The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 253

“This is something else. They’re breaking through quite cleanly.”

On the plain between the second line of the Third Prince’s army and the main camp, Hamart, the master of the Empire, clicked his tongue with his arms folded.

“……”

No. 4 stood silently beside him.

“Everything is ready, right?”

“… It’s all set.”

“I have no intention of swinging my sword for the kingdom’s idiotic hypocrites. Make sure it’s handled without any mistakes. Got it?”

“… Understood.”

Both of them were masters, but their statuses were different. Hamart had risen to mastership through the standard ranks from the Empire.

No. 4 had become a master through mana’s blessing while conducting espionage in the kingdom. Although the Empire claimed to reward based on ability, inherent discrimination still existed.

Though Hamart seemed to care for No. 4 on the surface, in reality, he treated him like a subordinate.

‘Arrogant bastard. A mere spy dare call himself a master?’

This was an insult to the elite officers of the Empire who had honed their swords all their lives. It also indicated that they were not committed to their given tasks.

Several recent operational failures. Those were disasters caused by the intelligence department’s failure to gather proper information.

Even the information about this battle was a complete mess.

‘What? At most five masters and around a thousand knights? Ridiculous.’

Count Ashton Melvin and Viscount Raul might have ascended to masters, and with the blessing of mana, there might have been two or three more.

Even though the Count hadn’t participated, there were already three who appeared to be masters. And how would they explain the 5,000 knights?

With such sloppy information and predictions, how could the operations not fail?

‘Once this operation is over and I return to the Empire, I must push for an indictment against the intelligence department.’

Those dispatched to the kingdom had clearly been tainted by pretending to be ‘nobles’ and forgotten their duties. Anyway, complaints aside, they had to focus on the current operation.

“They’re coming.”

Boom!

The elite soldiers still holding the pike formation could not withstand the charge of the knights and were flung in all directions.

‘Just as predicted.’

The First Knights, having broken through two defensive lines. Their numbers hadn’t decreased, nor had their momentum faltered.

However, the knight division’s charging curtain that had surrounded them was gone. It was no surprise. A barrier created by all knights managing mana as one.

That meant if the members’ concentration wavered or they grew tired, maintaining the barrier would be impossible. After breaking through numerous spells and arrows and clashing with the cavalry.

“Alright, let’s have some fun.”

Hamart, still folding his arms, gestured to No. 4 with his chin.

“… I’ll begin.”

Rumble.

The ground between the knights and them started to shake violently.

***

‘Hmm? What is this…?’

Raul’s face twisted in disgust at the messy energy he felt. But there was no need to panic. Having encountered it many times before, he knew how to handle it.

「Enemy special forces of the Empire have appeared ahead. The enemy’s beast soldiers are ambushed underground, so counter them centered around each unit leader. Form an inner formation.」

「Forming inner formation!」

The First Knights, charging in wedge formation, spread out. Divided into five units, they slowed down and formed a V-shaped formation. The inner formation was suitable for surrounding and attacking a powerful enemy.

Whinnies.

As the horses briefly slowed, the unit leaders, deputy leaders, and Raul positioned themselves at the front.

Clang, clang.

Raul’s weapon legion assembled into multiple groups and floated above, responding to his gestures.

“Did you think we wouldn’t find you hiding like rats?”

As Raul gestured from above downwards, the weapon legion grouped into dozens or hundreds descended towards the ground.

Boom!

“Kyieeeek!”

“Kroar!”

Amidst dust scattering everywhere as if bombs had exploded, the roars of monsters echoed.

“Five of them. Perfect number. Each combat unit leader and their deputy will handle one.”

“Yes, Master!”

“Hyahh!”

Dalton, Ken, and the other combat unit leaders and deputies rode towards their respective targets.

Boom! Thud.

When the dust clouds settled, bizarre-looking monsters revealed themselves. Even the smallest one was over 3 meters tall, large monsters with an aura nearly equivalent to a master.

‘They seem upgraded from those I saw at the Marquis’s estate.’

Weapons created by the Empire to fight the kingdom’s masters, the Empire’s beast soldiers. With the gates’ level increasing, the beasts’ levels appeared to have risen as well.

However, it wasn’t just the beast soldiers that had developed over time….

Thunk!

McNilan deflected the lion-like beast’s front paw with his shield.

“Is this all you’ve got? Even our trainee knights could handle you, you damned cat!”

The temporary aura imbued in McNilan’s shield was sufficient to withstand the beast’s attack.

Swish! Slash, slash!

“Kyah!”

Seizing the opportunity as the beast’s paw was flung back, the greatsword of the 2nd combat unit leader, homer, dyed its chest with blood.

The defensive barrier enveloping the beast soldier was no match for his aura blade. Moreover, the other unit leaders and deputies were also overwhelming their respective opponents.

Leaders who handled aura too adeptly to be considered merely beginner masters, and deputies on the brink of reaching mastery.

The beast soldiers, fighting without reason and purely on instinct, weren’t good matches for them.

While the unit leaders battled the beast soldiers, the other knights shot arrows at the enemy forces stationed beyond the plain.

“Fire! Ensure they can’t intervene in the leaders’ battle!”

“Rows 5 and 6, keep the rear enemy in check!”

The senior knights who took over command effectively maneuvered their troops to prevent the enemy forces from approaching.

Watching this, Raul smiled with satisfaction and turned his gaze towards the enemy camp.

“Kane.”

“Yes, Master.”

Now, with all the master-level officers dispersed, only Kane remained by Raul’s side.

“You’ve identified their positions well, haven’t you?”

“Of course.”

Simultaneously, a small minimap unfolded in Raul’s field of vision, with red dots blinking.

It was a real-time tactical map created by integrating the Connect system, information from Kane’s informants, and the reconnaissance players like Han Seohyun.

“Then, let’s go hunt the commander of these rats.”

Whoosh.

In an instant, Raul and Kane vanished.

***

“…Haha.”

People say that when you’re at a loss for words, all you can do is laugh. That was the state of Master Hamart right now.

“Crazy….”

And No. 4 wasn’t much different. No one would be if they witnessed the unbelievable spectacle before them.

“Kuwoaargh!”

“Kyaggek.”

The secret weapons they had prepared. The five Empire’s Beast Soldiers were being utterly toyed with, unable to even fully exert their power.

From a distance, the soldiers who heard the monstrous roars might feel a chill run down their spines, but the actual sounds were nothing more than screams.

‘…Just how many masters do they have?’

Hamart felt a chill down his spine as he barely managed to restart his frozen brain. Three had stepped forward to deal with the two masters of the Marquis.

And now, five were beating up the Beast Soldiers.

Including the Count, who was already a master, and Raul….

‘Does that mean a mere Count’s household in the kingdom has over ten masters and a knight division of more than 5,000?’

How could that be the military strength of a Count’s house?

Before the Gate Incident or the Mana’s Blessing, such strength would surpass even that of an entire kingdom.

‘If I’d mindlessly tried to block that knight division…!’

Cold sweat dripped down his forehead.

“Hey, number 4. We’ve gathered enough intel, so let’s pull back. This information is crucial and must be reported back to the homeland.”

Trying to sound composed, Hamart spoke, and No. 4 nodded in agreement.

“I think that’s the best course of action.”

Retreating meant abandoning the five Beast Soldiers. Though they were experimental subjects, the astronomical cost to enhance them to the level of handling a master alone was tremendous.

Originally, even if they lost, they planned to send the remains back through a teleportation magic circle….

‘But there’s no leisure for that now.’

Clearly, each enemy’s skill far surpassed that of No. 4. Their swordsmanship, indicative of classical noble families, and their aura-handling skills showed they had been masters for quite some time.

Joining the fray now would just add his name to the list of their exploits.

Buzzing.

A faint magic circle appeared at the feet of Hamart and No. 4. The unfinished circle grew in intensity as it absorbed mana from No. 4’s ring.

‘Damn mana interference magic circle….’

***

Of all times, a large-scale mana interference magic circle had been installed on this battlefield. Not only here but extending a few kilometers, it disrupted teleportation and communication magic.

It was a magic circle normally used only for the central defenses of each castle.

‘Of all things, those Ashton bastards had to use a large-scale portal…’

The belatedly appointed grand commander, the son of the Marquis, ended up using that expensive one-time-use magic circle scroll.

If only that hadn’t happened, the teleportation magic circle would have been completed by now. And the report on them would have been finished as well.

Unaware of No. 4’s frustrations, the elite from the homeland was rattling his nerves.

“Can’t you hurry it up? Damn it, really….”

The beast soldiers were bleeding and screaming, looking as if they might collapse at any moment. But showing weakness in front of No. 4 was not an option.

“Do I have to handle this myself?”

Forcing a calm expression, Hamart unnecessarily drew his sword. It was as if he’d buy time himself.

‘Damn it. If we can’t make it in time, we’ll have to flee on horseback.’

As each nerve-wracking second ticked by, the magic circle finally began emitting a bright light, nearing completion.

“Full charge! Burn your life for His Majesty!”

Hamart sent out the troops. 3,000 soldiers and cavalry, tattooed with runes, surged forward. Soldiers who had been holding their breath under the rain of knightly arrows now charged head-on.

Their bodies were covered in grotesque black tattoos, and despite being pierced by the powerful arrows, they screamed as if nothing had happened.

‘Anyway, they’re useless now.’

Even to buy time for their escape was an honor for them.

“It’s done now!”

“Good. Let’s withdraw. It’s a shame I didn’t get to use this sword, but there will be another chance.”

Swish.

Just as Hamart had nearly sheathed his sword.

“Well. How about drawing that sword again?”

“……! Who’s there?!”

Whoosh.

Raul and Kane landed right in front of Hamart and No. 4.

“You…!”

Hamart raised an eyebrow. He recognized Raul’s identity. But then he shrugged and chuckled.

“Ha, what a shame. Cutting off your head would fetch a handsome bonus. See you next time. Heh.”

And with that, the magic circle beneath them glowed, enveloping Hamart and No. 4’s bodies.

“…Heh. Foolish bastards. Next time, I’ll really… huh?”

The light faded, but Raul and Kane were still standing right in front of them.

“…? Hey, number 4. What’s going on?”

“…”

But No. 4, seemingly flustered, could only stare at his teleportation artifact.

“Sorry. Raul said to absolutely not let you go, heh.”

A small green-haired fairy, perched on Raul’s shoulder, adjusted her glasses.

“Now, do you plan to draw that sword?”

Clang.

“Damn it!”

Boom!

The battle between the Third Prince’s punitive force and the First Viscounty’s charging cavalry concluded.

(To be continued)