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Chapter 149: The Great Duel (3)

“This is...”

Who was the sender? The contents were vague and got straight to the point without revealing anything about the author.

However, the letter revealed a shocking truth that struck her like a blow to the back of her head.

“Could it be?” she muttered. “Could it be?”

Yet the pieces started falling into place, and everything began to make sense.

She read the letter again and then promptly disconnected from the server.

***

Crockta and Vigo were sitting on the training grounds.

“Yellow is nowhere to be seen today. Did she receive a summoning from the stars? Poor Yellow.”

NPCs perceived players disconnecting from the server as being summoned by the stars of the abyss. From a certain standpoint, they were correct since the players were returning to earth from the world of Elder Lord.

Players had to put in extra work to earn the trust of NPCs since it was difficult to trust people who suddenly disappeared before important events.

Thus, players with short login times tended to only hang out with other players because they were unable to establish rapport with NPCs.

“Yellow is rarely summoned by the stars. How odd.”

Yellow was a hardcore game addict. She was able to rise through the ranks and earn the position of working closely with the lord at his residence because she lived a life indistinguishable from NPCs.

“She must have something to do,” replied Crockta slyly.

She had probably disconnected from the server after reading the letter Crockta sent her last night.

He wasn’t sure how she would handle the matter, but he did what he could.

It was common knowledge that the Heaven and Earth clan played a role in the kingdom’s affairs and wreaked havoc in the continent under the pretext that certain regions opposed the kingdom. Their destructive activities were well-documented in numerous regions, particularly in the southeast where an organized system was lacking. The ruins they left behind were repeatedly broadcast on television.

Clans like the Heaven and Earth clan demonstrated a lack of allegiance to NPCs. As long as they treated Elder Lord as just a game, Crockta saw the need to extend the Great Duel accord beyond a commitment solely among NPCs to a contractual agreement between players.

“Anyways, what are those two up to?” asked Vigo.

Crockta turned his head to look and saw Grandmaster Galadin and Anor having a staring contest.

“Ugh...” muttered Anor.

Anor, painfully shy to the point where maintaining eye contact felt like torture, mustered the courage to gaze directly at Galadin, his face turning a deep shade of red.

Tiyo found the scene amusing and joined Galadin in staring at Anor.

With both of their eyes on him, Anor waved his hands and turned away, conceding, “I admit defeat. Stop! Stop.”

Galadin and Tiyo erupted in laughter.

“You will become stronger when you stop avoiding other people’s eyes. That means you will be weak forever! Hahaha!” teased Tiyo.

“Ah, geez,” said Anor with a troubled face. “Can you please stop staring at me? It makes me feel weird.”

“Don’t be embarrassed. Look me straight in the eye. What’s there to be embarrassed about?” responded Galadin.

Galadin was widely known for his ability to discern others’ traits and guide them accordingly.

During their duel, Galadin predicted all of Crockta’s movements.

It seemed as if he could foresee the direction of the fight. He wasn’t only predicting individual movements, he was also reacting accordingly.

Crockta had won, but he wasn’t sure whether he could have won if they engaged in a life-or-death struggle.

“He’s an extraordinary person,” commented Crockta.

“You are right. He is extraordinary. He peers into the depths of your soul.”

If Galadin could see into people’s hearts, he could understand the issues they faced by understanding their perspectives and mindsets. Thus, his teachings prioritized the cultivation of individuals’ mentalities over technical skills.

Crockta had also received advice from him.

“What did he say to you? If you don’t mind, please tell me. I’m curious. Does a warrior like you have any shortcomings?”

“Hmm...”

Crockta recalled what Galadin had said.

“Just...”

Vigo was right. Galadin wasn’t someone who just made knights strong.

When he held a sword, he was an aggressive fighter who swung the sword vigorously. Then again, when he withdrew his sword, he was a warm person who looked at his opponent with caring eyes.

He was someone who nurtured his opponents and helped them grow.

“He advised me against bearing the burden alone.”

“Oh, as expected. It suits you,” replied Vigo with a thumbs up. “Doesn’t he remind you of your father when he gives advice?”

Crockta smiled. Although his father had passed away when he was a kid, he still remembered him. He had never harbored resentment against his parents.

Throughout one’s life, how many people truly saw them for who they were?

“True.”

Now it was Tiyo’s turn. Galadin told him something as well.

Tiyo, who disliked criticism, rejected his advice vehemently.

Galadin angrily swung his wooden sword and Tiyo began running away.

“Stop! I get it! I get it!” yelled Tiyo.

“You little...you need to listen to what adults say!”

“I’m an adult too!”

“If you are an adult, then it’s time you get hit by a real adult!”

“Someone, save the gnome! Where’s my General? General!”

“General? Shoot, if you dare!”

“Ahhh!” screamed Tiyo as he took a few hits from Galadin’s wooden sword.

Crockta and Vigo burst out into laughter.

“Ah, well.”

Anor, who was still embarrassed from the training earlier, fanned his flushed face with his hand as he approached Crockta.

“It’s weird that staring at me can help me grow. Isn’t it?”

“...”

“...”

“...right?”

Vigo and Crockta were imitating Galadin and Tiyo from earlier and gazing at Anor intensely.

Anor’s face turned bright red again. “No, why...”

They continued staring at Anor.

Anor covered his face in embarrassment. “Please stop! Seriously!” He ran off blushing.

“Anor is not only handsome, but he’s cute as well. Older ladies must love him,” teased Vigo.

“Hahaha.”

They were having a good time.

***

Alaste was a city where laughter never ceased. Whether due to the amicable nature of Alasteans or their plentiful natural resources, they seemed to enjoy every moment.

Of course, considering that the modern world was vastly more prosperous than the world of Elder Lord, yet devoid of laughter, Alaste’s welfare couldn’t purely be due to material reasons.

“Vigo, you were right,” said Crockta.

“About what?”

“Alaste is a wonderful place.”

“Of course. I never lie. Hahaha! Viva Alaste!”

“Hahaha!”

The last few days, Crockta had been exploring Alaste.

Crockta was used to everyone being frightened by his face or showing disdain toward him during his travels. Although he was a human in the guise of an orc, he found the negative prejudices toward his appearance unpleasant.

But Alaste was different.

Children approached him with smiles on their faces, and merchants gave him extras as they greeted him, saying that they had never seen an orc before.

He felt as if he was a welcomed guest.

“Crockta, do you now understand why I clung to you and begged you to help us even though we had just met?” asked Vigo.

He grinned and wrapped his arm around Crockta’s shoulder.

“That scum Adantadore and the guys from the kingdom are trying to destroy this beautiful place.”

If Alaste was integrated into the kingdom, the citizens would suffer from heavy taxes, and their youth would be conscripted for war.

Numerous regions under the kingdom were going through similar processes.

Crockta nodded. “I heard Adantadore is a very handsome young man.”

“Yes, he’s famous for how attractive he is.”

“I will give him a good beating and make his face worse than mine!” shouted Crockta.

He was making a declaration that he would protect Alaste with all of his might.

But instead of being moved, Vigo shook his head. “No matter how much you hit him, it will be difficult to make it worse than yours...”

“...”

Crockta’s face stiffened. Vigo quickly retracted his words.

“N-no. I believe you!”

“Whatever. You can handle the duel on your own...”

“What are you saying? Of course, you are more handsome than him. Really! I never lie!”

***

The Elder Lord community was buzzing with news, and at the center of it all was the Heaven and Earth clan that always stirred things up.

[Author: YellowAlaste]

[Title: Announcement of Negotiations Between the Alaste Love Association and the Heaven and Earth Clan]

[Hello, this is Yellow, an Alaste native and a devoted Alaste lover.

Lately, the human kingdom has been rapidly expanding its forces, and my beloved Alaste is in danger.

Most players probably don’t know what is going on, so I will explain.

The human kingdom and Alaste have decided to carry out a one-on-one duel by electing their representatives so that their best fighters can settle the matter instead of us having to go to war.

The conditions are that if the kingdom wins, Alaste will be integrated into the kingdom, but if Alaste wins, Alaste will be able to maintain its independence as a neutral city, and the kingdom won’t invade Alaste going forward.

But in truth, the chances of us winning are extremely slim. We have Grandmaster Galadin, but the kingdom has the famous Adantadore.

The members of the Alaste Love Association are hoping for a miracle.

Anyway, the reason I’m writing this post is because the Heaven and Earth Clan is involved in the kingdom.

Players tend to treat NPCs as mere artificial intelligence, as objects you can dispose of without remorse, and the Heaven and Earth Clan is no exception.

So we were worried that even if Galadin won and Alaste triumphed, the Heaven and Earth Clan could violate the treaty and declare war on Alaste.

It is common for players, not just the Heaven and Earth Clan, to act in such a manner. Those who know will understand what I mean.

But as players who love Alaste, we hoped that the kingdom and the Heaven and Earth Clan, as well as all the players, would accept the outcome of the duel about to take place.

Thus, the Alaste Love Association requested the Heaven and Earth Clan to sign a contract stating that they would abide by the terms of the negotiations. Consequently, the master of the Heaven and Earth Clan, Rommel, has agreed to this as well.

Attached is a copy of the contract (screenshot).

I’m posting this here so that all the players who enjoy Elder Lord can bear witness to this agreement.

We do not want Elder Lord

to turn into ruins due to indiscriminate wars and rot away into obscurity.

If there are a hundred players, there are a hundred ways to play the game. I fell in love with Alaste the moment I set my eyes on it. It’s truly a beautiful place. I’ve bragged endlessly about the city, but there’s always more to boast about it.

But if Alaste loses, I will disappear from this community board. I will delete my character because there won’t be a reason for me to play anymore.

If there is anyone who wishes for me to stay, please pray for us.

Hoping for a miracle.

From Alaste,

Yellow.]

Yellow uploaded this post on a popular community board, and it immediately became a hot topic for two main reasons.

First, it announced an upcoming duel between two Grandmasters, the best knights in Elder Lord. Second, Yellow’s character, which had risen to a high-ranking government position, was at risk of being deleted.

Yellow became famous among players for her handbook, Elder Lord’s Civil Servant Guide, for players aspiring to become government officials in Elder Lord. Moreover, she inspired countless players to visit Alaste through vlogs documenting her life in the city.

Her post became a sensation and already had thousands of comments.

The Heaven and Earth Clan also saw her post.

***

“Is that okay?” asked Hyun-Chul, also known as Luin in Elder Lord.

Hyun-Chul, who had played a role in luring Lenox and killing him was now a high-ranking member of the Heaven and Earth clan.

Moreover, Cainz, the former master of the Haedong Balhae clan who had leveraged his friendships with NPCs to help Choi Han-Sung, was now second-in-command in the Heaven and Earth clan.

Although Choi Han-Sung, or Rommel, was the master of the clan, Cainz was the mastermind behind the clan’s activities.

“There’s nothing to worry about,” replied Rommel with a smile as he sipped his wine.

They were currently in one of the clan’s residences located in the royal capital Espenazan. Their room was splendidly adorned like the residences of nobles.

The king had bestowed upon them the land as a token of favor. This was all thanks to the Haedong Balhae members joining the Heaven and Earth clan.

“Do you think Adantadore will lose?” asked Rommel.

“Well...”

“There’s no way that monster will lose. I spoke with him, and he expressed absolute confidence in defeating Galadin. He claimed to have reached a new level, and that Galadin was too old to compete.”

“It’s a relief that a monster like him isn’t our enemy.”

“Indeed, so don’t worry. That woman stirred things up, but everything will be resolved without issues in the end.”

Rommel handed a wine glass to Cainz, who was sitting still without a word.

Cainz noticed Rommel and accepted the glass with a smile.

“Why are you so quiet?” asked Rommel.

“There’s something that has been bugging me,” replied Cainz.

Cainz had grown irritable after the clan’s Maillard branch was destroyed. All of Maillard’s clan members cited the named NPC Crockta as the cause.

Everyone knew that the Haedong Balhae clan had collapsed because of orcs, with the orc of justice, Crockta, as the main perpetrator.

Was the incident in Maillard just a coincidence? Or was Crockta pursuing them ‘till the ends of the earth?

“Don’t mind them. Our main base is here now.”

“That’s true,” replied Cainz with a nod.

But he still seemed lost in his thoughts.

Rommel grinned. “Cainz always has so much on his mind.”

“I know there’s no need to worry, but what if...what if...Adantadore loses?” Luin suddenly asked.

“Well...then there’s nothing we can do about it. I was planning to ignore the dumb treaty, but that woman got ahead of us.”

“Yellow is sharp.”

“She’s desperate. Adantadore will win anyway. Well, let’s drink.”

Rommel, Luin, Cainz, and the higher-ups of the Heaven and Earth clan nodded and raised their glasses. Then, they shouted their rallying cry.

“For Heaven and Earth!”

***

A few days later, on a sunny afternoon, the king of the kingdom and the lord of Alaste arrived at the Gabriel Plains with their respective knight orders.

The proxy war had begun.