◈ Episode 204

The commotion that started without warning about 10 minutes ago became increasingly violent. The sound of gunshots drowned out the sound of explosions, and the structure collapsed. The imperial palace, which boasted a long history, was trampled by terrorists.

Even the darkest sleepers could not help but notice the change. While some people were helpless and trembled, others responded quickly.

As if he had foreseen the situation in advance.

Knock, knock, knock!

"This way, follow me quickly!"

"Wait a minute, hoo! Slow down a bit…!"

"This is not the time to be leisurely."

"Mr. Erai, if you keep doing this, you'll suffocate!"

Maximilian finally stopped walking when he saw her screaming. He let go of her wrist and turned around, and sure enough, his younger sister, Princess Mayana, was gasping for breath as if she was about to vomit.

"There are so many weaklings. Why don't you build up some stamina on a regular basis?"

"Hey, be quiet. Nagging, huh! Is this the time to do that?"

"He's my little brother, but his voice is really ugly…."

"asleep."

Maximilian did not let his guard down even while making petty jokes. He quickly checked the safety of his surroundings with his eyes and measured the distance to the battlefield with his ears.

Fortunately, there is quite a distance.

'So you went straight to the Emperor's Palace?'

Of course, it is too early to feel relieved.

Kim Yi-hyeon said that he was not interested in anything other than the Emperor's head. However, plans change depending on the circumstances at the time. In the first place, saying 'I am not interested' is different from saying 'I will not harm anyone.'

So this was his role.

"Sir Lewis. How are things going with Noah and Elias?"

"I heard that Noah has already arrived at the hiding place. Elias is also escaping smoothly, so I don't think you need to worry too much."

"I see. As for you, Sister… Well, I think you'll be okay."

1st Princess Laura is a very well-prepared person. She is the one who takes the best care of herself. She must have prepared some kind of safety measure before Shiran's atmosphere became chaotic.

"Coming here was the right choice."

"Can you stop talking to me like I'm the problem?"

Meiana, who had barely managed to stabilize her breathing, glared at Maximilian.

"I find you more surprising. Was you always this calm?"

"You're making a fuss over my share, so it's calming down, isn't it?"

"You're making a fuss?"

Mayana turned her gaze in the direction of the Imperial Palace. Smoke was rising so high that it could be seen from afar. The explosive noise was so terrifying that it made her tremble.

It didn't feel realistic at all.

"How, how could this happen…?"

Maximilian clenched his fists as he muttered in fear. Was this the right choice? A belated sense of guilt and regret surged through his mind.

'No, it was my own decision.'

No veto? That's just an excuse.

I could have refused as many times as I wanted, I could have tried to persuade Kim Yi-hyun, or I could have even run away. I thought long and hard about what the consequences would be.

After much thought, I decided to break the stone.

Once a decision has been made, it cannot be reversed.

"Once you've rested, let's move again."

The history of the Shiran Palace is long. In the past, there were frequent wars. As such, there are many places for the royal family to hide and secret passages leading to the outside.

A shelter that he had memorized its location since childhood, but had never used before. Maximilian had searched for the safest place among several candidates, far from the imperial palace.

A basement connected to the back space of the warehouse.

As we descended the stairs, we saw knights sent by Maximilian standing guard at the door. In modern-day Schiran, knights do not ride horses and prefer guns to swords, but their loyalty remains the same.

"Your Majesty, I hope you are safe."

"How come. Are the two of you in here?"

"Yes. Elias arrived a little while ago."

"That's great. Thanks for your hard work."

After briefly congratulating them on their hard work, we went into the basement.

"Brother! Why are you coming now?"

"Hey, did you run into a terrorist by any chance?"

"No. I was just late because I had to bring Mayana."

"Seriously, Sister, you were sleeping during this chaos…."

"Hey, what are you talking about? Do these people think I'm a real person?"

The expressions on their faces, which had been so frightened, visibly relaxed. They seemed to feel a little relieved after confirming each other's safety. Maximilian himself was finally able to relax.

'If it's here, I won't get caught up in anything.'

But I can't just sit back and suck my thumb like this.

In his own opinion, he had one more important duty.

"Noah, Elias, Mayana."

I looked into the eyes of my younger siblings one by one, calling their names.

"Don't come out of here until I get back."

"What? What are you talking about? You're going out alone, oppa?"

"Yes. I must go to His Majesty."

"Are you crazy? Even if I go, oppa…."

Mayana, who was about to lash out, unconsciously shut her mouth. Maximilian's mood was more serious than ever. There was not even a trace of the playfulness that he had shown when he joked around.

'I have to watch.'

Maximilian had to take responsibility. Even if it was just a small help, he had participated in the terrorism. Whatever the outcome, he would have to watch with his own eyes and bear the consequences.

"Leave this to the gentlemen. Be sure to guard it."

"It is dangerous, Your Majesty. Your Majesty does not have a guardian angel by your side. So…."

"If you're that worried, Kyung-i, come with me."

He ignored the knight's dissuasion and walked out of the basement. His red eyes were filled with determination. He had long since finished preparing to live in a new era.

'father.'

The continent will be in turmoil.

Because of the death of the emperor.

* * *

As soon as his vision opened, Kim Yi-Hyeon grasped the situation.

'Six. Five, excluding the Emperor.'

Although it may be a small number, it cannot be ignored. I had to look at the details of the escort. Four are special forces. If they are in charge of directly escorting the emperor, they are quite a high-quality test subjects.

'There… … .'

Wedge!

Before he knew it, the blade had come close to his nose. Kim Yi-hyeon hurriedly tilted his head back. A deep scratch was engraved on his gas mask along with the unpleasant noise of metal scraping.

He rolled back and gained some distance. There must have been quite a gap, but there was no follow-up attack. Kim Yi-hyeon stared at the man who confronted him through the gas mask.

'Heinrich, the Guardian of the Nation.'

He sticks close to the emperor as if he is faithful to his role as a bodyguard. His only weapon is a sword. Although he may seem anachronistic, he is by no means a figure to be underestimated.

'This guy is quite the monster.'

A genius born into a prestigious martial family, the Spear of Shiran, and a monster slayer.

It would be a pain to list the achievements of the guardian of the nation. Just like the emperor, he has preserved his position by tearing off the shell of his descendants. How much has he contributed to Shiran during this time?

He is a notorious enemy even in games.

Title: Heinrich Isaakki doesn't even have an aging curve

(A rough gif of Leone firing SMGs in rapid succession and then getting parried for 1 second)

No, the game is so unrealistic lol. How can you bounce a bullet 1 square in front?

└ You who seek reality in games… hmm… .

└ It's annoying because even range attacks can be evaded

└ Refer to Professor Kim's strategy article http://carrotshake/polaris/132413

An automatic counter with extremely high evasion rate and a 30% activation probability. Although the attack power itself is low, the defense penetration is so high that it is difficult to counter with a tank.

On the other hand, what is the power like here?

― It's endless! Where are they pouring from!

- Crazy. Aren't these really parasites?

- Mr. Hyun! Just hold on a little longer, I'll join you soon!

Most of the power is tied up. There was no major problem entering the palace, but it was a waste of time to determine the location of the emperor.

If it was delayed another 30 minutes, not only the knights but also all the executors in the capital would come rushing in. It was a situation where they had to clear the road by any means necessary.

Kim Yi-hyeon glanced at Asterike, who had her face covered just like his. She was holding a gunlance instead of the blunt sword she usually used.

'[The vibranium composite sword] has almost become Asterike's trademark.'

There are more Pekkatums that can handle heat spells if you search the continent, but they are becoming a nuisance when you add in the [Vibranium Composite Sword]. You have no choice but to use other equipment instead.

Of course, from here on out, it's all good news.

There will be no cameras and I don't plan on leaving any witnesses.

"How are you feeling?"

"It's still going strong. What should I do?"

Asterike asked as she received the [Vibranium Composite Sword]. In the meantime, the enemy formation changed. The special forces blocked the front, and the Emperor and the Guardians began to slowly retreat.

It was clear that they were trying to buy time somehow.

This may be a choice to keep the emperor from getting involved in battle.

I can confidently say that it was the dumbest decision I've ever made.

"Sweep."

As soon as he gave the order as if he had been waiting, the heat boiled over. Flames reminiscent of blood engulfed Asterike. Even Kim I-hyeon took a few steps back, while the special forces still maintained their formation.

'Your courage is truly admirable.'

Sometimes you just need to be brave.

Kuang!

A heavy impact shook the ground beneath their feet. The stone floor cracked and sparks burst out from the tip of the sword. The red flames opened their mouths and swallowed the special forces.

It didn't stop there, and the aftermath reached the rear. Heinrich quickly extended his sword to counter the karma. Normally, he should have been swept away without a fight, but the result was completely different.

A hazy mist mixed with the flames. That alone caused Asterike's spell to lose its form. The flames died down in an instant, as if it were nothing more than an illusion or something.

"What? Why is it like this?"

Unlike Asterike who was flustered, Kim Ihyeon expected it.

'Because you seem like a fraud.'

An active special ability assigned to 'Heinrich the Guardian'. An effect that inflicts silence within a certain range. He has a spell that suppresses other people's spells.

The ability to create an absurd synergy when combined with one's own pure combat ability. It is a natural enemy for Asterike, who is extremely dependent on spells.

But there is no need to despair.

"This is enough."

The annoying special forces are already completely tanned. They are still moving, but Asterike can deal with them alone. Above all, our preparations are complete.

The modified version of Helixivir that was inserted into the neck flowed through the bloodstream.

Kim Yi-hyeon immediately made a flash grenade and rolled it on the ground. Before it could explode, fog enveloped the flash grenade. Regardless of his will, the flash grenade turned into light and disappeared.

'Isn't my spell any different?'

But the compatibility isn't all bad.

This time, Hoguk-gyeong was the first to close the distance, as if he had changed his policy. An explosive acceleration that would normally be impossible to handle. The enhanced body vision captured the opponent's movements without fail.

And the second throw.

Unlike before, he mixed the action of putting his hands in and taking them out of his pockets. As expected, the fog touched the flash grenade. It seemed like he had a full grasp of this spell, perhaps because of a well-known side effect.

That's why it can be a surprise.

"...!"

Even though it was affected by the fog, the flash grenade did not disappear. It was a natural result. It was not a spell, but a real thing. Hoguk-gyeong made a decision in a split second and used the back of his sword to slash the flash grenade away.

The flow is as expected.

The angle at which the sword is held. The direction in which it can be swung. Kim Yi-hyeon paid attention to it. In games, a 'counter' occurs by probability, but it is impossible for it to be applied in reality.

Brother, come on!

I fired [Ivory] at the empty side.

Hoguk-gyeong hurriedly rolled on the ground. A bullet grazed his forearm, causing blood to flow out. The gunfire continued without a moment to catch his breath, and as he evaded in awkward positions, his wounds gradually increased.

Kim Yi-hyeon, who had fired a barrage of bullets, immediately pulled out a knife from his waist. This time, too, it was a real thing that could not be erased by the fog. Just before he could swing his blade down, Ho-guk-gyeong flew away and retreated to the rear.

Through the short and brief battle, Kim Lee-Hyeon became convinced.

"It's as shitty as I thought."

Heinrich's strategy for conquering the country is very simple.

If pure combat ability is the strength of the Guardian King.

All you have to do is raise your skills to the same level.