The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 246

Boom, boom, boom.

Cheers erupted!

On the vast Kerden Plains, countless soldiers were lined up, shouting in unison.

210,000 for the 3rd Prince’s army.

350,000 for the 4th Prince’s army.

A total of 560,000 troops faced each other in battle formations, an awe-inspiring sight. The 3rd Prince’s army was divided into left, center, and right wings, each forming two lines, creating six large formations.

Similarly, the 4th Prince’s army divided into left, center, and right, but with their superior numbers, they formed three lines, resulting in nine formations.

Clang! Whoosh!

Aagh!

The front lines engaged in several small-scale skirmishes, serving as both reconnaissance and preliminary clashes, maintaining a balanced tension.

But amidst the tumult, certain individuals stood out prominently….

“Maintain the formation correctly!”

“Tanks, watch out for thrown attacks in the front!”

“Who shot the arrow before the signal?!”

Various distinctively dressed figures were actively participating in the center of the battlefield. These were the player units.

Boom, boom, boom.

“Looks like we’re calling it a day.”

As the drums signaled a retreat, Kim Ilsang glanced back towards the main camp. He was the head of the Ripple Association and the master of the New Star Guild.

Despite being thoroughly beaten by the Purple Guild’s rankers during the territorial wars in the Brennan Republic, the Ripple Association hadn’t disbanded.

In fact, harboring a deep-seated grudge, Kim Ilsang expanded the association despite the costs.

Moreover, many large guilds across various nations, having suffered at the hands of the Purple Guild, joined forces, recognizing that individually, they couldn’t stand against the Purple Guild.

A alliance of 20,000 players gathered under the banner of the Ripple Association and guilds from other nations. Naturally, they chose the 3rd Prince’s faction led by Marquis McNeil.

The Purple Association had warned against supporting the McNeil faction, making their support almost inevitable.

‘Hmph. So they’re really not joining, huh?’

The standoff on the Kerden Plains had persisted for several days, yet there was no news of the Purple Guild.

He didn’t mind, though. In fact, he saw it as a favorable turn of events.

“Guild Master, here is the list of new members applying to join the association.”

Upon returning to the main camp, he was met with new player applications. This battle could potentially decide the fate of the Ruben Kingdom’s throne.

Many players were restless because the Purple Guild was still abstaining.

Ultimately, they had two choices: join the 4th Prince’s side through the Purple Association’s collective quests or enlist with the Ripple Association and fight for the 3rd Prince.

Even though more players sided with the 4th Prince, the 3rd Prince’s faction still had a significant number joining their ranks.

The size of the Ripple Association continued to grow over time.

‘And if the 3rd Prince’s side wins this battle…!’

They would be able to completely wrest control in the Ruben Kingdom away from the Purple Association.

The Purple Association had chosen neutrality, likely because they were unsure who would win.

‘Kim Ilwoo, right? You can see the limitations of someone average when they reach higher positions.’

A true leader must make bold decisions no matter the situation. If they failed, their group was bound to stagnate.

‘Only those, like myself, chosen to lead, can guide this world.’

Foolish commoners often delude themselves into thinking that all humans are equal and that hard work alone can achieve anything.

‘Nonsense.’

Humans were ranked from birth. Lineage, family, wealth, talent. With everything being different, how could they expect the same treatment?

There was no need to debate who deserved to be a leader: an elite groomed to lead a corporation from childhood or an ordinary person who received basic education to survive?

Thus, the need to restore order, whether in a game or reality, was evident.

*

On a hill quite a distance from the battlefield. Around a hundred individuals on horseback were observing the battlefield.

“They’re taking too long to engage. I thought they’d clash immediately after forming battle lines. Cowards.”, Jake grumbled.

“They have to be cautious. This battle could decide everything. And for the 4th Prince’s side, dragging out an attritional fight isn’t a bad strategy.”

Raul remarked. Unlike the 3rd Prince’s forces, who wanted an immediate confrontation, the 4th Prince’s army seemed more patient.

It was a benefit of having the initiative and superior numbers. In an war of attrition, the side with more soldiers naturally had the advantage.

“… But could the 4th Prince’s side actually lose? Right now, it’s hard to tell who will win.”, Kim Ilwoo asked cautiously.

Standing behind him were Purple Guild rankers Han Seohyun, Wang Chunmyung, and Linda, among others.

“Well, everyone should know. The 4th Prince’s side has little chance of winning this battle. In fact, they are guaranteed to lose. Two reasons.”

As Raul spoke, not only the Purple Guild members but also Jake, Pierce, and other Purple Knights pricked up their ears. Even they did not know why Raul was so confident.

“First. The alliance gathered by Count Randal. Are they really all on the same side?”

“……! You mean there’s a traitor? But…”

Count Randal and the two supporting counts were known for their longstanding alliance. And the young Marquis Edmer bore deep grudges against the McNeil Marquisate.

“Not everything is as it seems.”

Raul recalled memories from his previous life. Back then, there had also been a power struggle between the McNeil Marquisate and Count Randal for the throne.

Though it wasn’t the same setup, someone had betrayed Count Randal. Someone who seemed to have no ties to the Marquis McNeil at all was, in fact….

“Second. Behind the McNeil Marquisate lies the Empire. Or rather, it’s more accurate to say they’ve aligned with them.”

“The Empire…!”

“Good heavens! Why would the Marquisate side with the Empire….”

“Damn traitorous wretches!”

Some reacted with shock, while others were enraged by Raul’s statement. What was surprising was that no one doubted the truth of Raul’s words. It showed how much his subordinates trusted him.

“Now I understand why you were so sure of the McNeil side’s victory, Master. But are you really going to stick with the plan? Wouldn’t it be better to…?”

Philip asked, his voice tinged with concern.

“No, there will be no change in plans.”

Raul’s tone was firm.

Sensing his resolve, Philip did not push further.

“Alright, everyone heard that? Get ready, we might have a big fight on our hands!”

Jake shouted, and those who had been dubious now braced themselves, focusing on the battlefield.

*

“Catch them!”

“Don’t let the traitors escape!”

Neeeigh!

The horse, foaming at the mouth, struggled with exhaustion.

‘… How did it come to this?’

His head swam from the continuous blood loss from his side and thigh.

“Ugh. Protect the lord until the end! Haa!”

The faint voice of his loyal escort knight, who had always had his back despite their limited skill, echoed in his ears.

Thump.

“Father, stay with us! You can’t fall here!”

Someone caught him as he nearly slipped off his horse.

‘Hmm? Which one is this again?’

The face of the son desperately supporting him was unfamiliar. In retrospect, he hadn’t really paid much attention to his children. Now, it seemed like a trivial matter.

Smack.

A stinging sensation spread across his cheek.

“Snap out of it! Are you really planning to die here!?”

Did this brat just slap his father?

The pain jolted him back to his senses. He quickly circulated his mana to staunch the bleeding and steady his breath.

“Haphael. We’ll talk about this later.”

“Father, are you okay now?”

His son’s voice carried both relief and confusion. The fourth son. He had always been more flashy than skilled, and thus, not one he’d had high hopes for.

But amidst his over ten sons, only this one remained by his side.

“…What’s the situation?”

“…The pursuit seems to have slowed for now. But we don’t know the details yet.”

‘So, we’ve lost?’

Count Hudson, the head of the Randal household, was slowly coming to terms with the reality. Where had his army of over three hundred thousand gone? Now, only about thirty knights followed him.

The tide of the battle had turned in an instant. The 3rd Prince’s forces had launched an all-out attack. He had moved his forces to counter and had rushed to the front lines with his Masters.

‘Betrayal….’

Count Lansis, who was supposed to guard the main camp, had turned traitor. The 4th Prince’s head was swiftly taken, and the main camp’s headquarters and the command flag were set ablaze.

This threw the various units into disarray, and the balance of the Master duel at the front lines was broken.

Not only had Count Lansis’s Master, Fulkus, betrayed them, but new superhumans had also suddenly appeared in the 3rd Prince’s camp.

‘Clifford, you vile fiend!’

Though he had masked his swordsmanship cleverly, Hudson knew the truth.

The Empire.

How could a marquis of a prestigious martial family ally himself with the Empire?

Count Hudson bit his lip hard. Though they lost the battle, he couldn’t let it end here.

‘No matter what, I must survive and reveal their filthy deception to the world.’

Thanks to the sacrifice of many, Hudson had managed to escape the battlefield. There was a pursuit team, but if they could reach the forest ahead, they might find a way out.

But maybe he had judged too hastily.

“Well, well. Where is this esteemed gentleman off to in such a hurry? Like a rat scurrying away?”

Boom!

Neigh!

The ground exploded, and the horse’s legs buckled under a mana blade that flew in from the front.

Bang! Crash!

Count Hudson, leaping off his horse, struggled to gather mana to block the incoming blades.

‘Damn it…!’

Standing in his way were the traitorous Master Fulkus and a Master from the Empire. Had he been in peak condition, handling these two at the novice Master level would have been easy, but….

Thunk! Clang.

With each clash of swords, blood welled up within his stomach. His mana channels were undoubtedly damaged.

“Aaah!”

“You scoundrels!”

It was the worst possible scenario. The relentless pursuit unit had caught up from behind and was assaulting his followers.

‘…Is this the end?’

A bleak despair filled Count Hudson’s eyes.

“Leave none alive! Kill them all!”

“No survivors!”

The enemies had issued a brutal death sentence. But just then.

“Oh? I was thinking the same thing. Quite the coincidence.”

“Who’s there!”

“When did…?”

A masked figure stood behind Master Fulkus and the Imperial superhuman, arms crossed casually.

“Wipe them out.”

Barely had the masked figure spoken those words when—

“Ah!”

“Who are, urk.”

Boom! Clang!

Screams and the sounds of battle erupted from behind the encirclement.

“Hmph! I don’t know who you are, but your struggles are meaningless now! Die!”

Master Fulkus charged at the masked figure with an aura blade blazing on his longsword.

Thunk!

But his sword was effortlessly blocked by the masked figure’s spear.

Whoosh! Popopopopop!

The spear’s blade whirled like a tornado, splitting into dozens of blades that flew towards Fulkus.

“As if that could—”

Fulkus swung his aura-covered sword to parry the spear, but—

Thump.

“What…? Aargh!”

Drdrdrdr! Boom!

The vortex of spear blades easily deflected his sword and ferociously tore through his armor’s protective barrier. In the blink of an eye, Fulkus retreated, but the spear still managed to slash his torso.

“Cough.”

It all happened in a single exchange.

“You scoundrel!”

The Imperial superhuman belatedly swung his halberd at the masked figure, but it was effortlessly deflected as well.

“I told you, don’t think of leaving here alive.”

With the masked figure’s declaration, aura lights burst forth from all around. Fulkus and the Imperial superhuman turned pale.

4th Prince was slain, and Count Randal along with several Masters went missing.

The Battle of Kerden Plains concluded with a resounding victory for the McNeil Marquisate and the forces of the 3rd Prince.

(To be continued)