The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

“You really don’t need our help?”

“If you’re referring to capturing the underground city, then yes. But you do understand that maintaining control after capturing it will be your responsibility?”

“Of course, but…”

Great Chief Tar’o found it difficult to believe. The place they couldn’t penetrate even with a large-scale offensive involving the Gigant unit.

No matter how impressive Raul’s skills were for a human, it was hard to believe he could take over an entire underground city alone. Initially hesitant about the trade, the Great Chief and the elders had now turned very enthusiastic.

The reasons were obvious: Raul’s conditions were exceedingly generous from the dwarves’ perspective. A chance to process ultra-rare materials that ignite their artisan spirits.

The possibility to drastically reduce the southern frontlines. And the opportunity to directly study “that item” was akin to a stroke of luck.

“You really don’t need to push yourself. If it’s for the trade agreement, we can be more lenient…”

“Thank you for your concern, but I have some personal business with those guys.”

The dwarves were worried Raul might get hurt or something might go wrong, jeopardizing the trade. Raul found their pure-hearted concern amusing, but he had no intention of changing his mind.

‘There’s no need to owe the dwarves a favor here. It’s more important to make a solid impression.’

To show them exactly what kind of power Raul possessed and how much he was conceding to them. This would set a favorable precedent for future relations with the dwarves.

“Besides, don’t you want to see what this ‘item’ can do?”

As Raul raised his wrist, every dwarf’s gaze followed. Raul’s third condition. It was to request the unsealing of the Power Armor ‘Regnator’.

Veteran’s Rabel and Caldenas both concurred that dwarves had a significant role in its creation. And the highest authority on Gigant and Power Armor among the dwarves was none other than Great Chief Tar’o, who stood before him with eyes gleaming with interest.

“Then let’s begin. Remember, you promised not to interfere.”

With that, Raul turned and began walking toward the exit of the cave. The entire landscape was covered in a blanket of white snow from the towering snow mountains.

‘At least I got here comfortably thanks to them.’

The dwarves used various underground tunnels connected to their cities for travel. These intricately engineered and hard-to-find paths were unnoticed by players.

Traveling through these tunnels, Raul avoided the cold and the Empire’s watchful eyes, reaching his destination without issue.

“Kane.”

“Yes, Master.”

Whish.

When did he follow?

Raul sensed the dwarves behind him shudder as Kane suddenly appeared.

‘Where did this human come from?’

‘… Not sensing his presence! Could he be like that human too?’

Ignoring the dwarves’ unease, Raul asked Kane.

“How’s the situation?”

“No significant changes. They haven’t detected us yet.”

“As expected. We’re moving with minimal presence. Estimate on their forces?”

“Approximately 5,000 troops. Over 50 knights, with a similar number of mages estimated. Considering other Empire underground cities, there might be one or two superhumans. However, we couldn’t ascertain the number of mages or undead soldiers. Apologies.”

“It’s fine. It doesn’t matter how many they have.”

Unlike human soldiers exposed outside, mages and undead remain in a dormant state when not in battle. Hence, it was naturally difficult to estimate their numbers without direct confrontation.

“What’s the deployment status?”

“Completed. No one will escape.”

“Good. Let’s begin.”

No matter how much Raul’s skills had improved, he remained cautious. Though he was confident in taking the city alone, unpredictability could arise at any moment.

Thus, he had brought along a few trusted subordinates, who were already positioned near the target underground city.

Pah, Pababat!

Raul and Kane moved swiftly across the snowfield. Covering over ten meters with each step, their footprints left no mark on the snow.

“We need to hurry as well!”

“Move out!”

Vroom.

In contrast, the dwarves donned equipment resembling skis. Using magical propulsion devices, they glided smoothly over the snowfield. Meanwhile, Raul and Kane were already far ahead.

*

“Welcome.”

A group of mages greeting Raul at the bottom of the slope.

“Well done. You may return now.”

“Thank you. We wish you success.”

With a small magic circle, the mages vanished.

“Rabel, it’s your turn.”

“Leave it to me.”

Rabel fluttered down and planted her staff into the magic circle previously set by the mages.

“Activate the barrier!”

Guwoong.

A translucent spherical barrier enveloped the surrounding area. With this, all communication magic and teleportation magic circles connecting to the outside world from the underground city would have ceased functioning.

“What? A fairy?”

“That’s not just any fairy! Look at that enormous barrier. It must be a Fairy Queen!”

“But why is a fairy with humans?”

The dwarves, who arrived late, murmured in confusion. However, Raul paid no attention to their reactions and said, “Enter in five minutes. I’ll clear the obstacles.”

And then he casually walked alone into the passageway leading to the underground city.

“Does he really not need our help?”

“Let’s wait and see for now.”

“What if he gets into danger?”

“We’ll have to save him then. That shouldn’t be a problem, right? Who knows, the human might bring out even more valuable materials.”

“Ooh.”

The dwarves’ eyes sparkled, but it was uncertain if they would even have a chance to prove their strength.

‘Hmm. It’s tidy.’

The passage to the underground city had already been cleared by Kane. The corpses leaning against the walls, as if dozing off, had expressions that suggested they didn’t even know what hit them.

Though there were hardly any troops stationed, Kane’s stealthy skills seemed to have improved since he became a master.

Step step.

Even though it was the same underground city, the atmosphere was completely different. If the dwarves’ underground city was a bright, heat-filled steampunk style, this place was…

‘Terribly cold and eerie.’

While the light streaming down from the ceiling was similar, the plains near the distant city looked desolate. Finally, when Raul arrived at the entrance to the plains, ‘I can see why the dwarves had such a hard time.’

What should have been plains had transformed into a maze with furrows several meters deep. The thick, swamp-like atmosphere there was repulsive at just a glance.

And what could be felt within was clearly sinister aura (邪氣).

‘Undead and demonic creatures are lying in ambush.’

It seemed nearly impossible to enter the city without overturning the entire plain.

“Kane. Stay here with Nakia to protect the dwarves.”

“Yes, Master.”

“Nakia, set up some barriers to ensure they don’t get caught in the battlefield.”

“Will do.”

With Nakia’s alchemy magic, it would be possible to create a safe viewing spot unnoticed by the enemies. Meanwhile, Pierce and the other five masters, who had yet to reveal themselves, would secure a secret passage to block the enemy’s retreat.

‘Sorry, but you will serve as an example today.’

Raul stared coldly at the distant underground city. This was both a demonstration of power for the dwarves and a warning to the empire.

「The dwarves have entered.」

Kane’s communication came through.

Chyararak.

Raul activated his power armor. Silver metal covered his entire body.

‘Regnator activation.’

Paaat.

A golden light that started from the bracelet once again covered the silver metal. The antique golden armor revealed its true form.

“Oh, is that the legendary power armor, Regnator!”

“It looks exactly like the records stated!”

“I never thought I’d see Regnator in person.”

Just as the dwarves watched Raul with mesmerized expressions,

Thump.

Raul’s body, which had lightly pushed off the ground, floated into the air, and silver-white ethereal wings spread out behind him.

Paaat!

At an incredible speed, Raul’s figure flew to the front of the underground city’s walls. The maze that had been a significant obstacle for the dwarves was no problem for Raul.

Clang clang clang clang clang!

“Enemy!”

“Everyone, get your weapons!”

There was no way the imperial army could fail to notice the golden knight floating above the underground chamber. A clamorous alarm rang out from the city walls, and soldiers began pouring out of buildings within the city like a swarm of ants.

Raul, watching all of this with an indifferent expression, slowly drew his sword. At the same time,

Koo-gwa-gwa-gwa!

Thousands of weapons poured out like a tidal wave from the subspace opened behind him.

“What, what is that!”

“A, archers, what are you doing! Shoot!”

“Shieldbearers! Block it!”

The legion of weapons, spread out threateningly, perfectly dominated the airspace above the underground city. As if a thick, dark cloud had draped over the city, blocking out the light, the weapon legion plunged the city into darkness.

Ping! Whoosh!

‘Not a chance.’

Arrows and magic spells began to fly towards Raul in earnest, but they couldn’t even penetrate the psychokinetic barrier far below Raul.

‘Three, huh? Looks like the empire somewhat understood the importance of this place.’

Raul’s senses detected the presence of three extraordinary beings. Such formidable power was too excessive to be allocated to a intermediate-level underground city.

But Raul’s face showed no signs of tension.

“Who are you!”

“Do you know that you are trespassing on the territory of the Cranen Empire!”

Finally, two masters in power armor appeared on the rooftop of a central building in the city. Among the group of mages they had brought, one exuded the aura of a 7th circle mage.

“Since all the main players are here, let’s begin.”

Raul’s voice echoed through the city, and the expressions of the imperial superhumans, upon confirming the weapons covering the sky, drastically changed.

“A legion of weapons!”

“Count Raul! Why are you here?”

“Damn it. We need to request reinforcements….”

No matter how much the imperial intelligence agency dug around, they now had a clear understanding of Raul’s identity and abilities. He was already listed at the top among the empire’s designated high-priority targets.

They must have certainly realized that handling him would be challenging for two junior masters and a 7th circle necromancer. But it was already too late.

Whoosh.

At the moment Raul swung his hand down, thousands of weapons emitting dazzling golden mana rained down onto the city with a thunderous roar, like a barrage of lightning.

Kwakwagwagwagwang!

With the amplification of two power armors added to Raul’s dense mana aimed at top-tier masters, combined with spiritual and holy energies, each weapon’s destructive power was formidable enough that not even a knight’s mana blade could easily withstand it.

After the bombardment ended, only the three superhumans, a handful of knights, and some mages were left standing in the underground city.

“Ugh. What about the reinforcements?”

The imperial master who barely blocked the mana-laden weapons asked, but the mage’s complexion had already turned pale.

“Good heavens, who could have spread such an enormous interference barrier!”

“Damn it. In this case, we have no choice but to see this through to the end! Mages, don’t just stand there, provide support!”

With their grips tightened on their swords, the masters leapt towards Raul, and the mages prepared levitation spells and platforms for them to ascend.

“Die!”

Two streams of dark aura blades targeted Raul, but Raul didn’t even need to swing his sword.

Clang! Brrr!

Instead, six weapons, radiant with aura, intercepted them.

‘There’s nothing much to handle here, so I might as well clean up.’

Eyeing them briefly, Raul turned to look at the plains.

In an instant, a brilliant aura at the master level unfolded, flooding the entire chamber like a tidal wave.

Paaaat!

“Ugh!”

“What now, argh.”

The masters, who had drawn up dark mana, floundered in the intense wave of holy energy, only to be struck by swords and fall.

Guooo.

The undead and demonic creatures hiding in the maze of the plains trembled in agony and crawled out of the ground. Naturally, they became prey to the legion of weapons.

‘Is he truly doing this alone?’

‘Is that really power a mere human can unleash?’

‘What if we had sincerely fought against that man?’

The dwarves, having witnessed Raul’s divine force literally single-handedly wrecking an entire city, could only gulp in awe.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:

Unlike with the orcs, Raul didn’t need to use disguise with the dwarves.