Translator: Atlas Studios Editor: Atlas Studios
âI know youâre all tired. Itâs early morning, and youâre not allowed to go offline to work, study, and contribute to society. Instead, youâre supposed to gather at Goldshire Town. We shouldnât be doing this...â
At the plaza of Goldshire Town, a group of Humans, Elves, and Fairies with green symbols above their heads were gathering at a simple wooden platform. A tall, handsome Elf shouted to the Victorians below the platform. His voice was amplified by Mana enchantment, and it reverberated in the sky above the town.
âBut now, an entire NPC army is stuck in Goldshire Town because of the Eternal pigs. We canât proceed with our mission. So, Iâm gathering everybody to escort the NPC army to Victoria City! We have other Guild members here. You might have had grudges or conflicts before, but at this critical juncture, we have to unite. We canât afford to lose the crossroad intersection outpost. The equipment and assistance of the NPC army are critical to us!â the Elf on the platform shouted as General Shidan walked to the plaza, following the voice.
The warriors below the platform werenât nervous about the impending battle. Instead, they were chatting and wandering around without any discipline. If that was the standard of the Victorian army, he was confident of conquering Victoria City without much effort.
General Shidan wasnât optimistic about Victoria City defeating Eternal Kingdom. From his assessment of the discipline of Victorians, he thought Eternal Kingdom could easily occupy Victoria City. If his army followed the Victorians into the forest, it would be suicidal.
Previously, General Shidan was excited when he heard that thousands of Victorians were gathering to enter the forest. But he wasnât enthusiastic after seeing the ill-disciplined Victorians. As a commander of the Godly Kingdom, he couldnât let his army take the risk of following the Victorians into the forest.
âSir George, if the Victorians are so ill-disciplined, I think itâs better we stay in Goldshire Town. Itâs safer for the army,â General Shidan said to George. The generals beside General Shidan nodded in agreement.
George looked worried, and he said to General Shidan, âGeneral, you donât seem to understand these Victorians. They are ill-disciplined, but during battle, they are brave and fearless. They are the strongest warriors that Iâve ever seen. We can definitely break through Victoria Forest. The Underworld creatures are attacking Victoria City. We have to stop the Underworld creatures before Victoria City falls.â
George spoke boldly, but none of the generals believed him. The generals had never seen the Victorians in battle and thought that George and Steamed Dumpling were trying to shirk their responsibilities by overrating the enemy.
Was it possible to have a powerful army that was ill-disciplined? It was impossible.
General Shidan wouldnât speak the truth in front of George. He hesitated for a moment and thought of a solution.
âSince Sir George said so, letâs do it this way. Sir George will be the vanguard and follow these Victorians into the Victoria Forest!â
George understood General Shidanâs intention. After all, he wasnât a fool. General Shidan didnât trust the Victorians, so he was sending George to survey the situation.
George was unhappy with General Shidanâs wariness, but he understood the concerns of a commander. General Shidan hadnât witnessed the power of the Victorians. It was time for General Shidan to take a look at the Victoriansâ strength.
âI understand, General Shidan, Iâll complete the mission and enter Victoria City with the Victorians. Then, Iâll tell Queen Victoria about our reinforcements!â George said loudly. Everyone was moved and full of respect for Georgeâs braveness, but nobody was willing to accompany him into the forest.
Everyone was moved, but they werenât moving. They had sent out many teams into the forest, but none of them survived. Could George be lucky this time?
As General Shidan was about to decline the Victorianâs offer, a Victorian representative walked over. He was a tall and handsome Human who made George jealous.
He had the green words âSealHeadLingChongâ above his head.
âFriends from the Godly Kingdom, youâre aware of our plan to help you traverse Victoria Forest safely and enter Victoria City. We are done preparing for the escort mission! Are you ready?â
When the Human was speaking, George felt that he had seen him before and had slashed the Human with his sword.
âApologies, we canât mobilize the entire army to follow you, as they have a mission in Goldshire Town. Donât worry, Iâll follow you!â George stepped forward and said valiantly. Because George had fought with them before and they were now friends, he had trust in the Victorians.
The gamers were disappointed, but at least an NPC was following them. It was the start of a Strange Encounter Mission!