The Count’s Youngest Son is a Player

‘How could they commit such a cruel act…!’

It was not just horrifying. The moment Raul pulled the bottle out of the magic pouch, powerful thoughts hammered into his mind.

I don’t want to die.

It hurts so much!

Please save me….

Why are they doing this?

…….

Whoosh.

Raul put the bottle back into the magic pouch, and the waves of thoughts disappeared.

Crunch.

Raul clenched his fist. There was no need to investigate further to find the cause of the spirits’ berserk state.

The totem.

This small bottle, filled with the fairies’ fear, pain, and resentment, was behind it.

‘It’s no wonder the spirits, who empathize with the fairies, went out of control.’

The problem was whether this was the only totem. The front lines where the elves and imperial forces clashed were quite long and wide.

There must be dozens of small settlements like this in battle, so how many fairies had been sacrificed?

‘This is my oversight.’

In his past life, the activities of the fairy race were almost non-existent. There were only rumors from a few players who claimed to have seen them.

Therefore, he had thought that their numbers were originally small or that they were unrelated to the ancient races that had returned.

‘Could it be that they were captured by the empire?’

However, one question lingered.

If they had been captured, why make such cruel totems out of them?

Wouldn’t it be more advantageous to coerce or threaten the fairies to harness their spirit magic?

‘There must have been some problem. Perhaps…’

They might not have captured enough fairies yet. In any case, he couldn’t let the empire continue unchecked. If they continued to push back the elves and secure the advancement, it would also trouble the human kingdoms.

And most importantly,

‘I can’t forgive them for Rabel’s sake. If there are any surviving fairies, I must rescue them too.’

Resolving his thoughts, Raul opened guild communications. He convened an emergency meeting and relayed what had happened there to the executives.

「Change of plans. Effective immediately, we will focus all our strength on the Elemental Jungle. Hand over the current defensive line to Marquis Ashton’s house and prepare for an expedition. We will crush the empire’s vanguard here.」

「Those imperial bastards dared harm Rabel-nim’s kin! I, Jake, will never forgive them!」

Jake shouted, seething with anger.

「If it’s the Elemental Jungle, we’ll need the Ranger Knights. I’ll prepare my subordinates.」

Even the usually taciturn Pierce spoke with a firm voice, resolving to fight.

「We can’t just let this pass. I’ll prepare the teleportation magic circles with the mages. We’ll also bring as many of the newly developed potions as possible.」

Not just Nakia, but all the executives could not hide their anger and were grinding their teeth.

「We don’t need common soldiers. Only bring those who are at least Expert-level or higher, and mages of 6th circle or above. We’ll sweep them away with overwhelming force.」

「Yes, master!」

Raul’s intent to make a simple trip to the Elemental Jungle for materials had unexpectedly turned into a plan for war.

But it didn’t matter.

Raul had always intended to clash with the empire at some point, and it didn’t make a difference if it happened here.

Raul set up a portable portal device in the middle of the settlement in preparation to receive reinforcements.

*

“Here are the reconnaissance results.”

A map of the Elemental Jungle displayed on the magic screen in the Town Tree meeting room.

“There are currently around 30 imperial settlements on the border with the elves. Out of these, 25 are C-rank or lower, 4 are B-rank, and 1 is A-rank.”

As Kane reported, the positions of the imperial settlements were marked at regular intervals.

“Damn, they’ve occupied quite a bit. What should we do? Wipe them out all at once?”

Jake rolled up his sleeves, but Raul shook his head.

“We need to rescue the fairies first. Kane, any peculiarities?”

“There were no anomalies on the front lines, but our agents who infiltrated deeper have sent some information.”

Click.

An unusual scene appeared on the screen.

“Huh? What’s that?”

“A fortress wall? A real stone wall in this Elemental Jungle?”

It was a distinctly unnatural sight. A sturdy stone fortress wall erected in the middle of a jungle teeming with trees and vegetation. Considering that all settlement defenses consisted of palisades, this was even more striking.

“Judging by its size and position, it’s likely at least an S-Grade settlement. We also believe it highly probable that the main expeditionary force of the imperial army is stationed there.”

As Kane finished speaking…

“It’s certain. That’s the place.”

“Rabel! You’re awake?”

Rabel, who had fainted from shock, appeared in the middle of the meeting room.

“That’s my old homeland. The location of the ‘Fairy Garden’ in the Dasos Forest. And it’s also where the ‘Spirit Trees’ are clustered. Perhaps…”

“Are you okay? Everyone was worried about you.”

Rabel nodded at Raul while looking into his eyes. But her face didn’t look okay.

“Raul. I need to ask you for a favor.”

“What is it? Just say it!”

A system message suddenly popped up before Raul’s eyes.

Librarian 『Rivelina Eriot Merdianne』 of the Skill Codex has made a special request.

She hopes you will transfer 2 of your Skill Codex slots to her.

Caution: Transferred slots will be bound to the librarian.

『Advice』 The librarian can offer special rewards in exchange for skill slots. The type or grade of the rewards will be proportional to the librarian’s abilities.

Will you accept the librarian’s request?

Raul dismissed the message without hesitation.

Rabel was already like family to him.

Moreover, her power was worth much more than just two skill slots.

“Do it, label. The Skill Codex is more necessary for you than it is for me. If it helps you, I don’t mind how you use it.”

Rabel was touched by Raul’s immediate response and turned her head slightly.

“Thank you. You won’t regret this decision.”

Then she glanced at the imperial fortress displayed on the magic screen and turned around.

“Call me when you’re ready to strike. Until then, I have things to do.”

“Alright. Leave this side to me.”

Whoosh.

Rabel disappeared into the Skill Codex. And then, the Skill Codex began to emit bright light, and a series of system messages popped up in front of Raul.

Librarian Rabel has recorded the B-rank skill 『Sharp Gale』 in the Skill Codex.

Librarian Rabel has recorded the B-rank skill 『Cold Maelstrom』 in the Skill Codex.

Librarian Rabel has recorded the A-rank skill 『Anthem of Thrills』 in the Skill Codex.

Librarian Rabel has…

“Good heavens! What’s happening?”

Raul was shocked by the flood of messages filling his vision, and he closed the message window. The number of new messages kept increasing endlessly.

‘Check information! Skill Codex.’

『Skill Codex』

Grade: Epic

Status: Sealed (3/5), bound, librarian Rabel residing.

Effect: Strengthening of skills according to the type and number recorded. (Total skills currently recorded: 2231=>2523⇑)

Additional Features:

1) Provides 4 exclusive Codex skill slots – Choice Slot 1(-2), random Slot 1

2) Quick Mastery Helper – Skill proficiency increases rapidly when using skills recorded in the Codex. (Base proficiency provided – currently Intermediate Lv.1)

3) Librarian – The Codex’s abilities can be utilized depending on the residing librarian’s traits.

4) Skillbook Production

The total number of recorded skills was continuously increasing. Simultaneously, the Skill Codex’s skill enhancement factor was also rising.

‘Was this the special reward?’

Until now, the skills stored in the Skill Codex were only those obtained from collected skillbooks and copies. But now, new skills were being endlessly recorded in the Codex.

Rabel, who had received all the wisdom and essence of the fairy race. The number of spells known by her, an 8th-circle mage, would be enormous.

Not to mention, The knowledge she had accumulated over thousands of years from various grimoires, skillbooks, and libraries was immeasurable.

If all of this was to be recorded in the Skill Codex…

‘Perhaps another seal might be unlocked!’

It seemed he might unexpectedly raise the grade of the Skill Codex.

“Alright, let’s continue the meeting. So…”

Just as Raul was about to resume the strategy session after a brief pause,

“Master, you need to come out for a moment.”

An unexpected visitor had come to see Raul.

*

Outside the palisade of the Town Tree. In the space between the forest and the clearing, Raul stood facing someone. A short distance away, hundreds of people with bows and weapons were watching him.

“To what do I owe the honor?”

As the silence dragged on, Raul was the first to speak. However, the other party just glared at him, seemingly displeased.

“Coming here with your soldiers without saying a word. Should I consider this a declaration of war?”

When there was still no response, Raul raised his hand. At his signal, the First Knight Order members standing on the palisade aimed their weapons.

“Human. Where is the queen?”

Finally, high Elf Melish spoke with a cold expression.

“Rabel? She is currently occupied with something important and can’t come out. If you have business, speak to me.”

“How dare a filthy human presume to speak so freely!”

The war leader guarding Melish shuddered and shouted. Raul glanced at him and smiled faintly before turning back to Melish.

“You ask, I answer, and you find fault with it. And I see elves interrupt their leaders when they are talking. Quite an amusing race.”

“What? You!”

Schring.

Half-unsheathed, the sword was halted by Melish. Unhappy with the situation herself, she spoke coldly, “With the master absent, we must speak to the servant. I want to ask her why she broke the promise.”

“Promise? What promise?”

“We clearly allowed passage for only the queen and you. Then!”

Melish pointed to the palisade.

“What are those humans doing there? And why are humans roaming around this area? Does the queen have no intention of keeping her promise?”

‘Well, I’ll be damned.’

Raul inwardly clicked his tongue in disbelief. He had assumed they had brought significant forces for some serious issue, but this was the reason?

‘I thought they were here to lend a hand against the empire. But, of course, that was unlikely.’

“The promise was kept. It was indeed only Rabel and I who passed through the elven territory.”

“What kind of sophistry is this! Then who are those humans on the palisade?”

“Melish-nim, indeed talking to humans is pointless. From the beginning, humans who lie as easily as they breathe couldn’t possibly keep their promises.”

Raul sighed deeply, looking at the elves who were calling him a liar, and spoke clearly.

“Hey, elves. Let me ask you something. Does this Town Tree belong to you elves?”

“Of course! This Elemental Jungle is elven territory.”

“Hah, that’s laughable. I clearly seized this Town Tree from the imperial forces and was acknowledged as its owner. My subordinates only roamed the areas occupied by the empire, not your elven territory. Do you still think I broke our promise?”

“Human, let me make this clear. The Elemental Jungle, no matter where, is our elven territory! This has been so since before the Great War and will remain so.”

Reasoning with them was pointless. What was this pompousness and brazenness when they were barely holding their ground against the empire?

“I see no reason for further arguments. So, what do you want?”

“Leave this place immediately with your humans. We will not tolerate any more humans roaming the Elemental Jungle.”

Was it because Rabel was not present?

Melish demanded in a very high-handed manner.

“What if I refuse?”

“If you won’t keep your promise, then you must pay the price. We will turn all of you into nourishment for the World Tree.”

The elves aimed their bows and summoned spirits. Unlike when facing the empire, their spirits’ addition had boosted their confidence.

“Pfft, hahaha!”

Raul couldn’t help but burst into laughter.

“Do you find my words amusing, human! Don’t mistake this for the last time.”

At Melish’s gesture, a group behind her drew their swords and approached. What gleamed from their swords was clearly a green aura blade. They were the great warriors known as the elven superhumans.

Including high-level summoners, they had over ten superhuman forces. Without Fairy Queen Rabel, Raul’s group looked easy to underestimate.

However, “If you want a fight, I’ll oblige.”

When Raul snapped his fingers,

Pabababa!

Thud.

Twenty senior officers from the First Knight Order soared over 50 meters to stand behind Raul.

Guuuuung.

The golden aura blades lit up the plains.

“How about now? Do you really want to go through with this?”

All color drained from High Elf Melish’s pale face.

(To be continued)

TL’s Corner:
Elves have been getting on my nerves recently.