The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 250

“A quest has been posted!”

“Where, where?”

Finally, the quest announcement appeared on the official Connect community and the Purple Association’s website.

With the broadcast showing the punitive force leaving the capital, Thurium, heading towards Ashton County, it was inevitable that the society would release a quest critical to its survival.

What players were waiting for was how the Purple Association would recruit players and under what conditions. However…

“What is this?”

Players couldn’t believe their eyes.

『Special Quest Announcement by Purple Association』

We thank all players who support the First Knight Order and Purple Association and are pleased to announce a new special quest.

As everyone knows, a new civil war has erupted in the Ruben Kingdom.

There are two main battlefronts: the Templeton Duchy and Ashton County.

Thus, we have prepared two special quests:

Join the Templeton Duchy in battling the forces of the 3rd Prince.

Participation Criteria: Combat players of level 30 and above.

Recruitment: Unlimited.

Deadline: Ongoing until the battle begins.

Players wishing to join the duchy should go to the Purple Association branch in the Free City of Kessan on the eastern side of the Ruben Kingdom.

This part of the announcement was understandable.

Given the importance of the final civil war for the kingdom’s fate, maximizing player numbers without restrictions was crucial.

However, the second special quest was baffling.

Join the battle on the side of Ashton County and the First Viscounty.

Participation Criteria: Level 30 and above. Must have a mount equivalent to a combat steed.

Recruitment: To be determined.

Deadline: Until midnight today.

Restrictions: Must be able to full-dive for at least two weeks.

Players wishing to participate should visit the Purple Association’s headquarters in Calix Fortress by midnight today.

『Note』

This quest involves extremely intense and dangerous battles. If you are looking for a lighter experience, choose Quest 1.

Additionally, individual video recording will be prohibited, and external communications will be restricted until the battle concludes.

Only players who are confident in enduring more than two weeks of grueling combat should attempt this quest. Please understand that if we lose the battle, quest rewards may not be given.

Unlike the unrestricted Templeton Duchy quest, the First Knight Order quest came with numerous conditions and restrictions.

Most importantly, the tone of the quest was:

“Are they encouraging us to participate or not?”

“Isn’t Ashton’s situation more critical than the Templeton Duchy?”

“The punitive force is said to be over 200,000 strong. Plus, the ‘Anti-First Knight Order Alliance’s numbers are massive.”

Common sense dictated that the aim should be to recruit as many players as possible to secure additional forces.

Yet, the quest’s content made it questionable how many would actually participate with such poor conditions.

Many players, closely watching for the Purple Association’s next move, were left in a state of confusion.

***

“How many do you think will join?”

Kim Ilwoo asked worriedly. Raul calmly sipped his tea, showing no signs of concern.

“Who knows? It’s up to the players.”

Of the 25,000 players who responded to the general mobilization order, nearly half were excluded due to not meeting the full-dive requirement.

They weren’t entirely out of the battle—they were redirected to bolster the defenses of the duchy. Thus, the forces Raul could use for this operation barely approached 30,000.

Even local players who couldn’t meet the conditions were excluded, so who knew how many general players would join?

‘I hope at least 5,000 players sign up,’ Kim Ilwoo thought, worried.

Facing 200,000 with only 30,000 troops seemed daunting, no matter how elite their forces were.

Still, seeing Raul’s confidence, Kim Ilwoo could only hope for the best. The next day, the soldiers were lined up on the plains before Calix Fortress.

The First Knight Order, 5,000 strong.

Ashton County’s various knight orders and cavalry forces, totaling 10,000.

Purple Guild members, allied guilds, and resident players, totaling 12,000.

Combined, they had 27,000 soldiers.

“Ah…!”

Kim Ilwoo felt an overwhelming sense of emotion. Riding alongside the troops were over 30,000 players, each mounted and ready for battle.

They had merely 15 hours since the quest announcement was posted, and in that short time, so many players had signed up.

Connect had been active for a year and a half. The total number of capsules supplied was around 600,000.

Among those, only half were level 30 or higher and owned mounts. So having 30,000 players join such a challenging quest was incredible.

‘This many…’

Given the community’s sentiment, it seemed like most had given up on the First Knight Order. Then why had these players come?

“I took all my summer vacation so I could be here.”

“Given all I’ve received so far, I had to pay back this time.”

“The Purple Association must be preserved! Did you see the Ripple Association? They’re already trying to profit off players.”

“Those who switched to Ripple will regret it deeply. The First Knight Order has never lost a battle!”

“Honestly, I don’t care about the rewards. Following the Purple Guild guarantees fun.”

Though the reasons varied, the players’ objectives were the same. To protect the First Knight Order and the Purple Association with their own hands!

In truth, the First Knight Order was the only entity in Connect that properly treated and cared for the players.

Some associations, businesses, and territories had attempted similar initiatives, but ultimately, they were self-serving.

This moment was the culmination of those efforts.

Of course, not all news was good.

Since the announcement, over 30,000 players had left the Purple Association. Their destination was, predictably, the Ripple Association.

‘Those who were biding their time have finally made their move.’

It’s possible that more will leave the Purple Association in the coming days. Most experts predicted a victory for the 3rd Prince, and after today’s departure, defections would likely accelerate.

Despite the quality of their troops, the total number of combatants, including players, barely reached 60,000.

In contrast, the 3rd Prince’s forces, aside from the 200,000 punitive force, had 400,000 troops in the capital alone.

Numbers were increasing daily. Even if war wasn’t just about numbers, at such disparity, the odds were clear.

Amidst the hubbub, Raul appeared atop the fortress wall, adorned in elaborate battle attire.

“I’ll be brief. In this war, I’ll lead the charge at the front, and I’ll be the last to lower my sword. Advance the troops.”

With Raul’s concise and resolute speech, horns blared from the walls, signaling the march.

Bwoo!

Raul and the officers leaped from the fortress wall onto their mounts, and the entire 60,000-strong cavalry—including magical beasts—formed ranks and began their gallop across the plains.

***

“Only 60,000? How laughable.”

Inside a lavishly decorated large tent, a young man sitting at the head, sipped wine with a frown.

He was Favian de McNeil, the youngest son of Marquis McNeil and the supreme commander of the punitive force.

“The actual cavalry numbers are around 10,000, with the rest being foreign mercenaries. This is likely a vanguard meant to delay us,” Master Delo remarked.

Sitting beside him was Master Gervainen, his left arm missing, a remnant of the battle against Count Randal’s forces.

Both Masters had rejoined the punitive force after recovering from their injuries.

“They must be desperate. Trying to buy time implies that their preparations for war are incomplete.”

“Ridiculous. Do they think they can stop us by stalling? These country bumpkins don’t even understand the situation. Isn’t that right, my lords?”

Favian asked with a snort, the two Masters nodding in agreement.

“Overconfidence is dangerous. The Ashtons are more tenacious than you think.”

A different voice entered the conversation. A man in a black hood and cloak with a brass mask covering his face—he was Agent No. 4, an operative from the Empire’s intelligence unit, imperial Hound.

“And who asked for your opinion? Just keep quiet and do your job like the dog you are,” Favian sneered.

Though the insult was severe, no. 4 remained unfazed.

“You might want to watch your mouth. I could cut your throat before you know it,” another voice chimed in.

The final member in the tent, a knight in black armor, spoke with a mocking grin, causing the two Masters to tense and reach for their weapons.

Shrrk.

The black knight also reached for his sword hilt, amplifying the tension.

“Do you really want to do this? I’m fine with it, but your Marquis probably wouldn’t be pleased,” the knight chuckled, causing the two Masters to reluctantly release their grips.

The black knight was none other than Master Hamart from the empire, an elite sent at the request of Marquis McNeil.

“Just make sure to relay any updates promptly, my esteemed collaborators,” Hamart said, patting No. 4 on the shoulder as he left the tent.

Clang.

“Such arrogance!”

Favian shouted, throwing his wine glass in frustration.

“What was Father thinking, assigning me such riffraff? We don’t need four Masters to handle the likes of Ashton!”

“True, but it likely reflects how much the Marquis cares for you, my lord,” Delo soothed.

“Hmph. I don’t need the stinking help of those Imperial dogs!”

“Calm yourself. They might be insufferable, but they’re effective tools.”

“Fine, I understand. I’m not an idiot,” Favian grumbled.

The Marquis’s orders were simple: to tie down Ashton County until the conflict with the Templeton Duchy was resolved.

But Favian wasn’t satisfied with just following orders. With 140,000 troops at his command and four Masters, he had no intention of merely stalling.

‘With this force, I can achieve more than just buying time!’

By the time they reached Ashton County’s borders, they would have over 200,000 troops. Why hesitate when he could crush them in one swift move?

He wanted to subjugate Ashton County and prove himself as a worthy successor, possibly even surpassing his brothers.

‘If I can successfully complete this campaign…!’

Favian was lost in his triumphant thoughts when—

“Urgent report! A large enemy cavalry force has been spotted ahead! They’ll be within engagement range by midday, according to the messenger!”

“…What?”

Favian sprang to his feet, shocked. They were still deep within the kingdom’s central region, far from Ashton County’s borders.

“Explain! The enemy only set out three days ago. How are they here already?”

Master Gervainen barked in disbelief. Even if they were primarily cavalry, it would take at least ten days of nonstop marching to cover such a distance.

There was no way they could fathom how this was possible.

“Damn it. Prepare for battle! Break camp and form an anti-cavalry formation immediately!”

“Y-yes, sir!”

Unfortunately, their camp was set up in an open plain, with no obstacles. Facing a large cavalry force on such terrain was not ideal.

‘This could be troublesome. We might suffer significant losses,’ thought Master Delo, frowning.

Favian, however, saw things differently.

“Haha, look at that. They’re coming to die. This is perfect. We’ll crush them here and make Ashton realize their place. Bring me the enemy commander’s head, Delo, Gervainen.”

“Yes, leave it to us!”

Though the expressions of the departing Masters weren’t exactly cheerful, they seemingly had no doubt about their victory.

The tension was palpable as the punitive force prepared for the impending clash, unaware of what awaited them on the battlefield.

(To be continued)