Chapter 270

As I stepped out with Regina after the celebratory feast, the city was still aglow with lights.

People were laughing, chatting, and drinking, their voices echoing through the streets.

Whiteheaven was in a festive mood, celebrating their victory.

“What’s this place famous for?” I asked Regina, looking around.

“Famous for?”

“Food. I think it would be nice to have a drink outside as well.”

It was a historic victory, a day to be remembered.

The main heroes would be recorded as Lobel and the other leaders, but I knew.

That the true heroes were different.

The ordinary citizens of Whiteheaven, who had bravely fought with their swords and spears.

Victory wouldn’t have been possible without them.

I wanted to celebrate with them, to share their joy.

Of course, I had an ulterior motive.

To win their favor.

The people of the north, especially the citizens of Whiteheaven, would play a crucial role in my future plans.

My plans wouldn’t work without their support.

So it wouldn’t hurt to gain their favor.

But that was just a secondary objective.

Emotionally, I genuinely wanted to celebrate with the people who had fought alongside me, who had shed blood and sweat together.

As if she had read my mind, Regina nodded slightly.

“Yes, I suppose that would be nice. Follow me.”

* * *

The tavern Regina led me to was crowded.

It was probably a popular spot, considering she had brought me here.

As soon as we entered, people stood up, their eyes wide with surprise.

“Oh, my Lady, you’re here.”

“Thank you for everything today, my Lady.”

“We’re so glad you’re safe, my Lady, after such a fierce battle.”

“We love you, my Lady!”

People greeted Regina with genuine warmth and affection.

It was clear how beloved she was by her people.

And there was one noticeable difference.

“You brought your husband with you, my Lady.”

“You two look so good together.”

“We wish you a lifetime of happiness.”

“Oh, it’s you again. You might not remember, but I was one of the soldiers who fought alongside you. I’ll never forget your heroic deeds today.”

“I was also deeply impressed by your bravery, sir.”

People were also saying kind things to me.

I could tell they weren’t just empty compliments.

It meant that they were genuinely impressed by my achievements.

It was something I couldn’t have even imagined when I first visited Whiteheaven.

I responded to their words with a silent smile.

“But there are no seats… Ah, there’s one over there. Let’s go, you two.”

We were led to a table.

The table was old and the chairs were uncomfortable, but it would be foolish to expect anything more in a place like this.

This was a place to enjoy the lively atmosphere and the company of others.

Regina ordered stew and drinks.

A hearty meat stew, swimming in fat.

It seemed like warm stews were the staple food in the cold north.

The high fat content was probably to help them build up their fat reserves and withstand the cold.

The stew was salty and flavorful.

Perhaps the heavy use of spices was also a characteristic of northern cuisine.

“How is it? Does it suit your taste?”

“It’s good. A bit strong, but good.”

“It’ll taste better with alcohol.”

Regina filled my glass.

The drink smelled strong.

It seemed like drinking strong alcohol in cold regions was a universal truth.

“Ugh, I’m already feeling it.”

I shook my head after taking a sip.

“Don’t be such a lightweight.”

“I’m not from the north.”

“No.”

“Huh?”

“You’re a true northerner now.”

Regina’s eyes spoke volumes.

Her usual aloofness was gone, and her eyes were sparkling like stars.

A faint smile played on her lips.

“You’ve proven yourself to everyone.”

The proof of qualification that Regina had mentioned.

I had achieved it.

And it seemed like she was pleased.

Her reaction told me everything.

“Heh, you’re right. I guess I can call myself a son of the north now.”

I smiled and emptied my glass.

Then I held it out, “Another round.”

“Good attitude.”

Regina refilled my glass.

I also filled hers.

“Cheers.”

As I raised my glass with a wink,

People who had been watching us cautiously approached, their glasses in hand.

“E-Excuse me, but may I join you?”

“M-Me too!”

“It would be an honor!”

People flocked to our table, eager to join us.

The atmosphere became lively.

I chuckled.

Regina also smiled faintly.

“Alright. Let’s all drink together!”

I raised my glass high.

* * *

The matters in the north were settled.

The most important thing was the successful outcome.

And one more thing.

‘I’ve definitely gotten closer to Regina.’

A satisfied smile appeared on my face.

After many twists and turns, I had successfully cleared Hiresia’s character route, a legendary heroine.

It had granted me incredible abilities, thanks to the activation of my unique trait.

But I had only climbed one mountain.

Regina, another legendary heroine, was still an unfinished relationship.

If I could clear her route as well, I would undoubtedly gain even more amazing abilities.

So I needed to deepen my relationship with her.

And I had made significant progress this time.

“There’s no need to rush things.”

Relationships weren’t something you could force.

It was best to take things slowly and naturally.

I had gained the approval of my future in-laws and the people of the north, so I should be satisfied with that for now.

“Then next…”

My thoughts turned to the next task.

The Celtrine Knights had proven themselves on the battlefield, showing the world that they were capable warriors.

But it wasn’t enough.

I needed to build up a decisive force before the Imperial Civil War.

It was impossible on the surface.

But the answer lay underground.

The residents of the underground, the ones I had been investing in with a grand vision.

They had survived in a hellish environment, and they were truly battle-hardened veterans.

Moreover, their sense of belonging and camaraderie was unmatched.

They were practically family, united and capable of displaying exceptional teamwork.

And thanks to the vast sums of money I had invested, their equipment was on par with that of knights.

And that wasn’t all.

With the genius craftsman, Ran, on our side, we also had monstrous weapons like large ballistae and the Turtle Siege Ram.

I was confident that they could hold their own against any other unit, both in open warfare and sieges.

No, I was certain.

That the resident unit could become a game-changer in the war.

The only problem was,

“You can’t use a trump card if it’s not in your hand.”

I hadn’t cleared the underground yet.

From this point on, it was uncharted territory, even for me.

But I believed.

That with our current strength, we could clear it.

However, I had to admit that time was running out.

I had been taking things slowly, considering the residents’ situation, but it seemed like it was time to unleash our full power.

“We need to clear at least one floor every two weeks.”

First, the 14th floor, the last floor I had reached and failed miserably.

That was our first target.

* * *

The 14th floor of the underground.

A place that had always filled me with despair, a place where I had barely managed to survive with my remaining forces.

I had always fought with all my might, but all that awaited me was a miserable death.

In the end, I had given up and stopped coming here altogether.

But this time was different.

Very different.

“Halt.”

I raised my hand, stopping everyone.

A thick fog blanketed the area, obscuring everything beyond a short distance.

This perpetual fog was the most terrifying aspect of the 14th floor.

Limited visibility meant that we couldn’t react properly to enemy attacks.

It was a major reason why I had always struggled here in the past.

But,

‘I can see. I can see clearly.’

A satisfied smile appeared on my lips.

– Hero’s Eye.

It wasn’t just for seeing through opponents’ weaknesses.

It could also see through traps and complex mazes.

And,

‘Ambushes.’

It could even detect enemy ambushes.

There was a range limit, but it was sufficient.

And for longer distances, I had “Hero’s Intuition.”

I could narrow down the direction with Hero’s Intuition and then react accordingly with Hero’s Eye.

There were no blind spots.

“Everyone, react as planned.”

I said.

Fighting in the fog was different from fighting elsewhere.

It was crucial to maintain formation and avoid advancing too far.

We had to repel the enemy while maintaining our formation.

The enemies here were cunning, using the fog to their advantage, but they were also aggressive towards humans, so we could employ a defensive strategy, waiting for an opportunity to counterattack.

“Understood.”

“Yes, Savior.”

“Yes, Savior.”

Gwen, Duncan, and Milia replied with determined expressions.

They were the leaders and commanders responsible for each direction.

I was the leader of the remaining direction and the overall commander.

With Hero’s Eye, I was the most qualified person to lead the residents on the front lines.

“Alright, the direction and location are over there.”

I pointed to a specific spot.

It was the most important thing.

Everyone memorized the location.

“Then let’s move, maintaining our formation.”

I took the lead and started walking.

* * *

Shadows.

That was the only way to describe them.

They were eerie silhouettes, without any discernible form or shape.

They weren’t like Gulshan, the deceased Red Rain executive, who could freely move through shadows and possessed destructive power.

But they were still tricky and difficult opponents, floating without legs, their movements silent, their attacks unpredictable, a series of black lines stabbing at us.

It was no coincidence that we had been repeatedly wiped out here, despite the disadvantageous terrain and climate.

But,

They weren’t difficult opponents for me today.

“Weakness! Weakness! Weakness!”

I chanted excitedly, stabbing at the shadows’ weaknesses with my Turtle Sword.

*Sizzle.*

With each stab, the shadows let out strange cries and vanished into thin air.

I couldn’t help but hum a tune.

Were they always this easy?

No, definitely not.

They had been formidable opponents, their attacks unpredictable, their movements elusive, amplified by the unfavorable environment.

But now I could see them.

I could see them clearly.

Red dots, marking their weaknesses, were scattered everywhere.

They were even more numerous and easier to target than the barbarians I had fought in the north.

It was like taking candy from a baby.

Had I become stronger, or were they always this weak?

Or both?

“Wow. You’re amazing today, brother Max?”

*Clap, clap.*

Ran, who had been watching from the center, applauded.

It was so anticlimactic that I couldn’t even laugh.

And that scene spoke volumes about the current situation.

“What the hell, these guys. They look scary, but their attacks are pathetic.”

Duncan, the red-haired beastman, said dismissively.

…Hey, mister, you’ve died countless times to those “pathetic” attackers.

“It’s all thanks to Savior’s perfect strategy and tactics.”

Milia, the Chain Knight, never missed an opportunity to praise me.

…But she might be right.

If we had been ambushed like before, we would have lost at least 10% of our forces from the start.

“Don’t let your guard down. Even a beast gives its all when hunting a rat.”

Gwen, the voice of reason.

…But even he had reduced the shadows to the level of rats.

I couldn’t help but chuckle.

“If you have time to chat, use that energy to finish them off faster.”

And so, we swept through the 14th floor like a storm.