novelbin Chapter 166 : Chapter 166
Chapter 166 : Chapter 166
Chapter 166
The basic strategy of Lost Chronicle lies in ‘efficiency’.
Collecting more resources and troops with the same amount of gold, and hunting more monsters with the same amount of troops.
Let’s think about it.
It takes 3 months to raise one Orc warrior, and 204 months, which is 68 times that, to raise one adult soldier.
Adding the training period to hunt an Orc alone, it easily exceeds 70 times.
Even excluding all the food and resources consumed during that time, just the ‘time’ needed to raise one soldier is 70 times greater.
Does that mean one soldier is 70 times stronger than an Orc? No, that's not true either.
You'd be lucky not to die fighting an Orc one-on-one.
So efficiency has to be important.
And this is not just for players but is close to the tenor of this world.
Since you can't turn back time, if one soldier dies, that loss cannot be recovered, so even the Kingdoms and Empire of the continent don't show much interest in monster subjugation.
It's not that they cherish the soldiers, it's a simple matter of profit and loss.
After all, the only spoils from a war with monsters are magic stones and monster byproducts; considering the cost of operating an army, the accounts wouldn't balance.
Naturally, uncomfortable neighbors settle in various places on the continent, and because of these monsters, the mercenary industry has developed significantly.
Of course, the most common mission such mercenaries receive is ‘VIP Protection’, which goes something like, “Just protect this person to the next village.”
And, a player who values efficiency thought.
If I push the ‘VIP’ protected by mercenaries onto the battlefield, wouldn't it count as hiring mercenaries for free?
Truly a perfect Borrowed Knife Strategy (- Killing with Hired Help).
Also known as, “Hey, your mercenaries are awesome.”
“Pardon……?”
Even after my kind explanation, I smiled sweetly at Jeremy, who looked at me with squinted eyes as if asking what nonsense I was talking about.
* * *
Jeremy looked at the Young Lord and pondered seriously.
‘Has that human finally gone crazy?’
What's coming now isn't just a strong enemy.
It's a genuine powerhouse acknowledged by Mr. Doll.
‘That means he’s an even stronger enemy than the one who knocked me out.’
The Young Lord acknowledges it.
No, he has no choice but to acknowledge it.
Because the Special Mission Unit met after just one month seemed like a completely different unit from before, both the Rangers and the Knights.
The Rangers' arrows never missed their targets, and the Knights were blocking enemies by creating a solid wall.
Using spears, crossbows, and axes interchangeably to drive back enemies, yet not wasting mana.
No, since this battle began, the Knights have not used Aura even once.
Instead of using Aura, which consumes extreme amounts of mana, it must be to strengthen their bodies and sustain combat longer.
On top of that, Rangers stepping up to help the Knights are ravaging the Orcs; it was enough to make one wonder if this was truly Moner’s potential.
Since the one who made all these changes is none other than the Young Lord.
The Young Lord has no choice but to acknowledge it.
‘Even so, a Legion Commander is too much.’
Having seen the Legion Commander at close range, he could be even more certain.
If Count Sven and Count Mogul were here, maybe, but a Legion Commander is impossible.
Just as a Master is called an existence that has surpassed human limits, a Legion Commander was a monster beyond the species of Orc, an avatar of war.
After lightly dodging an Orc's axe that had approached, he shouted at the Young Lord once again.
“Young Lord, they say a strong enemy is coming!”
“I know.”
At the Young Lord’s nonchalant answer while sticking to Mr. Doll, his insides boiled.
“Young Lord! We must retreat right now!”
Ah, this is a matter of experience.
Because he hasn't seen the Legion Commander personally.
It’s arrogance and conceit possible only because he hasn't experienced that fighting spirit with his own body.
A mistake anyone can make.
But a mistake only the Young Lord must not make.
There are too many lives that would vainly perish due to that mistake.
The crazy Young Lord, the Special Mission Unit that only follows that crazy Young Lord, and Moner.
Thinking that all of them would perish due to just a momentary misjudgment, anger surged.
“Damn it! If we don’t run away now, we’ll really all die!”
Even at the shout full of anger, the Young Lord spoke in a carefree voice.
“If we run now, we really die.”
“What kind of bullshit is that!”
No.
Communication is impossible with that human.
“Mr. Doll! Let’s knock that bastard out and run!”
If we kidnap that bastard, the Special Mission Unit will follow too.
Thinking that, he looked at the doll and saw it fidgeting while severing an Orc’s head like harvesting crops.
“If you stay here, I'll give you a chance to fight the guy coming now.”
It was definitely the same calm and blunt voice as usual.
Yet, it sounded sweet like the whisper of a devil offering an irresistible temptation.
“Inside there, there’s a King too.”
Ah.
The Young Lord has gone crazy.
Jeremy was certain.
He had no choice but to think so.
Because there is no way Mr. Doll, who looks like he couldn't feel any emotion at all, would move at such a temptation.
‘No, is it even a temptation in the first place?’
Maybe if it were a recommendation for suicide, but surely such nonsense would be coldly rejected.......
- Confusion, anxiety, persuasion.
“Mr. Doll!”
- Powerhouse, spar, charming.
“No, aren't there powerhouses scattered all around near the hut!”
- Witch, contract, trouble.
“You held back because of the contract? No, are you both crazy?! You really intend to fight the Legion Commander?”
Ian kindly corrected Jeremy's horrified cry.
“Fight? Fighting requires matched levels.”
At the explanation which couldn't be any better, Jeremy also nodded fiercely.
A Legion Commander versus one doll and two humans who would faint just from a blast of fighting spirit.
At that point, it wouldn't be a fight but a unilateral slaughter.
‘I, I can't die here!’
If I can’t get Mr. Doll’s help, I must win with logic.
“What about the other Orcs! Even if we withstand the Legion Commander, what will you do about the other Orcs?! No matter how well trained the Special Mission Unit is, they can absolutely never withstand such a military force! Besides, if Tyrant joins in too……!”
With the sole thought of retreating somehow before the Legion Commander arrives, Jeremy shouted.
“With good luck, we’ll be annihilated by the swarming Legion, with bad luck by Tyrant!”
At those words, the Young Lord smiled pleasantly, nodded, and said in a somewhat satisfied voice.
“Correct. Tyrant and the Legion’s intrusion is dangerous.”
“Exactly! We must retreat immediately and at least bring Moner's main forces to have a chance of winning! I will send the retreat signal right……!”
Just as Jeremy tried to pull away thinking now was the chance, Ian grabbed his scruff and said with a pleased smile.
“Naturally, I’ve prepared everything.”
* * *
Calua ran through the forest with lighter steps than ever.
Finally! At last!
The day has come to repay the debt owed to the devil, no, the human?
No, to Ian.
- Hm! Because he said only I can do this and to hold tight to my feet!
The pouch hanging around his neck and the jerky filling it were like a Dragon Plate indicating how important this mission was.
- Even so, repaying everything I’ve eaten so far would take forever, but……
Still, isn't this the opportunity of a lifetime that hasn't existed until now!
If I finish this job well, Ian will also see the true worth of a great dragon, and will hug and pet me more often without nagging that I'm annoying!
- Okay, I can do it!
With a pounding heart, he carefully took a piece of jerky from the pouch, bit into it, and quickened his steps again.
Today's mission is guidance and instruction.
- Almost there!
Guidance and instruction are both things that the small, cute, and kind species in front is naturally good at, but not today.
Because the guests guided today are said not to be on good terms with that small and cute species.
Like trying to eat that small species whenever there’s a chance.
When I first heard it, I thought of getting angry asking where on earth there is anything to eat on a small species that cries 'Squeak-', but changed my mind after meeting the guests.
- Got it! It’s absolutely not that I’m scared! I'm only doing this because my mouth would just hurt from getting angry!
When Calua stiffened his tail and shouted, a ‘Squeak-’ answer came from ahead.
Interpreting it: ‘It’s an Ogre, so naturally you could be.’
Thinking that his fear was discovered, Calua’s tail drooped.
If there was an adult of his species, they would have slapped their tail asking how a Dragon could be scared of an Ogre, but Calua had an unavoidable reason.
‘…It’s big, way too big!’
Because that giant species called Ogre was so huge that even if Calua stiffened his tail and stood up straight, he couldn't see its face.
‘I think it’s bigger than the snake I ate last time!’
If I get angry at such a terrifying species, it might just pop me into its mouth instead of the squirrel, right?
Unless I can use Dragon Tongue , right now when I can't use magic or Dragon Tongue properly, I’m just a healthy and tasty snack.
‘How did I…….’
At the moment Calua, lost in useless self-reproach, took a piece of jerky out of the pouch again and bit it.
“Hey there, where are you going in such a hurry?”
An ugly species he had never seen before blocked his way.
* * *
- Know me?!
As Calua flapped his wings, Teheki scratched the back of his head with a dagger as if perplexed.
“I sensed an energy from Moner’s Young Master being chased by Ogres so I came to check, but it doesn't look like you're being chased.”
- Am not! I'm taking them to the Orcs as Ian asked!
When Calua shook his head side to side and shouted, Teheki crossed his arms and muttered.
“Hmm... it’s certainly the pet of that unlucky guy from Moner…….”
- Not a pet! Calua is a great Dragon!
He expressed displeasure by hitting the ground with his tail, but Teheki continued as if he didn't understand.
“The Ogres behind must be that guy's doing. The movements were unusual; is he preparing for an all-out war? Tsk, dragging in Ogres is surprising, but I thought he had a more cautious personality…….”
As if calculating the odds of victory, Calua watched Teheki muttering for a long time, then shook his head.
- Sorry but Calua is busy so bye!
Today's mission is strictly delivering the Ogres.
There is a proverb among dragonkind saying the more urgent it is, sleep over at the lair, but since it's Ian's first official request, it must be performed perfectly.
‘Only then will he fill the pouch with jerky next time too!’
As Calua nodded vigorously and followed the demonic beast squirrel again, Teheki, watching the scene with interest, followed behind Calua.
“Did he even bring in a resident of the depths? Interesting.”
To the term ‘resident of the depths’, the squirrel replied with a ‘Squeak-’.
“Ah, just giving a little help? Since your kind has always considered helping and guiding friends a joy, that could be the case.”
It was a conversation Calua couldn't understand, but that wasn't important.
- Really, really, we’re here!
Because the sounds of Orcs breathing began to be heard from afar.
- Wait! Now we have to stop here and wait!
Quickly climbing onto the head of the largest Ogre, Calua shouted urgently.
- Wait until the whistle sound rings, then start!
When Calua shouted, the red-eyed Ogre nodded slowly, and fifteen Ogres stopped simultaneously.
Watching that scene quietly, Teheki clicked his tongue softly.
‘Tsk, all females.’
The 15 Ogres were all females.
Including that Lord still weeping tears of blood, they must have come here to unleash their anger over losing their young.
‘Ogres full of rage, support from a demonic beast squirrel, and even an unidentified pet…….’
Teheki glanced sideways at the Young Lord’s pet.
The joining of Ogres and the demonic beast squirrel, a resident of the depths, was surprising, but just as surprising was that unidentified monster.
To be able to chew jerky nonchalantly even in front of Ogres who didn't hide their rage and hatred.
‘Heh, this will be fun. Since I'm going to join Moner anyway, shall I lend a hand?’