Invasion [1]

We made it back to the mansion in relatively good time, and this time, we even had a completely normal landing! Yes, I know—I'm the best flyer of all time.

The kids followed my orders without question, slipping inside quietly before Leah could wake up and deliver one of her exhausting scoldings.

I was somewhat surprised by how smoothly everything had gone.

The children placed the bombs exactly where I told them to, and not a single soul came out to investigate. It was almost eerie how easy it was.

I waited until morning before taking my next step. As I walked down the hallway, I held a small pouch of coins and a map. Reaching a certain door, I knocked.

A red-haired older woman answered, rubbing sleep from her eyes. She was wearing a purple nightgown, clearly not expecting visitors at this hour.

She yawned. "Hellooo? Is it the rich brat I see?"

Over the past few days, she had made her irritation with me abundantly clear.

Apparently, blowing up her house was an unforgivable offense—so dramatic.

I gave her money!

That should have made everything even!

"Good morning! Take this, please!" I shoved the pouch and map into her hands before she could react. "You should leave town."

She almost dropped them in surprise. "Huuh?"

Leah's face twisted with suspicion. "What is all this for?"

I simply smiled. "Please, just trust me."

She frowned, staring at me for a long moment, and I saw the exact moment she understood. I was honestly surprised I didn't have to argue with her.

"Pack your things," I said. "Take the children and leave."

She swallowed hard, then nodded.

Within the hour, an aether-powered carriage was loaded up. Nearly all of the children waved at me as they left, and soon they were gone.

It was for the best. I had work to do.

I could have just let them stay during the invasion. I could have let them be another number in the death toll I was about to cause.

I know I'm selfish for what I'm about to do.

I could have warned the local Alastia Knight Order branch.

I could have evacuated the entire city.

But I didn't. And I wouldn't.

This fake world won't shake me. I will survive this shitty game. Even if it means getting some NPCs killed for it. I needed most of the civilians to stay in town so the Zelk wouldn't call off the invasion. I needed to kill a hell of a lot of Zelks for the skill [Fast Learner].

The Adventurers' Guild was buzzing with activity when I arrived. My newly hired bodyguards—a ragtag bunch of mercenaries, former thugs, and washed-up warriors—were gathered inside, waiting for me.

Fifty men and women, all desperate enough to sign up for a job with vague details and an unreasonably high pay rate. I hadn't expected the full fifty. I thought Tintor didn't have enough adventurers, but surprisingly, they did.

The familiar guild clerk spotted me and raised his voice. "For everyone here for the bodyguarding job, your contractor is here. He will inform you of the details."

The adventurers crowded around me, murmuring amongst themselves. I took a moment, then cleared my throat, slipping into my best noble impression.

"Your job is to protect me! I will not tolerate failure! I will be going to the center of town, where the statue of the great hero Orion stands, to practice my skills. Your job is simply to sit around, protect me, and drive out any unwanted visitors. We will be doing this all day, every day, for the next week!"

A man in his 30s, looking particularly annoyed, spoke up. "Why didn't you put any of this in the contract? I didn't know this job was going to take more than a day!"

I gave him a flat look. "You took the job, didn't you? So why do you dare act as if I, a noble, could be wrong?"

He grumbled but nodded. Money ruled the world, after all.

A woman with sharp eyes and twin daggers crossed her arms. "You gonna tell us what we're guarding you from?"

I smirked. "I already told you. Any unwanted visitors."

That earned me a few skeptical glares, but no one backed out. They needed the money, and I needed meat shields. A perfect arrangement.

I opened my mouth to speak—

SHHHHIIIIEEEEEEEERRRRRKKKKKKKK—!

An earsplitting shriek tore through the town, shaking the air.

I felt a chill run down my spine.

I recognized that sound from the game. A Zelk War Whistle.

Everything stopped.

A second later, screams erupted from the streets.

I ran out of the guild, barking at the adventurers to follow me. They surrounded me as I sprinted toward the statue of the great hero.

I turned sharply toward the town square, and my eyes widened.

The Zelk were all over the town, those falsely angelic creatures, their white glow and antlers stained with blood. They moved like a graceful tide, overwhelming everything in their path. Civilians were being massacred. There were at least a hundred Zelks running around, burning everything down with spells and killing any human in sight.

Some Zelk turned and noticed my group, but what they really seemed to like was the grey crown hovering around my head.

I weaved an aether sword into existence and gripped it tightly.

Time to see if all that training paid off.