episode_0135

135. Head of the River Transport.

The sparring is over.

After that, the executives of the Black King Castle, including Johann, finished a short meeting and dispersed. From now on, they must conserve their stamina.

On the way to the detached palace, Sarah’s expression seemed brighter for some reason.

“Is something the matter?”

“Yes? Why?”

“No, you just seemed to be in a good mood…”

Then Sarah held out her fist to Johann.

“What is it?”

“Quick, open your palm.”

“Hmm…”

Johann obediently followed her words. She wouldn’t make a suggestion that would harm him.

Clang-

“Gold? Where did you get all this…?”

It’s not the amount that would come out as the Sword Lord’s monthly salary. Johann looked at her with suspicious eyes.

“Hehe, it’s a secret.”

She just smiled mysteriously.

***

The day dawned.

Despite being the day of the final battle, the atmosphere of the Black King Castle had not changed much from before.

This was because the Black King deliberately controlled the information. Unless they were fairly high-ranking executives, most people didn’t know what would happen today.

Slurp-

Johann was drinking tea in the reception room prepared in the Black King’s manor. It had a bland taste. Personally, he preferred modern instant coffee.

“Does it suit your palate?”

Chief Manager Shim, who was sitting across from him, asked. Johann gave a smile that wasn’t from the heart.

“Yes. It’s delicious.”

“Hmm, I guess you don’t like it very much. I will quickly get you a different tea…”

“No, no. It’s really okay. You don’t have to.”

The Chief Manager was quick-witted. A cold sweat ran down Johann’s spine. Sarah was easily fooled by his acting, though.

“I am a little quick on the uptake. It’s an old man’s insignificant talent.”

The Chief Manager said calmly. The wrinkles around his eyes were crinkled, but the pupils hidden inside shone with alertness.

It’s like seeing a pearl in an old shell.

“Master of the Sect. I have prepared a ship in Qinghai. I have also prepared some shamans to assist you.”

“So it’s really starting.”

Johann swallowed hard. Last night, he had heard the number of ships through the Chief Manager’s messenger.

‘It’s enormous. If I do well, I might be able to achieve something new.’

It’s Johann’s first time controlling such a huge current. But he wasn’t worried. He was confident in his skills.

Clunk- The Chief Manager put down the teacup on the table.

“You must arrive in Qinghai by noon. You should get up slowly.”

“Yes.”

The short banter was over. Johann went outside with the Chief Manager. For reference, the Chief Manager is also participating in this war.

The position of Chief Manager of the Black King Castle cannot be attained just by being smart. Martial prowess must also be outstanding. Of course, not as much as Black Origin or Black God.

Bang-!

The clear morning sunlight tickles his vision. Johann frowned and looked outside.

Warriors in black uniforms were densely lined up.

‘It’s quite a sight.’

It was truly a ragtag group.

Buzzing-

“Cough! Cough! Ugh… Did I sleep too little? I’m so tired…”

“You idiot! You poured a ton of alcohol into yourself! Didn’t you hear that we’re going to war tomorrow!”

“Kuhahahaha! It’s war! It’s war!”

Apart from the similar color of their uniforms, there was no uniformity at all.

Not keeping formation was basic, and there was even a man taking off his top and screaming.

Johann wondered what it would be like if he were the commander.

‘It’s terrible. I have to fight with these guys.’

Still, their martial prowess was all outstanding. The number of people who could board the ship was limited, so they were carefully selected warriors.

Some Players were also seen. Those who were presumed to be of the magician class were not seen.

At that time, a voice that evoked a cave echoed lowly.

“Quiet.”

Shivers-

Plop, the chatter in the area stopped as if a thread had been cut. Frost-like goosebumps rose all over his body.

The warriors, including Johann, turned their heads towards the source of the sound.

‘The Black King.’

A man was seen standing on a large rock as if looking down on the world.

The man smiled when he saw that attention was focused on him.

“Everyone seems energetic. That’s not a bad thing. However, from now on, everyone shut up.

“”……””

The man jumped off the rock. He walked slowly towards the outside of the manor.

Rumble-

The warriors surrounding the road stepped aside as if pushed by something intangible.

Each step he took, a strange heaviness wrapped around his shoulders.

Before he knew it, the Black King was at the forefront of the group. Next to him stood a black monkey and a black boar.

“Now let’s go. Let’s have some fun.”

He said lightly. As if he was just going for a walk.

Behind the Black King, the warriors’ mad roar echoed.

***

They quickly escaped the Black King Castle. The goal is only one. To arrive in Qinghai in the shortest amount of time.

“Kyaaaaak!”

“Oh! Miss! Sorry!”

A maiden was hanging laundry in the bright sunlight. She pulled down her fluttering skirt with both hands.

“Oh no! The apples I was going to sell today!”

A merchant who was enthusiastically soliciting customers at his stall was busy picking up fallen apples.

The merchant, hugging an armful of apples, turned his head this way and that.

“What’s going on…”

Black shadows that go over this roof and that roof, and move swiftly from that street to this street.

The warriors of the Black King Castle used their lightness skill without regard to the eyes of the residents.

Johann thought as he watched their movements.

‘No matter how they move, they can’t escape the eyes of the spies of the Martial Alliance. It’s better to move as quickly as possible.’

It was a wise method. The warriors quickly left the Black King Castle and advanced to Qinghai.

Swish swish-!

While running, Johann’s magic network detected a suspicious sign. His head turned quickly.

‘What’s that?’

In the dense forest, an unusual energy was felt. A human touch, an energy that didn’t match the nature.

It was internal energy.

Phew-

A blue light flashed from Johann’s fingers. Immediately after, a terrible scream was heard in the forest.

“Kkeuaaaak!”

‘Missed.’

Johann once again fired magic missiles indiscriminately. Countless holes were pierced in the bushes.

A warrior running along a similar path as Johann shouted.

“What, what is it!”

“It’s an enemy. Probably a spy. It’s okay now.”

“Ohh.”

The warrior’s eyes twinkled. Indeed, he was worthy of being the man who made Black Origin kneel.

‘Perhaps this man will be decided as the next Black King.’

Johann continued to fire spells from time to time after that.

Sometimes, it was difficult to kill with Johann’s spells alone.

If he took a little time, he could catch them, but it wasn’t efficient.

“It’s over there. Please do me a favor.”

“Okay!”

In such cases, he borrowed the hand of another warrior to assassinate the surveillance.

The martial prowess of the warriors here now was all top-notch. This was because the number of people who could board the ship was limited.

Stab! Swish-!

“Guh!”

Thanks to this, the spies were having a hard time. They barely avoided the strange sorcery, but what awaited them was the blade of a master.

Tap- Tap!

Anyway, the Black King Castle’s special forces arrived at the Yellow River after a full day.

“We’re here!”

Someone shouted while rubbing their sticky face. The forced march at night was too exhausting.

‘At least it’ll be better to be on a boat than running!’

Most of the special forces thought so and ran to the Yellow River.

Johann, using a slower lightness skill than the other warriors, thought.

‘There are many ships. They are all sturdy, they spent some money.’

After all, the fate of the Black King Castle was at stake in this battle. They had no choice but to pour their financial power into it with all their might.

At that time, the Black King, who was at the head of the special forces, shouted.

“Head of the River Transport!”

A figure on top of a thick ship wriggled its body.

The figure was silent for a moment, then shouted happily.

“Lord of the Castle! I’ve been waiting!”

The distance was quite far. But Johann was able to infer the owner of the voice through the conversation.

Head of the Yellow River Water Transport.

It was the Waterway Devil.

***

Unlike his fearsome nickname, the Waterway Devil had a kind impression.

“Hahaha! You’ve had a hard time coming here! I’ve cleared out all the spies nearby.”

“It seems so. Good work. Head of the River Transport.”

The Waterway Devil’s words were true. Until just now, there were countless eyes fixed on the special forces.

But it was different now. Apparently, the Waterway Devil was quite capable.

“Is everyone on board? Chief Manager Shim?”

“Not yet. Ah, everyone’s on board now.”

“Okay. Then let’s depart.”

The Waterway Devil, hearing the Black King’s words, puffed out his chest.

“Depart! Depart! Move it, you guys! Move quickly!”‘

Johann stared at the ships with interesting eyes.

The sight of ships that could only be seen in museums departing all at once was quite a spectacle.

‘It’s almost time.’

Soon, the situation will come where Johann will have to lead the battlefield.

Thump, thump. His heart beat weakly. Johann felt a slight tension and looked around.

“Nice to meet you.”

Johann said with a slight bow. The magicians who made contact in the Yellow River also greeted each other.

“Hello.”

“You’re a Player, right? Wow, I thought you were a local. The magic that I feel is something…”

The total number of magicians was seven. The energies they emitted were all unusual.

Only top-tier Players can enter this trial. In other words, they were confident in their skills.

“As you heard from Chief Manager Shim, please try to grasp my magic pattern as much as possible and assist me. I’m counting on you.”

Johann was uneasy even as he spoke. Skill and pride are proportional.

He was worried that they might ignore him…

‘I don’t want to, but if the backlash is severe, I’ll have to blow off an arm or so.’