I Became the Tyrant of a Defense Game [EN]: Chapter 56

In what should have been an impossible tutorial stage, I killed the Black Spider Queen, who should have been unkillable, and obtained a magic core.

Originally, facing the Black Spider Legion was something for the mid-second year and beyond.

I had guessed that the equipment made with this magic core would also surpass the current level of equipment.

‘I guessed, but… this is…’

I gripped the black magic gun in my hand and swallowed hard.

The Black Queen, an SSR-grade magic gun made from the Black Spider Queen’s magic core.

‘This is a balance breaker.’

It felt foolish to have saved this magic core all this time, considering such an absurd piece of equipment had appeared.

I don’t know what the hidden options are yet. But the other options alone are enough. No, they’re overflowing.

‘At least for the first year, I can carry everything with just this.’

Its raw damage alone is a super death spear.

For about the next year, I’ll be able to take down not only most elite monsters but also boss-level monsters with a single shot if I hit their weak points.

Moreover, the user of this gun is Damian. A cheat character with [Clairvoyance].

This means he can deliver this overwhelming damage at the right time and place.

‘Oh, you crazy, messed-up game! Are you finally going to let me relax a bit?’

The corners of my mouth twitched involuntarily. It was only natural, having obtained such an amazing item that I couldn’t help but smile.

Seeing my satisfaction, the head of the blacksmith guild and the head of the alchemist guild also smiled brightly.

“It’s such a relief that Your Highness seems to like it!”

“While making it, I felt like I was possessed by something. We are just happy to have been able to create such a masterpiece.”

“You both did well. Everyone in the workshop worked hard too.”

I looked around at everyone in the workshop and praised them.

“I’ll give you all a generous bonus. I’m counting on you for the next one.”

“Yes, Your Highness!”

“Of course!”

I had Lucas carry the magic guns, and Lucas and I left the workshop. Behind us, the two guild heads bowed repeatedly.

“Is this magic gun such a great item, my lord?”

I gave a sly smile to Lucas, who was curious.

“The tide of war will change.”

“Is it that significant…?”

Lucas looked down at the magic gun in his hand with a fresh sense of awe.

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

I checked the time remaining.

[STAGE 3]

– Time until start: 20 hours 30 minutes

There was still plenty of time until the next stage started.

I could deliver the magic gun to Damian and even train him to get used to it.

‘I feel bad for cursing at Aither.’

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

On the contrary, I should be the one getting cursed. Who knew the game would suddenly become so easy?

I happily rode the carriage back to the mansion.

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

“My lord.”

As the carriage approached the mansion, Lucas, who was in the driver’s seat, called out to me.

“Yeah? What’s wrong?”

“I think it would be best if you saw it yourself.”

I peeked my head out of the carriage window. And then.

At the entrance of the stone path leading to the lord’s mansion.

A small figure of a girl was standing there.

“…”

Even in the late afternoon sunlight, she had platinum blonde hair that shone brightly and clear green eyes.

She had a large bag on her back, fully prepared to leave on a long journey.

Evangeline Cross was waiting for us.

Clunk!

I got out of the carriage and approached Evangeline.

“Evangeline.”

“…”

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

“Today, the lord’s aide gave me this.”

Evangeline took out a bundle of magically treated papers from her pocket.

Gold certificates.

Since it’s impossible to carry all that heavy gold around.

Under the guarantee of the Continental Merchant Alliance and the Mage Alliance Ivory Tower, these magical documents prove that you actually possess this amount of gold and where the physical gold is located.

In short, a check.

Usually, it’s quite rare for someone to have a mountain of gold to the point where they need a certificate, so the certificate itself is quite trusted anywhere on the continent.

To make a long story short, after roughly settling the Cross family’s assets, a considerable amount of money came out.

With just the amount on that certificate, Evangeline would have no problem making a living wherever she went.

“I’m really grateful that you handled everything in less than a week, but…”

Evangeline growled, revealing her prominent fangs.

“Right after receiving this, the aide told me.”

“What did he say?”

“‘The lord says that now that you’ve received this money, you have no more business in this city, so please leave as soon as possible and get out of the city~’ …he said.”

Evangeline, even imitating Aither’s tone, crossed her arms in dissatisfaction.

“And then, saying it was the lord’s order, they packed all my things and kicked me out of the mansion. I was so dumbfounded that I waited here to ask you directly, senior. Did you really order this?”

I nodded.

“Yes.”

“No, aren’t you trying to kick me out too quickly? I haven’t even said goodbye to everyone yet.”

“It’s better to part quickly if we’re going to part anyway. What’s the point of getting attached?”

I spoke in a stern voice.

“Tomorrow, the next defense battle starts. This place will become a battlefield. Do you want to get caught up in this mess and roll around together?”

“But still…”

“Stop talking and leave quickly. You have nothing to do with this city anymore.”

She had given up her title and settled all her assets.

Evangeline, who was hesitating as if she had some lingering attachment, cautiously opened her mouth.

“Still, I’ll help with the next defense battle. You helped me too, senior…”

“No!”

I refused outright.

“If you’re going to leave anyway, leave clean. Don’t get mud on yourself for no reason.”

“But!”

“We can protect this city well enough without needing help from a kid like you.”

Evangeline flared up at my words.

“You saw me fight! I can do my part well enough! No, even more than that…”

“Evangeline!”

I shouted, and Evangeline, startled, stepped back with a hiccup.

I pointed my index finger at Evangeline and pressed on.

“Didn’t you decide to leave your hometown and live a completely new life? That’s why you gave up your title and liquidated your family’s assets. You got rid of your home and all your attachments!”

“That’s… but.”

“If you’ve made up your mind, do it properly. Leave without looking back!”

I continued to berate her harshly.

“As you said, this monster frontline is nothing but death and dust. And once you step into that death and dust, it will never let you go!”

“…”

“Don’t ever get involved in the war with monsters again. Leave for good and find something else you really want to do.”

I took a short breath and then slowly exhaled.

“Live freely, doing what you want. That was your father’s last wish.”

“…!”

“You said you wanted to be an unfilial daughter, Evangeline. You wanted to live like a rebellious child. But at least fulfill your father’s last wish.”

I brushed past the stiff Evangeline and entered the mansion’s entrance.

“You are now an outsider. This mansion is no longer your family’s.”

“Senior, just a moment…!”

“We need to have a meeting to prepare for tomorrow’s defense battle. I would appreciate it if you would leave as soon as possible.”

“…”

I strode into the mansion.

I don’t know what kind of expression Evangeline was making as she watched my back.

“Thank you for the past few days, senior. No, Your Highness.”

A polite greeting was heard.

“I’ll visit my parents’ grave one last time… and then leave Crossroads.”

“…”

“I hope that good fortune will be with you on the path you will take, Your Highness.”

I didn’t answer until the end and entered the mansion’s entrance.

As I entered the entrance, I glanced back and saw Evangeline standing still, bowing at a 90-degree angle. I muttered softly.

“…I hope good fortune is with your life too.”

Thud!

I closed the front door and let out a sigh. Whew.

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

“You didn’t have to be so harsh, you know.”

“If I had said it ambiguously, that girl would have had lingering attachments. Did you hear what she said? What? Help with the defense battle? Do her part? Good grief!”

I waved my hand dismissively.

“If she keeps saying ‘just one more day, just one more time,’ she’ll end up staying here forever. That won’t do. I have to kick her out.”

“Still, you could have reasoned with her better…”

“Tears aren’t necessary for a farewell, are they? A bundle of gold certificates is enough, right?”

I glanced out the window of the mansion’s hallway.

Evangeline adjusted her backpack, tied her spear and shield to her waist, and began to walk slowly south.

She said she would visit her parents’ grave one last time.

“…”

I quietly watched the small figure of the girl walking away, and then let out a small sigh of regret. Bye-bye, my expensive SSR…

“Alright, the one who left is gone!”

I patted the back of my other SSR-grade knight next to me. Lucas smiled awkwardly.

“Let’s do our best, Lucas!”

“I will only follow my lord’s orders.”

Lucas and I entered the mansion’s drawing room.

The main party members were already gathered and waiting in the drawing room. Jupiter, Damian, and…

“Why me againnnnn!”

Our flame grand mage, Lily.

I grinned wickedly and sat down in front of Lily.

“Was your short freedom sweet, Lily? Then it’s time to be exploited again.”

“Ughhhh! Your Highness! Please send me back to the workshop! I’ll work until my bones turn to dust, so please, let me do office work!”

Lily was crying and sniffling, completely bound in ropes.

Don’t pretend to be weak, Lily. You’re someone who does what needs to be done. Your Highness knows your capabilities.

“Alright, the defense battle is less than a day away. Let’s review our party’s strategy one last time.”

While soothing Lily, the strategy meeting began.

The defense strategy against the golems had already been established. Today was about checking and understanding the details, and the final review.

The meeting continued for about an hour, with the map of the fortress wall spread out.

After explaining everyone’s roles again and giving Lily a suitable rear support mission.

“And Damian. I have another gift for you.”

I grinned and handed Damian two wrapped magic guns.

Damian, with wide eyes, accepted the magic guns I had given him.

“May I open the wrapping?”

“Of course! Open it quickly.”

Damian carefully unwrapped the magic guns, and I was about to explain how amazing they were when…

Bang!

The drawing room door was violently opened.

Everyone, startled, looked towards the door. There, a soldier was standing, panting urgently.

“Hah, hah! Reporting, Your Highness! It’s an emergency!”

“What is it? What’s the matter?”

“It’s a report from the reconnaissance unit! The, the monsters… !”

At the following words, my eyes widened.

“Monsters have appeared! The types are a golem legion, large monsters! The number is about 200! They are currently advancing towards the city at a terrifying speed!”

“…What?”

Confused, I quickly opened the system window.

“What nonsense are you talking about? There’s still time until the stage starts?”

[STAGE 3]

– Time until start: 18 hours 55 minutes

“Look! There are still nineteen hours…”

At that very moment.

[?? of ??? is interfering with the game!]

The necklace around my neck felt hot,

Whirr!

[STAGE 3]

– Time until start: ■■ hours ■■ minutes

The numbers on the system window suddenly began to spin wildly.

“Re, main…”

I trailed off, dumbfounded.

What?

What is this?

What is… what is happening?

The time that was clearly remaining, with a whirring sound, fell downwards.

Falling, and falling again-

Clang!

[STAGE 3]

– Time until start: 00 hours 30 minutes

It disappeared.

The 19 hours of grace that had remained. All of it evaporated, leaving only 30 minutes.

“…Crazy.”

I was frozen, dumbfounded.

No, don’t cheat. At least the system window shouldn’t cheat.

What the heck is this…?

“That’s not all, Your Highness!”

The soldier shouted again. I snapped back to my senses and looked at him.

“According to the report, the monsters are showing abnormal behavior!”

“Abnormal behavior? What do you mean?”

“They’ve split into two groups!”

A monster legion? Split into two groups?

Why?

“The main force, about 80% of the total, about 200 individuals, is coming straight to the city, but the remaining 20%, about 50 individuals that split off from the main force…”

At the next words, my mind went blank for a moment.

“They are heading towards the orchard where the Margrave used to reside!”

“…What?”

I slowly turned to the side.

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

In that orchard right now…

– I’ll visit my parents’ grave one last time… and then leave Crossroads.

…Evangeline, would be there.