Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
At Victoriaâs Stronghold in the York Territory, the gamers were informing each other of the new Knights that appeared at the boundary of the Dukeâs Castle and an impending attack. They had to prepare their defenses.
The gamers were used to being attacked, having been attacked several times since the start of Victoria City. After every attack, the gamers would have a bounty, so they welcomed the attacks.
The Knights were going to attack them, so they were extremely happy.
Lancelot was nervous as he directed the gamers to build up the defenses, such as chevaux de frise and obstacles at the only way into the Stronghold.
Lancelot was still worried, but there were no other choices.
The troops of the Counts and Barons got close to Victoriaâs Stronghold.
When thousands of Knights surrounded the Stronghold, many gamers were wandering outside, and they were captured by the Knights. They were easily captured. After all, the gamers had no intention to flee.
The gamers thought that the Knights were ordered to capture them by the Duke, so they offered to be captured. If they joined the slave warrior army, they could be like Hoodlum and be at their lifeâs pinnacle. Why would they want to flee?
The gamers didnât know that the Knights were the reinforcements of the Counts and Barons, who didnât have the intention to form a slave army to conquer the world.
To rescue the Duke, they tried their best to diminish the combat power of the gamers.
After capturing and interrogating the surrendered gamers, they killed all of the prisoners.
The Counts didnât have any prisons to keep the gamers, especially when there were thousands of them. Even if there were only hundreds of them, the Counts wouldnât hesitate to kill them.
The gamers got to know on the discussion forum and from the other gamers that defecting to these Knights would only invite instant death instead of Strange Encounter Missions.
Since there was no mission, the gamers started attacking the Countsâ army.
The ambitious Steamed Dumpling felt the same hopelessness that George had.
When the battle began, Steamed Dumplingâs soldiers held the upper hand and almost overran the Stronghold. The chevaux de frise and obstacles were cleared.
Then he used fire and burned all of the obstacles.
The gamers outside were captured and killed before they launched an attack at the Stronghold.
âCount Steamed Dumpling.â As the troops were about to attack, a Knight walked to Steamed Dumpling and said, âThe location of the Victoria camp is strategic. I thought the Victorians were only brave and brutish. I didnât expect them to have such a tactical genius.â
âIâm surprised too. However, this defensive Stronghold isnât a problem for us.â Steamed Dumpling smiled confidently and said to the troops behind him, âBring forth our Cannons!â
A few squires pushed three large Cannons forward.
The gamers in the Stronghold noticed the large Cannons. They never expected such a weapon to exist in the medieval ages.
However, it was nothing strange for such a thing to occur in a game.
The Cannons used by Count Steamed Dumpling werenât simple Cannons using gunpowder. They were similar to the Underworld Magic Cannons.
The energy used wasnât Mana but the power of knowledge. In other words, it was the Power of Sacred Light.
The energy for the Cannon Shell wasnât derived from a gunpowder explosion. Instead, there was a propulsion device attached at the back of the Cannon. Before firing, the device had to be filled with water, and a shell that was filled with the Power of Sacred Light was loaded into the Cannon. Only members of the Church knew the details of the Cannons.
Steamed Dumpling wasnât a member of the Church, and he wasnât interested in the mechanisms of the Sacred Light Cannon Shell. He was only interested in using it.
Steam energy didnât provide much power, so a member of the Church blessed the Cannons with Sacred Light. He chanted and engulfed the three Cannons in the Sacred Light.
The gamers were shocked. They didnât expect that the Power of Sacred Light could be used this way. With the order of Steamed Dumpling, the three Cannons fired simultaneously. The brilliant Shells flew towards Victoriaâs Stronghold and exploded in midair.
The explosion was blinding and destroyed everything in the Stronghold.
The wooden defenses were completely destroyed by the second volley of the Cannons. The first volley destroyed most of the Stronghold.
Only the Rune Mana Formation that was protected by Mana was intact.
The Rune Mana Formation was more than enough for the gamers to turn the tide.
...
At Victoria City.
Lancelot had just come out from the Castle when he felt something strange in the atmosphere. A lot of naked gamers came out of the Revival Point, cursing and swearing.
âWhatâs the deal? The Cannons killed all of us. Isnât this an online game? Why is it a Plot-driven massacre?â
âIt was horrifying. I didnât have a chance to react before I died!â
âMake haste. Letâs go back and check our equipment. It should still be around since we were killed during a Plot!â
âIf I lose my equipment, Iâll kill the game producerâs mom!â
The gamers were making a fuss. They then ran towards the Teleport Portal. Lancelot didnât have to ask to know that something happened at the Stronghold in the York Territory.
As he was about to enter the Teleport Portal, Big Boss Hamster stopped him and said, âCount Glamorgan, please donât leave. The Queen ordered us not to enter the York Territory.â
âBut our Stronghold is being attacked. I have to direct their defenses. If the enemy enters the Teleport Portal, even the Queen will be in danger.â
Big Boss smiled and said, âThatâs impossible. Even if they arrive here, they are of no threat to the Queen. Just heed the order of the Queen and stay in Victoria City. This is for your safety.â
Big Boss Hamster didnât explain much. Lancelot speculated that the Queen believed in the revival ability of the gamers. They didnât have to fear the enemy.
As a Knight, he was always hiding when there was danger. It was difficult for him to accept. He wanted to rebuke and obtain a chance to fight at the frontline.
Big Boss didnât give him a chance and went back into the Castle. As Lancelot was about to catch up with Big Boss, he saw Guinevere, who said, âCount Lancelot, I heard the Stronghold in the York Territory was attacked. Did the Duke counterattack?â
Seeing Guinevereâs worried expression, Lancelot quickly explained, âDonât worry. The situation isnât clear. Believe in our strength. Weâll help you get back your land, Miss Guinevere.â
As he spoke, Lancelot straightened his back like a real Knight.
âApologies, Iâm not Miss Guinevere. I told you before that Iâm not a woman.â
Guinevere was embarrassed, but Lancelot nodded with understanding.
If Guinevereâs territory was being usurped and she was forced to flee, she would disguise herself as a man. It would be easier for her.
It was unknown when Lancelot began to believe that Guinevere was a woman and disregarded other peopleâs perceptions of Guinevere. Guinevere was now his wife, and the Queen was his master. The Queen betrothed Guinevere to him, and the order couldnât be rescinded.
Though Lancelot nodded, Guinevere didnât think that Lancelot had accepted his explanation. Guinevere tried to explain many times, but Lancelot still thought of him as a woman. However, it wasnât the time to fret over it. He asked Lancelot, âIf you require my help to fight at the Stronghold, please tell me. Donât look at me like that. I can wield weapons and ride a horse to battle.â
Lancelot was about to say something when a gamer interrupted them and said, âDo you want to take a look at the battlefield? I can be your guard. Give the mission to me!â
A gamer volunteered himself while other gamers had just recovered from their shock. They didnât know that a Strange Encounter Mission could be obtained from a Plot. Was that not a Hidden Mission?
If a gamer could receive a generous reward from escorting Guinevere around the battlefield, it would be an easy mission.
âChoose me. The Hoodlum Yoga Association is the strongest Guild in Victoria City.â
âIâm stronger, my Weapon Level is Level 5. Give me the chance.â
âGuinevere, I respect you a lot. Let me be your escorting Knight. Iâll protect you. Even if I die a million times, Iâll not let any harm come to you!â
âAre you becoming unscrupulous because of a Strange Encounter Mission? Are you ditching your integrity?â
Lancelot didnât have a chance to speak to Guinevere, who was uncomfortable with the gamersâ offers. Guinevere raised his hand nervously in a bid to decline their offers.
The commotion attracted even more gamers. At that moment, a gamer at the Teleport Portal shouted, âMy equipment is gone! All destroyed by two volleys of Cannon fire! Give me back my equipment, you trashy game!â
âIsnât that a safety zone?â
âThereâs no safety zone when monsters attack. Even the Queen can be killed!â
âGo and help at the Stronghold. The Knights are attacking!â
More and more gamers entered the Teleport Portal to help defend the Stronghold at the York Territory.
Guinevere was moved when he saw the gamers fight fervently to help him regain his territory. His eyes started to well up.
Lancelot noticed Guinevereâs tears. He unsheathed his Longsword and said to Guinevere, âDonât worry, weâll help you get back the York Territory.â
âThank you, Count Glamorgan.â
Guinevere was touched as he looked at Lancelot. Then, he said to the gamers, âThank you, everyone. Thank you for helping me regain the York Territory. Iâll reward everyone who has shed their blood and life. Your names will be remembered by all in the York Territory!â
Guinevereâs voice became louder. The gamers were full of anticipation for the generous rewards!
They became very excited and dashed to the Teleport Portal to battle the enemy Knights.
The battle between the Duke of York and Victoria City had just started.