The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

“Now that we’re all here, let’s start the meeting.”

The conference room in a small castle. Gathered there were individuals of various attires. The common feature among them was their adornment with expensive jewelry and armor, likely among the most costly items available in Connect.

These were the leaders and subordinates of the major guilds dominating Connect. Of course, the Purple Guild and their cooperative guilds were excluded.

The gap between them had already grown significantly wide. Even if those present didn’t agree, that was the reality.

“If you’ve gathered all these busy people, there must be something very important you want to discuss, right?”

The man who asked with a sarcastic tone had a square jaw and a rugged appearance. His face and body bore numerous scars, marking him as Isaev Rublan, guildmaster of Russia’s state guild 『Slava Russia.

His bitterness stemmed from the fact that the one who had called the meeting was Brent Jones, leader of America’s united guild 『SUS (Super United States)』.

“I’m surprised there are fools who don’t even know why they’re here. Your government must not care much about this place, huh?”

“What did you say?”

The fierce Isaev was about to lash out before his guild members restrained him.

“Let’s ignore the idiots. I think we all know why we’re here.”

Brent Jones locked eyes with the other guild leaders present. On closer inspection, the participants of this meeting differed somewhat from the previous anti-First Knight Order alliance.

The key figures from major guilds who had played central roles previously were more in the background now. Those who had taken their place were the so-called ‘new guilds’.

But no one dared to underestimate these new guilds. The reason was evident just by looking at their names.

American 『SUS』.

Russian 『Slava Russia』.

Chinese 『Zhonghua』.

Japanese 『Great Japan』.

British 『GUK (Glory United Kingdom)』.

Korean 『Republic of Korea』.

And many more guilds bearing the names of various countries. These were state-sponsored guilds. Some might wonder why state guilds existed in a mere game, but that was the reality.

Governments had integrated numerous mid-sized guilds without sponsors, unaligned rankers, and players nurtured by the state to form new guilds.

These newly formed state-sponsored guilds now occupied this gathering.

“With the new scenario beginning, the situation has become critical. You all must have noticed that the situation on Earth is deteriorating rapidly. Our sponsors expect us to secure as much territory as possible.”

A week had passed since the new scenario was launched. The higher-ups in various governments could no longer dismiss the claims of a connection between Earth’s condition and the Connect scenario.

The steadily declining energy efficiency had plummeted to less than half immediately after the scenario began. There were countless power outages, and most of the population was experiencing extreme weather conditions.

Access to Alex Song, the chairman of Connect Corporation, remained impossible. Thus, reluctantly, action needed to be taken within Connect.

Most citizens were unaware of this situation. State-run media and press redirected attention using excuses like global warming, El Niño, La Niña, and solar flares.

People’s reasons for turning to Connect became simpler. Despite its unknown principles, the capsule’s self-powering feature meant no need for external electricity.

Research indicated that players felt as rested as if they’d had a full night’s sleep while logged into Connect. Connect offered a comfortable play environment unaffected by Earth’s abnormal climate.

This led to Connect becoming the norm for anyone’s leisure time outside of work. Even so, the supply of capsules was insufficient (only about 5 million units), and their personalized nature made them non-transferable.

People were now eagerly waiting to be among the few who could enter Connect.

“So, what’s your point? Are you suggesting we all get along and cooperate to divide the Forbidden Zone?”

There had been a sense that a multinational guild alliance would form since the state guilds emerged. However, this had not materialized, and as the pioneering scenario progressed, guilds from different countries had engaged in near-war territory disputes.

Talks of reconciliation and cooperation might now seem too late….

“It’s possible. Why not stop wasting our strength in pointless conflicts and establish mutually agreed territories?”

The hall buzzed with whispers at Brent’s suggestion. While it seemed impossible, if an agreement could be reached, it wouldn’t be a bad thing.

“And how exactly do you plan to divide it? This sounds like another scheme for you Americans to grab the prime spots!”

Isaev’s sharp voice found support among some attendees.

“Yeah, how do you propose dividing the Forbidden Zone fairly? It’s not a simple slice of cake!”

“Are you planning to covet our pioneering sites under the guise of territories?”

For six months, territorial wars within the pioneering sites had already somewhat defined the borders. However, asking everyone to accept the current boundaries as definitive territories would incite objections from almost everyone.

‘No one would be satisfied with such limited land.’

‘In a month, I could easily seize my neighbor’s territory, how can I agree to this now?’

With the vested interests of dozens of guilds interwoven, how could they simply set clear borders as if drawing lines on a map?

“Ah, it seems I may have been misunderstood. The ‘territories’ I’m referring to are not the current pioneering sites. I’m talking about ‘future pioneering’ sites we will acquire.”

Ziiing.

As Brent spoke, the front of the conference room illuminated with a magical screen displaying maps of three Forbidden Zone regions, excluding the western Monster Forest.

“As you can see, the areas we have claimed so far are minuscule compared to the entire Forbidden Zone. Frankly, we’ve spent six months fighting tooth and nail over tiny pieces of land near the entrance.”

The map highlighted the current pioneering sites, marked with colors and national flags. Unlike the well-fortified and wholly claimed Monster Forest, the other regions were sporadic and looked like a piece of bread riddled with holes.

The reason was simple.

The uncolored areas represented A-rank and S-Grade pioneering sites. Players had focused on capturing any site other than the A and S-Grade ones, continuously struggling over them.

“But the situation has changed. Look at the maps.”

The initial barrier line within the Forbidden Zone was erased, turning the previously blocked off areas into golden hues.

“There is no longer a need to fight for the small pioneering sites near the entrance. Look at the vast newly accessible areas. Therefore, I propose: Let’s agree on the pioneering priorities for these new sites and focus on development rather than territorial wars!”

The golden areas.

For some reason, they seemed to promise richer treasures.

As a result, the players’ eyes gleamed with greed.

“I agree. Our 『Zhonghua』 Guild supports this proposal. There’s no need to cling to small lands. Stopping the fighting and advancing based on ability seems right.”

That was the beginning. Everyone thought the same way. Secure the empty lands first. We can steal from others later.

And so, after several chaotic meetings filled with shouting, a grand compromise was reached. The maps were divided into segments as neatly as if drawn with rulers, each marked with a national flag.

Naturally, the size of these territories corresponded with the power of the respective nations. Finally reaching an agreement, they shook hands and parted ways, but all were thinking the same thing.

‘Let’s pretend to maintain the borders, but if an opportunity arises….’

Moreover, their agreement completely excluded many smaller guilds and individual players. In fact, some of the land they planned to divide already included territories claimed by smaller guilds.

In reality or in Connect, the course of history is determined by the negotiations of powerful nations.

That’s what they believed.

*

“What a spectacle they’re putting on.”

Raul scoffed as he listened to the meeting’s details.

‘How can it be so predictable?’

It was almost identical to the events of his past life. Although this time, the largest piece of the pie, the Monster Forest, was excluded.

“What should we do? If we leave it as is, the three Forbidden Zones might fall into their hands.”

Kane’s concern was understandable, but Raul wasn’t worried at all.

“If that happens, so be it. But it will never go as they plan. Inform the cooperative guilds that they can let go of essential outposts, save for the core ones.”

“What? Why?”

“The situation may soon render holding onto the pioneering sites a burden. It might be wise to withdraw guild members from all but the main base.”

Kane bowed his head at Raul’s command.

“Understood. I will relay your instructions.”

Raul was the decision maker, and following his words rarely led to errors.

“What about the preparations for war?”

Raul asked Philip, the Supreme Commander, who stood nearby.

“They’re proceeding smoothly.”

“Never underestimate them. This time, the enemy isn’t just mere monsters. Prepare as if we’re facing a kingdom.”

“Yes, sir.”

The magic screen at the front of the meeting room. The video, shot from above, depicted a large village bustling with green-skinned creatures—Orcs. The reconnaissance familiar circling the village captured footage until an Orc shaman shot it down with a spell, ending the video.

‘With a force that size, they easily surpass 30,000.’

Beyond the barrier of the Monster Forest. Surprisingly, it wasn’t a forest but a vast ‘plain’. Humans had merely labeled it the Monster Forest; in reality, fertile plains were hidden within.

‘I only found out about it at the very end.’

One of the reasons Raul had initially targeted the Monster Forest was precisely because of that vast land. In his past life, the top brass of the large guild alliance had kept silent about the land beyond the Monster Forest.

Just like them now, they drew lines and divided territories among themselves, monopolizing the resources therein.

‘Well, to be accurate, they never truly set foot on the plains.’

Because the true owners of that land weren’t human. Just before the footage cut off, countless black dots filled the vast plains captured in the final frame.

Those dots were none other than:

‘Orc tribes.’

Ranging from thousands to tens of thousands, these Orc tribes had filled the expansive land.

『Notice』

Thanks to the efforts of players, the Forbidden Zone is gradually becoming human territory. It might only be a matter of time before humanity regains the glory of the past.

However, you are not the only ones desiring the Forbidden Zone.

Before it became a Forbidden Zone, this land was undoubtedly the home of others.

And now, its original inhabitants are beginning to resurface.

-The conditions have been met, triggering a linked scenario.

-The scenario 『Forbidden Zone Opening-Pioneering』 will change to a permanent quest. Rewards and rules from pioneering will continue.

-The new scenario 『Forbidden Zone Opening – Encounter (???)』 begins.

-Scenario information will be disclosed upon meeting the conditions.

Raul already knew about this new scenario.

‘This is pretty much the last main scenario I’m aware of.’

In his past life, Bae Dohyun had lost his life during the progression of this very scenario. It had only been 3 years and 9 months since Connect’s service began.

Yet, they had already caught up to the events that had spanned 15 years in his previous life. The reason for this rapid advancement was:

‘The large guild alliance had completely blocked the scenario’s progression.’

As a result, the same scenario had stagnated for nearly a decade, halting Bae Dohyun’s and the players’ growth. But that wasn’t the immediate concern. The real issue now was:

A race that once formed a major part of Connect’s world.

The war with the Orcs was imminent.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:

Orcs this time. The empire has been temporarily sidelined.