The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

Chapter 260

– The Civil War in the Ruben Kingdom ends. Is the Sixth Prince the winner?

– But upon closer look, the results were completely different. The alliance of Ruben Kingdom’s prestigious martial families claims a decisive victory!

– Ten masters? Everything you didn’t know about the First Territory.

– Cranen Empire in turmoil. When will the Empire make their move?

– New King Gerard I of Ruben Kingdom is rumored to be close friends with Count Raul. Will the First Knight Order gain more influence?

As the civil war in the Ruben Kingdom concluded, the media extensively covered related news.

It was where the most players were active and the headquarters of the First Knight Order, which held significant sway over the players.

Had the Third Prince’s side won, the First Knight Order, based in the First Viscounty, would have suffered a substantial blow.

Many media outlets had predicted a victory for the Third Prince, backed by the Empire, and a significant number of players had abandoned the Purple Association to join the Ripple Association.

However, contrary to expectations, the alliance of martial families triumphed. And they did so with an overwhelming difference, crushing their enemies….

The Connect community was more vibrant than ever.

Thousands of bulletin boards, with tens of thousands of new posts every day. Among them, a best post that particularly caught players’ attention stood out.

『I’m sorry. Please forgive me!』

I was really foolish.

Since my newbie days in Connect, I had been comfortably playing the game with various supports from the First Knight Order.

Thanks to them, I even established a cozy nest in the Free City of Briante, and through the association, found well-paid quests easily.

But I betrayed the First Knight Order. ㅜㅜ

Honestly, many of you did the same, right?

The media kept saying every day that the First Knight Order was going to collapse.

Having taken out a big loan to buy a house, it would have been hard to find good commissions if the association disappeared.

So, I went to the Ripple Association instead…. and it was a disaster.

I paid the entrance fee with the little gold I had left and participated in the Ripple Association’s group quests…. My apologies. ㅠㅠ

The moment the First Knights charged, I realized, I was insane.

Those in the media and self-proclaimed experts were all con artists.

You shouldn’t live a guilty life.

Defeated in battle against the First Knight Order, I was captured as a prisoner.

I was confined to a prisoner camp for a week, doing nothing.

Then, I was put to work cleaning up the battlefield for another week.

And then back to the prisoner camp….

The fleeing Ripple Association’s executives did nothing to follow up.

They said it was because we were in enemy territory during the war, but even after the war ended, there was no negotiation or news regarding the prisoners.

In the end, I had to sell my home to pay the bail and was ‘permanently exiled’ from the kingdom.

Naturally, I left the Ripple Association.

But now, the Ripple Association demands a breach of contract penalty, saying I violated the agreement by leaving.

I cursed them to their faces, calling them garbage, and got PK’d as a result.

They said they would hunt me down with a bounty if I entered their territory.

I’m currently eking out a living in some rural corner of the Brennan Republic, catching field monsters.

I can’t return to Briante where I left my foundation, nor can I go to any major territories of other kingdoms because of the Ripple Association.

I am writing to announce that I will quit Connect after this post.

After all, with my accumulated death stacks, the revival fee would exceed a million won the next time I die.

It’s all my karma, I guess.

If anyone from the Purple Association or First Knight Order is reading this, I sincerely apologize.

And though it’s shameless, I have a request.

Could you please eradicate the cancer that is the Ripple Association from Connect?

Additionally, please show leniency to the ordinary players who are still suffering because of one poor choice.

This is the fate of a traitor.

A moment of silence for the deceased.

But isn’t it a bit too much to put prisoners in a camp and force labor on them?

-That’s not the Purple Association’s jurisdiction. They were captured as prisoners of war; what else could be done? Besides, they got on the wrong side of the king.

People involved in scenarios in other kingdoms should take note. This could happen to anyone who finds themselves on the wrong side.

– Just follow the Purple Guild.

– So true.

– Didn’t you see the power of the First Viscounty, now County? If you add Ashton, they could crush an entire kingdom with ease.

– Maybe other kingdoms’ forces will bring their pocket money and join the First Knight Order now?

– But what should we do about the Ripple Association scum?

– Heard that the guild leader and executives all fled during the war? There’s talk that they’re now in the Marcus Kingdom.

– They’re already finished. Do you think our Count Raul will just let them be? Even if he sends a couple of masters, they’ll be wiped out.

– Sending masters to another kingdom isn’t so simple. I think the Purple Guild will handle it.

– After all that’s happened, you still think that way? Reports say all guild leaders and executives are the second and third generation of wealthy families. If we don’t root them out now, we’ll be dragged around by major guilds’ tyranny in other games too. Don’t wait for the First Knight Order, we need to deal with it ourselves! Recruiting for the Ripple Association Eradication Squad on

***

Cafe. Everyone should join.

– On my way!

– I’m a victim of the Ripple Association, can I join too? ㅠㅠ

– Everyone’s welcome. There are no restrictions on joining.

Endless apologies from those who left the Purple Association were pouring into the Connect forums.

Officially, the Purple Association didn’t take any actions against those who left. But those who joined the Marquis’s side and attacked the First Viscounty were met with ruthless consequences.

The prisoners had to perform forced labor in camps until their ransom was paid. Even if they paid the ransom, they were exiled from the kingdom and permanently barred from rejoining the association.

Those who fled were permanently exiled and had bounties placed on their heads. The 16 free cities under Raul’s influence also confiscated their properties, banned them from entry, and issued arrest warrants.

To live a normal player life again, they had to turn themselves in and pay compensation for the victims of the civil war.

Those who posted apologies were petitioning to lift their entry bans to the Ruben Kingdom, but other players’ reactions were cold.

No one was willing to forgive those who drew swords against their benefactor in his time of need. This was also a sign of a surge in new Connect players.

Over a hundred thousand capsules were being supplied monthly, and the total player count had surpassed 700,000.

Although the Anti-First Knight Order Coalition had 70,000 players, it wasn’t a small number. But with those captured or defecting post-war, the Ripple Association’s size shrank to under 20,000.

Thus, their voices were drowned out on the forums.

*

“What’s the current public sentiment? What should we do?”

Calix Castle, capital of the First County. Raul and Kim Ilwoo were having tea in the lord’s office.

It had been ten days since the coronation.

They had been too busy reorganizing the newly expanded territories to focus on player-related matters. Ilwoo had been handling the details, but Raul needed to provide overall direction.

“I don’t think I need to decide such minor matters myself. Guild Leader, handle it as you see fit.”

It was a significant issue among the players, but for Raul, the Ripple Association was no longer a name of importance.

The recent war solidified the positions of the First Knight Order and the First Players Association. Even if the Ripple Association backed by any kingdom tried to make a move, they posed little threat.

‘Given their notorious reputation among the players, a rebound seems unlikely unless a special variable appears.’

Though their continued activities despite an overwhelming defeat showcased their resilience.

The power of money.

They managed to maintain their presence through wealth and connections they had on Earth. Unlike the early days of the game, a substantial amount of gold was now in circulation among the players, gradually strengthening their “pay-to-win” tactics.

Already, Raul’s dominance in the gold exchange market had waned, and now he’d left it to market self-regulation.

‘But still, they can’t outmatch me.’

Raul chuckled to himself. Almost a month had passed since the civil war ended. Almost every player in Connect, except for absolute beginners, had joined the Purple Association.

There were no membership or subscription fees.

Yet, the revenue generated surpassed the entire income of the Count’s territory. The modest fees from association quests.

The earnings from various commissions undertaken to boost association contribution. Revenues from stores and inns affiliated with the First Knight Order that offered member discounts.

By providing convenience to players while securing revenue, a virtuous cycle benefitting both Raul and the players had been established.

As the number of players increased, so would the revenue, making it impossible for even the wealthiest to keep up with Raul’s financial power through pay-to-win tactics.

‘Moreover, the Earth funds they exchange for gold are steadily fattening the First Company’s coffers.’

By the time they realized, a dagger would already be at their throats.

“Understood. For now, we won’t take any official actions, as before.”

Ilwoo had grown into a notable figure himself. Whether the position shaped him or he naturally possessed such traits was unclear.

Nonetheless, Ilwoo was managing his roles as the President of the Purple Association, the Vice Guild Master of the Purple Guild, and the Vice President of First Management Company. without falter.

“Next topic. Recently, many members affiliated with our management are receiving recruitment offers. The offered amounts are substantial, and the companies extending these offers have significant reputations, causing some to waver. Should we take preventive measures?”

It was something Raul had already anticipated. In industries where direct development is challenging, poaching talents from the other side is common practice.

From the inception of the company, Raul had ensured special care for core members. Raul smiled, appearing unconcerned.

“No, just leave it. It’s not something we can prevent anyway. But deal with those leaving in accordance with our principles.”

“Are you sure? Even if they are lower-tier members, if departures begin, it could unsettle the existing members.”

Indeed, many companies had collapsed, unable to withstand such talent poaching by large corporations. Though laws existed to prevent this, they generally favored those with deep pockets.

But.

“Well, if they learned nothing from this recent civil war, there’s nothing we can do.”

“Indeed. In any case, examples are always needed.”

Can they really maintain their current subscribers and sponsors after leaving the First Knight Order?

In the short term, the companies that scouted them might cover their losses, but individual broadcasting was all about content.

Securing high-quality content in Connect without the First Knight Order would not be easy. Raul and Kim Ilwoo discussed various ongoing matters.

Given the wide range of Ilwoo’s responsibilities, it took longer than anticipated. As their conversation drew to a close, Raul asked.

“How is that particular matter progressing?”

“Yes. We’re making all preparations to enter immediately once the civil wars in each kingdom conclude.”

“Pay special attention to personnel selection. From now on, it’s not just us, but your war will also begin.”

“I will bear that in mind.”

Once the 『Scenario: Kingmaker』 ended, a new scenario would begin.

Raul was already preparing for it.

‘The future will be entirely different from what I know, so there’s no room for complacency.’

He felt he could find some answers at the end of that new scenario. And six months passed.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:

The war has ended. A new arc begins.