Chapter 168: Monster Wave (4)

'No matter how much you beg, you'll be at the forefront, Jungwook.'

I could understand his thoughts. Of course, there was a difference between fighting and being commanded while being incorporated into a separate command unit.

He wanted to keep his guild intact. No, to be clearer, this in itself was already a matter of survival. This was confirmed when he had agreed with the Count. It seemed that if he sided with me, I would hand over a suitable position for Little Rock.

Perhaps…

'He probably wants to be placed in the rear.'

Count Castle Rock had made up his mind, anyway. The entire Castle Rock estate was turned into a war footing, and martial law was declared to block the free people from fleeing the city.

He already knew that the Count would not give way. If he said that he was at the top of the command system, it might give a sense of incongruity. However, standing in the position of Honorary Bishop, things would be a little different.

I had a plausible position as a free citizen, and the position of Honorary Bishop received by the Pope's side was enough to grant me the needed authority.

Choosing me as the person to be the shield of Little Rock was a great choice, but not grasping my intentions was the worst mistake he could have ever made. It seemed like he still thought that I cared about him; seeing him desperately agreeing was kind of fun.

Naturally, some of the other guilds began to support his opinion.

"It is said that guilds and clans can operate independently, but… we need to be on a war footing anyway. The Count's words seem to make sense. Although Lee Kiyoung is not from Castle Rock, isn't he from the Holy Empire just like us?"

"Hmm…"

"I don't think it's a bad decision."

"In fact, it's not that we didn't think…"

Sensing an opportunity for escape, others began to agree with the Count's proposed notion.

"I think Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung should lead this…"

As some guilds began cooperating, the other existing guilds and clans who wanted to receive benefits also began cooperating. They instinctively understood that they could get something out of this. Instantly, the public opinion that 'this was a bad choice' changed.

Seeing them wagging their tails as if this was their chance was ridiculous. It was like seeing domesticated dogs beg for their treats.

'The Count made the right choice.'

Coercive dealing with free people would help solve the crisis right now, but it was not a smart way if one were to consider the future. Compromising on the right line was an obvious step in the first place. Choosing me as a connection point to connect him and the free people was a good idea for both him and me.

'It's reasonable.'

This was a situation where none of the free people in Castle Rock could be trusted.

I didn't know if it was because of Marlin Young-ae or because of his heartbreaking attitude to Castle Rock, but it seemed like the Count had placed his trust in me.

'It's not that I don't understand when I think about the rumors that are spreading within the royal castle.'

My position meant I had a pretty good evaluation of the situation.

Seeing that Kim Hyunsung also quietly nodded, it seemed that he also agreed with the Count.

'Of course, it's a good thing for me, too.'

"I am… It's overwhelming."

"No. Lee Kiyoung. I will provide you with my full support."

"If Song Jungwook says so… ahem."

Anyway, I wanted to do the commanding of the large-scale troops. Of course, theoretically, I had to study, but practice was different from theory. If I missed this opportunity, I would be no different than a fool, but humility was a virtue of Koreans.

As soon as I opened my mouth, intending to say that I was struggling with the premise of not being good enough, I immediately felt all gazes focusing on me.

'Good.'

"If so… I will do my best to organize and operate units together with Castle Rock's Yeongju Tower. Thank you very much, Count Castle Rock."

"Please take good care of it, Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung."

Now it felt like the atmosphere had calmed down. Seeing that all eyes were on me, it seemed that I had a lot of things to say. Considering that unit formation was of the utmost importance, it was only natural for them to look at me in this manner.

'Who would want to go to the first city wall?'

Although the protagonist had already been decided to fill the position, it is a position that I would have to consider until the end.

While the briefing continued, I could see that some people were thinking about completely different things. Of course, many of them had doubts about whether the monster wave will really happen, but Kim Hyunsung proved to be quite good at answering their questions.

"Most people who have been hunting recently can feel it. It means that there is a problem with the monster's ecology living in the forest in front of Castle Rock."

"I've definitely… felt it. Basilisks living in swamps suddenly appeared in the woods, and so on. Higher monsters also appeared outside the forest. Even in our clan, we have been refraining the new guild members from hunting."

"If you look at the signs of the monster waves that hit Castle Rock decades ago, you can see that they are surprisingly similar."

"What is the cause?"

"It would be correct to think that a population saturation or a new monster that may threaten an existing monster is moving its habitat."

"But can you judge with just that as a sign of a monster wave? It is only after the situation becomes clearer that war footing and martial law can be implemented…"

"By then, it will already be too late. I think there is a difference between knowing and preparing and not knowing and preparing. Besides, if you look at the graph here…"

"Hmm… I see."

Now was not the time for me to intervene. It may seem that the information in the data presented by our side was a bit lacking, but all the evidence clearly testified that something would happen. Those who harbored doubts were either dissatisfied with the sudden war footing or just didn't want to admit it.

In fact, I was also having doubts.

Looking at the circumstances brought by Kim Hyunsung, it was almost certain that a monster wave would indeed occur. I didn't even have to look for evidence. If it happened in the first timeline, it would definitely happen here, too.

However, the reason was not clear. Kim Hyunsung did not seem to know for sure why the wave had occurred.

'Does that matter?'

Anyway, what we had to do was obvious.

'To catch incoming monsters. That was all.'

Most people besides me could understand this very well. Even after the briefing was over, conversations continued to take place. At this point, it would be prudent for me to speak. If I didn't, this would go on for a longer time.

"Then, I will speak as a commander. I would like you to submit information about each guild and clan's unit formation and major classes. There should not be anything hidden because it is possible to have a reasonable arrangement only if it is accurately described."

"What?"

"Supplies held by each guild are integrated. We, the Blue, will also integrate and operate the items we have brought."

"That's…"

"Support will also come from Lindel. I hope you follow along as we plan to integrate the supplies arrived from Lindel. We intend to leave the management of supplies to the Castle Rock Merchant Guild and Castle Rock Merchant Group. You don't have to worry too much, as we will distribute the supplies left reasonably after the work is done."

"Still… Each guild or group has its own circumstances…"

"This is a list of supplies to be paid for free from the Blue. It will be more than the total amount that some small and medium-sized guilds can afford. It would be nice to consider each of the guild's circumstances, but I am not in this post for your convenience. Of course, I'll take some into account, but if you don't want to follow it, you should go under the command of Castle Rock and fight together with them."

"It's not that I won't follow…"

The first thing I had to do was control the idiots who refused to listen. As for the supplies, it would only be right for me to guard them.

At this, Song Jungwook from Little Rock also spoke up while nodding.

"I also agree with Honorary Bishop Lee Kiyoung."

Though I knew he wasn't sincerely loyal, this was good of him to do.

"Only the minimum number of troops will be left in the Guild Houses, and all guilds, for the time being, will use the barracks inside the walls and always wait by these areas. Also, the whole training will start tomorrow. Those from the Red Mercenaries will be in charge of training."

"Ah. Are the Red Mercenaries coming, too?" A hopeful voice inquired.

"Now, we are constantly in communication with Lindel. Perhaps, if the timing coincides with hers, Cha Hee-ra will be able to fight together with us."

"Oooooh."

Hearing this had successfully eased away their anxiety. I knew what they were thinking. They were glad that the Red Mercenaries would be there, since it would help them overcome the situation.

I knew Cha Hee-ra was one of the reasons why most of these people looked up to me, too. Of course, the fact that I was a personally prepared commander was also a reason why they liked me.

From the time Kim Hyunsung asked to go to Castle Rock, he had done nothing but gave orders and information. Still, it was the commander's confidence in uneasy situations that, in turn, also gave confidence to those under him.

Meanwhile, I had made sure to let them know of the consequences of disobeying me.

"Hahaha. I don't know how fortunate it is for having Lee Kiyoung at Castle Rock."

In the meantime, Song Jungwook busied himself with constantly kissing my ass in the hopes of getting the rear placement.

"The Castle Rock Merchant Guild will start sorting after receiving all supplies within today. Other guilds will also be armed and move their residence to the walled barracks."

"All of this will happen today?"

"Yes."

"I'll have to move quickly, then."

"If something happens, you must report it directly to me."

"Yes, alright."

"Well, what kind of barracks can I go to?"

"When you come back, everything will be ready."

They would need time to organize, so it was only right to give this amount of time.

As I continued to talk about the plan as if everything had already been prepared, the expressions of those listening to me began to change.

They had started to look glad that I had taken command.

'And that's what I want.'

As an Honorary Bishop of the Holy Empire, I could get help from priests in other cities, and I could also get help from the Red Mercenary because I was the Mercenary Queen's Gigolo. Perhaps considering that I could also get the Yozora Guild's help in Celia, my background alone might make me look like a rather competent commander.

"We will try to complete the formation of the unit in consultation with Count Castle Rock as soon as possible. Let's dismiss the meeting at this point. Personal arrangements should be made as soon as possible. As Count Castle Rock said, we're placing on a war footing now. I'm not a person who likes to make useless troubles, so if you follow me well, there will be something for you to get, too."

"Ah…"

"It would be a good idea to think about what would happen after the wave is over instead of just thinking about what's going on as of the moment."

"Alright."

As I stood up, all of them stood up as well. They approached me as soon as I left the room.

Of course, the most active one among them was Song Jungwook, the number one contributor who had placed me on my current pedestal.

"Lee Kiyoung, what time can I come in?"

"In fact, I would like everyone to gather by the afternoon, but…"

"I think it will take a little longer…"

"Then, it's a bit, but I'll give you this convenience."

"Hahaha. Thank you."

"No. I can't be too inflexible."

"As expected from Lee Kiyoung. When you first came to Castle Rock, did you feel that you were the one who would be the light to Castle Rock? Hahahaha."

He wasn't the only one wagging his tail. Most of them threw me praises in all directions.

It took me quite a while to get rid of all of them. My conversation with Jung Hayan about the location-tracker on my body would have to wait at a later date.

'I have to organize the troops, too…'

This would not be a big problem as long as Cho Hyejin could help me with it.

"Hyejin-ssi?"

"Yes, Vice Guild Master?"

"I have to go to do something now. I have things to organize, too… Hyejin may be able to organize the troops on her own."

"What?"

"Little Rock and Song Jungwook will be on the first wall, so just get the strands for the rest, please."

"Ah…"

"If one has sinned, shouldn't they be punished?"

Song Jungwook should definitely be on the lookout now.