◈ Episode 083

"Sorry, I'm a little late."

Kim Lee Hyun entered the room without even fixing his hair. The hotel's party room. This place had been transformed into a temporary operation room since the day the Lab agents checked in.

All eyes were on him for a moment. Kim Yi-hyeon also looked at each person.

There were eight of them. Excluding the professor, each of them was an elite agent who was a team leader.

There are only five 6-star characters and one 5-star character. The other two are Ghost and Leila, who are not official playable characters and grow as you progress.

'That's not all, but it's still quite a collection.'

It's still early in the story. Considering that the lab hasn't expanded much, it was a huge support. As Kushan, he's putting the lab's life on the line for this operation.

Kim Yi-hyeon also had to feel the weight. He walked to the table in the center, avoiding the gazes of the elite agents.

"Please brief me. What's the situation?"

"There was a call from the border guard post two hours ago."

Leila pointed to one side of the map of Basteterra on the table. The wasteland adjacent to the border. There was a pin stuck in a path that Kim Ihyeon had already walked many times.

"They say multiple dangerous creatures have appeared. Nine have been confirmed so far, but sightings continue to be reported. They're approaching the border in a straight line."

"This is exactly like a situation I've seen before."

"Yes. I had a guess based on the research data I found, but this makes it certain."

She spoke at a distance.

"The Legion has developed the technology to create and control dangerous water. While we don't know how well they can control it, we can assume they have a way to guide it along a designated path."

"Does that mean that the Kingdom of Vines was a kind of testing ground?"

"I guess we needed some real-world data."

Pathfinder frowned at Kim Yi-Hyun's response. Operation Ashbelt. Thanks to the hard work of the Lab's agents, there was no damage, but it was a crisis that could have easily led to the collapse of the country.

Even such an incident was just a rehearsal for the Legion.

"I thought it was a bit old, but these days, it's Legion no matter what."

"That's why we definitely need to reduce our power this time."

The professor walked forward and sat close to the table.

"So far, it's not much different from what we talked about before. Right?"

Kim Yi-hyeon nodded his head at the look that seemed to be asking for confirmation. The professor nodded slightly as well, then removed the pin stuck near the border.

"Ignore the danger at the border. It's none of our business."

"...Is that really okay?"

"Leila, I know it's awkward, but there's nothing we can do. Even though we have quite a few people on our side, they're still a small number. The Bastetira Army won't necessarily want to link up with outsiders either."

She then declared:

"First of all, the main force is separate. We have to deal with this side."

As I said, this is a situation I had anticipated. Whether it's using a risky method like now or squeezing the unit, the plan is to create chaos at the border and then move the main force.

The danger is nothing more than bait. It's a truly Legion-like diversionary operation. It's more efficient to let the national army handle it rather than allocate personnel to that side.

"Yes. I understand the priority. But."

"It's not just a matter of priorities. Even if the main force doesn't show up, I have no intention of joining. I didn't promise."

The ghost spoke in a cold tone, as if cutting him off.

"It's different from the time of the Salare Republic. Especially in terms of Lab's position. Even though they were allowed to take autonomous military action in wartime, they did not form an alliance with the national army. That's why we are here now, not in the regular conference room of the royal palace."

Treated as a mercenary group operating separately. Even this was a contract forced upon them by Ainoa's power. Naturally, killing civilians during operations was strictly prohibited.

"National defense is the duty of the military in the first place. Of course, if we help, we can reduce the number of deaths. However, please realize that the soldiers here were not conscripted forcibly. They have been receiving wages up until now, and now it is time for them to work..."

"Just stop there, Ghost. I'm going to cry."

Elite agent Rosetta interrupted.

Ghost rubbed his neck for no reason after seeing Leila's darkened complexion. For advice, his tone seemed cold.

"...In a word, kindness can sometimes be excessive."

"I know what you mean. Thank you, Mr. Ghost."

At a point when things were roughly organized, Kim Yi-hyeon opened his mouth.

"Keep going. Ignoring the danger level, this was the main force."

"Okay. Time is running out, so I'll get through it quickly."

The professor's palm touched the center of the map.

"The legion has already entered the country."

"So you used a tunnel after all?"

A secretly dug tunnel without any records. If it existed, it was already known. An underground passage leading somewhere was also discovered in the Legion's research lab.

There was no way to determine the exact number or location. It would be possible to limit the scope to the capital, but it would be impossible to cover the entire Bastitera.

'There's nothing we can do about it. The preparation period is different.'

From the beginning, we had judged that it was impossible to prevent the invasion itself. We had even considered the possibility that the main force was hiding in a hidden underground facility.

Even if you block one, there is no point if there is still one left that you haven't found yet. That's why Kim I-hyeon and Ku-san didn't bother to block all the passages and just left them alone.

With the path open, I predicted the invasion route the Legion might take. I ordered them to install micro-communicators and deploy informants to monitor them.

There were results.

"There are currently three units whose locations have been identified."

There were three pins left on the map. Castile, Cante, and Slandijk. Place names written in the language of Polaris. These areas had something in common.

These were all territories ruled by the nobles of the mountain clan.

"Anywhere close to the capital. The chances of the Legion occupying the territory and holding out are low. They'll either fight a guerrilla war by moving between the surface and the underground, or..."

"They're going to attack the capital."

"maybe."

The professor agreed with Leila's opinion.

"A monarchy like Bastet would collapse on its own if it lost its center. If your goal was to create chaos, there was no need to occupy it and take over."

The professor's fingers ran over the map.

"If there's a tunnel connecting to the capital, we're helpless, but I'll assume there isn't. For now, we can predict the Legion's meeting point just by looking at the movements of these three units."

The projected advance path of the Legion units, marked in blue.

Poke the point where three lengths overlap.

"Granada Line. We will fight at this intersection."

Afterwards, the professor shared the details of the operation with the elite agents. It was quite a moving scene for the onlookers.

'This is what a professor should do. He's come to his senses.'

Even though half of it was decided in advance, what do you think? The fact that you are standing in this position speaks volumes about your status within the organization.

There is no feeling of being forced to follow. Rather, it shows a leading role. As a user who once worked as a professor, even if only through the screen, I couldn't help but feel proud.

Even as an individual agent, the professor's presence was a source of comfort.

'It's more comfortable if there's someone who thinks for you.'

Unlike the previous few operations, the role assigned to 'Kim Lee-Hyeon' is limited. Outside of combat, he is probably just assisting the professor in command. Even that is over when he subtly leaks game knowledge.

Although it is painful to allow intrusion, there are also some advantages.

'You can't even imagine that they are monitoring your location in real time.'

The transmitters planted in the tunnels have not been detected, meaning that the Legion has no doubts about their safety. They must be confident that they will reach the new capital without anyone noticing.

Of course, I don't intend to let you go so easily.

'It's about time for it to explode.'

We buried mines in every tunnel we found. There were dozens of passages, so we had to prepare them all, so we couldn't put effort into each one.

Even so, it is an explosion in an underground pit. Power reduction is inevitable. If you are lucky, you may be able to deal with a large number of units without even touching them.

A battle doesn't start when two sides face each other.

'… … I wish everything would go as planned.'

I had a feeling of unease.

I always feel this way, but there are limits to predictions. Polaris is a world where human limitations are high. There are frequent instances where one skilled soldier can overpower ten ordinary soldiers.

And the Legion has many humans who are worse than monsters.

'There are just too many options to choose from.'

The assassination of the royal family was still in effect. Carmen was left in the palace, considering the possibility of a special force. Even though I thought I was prepared as best as I could, I couldn't rest easy.

After a while the briefing ended.

The agents began to leave.

Familiar faces approached him as he stood there blankly.

"Let's get going, Hyun."

Kim Hyun-i sighed and nodded at Westcreek's words.

"okay."

In the end, it's all about improvisation.

* * *

Rattle, rattle.

The train steamed along the railroad tracks. Camellia sat on the hard seat and looked out the window. Even though the capital was nearby, the scenery was still bleak.

Bastet was a country that was not very colorful overall. Black trains, gray-haired pedestrians, gray cities, white snow on the roads, trees that did not bloom.

It's a place where it's difficult for outsiders to become attached.

But I didn't completely hate Camellia. Even though it was clearly my first time in the area, I felt a strange sense of nostalgia.

Suddenly a voice rang in my ear.

― I've been to the capital by train. I know how backward it is now, but at the time it seemed like a very prosperous city.

― It felt more unfamiliar than Tokyo. There were too many people. People wearing neat clothes, which I rarely saw in my hometown, walked to and from the station with hurried steps.

Neat clothes.

Camellia glanced at the passengers sitting next to her in the same seat. She wore a coat over her vest. The design was old-fashioned and the sleeves were fuzzed.

― I was so anxious that I fell down while walking. But no one reached out to give me a hand. The way they looked at me as if they were looking at me like I was being a bother hurt my young heart.

Knock, knock, knock.

The sound of shoes hitting the floor was low. Some people were nervously shaking their legs while looking at their pocket watches, while others had papers on their knees.

It felt very real. I couldn't believe we were on the same train, but I could imagine Talixis as a child sitting nervously in her seat.

Naturally, a small smile appeared on Camellia's lips.

But it only lasted a moment.

Ttukbuk.

Across the aisle a man stood in front of her.

"Camellia, it's almost time."

The warmth has cooled down.

Camellia remembered her duty. The reason why she had come here, obediently following her godmother's instructions that she usually ignored.

Camellia is Castus. A daughter of immigrants who does not know her homeland. She has no obsession with Bastitera. Her birthplace is the Shiran Empire.

To Camellia, Basteterra was merely the home of her benefactor. The land of Talixis, who saved her when she was wandering after being banished from the empire. The land she loved and longed for.

In this country, the one who killed Talixis has come.

"You, what are you doing? Standing there like a fool. You're bothering me. Why don't you sit down?"

The passenger next to him snapped at the man. When there was no response, he looked back and forth between Camellia and the man, then clicked his tongue.

"Me too. I don't know what happened, but I shouldn't cause trouble."

Camellia didn't even move her gaze even though he was openly criticizing her. She unzipped the bag she had tucked at her side. She took out a short iron stake from inside.

Bam!

Camellia drove the stake into the passenger's face without hesitation.

"Ahhh, kkaaaaaah!"

Passengers clutched their faces in excruciating pain and writhed. Blood splattered everywhere. The passengers sat up in shock at the sudden bloodshed.

"What are you doing… Aaaah!"

A second stake was then driven into the abdomen of another passenger. Even as Camellia took action, the Legion soldier simply watched, seemingly unwilling to help.

There was no need to help.

"Shake it! Shake it...!"

The eyes of the two passengers who had been stabbed rolled back. Foam bubbled from their mouths and dark green spots appeared on their skin. Their limbs, which had been convulsing for several seconds, fell limp as if their threads had snapped.

The next moment, his joints snapped and he ran towards the civilians.

"S-stop. Aaaah!"

Those who were bitten would then bite others, spreading the disease.

In an instant, the interior of the car turned into a scene of chaos.

Ttukbuk.

Camellia, holding the third stake, walked between the seats.

Hearing the commotion, he made eye contact with the woman in the car in front who was checking the situation. Her face turned pale and she was seen running away. Camellia had no feelings for her.

The object of her hatred was not here.

'Dustborne, Cellbrox Lab.'

A yellow man with black hair. And a Castus woman with golden eyes.

It was okay not to invade the enemy territory. Just build a base, increase the number of soldiers, and gradually expand the territory. Then, it will inevitably appear before your eyes.

If you don't come out, the city will die.