I Entered a Gacha Game That Had Been Abandoned for 10 Years chapter 97

97 – Invasion (1)

Kim Hyunwoo stared blankly at the missile in front of him, his expression puzzled.

Certainly, its appearance was much rougher than the missiles he knew, but there was undoubtedly a missile right there.

“…Is this a missile?”

As Kim Hyunwoo questioned with a face full of doubt, River confidently spoke with a proud expression.

“Yes! It’s the item your buddy mentioned. A missile with a conical shape that, when launched towards the sky, explodes exactly at the desired location!”

Kim Hyunwoo, captivated by River’s expression that seemed to delight in surprising him, thought of the past conversations he had with her.

“I did mention it.”

Certainly, Kim Hyunwoo had always shared many stories with River.

Understandably, from Kim Hyunwoo’s perspective, she always delved into the talent of an inventor rather than raising her blacksmithing skills, contrary to his hope for her to raise her blacksmithing skills.

In the process, whenever Kim Hyunwoo met River and engaged in conversation, he often found himself sharing stories about modern-world items with the mindset of quickly satisfying her curiosity.

Well, in conclusion, due to Kim Hyunwoo’s diligent storytelling about the modern world, River ended up even more engrossed in inventions. At that time, it became perhaps the worst situation for Kim Hyunwoo, but at least now, as Kim Hyunwoo looked at the appearance of the missile, he couldn’t help but think that telling River about modern technology back then might have been a genuinely good thing.

“Is this really operational?”

“Of course. The issue is that it’s only operational.”

“…? What do you mean by ‘only operational’?”

In response to Kim Hyunwoo’s question, River, with a somewhat awkward expression, explained, “It’s a literal story, my friend. Ten years ago, our comrade succeeded in making all the missiles based on what I said. Back then, our comrade explained everything in great detail, almost as if wishing for me to create missiles.”

…

Certainly recalling explaining every detail to River, even consulting Naver Wiki to witness River’s rapid growth as a blacksmith, Kim Hyunwoo nodded. River continued speaking.

“I can confidently say that our comrade succeeded in creating the form of the missiles as described back then. With the help of magical guidance systems and engines, he shaped everything.”

“…So, practically, everything is done?”

Kim Hyunwoo asked, genuinely surprised.

“I thought so too, but the issue lies with the fuel.”

“Fuel?”

“Yes. To be precise, this is the problem.”

River briefly drew a circular shape with his thumb and forefinger, indicating a coin, and then explained, “After trying it once, it seems impossible to launch the missile into the sky with conventional fuel. Even if it were possible, it would cost too much money.”

“…So, you mean you can’t launch it properly because you can’t find the right fuel?”

“That’s right. Even though you can create the warhead by exchanging mana stones and money, as our comrade mentioned, for precise launching, you need a refined energy source.”

“Can we use magic stones?”

“Magic stones are not possible. It’s risky in many ways. Even if we somehow manage to activate it, it’s like self-destructing. So, experimenting with it was never considered.”

“I see.”

“That’s why as soon as the blacksmith guild was established, I called my friend. Actually, if it’s you, my friend, you seemed like someone who could suggest a solution here.”

Kim Hyunwoo looked at River with sparkling eyes and sighed in thought.

“A solution, huh…”

Actually, Kim Hyunwoo had no idea what kind of propellant went into a missile. The reason he could satisfy River’s inventive desire ten years ago was purely because he could use the knowledge from Kkomu Wiki.

However.

“So, River, you’re saying it’s possible as long as there’s a propellant that can consistently exert power?”

“That’s right, it needs a certain level of output support. Well, even if you can make it considering all that, there’s still the issue of warheads afterward.”

“No warheads?”

“No, we can make warheads. It just requires a tremendous amount of money because, as I mentioned, the material is magic stones.”

“Well, I guess that’s not a big problem.”

Kim Hyunwoo smiled.

At least at this moment, Kim Hyunwoo had thought of a way to solve all the problems River mentioned.

So.

“Hey, what do you think about giving it a try like this?”

“Indeed, there is a solution…?!”

“There is. So-“

Kim Hyunwoo began to tell River something.

####

At that moment, when Kim Hyunwoo was narrating his story with the Nereid River.

“It was easy.”

Sitting in the Lordship Castle of the Norba Kingdom, Duke Randalon smiled as he looked over the landscape beyond the terrace.

Of course, the Norba Kingdom under Duke Randalon’s gaze was no longer as vibrant and prosperous as it used to be.

The territory of the Norba Kingdom, visible beyond the terrace where Duke Randalon sat, still bore the scars of battle, with wreckage scattered here and there.

In some cases, buildings that were once bustling with military camps or soldiers had become ruins throughout the entire area.

The people of the territory, seen from the Lordship Castle, were all in a state of terror, and occasional screams could be heard from somewhere.

However, for Duke Randalon, the fear of the people in that territory was not a matter of particular importance.

What mattered to him was the fact that he had devoured the Norba Kingdom himself.

For Duke Randalon, the people of the territory were nothing more than tools that naturally arose over time.

“Sigh-“

Thus, Duke Randalon, who was smiling, spoke as he turned his body at the voice of Kelba coming from behind.

“Yes, it was a success. There was no reason to fail in the first place, right? After all, the power of my soldiers and the demons was combined.”

Looking at Duke Randalon, who was smiling heartily, Kelba turned his gaze away.

From Noble mtl dot com

It seemed that a faint purple magic power was seeping out from the soldiers who were currently serving as his escorts.

“…It seems like the prepared items were used well after all.”

“I have to use everything given to me.”

With an easy smile, as if claiming his rightful place, Duke Randalon sat down. Kelba, watching the duke, asked,

“So, what about the other territories?”

Naturally, just because they were consuming the territories of the Norba Kingdom didn’t mean everything was over. In fact, considering that Duke Randalon had committed treason and assumed his position, he could have branded all the territories affiliated with the Norba Kingdom with an official mark.

However, even in such a dire situation, he continued speaking with a relaxed expression.

“Already, the ten lords who followed me, including those around here, were conquered a long time ago. I’ve gained 30% support in a total of 32 territories.”

“Seems like there are still many left?”

“Except for two, they’re insignificant places. They’ll probably quietly comply and accept it.”

“And if they don’t surrender?”

“Wouldn’t that be even better for you? ‘Because I need a lot.'”

At Duke Randalon’s words, Kelba made a thoughtful expression and then asked,

“Where are the remaining two places then?”

“Tessnoka Territory and Tolan Territory. Well, to be precise, it’s just Tolan Territory. The girl in Tessnoka Territory is merely a bit undecided.”

“And Tolan Territory?”

“There’s a Dark Knight there.”

“If it’s a Dark Knight, is he the great hero?”

“Yes. Thanks to that, it might be a bit troublesome.”

“Hmm…”

Kelba hesitated for a moment at those words.

However-

“…Let the Divine Sword handle it.”

“The Divine Sword?”

His face showed a momentarily puzzled expression at his continued words.

“Yes, because it seems that the preparations for the sacrifice are already complete. Instead, from now on, you shall immediately raise the soldiers and head to the Larthania Territory.”

Duke Randalon – no, now that he had become the king, he unknowingly made a strange expression at the familiar name that came out of Kelba’s mouth and asked.

“…Larthania Territory? Why there all of a sudden?”

Randalon also had no favorable feelings towards the Larthania Territory, but he asked because he couldn’t understand why he had to attack Larthania in the current situation.

“Because the First Legion Commander plans to thoroughly clean up the outlying regions before their arrival.”

“…The outlying regions?”

“You don’t need to know about that. You haven’t forgotten our contract, have you?”

In response to his continued words, Randalon immediately nodded his head.

“Of course. Then I will send the soldiers to Larthania right away. The combined forces of two legions should be enough.”

With those words, Kelba thought of her, the First Legion Commander, who had looked at him with uncertain eyes, and spoke.

“…After handling things here, let’s head to Larthania as well.”