucas who opened the door and came in. I frowned.

This guy has been knocking in that way ever since the special forces incident.

It seems to be a secret code he made with Ash when they were kids.

When I accidentally used that pattern during the last incident, he seems to think that I’m regaining my old memories.

No, it was just a pattern that I happened to remember. How would I know about Ash’s childhood memories…

Anyway, Lucas, who came in with that knock again, smiled brightly. I put down the documents and gestured with my eyes.

“Hey, Lucas. The battle starts tomorrow morning, what are you doing up?”

The answer came from behind Lucas.

“You’re the one who should be sleeping, Senior!”

Evangeline’s small face popped out from behind Lucas. Following her, Damian and Junior’s heads also popped out from behind Lucas.

“Good night, Your Highness!”

“Haha, don’t scold us too much, Your Majesty…”

It was the main party members. These guys were carrying drinks and snacks in their hands.

“We were having a meeting in the reception room to prepare for tomorrow’s operation, and it’s already this late.”

Lucas explained.

“We were about to have a late-night snack, but we saw that the light in Your Majesty’s office was on. So we thought it would be nice to eat together.”

“I appreciate the thought, but I’m busy…”

I was about to refuse, but Evangeline had already plopped down on the sofa in my office.

“Come on! It’s obvious you’re going to be racking your brain for a few more hours! Don’t do that, just play with us for 10 minutes!”

“You little…”

“Is your score going to go up if you look at the notes you’ve already memorized right before the exam? It might be more efficient to take a break and relax?”

Ugh, it’s not like there’s no truth to that…

“We’re also tense like a drawn bow, so we’re doing this to relieve some tension. Senior, join us!”

“Huh? You guys are tense too?”

“Of course, wouldn’t we be tense? The monsters are in huge numbers, we suddenly became party leaders, and…”

Evangeline pouted and chattered.

“It’s also the first time our main party with Senior has been disbanded, so it’s a bit unsettling…”

“…”

Come to think of it, it was the first time the main party had been officially disbanded.

After this party was confirmed, whether I went to the capital or we acted separately, we had always maintained the form of a single party, even with various events.

It was also the first time we had all been scattered. It was also the first time each of us had become a party leader. It must be bewildering.

Moreover, with 50,000 monsters coming… these guys must have complicated feelings.

I chuckled and put down the documents I was reading.

“You’ll all do well.”

Because they are all talented young people.

Because they are heroes I can trust and rely on.

“Alright, alright. Let’s take a 10-minute break.”

“Yay~”

Evangeline made a strange cheer.

As if they had been waiting for it, the main party members sat down on the sofa in the office one by one, chatting and eating snacks.

I took a sip of the hot coffee that Lucas handed me and thought.

That with these kids, I would be able to win this battle, and all the battles to come.

Definitely… I would.

***

The annex of the lord’s mansion. The shadow unit’s lodgings.

Lily and Godhand were sitting side by side on a bench in front of the door.

Lily, who had been silently looking up at the night sky, spoke first.

“Godhand.”

It had been an awkward few days, but she finally mustered the courage.

Lily was about to speak.

“We…”

“Lily-nim.”

But Godhand beat her to it.

“Let’s not have children.”

“Huh?”

Lily, flustered, looked at Godhand. Godhand was looking at Lily with a serious face.

“If you don’t want to get married because you’re worried that the child will be unhappy, let’s not have children.”

“No, that’s…”

She had just decided that it was okay to have children…

Godhand continued to speak to the flustered Lily.

“I’ll give up the Elven marriage too.”

“Huh? Elven marriage? What’s that?”

“It’s about setting up a bridal chamber on a tree. You have to live on the tree for the first week of your honeymoon. This is how you can receive the energy of the World Tree.”

“Are you a squirrel or something?!”

“Oh, and you can only eat things that grow on the tree. Fruits, nuts, new leaves, that kind of thing…”

Isn’t this a completely crazy race?!

Godhand nodded to the horrified Lily.

“I’ll give it all up.”

“Huh…?”

“If you just stay by my side, I don’t care about anything else. I don’t need anything.”

Godhand reached out and took Lily’s hand.

“So… please be with me.”

“…”

Lily smiled wryly and took Godhand’s hand in return.

“Let’s think about it together.”

“Huh?”

“We have many days left, right? I’ll try to adjust to you more too. Whether it’s children or an Elven marriage… I’ll consider it positively. Let’s think about it more together.”

Immediately after, Lily shook her head.

“…No. Even so, setting up a bridal chamber on a tree is too much. That’s a no-go.”

“It’s supposed to be really fun once you try it. I’ve already found a beautiful tree in the southwest of this city-”

“No! I said no!”

Godhand looked dejected as Lily shook her head violently.

Lily, who couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight, leaned against Godhand.

“I love you, Godhand.”

“…Lily-nim.”

“I want to be with you for a long, long time… so you have to be careful in this battle.”

Lily clenched her fist with a ‘Yab!’ sound.

“Call my name if you’re in danger. I’ll fly over and save you. I’ll burn all the enemies to a crisp.”

Godhand burst into a hearty laugh.

“I’ll trust in Lily-nim.”

Lily’s head rested on Godhand’s shoulder. Godhand gently placed his cheek on Lily’s red hair.

The lovers, leaning on each other, quietly looked up at the stars in the distant southern sky.

***

…The night was passing.

Time flowed equally for everyone.

At the makeshift lodgings of the forward base.

Even for Quillan and the penal unit, who were sleeping soundly, scratching their bellies, despite the big battle tomorrow,

At the Crossroads refugee camp.

Even for Dusk Bringer and her knights, who were patrolling to see if their people were getting through the late winter night,

At the dungeon base camp.

Even for Verdandi and the Holy Grail Expedition, who were very nervous about participating in the battle on the ground,

In the city near Crossroads.

Even for Serenade and her merchant group, who had arrived here following the refugee procession,

For countless heroes, soldiers, workers, and citizens, and.

“…Oh God, please.”

At the temple.

Even for Margherita, who finished her day’s work at dawn and prayed in front of the goddess statue before going to sleep.

“Grant me the strength to save as many patients and lives as possible…”

And. Also.

At the leper extermination unit’s lodgings.

Even for Torkel, who couldn’t take off his helmet even when he slept.

“…”

Without offering the usual prayer to the goddess before the battle. Instead, for this man who looked up at the pale moon until dawn.

Time flows mercilessly and equally.

And, far away in the east-

The sun began to rise.

Burning away the darkness and the delay, the day of war… was dawning.

***

Dawn.

At the simply decorated makeshift lodgings of the Goblin God King.

《Great Kali-Alexandre.》

Just as Kali-Alexandre, who had finished putting on his attire and even his cloak, was about to leave, a goblin subordinate, Amir, came in and announced.

《It is the day of the invasion.》

《Hmm.》

Kali-Alexandre, who finally put on his scimitar at his waist, nodded.

《Let’s go.》

Flap!

When Kali-Alexandre came out of the makeshift lodgings, it was the central square.

There, his legion of 50,000 was waiting in an orderly manner.

Thump! Thump! Thump!

The goblins simultaneously slammed their weapons on the ground. The sound of the weapons being struck at once shook the area.

It was a heart-stopping spectacle.

Suddenly, the faces of the wizard couple who had taken him in and raised him came to Kali-Alexandre’s mind.

A bitter smile crossed Kali-Alexandre’s lips.

‘Ah. Mother, Father.’

Rather, back then. When you found me in the field.

Why didn’t you just kill me…

If you had, this monster wouldn’t have been born-

《It’s time to march! Kill all the humans and burn all of the human world!》

The Goblin God King, adjusting the helmet that combined a mask and a crown, spoke concisely.

《Because that’s what we were born to do.》

Thus, the war began.