On the way back to Townia, I was transferred to the airship sent by Yurnet.
Iselle’s manipulation of the logs had ended there. Anytng would think I had safely returned to Townia. But even so, I couldn’t keep up the ruse for long, so I needed to finish my business as quickly as possible.
I headed straight for Brynhildr01, which was waiting in a nearby sector. Brynhildr01 was currently the flagship of the Niflheim fleet, capable of serving as a temporary command center.
“I never thought he’d actually win…”
Yurnet sipped the steaming tea she brought to her lips.
“He’s quite a remarkable man, perhaps comparable to the Master. Though, of course… the Master is still superior.”
Yurnet smiled as she looked at me.
Following her, her aide Nisled placed a teacup on the table.
I smiled bitterly and took a sip of the green tea.
In front of me, the reporter news from the Pick Me Up community site was displayed.
It was news that the raid team, which included a significant number of rankers, had been defeated in a surprise raid event.
The comment section was filled with criticism towards Mobius and insults directed at the rankers who had engaged in acts of control and tyranny.
It made sense because the raid team had a high chance of success.
No matter how strong El Cid was as the top-ranking player, it wouldn’t be easy for him to win against hundreds of rankers. That was true for Myureon, Niflheimr, or any other ranker.
But they self-destructed.
In front of tens of thousands of viewers.
In the midst of the raid, a fight broke out over who would take the Book of Reversal.
It started with Liveout from the Liberty Guild and a solo PvP player.
Even those trying to stop the fight got drawn in by provocations, leading to a full-blown internal conflict.
If Mobius had announced the rewards in advance, such a chaotic outcome might have been avoided. They would have found a way to reach an agreement somehow.
The problem was that Mobius suddenly decided to stake the Book of Reversal during the raid.
The rankers didn’t have time to discuss the issue of distribution and El Cid didn’t miss that opportunity.
“They lacked unity.”
Even though they were called a raid team, they weren’t a single force.
They were just a group of hyenas each seeking their own gain. Thus, the raid turned into a chaotic melee with no clear allies or enemies.
Adding to this, the death protection system was a bonus.
There was a penalty for resurrection, but since they could be revived, they probably attacked the master next to them with a lighter heart.
This wasn’t the first time something like this had happened during a world raid.
I used to be the one to keep order in such situations. If someone tried to disrupt things, I would take the lead and beat them down. The rewards for this raid were substantial, so even if I had intervened, the result might not have been different.
‘The management is really a mess.’
If they had thought a little more, they could have easily subdued El Cid.
Mobius probably didn’t intend to give away the Book of Reversal at first but decided to offer it as a reward when the raid team started to struggle.
As a result, no one from the raid team obtained the Book of Reversal.
They scattered, leaving behind numerous casualties and lingering resentment.
Thus, this event became the first failed world raid.
‘He timed it perfectly.’
It seemed reckless, but in hindsight, it was a perfect charge.
At that time, the rankers were probably arguing behind the scenes about how to handle the Book of Reversal. Before the meeting ended, before they could find common ground, El Cid charged into the ranks of the rankers with his army.
What seemed like a suicidal charge turned out to be the decisive move.
‘Even so…’
Even if he was as the top-ranking player.
Even if he had surpassed the level of a mere hero or monster, even if he had the god-like ability to freely summon the heroes he had devoured…
Even if he found a path to victory in a situation where defeat seemed inevitable due to overwhelming power disparity…
“……”
I looked ahead.
A holographic window appeared on the control room’s dashboard.
The red arrow pointing at him was moving straight towards Niflheimr.
“He’s really coming.”
I continued.
“What are our chances?”
“If the fleet engages, it’s 100%.”
Yurnet answered without hesitation.
“And if we don’t deploy the fleet?”
“About 100% as well.”
“What if we send out just one party?”
“100%.”
“Of course.”
I finished my green tea.
El Cid’s improvisation was impressive.
In that moment, he found the best strategy and made the best choice available.
But…
Even the raid team, which had been embroiled in internal conflict, realized that things weren’t going well.
They realized that if things continued as they were, they would gain nothing. In the latter half of the raid, it turned into a siege.
El Cid withstood that onslaught.
Not only did he endure, but he counterattacked.
One man.
One hero withstood the onslaught of hundreds of rankers, which translated to thousands or even tens of thousands of heroes.
“They said his vessel broke?”
“Yes.”
Yurnet lowered her eyes.
“The power he used in that battle was enough to create a new account. However, it seems that the excessive use of interference power permanently damaged his abilities.”
He had summoned thousands of elite heroes and resurrected them when they died.
He repeated that process countless times. Moreover, countless master-class assassins reportedly attacked him. He must have constantly exerted his power.
“So his vessel broke.”
According to Yurnet’s report, he even vomited blood profusely in the latter part of the battle.
He lost most of his army of conquest, and Reltia and Kirzak, known as the Three Heroes along with Laskanda, also died due to repeated assaults. El Cid couldn’t resurrect them again.
“And yet he’s coming to Niflheimr?”
“It seems like a death wish to me.”
Yurnet murmured.
She was right.
It looked that way to me too.
I'm currently Translating the following novels: Pick Me Up! | A Frontline Soldier Awakened as a Gamer In The War! | The 100th Regression of the Max-Level Player. If you want to support me and read more chapters please subscribe to my Patreon!