Chapter 175: Two Gates (2)

It was possible to destroy Easy and Medium level Gates if a group of appropriately leveled players gathered, but Hard Gates were different.

The Invasion Event itself was designed more for high-level rankers than low-level players, and Pegasus didn’t make it easy for them to claim the rewards.

"Damn it..."

"How are we supposed to kill all those monsters?"

"We’d need at least one of the top ten world guilds to even have a chance with that many."

The players standing at the walls of Castle Baden collectively let out low groans.

Morale had reached its peak when the Pray guild joined the battle, however, the situation changed drastically when two boss monsters appeared on the battlefield. The boss monsters were a Troll Hero and a Triple-Headed Ogre which were monsters that were rarely encountered outside of special events.

Once the number of players logged out by the monsters reached double digits, they would be forced to retreat inside the castle.

"What happens if Castle Baden falls?"

"I’m not sure. But one thing I do know is that Count Baden is one of the key figures influencing the Kingdom of Rashion."

"

Ugh

, that’s going to be a headache."

"All the quest routes will be messed up, and there will probably be a flood of quests that can’t be completed."

"Are those Pegasus guys out of their minds? Why would they set up two Hard Gates in a place like this...?"

Shaking their heads at the grim reality, the players shuddered as they watched the monsters roaring.

Just the appearance of a boss monster shifted their momentum.

So this is the influence of a boss monster from a Hard Gate...

The only relief is that no more monsters are coming out of the Gate after the boss monsters appeared...

Tsk, but even so, it’s only a matter of time before the castle falls.

Surprisingly, the monsters were capable of using their brains. Realizing that they couldn't easily break through the sturdy walls of Castle Baden, they started bringing large boulders and tree roots from the forests and mountains.

"They're planning to break down the castle gate with those."

"Shit, how are trolls and ogres that smart?"

"What happens to all the NPCs if we die?"

At one of the players’ sudden question, the others voicing their complaints fell silent.

What happens...?

They'll probably all die.

Everyone knew that truth, but no one could easily say it aloud. Even though they understood they were just programs, the NPCs' terrified, trembling bodies as they prayed looked all too human.

"

Ugh

, I did post a request for reinforcements on the community board."

"There’s no point. Once a boss monster appears, you can’t use teleportation magic near it."

"So, we really can’t expect any help from other players?"

"Who knows. Maybe some players will teleport to the nearest city and run over here."

"Yeah, right. Don’t you know how rankers are? If they see no chance of success, they won't lift a finger."

Coming to aid a castle like Baden, where the tide had already turned against them was a joke that would make even a passing dog laugh.

To make matters worse, Castle Baden wasn't suited for defense. Although its position in the plains made it a hub for trade and cultural exchange, that very characteristic had become a fatal flaw in this situation.

It wouldn’t be surprising if they attacked from any direction—north, south, east, or west.

And it’s not like there’s only a small amount of monsters...

Should we escape before the castle is fully surrounded?

As players mulled over various thoughts, an old man was gripping his forehead inside the lord's hall.

"My lord, you must make a decision."

A deep sigh escaped the lips of Count Hind, the lord of Castle Baden and a noble of the Kingdom of Rashion. He looked at the woman sitting respectfully in front of him.

The new Saintess of the Solarian Church.

The fact that a mere adventurer had been chosen as the Saintess of the church was astonishing in itself. But the woman had quickly built a power base among adventurers, and now the Pray guild was well-known even among the people of this world.

"So, what do you suggest we do?" Hind asked.

"You must flee. We will escort you..."

"That’s ridiculous!"

Bang!

The old veteran slammed the table, his eyes fierce.

"Are you telling me to abandon the people who trust and follow me? To give up the land that I, and those before me, have cultivated as our home?"

“There are times when you must let go.”

“

Huh

. Telling me to let go of human lives so easily? That doesn’t sound like something a Saintess of the church should say.”

Minerva bit her lip as she watched the rapidly declining Affinity window. “It’s not that I want to recommend this method, but... Castle Baden has already suffered irreparable damage...”

“I still have a solid fortress, and my people, knights, and soldiers are here. As long as my will to protect them remains unbroken, I will not be the first to turn my back,” Count Hind said in a firm voice, as if hammering in the final nail.

Minerva let out a sigh in frustration.

As a leader, Count Hind possessed the highest virtues.

However, Minerva, trapped with Castle Baden, felt a headache coming on.

We can’t use the teleportation gate because of the boss monsters’ aura. There’s no support, and our forces are significantly insufficient.

In the worst case, even the Wizards’ teleportation magic couldn’t be used here. They would have to leave the castle and escape the bosses’ debuff area to use it. And to make matters worse, Unknown, Kai, was still out of contact.

Could it be a high-degree trap to take us down...? No, that can’t be.

There was no reason for him to turn against them. And since Kai had already won over the High Priest of the Solarian Church, the Pray guild had to stick with him whether they liked it or not.

There’s no benefit in weakening our guild’s forces, so something must have happened...

As Minerva let out a small groan, another massive shock rocked the castle.

Boom!

“Count Hind...”

With a deep sigh, the count brushed his hand over his face lined with deep concern and wrinkles, and asked the commander of the knights, “Has the fortress been fully surrounded?”

“Though there are many monsters, they aren’t enough to completely cover the fortress. Because of that, the eastern gate remains lightly guarded.”

“If we can buy some time here, could we evacuate the women, children, and elderly?”

At the count’s question, the knight commander’s eyes widened and shouted, “Count! If anyone should go, it must be you first...”

“No. I have a duty to protect them. Why do you think they paid taxes and built their lives here? It’s because they believed they would be safe under my rule.”

Boom!

The fortress shook again, and a cloud of dust fell.

Sweeping his hand to clear the dust from the air, Count Hind stood from his seat. “Arm any men who are willing to fight, and evacuate the women, children, and elderly first. If we do nothing... it will only lead to meaningless deaths.”

“But, sir...” the knight commander, filled with respect for his lord’s resolute decision to face death, couldn’t hide the sorrow in his eyes.

Pat, pat.

Sensing the commander’s emotions, Count Hind gently patted him on the shoulder, then firmly placed the golden helmet that had always protected him in battle on his head.

“My father, the former lord, once told me this. A good lord must know when to act swiftly and when to move slowly. Right now, I believe it is time to move slowly.”

“With your current condition... Do you plan to go out to the battlefield?”

“Some fresh air will heal me right up,” Count Hind said with a grin, showing his teeth.

Despite his age, the count was still a solidly built man. His muscular physique made his white hair and beard easy to overlook, though his pale complexion failed to hide signs of illness.

“What are our forces?”

“Excluding the honor guard, 73 knights and 425 soldiers will accompany you, my lord.”

“

Hm

. What do you intend to do?” he asked Minerva.

Minerva met the deep gaze directed at her and pondered.

If the Pray guild withdraws now...

Castle Baden would fall to the monsters, and, naturally, the Pray guild’s reputation would be ruined.

I don’t care if we get criticized by other players. However...

Falling out of favor with the NPC nobles and King of Rashion would be disastrous, especially for the Pray guild, whose main stage was the Kingdom of Rashion.

Eventually, she chose the best option available to her.

“Of course, I will go to the battlefield with you, Count. And as you mentioned evacuating the women, children, and elderly, I will send half of my forces to escort them.”

“

Mm

. I appreciate your consideration.”

Though it was to preserve half of the guild's forces, Count Hind expressed sincere gratitude.

Castle Baden began to stir with activity. The knights started their final checks on their equipment, and weapons were distributed to the men who had volunteered to protect their loved ones.

There are quite a few players here as well.

There were hundreds of players who had made Castle Baden their home. With them, the Pray guild, and the NPC army, it seemed they could hold out defensively even if a direct confrontation was impossible.

We can only hold out as long as possible and wait for Kai to arrive...

But even that was doubtful as he wasn’t likely to bring elves or merfolk to this battlefield.

He’ll probably come alone.

Even if he was the top-ranked player, there were limits to what one person could do in

MID Online

. But at this point, Kai was the only lifeline Minerva could grasp.

“My people.”

Count Hind looked down at his warriors as they prepared for what could be the final battle of Castle Baden. They were true warriors, clad in crude weapons and armor, fully prepared to face death.

These are the people who have kept Baden strong for five hundred years.

Understanding this better than anyone, Count Hind drew his sword and pointed it to the sky.

“Today, we fight to protect our loved ones, our families, ourselves, and our homeland!”

“

Yeaahh!

”

“The army of monsters will be powerful. However! They cannot instill fear in those who have already embraced death.”

“

Yeaahhh!

”

“The more time we buy, the farther our loved ones can flee. Never forget that!”

The count’s sword gleamed with a holy light.

“The Solarian God blesses us all! For Baden!”

“For Baden!”

Moved by the emotional display of the NPCs, the more sensitive players were already wiping their teary eyes.

“Damn... He’s so cool for an old man.”

“I’m going to fight like hell in this battle until I die.”

“If anyone tries to run away, they might as well cut off what they’ve got hanging below.”

With that, the NPC guards of Castle Baden and the Pray guild began escorting the elderly, women, and children through the eastern gate.

Boom!

At the same time, the thick door of the western gate was destroyed by the monsters.

Shing!

“Follow me!” Count Hind, showing no fear, took the lead and charged out.

“That grandpa...” Minerva, surprised, quickly gave orders to her guild members, “Our guild is joining the battle immediately! Do everything you can to keep the lord of Castle Baden alive!”

As her sharp voice spread across the square, her message window flashed.

Kai...!

Minerva’s eyes lit up as she checked the sender.

[Kai: Hold out for thirty minutes.]

[Minerva: Thirty minutes? The western gate has been breached, and the monsters are flooding in like a tidal wave. We can barely hold for fifteen minutes.]

[Kai: I doubt the Saintess class is that unimpressive, right? Don’t save your best hand for the grave—use it now.]

[Minerva: H-how could you say something like that...]

[Kai: Anyway, thirty minutes. Just hold out for that long, and I’ll take care of the rest.]

[The conversation has ended.]

“

That little...!

”

Kai’s attitude was arrogant and reckless!

Yet, despite massaging her forehead where a vein had bulged, Minerva couldn’t help but smile faintly.

Kai had pulled off miraculous victories on countless battlefields where nothing had come easy. That fact alone brought Minerva a small sense of relief.

If we can just hold out for thirty minutes, after that...

The monster would take care of the rest.